Al Fresco Dining

Enjoyable outdoor dining spots in our region: TOFANELLI’S GOLD COUNTRY BISTRO Tofanelli’s handsome outdoor patio is a popular spot in the historic downtown. In summer, a stainless steel, slow-cook smoker is cranked up to offer barbeque ribs, chicken, tri-tip steak or pulled pork. 302 W. Main St., GV. Tofanellis.com IKE’S QUARTER CAFE Ike’s tree-covered patio […]

All in the Family

Meet some of them: fathers, sons, mothers & daughters who are coming together to help our “food, wine, art economy” prosper: THE GIARDINAS The family owns the Golden Era Lounge in downtown Nevada City, arguably the most inviting cocktail lounge in the footills. Golden Era is located in the old Cirino’s building on Broad Street, […]

Celebrating Mardi Gras

EARLIER THIS WINTER, WE VISITED NOLA for a vacation. We enjoyed the sight-seeing and authentic Cajun cuisine. We ate a famous muffuletta sandwich at Central Grocery & Deli in the French Quarter (a 10”-round Sicilian sesame loaf stuffed with ham, salami, provolone and a signature briny marinated olive salad filled with kalamata and green olives […]

Food trends: What’s hot for 2017

HYPER-LOCAL SOURCING Chefs are putting extra emphasis on the freshness of their produce. Produce Plus supplies Truckee and Tahoe chefs with fresh, local produce in winter from farms in Yolo County. Nevada City is debuting a winter farmers market the first Saturday of each month. Tahoe Food Hub is building “growing domes” to grow food […]

“Cooked”: Exploring culinary experiences in the Sierra Foothills

AWARD-WINNING FOOD AUTHOR Michael Pollan and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney are receiving widespread praise for their Netflix documentary Cooked. In Cooked, Pollan explores how cooking transforms food and shapes our world. Each episode examines one of the physical elements used throughout the ages for cooking: fire (barbecue), water (pot cooking), air (bread making), and earth […]

Fresh, local feasts

“COOKING IS AN ART. CAREFUL SHOPPING, fresh ingredients and an unhurried approach are nearly all you need,” summed up the late British celebrity cook Keith Floyd. “There is one more thing — love. Love for food and love for those you invite to your table. With a combination of these things, you can be an […]

Finding the perfect cup of coffee in Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee-Tahoe

SPECIALTY COFFEE ROASTERS, RETAILERS and coffeehouses are booming in the foothills and Sierra, enhancing our culinary scene, creating new community gathering places and bolstering the region’s economy. Coffeehouses in Grass Valley and Nevada City sell award-winning “third wave” Temple Coffee from Sacramento. On the ski slopes of Northstar at the Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, Café […]

Colfax Avenue: Grass Valley’s up and coming neighborhood

IN THE FOOTHILLS, MOST VISITORS ARE drawn to the historic downtowns—in Auburn, Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee. But off the beaten path, Grass Valley has an up-and-coming neighborhood called “The Avenue.” Located a few blocks east of downtown Grass Valley, the Colfax Avenue corridor is walkable, architecturally intriguing and dog friendly. It has plenty […]

Grass Valley’s eclectic dining scene

THE DINING SCENE IN GRASS VALLEY is among the most vibrant in the Sierra foothills. Restaurants offer a wide range of fare—pizza, pasta, steaks, chicken, sushi and fresh, local food—all at affordable prices. The ambiance of the restaurants is memorable, ranging from the open kitchen at Kane’s Family Restaurant to the carved cherry wood bar at […]

Eat Your veggies! Vegetarian cuisine growing

THE RANKS OF VEGETARIANS and vegans are growing, thanks to increasing health awareness, environmental concerns and more locally sourced fruit and veggies. As many as 10 percent of adults consider themselves vegetarians, even though they may eat fish or chicken occasionally, according to the Vegetarian Resource Group. The foothills and Sierra are blessed with an […]

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