Strawberry Kabobs, Strawberry Nachos And Strawberry Tacos–Just Some Of The Tastes At The California Strawberry Festival, May 18 and 19
Fifty food and drink vendors will be at the festival, many with strawberry-themed offerings.
Festivalgoers can treat themselves to chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry-topped funnel cakes, strawberry pizza, strawberry nachos, deep-fried strawberries, berry kabobs, strawberry tacos and strawberry beer and smoothies.
Yum! Big Flavor At This Year’s California Strawberry Festival, May 18 and 19
There is also strawberry-covered fried dough, strawberry kettle corn and strawberry lemonade.
“The food and drink list goes on and on,”
Michael Thompson
festival board member
“For $5, you can pile on strawberries and whipped cream as high as you can at our ‘build-your-own’ Strawberry Shortcake Experience.”
The Kabob Shack will offer a kabob skewer with fresh strawberries and a choice of bananas or brownie bites drizzled with white and brown chocolate. “We use about 120 flats of strawberries at the festival,” says Stacia Mizukawa, Kabob Shack owner. “Each kabob is made to order and chocolated right in front of the customer. Nothing is premade. We want the customer to experience everything firsthand.”
Many of the food and drink booths are run by volunteers. Buena Music Association is a nonprofit that raises funds to support the Buena High School music program. Its festival specialty is strawberry and whipped cream-topped funnel cakes.
“People love funnel cakes.
Even with all the other festival food,
last year, we made over 3,000,”
Angie Palacios
the association’s board president.
“Parents and students volunteer for our booth. It’s a wonderful experience for everyone and a great way to finish off the school year.”
The Oxnard Buddhist Temple has been serving chocolate-dipped strawberries at the festival for about 10 years. The booth sells about 20,000 chocolate-dipped strawberries over the two-day festival.
“Most of our strawberries are donated,” says Yoshi Usuki, a longtime volunteer. Shifts of 25 volunteers first melt chocolate in crock pots. The strawberries are dipped, put in cupcake holders and set on racks to cool. The strawberries are then sold individually and in three and six-packs.
Festival general admission is $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, and children 4 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.CAStrawberryFestival.org or upon entry to the festival. A limited amount of parking is available onsite for $20 per vehicle.
Festival-goers are encouraged to use the free shuttles, which will run every 15 minutes to the festival from nearby locations in Oxnard and Ventura. Metrolink offers a $10 day pass, good for unlimited rides on the day of purchase, and up to three kids ages 17 and under ride free with each adult fare. The station is located next to the fairgrounds.
Festival hours are 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
For more about the festival visit www.castrawberryfest.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
The California Strawberry Festival pays tribute to California’s $3 billion strawberry industry. Strawberries are Ventura County’s largest crop generating over $662million in value in 2022.
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Thanksgiving in Los Angeles: the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s… [Recipe Inside]
This Thanksgiving, the perfect stuffing bread DOES exist – and it’s brioche. As in St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a hearty stuffing. While add-ins are a matter of preference, choosing the right bread is crucial. One underrated choice is eggy, rich brioche – and with St Pierre Bakery, you don’t need to go to France to get it.
Thanks to its butter and egg content, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf provides the perfect balance of crisp toastiness while remaining soft and creamy inside, while its lightly sweet flavor adds a decadent quality that can still lean savory. Attached below is an approachable recipe for stuffing allowing for all the craveable crunch for the whole family with minimal effort required.
St Pierre Brioche Thanksgiving Stuffing
By @BrandiMilloy
Ingredients
1 loaf St. Pierre Brioche Bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup celery, diced
3/4 cup carrots, diced
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 large eggs
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, just the leaves
1 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
1 small apple (granny smith works well), peeled and diced
Salt and pepper
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350 F. Cut brioche bread into 1” cubes and bake for about 10-15 minutes until toasted.
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Meanwhile, into a pot over medium high heat add butter until melted. Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until everything starts to soften, about 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Into a bowl whisk together the eggs, herbs, apples, mushrooms, and salt and pepper. Add your cooked vegetables and mix to combine.
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Pour mixture on top of toasted bread and stir to combine. Bake stuffing for about 45 minutes. If your stuffing starts to get too brown, cover until finished baking. Enjoy!
As America’s favorite brioche brand, St Pierre’s products are widely available via grocery stores nationwide as well as Walmart.
Holidays in Los Angeles: Dining in Beverly Hills: Mastro’s, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles have never been more festive (or delicious) with holiday Dining at Mastro’s Beverly Hills, FYC Bar + Kitchen AND Holiday Tamales from Tito’s
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Hotel Amarano in Burbank
On Christmas Day from 3-10 p.m., FYC Bar + Kitchen at the luxury boutique Hotel Amarano in Burbank will be serving a special 3-course menu for just $70 per person (not including wine or cocktails).
The menu will include Butternut Squash Soup OR Radicchio Cup Mushroom Salad with avocado, chives & balsamic vinaigrette;
Apple Wood Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon with jumbo prawns, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts OR Pistachio-Crusted Roasted Sea Bass with citrus sauce, mashed potatoes, baby carrots & Brussels sprouts – and desserts such as Chocolate Lava Cake, New York Cheesecake, Apple Tarte Tatin or Crème Brûlée – along with coffee or tea.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Mastro’s Beverly Hills
For classic Beverly Hills luxury, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving their fresh oysters, caviar, decadent seafood towers, steaks and sides galore, along with luscious desserts and handcrafted cocktails – even a succulent Rabbi’s Daughter Kosher Bone-In Ribeye 16oz Steak for anyone celebrating Hanukkah (or who just likes great steaks).
For the month of December, Mastro’s is offering a special holiday cocktail – Under The Mistletoe.
For those who want their holiday meal from the comfort of their own home, Mastro’s Beverly Hills will have their famously decadent side dishes to go this year!
The following sides will serve up to 4 people, and cost $62 each:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans with Sliced Almonds
Creamed Corn
Creamed Spinach
For a sweet limited time finish, Mastro’s will have a gorgeous Pecan Pie as well as a special Cinnamon + Pecan Butter Cake – a twist on their famed Butter Cake – both available now through December 30.
To order Mastro’s Sides, guests just need to call the restaurant to order from December 1-22 they can pick them up on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Mastro’s will be open Christmas Eve from 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Christmas Day from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, New Year’s Eve from 5:00 PM to Midnight and New Year’s Day from 5:00 to 9:00 PM.
You can find their full menu here & as you likely know, the ambiance at Mastro’s every evening is like a party, with live music and white glove service.
They also have 2 private dining rooms for large parties of 40-50.
The Holidays in Los Angeles at Tito’s Tacos
Lastly – we love the tradition of Christmas Eve tamales, but they take hours to make.
The beloved, family-owned since 1959 Tito’s Tacos offers both a succulent Chicken Tamale – cilantro grilled chicken and Anaheim green chiles wrapped in homemade corn masa & steamed in a corn husk OR a Veggie Tamale, fresh veggies and pinto beans, wrapped in homemade corn masa and steamed in a corn husk.
You can buy them individually or by the dozen and the best part is that you can get them delivered straight to your door.
For more info, go to www.TitosTacos.com
Orders can be placed online for delivery or pickup on or before December 23.
About Mastro’s Steakhouse Beverly Hills
Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills is a premier dining destination combining world class service with an elegant yet energetic ambiance, making it a popular choice for celebrities, locals and visitors.
Located at 246 North Canon Drive, Mastro’s features live music nightly, with signature menu highlights such as bone-in filet mignon, USDA Prime, Japanese A5 Wagyu, and True A5 Kobe steaks; lavish seafood towers featuring fresh oysters, shrimp, crab and lobster served in a swirl of dry ice mist, decadent lobster mashed potatoes, and Mastro’s famed Butter Cake, to name a few.
Open for dinner from 5:00 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For more info, visit www.mastrosrestaurants.com
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert
Palm Springs: Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of the Desert Play Ground
Executive Chef Michael Hung Unveils flagship restaurant, Navigator, New Elevated Dining Voyage in Heart of Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Surf Club announces the opening of their flagship restaurant, Navigator, on Friday, November 15th, 2024!
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
This innovative new dining destination bridges the worlds of desert living, hospitality, and surfing.
Guests will experience dramatic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, explore the expansive 13-acre property complete with resort amenities, and marvel at the sights and sounds of surfing in the state-of-the-art wave pool.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Leading the Navigator team is acclaimed Executive Chef Michael Hung. As the Executive Chef of Navigator and Director of Food & Beverage for the Palm Springs Surf Club, Chef Hung brings his culinary artistry to this highly anticipated opening.
Executive Chef Michael Hung
Chef Hung’s impressive career spans from renowned New York kitchens Daniel and Aquavit, through San Francisco’s celebrated establishments, including the James Beard Award-winning team at Jardiniere, led by the renowned Chef Traci Des Jardins and Michelin-starred La Folie with Chef Roland Passot.
His culinary path has included Faith & Flower in Los Angeles which earned accolades from Esquire, Los Angeles Magazine, and Travel + Leisure.
Hung’s talent continued to shine with Viviane at the Avalon Hotel, praised by Los Angeles Times esteemed food critic Jonathan Gold and renowned San Francisco Chronicle food critic, Michael Bauer.
Chef Hung brought his expertise to the luxury hotel and hospitality scene in Palm Springs as the Executive Chef for Steve Hermann Hotels, where he revamped menus at The Colony Club at The Colony Palms and SO.PA at L’Horizon Resort and Hermann Bungalows, earning a Michelin Guide listing for The Colony Club.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Now, at the Palm Springs Surf Club, he applies his expertise to both Navigator and the larger resort’s food and beverage offerings, promising an elevated dining experience rooted in a global culinary perspective.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Navigator’s Menu will highlight modern American cuisine infused with influences from renowned surf locales, including flavors inspired by Portugal, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, and Hawaii. Each dish is crafted with the finest local ingredients, blending global flavors with a California sensibility.
Signature offerings include Olive & Herb Dinner Rolls with Tomato Jam, Crispy Wagyu Beef Cigars, Hawaiian-style Garlic Shrimp, and large-format dishes such as a Pan Roasted Whole Rainbow Trout or the 20-oz Ribeye with Bone Marrow Gremolata. Chef Hung’s thoughtfully curated Vegan options,Sides, and inventive Desserts like the Crème Catalan Parfait and Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse promise an array of flavors for every palate.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
The Wine List, curated by Beverage Director Anthony Dougherty emphasizes California’s finest labels, while Dougherty’s Bar Menufeatures a refreshing selection of Handcrafted Cocktails and a robust Tap Beer program highlighting local producers.
Photo Credit: Oscar Flink
Service will be led by renowned restaurateur, Cameron Hirigoyen, who for 30 years owned and operated San Francisco’s classic Basque restaurant, Piperade. Cameron brings her graceful poise and deep knowledge to Navigator’s dining room.
Navigator’s design pays homage to the oceanic heritage of South Pacific navigators—surfers who traversed seas by the stars, currents, and wildlife. The restaurant’s décor reflects this maritime inspiration, with custom teakwood furniture, woven textile ceiling treatments, and a hand-carved outrigger canoe serving as a focal point for the dining room. The ambiance combines nautical aesthetics with a luxurious, natural warmth, creating an upscale, intimate setting for guests to relax and dine in style.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hung to the Palm Springs Surf Club family,”
Colin O’Byrne
managing partner
“His creativity and expertise are an ideal match for Navigator and our overall vision at the Palm Springs Surf Club, which is to offer guests an elevated dining experience and amenities alongside the world’s premier surf pool.”
Navigator at the Palm Springs Surf Club officially opens for Dinner on Friday, November 15th, 2024, and will be open every Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Navigator serves Weekend Brunchevery Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Happy Hour menu is available from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or reservations at Navigator, please visit www.NavigatorPS.com or call Navigator directly at 760.205.3634.
Navigator
Palm Springs Surf Club
1500 S. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92264
T: 760.205.3634
About Palm Springs Surf Club: The Palm Springs Surf Club is an unparalleled destination, blending state-of-the-art wave technology with luxurious resort-style amenities. Guests can enjoy various attractions, from a winding lazy river to private cabanas by the wave pool, creating a perfect oasis in the heart of Palm Springs. With three bars, two restaurants, and dynamic event spaces, the Palm Springs Surf Club offers distinctive culinary and beverage programs, designed to cater to every taste and every occasion.
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Seasonal Winter Flavors: Five New Winter Cocktails by Ignacio Murillo at A.O.C. on 3rd Street & in Brentwood
Seasonal Winter Flavors: Five New Winter Cocktails by Ignacio Murillo at A.O.C. on 3rd Street & in Brentwood
Market-Fresh Seasonal Cocktails Crafted by Head Barman Ignacio Murillo Now Available at Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s A.O.C. Restaurants
A.O.C. debuts a new cocktail menu crafted by Ignacio Murillo
Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne and head barman Ignacio Murillo, A.O.C. Third Street and Brentwood, California locations.
A.O.C. debuts a new cocktail menu crafted by Ignacio Murillo to welcome the changing winter produce and chillier temperatures.
In addition to the full bar of premium and classic cocktails, the specialty drinks at both 3rd Street and Brentwood locations include:
Satsuma with bourbon, tangerine juice, lemon, orange-saffron syrup & dried orange;
Death to the Espresso Martini with dark rum, silver rum, espresso, spiced coffee syrup & star anise;
Azteca with tequila, lime, apple juice, tamarind syrup & dried apple;
The Nagami with gin, lemon, kumquat liqueur, oro blanco grapefruit, fresh kumquat & rosemary;
The signature Fire & Smoke with mezcal, lime, blood orange, simple syrup, árbol chile, chili salt & fresh lime.
From his early days as a busser at the OG A.O.C. at 3rd & Crescent Heights, Ignacio Murillo always went the extra mile and immersed himself in the A.O.C. ways.
AOC’s Ignacio Murillo photo credit Suzanne Lanza
He came to every wine and cheese tasting, dedicated to being the best he could be, and made himself a key member of the A.O.C. family. Eventually, he moved to the bartender position, where he honed his cocktail-making skills, developing an incredible palate and a talent for layering flavors and textures in a magical way.
Murillo is now taking center stage, running A.O.C.’s bar program featuring seasonally motivated cocktails created to pair with Chef Suzanne Goin’s market menu offerings.
Cocktails are priced at $18-19 and are available now and continue through the winter season.
A.O.C. WINTER COCKTAILS 2023
Satsuma; photo credit Suzanne Lanza
Satsuma
bourbon, tangerine juice, lemon, orange-saffron syrup, orange
The Satsuma tangerine is a Japanese varietal popular amongst California growers. There are multiple varieties of tangerines at the Farmers’ Market, and I wanted to combine them with bourbon for a winter cocktail. To make this drink, I created an orange and saffron syrup to mix with the Satsuma tangerine juice to make an original and surprising cocktail that remains both juicy and spirit-forward.
Death to the Espresso Martini ; photo credit Suzanne Lanza
Death to the espresso martini
dark rum, silver rum, espresso, spiced coffee syrup, star anise
Espresso martinis are all the rage in Los Angeles and pretty much everywhere.
To take it to the next level, or at the very least, put my spin on it, I blended Caribbean dark and white rums and added a spiced coffee syrup made from condensed espresso along with a few secret ingredients.
The result is a cocktail that is rich, smooth, and eye-opening.
Azteca; photo credit Suzanne Lanza
Azteca
tequila, lime, apple juice, tamarind syrup, candied apple
The famous Aztec tribe is indigenous to Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila.Since apples are at their best in winter, I love incorporating them into a seasonal tequila cocktail. This year I combined the crispness of apples with tequila and added tamarind for its bright and sour notes. It lives up to the strength of its namesake.
The Nagami; photo credit Suzanne Lanza
The nagami
gin, lemon, kumquat liqueur, oro blanco grapefruit, fresh kumquat, rosemary
My neighbor has a small tree that is packed with kumquats. He shares them with his neighbors and makes delicious agua frescas with the fruit. He explained that these are Nagami kumquats, the most popular variety in the United States. So I used them to make a kumquat liqueur, added fresh-squeezed Oro Blanco grapefruit juice, and mixed them with gin to play off of the botanical notes in the gin.
This drink makes a citrusy and tart winter cocktail.
The signature Fire & Smoke; photo credit Suzanne Lanza
fire & smoke
mezcal, lime, blood orange, simple syrup, árbol chile, chili salt, fresh lime
Fire & Smoke has long been A.O.C.’s most popular seasonal cocktail. Blood orange, with its vibrant hue, is mixed with mezcal and tequila. The addition of our fiery house-made arbol Chile bitters makes this cocktail a long-time crowd-pleaser.
Serving now and continuing through the winter season; available for lunch, brunch & dinner per operating hours
A.O.C. 3rd Street
Dinner
Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Pick up & delivery
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. nightly
Saturday – Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A.O.C. in Brentwood Lunch
Wednesday – Friday 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner
Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Brunch
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Pick up & delivery
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. nightly
WHERE:
A.O.C. 3rd Street
8700 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 – 310.859.9859
A.O.C. in Brentwood
11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049 – 310.806.6464
ABOUT THE LUCQUES GROUP:
With the opening of Lucques, their flagship restaurant, in 1998, James Beard Foundation award-winning Chef/Author Suzanne Goin and award-winning Restaurateur Caroline Styne planted the seeds for The Lucques Group, a Los Angeles hospitality company that comprises two fine dining restaurants – A.O.C. in both Los Angeles and Brentwood.
Along with these culinary enterprises, the company also owns the Larder Baking Company and oversees Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine, which curates all the food and beverage outlets at L.A.’s iconic music venue. The duo also operates two new restaurants – Caldo Verde and Cara Cara – at the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel.
The Lucques Group is dedicated to seasonally influenced cooking and focuses on sourcing local, organic produce from which Goin creates soulful dishes that are bold in flavor, vibrant, layered and complex.
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Scott Augat, Sam Seidenberg Lead Cuyama Buckhorn’s Buckhorn Bar — Unlike any Roadside Cowboy Bar in High Desert Country
Cuyama Buckhorn’s Buckhorn Bar, led by Scott Augat and Sam Seidenberg is Unlike any Roadside Cowboy Bar in the High Desert
Bar Lead Sam Seidenberg is doing something twofold at the Buckhorn Bar – he is encouraging and creating cultural exchanges unlike perhaps anywhere else in the state, and he is taking the idea of outdoors-to-glass to the next level.
A high desert hideaway, Cuyama Buckhorn sits on Highway 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield, CA—an hour away from Santa Maria Airport, two hours from Santa Barbara Airport, two and a half hours from Los Angeles International Airport, two hours from Burbank Airport, and just over an hour from Bakersfield Municipal Airport.
The L88 airstrip, a privately-owned, public use airport is 2 blocks from the resort.
Nestled in what is referred to as The Hidden Valley of Enchantment—a fitting nickname for this hidden gem of a region—Cuyama Buckhorn neighbors small farms, ranches, wineries, and natural landmarks including Carrizo Plain National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, and Bitter Creek Wildlife Preserve. The area is a popular destination for motorcyclists and pilots.
Cuyama Buckhorn was originally a roadside motel built for oil executives to have a place to stay in the 1950s, and in the 70+ years since it opened, has since catered to everyone from local ranchers and cowboys to bikers and car buffs out for their Sunday drives.
Seidenberg brings a wealth of experience to the job, having worked in bars in San Francisco and Portland before discovering New Cuyama one day and realizing the town had everything he needed.
Today the bar’s motto “Come as you are” welcomes everyone from mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts to city folks looking to enjoy the resort for the weekend.
“This is essentially an American country bar and my goal is for us to meet the needs of everyone who walks through the door,”
says Seidenberg.
“We have a more diverse clientele here than I ever saw when I was working in the Mission District in San Francisco,” says Seidenberg of the scene.
What he has done with the cocktail program is create a way to tell stories through the drinks he’s created and thus encourage those drinking them to better understand where they are at that moment.
God’s Country, made with Rye, 3H Wagyu Beef, Coors Light and Corn
God’s Country, made with Rye, 3H Wagyu Beef, Coors Light and Corn
For example, his drink, God’s Country, made with Rye, 3H Wagyu Beef, Coors Light and Corn is basically an homage to the ranch traditions of the Valley itself.
As with the layered stories behind each drink, Seidenberg, who has a deep personal passion for the area and the Los Padres National Forest in particular, focuses on layering ingredients from the region as well into each drink he develops.
Whether he be out for a mountain bike ride or a trek into the mountains, he’s always on the hunt for what he can bring back into the bar and ultimately the glass. While manzanita may be highly endangered elsewhere in the state, in the Cuyama Valley it grows abundantly and Seidenberg finds many ways to use it from harvesting berries to picking the flowers.
A drink such as the Prickly Pear, Manzanita Flower, Yerba Santa and Mezcal Spritzer is just one example of the fruits of his labor.
General Manager and Sommelier Scott Augat, who has spent his career at some of the best restaurants in Boston, Miami and Dallas, is also passionate about both creating conversation and inciting curiosity with bar patrons.
Augat’s sourcing of draft beers includes some local favorites
Augat’s sourcing of draft beers includes some local favorites, including a beer from There Does Not Exist, a local San Luis Obispo brewery helmed by Max Montgomery, who worked at Firestone-Walker Brewing for many years.
The “Cans & Bottles” section features “usual suspects” and then there are the unusual suspects – outliers like Anchorage Brewing’s Sent By Liars, Oxbow Brewing Company’s Bramble On, and Fonteinen’s Sherry Lambikken Blend, to name a few.
Augat’s wine list of nearly 60 wines offers more than a few surprise-and-delight moments. While Augat recognizes that Cuyama Buckhorn is in Santa Barbara County, one of the country’s top wine producing regions, he also wants to introduce guests to wines from other regions that are making their best versions of particular grape varietals –think small regions of Italy and France, as well as Austria, Lebanon, and Slovenia. He’s focused on seeking out small producers and showcasing single vineyard wines from across the globe.
Between Seidenberg and Augat and their team, locals and hotel guests are in good hands where libations are concerned. Not only is everyone guaranteed a stellar beverage experience here, but they may get an education at the same time. Everyone who works behind the bar shares a passion for talking to people and sharing stories, which seems to create an environment where guests find themselves talking and learning, intentionally or unintentionally, about the area and each other.
Cuyama Buckhorn’s Buckhorn Bar Menu
The bar menu is divided into six sections – Farm to Glass, Barrel Aged Cocktails, Macerations, Draft Beer, Cans and Bottles, and Spirits Flights.
FARM TO GLASS is five enticing elixirs, all created to showcase the house-made liqueurs, bitters and seasonal syrups made from local produce and foraged herbs that feature prominently in each glass. Each cocktail is $18.
Done Deal
Aquavit, Amaro, Golden Beet, Lemon
Long December
Reposado, Carrot, Cardamom, Honey
Chelsea Cooler
Botanicals, Celery, Thyme, Red Peppercorn
God’s Country
Rye, 3H Wagyu Beef, Coors Light, Corn
Honeymooner
Grappa, Pineapple, Campari, y, Chartreuse
BARREL AGED COCKTAILS are served from a wine thief from one of four Rod & Hammer whiskey barrels. Each one holds a traditional cocktail such as a Manhattan, a Boulevardier, a White Negroni and a Nouveau Carré and all are made using the Solera aging process so that the flavor of each drink develops over time. Each cocktail is $20.
MACERATIONS are visual delights and feature Tequila, Grappa, Rum and Whiskey
MACERATIONS are visual delights and feature Tequila, Grappa, Rum and Whiskey – each infused with a combination of flavors such as watermelon, hibiscus and black pepper corn or pineapple, tomatillo and arbol chiles. The watermelon and pineapple have both been smoked with Cypress wood from a felled tree on the property. These can be sipped neat, used in cocktails or served over a large ice cube topped with a splash of Topo Chico. Macerations are $10.
The FLIGHT MENU is two flights of each spirit–Bourbon, Rye, Peated Whiskey, Brandy/Cognac, Gin, Mezcal and Tequila–with the choice of a Staple Flight or a Premium Flight. Flight mats are provided (staple flights on one side, premium on the other) with information about each spirit along with tasting notes.
Call (661) 766-2825 or visit https://www.cuyamabuckhorn.com/to reserve
E-mail: hello@cuyamabuckhorn.com
Instagram: @cuyamabuckhorn
LOCATION:
4923 Primero Street, New Cuyama, CA 93254
A high desert hideaway, Cuyama Buckhorn sits on Highway 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield, CA—an hour away from Santa Maria Airport, two hours from Santa Barbara Airport, two and a half hours from Los Angeles International Airport, two hours from Burbank Airport, and just over an hour from Bakersfield Municipal Airport. The L88 airstrip, a privately-owned, public use airport is 2 blocks from the resort.
Nestled in what is referred to as The Hidden Valley of Enchantment—a fitting nickname for this hidden gem of a region—Cuyama Buckhorn neighbors small farms, ranches, wineries, and natural landmarks including Carrizo Plain National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, and Bitter Creek Wildlife Preserve. The area is a popular destination for motorcyclists and pilots.
ABOUT CUYAMA BUCKHORN
Cuyama Buckhorn is a timeless roadside resort, restaurant, bar, and coffee shop in the heart of California’s high desert within Santa Barbara County, approximately 2 hours north of Los Angeles.
First opened in 1952, Cuyama Buckhorn was remodeled by 2 Los Angeles-based designers who sought to bring the rich history of the resort back to life. The modern motel features 21 renovated Western-chic guest rooms, all with dedicated patio areas. Vintage accents and fixtures throughout the resort nod to the property’s rancher history and original mid-century architecture.
For dining, the property features a farm-to-table restaurant, bar, and coffee shop, along with spaces for hosting private events, weddings, or meetings.
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Comic Con Legend Shares his Hosting Tips, Geek TV’s Chris Gore – See his new Doc ‘Attack of the Doc’ Available April 24
Popular Host Shares his Tips, Comic Con and Geek TV’s Chris Gore
Chris Gore is a frequent host on Comic Con and Geek Culture stages around the world, plus on dozens of TV shows.
On a weekly basis, he battles publicly to keep a panel of personalities in line, with egos and eccentricities, from world-famous filmmakers and comic book artists to eager up-and comers in pop culture.
Today I sat down with Chris Gore, the writer / director / producer of “Attack of the Doc!” to ask him all about his hosting tips.
“Attack of the Doc!” is written, directed & produced by Chris Gore.
This deep dive documentary features pop icons including Wil Wheaton, John Cena, Joel McHale, Peter Jackson, Kumail Nanjiani, Whitney Cummings, Danny Pudi, and many more!
Attack of the Show! was unique, way ahead of its time and was a milestone that had a huge impact on geek culture. Available for streaming and more as of April 24, 2023.
You’re a world-class host, whether it’s in front of a camera or on a stage. What do you feel is the key to being a great host?
I want people who disagree with each other to be on a panel together, because I wanna come to some [agreement]. I want everyone to shake hands at the end. And ideally, maybe even hug, even though I’m not much of a hugger. Shake hands, walk away, have a sense of sportsmanship. You debated your point. I debated mine. The audience can decide how they feel about something.
Whenever I’m moderating a panel or doing something like that, I try to make sure everybody gets a chance to talk. And if I see somebody dominating too much, I’ll get them to pull back. I’ll say, ‘Hey, everybody, for two minutes, give me your opinion on this, and then I’ll go down the line.’
I also want people to feel welcomed, even whether I personally agree with their opinion or not, doesn’t matter. I want people to feel welcome in that space.
When it comes to doing TV, I had no TV experience when I started doing television. My first real TV job was on a show called “The X Show”, which was a show on late night on FX. It was like “The Man Show”, but kind of like “The View” with guys, and I was the movie guy.
So I had to learn, but I didn’t care about being on television, whereas everyone else I was surrounded by really wanted to be on TV. I think because I didn’t care, that helped me because I didn’t care if I got the job or not. I’m a stay-at-home dad writing a book right now about movies. I don’t have time. The TV thing is kind of interrupting my schedule. The less I cared about being on TV the more jobs I got offered.
I didn’t realize this [at first]. But truthfully, to be on television, you need to learn how to walk up to your spot, which is usually a piece of tape on the floor. So you gotta ‘meet the spot’, okay?
You’ve gotta look at the teleprompter and you read what’s on the teleprompter, but you pretend you’re not reading; you pretend you’re actually talking to a person. So you read, but act like you’re actually not reading.
And that’s pretty much it.
I just told you everything. You could go to college and learn how to be on TV. I just gave you the 30 second summary. Walk up to a piece of tape and be able to read where it sounds natural.
I was fortunate enough that some of the stuff was scripted for me, but when it came to my opinion, that was me talking off the top of my head. And I always felt like whenever I did DVDs Day on ‘Attack of the Show’ or other television that I did, I always felt like I was in a race. ‘I’ve got four minutes. I’m gonna give you as much information in four minutes as possible. We’ll come to a conclusion: buy, rent, or pass. Then, see you next week [where] I’ll be on for another four minutes.’
“Attack of the Doc!” is written, directed & produced by Chris Gore, produced & edited by Bobby Schwartz, co-produced by Walter Areas, with additional co-editing by Anthony Ray Bench and Phillip H. Eubanks, and with an original score composed by Austin Smith. This deep dive documentary features pop icons including Wil Wheaton, John Cena, Joel McHale, Peter Jackson, Kumail Nanjiani, Whitney Cummings, Danny Pudi, Eric Andre, Jerry Stiller, Joe Rogan, Jimmy Fallen, Kel Mitchell, Anne Meara, Stan Lee, Sara Jean Underwood, Carrie Keagan, Riley Steele, Tom Green, Anthony Daniels, Michael Winslow, Joey Kern, Joan Rivers, Chris Hardwick, Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero, Jessica Chobot, Tony Hawk, and Alison Haislip, among others as we search for the truth.
“Attack of the Show! was unique, way ahead of its time and was a milestone that had a huge impact on geek culture. Its core audience is one of the most coveted around the globe. I think viewers of the original show will be down for learning the history of the network and the show which helped usher in the age of nerd culture. Frankly, G4TV and Attack of the Show! are responsible for making it cool to be a nerd,” states Gore. “And at the end of the day, I hope the documentary entertains fans and reminds them of a time when a TV show could be dangerous and provide some laughs without fear of being canceled. Everyone who worked on the documentary is a super fan, so this movie was made by fans for fans.”
Attack of the Doc! Synopsis
Before the rise of big tech, social media and Marvel movies, Attack of the Show! chronicled nerd culture’s unlikely acceptance as mainstream. G4TV’s flagship show launched the careers of hosts Olivia Munn and Kevin Pereira and was beloved by fans – a unique celebration of geek culture before it was cool. Diving into colossal cream pies, wearing fat suits for comedy and putting internet servers where the sun don’t shine – anything could happen on an episode of Attack of the Show! It’s been years since the show went off the air and one question has lingered: what really happened to G4TV and Attack of the Show? Enter Attack Of The Doc! — the new film written and directed by Chris Gore, promises to answer one of pop culture’s longest running mysteries.
Available now and watch the trailer here.
Follow the documentary and its journey available on Video on Demand and TVOD/Digital platforms on April 24th, 2023, which is the 21st Anniversary of the launch of G4TV.
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