Master Chefs
Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique: Master chef Douglas Dale originally wanted to be a pottery artist, instead for the past 41 years he’s been responsible for the artistic food that has made Wolfdale’s a gourmands staple in North Lake Tahoe. To this day, all the dishes are served on hand-made pottery.
SingleThread Farm Restaurant & Inn: The only three Michelin Star eatery in wine country, SingleThread in Healdsburg, Sonoma crafts its 11-course tasting menus on the Japanese concept of kaiseki, full of elaborate meals with artistic flair. Owned by husband and wife, Kyle and Katina Connaughton, he does the cooking, while she farms many of the ingredients that end up on the plate.
Six Test Kitchen: In the tiny 12-seat Six Test Kitchen, Chef Ricky Odbert is making big culinary strides pushing the epicurean envelope with his 14-course experiences in Paso Robles.
Raise a Glass
Mendocino County Crab, Wine & Beer Festival: For 10 days from January 24-Feb. 2, 2020 Mendocino county is getting crabby with its annual Crab Feast. A wide variety of events take place throughout the county from Crab & Crémant on the Skunk Train to brewery dinners and a crab cake cook-off.
Pinot Noir Festival: Pinotphiles can indulge in top California Pinot Noir from over 30 producers at the one day Pinot Noir Fest at the Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage on Jan. 18, 2020. Imbibe and engage with winemakers and winery owners, attend classes and enjoy delectable food and wine pairings.
Viewpoint Brewing Company: Del Mar’s first brewery, ViewPoint Brewing Company serves up over 20 brews of in-house and hard to find craft breweries. No matter your favorite pint, pair it with the uniquely spiced Peri Perioni Mussels for a simple but delectable meal in San Diego.
Notable Ingredients
Japanese Hitachiwagyu Beef: Alexander’s Steakhouse, in San Francisco, is the first restaurant in the U.S. to serve Hitachiwagyu Beef. The beef utilizes meat from all parts of the Japanese black cow. The special menu features an array of cuts paired with beer and spirits.
Sardines: We’re sure the iconic Sardine Factory in Monterey can make a sardine lover out of anyone with its legendary chocolate sardines, individually wrapped and packaged in a take home sardine can. Prior to dessert, enjoy fresh, sustainable seafood paired with one of the 20,000 bottles on the restaurant’s massive wine list.
California Kelp: Eco-friendly Terranea, located along the Palos Verdes coast, hand harvests and naturally dries sea vegetables that get incorporated by Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra into several dishes. Don’t miss the kelp crusted salmon at fine dining Mar’sel, or the kelp cured smoked salmon at Solviva.
Carnivores Unite
Hero Gyro: Ask for the super-secret off-menu items at Pita Kabob Gastropub in Visalia and you’ll get treated to surprising seasonal creations like Monte Gyro, French toast topped with gyro meat, beer infused syrup and a liberal dusting of powdered sugar.
Cheeseburger in Paradise: The cheeseburger was born in Pasadena and every year local restaurants pay homage to this culinary creation with a week-long Cheeseburger Celebration. From Jan. 26-30, 2020 cheeseburger specials reign at eateries throughout town, and visitors can vote for the best in the Cheeseburger Challenge.
Burgers Galore: Throughout January, all of Temecula celebrates the classic American burger. At eateries like Mad Madeline’s, The Craft Burger and Brie and Burger, visitors can sample some of the top burgers from the county’s recent Battle of the Burgers.
Cornucopia of Flavors
Anaheim Food Scene: From Disneyland to dining destination, Anaheim offers the foodie eclectic bites. Try the Indian street food at ADYA, Chopped champion Chef Shachi Mehra’s outlet or the buttered popcorn ice cream at THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon. Cap the evening at The Blind Rabbit with “The Wait for It,” which puts a whole new spin on flaming cocktails.
Dine Downtown: Called the “Next Great American Food City,” by Southwest magazine, Sacramento shows off its culinary chops with Dine Downtown. For 11 days, local chefs showcase farm-to-fork three-course menus for $40. A portion of each meal is donated to the city’s Food Literacy Center and Hope Cooperative.
For more information on California Restaurant Month, visit our Industry website here.