Food & Wine

California is the capital of food & wine, we think. We’ve traveled the world searching for top restaurants and have found many along the journey. But for one state and one location to bring so much talent from around the globe into a central location, California comes out Number One. The fine Mediterranean weather, huge population of residents and tourists with diverse tastes, incredible wealth of money and rich farmland for growing crops and cultivating wines are now proving what we contend. California is Numero Uno in its joie de vivre!

A recurring theme in our travels around the state keeps pointing to this. Farmers Markets are proud of the locally, California grown produce and they want us to spread the word about organic, and sustainable foods. We see the fields and even grow our own avocadoes. Avocadoes, artichokes, garlic, lemons, oranges, olives for olive oil and a bounty of foods grow uniquely in California, which is the capital of avocadoes, almonds, and many other foods.

As we post food and wine stories, it only makes sense to provide a central point for readers to offer input, and find great dining and wine tasting ideas for their very own vacations and trips. Bon Appetit! as the beloved Julia Child would say were she alive today.

Our website, beachcalifornia.com (or californiabeaches.com) began with a small food & wine section. Then we received some reviews from the talented Grace Ann Walden of San Francisco, who opened our eyes to the possibilities in dining. Not satisfied with our early blog on food, or our small, growing food page, we launched a food section.  Even that didn’t hit the mark. It didn’t get the stories out there fast enough. This blog is yet one more effort to spread the word that California is important when it comes to food.

RESTAURANT LOCATIONS

BEVERLY HILLS

Oh if we had the time and money to dine our way through Beverly Hills! That certainly would be a dream. But for now, we’ve stayed on a budget at  The Crescent Hotel, sampling foods that tempt the figures of the famous stars.

SANTA BARBARA

The original Sambo’s restaurant serves up hearty breakfasts that continue to draw locals and tourists who return year after year.

TEMECULA FOOD & WINE

? Temecula wine & food postings include our feature on Executive Chef Salvatore Guiliano at Temecula Creek Inn. His menus are full of suprises and he is always pushing the limits of matching his meals to fine Temecula wines.

? Leonesse Cellars’ very own Mike Rennie has a passion for particulars. He pays attention to the details and data, and the results equate to Gold Medals!

? Olive Oils, Wines, and Sustainable Living are themes that you’ll find in Temecual Wine Country’s growing region, coming into its own as one of California’s most respected meccas for cuisine and beverage.

? How could  Robert Renzoni leave Manhattan Beach and move Temecula? Many consider Southern California beaches paradise, but there was always something more that this creative talent was destined for. The Italian winemaker hopes to continue a legacy for his family and create the finest Italian wines on the coast as he now sets his roots firmly in the Temecula soils.

FOOD TYPE

AMERICAN

Stonefire Grill offers American BBQ, Tri-tip, Chicken, Pizza and Salads. It has a simple dessert menu with only one item–brownies.