NOV. 13, 2015
SALSA
CONTINUED FROM A14
features craft salsas uniting global flavors with locally sourced organic ingredients like heirloom tomatoes from Be Wise Ranch. Diverse creations of salsa as Spanish-style (with chile gaujillo and almonds), Curry-style (with tahini, and turmeric), and Califor-
LICK THE PLATE CONTINUED FROM A14
probably just lighten up and give it a try. So what is it about this delightful concoction that warranted an entire column devoted to it? Well first off I just think it’s a great idea and a fun way to enjoy Indian cuisine in a vehicle designed for convenience and to appeal to the locals. But great idea and convenience aside, it just tastes really good and can be filled with something that would appeal to just about anyone. There is a foundation to
TASTE OF WINE CONTINUED FROM A14
eries in Tuscany and many other affiliations around the world including Washington, where he has put his name on Ste Michelle’s Col Solari, a well known blend. “Antinori is the messenger of Italy with his high quality wines,” proclaimed Alessia Botturi, the speaker for the evening. He respects tradition, but seeks and creates the future in many of the twenty districts of Italy.” Another Antinori wine presented at the event with a more value price was the Antinori Peppoli, a Chianti Classico from Tuscany ($26.99). It has notes of cherry and strawberry. Lively acidity provokes the appetite. Spices and oak complete the aftertaste. Visit the winemaker’s site at antinori.it. More recently, La Gran
A15
T he R ancho S anta F e News nia Supergreen (with avocado, jalapeno, and kale) are just some of the exciting salsa profiles they have concocted. “Our global influences, use of quality ingredients, and product versatility set us apart,” Medearis said. “We’re working with many local farms and San Diego has some of the most beautiful produce in the country.”
Medearis and Tony Escalante, best friends who grew up in San Diego, have worked in and around food for the better part of their lives and are the driving inspiration behind Wolfpeach. “My business partner and I are very health aware,” Medearis said. “We believe in eating with intention and mindful snacking.
Food is medicine, this is just the beginning for us.” Tomatoes constitute a major ingredient in the majority of salsas but many people are unaware of tomatoes strangely unappealing history. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family and in earlier times tomatoes were speciously believed to be poisonous by Europeans
who were distrustful of the bright, shiny fruit. “Members of the nightshade family were used by witches to produce werewolves,” Medearis said. “So the tomato got transformed into the wolf peach. Like with all good things you might have to take a chance. Our product is very unusual and different, so I think we resonate
with the wolf peach in this way.” Right now you can find Wolpeach salsas at the Lost Abbey on Sunday’s, Little Italy Mercado every Saturday, and Leucadia Farmers Market on Sunday’s. “We love it! We’re really excited to start working with local markets,” Medearis said, “So look out for us!”
this crazy goodness though and it consists of a roti burrito, which is basically a tortilla, spinach bean spread, rice, romaine lettuce, cabbage, chutney and lemon spiced onions. The chutney is a key ingredient here as it gives it that same sweetness that makes lingonberrys so good on Swedish meatballs. You then have your choice of 8 fillings that include mixed veggies, potato and spinach, grilled tofu, paneer (marinated Indian cheese), chicken, lamb, fish, or shrimp. I’ve had it with the chicken…dark meat of
course, and the lamb and loved every bite of each. The potatoes and spinach and paneer are next up though I will say this is probably a dish that goes well later in the day. I try to keep my lunches light and there is no way I could control myself from eating a whole one of these. They serve it with a hot sauce of some sort but I found it had plenty of flavor and moisture within to skip that. This was just a lunch item until recently when it was made available all day due to popular demand. Chef-owner Kamlesh Israni opened her first
restaurant in 1990 and grew to four locations quickly. She sold three of them over the past few years to focus on the Encinitas location… lucky for us! Besides my obsession with her burrito, I’ve sampled just about all of her menu and it’s full of traditional Indian dishes that really satisfy. From a full list of vegetarian dishes to signature curries to tandoori chicken, kebabs, seafood and South Indian favorites like dosa. All the combination plates include dal (lentils), naan (leavened bread), rice pulao (basmati), and raita (yogurt with grated cucum-
bers). Don’t forget the condiments that include pappad (lentil wafers), mango, mint, tamarind or coconut chutney and cottage fries. I’ve never tried the desserts but looking at them again I will soon along with the lassi (yogurt smoothie) and masala chai. I typically carry Indian food out but there is a nice little dining room and orders come out quickly. KC’s Tandoor is one of those places where you want to explore your way through the menu over a period of time. And don’t forget to in-
clude the Indian burrito in your exploration. Located in the Encinitas Ranch Town Center at 1070 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas. Check out their menu and hours at kcstandoor.com or call (760) 7537452.
Terraza has hosted the Napa Valley favorite, Stag’s Leap, led by its sought-after Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon ($70). Stag’s Leap gained fame when its Cabernet was selected to compete with the French Bordeaux wines in the 1976 Paris Tasting and came out the winner in the world’s most famous blind tasting. Stag’s Leap is the gem in the highly acclaimed Stag’s Leap District of Napa Valley. This 19th century stone built winery and manor house, has a beautiful garden and many varietals of wines and complex blends to please the palate — one thing to remember if you go — it’s by appointment only. For more, go to stagsleap.
com
family owner Cristina Mariani-May will be yours at Solare Italian Restaurant in Pt. Loma San Diego, Nov. 19 starting at 6 p.m. This is a five-course dinner with six Banfi wines. You will be thrilled by the story of Banfi as told by this legendary family member; $105 for this huge event. Call early at (619) 270-9670. Vittorio’s Trattoria in Carmel Valley wants you
to join them Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. for a special Taken wine dinner featuring a not-to-be-missed engagement with Carlo Trinchero from Taken winery, along with a five-course dinner for $49.50. RSVP at (858) 538-5884. Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas presents a Krupp Brothers Tasting and Pairing Nov. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. This winery is a leading
wine producer in the famed Napa Valley and does only a limited number of appearances. $50. Details at (760) 479-2500. Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by WineSpectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View his column at tasteofwinetv.com and reach him at mangio@aol.com. Follow him on Facebook.
With the holidays coming up, here are wonderful times to visit La Gran Terraza: lunch buffets with special themes 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 17, and Dec. 16; Holiday Prime Rib Dinners with carolers Wednesdays Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Dec. 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. Make your reservations at (619) 849-8205. Wine Bytes Like to try new wines from the barrel? Go to Stehlion and Vesper Urban Winery and Tasting Room in Escondido 12:30 to 2 p.m. Nov. 14. Cost is $25. Call for details at (760) 741-1246. A truly memorable evening with world famous Banfi Winery from Tuscany Italy and its honorable
David Boylan is the founder of Artichoke Creative an Encinitas based integrated marketing firm. He also hosts Lick the Plate Radio that airs Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. on FM94/9, Easy 98.1, and KSON. Reach him at david@ artichoke-creative.com or (858) 395-6905.
Voices of Belmont Village
“The friends that I have made here have turned my life around.” To many, living at home means freedom and independence. But it can also be isolating. Belmont Village residents enjoy a lifestyle that keeps them physically active and mentally engaged, delighting in the company of friends old and new. At Belmont Village, you don’t have to live alone to be independent.
It’s not just your home. It’s your community.
Distinctive Residential Settings | Chef-Prepared Dining and Bistro Premier Health and Wellness Programs | Award-Winning Memory Care Professionally Supervised Therapy and Rehabilitation Services
CARDIFF BY THE SEA | SABRE SPRINGS
The Community Built for Life.®
Winner of the George Mason University Healthcare Award for the Circle of Friends© memory program for Mild Cognitive Impairment.
belmontvillage.com
© 2015 Belmont Village, L.P. | RCFE Lic. 374603279, 374603231
CoastNewsGroup_11_6_social.indd 1
10/29/15 1:45 PM