Hi All, I have created a Sips, Trips and Nibbles page on Facebook and will be doing my blog from there. I have discovered that you must have a gmail account in order to read my blogs on Blogspot and people just don't want to create another account. I hope you will like my page on Facebook and share with all of your wine, trip and food loving friends.
Thank you, Angela
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Port San Luis, Avila Beach... and a chowda recipe
So what do you do for dinner on a chilly and rainy night? Make soup with ingredients just purchased on your trip of course!
My husband (K) and I just got back from a trip to our favorite little town on the Central Coast. Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County.
When in Avila, we always go out to the Port San Luis Pier, one of the few remaining piers that you can still drive onto and just a 2 minute drive from town. Built in 1873 the pier was originally used to import cargo to be sold in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara. In the 1800's, a railroade was built to carry both passengers and cargo to and from the pier.
Today you can find locals and visitors alike, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, taking a harbor cruise, dining or just enjoying the beautiful views and marine life. No trip is complete for us without driving to the end of the pier to see all the harbor seals, pelicans and dolphins and then having a meal at our favorite seafood restaurant, The Olde Port Inn. The best and freshest seafood around in our opinion. Yes, the prices are a bit high but the recipes, quality, atmosphere and views can not be beat. Try the ciopino, (enough to share and our favorite) the harpooner (grilled salmon, shrimp and scallops with a combo red and white sauce) and the calamari served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. You will not be dissapointed. Another can't miss is The Olde Port Fish Market next door to The Olde Port Inn, pick up a variety of fresh seafood to take back to your rental in Avila Beach or to take home with you. We always buy either the candied smoked salmon or the peppered smoked salmon to enjoy back at our Inn's roof top deck or to bring home with us.
This trip we brought home the peppered salmon so tonight I made a delicious chowder.
Smoked Salmon Chowder
3 celery stalks, 2 carrots, 1 small onion and 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
3 red potatoes cut into small cubes
32oz chicken stock
1 14oz can cream style corn or fresh grilled corn cut off the cob
1 cup half and half or heavy cream if preferred
1/2 lb smoked salmon
3 pieces of bacon
1 bay leaf, a pinch or two of fresh or dried dill, a few shakes of your favorite all purpose seasoning, like
Mrs. Dash and salt and pepper to taste.
Two tbsp of dijon mustard, optional.
Saute celery, carrot and onion for about 4 min. in 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter, add garlic and saute for another min. or two.
Add chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil then simmer for about 12 min.
When potatoe's ar almost cooked through, add the creamed corn, half and half and brake the salmon up into the soup.
Add bay leaf, seasonings and dijon mustatd (if wanted) and simmer for another 10 min. or so.
Crumble bacon over top for garnish, add some toasted croutons or a few dashes of hot sauce and enjoy.
www.oldeportfish.com www.oldeportinn.com www.avilabeachpier.com
#avilabeachpier #oldeportinn #oldeportfishmarket #smokedsalmon
My husband (K) and I just got back from a trip to our favorite little town on the Central Coast. Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County.
When in Avila, we always go out to the Port San Luis Pier, one of the few remaining piers that you can still drive onto and just a 2 minute drive from town. Built in 1873 the pier was originally used to import cargo to be sold in San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara. In the 1800's, a railroade was built to carry both passengers and cargo to and from the pier.
Today you can find locals and visitors alike, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, taking a harbor cruise, dining or just enjoying the beautiful views and marine life. No trip is complete for us without driving to the end of the pier to see all the harbor seals, pelicans and dolphins and then having a meal at our favorite seafood restaurant, The Olde Port Inn. The best and freshest seafood around in our opinion. Yes, the prices are a bit high but the recipes, quality, atmosphere and views can not be beat. Try the ciopino, (enough to share and our favorite) the harpooner (grilled salmon, shrimp and scallops with a combo red and white sauce) and the calamari served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. You will not be dissapointed. Another can't miss is The Olde Port Fish Market next door to The Olde Port Inn, pick up a variety of fresh seafood to take back to your rental in Avila Beach or to take home with you. We always buy either the candied smoked salmon or the peppered smoked salmon to enjoy back at our Inn's roof top deck or to bring home with us.
This trip we brought home the peppered salmon so tonight I made a delicious chowder.
Smoked Salmon Chowder
3 celery stalks, 2 carrots, 1 small onion and 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
3 red potatoes cut into small cubes
32oz chicken stock
1 14oz can cream style corn or fresh grilled corn cut off the cob
1 cup half and half or heavy cream if preferred
1/2 lb smoked salmon
3 pieces of bacon
1 bay leaf, a pinch or two of fresh or dried dill, a few shakes of your favorite all purpose seasoning, like
Mrs. Dash and salt and pepper to taste.
Two tbsp of dijon mustard, optional.
Saute celery, carrot and onion for about 4 min. in 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter, add garlic and saute for another min. or two.
Add chicken stock and potatoes, bring to a boil then simmer for about 12 min.
When potatoe's ar almost cooked through, add the creamed corn, half and half and brake the salmon up into the soup.
Add bay leaf, seasonings and dijon mustatd (if wanted) and simmer for another 10 min. or so.
Crumble bacon over top for garnish, add some toasted croutons or a few dashes of hot sauce and enjoy.
www.oldeportfish.com www.oldeportinn.com www.avilabeachpier.com
#avilabeachpier #oldeportinn #oldeportfishmarket #smokedsalmon
Monday, March 24, 2014
Getting Funky in Santa Barbara
Has anyone been to Santa Barbara's eclectic Funk Zone yet? Well there's no time like the present.
Although my husband and I had been to Santa Barbara many times before, we discoverd this hip little area when Riverbench Winery and Cottonwood Canyon Winery, www.cottonwoodcanyon.com in Santa Maria (where we are members) both decided to open up second locations here. Lucky us.
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the 101, this busseling area has become a destination for artisan shopping, galleries, food, wine, beer and spirits. The Funk Zone is home to about 16 or so wine tasting rooms, a couple beer tasting rooms and a small craft Distillery producing top quality spirits.
Just last week, my husband and I visited the wonderful people at the rustic/industrial tasting room at Riverbench www.riverbench.com for their exceptional sparkeling wine (the Cork Jumper Blanc De Noir being our favorite) as well as their delicious pinot noirs and chardonnays. They also do a rose with hints of rose petal, strawberry and mandarin orange, my friend, Ari's personal favorite. Our second taste was at Drake Wines, www.drakewines.com they are producing some quality pinot noirs and chardonnays. A kitchy little tasting room with a wonderful 2012 Bien Nacido pinot noir not to be missed. Rumor has it, their 1st and 3rd Fri. night chicken and waffles served with a wine and boysenberry reduction will be starting back up in a couple of months. Mmm mmm. Our third taste of the day was at Carr Wineries tasting room, www.carrwinery.com Their wines are made on site and if you go at the right time of year you can watch the process. Carr produces a number of wines, pinot noirs, chards, sauv blancs, grenache and syrah to name a few. The 2011cab frank is what captured my taste buds on this visit. Order a growler and stay for a game of chess or shuffle board.
The Funk Zone has new eateries popping up all the time as well. A few you might like, The Lucky Penny, www.luckypennysb.com offering salads, pizzas and sandwiches. (we liked the lamb meetball sandwich) Located right behind Riverbench, order your food to go and bring it back to the tasting room to nibble on while you're having a delicious wine tasting. Figueroa Brewing Co. www..figmtnbrew.com Breweries allways have good food and of course good beer. Reds Bar and Tapas. www.redsbarandtapas.wordpress.com. Go on a Sunday and get the Surf and Turf Bloody Mary, a meal in a glass. The Lark. www.thelarksb.com Craft cocktails and localy grown seasonal ingredients served family style.
All of this and more is in walking distance or you can hire a pedicab to take you from place to place. Really no need though.
Want to go car-less? Amtrack's Pacific Surfliner has 5 trains a day and will drop you off right next to the Funk Zone. Reserve 3 days in advance and get 20% off your fare through Dec. 19, 2014. www.amtrak.com
I hope this helps guide you through sips and nibbles in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone. Enjoy your visit and let me know what you think. Cheers. #sipstripsandnibbles
#santa Barbara #funkzone #winetasting #food
Although my husband and I had been to Santa Barbara many times before, we discoverd this hip little area when Riverbench Winery and Cottonwood Canyon Winery, www.cottonwoodcanyon.com in Santa Maria (where we are members) both decided to open up second locations here. Lucky us.
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the 101, this busseling area has become a destination for artisan shopping, galleries, food, wine, beer and spirits. The Funk Zone is home to about 16 or so wine tasting rooms, a couple beer tasting rooms and a small craft Distillery producing top quality spirits.
Just last week, my husband and I visited the wonderful people at the rustic/industrial tasting room at Riverbench www.riverbench.com for their exceptional sparkeling wine (the Cork Jumper Blanc De Noir being our favorite) as well as their delicious pinot noirs and chardonnays. They also do a rose with hints of rose petal, strawberry and mandarin orange, my friend, Ari's personal favorite. Our second taste was at Drake Wines, www.drakewines.com they are producing some quality pinot noirs and chardonnays. A kitchy little tasting room with a wonderful 2012 Bien Nacido pinot noir not to be missed. Rumor has it, their 1st and 3rd Fri. night chicken and waffles served with a wine and boysenberry reduction will be starting back up in a couple of months. Mmm mmm. Our third taste of the day was at Carr Wineries tasting room, www.carrwinery.com Their wines are made on site and if you go at the right time of year you can watch the process. Carr produces a number of wines, pinot noirs, chards, sauv blancs, grenache and syrah to name a few. The 2011cab frank is what captured my taste buds on this visit. Order a growler and stay for a game of chess or shuffle board.
The Funk Zone has new eateries popping up all the time as well. A few you might like, The Lucky Penny, www.luckypennysb.com offering salads, pizzas and sandwiches. (we liked the lamb meetball sandwich) Located right behind Riverbench, order your food to go and bring it back to the tasting room to nibble on while you're having a delicious wine tasting. Figueroa Brewing Co. www..figmtnbrew.com Breweries allways have good food and of course good beer. Reds Bar and Tapas. www.redsbarandtapas.wordpress.com. Go on a Sunday and get the Surf and Turf Bloody Mary, a meal in a glass. The Lark. www.thelarksb.com Craft cocktails and localy grown seasonal ingredients served family style.
All of this and more is in walking distance or you can hire a pedicab to take you from place to place. Really no need though.
Want to go car-less? Amtrack's Pacific Surfliner has 5 trains a day and will drop you off right next to the Funk Zone. Reserve 3 days in advance and get 20% off your fare through Dec. 19, 2014. www.amtrak.com
I hope this helps guide you through sips and nibbles in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone. Enjoy your visit and let me know what you think. Cheers. #sipstripsandnibbles
#santa Barbara #funkzone #winetasting #food
Friday, March 21, 2014
Here we go!
Welcome to Sips Trips and Nibbles! My name is Angela and for over 14 years my husband and I have been enjoying great wine, great getaways and great food from all over the west coast. I am often a "concierge" for my friends (and even friends of friends) for choosing wine, food pairings and destinations. From wineries - to hotels - to restaurants and other special spots, I have become a source of valuable information.
People tell me I have a flair for cooking and entertaining! I am often encouraged to share my delicious recipes and the wines that should go with them. Many of my recipes are created on the fly, which I will be sharing on this blog along with some tried and true creations that have been standards in my repertoire for years. Whenever I'm cooking, my husband and I love looking through our wine collection and choosing an exciting pairing to enhance the meal.
I'm in no way an expert on any of these subjects, however, my experience, whole hearted interest and deep appreciation for these things drives me to continue discovering unique locations, good wine, delicious recipes, new places to eat and beautiful places to see.
So, come back often to read about my newest discoveries and let's have some Sips, Trips an Nibbles!
#sipstripsandnibbles #wine #travel #food
People tell me I have a flair for cooking and entertaining! I am often encouraged to share my delicious recipes and the wines that should go with them. Many of my recipes are created on the fly, which I will be sharing on this blog along with some tried and true creations that have been standards in my repertoire for years. Whenever I'm cooking, my husband and I love looking through our wine collection and choosing an exciting pairing to enhance the meal.
I'm in no way an expert on any of these subjects, however, my experience, whole hearted interest and deep appreciation for these things drives me to continue discovering unique locations, good wine, delicious recipes, new places to eat and beautiful places to see.
So, come back often to read about my newest discoveries and let's have some Sips, Trips an Nibbles!
#sipstripsandnibbles #wine #travel #food
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