Category Archives: Lifestyle

Culinary Events, New York City, New York City, Restaurant, Travel

SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW AT JAVITS CENTER, NEW YORK CITY JUNE 23-25, 2019

June 11, 2019 DepLifestyleMag

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Mark your calendars for the largest specialty food and beverage show on the East Coast!

Join us in NYC from June 23-25, 2019 to discover the hottest new products, producers, and trends at the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show.

Don’t miss your chance to network with more than 33,000 industry professionals and tastemakers. Register today!

EDUCATION & SHOW FEATURES
Learn from industry experts and build your business with top-notch educational seminars, our specialty buyer/supplier match-making program, networking and more.

About the event:

Discover 80,000 on-trend and best-in-class products including confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more. Connect with 1,400 exhibitors representing the latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 35 countries and regions.

Since 1955, the Fancy Food Shows have been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage marketplace. Between the Winter Show in San Francisco and the Summer Show in New York City, the Specialty Food Association events bring in more than 40,000 attendees from more than 80 countries and regions to see 260,000 innovative specialty food products, such as confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more.

The Shows are attended by every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses.

The Summer Fancy Food Show presents educational seminars and talks addressing the basics of specialty food, innovation, trends, and other topics important to manufacturers, retailers and other members of the trade.

Exhibitor Information:

The Summer Fancy Food Show is the East Coast’s largest specialty food and beverage event. Exhibit with over 1,500 exhibitors and put your products in front of over 19,000+ quality buyers.

You’ll want to be part of the largest North American marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty food and beverage producers and buyers – the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show!
200,000+ specialty foods & beverages
Thousands of new products
Industry’s top networking events
2,600+ exhibitors from around the globe

Exhibiting in the Summer Fancy Food Shows is the most convenient and cost-effective way to meet buyers from every major food/beverage buying channel in the U.S. and around the world.

The Fancy Food Shows are known for the quality of their attendees. An impressive 85% of all Show attendees either authorize or recommend purchasing decisions. A sampling of buyers that attend every Show include Whole Foods, Costco, Kroger, Barnes & Nobles, Wal-Mart, The Fresh Market, Amazon.com, Restaurant Associates.

About Specialty Food Association, Inc.:

The Specialty Food Association is a thriving community of food artisans, purveyors, importers and entrepreneurs who bring craft, care and joy to the distinctive foods they sell. Established in 1952 in New York, the not-for-profit trade association provides its 3,000+ members in the U.S. and abroad the tools, knowledge and connections to champion and nurture their companies in an always-evolving marketplace. The Association (formerly the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc.) owns and produces the Winter and Summer Fancy Food Shows, and presents the sofi Awards honoring excellence in specialty food.

Follow Winter Fancy Food Show: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

This is the second year that @DepLifestyleMag will cover this amazing event. Remember to tweet and Instagam @DepLifestyleMag and harshtag #SFFS19 #DepLifestyleMagazine.

Restaurant, San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Travel

5 authentic and our favorite PHO, in Silicon Valley/Bay Area

February 5, 2018 DepLifestyleMag

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By Manda Bear

Traditionally a northern Vietnamese breakfast specialty, Beef Pho is now eaten throughout the country at any time of day. And it has become one of the most popular noodle soup in San Francisco Bay Area, especially in Silicon Valley. Chicken Pho is coming in second, a perfect soup for a cold night or to cure a hangover; but don’t we forget our vegetarian/vegan fellows, vegan Pho has become so popular in the greenest state of America. We got you covered!

With almost 400,000 Vietnamese first and second generation live here in Northern California, and over 150,000 Vietnamese in the condensed populated Silicon Valley, no wonder when I want to get a good bowl of authentic Northern style Pho, San Jose is where I go first.

Pho Ha Noi San Jose – Phở Bắc – Northern Style Pho
969 Story Road, Ste #6048
San Jose, CA 95122
Phone: (408) 239-0888
https://www.facebook.com/PhoHaNoiSanJose/

When I crave for Pho Tai Dap (literally mean hand-tenderized or hand-pounded rare beef Pho), and when my mother is too busy to cook, I come here for it.

They use the highest quality of beef USDA prime flank steak that I’ve ever seen at any restaurant in the US. The meat is tender, sweet, topping off with a bit of ginger and plenty of green onion, oh mine! They cook over 180 lbs of bone and bone-marrow just to serve you 200 bowls of beef Pho. There is no place like Pho Ha Noi San Jose serves this kind of Northern region Pho. And you order fresh noodles (wider flat rice noodle to go with it), Whoala, you have yourself a bowl of goodness gracious noodle soup!

The wife and husband team here are the most kind-hearted people I know. They have helped so many people in our communities here, from the recent wildfires in Sonoma and Napa Valley, to the hurricane Irma and Harvey; from the recent flooded victims in Central Vietnam to the recent wildfires in LA; just for that alone, they get my vote for their relentless philanthropy.

Turtle Tower – Phở Bắc – Northern Style Pho
645 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 409-3333
http://www.turtletowersf.com

Another very authentic Pho place that quite popular in San Francisco. They are famous for Pho Ga (Chicken Pho noodle soup). This is more noodle house than a restaurant but it is airy, bright and cleaner than when they first opened their 1st location in 2000. They do northern style Pho which is not as widespread as the usual southern Vietnam pho joints most people are familiar with.

If you come here be adventurous, try their Pho Gà Lòng (pho ga with giblets: heart, gizzard, liver, and other organs). They use free-range chicken and freshly prepared daily, you will be in for a treat.

The surrounding area is sketchy-ish but most of the time it’s fine to walk around during the day.

Pho Papa – Phở Nam – Southern Style Pho
1611 E Capitol Expy
San Jose, CA 95121
Phone: (408) 270-0600
www.PhoPapaSJ.com

Pho Papa is a new place with light wooden tables and chairs, an unusual approach for a Pho place. They even offer few seats at the kitchen reminds me of some Ramen Bar. They offer a reasonable price, friendly, and good service. The broth is yummy, sweeter, darker broth, but not as sweet as typical Southern Pho restaurants in Silicon Valley and they give you plenty of garnish: bean sprout, basil, lime, and jalapeño.

Check out their spare rib bone soup on the side – tender, meaty, and falling off the bones goodness.

Pho King – Phở Nam – Southern Style Pho
638 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
Phone: (510) 444-0448
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pho-King/117583504934800

Sticky tables, obnoxious menu, hush and rush service, just your typical pho restaurant that gets it, and doesn’t care much about your average Yelp reviews.

Darker and sweeter broth, Southern Vietnamese style Pho, well-priced for this part of Oakland, the East Bay. You definitely get more for your bucks here. you can really stretch your dollar here at Pho King. The Combination Pho is what you go for, besides other dishes such as Bun Bo Hue, another popular dish here.

Don’t expect service here, but if you want a quick fix of piping hot broth and feel like rolling in Pho King in your Pajama, it’s OK too.

Golden Bamboo – Vegan Pho
3245 S White Rd
San Jose, CA 95148
Phone: (408) 270-8350
www.facebook.com/goldenbamboovegetarian

The place is always packed at lunchtime and during the full moon Lunar calendar for Vietnamese Buddhists to eat vegan food. The place is quite small, but the ambiance is warm and inviting. Plenty of exotic tropical flowers and plants decorated throughout the restaurant, Bird of Paradises remind me of Hawaii and always fresh plants here. So if you are allergic to plants and flowers, be careful. Gorgeous lightings at night, soft easy listening music, set you in a super Zen mood.

They offer Vegan Pho or Faux Chicken Lime Leaf Pho, they are both equally tasty, light broth, faux meat, tofu, green veggies, plenty of fresh veggies and herbs, surely satisfy your craving for healthier Pho.

Besides Pho, they have plenty of other delicious dishes for vegan/vegetarian to choose from, check it out.

*************************************
Author: Manda Bear
https://instagram.com/1mandabear
https://twitter.com/1mandabear
Manda Bear has a passion for food and wine as a very young age. She’s currently with Dep Lifestyle Magazine San Francisco Bay Area, as a co-publisher and contributor @DepLifestyleMag @DiningOutVegas @FabMediaSF. She was a contributor for Drink Me Magazine, Viet Press USA, Studio 14 Magazine, DiningOut Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s a certified level II Sommelier @VintageWineSR at www.VintageWineMerchants.com on Santana Row in Silicon Valley and you can find her on YouTube for her “Wine Not” Ruou Cho Nguoi Viet by Dep Lifestyle Magazine

She’s also a PR/brand ambassador for hospitality, food, and wine industry, as well as a Branding consultant for high tech companies in Silicon Valley. She’s also a serial restaurant investor, former restaurant owner and has traveled to dine at over hundred of Michelin Star/James Beard Award-winning restaurants around the world.

Chefs, Chicago, Culinary Events, Drink, Las Vegas, Lifestyle, magazine, Napa Valley, New York City, Restaurant, Restaurant Review, San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma County, Southern California, Travel, Wine Country Bay Area, Wineries

Countdown to Flavor! Napa Valley March 22-26, 2017

March 17, 2017 DepLifestyleMag

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Countdown to Flavor! Napa Valley March 22-26, 2017 Five Days, plenty of amazing events and one legendary festival – The countdown to Flavor! Napa Valley, March 22-26, 2017, has begun! The five-day food and wine festival support programs and scholarships at The Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone Campus in St. Helena, CA. Flavor! During Flavor! Napa Valley, you’ll soak up inspiration from iconic chefs and winemakers while experiencing the best that Napa Valley has to offer. As you discover new flavors, you’ll also be supporting programs and scholarships of emerging talent from The Culinary Institute of America.

Flavor! Napa showcases the finest in farm-to-table cuisine and world class wines with a series of local and celebrity chef demonstrations, intimate winemaker workshops, as well as grand tastings and exclusive experiences to bring out the best flavors of Napa Valley. Tickets for Flavor! Napa Valley are available at FlavorNapaValley.com.

A highlight of Flavor! Napa Valley 2017 events include:

Thursday, March 23, 2017

“From Vineyard to Bottle – Exploring Napa Valley with Iconic Winemaker Heidi Barrett” at the CIA at Copia 2:30 – 4 p.m.; $95 per person

Moderated by wine, food and television star Leslie HartleySbrocco of KQED’s “Check, Please!” this exclusive seminar and tasting is focused on Heidi’s secrets behind how she captures the deep and complex flavors of the fruit in the wines she makes for her La Sirena and Barrett & Barrett labels, as well as other special selections from the highlytouted Napa Valley brands Paradigm, Fantesca, Kenzo Estate and Lamborn Family Vineyards.

“Napa Valley Icons Dinner” presented by the Silverado Resort and Spa at Silverado Resort and Spa 6 – 10 p.m.; $295 per person

Guests will celebrate the food and wine icons of the Napa Valley at the Silverado Resort and Spa while honoring legendary winemaker Heidi Barrett, who is responsible for some of California’s most notable cult wines. From multiple 100point rated wines to setting a world record when a 6liter bottle of her Screaming Eagle 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $500,000 at the Napa Valley Wine Auction in 2000. Participating chefs include Host Chef Jeffrey Jake from Silverado Resort and Spa; Matthew Accarrino from SPQR; Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski from State Bird Provisions and The Progress; Ken Frank from La Toque; Michael Schulson from Schulson Collective; and esteemed CIA graduate Waldy Malouf.

Chef Demo “Tyler Malek and Lisa Vega at the CIA at Copia 10 – 11:30 a.m.; $75 per person

Indulge your sweet tooth with Chefs Tyler Malek, coowner and chef of Salt & Straw Ice Cream, and Lisa Vega, executive pastry chef at Dandelion Chocolate. Guests will experience what happens when great minds collide with their unique use of ingredients, techniques, and secret tricks of the trade, and reap the delicious benefits of this culinary match with Salt & Straw’s innovative, seasonallydriven ice cream, and Dandelion’s small batch bean to bar chocolate.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Terroir to Table – “The Blend Experience at Paraduxx” at Paraduxx Winery 10 – 11:30 a.m.; $95 per person

During this lively, handson experience, guests will be guided through a component tasting of the three core varietals that make up Paraduxx and learn the techniques of winemaking. Wines will be seasonally paired with bites from local chefs, Natalie and Jonathan Niksa, of La Saison, Napa Valley.

Terroir to Table – “The Spirited Side of Napa Valley” at 2:30 – 4 p.m.; $95 per person

The class is designed to showcase the spirited side of Napa Valley. Guests will start with a welcome beverage and short distillery tour, followed by a whiskey barrel tasting with the Napa Distillery owner and distiller. After the tour, guests will enjoy a multicourse small plate and cocktail/spirits pairing experience in the grand tasting salon. Each course will be prepared exclusively for each cocktail/spirit, made with spirits crafted at the distillery.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Terroir to Table – “Exercise Your Senses with St. Supery Estate Vineyards and Winery at St. Supery Estate Vineyards 10 – 11:30 a.m.; $95 per person

This class explores wine aromas suggestive of fruit character, barrel aging and terroir while tasting four estate grown St. Supéry wines. Guests will exercise their sense of smell through a series of aroma identifications designed to discover how personal sensory memory impacts how aromas are recognized. This interactive sommelierled experience includes a mystery wine game to ultimately guide guests to identify more aromas in their glass to heighten the enjoyment of wine.

“Legendary Napa Valley, The Grand Tasting” at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone VIP admission is 6 – 7 p.m. and tickets are $225 per person; general admission is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $175 per person.

The sixth annual Grand Tasting at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena allows guests to taste their way through the Napa Valley with a selection of sweet and savory bites from more than 25 Napa Valley restaurants, paired with wine from more than 80 Napa Valley wineries. Participating restaurants include Angele Restaurant; Brasswood; Harvest Table; Lucy Restaurant & Bar; Nuri; PRESS Restaurant; Sam’s Social Club; Silverado Resort & Spa; Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill; The Farm at Carneros; and The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil. 2 Flavor! Napa Valley includes additional Napa Valley Wine Tours; Terroir to Table events, Chef Demonstrations, and Wine Classes.

Wine Events at Flavor! Napa Valley with Christopher Sawyer of SawyerSomm.com – WINE MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAMMING – Christopher Sawyer is an internationally-renowned sommelier, wine educator, journalist, consultant, critic and public speaker: He travels the world following trends in wine and participating as a VIP judge in the world’s top wine competitions, and has been featured in a wide range of national media, including USAToday, MSN, NBC, ABC, CBS, Redbook, The Hollywood Reporter, Maxim, National Geographic Traveler, CNN and Esquire.

Visit Napa Valley is proud to announce the event sponsors for Flavor! Napa Valley 2017:

● Founding Sponsor: Silverado Resort and Spa
● Presenting Sponsor: Downtown Napa Association
●Jeroboam Sponsor: Bright Event Rentals
● Double Magnum Sponsors: Celebrity Cruises, Mr. Espresso, TriMark, Napa Valley Marriott.

by Manda Bear: Instagram and Twitter.

Chef, Culinary Events, Lifestyle, magazine, San Francisco Bay Area

Winter Fancy Food Show at Moscone Center, San Francisco January 22-24, 2017

January 21, 2017 DepLifestyleMag

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INNOVATION – YOU’LL DISCOVER IT HERE

Mark your calendars for the largest specialty food and beverage show on the West Coast!

Join us in San Francisco from January 22 – 24 to discover the hottest new products, producers, and trends at the 2017 Winter Fancy Food Show.

Don’t miss your chance to network with more than 33,000 industry professionals and tastemakers. Register today!

Sunday, January 22, 2017: Show Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.*
Monday, January 23, 2017: Show Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.*
Tuesday, January 24, 2017: Show Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.*

* The Gateway Ballroom open early at 9:30 a.m. each day

Win a $500 Amazon Gift Card!To enter, take a selfie at the SFA Booth (North Building, Lower Lobby) and post to Twitter with hashtag #LiveFromWFFS17. Winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, 2/1 and notified via Twitter private message.

Schedule for Sunday, January 22, 2017

Flavor Trends: Hybrids, Extremes, and What Tastes Good Right Now
8 – 9 a.m.
Get up to speed on food and beverage trends and the flavors that will drive successful new products.

Start Right, Grow Strong: 9 Critical Steps
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Gain a comprehensive, commonsense plan for entering and succeeding in the specialty food market.

How to Create a Product Mission for What You Make or Sell: A Workshop with Bi-Rite 9 – 10 a.m.
Join Bi-Rite founder Sam Mogannam and discover how to write a product mission that reflects your values and strengthens your business.

Sell Smart: The Best Channels for Your Product
9:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Learn about trade channels, the role of brokers and distributors, and how to create a successful sales pitch.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
9:30 a.m. | North Building, Lower Lobby

Price It Right: Using Costs to Create Real-World Price Sheets
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Master the ins and outs of product pricing in this practical, hands-on workshop.

Leadership Awards Ceremony
5 – 6:15 p.m. | South Building Esplanade Room 305-307
Join us to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by Association members.

About the event:

The Shows are attended by every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses.

The Winter Fancy Food Show presents educational seminars and talks addressing the basics of specialty food, innovation, trends, and other topics important to manufacturers, retailers and other members of the trade.

Exhibitor Information:

The Winter Fancy Food Show is the West Coast’s largest specialty food and beverage event. Exhibit with over 1,500 exhibitors and put your products in front of over 19,000+ quality buyers.

Exhibiting in the Winter Fancy Food Shows is the most convenient and cost-effective way to meet buyers from every major food/beverage buying channel in the U.S. and around the world.

About Specialty Food Association, Inc.:

Follow Winter Fancy Food Show: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

This is the second year that @DepLifestyleMag will cover this amazing event. Remember to tweet and Instagam @DepLifestyleMag and harshtag #WFFS17 #DepLifestyleMagazine.

The Winter Fancy Food Show 2016 had record-breaking attendance up 16% over last year. With nearly 20,000 attendees, 1,500 exhibitors, and over 1,000 new products. The Specialty Food Association is the industry authority. They are the market’s largest audiences, and the unmatched visibility for your brands and products. The Specialty Food Association is the single most authoritative resource for information on specialty foods, delivered to the largest audiences in the specialty food purchasing and supply chain.

This year we are looking forward to visit these booths:

Urbani Truffles booth #2747, they always have the best San Francisco Bay Area chefs cooking up the storm with their fresh truffles and much more. You don’t want to miss this, trust us.
The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley at the Cantina Cocktails & Aguas Frescas at booth #4311, daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit chef Nancy Silverston for her latest gelato, she will be featuring her Nancy’s Fancy Gelato and Sorbetto Artigianale at the Winter Fancy Food Show (Booth 2509). Come taste our incredible gelato, see our fantastic new packaging and meet the celebrated chef behind it all!

Polo Dolce #754 is collaborating with The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco to bring 3 new exemplary products, including a NEW! Milk Chocolate Bar, to their selection of award-winning artisan confections

Marquis #5505
Cobram Estate Kitchen #116
Chocolate by Torn Ranch #739

Jarlsberg Cheese #4719 Try new delicious Lotito Foods Cheese Folios™ — lightly baked sheets of cheese that are made from Parmesan, Cheddar or Jarlsberg® cheese that you can crisp, wrap, shape or bake! Folios are a first of its kind cheese made of all natural, part-skim cheese, that is carb and gluten free and high in protein.

Hniha Gourmet #5308
Wild Planet #1352
Formosa Hot Sauce #508
Three Jerks Jerky #481
Twang #1256

Just Tea Farmers #4842 you can find the most unique packaging – complete with hand-carved African tea spoons and triangle shaped packages.

Schaller & Weber #481 crafting the finest charcuterie, high-end deli meats, wurst, bacon and pâté that New York has to offer.

Bantam Bagel #1572
Ocean Halo #3000

Tiffany’s Torcher Hot Sauce #10 Now with three FDA approvals on specialty sauces made with fresh ingredients, no additives or preservatives and a secret blend of 5-7 Scoville rated peppers, Tiffany’s Torcher Hot Sauce is setting the standards for Gourmet Hot Sauces and Cooking Sauces.

Chefs, Drink, magazine, Restaurant, Southern California, Southern California, Travel

EAT SHOW, The New Standard For Tasting Events, To Launch This October 1st, 2016 In Los Angeles.

September 26, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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EAT SHOW, The New Standard For Tasting Events, To Launch This October 1st, 2016 In Los Angeles, CA

This October 1st, the EAT Show will launch at The REEF in Los Angeles. Hosted by the event organizers behind popular food festivals “KTOWN Night Market,” “OC Block Party,” and “Crave Expo.” The EAT Show differs from the teams larger scaled festivals that have brought over 100,000 of Southern California’s foodies. It’s a more intimate showcase that is industry focused, a celebration of the culinary industry and the restaurants and chefs who are doing their part in making Los Angeles one of the food capitals of the world.

Follow them here for more details, this an event you foodies don’t want to miss and it’s going to be epic. Don’t forget to use hashtags #The EatShow #EatShow and #DepLifestyleMagazine to be re-gram on Instagram @DepLifestyleMag.

Website: http://theeatshow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeatshow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theeatshow

The event will showcase over 50 vendors from the LA and OC area, including Fogo De Chao, Seoul

Sausage, The Halal Guys, Roscoes Chicken and Waffles, Street Churros, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream,

Raindrop Cakes, Dino’s Chicken, and more.

There will be a ticket cap of 2,000 guests which will be spread out between two sessions, lunch and

dinner. This voids the problem that thousands of attendees face while attending other tasting events –

crazy, unorganized lines, which usually lead to overwhelmed vendors and unhappy attendees. The limited ticketing distribution was implemented to make food the headliner of the show, not the crowds.

Tickets for the event are $50 for general admission, and $90 for VIP, which allows for early, priority

entry along with a gift bag from participating sponsors. For more information visit

www.TheEatShow.com

DATE: October 1st, 2016

Session I: 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Session II: 5:00pm – 8:00pm

VENUE: The Reef LA

1933 S Broadway Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90005

$50 for 3 hours of exclusive tasting from all 50+ food vendors! That’s less than $1 per vendor!

They offer limited to 1,000 tickets per session to avoid the crazy lines!21+ Open Bar! **

An industry tasting event featuring the best restaurants in LA

Each ticket gives you access to sample ALL of our amazing vendors. Purchase a VIP ticket to avoid the lines with one hour early access, along with special gifts from sponsors!

Confirmed Restaurants & Sponsors*

118 Degrees

Aqui Es Texcoco

Aroha New Zealand Cusine

Boxed Water*

The Brixton SM

Cacao Mexicatessen

Chibiscus Asian Cafe

Chocolate Chair

Choctal

Clearly Kombucha*

Cold Bruja Coffee Co.

Dahlicious*

Dino’s Chicken & Burgers

Dirt Dog LA

Enlightened*

El Tepeyac Mexican

Emporium Thai

Fala Bar

Family’s Beef Steakhouse

Fogo De Chao

Fruigees*

Glico*

Golden Owl

Haagen‐Dazs*

The Halal Guys

Hanaro Sushi

Hansen’s Cakes

Helados Pops

Jangsoo Makkoli*

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

Krave Jerky*

Kona Red Hawaiian Coffee

Company*

Komodo

Lady M

LAVA Bloody Mary Mix*

Le Petit Paris

Lucky Boy Burgers*

Lucky Strike

Maggiano’s

Max City BBQ

Monster Energy Drinks*

Nitro‐Pop

Norigami Tacos

Nyotaimori Sushi Experience

Okamoto Kitchen

Organic Gemini*

Pig N Whistle

Pop Champagne Restaurant

& Bar

Raindrop Cake

Restauration Long Beach

Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles

Seoul Sausage Co

Sipp*

Smarty Pants Vitamins*

Stir It Up

Street Churros

Summer Buffalo

Swami’s Sandwiches

Temple Premium Protein Bar*

Tentenyu Ramen

Tito’s Handmade Vodka*

Tom’s Urban

Tsingtao Beer*

Vita Coco*

Woo Bamboo*

Yelp LA*

Yojie’s Japanese Fondue .. and more!

Company: Lights and Sounds Collective and Ganma Magazine.

Lifestyle, Livermore Wine Country, Silicon Valley, Travel, Wine Country Bay Area, Wineries

Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard in Livermore Valley, California

September 7, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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Just recently re-opened to the public in Livermore Valley this
summer 2016, Murrieta’s Well specialize in terroir-driven, limited production wine blends. Their winery name pays homage to Joaquin Murrieta who discovered their historic estate nestled in the Livermore Valley in the 1800s. His spirit of exploration inspires their unrestrained winemaking philosophy of artfully handcrafting the finest small-batch wine blends that showcase the best of their estate each vintage.

What makes Murrieta’s Well unique

They believe in the art of blending – all of their wines are crafted to showcase the best of their estate each vintage, so the composition of their wine blends will change each year to reflect this philosophy.

They have a small lot approach to growing and making their wines. In the vineyard, they pick the prime location for each varietal – caring for them as individuals based on what techniques will help produce the best fruit. In the winery, they make each varietal as an individual wine, then blend them together and age again to create wines that are a beautiful survey of the estate.

All of their wines are sourced exclusively from their estate, which helps them ensure consistency of style and deliver a high-quality tasting experience vintage after vintage.

We also got to chat with Murrieta’s Well’s winemaker, Robbie Meyer. He is an acclaimed winemaker who has worked over 19 vintages in some of California’s best winegrowing regions (Napa Valley, Santa Barbara and Sonoma). His wines have collectively received over ninety 90+ point ratings.

Their newly re-modeled estate is approximately 500 acres, stunningly beautiful, the place is gorgeous. It’s all lit up with twinkly lights and even in the daylight projects a dim, romantic feel to it. It’s definitely a great place to host your special vent.

Murrieta’s Well also offers food pairing and it serves at their patio. Menu includes Market Fresh, Charcuterie, Cheese, Shrimp & more. The Dungeness Crab Roll was perfect with their refreshing Chardonnay. The Eggplant Parmesan Flatbread with their Tempranillo. We enjoyed the Beef Short Rib and Polenta pairs with their Small Lot Cabernet Sauvignon. And the B.L.T. Flatbread goes just about any wine, but we love to pair it with their structure Cab Franc.

If Wente Family Estate is a popular for their Summer Concert fans, the beautiful re-modeled Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard is going to be a for weddings and celebration events destination in no time, in Livermore Valley wine country.

They grow 21 different varietals, on three soil profiles, elevation from 560’ – 860’ feet above sea level.

They offer these vineyards:

• Hayes: 560’ – 860’
• Ernest: 575’ – 615’
• Louis Mel: 575’ – 715’
• Raboli: 615’ – 650’
• Sachau: 615’ – 845’

They plant specific rootstocks and varietals where they will best thrive in each of these soil profiles. All are well drained gravel, but have different rock compositions that will affect how the vines grow. It is important to recognize that each soil type exists on the property in different areas and the position/aspect, slope, and elevation also play a major role in how the vines develop.

1. Livermore = very gravelly coarse sandy loam;
2. Pleasanton = gravelly fine sandy loam – cultivated;
3. Positas = gravelly loam, annual grass pasture.

Their history goes way back since 1884, Louis Mel fell in love with the estate and purchased the land for him and his wife. Mel built a gravity flow winery into the hillside and planted a vineyard from cuttings from famed Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Margaux.

We got to hear the fourth generation winegrower Carolyn Wente sharing her growing up on the vineyards, how her family business has helped and prospered this region since day one.

In 1930, Louis Mel sold the property to his friend, Ernest Wente. The property has been part of the Wente Family estate ever since. In 1990, Fourth Generation Winegrower, Philip Wente and his friend, Sergio Traverso partnered together to revive the winery. They named the winery and wine label, Murrieta’s Well, paying homage to the rich history of the property. In 2010, they launched the estate wine blends – The Whip and The Spur – in celebration of our 20th anniversary. Then 2016, they released our new package and remodeled our historic tasting room. Now that opens to public by appointment only.

The Wente Family Estates is the oldest continuously-operated family-owned winery in the country, owned and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family. The family owns of estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay and Arroyo Seco, Monterey appellations. All of their wines are distributed throughout the United States and select brands are featured in over 70 countries worldwide.

In 2010, Wente Family Estates was among the first wineries to receive the Certified California Sustainable Wine-growing designation, and one of the only wineries to certify every aspect of its business. In 2011, named Wente Family Estates was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and a top 30 wine company by Wine Business Monthly. With the deepest respect for the knowledge passed down from previous generations, the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family continue their global vision for wine quality and integrity through passion, dedication and pursuit of excellence.

Visit Murrieta’s Wells
3005 Mines Road
Livermore, CA 94550
Tel: (925) 456-2395
Website: www.murrietaswell.com

Lifestyle, magazine, Travel, Wineries

Taste of Mendocino 2016 – Saturday, June 25, At Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture

June 21, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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If you in San Francisco this weekend, and would like to take a break from the Pride Parade, Taste of Mendocino, brings the wines to you. Tickets are still available online and at door, but don’t wait. It’s a cool event that you don’t want to miss. www.tasteofmendo.com

“Taste of Mendocino”, an exclusive showcase of Mendocino wine and handcrafted food items, is coming to San Francisco on Saturday, June 25^th, at Fort Mason’s beautiful Gallery 308, from 1pm-5pm.

Luxury travel and fine wine are a natural combination, so Mendocino WineGrowers Inc. has partnered with Surf Air, the nation’s first members-only private flying club. Surf Air will randomly choose two lucky participants at Taste of Mendocino to receive a free round trip ticket to any Surf Air destination. A $5,000 value, the lucky couple will fly between any of the Surf Air destinations in California and Las Vegas. Must be present to win.

Over 30 Mendocino wineries will be pouring small lot wines, and artisanal food producers from Mendocino County will be serving up delicious samples to complement the wines. Attendees are sure to find at least 30 more reasons to fall in love with one of America’s favorite wine destinations.

Hosted by Mendocino Winegrowers, Inc. and Visit Mendocino County, this intimate wine event will celebrate the people and products that make Mendocino County such an unforgettably special place.

Tickets are $60 per person and available online at www.tasteofmendo.com

Follow them on:
Twitter: Twitter.com/TasteOfMendo
Facebook: Facebook.com/TasteOfMendocino

by Manda Bear

Drink, Family and Friends, Lifestyle, Travel

Pasote Tequila by 3 Badge Mixology

June 14, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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We got to try all Pasote Tequila Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo recently at the launch party in San Francisco. We got to try the cocktail version and the straight up shots. We enjoyed it very much. It’s perfect for this Summer season.

There’s 9 new tequila brands are launched each and every month, according to the data of Tequila Matchmaker NOM database. Isn’t that amazing? Some of them taste and smell quite similar, we are no tequila experts, but we have our fair shares of drinking them.

We dig up a little more about this new Tequila, it was made by Felipe Camarena in his distillery, El Pandillo, which is located in the Los Altos region of Jalisco. He touches every single one of them when they live the distillery. He’s a master distiller as people call him.

3 Badge Beverage Corporation has introduced Pasote, a line of Mexican tequilas made from 100 percent pure blue agave. The new Pasote tequilas will be sold in select markets throughout the U.S. by the company’s spirits division, 3 Badge Mixology.

Named for the fierce spirit of Aztec warriors and their uncompromising commitment, Pasote includes Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequilas. Each is made from ripe blue agave that is evenly baked and then carefully distilled with pure rainwater and natural spring water in copper pot stills.
Pasote’s master tequilero grows blue agave in the Jalisco Highlands in Mexico and uses traditional production techniques to make the notably pure and distinctly herbal Pasote tequilas.

“Pasote represents the highest quality and craftsmanship in tequila,” noted August Sebastiani, president of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation. “We use the finest ingredients and time-honored tradition in production, and we named itPasote to capture the Aztec warrior tradition of celebrating victories by drinking the sacred agave. The pasote spirit lives on in these artfully crafted tequilas.”

Pasote Blanco ($49) shows the essence of roast agave with fragrant citrus aromas, a crisp, balanced palate and an uncommonly long, silky finish. Pasote Reposado ($59) was aged six months in American oak and has fruit-forward aromas, rich, soft flavors and a finish that is long, sweet and clean. Pasote Anejo ($69) was aged for 18 months in American oak, which mellows the character of the roasted agave and gives this premium tequila soft aromas, rich mouthfeel and a long, smooth finish.

The Pasote label features three bold, hand-screened graphics of distinct warriors. Each custom-madePasote glass bottle is madeby a family of glass artisans and has distinctive, slightly asymmetrical wave patterns visible in the glass.

Pasote Tequila is available from 3 Badge Mixology, the spirits division of 3 Badge Beverage Corporation.

Website: www.3badge.com/mixology/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PasoteTequila
Instagram: www.instagram.com/3badgecorp
32 Patten Street
Sonoma, CA 95476.
Tel: (707) 996-8463

by Manda Bear

Chef, Family and Friends, Lifestyle, Restaurant, Restaurant Review, San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley, Staying Healthy

pokéLOVE has landed in Palo Alto, California

June 14, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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pokéLOVE is excited to announce the opening of its first restaurant in June, 2016 located in Palo Alto at Town & Country Village.

pokéLOVE has a healthy fast-casual structure with an extensive menu that has been creatively crafted by restaurateur Alex Chan and Executive Chef Colin Long. The concept for pokéLOVE was created based on their passion for creating simple food that is natural, sustainable, minimally processed, and also incredibly flavorful.

pokéLOVE cares about every ingredient and the quality of their
seafood is paramount. Chan is a man of exceptionally high personal standards and values genuine collaboration. With connections to Northern California purveyors and local ingredients, they source their seafood from some of the best sources locally and around the world, such as Wild Isles Organic Salmon.

pokéLOVE’s values are centered on the fact that “Delicious food can still be really healthy and good for you, and that you should not have to compromise taste for calories.” pokéLOVE believes in using only the freshest ingredients of the highest quality that are bursting with nutrients, vitamins and plenty of fatty acids.

We got to sit down and interview restaurateur Alex Chan this week. And we also got to try variety of the dishes, endless combination even for the pickiest eater. And if you can’t eat raw, they can can steam or bake the salmon for you. Sous vide chicken and Unagi are also on the protein list for you. Plenty of choices for vegetarian and vegan. All their sauces are gluten-free, no nut, and children friendly place.

DLM: What inspired you to pursue this pokéLOVE restaurant concept?

Alex Chan: I have a sincere appreciation for all things food and wine.

Not counting Antarctica, I’ve traveled to 6 continents in search of the best food. Food is so much more than just 3 stars or 0 stars. I’ve been to best restaurants in the world, but I really don’t give a damn about ratings and stars. Some of the best meals I have had are in night markets that would not pass any reasonable health inspections. But I’m cool with that. Food is so much more to me than stars. It’s about sharing, about giving, about experiencing. Why did I start pokéLOVE? Because I’m crazy about simple food, that is healthy food, that is really tasty. And because what’s worth doing is worth doing RIGHT. My inspiration for pokéLOVE is create the very best poke experience by serving the best poke, with the best toppings and dressings in a fun place that is chill with a cool vibe.

DLM: Do have a corporate chef to help you with creating the menu? Where have chef worked before?

Alex Chan: Our executive chef is Colin Long. Colin graduated from

the Culinary Institute in Florida. From Quattro at the Four Season’s in Palo Alto to Blowfish Sushi at Santana Row, Colin brings a unique culinary background in western and eastern flavors. He has spent a lot of time sourcing fantastic ingredients and creating dressings that would fit in most fine dining restaurants. There is a purity and sincerity to the food he makes and to the fish that he cuts. The little details do matter to Colin. The subtle nuances of flavor, color and texture do make a difference. Even something as simple as our wakame (seafood salad), is locally sourced and has no artificial flavors or preservatives.

DLM: There’s quite a few poke restaurants popping up around the Bay Area recently. Do you think it’s an emerging trend now? Just like Boba drink or crawfish a few years back?

Alex Chan: It is emerging and it currently is a trend. Put good food is never trendy, good food is always “in” and the consumers move to healthy and nutritious food is not going to change. pokéLOVE brings a unique fast casual dining experience that is exciting to this space. Inevitably, the crème always rises to the top and some players will fall by the wayside. Our food, our vibe, our brand, our respect for our ingredients and our level of customer service is anti-trendy.

DLM: What’s your philosophy here and what set pokéLOVE different than the rest of the poke restaurants in the Bay Area?

Alex Chan: My motto is:” we don’t eat to live, we live to EAT!” First and foremost, the food at pokéLOVE is so much different than other strip mall poke shops. We give a shit about our ingredients and we treat it with care and respect. The quality of our seafood is paramount. We have taken great pains to source our seafood from some of the best purveyors in the Bay Area and around the world and we are the only ones to proudly offer Wild Isles Organic Salmon. In addition to the extensive protein selection, customers can select from organic quinoa, organic farro, soba noodles, rice

noodles, or even quinoa tortilla chips for their base. We offer our customers an unlimited selection of traditional and edgy toppings to build their own bowl, including numerous organic options. We pickle all our pickled vegetables in house; including our pickled leeks, shiitake mushrooms, and daikon. We make all our dressings from scratch utilizing natural ingredients and all out dressings are gluten free. We don’t believe your food should have dressings that come out of a PUMP! At pokéLOVE , we want our customers to let their creativity and tastes buds roam as we craft whatever they desire, in whatever combination they wish. Our goal for every customer to help them find that elusive healthy balance of salty, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and umami in a fun, relaxed and chill atmosphere.

DLM: What does sustainability mean to you?

Alex Chan: Sustainability to me means walking a fine line between eating what we want and giving a real damn about the environment and our oceans. At pokéLOVE, we source all our seafood from highly reputable vendors and we are able to trace the origins of everything we buy. We have some wild items on our menu, but only when the item is in season and bountiful. Our farm raised products come from some of the best seafood farmers in the world. In fact, our house salmon is from the Faroe Islands, long regarded as the benchmark salmon preferred by chefs around the world. Beyond our food, sustainable also means to be environmentally conscious. All our bowls and utensils are compostable or recyclable and nothing in our operations go to a landfills. Even the garbage bags we use are compostable.

DLM: How did you get to this restaurant business? What’s your background? Can you share with our readers?

Alex Chan: I was an accountant turned food dude. After graduating from the University of Southern California, I was a Consultant at Price Waterhouse. I eventually lost interest in bean counting, and became the Master Franchiser for Cold Stone Creamery in Northern

California. I developed over a hundred units in less than 5 years. A wine enthusiast, I jumped into the vino business and started Vintage Wine Merchants at Santana Row (“Best Wine Shop” – San Jose Mercury News Readers Poll). A few years later, Vintage Wine Bar at Santana Row opened, serving up cabs by the glass, stinky fromage plates and became the “Hottest Wine Bar” in San Jose (METRO San Jose). I’m also co-owner of several established independent grocery stores in the Bay Area. I’m happily married to my crazy low maintenance college sweetheart, and has three beyond super cool kids.

DLM: What do you for fun?

Alex Chan: When I’m not working. I love to get out on the hills and pretend that I’m in the Tour de France, play golf when my old-man shoulder does not ache, watch some USC football with the family, play Iron Chef at home, and will never turn down the occasion to have some good eats and a nice glass of wine with family and friends.

DLM: You’ve emphasized community service in your career and through your restaurant. In addition to being active in many organizations?

Alex Chan: We are still evaluating which community and non-profit organizations we plan to partner with. As a sign of how serious I am about giving back and being involved, 10 cents will to go charity for every bottle of water we sell. Community involvement is a core value of the company and we give damn about giving back to the local communities that we do business in.

Website: www.pokeLOVE.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepokelove

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepokelove

Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEpokeLOVE

855 El Camino Real, Suite 9
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Open from 11am to 9pm daily

by Manda Bear

Culinary Events, Lifestyle, Monterey, Travel, Wineries

Santa Lucia Highlands Gala 2016

June 14, 2016 DepLifestyleMag

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So this month, we got the honor to attended the Santa Lucia Highlands Gala 2016, only one a year, more than forty stellar wineries pouring some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah – all from the Santa Lucia Highlands. For many of our artisan vintners, this is their one public tasting of the year. We got to visit the lounge which offers the tasting and includes additional Wagner Family Wines, including Caymus from Napa Valley.

This year’s Gala will be in the barrel cellar at dramatic Mer Soleil Winery, a venue not normally open to the public.

The winegrowers and vintners of the Santa Lucia Highlands welcomed us with open arms. We got to try a lot of wines: August West, Belle Glos, Black Kite, Hope & Grace, Joyce, Kosta Browne, Lucia, Luli, Miura, Morgan, Pelerin, Roar, Siduri, Wrath and more. The SLH is California’s premier cool-climate winegrowing district. Its fifty famed mountainside vineyard estates and associated award-winning wine labels set the standard for New World Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah.

We got to tour the Mer Soleil Vinyard, Charlie Wagner II, the eldest of Chuck’s children and owner and winemaker for Mer Soleil winery in Santa Lucia Highlands. He personally gave us a walking tour of the Mer Soleil vineyards and production site. We got to see the production, how he makes their wines. We got to meet his beautiful family, and talked to him about his passion and how much love puts in to these bottles of wine.

The Mer Soleil Vineyard is 450 Acres and the majority of it is Chardonnay, the rest are other grapes – mainly Viognier.

The Viognier goes into making the Conundrum wine.

The vines of Mer Soleil were first planted in 1988, most of the vines are not grafted and planted on their own rootstock. Their vines neighbor Talbott Vineyards.

You could really feel the ocean breeze in the afternoon that blows away all the fog, clearing the sky, and also keep the vines cool. The grapes retain natural acidity thanks to the ocean winds. It’s such a beautiful vineyards with hundreds of lemon trees planted around the estate.