Cocktail 101 at Golden Era
COCKTAIL CLASSES AT GOLDEN ERA
Starting March 6, the award-winning mixologists at Golden Era lounge in Nevada City— led by Eric Giardina and Darren Crawford—will begin hosting comprehensive craft cocktail classes. It is a first for the foothills, reflecting the region’s more refined food and drink scene. “Don’t make a drink; make a masterpiece.”
Golden Era’s “Cocktail 101” class focuses on the history of cocktails from the 1700s up through present day, selecting the finest and freshest ingredients, making syrups and infusions, and crafting cocktails using proper techniques and tools of the trade. The “Cocktail 102” class introduces students to the historical origin, fermentation, distillation, aging, and proof strength of spirits in craft cocktails.
Classes are on the last Monday of the month at Golden Era at 309 Broad St. from 6-8 p.m. at a cost of $75 per student. The price includes a welcome drink and up to 5 different “expressions” of a spirit. Eric and Darren gained their experience at San Francisco bars that have pioneered the craft cocktail scene, such as Bourbon & Branch. GoldenEraLounge.com
MORGAN’S EXPANDS TO MIDTOWN RENO
For three years, Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fish Market has been the most popular location in Truckee for “wicked fresh” fish, shellfish, lobster rolls, decadent lobster bisque, and creamy clam chowder. The fresh fish arrives almost daily, and the lobsters are flown in live from Maine. We are regulars.
Opening a fish market in the Sierra was a leap of faith for Shawn and Heather Whitney, but business is booming. Now the East Coast transplants—who epitomize our region’s entrepreneurial talent—have opened a second, much larger Morgan’s in the heart of midtown Reno. The 3,800-sq.-ft. restaurant and fish store at 1401 S. Virginia St. is being well received and perfectly compliments the reenergized dining scene in Reno. MorgansLobsterShack.com
VALENTINE’S TREATS
“Shop local” for Valentine’s treats. Loomis-based Ticket Chocolate’s Valentine Sampler Gift Kit includes two handmade chocolate bars, four hot chocolate sticks and fresh marshmallows (TicketChocolate.com). Emily’s Catering & Cakes in Grass Valley has a Valentine’s Pop-up Bakery Feb. 10-14, with fresh baked goods (Facebook.com/EmilysCateringandCakes), and Cello Chocolate (http://www.cellochocolate.com/)—crafted from “bean to bar” in Nevada City—has Valentine hearts made with its Ecuador chocolate.