LASAGNA Tofanelli’s Lasagna is made in-house from a recipe handed down from generations, with layers of pasta, meat sauce, spinach and cheese. Simplicity Bistro’s vegetable lasagna is made from homemade pasta with mozzarella, grilled eggplant and zucchini in a creamy tomato sauce. In Auburn, Tre Pazzi serves an authentic home-made lasagna.

MEATBALL SANDWICH 151 Union Square in Grass Valley serves a meatball sandwich with fresh-shaved parmesan cheese and homemade meatballs and sauce. Kane’s is a classic meatball sandwich, akin to Original Joe’s in San Francisco.

PIZZA Lefty’s Grill in Nevada City has grilled flat-bread pizzas on oval, thin crusts. Some are unique: The Napa-style pizza features mozzarella cheese, sliced pear, Gorgonzola, balsamic syrup drizzle and fresh oregano and thyme. In Grass Valley: Kane’s stone-baked pizzas include Pizza Margherite (four cheeses, fresh tomato and basil), Pizza Napolitana and a Sushi Pizza (with seared Ahi tuna, cucumber, cilantro, ginger and carrot). Goomba’s pizza is cooked in an oven imported from Italy.

RAVIOLI Bear River Pasta Co. makes fresh ravioli daily. It is stuffed with cheeses, chicken, meat, Porcini mushrooms or crab and other items. No artificial flavorings or preservatives are used. Their lunch specials change daily. Example: Artichoke Gorgonzola Ravioli with sun-dried tomato cream sauce, garden salad and garlic bread. Kane’s serves a butternut squash ravioli. Villa Venezia has a cheese ravioli with roasted eggplant in fresh tomato sauce. All three are located in Grass Valley.

SEAFOOD PASTA In Grass Valley, Tofanelli’s Seafood Fettuccini is a sauté of large gulf shrimp and sea scallops with sun-dried tomato, asparagus, mushroom, fresh herbs and a splash of white wine. It also offers Smoked Salmon Fettuccini and Seafood Risotto. Matteo’s Public in Nevada City serves a Fettuccini with clams, tomato, green onion, shallots and garlic in a white wine sauce.

SPAGHETTI Kane’s offers three sauces: Bolognese, Napolitana and Al’olio (olive oil sauté with garlic and parsley). Goomba’s serves a classic spaghetti with meatballs. Bear River Pasta Co. offers fresh-made pasta and sauces “to go” or eat there.

(Photo: Peter Oaks)

Sierra Vintners wineries that won medals included Avanguardia Wines, Lucchesi Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard, Naggiar Vineyards and Pilot Peak Winery.

Montoliva won “Best of Class” for its 2008 Sierra Bella. “Now try to tell me this isn’t the best $15 bottle of wine on the planet,” says Winemaker/Owner Mark Henry, known for his effervescence.

Pilot Peak won three Golds (Petite Sirah, Syrah and Tempranillo, all from 2009). Naggiar won two Golds (for its 2009 Mistero and its 2008 Il Nonno), as well as two other medals (Silvers for Malbec and Syrah). Avanguardia won three medals (a Silver for 2007 Cristallo, and Bronzes for Premiato and
Sangineto).

In Placer County, Casque Wines, Ciotti Cellars, Fawnridge Winery, Lone Buffalo Vineyard, Mt. Vernon Winery, Pescatore, Popie Wines and Wise Villa all won medals.

Casque won a Gold for its Malbec and a Silver for its Calotte. Popie won a Silver for a dry Rosé and other medals. Ciotti won medals for its old-vine Zinfandel and Barbara. For a full list of winners, go to WineJudging.com.

LOCAL WINE ON TOP OF MT. KILIMANJARO
In December Brigitte Wilson and her son, Brian, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest free-standing mountain. The two carried wine labels from Pilot Peak Winery, pinned to their jackets, to the top. (A bottle weighed too much). Sierra Vintners’ wine reaching new heights. Brigitte is the sister-in-law of Lynn Wilson, co-owner and winemaker of Pilot Peak.

ART & WINE
The area’s wine tasting rooms are becoming art galleries in their own right, showcasing talented artists. Smith Vineyards is featuring colorful horses from Leslie Ann Webb (LAWebb.com) in its Grass Valley tasting room. “My work reflects the deep connection I have for these majestic animals” says Leslie.

The Grass Valley Wine Company in Grass Valley (Solune, Bent Metal and Pilot Peak) is showcasing the photography of Joseph Howard. “My wife says I see things other people don’t or can’t see,” says
Howard (Archive.JSHowardPhotography.com).

Popie Wines’ new tasting room at the High Hand Fruit Sheds in Loomis features “Vineyard Picnic” by Unni Stevens, whose artwork appears at the High Hand Gallery, HighHandGallery.wordpress.com. “My art is inspired by the mystery of nature and its seasons.”

WINEMAKER DINNER
151 Union Square in Grass Valley is planning a winemaker dinner on Valentine’s Day featuring Naggiar Wines and catering by Jim Eckardt’s Club 141. The menu will feature tapas courses and dessert, plus a fresh rose in a bud vase (151UnionSquare.com.)

(Photo: Naggiar Vineyards, by Dan Senkbeil)

The gallery, in a newly renovated 19th-century building at 113 Mill Street, offers an eclectic collection of art: jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, wood, glass and mosaics, as well asphotography, collage, watercolors, drawings, acrylics and oil paintings.

Each artist offers a wide price range of items, from greeting cards to original paintings. All artists volunteer their time to staff the gallery, providing customers with a personal and educational experience.

The gallery spaces are rotated four times a year, and the windows facing Mill Street feature different artists monthly and also promote community events.

Art Works Gallery has a list of artists who have been waiting to join since it opened two years ago. A jury of seven artists interview applicants before they are accepted, ensuring that high-quality artwork is displayed.

This year several new artists have joined the gallery: Phil Bauer (wood), Eileen Blodgett (painting), Sheila Cameron (painting), David Mooney (painting), Jerianne Van Dijk (watercolor) and Katie Wolff (painting).

Art Works Gallery also supports community art. Last year they hosted events that sold work for Neighborhood Center for the Arts, the Bear River High School art program and the Kellerman Foundation to support the Batwa tribe in Africa.

The co-op’s artists also donate their work, and some of the proceeds have supported the Nevada County Food Bank.

Art Works Gallery
113 Mill St., Grass Valley, 530-477-1600
ArtWorksGalleryCo-op.com

(Photo credit: David Wong)

The resurgence is led by Sierra Stages, LeGacy Productions, the Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (or CATS) and Placer Community Theater, among others. The shows make for a fun night out or part of a weekend getaway.

This fall, Sierra Stages won an Elly award for its production of Lend me a Tenor. Actor Robert Rossman also won an award for the performance—the latest honor bestowed on Nevada County community theater.

Last year, CATS won an Elly for Snow Falling on Cedars. This spring CATS will present The Teahouse of the August Moon and held auditions in November.

The annual Elly awards honor outstanding achievements of community theater and artists in the Sacramento area. “We are honored that two of our four productions over the past year were nominated for Elly awards,” says Peter Mason, board president of Sierra Stages.

This fall, Sierra Stages performed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy at Miners Foundry.

This winter, the theatre group will present Death of a Salesman, directed by Jeffrey Mason, Jan. 25-Feb. 12 at the Nevada Theatre.

LeGacy Productions also has been growing. After 15 years in local theater, Chris and Sue LeGate, along with their son Alvis, decided to start their own production company. LeGacy’s strength is in reaching out to
find unique scripts while casting local actors.

I Hate Hamlet has been showing this fall at Off Center Stage in Grass Valley.

For the holidays, LeGacy is presenting A Christmas Story, a stage play adaption of the classic comedy movie. The show is a fun family experience for Christmas. LeGacy also is presenting Santaland Diaries, starring Gary Wright and directed by Carolyn Howarth. It is aimed at adult audiences.

(photo credit: Tony Finnerty)

Gumbo
Not the traditional roux thickened gumbo. It is a hearty soup topped with gingered greens and served with cornbread. Changes daily. Ike’s has been “keeping it Creole” for a decade.
Ike’s Quarter Cafe
401 Commercial St., NC, 265-6138
IkesQuarterCafe.com

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Fresh chicken and homemade tortillas in a cream base, topped with sour cream, chives and tortilla strips. “Just the right kick.”

Chile
Made from scratch and simmered “low and slow” with house-ground beef, beans, stewed tomatoes, fresh onions, garlic and other ingredients. Enjoy a bowl during Grass Valley’s Cornish Christmas celebration.
Tofanelli’s Gold Country Bistro
302 W. Main St., GV, 272-1468
Tofanellis.com

Vegetarian Chile
Perfect for fall. Green chiles, red peppers, tomatoes, tender black beans and onions in a thick stew, topped with green onions, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Served with a corn muffin.
Summer Thymes
421 Colfax Ave., GV 273-2904
134 S. Auburn @Booktown, GV 273-9866
SummerThymes.com

Hearty Minestrone
A San Francisco-style minestrone, packed with vegetables, beans and pasta. Served with crusty Italian-French bread. Owner/Chef John Kane is a native San Franciscan.

Clam Chowder
An “old-school” New England chowder that is thick, creamy and loaded with clams. A generous portion.
Kane’s Family Restaurant
120 E. Main St., GV, 273-8111
KanesRestaurant.net

Mussels Fra Diavolo
One pound of North West Blue mussels simmered in a spicy broth of garlic, fennel, tomato, chardonnay and a pinch of chili flake served with garlic pesto bread.
Lefty’s Grill
221 Broad St., NC, 265-5838
LeftysGrill.com

Burgundy Braised Beef
Braised beef served in a rich burgundy sauce with carrots, button mushrooms and onions, surrounding garlic mashed potatoes. Sublime. (Use a fork, though).
Simplicity Bistro
111 W. Main St., GV, 205-9365
SimplicityBistro.vpweb.com

Jambalaya
Penne pasta with andouille sausage, shrimp and blackened chicken with black beans and green onion in a spicy creole sauce.
Served with garlic bread. Try it with Anderson Valley’s Winter Solstice, one of owner Matt Marguiles’ craft beers on tap.

Clam Fettucini
Clams, tomato, green onion, shallots and garlic in a white wine sauce.
Matteo’s Public
300 Commercial St., NC, 265-0782
MatteosPublic.com

Shrimp Paella
Prawns, clams, chorizo and vegetables with crispy Spanish rice.

Teriyaki Tofu Rice Bowl
Marinated and grilled tofu served over rice and vegetables.
Monkey Cat
805 Lincoln Way, Auburn, 888-8492
MonkeyCat.com

Chile Verde
Succulent bites of pork sautéed with fresh roasted tomatillo sauce. Served with warm tortillas. Try it with a Negra Modelo beer.

Chile Colorado
Pork sautéed with dry roasted red chiles.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
226 E. Main St, GV, 274-2040
MariasGrassValley.com

Tom Yum
Chicken, vegetarian or shrimp in hot and sour soup with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Taste of Thai
204 W. Main St., Suite 103, GV, 274-2968

Veal Emince
A Swiss specialty served with mushrooms and cream sauce, spaetzli dumplings. A dining institution on Tahoe’s West Shore.
Swiss Lakewood Restaurant
5055 W. Lake Blvd., Homewood, 525-5211

FALL-TO-WINTER HEARTY BEEF SOUP
This is how you lure them in from splitting wood, tossing the football, or a conversation on the front porch. Serves 8 voracious adults.
I 2 1/2 lbs. Stew Meat
I 3 med. Tomatoes or 14-oz. can crushed Toms
I 2 stalks Celery, chopped
I 1 small Onion, chopped
I 5-6 c. chopped seasonal Vegetables
I Sprig of Rosemary
I 1 Bay Leaf
I 4-6 c. Water (plus 1-2 c. Red Wine, optional)
I Salt and Pepper to taste
In an 8-qt. pot over med. heat, sear beef on both sides. Add enough water to cover meat. Add bay leaf and cook over med. heat 15 min. Turn to simmer and let meat cook 1-1/2 hours. Remove meat, set aside.
In the same skillet you used for beef, sauté onion. Add all vegetables and rosemary to the soup stock, cooking on med.-low until vegetables are tender; about an hour.

Add beef to pot when vegetables are close to tender. Serve with a crusty bread.

Source: Nevada County Free Range Beef

photo credit: Keith Sutter

Nowhere is this more evident than at Sierra Starr Vineyard & Winery in Grass Valley, which just built a new wine processing facility. “It’s among the newest, biggest and most energy efficient in the foothills,” says owner/winemaker Phil Starr.

The state-of-the-art winery epitomizes the can-do spirit of Sierra Vintners to make their wines stand out amid the competition.

Sierra Starr, a “rising star” in its own right since acquiring a vineyard in 1995, has hardly sat idle during the recession. It also bought a new, bigger tasting room in the
historic downtown to showcase its wines.

The new winery is designed to maintain a 58-65º ambient temperature all year, ideal for winemaking and storage. This was accomplished by burying part of the building underground and using structural insulated panels (or SIP panels).

The 4,900-square-foot building features energy-efficient lighting, as well as 15 skylights.

The crush pad area of the roof is designed for the weight of a forklift. The grapes benefit from a “gravity flow” system to the wine tanks below, minimizing the use of pumps.

The new crush pad also provides a spectacular view of the vineyard, terraced lawns, heritage oaks and a stage for summer concerts, adds assistant winemaker/vineyard manager Jackson Starr.

All told, the new winery can handle five times the current production at Sierra Starr. Best of all, it will help produce more award- winning wines.

Suzanne will wield hammers and torches as she demonstrates fine silver fusing, metal stamping and other silver smithing techniques. “I have the best job in the world,” says Himmler. “I get to play with fire and make lots of noise.”

Everyone is invited to come watch and try some simple metal texturing. Suzanne will show you how she uses some simple tools to form beautiful handmade chain.

Suzanne has been making and selling exceptional jewelry for 8 years. For more information about her work, go to www.riverwomandesign.com.

You can also view her work and that of thirty-six other member/artists at Art Works Gallery, which exhibits a high-quality collection of artwork in jewelry, furniture, paintings, photography, ceramics, fiber arts, woodwork, mixed media and sculpture. Art Works Gallery is open daily and located at 113 Mill Street in Grass Valley. For more information go to www.artworksgalleryco-op.com.

All the Raj, a fundraiser for the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, will immerse you in that exotic era. It will include a spectacular feast, dancing to live band music, a silent auction and more.

“All The Raj is a re-creation of our traditional fall formal and promises to be one of our most exciting events to date,” says Alison Jones-Pomatto, SNMH Foundation board member and All the Raj event chair.

The event is on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Grass Valley Veterans Hall. Come in your traditional formalwear, or have fun with the theme, and come in a sari or wrap a brightly colored scarf around your black dress. Men are encouraged to wear traditional British, Irish or Scottish formal attire.

All the Raj will include cocktails, gourmet dinner, dancing, silent auction and entertainment. Award-winning caterer/chef Antonio Ayestaran’s feast will include some traditional Indian dishes, as well as American cuisine with an ethnic flair.

Dance to music from the 1920s to more contemporary jazz with the George Souza Band. Bid on a trip to the French Quarter in New Orleans, spend the weekend in San Francisco, and find elegant jewelry and more during the silent auction.

Event proceeds help SNMH Foundation fund new equipment and advances in health care technology, says Executive Director Kimberly Parker.

Reservations are $150 per person ($75 tax deductible) and need to be ordered in advance, no later than November 4. For more information, or to place a reservation, call Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation at 530-477-9700 or go to SupportSierraNevada.org.

Photo at The Magic Carpet in Nevada City, by Lisa Redfern

This year’s festival is at Western Gateway Park in Penn Valley on September 17 and 18. The organizers are planning for a bigger crowd and hope to make the park the festival’s permanent home.

“Our goal is to provide a fun-filled atmosphere and to make the festival a traditional gathering spot for thousands to return each year,” says organizer Stephen DeSena.

The festa Italiana will feature Italian food and crafts, wine tasting, live music and dancing, activities and a Bocce tournament. Picnic tables will be decked out in red-and-white check tablecloths and a wine garden will be on site. A colorfully dressed accordion player will serenade the crowd.

The festival is part of a resurgence of Italian-American culture in the foothills. A Nevada County Italian Cultural Foundation has been formed.

It has a center in the lobby of the Gold Miner’s Inn in Grass Valley, providing literature about Italy. It also presents Italian language classes.

The festival is the highlight, however.

Last year, Italian festival goers were entertained by Italian Ricco dancers, a Dean Martin look-alike and a Sinatra-style crooner. There were cooking demonstrations, a meatball eating contest and restauranteurs serving Italian sausage, pizzas, calzone, gelato and other fare.

Avanguardia, Lucchesi, Montoliva and other foothill wineries poured their “Cal-Ital” style wines in a festive garden.

Bocce courts were erected for a tournament, a heritage tent showcased local Italian families, and children’s activities included bean bag Bocce and face painting.

This year festival organizers will build spermanent Bocce courts to host major tournaments. America has an estimated 25 million Bocce fans and is the nation’s fastest-growing ball sport.

The “pitch,” started in North Beach by late restaurateur Ed Moose, drew big crowds and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for St. Anthony’s to help the city’s poor and homeless citizens.

Now, thanks to the enterprise of San Francisco native and restaurateur John Kane, KNCO representative Joe Hevia and others, a penny pitch competition is becoming a tradition in Nevada County.

The 4th Annual KNCO/Kane’s Penny Pitch for the benefit of United Way of Nevada County is Saturday, June 18, at Kane’s Restaurant in Grass Valley. “It’s the best fun you’ll have with friends and family for a great cause,” says John. “Kids have a blast, and no experience is needed.”

“It reminds me of when I was a kid,” adds Hevia, a regular at the North Beach penny pitch, along with Kane, locals Tom and Judy O’Toole and others. Longtime San Franciscan Frank Cooney of Tofanelli’s Bistro, just up the street, also joins them at the KNCO/Kane’s event.

Contestants pitch pennies against a wall, and the closest to the wall wins. A “leaner,” equivalent to a hole-in-one in golf, occurs when a pitched penny winds up leaning against the wall — requiring some finesse.

Kane’s will provide $3 draft beer; $5 barbecued hamburgers or chicken breast with coleslaw and chips; $3 hot dogs with slaw and chips; and $1 sodas and bottled water. A $3 “Penny Pitch Delight” cocktail (rum and fruit juices) will be offered too. The entry fee is $10 per person.

Last year, the event raised nearly $8,000 for United Way of Nevada County, said Executive Director Megan Timpany.