Page 23 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

GOAT CHEESE strata woodboard, fresh buratta and prosciutto,
California benedict, left; seafood dining at Laguna Beach, below.
Apple lovers can rejoice in Sebastopol,
home of Gravensteins, and in Apple Hill,
where 50 farms welcome you to pick. On
the coast, berry farms (Swanton) and
pumpkin patches (Arata’s in Half Moon
Bay, complete with corn labyrinth) beckon,
and Duarte’s Tavern in Pescadero will
warm you on foggy days with cream of arti-
choke and chile soup.
California’s olive oil production has
skyrocketed, with favorites like Stella
Cadente (Fort Bragg), Victorine Valley
Farms (Livermore) and Olea (Paso Robles),
all producing decadent flavor-infusions,
along with balsamics.
Restaurants with farm-to-table partner-
ships are prevalent, including The
Restaurant at Wente in Livermore with its
sustainable gardens, and Michelin darling
Manresa, in Los Gatos, whose relationship
with Love Apple Farms is legendary. Cham-
inade, in Santa Cruz, holds a series of
farm-to-table wine dinners featuring local
wineries and farm-fresh produce.
Top Dining Destinations
LA & Environs
Trendy dining spots in star-studded LA
include Animal, Bestia, Faith & Flower,
Gjusta, Maude, Mozza, Petit Trois, Pot
Commissary Café, Providence, Rivera, Red
Medicine, Sqirl and Trois Mec.
San Diego
San Diego’s food scene is buzzing over Baci
Ristorante, Bottega Americano, Comun
Kitchen & Tavern, Cucina Enoteca, Juniper
& Ivy, Prado, PuestoTidal and Trulucks.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a constant blender bender
of change, with restaurants opening and
closing weekly. New on the scene are Lazy
Bear, Le Clos, Monsieur Benjamin, Quince,
Tradesman, Urchin Bistro and Michael
Mina’s latest, his first Japanese foray,
Paubu, along with The Ramen Bar. Classics
still at the top of their game include NOPA,
Gary Danko, Slanted Door and Jardinière.
Sustainability is the keyword in all
things agriculture, and we can tip our hat
to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for its
impactful Seafood Watch program that
helps diners make informed choices,
whether selecting fish at Whole Foods or
dining at classic Pacific Grove spots like
Passionfish and Fandango.
Niman Ranch, a pioneer in hormone
free, humanely raised meats, set the stage
for conscious consumption. Look for it on
finer menus everywhere.
Sonoma and Marin counties have
become the Cheese hub, with names like
Barinaga (Marshall), Cowgirl Creamery
(Point Reyes) and Harley Farms (Pescadero)
consistent award-winners. Check out
cheesetrail.org.
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