Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week 2012 gets under way this weekend, starting with a Kick Off Party at Underdog Wine Bar at Concannon Vineyard on Friday, January 20.

Partygoers will be treated to an intimate event with live entertainment, food and wine. Acclaimed Bay Area chef, Barbara Llewellyn, has a tempting menu of decadent hor d’oeuvres, delicious dessert bites, and seasonal small plates made from local produce. Award-winning wine and a bubbly toast make for a perfect evening in Livermore Valley wine country evening.

Tickets are available online or by calling 925-583-1581. Use code UWBPARTY for an exclusive $20 discount on ticket prices.

The culinary celebration of the region doesn’t stop there. Enjoy exclusive prices on pre fixe menus all week long at thirty participating restaurants from Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville.

From upscale wine country restaurants to charming downtown cafés and innovative local favorites, visitors to Tri-Valley can explore the region’s diverse culinary offerings without breaking the bank during Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week. The eight-day celebration provides food lovers the opportunity to dine at Tri-Valley’s vibrant and distinctive eateries for a fraction of the normal expense.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week is Saturday, January 21- Sunday, January 29, 2012. Thirty restaurants throughout the region are participating with $15 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners for $20-30. The challenging part will be deciding which restaurants to visit!

Here’s a current list of participating restaurants.

Anarkalee Restaurant, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner   

Baci Bistro & Bar, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner

Blue Agave Club, Pleasanton
$30 Dinner 

Cafe Main, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner For Two  

Campo di Bocce, Livermore
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner 

Chicago’s Metropolitan Deli, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner

Coco Cabana, Dublin
$30 Dinner 

Eddie Papa’s American Hangout, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner 

El Charro Mexican Food & Cantina, Livermore
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner For Two 

El Nido Mexican Restaurant, Danville
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner  

Esin Restaurant & Bar, Danville
$30 Dinner    

Faz Restaurant, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner  

Garre Vineyard and WInery, Livermore
$15 Lunch 

Great American Grill, Livermore
$15 Lunch 

The Hop Yard Alehouse & Grill, Pleasanton
$15 Lunch  

The Hop Yard Alehouse & Grill, San Ramon
$15 Lunch 

Maria Maria, Danville
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner 

McNamara’s Steak and Chop House, Dublin
$30 Dinner 

Milano Joe’s Cucina Italiana, Livermore
$30 Dinner 

Nonni’s Bistro, Pleasanton
$30 Dinner

Porter’s Restaurant at Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Livermore
$15 Lunch 

Patrick David’s – An American Bistro, Danville
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner   

Norm’s Place, Danville
$15 Lunch 

The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, Livermore
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner  

Sanctuary Ultra Lounge & Restaurant, Livermore
$20 Dinner 

Stixx and Steaks, San Ramon
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner 

Stomp! Wine Lounge & Restaurant, Danville
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner  

Tomo Sushi Bar & Grill, Pleasanton
$20 Dinner  

Underdog Wine Bar, Livermore
$15 Lunch | $30 Dinner  

Yiping Restaurant, San Ramon
$15 Lunch | $20 Dinner   

Check out the Tri-Valley CVB website for a sneak peak at the tempting menu selections to look forward to.

Chef Secrets from Faz- Pleasanton

Faz- Pleasanton showcases simply elegant Mediterranean cuisine prepared with fresh, quality ingredients. Set in a unique dining room with redwood grove in the heart of the restaurant, a wood burning oven produces fragrant pizzas and flatbreads.

Chef Faz Poursohi is sharing the recipe for his delicious Grilled Avocado with Jumbo Prawns, which will be featured on the restaurant’s upcoming Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week menu.

Chef Faz Poursohi's Grilled Avocado with Jumbo Prawns

Chef Faz Poursohi’s Grilled Avocado with Jumbo Prawns

Serves 4 people

Chipotle Aioli – filling for center of grilled avocado half

Blend in small blender or hand held emulsion blender

2 cups mayonaise                                                                               

1 small green onion diced fine                                         

8 sprigs cilantro – leaves only – chopped                                  

2 Tbls or ¾ oz chipotle pepper juice or pepper             

¼ cup Lemon Juice                                                                 

1 small clove garlic                                                           

Touch of salt and pepper                                                                     

Chili Lime Vinaigrette – dressing for baby greens

1 cup orange juice

½ cup raspberry vinegar

Juice of 2 limes

1 tablespoon sugar or more depending on tartness

1 cup corn oil

pinch of crushed dry chilies

pinch of salt & pepper

Grilled Avocado

2 ripe avocados skin on cut in half

salt and pepper

Directions

Oil fruit side – Grill over hot coals or on grill pan, fruit side down, until nice grill marks appear.  Turn over and grill skin side.

Baby Greens and Mango

Toss 4 cups of baby greens with chili lime vinaigrette. Divide onto 4 plates

Dice 1 ripe mango 

Jumbo Prawns (butterflied)

Oil prawns slightly and grill over hot coals or use grill pan.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place grilled avocado half on tossed dressed salad greens, sprinkle with diced mango and place two grilled prawns opposite avocado.  Fill center of avocado half with 1 tablespoon of chipotle aioli. Garnish with wedge of lime.

More than 30 restaurants will showcase local ingredients and signature dishes at Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week, happening January 21- 29, 2012. A complete list of participating restaurants and pre fixe menu details is available online.

Taste of Tri-Valley Kick-Off Party at Underdog Wine Bar

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week

Celebrate the start of  Restaurant Week at the official Taste of Tri-Valley Kick-Off Party at Underdog Wine Bar at Concannon Vineyard. Underdog Wine & Spirits and the Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau have teamed up to bring you an exclusive event highlighting the region’s culinary scene.

Partygoers will be treated to an intimate event with live entertainment, food and wine. Acclaimed Bay Area chef, Barbara Llewellyn, has a tempting menu of decadent hor d’oeuvres, delicious dessert bites, and seasonal small plates made from local produce. Award-winning wine and a bubbly toast make for a perfect Livermore Wine Country evening.

Tickets for the Taste of Tri-Valley Kick-Off Party are $75 and can be purchased by calling 925-583-1581 or online.

The location and festive theme embody everything that is special about Tri-Valley’s culinary scene. The beautiful wine country location, gourmet tapas and award-winning wines will no doubt get people excited about Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week.

Taste of Tri-Valley Kick-Off Party at Underdog Wine Bar

If you can’t make it to the Kick-Off Party, don’t forget there is an entire week of special deals and signature dishes during Restaurant Week. More than 20 restaurants from Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville will showcase their culinary styles with  exclusive pre fixe lunches for $15 and dinners for $20 or $30.

From upscale wine country restaurants to charming downtown cafés and innovative local favorites, explore the region’s diverse culinary offerings without breaking the bank during Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week. The eight-day celebration provides food lovers the opportunity to dine at Tri-Valley’s vibrant and distinctive eateries for a fraction of the normal expense.

 

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week

More than 20 businesses from Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville will celebrate Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week January 21-29, 2012.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week is an incredible opportunity to experience some of the best wine and food in the destination at a value they can’t get at any other time of the year. January is also a great time to get hotel deals with the Winter Weekend Getaway promotion, offering a $50 Visa card for weekend stays. Visit and experience the diversity of what Tri-Valley offers, from wine tasting to shopping and so much more.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week

From upscale wine country restaurants to charming downtown cafés and innovative local favorites, visitors to Tri-Valley can explore the region’s diverse culinary offerings without breaking the bank during Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week. The eight-day celebration provides food lovers the opportunity to dine at Tri-Valley’s vibrant and distinctive eateries for a fraction of the normal expense.

Participating restaurants in Tri-Valley will showcase their culinary styles and signature dishes with exclusive pre fixe lunches for $15 and dinners for $20 or $30.

Select participating restaurants include The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, Eddie Papa’s American Hangout, Stomp! Wine and Small Plates Lounge, Nonni’s Bistro, Blue Agave Club, Milano Joe’s Cucina Italiana, Maria Maria, Underdog Wine Bar and Campo di Bocce.

Visit the CVB website more information, a complete list of participating restaurants and menus.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week is part of California Restaurant Month, designated by Visit California. Upward of 30 destinations across California, from the desert and coast to wine country and High Sierra, are hosting restaurant weeks and other value-driven food programming this January.

Holiday Season Excitement in Livermore Wine Country

Livermore Valley's winter tradition, Holidays in the Vineyards is December 3-4, 2011.

Take a couple days to get away for some holiday fun during the hustle and bustle of the season! Tri-Valley has a season full of events to treat yourself to during the holidays.

Celebrate the season at Livermore Valley’s annual wine country tradition, Holidays in the Vineyards. This admission-free event is December 3 and 4 from noon to 5 pm. More than 40 wineries will feature special tastings, food pairings and events. Local artisans will be at several wineries offering a wide variety of gifts for holiday giving, including chocolates, honey, jewelry, soaps, garden ornaments, knitwear, stationery, aprons, pet accessories and candles.

Santa Claus will make an appearance at Crooked Vine/Stony Ridge Winery, Rodrigue Molyneaux Winery, White Crane Winery, Cuda Ridge Wines, Longevity Wines, McGrail Vineyards & Winery, Mitchell Katz Winery, Tamas Estates and Wente Vineyards.

Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association hosts this holiday favorite. Check out the organization’s website for a full list of participating wineries, special wines, discounts, activities and vendors.

Cuda Ridge Wines is just one of more than 40 wineries featured in this year's Holiday's in the Vineyards.

Make Holidays in the Vineyards a true wine country weekend escape! Take advantage of the Winter Weekend Getaway, offering a $50 Visa card for a weekend stay at many Tri-Valley hotels. It’s the perfect excuse to pick up an extra bottle of your favorite Livermore Valley wine, dine at one of the Tri-Valley’s heralded restaurants, or pick up the perfect gift for a loved one at a downtown boutique.

Check out or list of perfect places to stay for your Tri-Valley Winter Weekend Getaway!

The Lipstick Tour: Ladies Day Out!

What do you get when you combine ladies, shopping and Livermore Valley wine? The Ladies Lipstick Wine Tour taking place on November 5th. Catch some of your favorite Livermore Valley Wineries in The Lipstick Tour: Ladies Day Out! Join Les Chenes, McGrail Vineyards, Nottingham Cellars, Rodrigue Molneaux and Retzlaff for a special “ladies” tasting event. The day will be filled with jewelry, makeup, art, and much more including special wine discounts. Make your way to 4+ wineries and be entered into a raffle for great prizes. Each winery will be charging a $5 dollar tasting fee, although no tickets are required.  So round up the girls, head out to the wine country and make this a Saturday you won’t forget.

A tempting Tri-Valley Winter Weekend Getaway

The Tri-Valley CVB is offering an enticing Winter Weekend Getaway promotion for travelers.

Don’t let winter and rainy weather get you down. Winter is a perfect time to visit Tri-Valley. Cooler weather means a return of the lush green hills, beautiful colors in the vineyards and fewer crowds too. The Tri-Valley CVB has just announced a Winter Weekend Getaway promotion that offers a $50 Visa card for visitors who book weekend stays at participating hotels in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville.

Here’s the scoop:

Visitors who book a weekend stay—Friday and/or Saturday night(s)—at a participating Tri-Valley hotel from November 1, 2011- January 31, 2012 must fill out the request form on the Tri-Valley CVB website to be eligible. Guests will receive the Visa card upon hotel check in. For more information, or to request the Visa card for a qualifying overnight stay, please visit: http://www.trivalleycvb.com/winter/.

Conveniently located within a one-hour drive from three major San Francisco Bay Area airports (SFO, OAK, SJC), Tri-Valley is an affordable travel destination known for its stunning wine country. The Tri-Valley CVB’s Winter Weekend Getaway promotion is just in time for several of the region’s most popular events, taking place during the winter months— much to the delight of foodies and wine lovers. Winter Weekend Getaway Visa cards are the perfect addition to a Tri-Valley weekend stay during Holidays in the Vineyards and Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week.

A few perfect options for using the Winter Weekend Getaway gift card right here in Tri-Valley:

Holidays in the Vineyards

A favorite wine country tradition by the Livermore Winegrowers Association, Holiday in the Vineyards, showcases local wines and tasting rooms with a festive holiday atmosphere. Artisan vendors, wine discounts and special activities at each wineries provide a unique, intimate way to experience the historic wine region during the winter months. This is an admission free event, but tasting fees may apply and vary by location.

Holiday shopping in charming downtowns

Take the stress out of holiday shopping by shopping in one of Tri-Valley’s tree-lined downtowns. Find the perfect, thoughtful gifts for family and friends in a gallery, boutique or artisan shop in the downtowns of Pleasanton, Livermore and Danville. Enjoy a day of holiday shopping with free parking and a relaxing pace. Downtown businesses are open for business all winter, but Pleasanton Downtown Association and Livermore Downtown Inc. are teaming to kick off the holiday shopping season the week before Thanksgiving with, Earlier than the Bird—a special event with in-store deals and free gifts, happening Saturday, November 19 from 7 am to noon.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week, happening January 22-30, 2012.

Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week

From upscale wine country restaurants to charming downtown cafés and innovative local favorites, visitors to Tri-Valley can explore the region’s diverse culinary offerings without breaking the bank during Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week, happening January 22-30, 2012. The eight-day celebration is part of California Restaurant Month and provides food lovers the opportunity to dine at Tri-Valley’s vibrant and distinctive eateries for a fraction of the normal expense. More than 25 restaurants are expected to participate in this year’s Taste of Tri-Valley.

The Steven Kent Winery hosts an evening of food & wine pairings

The Single Vineyard Series Cabernets will be showcased at an evening of food & wine pairings

The Steven Kent Winery  continues its 2011 Winemaker Pairings Series on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 with a food and wine walk-a-bout. The evening features The Steven Kent Winery’s Single Vineyard Series Cabernets and the artfully crafted pairings of Chef Neil Marquis of Marquis Catering, and formerly of Eddie Papa’s in Pleasanton.

This event will take place in the Barrel Room where guests can casually stroll from station to station tasting the tempting pairings of food and the highly-regarded Single Vineyard Series wines.

Wondering just what kind of pairings to expect? Check out these descriptions:

First Station

2008 Home Ranch Cabernet, Livermore Valley
Cabernet Beef Bourguignon over Black Pepper Pasta with a Cabernet infused Sour Cream

Second Station

2008 Smith Ranch Cabernet, Livermore Valley
Cabernet-marinated and Smoked Flank Steak with Chimichuri Sauce on Sourdough Crostini

Third Station

2008 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet, Livermore Valley
Mini Pulled Pork Sliders with Cabernet, Black Cherry BBQ Sauce and Cajun Coleslaw

Dessert Station

Steven Kent Cabernet Port
Coconut Black Bottom Cupcakes

This ultimate evening of food & wine pairings is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26. Reservations are required as this event is an intimate occasion limited to 50 guests. The cost is $55 per person for the general public and $50 per person for Steven Kent or La Rochelle club members. Call 925-243-6442 to reserve your spot.

New American craft brew hotspot in Downtown Livermore

American craft beer fans will likely find a new favorite spot to grab a pint in Downtown Livermore. Tap 25, the latest addition to the historic Blacksmith Square, opened its doors in mid-September and the early reviews have been glowing.

American craft beer is highlight at Blacksmith Square's Tap 25.

Tap 25 has a constantly changing lineup of 25 beers available everyday. The focus of Tap 25 is seasonal and limited release beers, as well as classics that are usually difficult to find on tap. A few local and regional brewers in the lineup include: North Coast Brewing Co., Laugunitas Brewing Company, Eel River Brewing,  Greenflash Brewery and select limited releases from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Enjoy the rotating selection by the taste, glass or custom flights.

Continuing the collaborative spirit among businesses within the Square, neighboring wine & tapas bar, Swirl on the Square, provides delicious menu items like grilled paninis, bar snack and weekend BBQ specials.

Enjoy a flight of smartly-paired brews in the wine & beer garden in Blacksmith Square.

Perfect for a sunny fall afternoon, the beautiful outdoor courtyard in the middle Blacksmith Square invites customers to linger. Be sure to check out the Square on weekends, when there is regular musical entertainment.

Tap 25 is currently open Thursday- Saturday, noon to 10 pm and Sunday, noon- 8 pm. Because the beer lineup at Tap 25 is always changing be sure to check out the website and Facebook for a list of what’s currently on tap.

Looking for another new craft beer option in Tri-Valley? Be sure to check out Handles Gastropub in downtown Pleasanton too.

Boutique Livermore Winery Earns a 90 in Wine Enthusiast Magazine

How often does a Bordeaux-style red blend score 90 points in Wine Enthusiast? Well the answer is not often, and more specifically has only happened twice in the history of Livermore Valley Wineries. Nottingham Cellars, established in 2009 by father-son duo, Jeff and Collin Cranor, have figured out that attention to detail in every phase of winemaking separates a good bottle of wine from an award-winning bottle of wine.

On top of scoring a 90 in Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the infamous 2008 Supremacy has taken home several other awards at three of the Nations top wine competitions. Not to mention, Collin Cranor, age 25, has recently become the youngest Livermore Winemaker in history to score a 90 or higher in Wine Enthusiast. The Supremacy’s official release is marked for this Saturday, so make sure to stop by Nottingham Cellars over the weekend. If you can’t make it to the release, the Wine Steward in Pleasanton, First Street Wine Company and the Restaurant at Wente Vineyards are currently carrying this one-of-a-kind blend.

Looking for a remarkable pairing to compliment your palate? Winemaker Collin Cranor recommends “a grilled New York steak and potatoes, or any red meat dish for that matter.” With retail price at an affordable $42 per bottle, this Bordeaux Style red blend is one you will want to add to your collection.

Over the last three years this small boutique winery has given even the biggest named wineries a run for their money. If your looking for an intimate new spot to taste some of the greatest wines the region has to offer, do yourself a favor and check out Nottingham Cellars, located in the heart of Livermore Valley’s wine country.

Nottingham Cellars’ tasting room is located at 2245 S. Vasco Rd., Unit C in Livermore, and is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 4:30 pm, and by appointment.