Rebecca King hosts the Voodoo Dinner at her sheep ranch Sept. 22. Photo by Melissa Schilling.
Thank God for Bittersweet Bistro, where dining doesn't have to break what's left of your bank. Recession Crushers are those happy and delicious little daily specials — $6 each—served starting at 3:30pm and all evening long in the bar and on the outdoor patio. How about a quartet of raw oysters with housemade cocktail sauce ($6) and a Stoli vodka martini ($5)? This is good news. Or truffle fries and aioli. Coconut crusted prawns with Asian slaw. Chicken quesadilla with salsa fresca and sour cream. See what I mean? Foods you want to eat, paired with a cocktail or wine special. My favorite is the crab, crayfish and artichoke dip topped with cheese and wood-fire–baked. Each one of these appealing dishes is priced at a recession-crushing $6. I know I just said that, but it's worth repeating. Bittersweet is located at 787 Rio Del Mar Blvd. in Aptos. Get on over there and do your part to help crush the, well, the you-know-what.
We All Scream Mission Hill Creamery entrepreneur David Kumec is busy putting the finishing touches on his new downtown Santa Cruz shop. Kumec has battled “multiple setbacks on construction,” but hopes to be open by Labor Day. The new shop will be located at 1101 B Pacific Avenue, directly across from Hoffman's and Kianti's. Get in line soon!
Glassy Options The new wine tasting opportunities at Annieglass continue to win new friends for Ann Morhauser’s elegant creations. The new news is that the “Pours & Tours” happen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Take a tour between 11:30am and 2pm and discover just how the renowned glass creations are made. Or enjoy tastings of Santa Cruz and Monterey County wines—three wines for $5—from noon to 4:30pm. Upcoming samples showcase Garden Variety Cheeses on Aug. 11 and Buzzone Family Vineyards on Aug. 18. 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville. 831.761.2041.
Voodoo Food Speaking of .htmlGarden Variety Cheeses, sheep rancher Rebecca Kingreminds me that tickets are now on sale for the afternoon Voodoo Dinner out at Monkeyflower Ranch in Royal Oaks on Sept. 22. This will be the second Project HOPE Art afternoon of great food and wine. Look forward to a five-course Haitian-inspired meal created by caterer Carla Lobato, made with locally grown items from Live Earth Farm, cheese and meats from Garden Variety Cheese (King's artisanal creations) and desserts from the Penny Ice Creamery. The event begins with a farm tour, and there will be live music and cocktails before the family-style alfresco dinner. http://projecthopeart.org/
