Tidbits

by Mary Orlin

FIRST CRUSH . . . Be the first to taste the winners of the San Francisco Chronicle's Northern California Wine Competition. Earlier this month, a panel of judges swirled, sniffed, sipped and spit out entrants. Winners include Domaine Chandon, St. Supery, Chateau St. Jean, Handley, Geyser Peak, Gallo and Sapphire Hill Vineyards.

Now we get to swirl, sniff, sip and spit (or swallow--your choice) these winning wines. On Saturday, March 10, at Fort Mason's Herbst Pavilion in San Francisco, over 175 Northern California wineries will take part in a wine tasting. Bay Area restaurants will also serve yummy samples.

This tasting will be held from 2-5 p.m. Advance tickets are $30 and can be ordered by calling (415) 441-3687 or visiting ticketweb.com. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $45, but keep in mind they go fast. For more information about the competition and tasting, and for a list of winners, check out winejudging.com

DESSERT ARTISTRY . . .

Pastry Chef Heather Liner has joined the kitchen staff at Adobe Creek, 127 First Ave. in Los Altos. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy's pastry program, Liner most recently worked at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco (famous for wonderful desserts) and the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.

Passion fruit creme brulee, caramel pineapple with coconut mousse and a chocolate martini are just a few of the sweet treats gracing the new dessert menu. All desserts are in the $7 range.

AUF WIEDERSEHEN . . .

Harry's Hofbrau, 339 W. El Camino Real in Mountain View, has closed its doors, having lost its lease. You can still find Harry's German cuisine served buffet-style at other locations in Redwood City and San Jose.

Lyon's Restaurant, 4298 El Camino Real in Los Altos, has also closed. Fans can still find other branches of this family-style dining establishment in Sunnyvale and San Jose.

STORYTELLING . . . Beginning this month, Niebaum-Coppola Palo Alto, located at 473 University Ave., hosts a series of dramatic readings. "Zoetrope: Live Story," will feature performers reading short stories from Francis Ford Coppola's literary magazine "Zoetrope: All-Story." The first performance will take place on Feb. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is no charge for attending the live readings, but reservations are required. For more information and a schedule, call (650) 752-0350 or log onto cafeniebaum-coppola.com. To read stories from Coppola's literary magazine visit www.zoetrope-stories.com.

CAL-ITAL . . .

Trellis, a new restaurant at 1077 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, is now open for business. The bright, open dining room is serving a menu of Italian fare with a Californian twist. Focusing on fresh, seasonal foods, Trellis is the latest creation from Kurt Ugur, who also owns Cafe Pro Bono in Palo Alto. Trellis is open for lunch Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and for dinner Mon.-Sat. 5-10 p.m. Call (650) 326-9028.

THE SKINNY ON SPA CUISINE . . .

If you've always wanted to go to Skylonda Lodge, a spa that sits among the Redwoods on Skyline Blvd. in Woodside, your wait is over. The spa is coming to you.

On Feb. 28 Draeger's in Menlo Park hosts a cooking class by Skylonda Lodge Executive Chef Sue Chapman, who's been creating innovative spa cuisine there for the past eight years. Since the restaurant at Skylonda is open only to guests, this is a great opportunity to sample recipes from one of the country's renowned chefs, who has been recognized by Conde Nast Traveler, Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazines.

The class begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $50. For more information contact Draeger's Culinary Center at (650) 685-3704.

Back up to the Table of Contents Page