Food: January 2011 Archives

February

February 12 -- River Road Wine Trail: Valentine's Passport
Wine Education: This is a great opportunity for wine lovers to visit Monterey Wine Country and enjoy the vintages and ambiance of these artisan vintners. Eleven wineries will open their doors for this Valentine's Passport. They will feature rare vintages, music, food and celebration all things amour. As a Passport-carrying V.I.P., guests will receive a souvenir glass, a special gift, entry into a grand drawing, and special discounts. Monterey CA
Fee: $20 Advance/$25 After Feb 1 Time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 386.0316

February 12 -- Red Wine & Chocolates at Château Julien
Celebration: The perfect pair! Enjoy a sumptuous selection of chocolates to complement Chateau Julien red wines including Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, La Conviviance & Black Nova throughout the weekend. Château Julien Wine Estate, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel CA
Fee: $7/$4 Wine Club Members Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number:(831) 624.2600

February 27 -- Steinbeck's Birthday Celebration
Celebration: Steinbeck Birthday Celebration is in recognition of John Steinbeck and the inspiration he continues to provide through his legacy. For Monterey County residents, museum admission and all of the Birthday Celebration activities are free. For all others, the activities are included in the general museum admission price. National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas CA
Fee: FreeTime: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: (831) 775.4721

Let's hope the snow has stopped long enough for visitors to attend the annual Chili Cook-Off. What better to warm up then with a big bowl of piping hot chili! Visit Central Virginia's wineries: Cooper, Grayhaven, James River and Lake Anna on January 29-30th, 2011. Sample chili at each winery and vote for your favorite one.  Passport tickets are only $10 and include a souvenir wineglass, tasting at the four Virginia wineries and a chance to win amazing prizes upon completing the trail.

BUY TICKETS

*Can't make the event in January? Virginia Wine Lover - shares their favorite chili recipe HERE.

More Upcoming Virginia Events in February:

All around California, restaurants are celebrating the month of January with fabulous dining specials and savings for lunch and/or dinner. Splurge, savor, and save is the name of the game. See if your favorite restaurant or one you always wanted to try is on the list in the regions below.

Gold Country. You may not find gold, but with savings on food like these, you might as well have! Restaurant Week in Gold Country is January 32-30 with a grand finale on January 30th where the area's finest chefs will offer a unique opportunity to be an El Dorado Epicurean in a countywide progressive dinner. More Details

Monterey County. Catch some fresh seafood in Monterey during Restaurant Month. Participating restaurants are offering prix fixe dinner menus for $20.11 all month long. More Details.

Napa Valley - see our Food Writer's top restaurant picks for deals and steals. Or see the full list of Napa Valley restaurants and their specials here.

Santa Barbara Wine Country

• Santa Barbara -Dubbed "Film Feast", the prix fixe restaurant program coincides with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival all happening January 27-Feb 6, 2011. Film goers and foodies are invited to choose from "Short" (two-course), "Feature" (three-course) and "Epic" (four-course) length seasonal menus at participating restaurants. MORE DETAILS.
  
• Santa Ynez Valley - The foodie fun begins January 23rd and ends January 29th. It's this region's first time participating in Restaurant Month and they will be featuring special 3-course tasting menus for $20.11. A list of participating restaurants is listed, but you will need to contact restaurants directly for specific days, dining hours and to make reservations. MORE DETAILS.

Enjoy a true culinary extravaganza-Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week between January 23rd - January 30th!  During this fabulous event ,  food lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy a prix fixe meal, specialty dish or special offer at Tri-Valley restaurants. Some of the finest, most renowned chefs and restaurants in the Tri-Valley will showcase their culinary styles for diners. The event will feature an array of well-known restaurants, casual dining establishments and local purveyors that will provide one of a kind dining experiences offered during this week only.  

Participating Restaurants include Terra Mia, The Peasant and the Pear, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards, The Farmer Restaurant at the Pleasanton Hotel, Blue Agave Grill, Eddie Papa's American Hangout, Campo Di Bocce, Swirl on the Square, Porters Restaurant at Poppy Ridge.

No tickets or passes are required for Taste of Tri-Valley Restaurant Week. Diners simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like all week.

Visit www.trivalleycvb.com/tasteoftrivalley to download and print restaurant coupons for Tri-Valley Restaurant Week!