Stockton, California - Eat, Drink, Play - Mercury News June 2017

EatDrinkPlay MERCURYNEWS.COM » EASTBAYTIMES.COM

★

001 SECTION F

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

Stockton’s

SUMMER REVELRY With a revival well underway, this Delta city is wooing visitors with its

lush parks, laid-back baseball scene and hot new dining destinations. Join us as we explore Stockton’s whimsical summery side, from speakeasy cocktails to pirate ships, koi ponds and Cheetos-tinged macarons.

The sunset seen from the BellaVista restaurant terrace in Stockton.

DOUG DURAN — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

More inside

2

Play: Looking for family amusement?

Enter Pixie Woods, a fairyland where whimsy prevails.

6

Eat: Three new eateries in Stockton’s downtown district have set the dining scene abuzz.

9

Drink: What happens when a Stockton somm opens a place of his own?

Corks pop, of course.

Play

NEXT WEEK

Camping, glamping and other outdoor fun.

F2 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

STOCKTON

DOUG DURAN — STAFF PHOTOS

Pixie Woods, a small charming amusement park, features a whimsical Toadstool Theater that offers puppet shows for kids.

Rive r

.

Oak St

t St.

Fremon

Port of Stockton

San Jose

.

Stockton

Bob Hope Theater

ado St El Dor r St. Cente

Sacramento

.

t Park S

Ave. Weber 4

McCloy Ave.

Playful times await all ages, from puppet shows to baseball — and then there’s chocolate

St.

D

ornia Calif

5

Weber Point

St.

Monte

aqu in

ve. iablo A

Banner Island Ballpark

g Way Hardin

Lincoln

San Jo

.

Blvd Club

Victory Park

Pixie Woods

Caldwell Park e. c Av cifi Pa

try

Coun

Alpin

ve. ing A

frolic

Central Stockton

Louis Park

. e Ave

University of the Pacific h Pers

FAMILYFRIENDLY

d.

R i v erside R

1 mile

DAVE JOHNSON/BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

By Jessica Yadegaran jyadegaran@ bayareanewsgroup.com

S

tockton is a place of hidden treasures, especially for the 56,000-plus families who call it home. Perhaps the things that make the city such a laid-back place for those families — its diversity, its parks and waterways, its university setting — make it a great spot for visitors, too.

While a lot of Bay Area families find themselves in Stockton for high school sports competitions or one of the many special events held here — hello, Asparagus Festival! — others may be touring the University of the Pacific campus or visiting their college kids.

Whatever the case, they’re all looking for things to do besides cheer from the bleachers. Here’s our latest roundup on the best ways for families to eat, drink and play their way through Stockton. We’ve got all ages covered — from tiny tots to those sporty teens.

1. Pixie Woods Children’s Park Inspired in part by Oakland’s Fairyland, Pixie Woods is a small, charming amusement park with a magical vibe, 3 ½ acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, plus interactive, themed playgrounds and simple rides: a vintage carousel, an express train and a paddle-wheel boat that circles the surrounding lagoon.

On a hot day, pack an extra change of clothes so the little ones can cool off in the Sea Serpent Water Spray park, which is located near the Yum Yum House concession area.

Take in a puppet show at Toadstool Theater or start a game of hide and seek. There are plenty of fantastic nooks and crannies perfect for tiny hiders.

Keep in mind that since its inception in 1955, Pixie Woods has run solely on volunteer support with direction from the city of Stockton and the Pixie Woods Board of Directors. Check the park’s Facebook page for seasonal events, including the 31st Annual Pixie Woods Wine Tasting on Friday featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 and benefit park improvements.

AGE RANGE » Under 5 DON’T MISS » The tall, whimsical brick house slide — perfect for teeny daredevils DETAILS » Admission is $4 for ages 2 and older; tinier tots are free; rides are extra. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. ThursdaySunday through July 30, weekends thereafter. 3121 Monte Diablo Ave., Stockton; www.pixiewoods.org FROLIC » PAGE 4

One of the amusing figures at Pixie Woods Children’s Park.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FROLIC 1: Pixie Woods Children’s Park 2: Banner Island Ballpark 3: Cambodian Buddhist Temple (Wat Dhammararam) 4: Smitty’s Wings & Things 5: Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet and Ice Cream Shop

Pixie Woods opened in 1954 and features play areas and rides. The park is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday until Aug. 5, when it is open on weekends only.

Pixie Woods features play structures and a water play area.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

001 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP F3

After all, where’s the fun in just one flavor?

In this city strategically situated along the California Delta, the river flows out to the coast, cultures converge, and the world comes together. Welcome to Stockton, a place filled with more diversity, passion, and energy than many major metropolitan areas.

Text Us for Annual Events info: Get A live response 8am-8pm seven days a week.

877.778.6258

Request your Free Visitors Guide and Farm Guide Today!

877.778.6258 125 Bridge Place • 2nd Floor • Stockton, California • Located in Downtown Stockton

F4 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

Frolic FROM PAGE 2

2. Banner Island Ballpark With a little planning you can treat the family to a Stockton Ports minor league baseball game on downtown Stockton’s expansive waterfront. The ballpark features 4,200 fixed seats, four luxury suites, two picnic areas and an elevated club seating area. But Banner Island Ballpark isn’t just home to the Stockton Ports — it’s also the site of some significant history. This is where Stockton founder Charles Weber flew the flag to celebrate Union victories during the Civil War. It’s where Coxey’s Army camped — after the Panic of 1893 led to the nation’s first massive protest march on Washington, D.C. And it’s where World War II ships were constructed. The Ports have about 35 home games left in the season, which ends in September. Get your tickets now.

AGE RANGE » The 8-andolder crowd DON’T MISS » A home game against the San Jose Giants Aug. 8-12 and Sept.

1-4.

DETAILS » $10-$15; 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton; stocktonports.com

DOUG DURAN - STAFF PHOTOS

A 50-foot long recumbent Buddha, one of the many large statues depicting the life of Buddha, at the Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple in Stockton.

3. Cambodian Buddhist Temple (Wat Dhammararam) The grounds of this active Buddhist temple feature more than 90 color f u l, la rger-t ha n-life statues that relay and celebrate the life of the Cambodian Buddha, from his birth and naming as Siddhartha to his death at 80. The statues, including a 54-foot long recumbent Buddha that took a total of 10 months to build, were installed in the 1990s.

They’re painted to look as if they are encrusted with gems and bright beyond belief.

Allow at least an hour to weave your way through all the statues and spend some time in the temple, which is also open to the public. Among the most v isually arresting: the fifth statue, which shows Siddhartha emaciated after six years of fasting and meditating in the hopes of reaching enlightenment.

AGE RANGE » Middle and high schoolers DON’T MISS » A dow nloadable English language guide to the statues is available at bit. ly/2sgFLnK . Print and bring it with you.

DETAILS » Free entry, donations welcome. Open during daylight hours at 3732 Carpenter Road, Stockton; watdhammararambuddhist.org

eatery has become a local — make that national — gem, especially after Guy Fieri popped in for an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

For mer N F L player Steve Smith gets credit for slinging the wings, which come in a wide variety of serving sizes ($3$45) and sauce flavors, including Thai Sweet & Sour, Honey BBQ and, Fieri’s favorite, Damn Hot, which Smith coats in a paprikalaced flour mix before frying and slathering in a hot sauce spiked with cayenne, smoked jalapenos and green chiles.

A 12-pack ($11) is perfect for a small family. Just add French fries, an extra helping of celery and carrots, and your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Regulars also swear by the wedge salads ($6-$8) and massive pizzas, including the Big Smitt ($13-$19), topped with pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, olives, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions.

AGE RANGE » There’s something lip-smackin’ for everyone.

DON’T MISS » The cupcakes on the counter. They’re baked-fresh daily and sensational.

Open at noon Tuesday-Saturday; 946 N. Yosemite St., Stockton; facebook.com/Smittyswingsandthings

DETAILS »

5. Ghirardelli Chocolate Outlet and Ice Cream Shop T h i s m a s sive Gh irardelli outpost is a muststop on your way into or out of Stockton. Just off Highway 5, about 8 miles from downtown Stockton, the white building doubles as a chocolate outlet and ice cream shop with outdoor seating.

While you wait in line

(don’t worr y, it moves quickly), a manager greets every member of the family with a wrapped square of chocolate. Once inside, fill a bag with your personal faves (everything from classic milk chocolate to intense dark) or grab a giant mixed bag (up to 50 percent off the regular price, according to posted signs).

When you’re ready, peruse the massive menu of scoops, cones, shakes, f loats and 15 whopping sundaes ($10.50), includ-

ing the Golden Gate (traditional banana split), Ocean Beach (sea salt caramel) and Treasure Island (warm brownie sundae).

After you order, grab a table outside in the sun and indulge. You’re not on the freeway yet.

AGE RANGE » Chocolate is ageless DON’T MISS » A square of the new-ish Dark Chocolate Bourbon Caramel DETAILS » Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, from 10 a.m. Sunday; 11980 Harlan Road, Lathrop.

Greater

116 Years of Working for the Business Community

JOIN US!

4. Smitty’s Wings & Things In the four years since Smitty’s opened its doors, Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple in Stockton features many large colorful statues, this family-owned bar and and is open daily during daylight hours, admission is free.

www.stocktonchamber.org

(209) 547-2770

Population: 300,000 Daytime Population: 130,000 Regional Trade Area: Over 500,000 Excellent Freeway Access to I-5, SR 99 and SR 4 Available Industrial Space & Property

AFFORDABLE BUILDINGS

UNPARALLELED TRANSPORTATION

ABUNDANT AND DIVERSE

and land for development or expansion.

inland port, rail, airport and major highways.

workforce.

290.937.8539 / economic.development@stocktonca.gov

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

001 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP F5

TRAVEL

Find plenty of joy in Mudville There’s food, drink, even rocking chairs at Banner Island Ballpark

By Chuck Barney cbarney@ bayareanewsgroup.com STOCKTON » “The journey starts here,” proclaims a colorful banner strung along a wall at Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark, where the young men who are about to display their hardball skills under a blazing summer sun surely must see it as a sign of hope.

The cozy waterfront ballpark is, after all, a field of dreams for the members of the Stockton Ports, a Single-A minor-league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. If they are talented enough — and hungry enough — they could use it as a springboard to major-league glory. Maybe even a World Series ring.

Or, considering the ultrasteep odds they face, this is where the journey might reach a brutal, soul-crushing end.

But who wants to be a buzz kill? Certainly not this former Stocktonian and passionate baseball devotee who has returned to his hometown, with wife and father in tow, to enjoy the laid-back pleasures of our great national pastime.

Ah, but our visit comes with a wicked little twinge of irony: The Ports, like all ball clubs, cram their schedules with promotional theme days. This one happens to be Skin Cancer Awareness Day and — wouldn’t you know it? — the skies are cloudless and the temperature is about to soar to 98 degrees. Another Central Valley scorcher.

As a stadium usher hands out some plastic sunglasses and a pack of sunscreen, I make a mental note to myself: “Next time, pick a night game.”

Still, the weather does offer a few advantages. Attendance today is extremely light — nothing close to what the Ports draw for, say, a game featuring fireworks. So we can navigate the quirky, well-designed venue with ease and won’t have to endure long lines at the concession stands. Also, Diane, Pops and I make a strategic decision not to broil listlessly in our infield seats. Instead, we’ll stay on the move and explore … and keep an eye out for any sliver of shade we can find.

Opened in 2005, Stockton Ballpark — or as the team likes to call it, Banner Island Ballpark — is the newest facility in the California League. Accommo-

STOCKTON PORTS

Temperatures drop to a pleasantly balmy degree when you take in evening game at the Stockton Ports’ field of dreams.

CATCH A GAME The Stockton Ports play 70 games a year at Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton. Later this month, the team will be playing at home against the Modesto Nuts and away against the San Jose Giants.

Find the game schedule and buy tickets ($10-$15) at stocktonports.com.

Going with a group? ESPN. com ranked the Ports’ Back Porch one of the top 10 seating destinations in minor league baseball.

Rocking chairs line the section, which juts out into right field and perks include a 90-minute all-you-caneat buffet ($30-$37).

PHOTO COURTESY DIANE BARNEY

Splash is the Stockton Ports’ beloved mascot. dating 5,200 fans, it allows visitors to have an intimate, up-close-and-personal view of the game without paying those big-league prices found in Oakland and, especially, San Francisco.

And, if you’re lucky, you might even spot a bona fide major-leaguer here. The A’s occasionally send players recovering from injuries to Stockton for so-called “rehab assignments.” In April, for example, Oakland pitching ace Sonny Gray took the mound at Banner Island, much to the delight of the locals.

We even claim a bit of baseball history. The Banner Island area (which isn’t actually an island anymore) was once the home of a

209-937-7360

baseball team that played in the late 1800s. Because Stockton in those days was also known as Mudville, residents pridefully claim that team was the inspiration for Ernest Thayer’s famous 1888 poem, “Casey at the Bat.” The Ports actually changed their name to the Mudville Nine for the 2000 and 2001 seasons, and here at the park, you’ll find Casey’s Corner Grill — named in honor of the mighty slugger who failed to come through in the clutch.

Casey’s Corner offers typical ballpark grub — burgers, nachos and peanuts — but around the ballpark, fans have lots of other options, including taco sal-

ads, chicken wraps, quesadillas, gourmet wood-fired pizza and more. There’s even a cart behind Section 117 that sells fried asparagus stalks coated in tempura batter. Asparagus is one of the most celebrated crops in and around Stockton, which holds an Asparagus Festival every April.

For those craving an adult beverage, there’s a new micro pub just inside the main entrance where eight different beers are on tap. And naturally, we make a point to stop by the Port City Saloon, out beyond center field, where the happy-hour special includes mixed drinks for $4, right up until the national anthem is played. (Pray for

a rain delay!)

Of course, there are also plenty of treats for the kiddies. On this sweltering afternoon, Volcano Splashes — a frothing combination of fruit juice and dry ice — are a major hit. As one wideeyed youngster marveled at the cloudy plume rising from his cup, his mother exclaimed, “It’s not just a drink. It’s entertainment!”

Stockton Ballpark has plenty of kid-centric and family-friendly touches. As we stroll the walkway beyond the outfield, we come to an inviting grassy embankment know as Home Run Hill, where you can roll out a blanket and catch the game (or some zzz’s).

Nearby is the Kids Zone, complete with a bounce house, a blow-up slide and a

speed-pitch booth for Sonny Grays-in-the-making.

While the kids play, their parents can watch the boats puttering lazily out on McLeod Lake. Just call it the minor-league version of McCovey Cove.

Out on the field, the Ports proceed to club three home runs against their overwhelmed foes, the Lake Elsinore Storm (No Casey-like failures today). Balls apparently carry really far in hot, windless weather.

As we root, root, root for the home team, our search for shade continues. We take temporary refuge in the team store, where Dad and I purchase Ports T-shirts and chat with the friendly clerk about how jealous we are of the people hanging out in the air-conditioned suites behind home plate.

(Yes, Stockton Ballpark has suites — four of them.)

When we emerge from the store, Diane, who has been briefly exploring on her own, flashes us a look of excitement. Seems she has made a major discovery: A big, white metallic box along the left-field line. New to Stockton Ballpark this season, it’s a walkin refrigerator dubbed the Cold Zone! And it holds up to 30 different kinds of beers!

We make a quick beeline to the Cool Zone and step inside. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

“I found my happy place,” Diane says.

Despite what Mr. Thayer reported, there is, indeed, joy in Mudville.

209-937-7357

We’re Going Through a Renaissance It’s an exciting time at the Haggin Museum! We are redesigning and remodeling our core art collection, and our beautiful new spaces will be ready this fall. Our History galleries will be open during this time, and we’ll be hosting a variety of exciting temporary exhibitions and events.

Look for the reveal in October 2017!

Visit Our Website For Tee Times and Specials

WWW.STOCKTONGOLFCOURSES.COM Call to Duty:

“The Best Golf Value In The Central Valley” Scan Code For

“Greatest Greens in Stockton”

FREE Range Balls

VOTED BEST GOLF COURSE IN VALLEY 2015

World War Posters

Picasso’s La Tauromaquia

On view through AUG 27, 2017

On view through JAN 21, 2018

American Ballads:

Baseball:

The Photographs of Marty Stuart

America’s Game

SEPT—NOV ‘17

SEPT—NOV ‘17

1201 N Pershing Avenue • Stockton • hagginmuseum.org • @hagginmuseum

F6 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

DOWNTOWN

Stockton’s dining renaissance

By Jackie Burrell jburrell@ bayareanewsgroup.com

There’s buzz around Stockton that its downtown, whose vibrant heyday was in the 1940s, is on the brink of a renaissance at last. Historic buildings are being renovated and revitalized by a growing influx of entrepreneurs, artists and restaurateurs — and a few exciting new hot spots have opened in the last few months alone, from the speakeasy-chic Deliberation Room to the new Channel Brewing Co. taproom.

Here’s just a sampling of where to sip and nosh.

Cast Iron Trading Co. What began as a pop-up at the Stockmarket, Stockton’s lively 2-year-old market and maker fair, took on brick-and-mortar life last fall when Eric Lee and Tommy Mogan opened their eatery in the centuryold, just-renovated Belding Building. The new Cast Iron Trading Co. promises “hella good” fare — in neon, yet, on a sign above the counter — and it delivers on every front. With its highceilinged, light-filled space and incredibly tasty fare, this may just be our favorite place in town.

Order at the counter, where a roll of brown butcher paper displays the ever-changing menu — barbecue chicken sliders (two for $8.75), perhaps, or wildly addictive Fried Mac ‘n’ Cheese Balls ($7), stuffed with bacon and house-pickled jalapeños. Choose a libation — beer, wine, sodas or pour-over coffee. Then grab a seat at one of the glossy wooden tables and kick back.

DON’T MISS » The Chi-Town Lockeford Sausage Sliders (two for $8), made with spicy sausages from the popular Lockeford Meat & Sausage Service a few miles away, are absolutely irresistible. (Psst, get it to-go and you can enjoy it next door at the new Channel Brewing Co. taproom.)

DETAILS » Open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays, dinner Tuesday-Saturday. 114 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton; castirontradingco.com

The Deliberation Room Prohibition speakeasy meets legal briefs at Stockton’s 6-month-old Deliberation Room, a sipping spot with tasty food and killer cocktails. It’s dark and atmospheric, with a bar set against a wall of exposed brick and shelves of illuminated spirits. A vintage player piano just adds to the ambience.

Grab a seat at the stylish bar, at a barrel or a classic four-top, where law books

DOUG DURAN — STAFF

A bartender named “Taco” makes a cocktail at the Deliberation Room in Stockton. on weekends. Brunch service is set to start soon. 110 N. El Dorado St., Stockton; bellavistastockton.com

More bites

JACKIE BURRELL — STAFF

A pair of sliders — one filled with spicy sausages, the other with barbecue chicken — are perfect examples of the pub grub available at Cast Iron Trading Co. await — well, the shell of law books, anyway. There’s a menu inside featuring flatbread pizzas, pulled-pork sliders and paninis. Craft cocktails ($9-$10) continue the courtroom theme with drinks such as the whiskey and elderflower-based Acquittal, the gin and creme de violette Ambulance Chaser, and the Ineffective Assistance, made with gin and hellfire bitters. Given the bar’s proximity to the courthouse and its owner’s career path — Jacob Benguerel is an attorney — the

legal theme overrules all possible objections.

DON’T MISS » The Stop and Frisk ($9), a cucumbertinged riff on a classic gimlet, is so delicious, we’ve been trying to re-create it at home. Pair that cocktail with the Asparagus Potato Skins ($5.50 for four) filled with bacon, fresh asparagus and tangy Greek yogurt.

DETAILS » Open for lunch on Monday, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday, dinner on Saturday — and into the wee hours on Friday and

STOCKTON DOWNTOWN MARINA Centrally located near Downtown Stockton, entertainment, restaurants, and shopping, the Stockton Downtown Marina is a great location for long term berthing, or guest docking.

Contact us for rates and reservations!

(209) 462-4200 Stockton Downtown Marina

445 W. Weber Avenue, STE 128-B Stocktonmarina445@att.net • www.stocktondtmarina.com

JACKIE BURRELL — STAFF

French-style macarons at Bon Mange get the creative treatment with flavors that include lemon-blueberry cheesecake and a cheesy, Cheetos-dusted variation.

Saturday. 19 N. California mari and bruschetta. The latter is built on a focaccia St., Stockton base, so nibble quickly beBellaVista Cucina fore those juicy tomatoes Italiana soak through.

The dinner menu inNestled into a historic building on a downtown cludes a wide array of pascorner, this new Italian res- tas ($11.50-$19), as well as taurant offers fresh, sea- that Pesto Pomodoro Brussonal, classic fare crafted chetta ($6) and Fried Calaby Italian-born chef Rima mari ($12).

Barkett — in airy, high- DON’T MISS » The terrace ceilinged surroundings. upstairs, where drinks and The bar menu is particu- small plates come with sunlarly enticing with its ar- set views ray of assaggi — little bites DETAILS » Open for lunch on — that include small-plates Monday, lunch and dinner versions of lasagna, cala- Tuesday-Friday and dinner

Of course, downtown isn’t the only Stockton neighborhood to explore.

Here are three more spots to try.

BON MANGE » This sweets shop traffics in unusual desserts, from its new wave macarons — in flavors such as lemon-blueberry cheesecake, fruity pebbles, cookie butter and a Cheetosdusted version dubbed Don Cheeto (an acquired taste, to be sure) — to bubble teas, sweet-salty Snowf lakes and dragon-breath Nimbus Bites. Open daily at 2819 W. March Lane, Stockton; bonmangemacarons.com THE ALLEY@TRAIL COFFEE

This Stockton coffee roaster runs a small coffeehouse that’s open on weekdays only. If you’re craving their java on a weekend, swing by the Cast Iron Trading Co., which serves pour-over Trail Coffee and sells the roastery’s Cast Iron Blend by the bag. Find the roastery and coffeehouse at 224 E. Miner Ave., Stockton; trailcoffeeroasters.com.

QUE 225 » This barbecuecentric spot opened in March with a full lineup of smoky goodness, including brisket, pulled pork and ribs. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday at 1740 Pacific Ave., Stockton; que225.com ROASTERS »

Eat

RESTAURANT BUZZ

Find the latest Bay Area restaurant news at mercurynews.com/lifestyle/eat-drink

001 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP F7

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 TASTE-OFF

Produce Picks

Restaurants

Best breakfast fare — and losing links American-style breakfast sausages are a tasty side to any morning feast. Whether you find these heat-and-eat sausages near the hot dogs or in the freezer section, fully-cooked breakfast sausage is typically made with pork, although there are beef, turkey, chicken and other protein options available.

Some are flavored with maple or apJolene ple; others hit the Thym more savory notes Taste-off of sage, smoke and pepper.

The best are juicy, well balanced bites with a pinch of sweetness and just the right hint of herbs. They might pack a bit of spice or pepper, too. But the worst are rubbery, greasy, wickedly salty or so packed with sugar that they taste like candied meat.

Here’s the scoop on the most delicious of the bunch — and the links that lost out. Note: Sausage link sizes vary so widely, we’ve based the nutrition information here on a 54- to 59-gram serving, which can range from one to four links.

Applegate Naturals Classic Pork Breakfast Sausage A pop of spice, a peppery finish and clean flavors make this fresh, tender, chewy sausage taste like homemade. 170 calories, 14 g fat, 400 mg sodium, 11 g protein. $5.99 for 7 ounces at Sprouts Market; $3.99 on sale at Safeway. ★★★★

Jimmy Dean Original Pork & Turkey Heat ‘n Serve

Oakland saga extends to San Jose

MARK DUFRENE — STAFF

Fresh blueberries are just made for being transformed into pies, buckles and jams.

A BLUEBERRY PICKING BONANZA Fruit stands may line the winding lanes of the San Joaquin Valley, but if you find blueberries irresistible, you might want to set your sights on Stockton’s family-owned Alpine Blue Farms, where you can pick your own blueberry bonanza.

You’ll see the small, packed parking lot long before you spot the picturesque sign for cherries and berries — black, blue and raspberry — on Highway 26, where a cherry orchard and rows of berry vines, shrubs and bushes await.

Pick your own — check in at the picnic ta-

bles on the lawn first — or pick up a pint at the farm stand, where pale green baskets brim with plump purple berries, begging to be turned into pies, buckles and jam. (Caution: Tempting as it may be to nibble blueberries on the ride home, these deep blue baubles are so juicy, you’re likely to tint not just your shirt, but your car upholstery with the indigo spatter.)

What to do with all that berry largesse?

You could bake a batch of picture-perfect blueberry muffins or whip up a pitcher of PRODUCE » PAGE 8

Fast and Furious Weeknight Cooking

The combination of pork and turkey in this tender little sausage offers bold meaty flavor, but it’s a bit too salty — and a little spicy for young ones. 210 calories, 19 g fat, 580 mg sodium, 9 g protein. $2.50 for 5.2 ounces at Raley’s. ★★★

Aidell’s Chicken and Apple Breakfast Links Ham fans may appreciate this smoky, sweet sausage despite its tough casing and slightly rubbery texture. 120 calories, 8 g fat, 460 mg sodium, 8 g protein. $4.99 for 8 ounces at Safeway. ★★★

Jones All Natural Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage

A LITTLE YUMMINESS

There are steak sandwiches — and then there is this one, inspired by Korean bulgogi and packed with flavor. The sandwich filling is equally good over steamed rice.

If you are looking for a tiny bite of low-calorie sausage, you might enjoy these small, juicy, herb-forward turkey sausages made with potato starch. 90 calories, 4.5 g fat, 420 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $3.99 for 5 ounces at Sprouts Market; $2.49 at Raley’s. ★★★

Over the top sandwich has delicious middle

Johnsonville Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage

By Stacie Dong and Simran Singh Correspondents

These tender bites are a bit greasy, but the flavor is mild and pleasant. These sausages are likely to please picky eaters.

188 calories, 16 g fat, 485 mg sodium, 8.4 g protein. $4.49 for 9.6 ounces at Raley’s. ★★★

Fork In The Road Vermont Maple SyrupBreakfast Sausage This extra-long link tastes like ham, minus the smoke. It’s pleasantly juicy, but the casing is a bit tough and the flavor onenote. 160 calories, 12 g fat, 405 mg sodium, 10 g protein. $5.99 for 10 ounces at Whole Foods. ★★

Fra’mani Mattinata Breakfast Sausage Terrific layers of umami flavor make for a delicious bite, but the casing is ridiculously tough — nearly too tough to swallow.

150 calories, 12 g fat, 430 mg sodium, 9 g protein. $6.99 for 10 ounces at Whole Foods. ★★

Wellshire All Natural Fully Cooked Original Pork Sausage How this pork sausage can taste so much like a groundbeef patty is a mystery. The flaTASTE » PAGE 8

Whether you’re cooking a quick dinner or packing for a picnic, this bulgogi steak takes the entire sandwich genre over the top. The bulgogi recipe is from a dear friend from Korea — modified just a bit to make it easier for everyday cooking.

It makes a fantastic filling for a sandwich and is equally delicious served over steamy rice.

Adding Asian pear to the marinade helps tenderize the meat, and our friend insists it’s essential to the recipe. Most well-stocked grocers carry them, but Asian markets will stock not only these distinctive round pears and their juice, but also sliced beef for shabu shabu, which works beautifully in this dish

and saves you the effort of slicing the meat yourself. If you’re slicing the meat at home, pop it in your freezer for 30 minutes to firm it first. Partially-frozen meat is much easier to slice thinly.

Quickly pickled cucumbers add a wonderful, juicy crunch to the sandwich, which we love. Use your favorite recipe or simply splash some cucumber slices with your favorite vinegar and a generous pinch of salt and sugar to taste. One last tip, this one from Stacie’s husband: Try this sandwich on toasted garlic bread. Yum! San Francisco food writers Stacie Dong and Simran Singh’s blog, A Little Yumminess (alittleyum.com), focuses on family food adventures and recipes with a global twist.

Bulgogi steak sandwich Serves 4 MARINADE

¼ cup Asian pear juice or ¼ cup chopped Asian pear 2 green onions, roughly chopped ¼ cup soy sauce 3 medium cloves garlic, peeled 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon brown sugar ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds SANDWICHES

1¼ pounds ribeye steak, thinly sliced 1 or 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for the pan Baguette or hoagie rolls, halved and toasted Chile-mayo (¼ cup mayo mixed with 1 tablespoon sriracha) Gochujang (Korean chili paste) Quickly picked cucumbers and/or kimchi

Carrots, grated or sliced into ribbons with a vegetable peeler Green onions, finely chopped or julienned DIRECTIONS

Using a blender, combine all the marinade ingredients, except the sesame seeds. Puree until smooth. Stir in sesame seeds.

Combine the marinade and the meat and let marinate for 20 to 30 minutes, or as long as overnight in the refrigerator.

Brush a grill pan, griddle or cast iron pan with the vegetable oil and heat over high heat.

When pan is hot, transfer the meat to the pan with a slotted spoon, discarding most of the marinade. Fry the meat, letting the edges crisp up a bit, for 2 to 3 minutes or until cooked through.

To assemble the sandwiches, spread the chilemayo on one half of each toasted roll and gochujang on the other half. Top with meat, pickles, carrots and chopped green onion, and serve.

UPTOWN LOWDOWN » Uptown Oakland’s restaurant scene continues to evolve, with word of a closing followed by the good news of one expansion, one move — and a planned reopening of the closed spot.

Yep, it’s complicated. Here’s how things stand: Southern standout Picán, which helped lead the Uptown renaissance when owner Michael LeBlanc opened on Broadway near Grand Avenue in 2009, has closed — for now.

As with the nearby restaurant pioneer Ozumo, which shut down last November after a nearly 10-year run, issues of restaurant size and nearby competition came into play.

The solution? Carve up the two monstrous spaces into four more manageable restaurants.

And guess what? Picán may move back into one of the smaller spaces after the remodeling is completed.

“Hopefully, we’ll be back in the early to midfall,” events manager Leigh Gross-Mitchell said. “This makes sense,” she added, noting that the current 6,500-square-foot restaurant is challenging.

Going into the second of four spaces will be Brown Sugar Kitchen, celebrity chef Tanya Holland’s Oakland eatery.

“We’re in the process of expanding the brand for right now,” BSK manager Trav McFay confirmed, noting that the original 2534 Mandela Parkway location will remain open.

The third of the four spaces will be occupied by the pan-Latinthemed Bocanova, which has been at Jack London Square since 2009 as part of the new wave of restaurants reinvigorating the square.

For Bocanova, this will be a permanent move and not a second location — and it’s an opportunity for the restaurant to become more of a neighborhood go-to and less of a destination for special occasions. Besides, the Jack London Square plans for a huge Ferry Building-style marketplace never came to fruition.

“It’s unfortunate. It’s such a beautiful area,” chef/owner Rick Hackett said. “A lot of promises were made and they didn’t come through.

And I can’t afford the rent.” At the new Uptown location — he’s getting about 5,500 square feet of the Ozumo space as opposed to the 7,000-plus-patio he has now — the menu will take on a more casual approach to attract millennials as well as workers in the neighborhood.

And then we circle back to Ozumo, the first restaurant in the chain of changes. Founder Jeremy Umland, whose San Francisco location remains open, is expanding to San Jose. He’ll bring contemporary Japanese fare — with sushi bar, robata grill and sake lounge — to Santana Row later this year.

In San Jose, there may be a new Wing’s waiting in the wings.

That’s the word from Louis and David Wang, the owners of the historic Japantown building that houses Wing’s Chinese, the city’s oldest restaurant, after the operator went public with the news that she’ll close by the end of June.

“Wing’s will not go away. But it will shift ownership, as it has done many times in the past,” Louis Wang said in a statement released by the Japantown Business Association.

Wing’s has been owned by just a handful of families over the years.

According to Mercury News archives, Wing’s opened in 1925 and was run for 25 years by Wing Chen.

(Although Wing’s is the oldest fullservice restaurant in San Jose, the Chiaramonte deli and sausage shop is older. That store dates to 1908.)

Then the Wing’s baton passed to Henry Wong, who sold it in 1976 to the brothers Wang, who leased the business to Ashley Yu and her family about 10 years ago.

NEW OWNERS? »

Send dining tips to Linda Zavoral at lzavoral@bayareanewsgroup.

Contact us Eat Drink Play editor: Jackie Burrell, jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com Dining scene: Linda Zavoral, lzavoral@bayareanewsgroup.com Advertising Contact: Mary Jo Mann, mjmann@bayareanewsgroup.com, 813-566-0125 Features Production Editor: Jennifer Schaefer, jschaefer@bayareanewsgroup.com, 813-566-0125

F8 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001

Produce FROM PAGE 7

rosy Cherry-Berry Sangria — or go the pie route.

A nd Mar tha Stewar t’s lattice-topped blueberry pie may well be our favorite pie of all time. In

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

★

this recipe from the 2011 “Martha Stewart’s Pies & Tarts” (Clarkson Potter, $25), blueberries are tossed with fresh lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar and cornstarch — minimal ingredients, maximum deliciousness. The result tastes even better than it looks — and that’s

saying something. It’s a beautiful pie.

Details: A lpine Blue Farm is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from May to July at 7490 E. Highway 26, Stockton; facebook. com/Alpineblue.

— Jackie Burrell , Staff

Martha Stewart’s Lattice-Top Blueberry Pie INGREDIENTS PATE BRISEE

2½ cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces ¼-½ cup ice water BLUEBERRY FILLING

7 cups (about 2 pounds) fresh blueberries, picked over and rinsed ½ cup sugar ¼ cup cornstarch ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 large egg yolk 1 tablespoon heavy cream Fine sanding sugar DIRECTIONS:

Make the pate brisee by pulsing flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles corn meal, with some larger pieces. Drizzle ¼ cup water over the mixture and pulse just until the mixture begins to hold together. If the mixture is too dry, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, and pulse.

Divide dough in half and flatten into disks.

Wrap well in plastic and chill until firm, 1 hour or up to 1 day.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out a disk of dough to a 13-inch round, about 1⁄8-inch thick. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate.

In a large bowl, toss together the berries, ½ cup sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and lemon juice. Pour into pie plate, piling it in the center.

Roll out remaining disk of dough. Cut dough into inch-wide strips using a fluted pastry wheel. Brush pie edges lightly with water.

Carefully arrange the dough strips on top, weaving to form a lattice. Trim dough to a 1-inch overhang. Fold edges under and crimp with a fork.

Whisk the egg yolk and cream to form an egg wash. Brush over dough strips and pie edges. Generously sprinkle with sanding sugar. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pie atop a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet until crust begins to brown, 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until crust is deep golden brown and juices bubble, about 55 minutes more. (If crust browns too quickly, tent it with foil.) Cool completely on a wire rack.

— “Martha Stewart’s Pies & Tarts” (Clarkson Potter, 2011)

dium, 8 g protein. $2.79 for a little more salt quashes 7 ounces at Trader Joe’s.  any other flavor in this sausage. 180 calories, FROM PAGE 7 Al Fresco Apple Maple 16 g fat, 410 mg sodium, 7 g protein. $1.99 for 6.4 Chicken Sausage ounces at Raley’s and Safevor isn’t bad, it just doesn’t way; $6.99 for 2 pounds at deliver sausage flavor. 180 The understated flavor calories, 16 g fat, 400 mg of chicken doesn’t stand up Safeway. (No stars) sodium, 8 g protein. $4.99 to this sausage’s big, sweet for 7 ounces at Whole flavors of syrup, brown Foods. ★ sugar, apple and cinnamon. Reviews are based on product samples 105 calories, 3.5 g fat, 280 Trader Joe’s Bavarian mg sodium, 8.75 g protein. purchased by this newspaper or provided for 8 ounces at RalBratwurst Nuremberg $3.99 by manufacturers. ey’s.  Sausage Contact Jolene Thym at timespickyeater@gmail.

These dense, pale, hot Banquet Brown ’N com. Read more Taste-off doglike sausages taste arServe Original columns at mercurynews. tificial — and salty. 213 calcom/tag/taste-off. ories, 18 g fat, 470 mg soSalt, more salt and just

Taste

S TO C K TO N ’ S P R E M I E R E S H O P P I N G & D I N I N G

SHOP DINE

— C.R. Porter Home Collection — — DeVons Jewelers — — Fleet Feet Sports — — McCaulou’s Department Store — — Pieology Pizzeria — — Trader Joe’s —

MORE THAN 22 RESTAURANTS & 30 BOUTIQUE SHOPS

B E N J A M I N H O LT D R I V E AT PA C I F I C AV E N U E | S TO C K TO N L I N C O L N C E N T E R S H O P S .C O M

Drink

WINERY ADVENTURES

Find more wine country inspiration at mercurynews.com/lifestyle/eat-drink

001 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP F9

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 ON WINE

Sommelier dishes on eats, drinks

Valley Brew: After he gets off work, Marsh heads to the city’s oldest brewery, drawn by the neighborhood atmosphere, sports memorabilia and 50plus taps dispensing local brews and interesting one-off suds. valleybrew.com

By Mary Orlin morlin@ bayareanewsgroup.com

The best way to discover any town is to ask a local, so we checked in with certified sommelier Paul Marsh, who opened the Mile Wine Company − a wine bar on Stockton’s Miracle Mile − with his wife Cindy in 2013. These days Marsh, who spent five years at Sacramento’s Firehouse Restaurant, hosts winemaker dinners at Mile Wine, which serves small-plates fare alongside the cabs and zins, and leads a Sommelier Boot Camp ($20) on Saturdays, giving guests a 30-minute dive into global wine regions.

“I love wine, its history and the way it has evolved with cultures around the world,” he says.

So what’s trending at Mile Wine?

“White blends are big in Stockton right now,” Marsh says. “Last year it was red blends. I’ve got quite a few white blends from the Languedoc and Southern Rhone from maverick winemakers making great wine from both traditional and nontraditional varietals. They are happy 70- to 90-degree weather whites.”

Millennials are driving the white-blend craze, Marsh notes, using social media to explore wines and varietals that differ from their parents’ standbys. “People are diving in and trying to find something to make their own mark on,” he says. “It’s like, ‘Hey, I found this wine. This is what I like.

Get it on Instagram before anybody else.'”

Market Tavern: For top-notch cocktails, belly up to the bar at this restaurant, which is known for its seasonal menu — wood-fired pizza, rotisserie chicken and more — made from locally sourced ingredients. markettavernstk.com Deliberation Room: Stockton’s cocktail scene is growing and this is one of the city’s newest watering holes. It’s downtown, near the county courthouse with, Marsh says, a speakeasy vibe. facebook.com/ deliberationroom

COURTESY OF MILE WINE COMPANY

Certified sommelier Paul Marsh oversees the wine program at Stockton’s Mile Wine Company.

Mile Wine’s cellar features lesser-known producers with great soul and a great story, and which pair well with the seasonal small-plates menu created by chef Justin Good.

We have to say, those wines pair well with the live music scene that takes over the wine bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, too.

Marsh has a mission at Mile

Stockton Ports: The city’s hometown minor league team is an Oakland Athletics affiliate. They play at Banner Island Ballpark, which Marsh calls a killer waterfront stadium, on McLeod Lake. stocktonports. com Children’s Museum: Stockton’s Children’s Museum is a must-see for families, with interactive exhibits, a helicopter and fire truck to explore and Kidsworld, a kid-sized, miniature city. childrensmuseumstockton.org

Wine. “I help shine a light on some of the little guys, who do not have a giant brick and mortar tasting room,” he says, “so people in Stockton can find that cool wine that might not be everywhere.”

We asked Marsh to shine a light, too, on some of his favor- Contact Mary Orlin at 925ite ways to eat, drink and play 943-8255. in Stockton.

BREWERY ADVENTURE

Come home to suds of Channel Brewing

By Jackie Burrell jburrell@ bayareanewsgroup.com

Stockton’s city center bustles during the day, but it tends to empty at night and on weekends.

Or it did. That may be changing, thanks to several new hot spots — including a brewery — that have opened downtown this year.

Open since March, the new industrial-chic Channel Brewing Co. taproom woos passersby with its huge sunlit windows, airy interior and blond wood ta-

bles. The triangle motif that pops up everywhere, from the brewery’s logo to the taproom artwork, was inspired by the red triangle signs that mark waterway channels.

“When ships return to port and they see that red triangle, it means all is well — and that they are coming home,” brewer and founder Billy Chaddock and his partners explained during the brewery’s Kickstarter campaign.

That homecoming, of course, involves suds. So belly up to the bar and order — a Shuv It saison,

perhaps, a Black Pep IPA or The Drop pale ale — then grab a perch at one of the communal tables, where Jenga blocks, Cards Against Humanity and board games await.

Hungry? Nip next door to the Cast Iron Trading Co. for a takeout order of sausage sliders or bacon and jalapeno-stuffed fried mac and cheese balls to go with that saison.

The Jenga blocks will be waiting when you return.

Details: Open Tuesday-Saturday at 110 N. San Joaquin, Stockton; channelbrewing.co

Wine Calendar Solstice on the Summit: Visit the Summit Wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains for wine tasting, cheese pairings, art, food and entertainment. Tickets are $25 and available at participating wineries: Burrell School, Silver Mountain, Villa del Monte, and Wrights Station. Summit Store will host Muns Vineyard (on Sunday only) pouring Pinot Noirs and Syrah from their vineyard. Noon-5 p.m. June 24-25. silvermtn.com Wine into Water: Enjoy a special evening of wine tasting while supporting developing communities around the globe. Tickets are $45 and include wine tasting, hor d’ oeuvres, silent auction and entertainment. All proceeds benefit Water For People. 6-9 p.m.

Friday. Lakeside Room at Heather Farm Community Center, 301 N. San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek. wineintowater2017.bpt.me.

Sunday Spirits: This new whiskey tasting series showcases rare releases and high-end bottlings with experts leading the tastings. The inaugural event features “Barrel and Blends,” three unique whiskeys offered exclusively at Burritt Room + Tavern. 6-8 p.m. June 25. 417 Stockton St., San Francisco. $35. http://bit. ly/2s0Qcvv.

Outstanding in the Field: Birichino Winery partners John Locke and Alex Krause will cohost an Outstanding in the Field event in an old-vine vineyard where they source their grapes.

Chef Mikey Adams of Restaurant 1833 will be crafting the outdoor table-to-farm dinner, which starts at 4 p.m. June 29, at Besson Vineyard, 3576 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy. $215. http://bit. ly/2r6rmuQ. ICC Open House: Watch chef demos, meet chef-instructors and take an interactive tour at the International Culinary Center’s monthly open houses. The open houses are offered during the day from 10 a.m.-noon and in the evening, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at 700 W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell. The evening open houses include a master sommelier and have a greater focus on wine. For a schedule, visit http://bit.ly/2sYwVI0.

Sonoma County Wine Showcase: The Oakland Wine Festival will showcase the wines of select Sonoma County wineries during this tasting event. 2:30-5 p.m.

June 25. Claremont Club and Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley. $45. oaklandwinefestival.com.

Strum and Spirits: Bring out your inner rock star at this guitar lesson, performance and wine tasting hosted by former Boston guitarist/vocalist David Victor.

1-4 p.m. today at Hannah Nicole Vineyards, 6700 Balfour Road, Brentwood. $50 and up. strumandspirits.com/events/.

Craft Spirits Carnival: This two-day celebration includes artisanal spirits from nearly 200 craft producers, plus specialty foods, music, art and more. 1-5 p.m. today, Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. $100. craftspiritscarnival.com.

JACKIE BURRELL — STAFF

Channel Brewing opened its tasting room this year in downtown Stockton.

BUY TICKETS

NOW!

September 9th & 10th

Adam Richman (MAN v. FOOD)

Baconfest.com

List your event at events. mercurynews.com.

Play

TRAVEL GETAWAYS

Find more travel inspiration at mercurynews.com/lifestyle/travel-play

F10 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001 EVENTS

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

TRAVEL

Summer fun in Stockton Concerts in the Park: Stockton’s Victory Park hosts 12 concerts over the course of the summer.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the live entertainment from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 23. 1001 N. Pershing Ave. Free. Details: visitstockton.org/events/ concerts-in-the-park DeltaFusion: Giant puppets, masks, music and pageantry tell the story of the Delta region and its people at this annual event. This year’s DeltaFusion will be held on the University of the Pacific campus from 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Free. Details: deltafusionstockton.com Stockton Beer Week: This citywide craft beer celebration includes specialty beer tastings, beer dinners and more. It may be called “beer week,” but it runs a full 10 days from July 7-16. Event prices vary, but tickets for the big Brew Fest at the Stockton Arena on July 8 are $35. Details: stocktonbeerweek.com Movies at the Point: Head for the Weber Point Event Center this summer with blankets, chairs and a picnic for the Movies at Dusk series, which includes a screening of “Sing” on July 14, “Storks” on Aug. 11 and “Moana” on Sept. 8.

Free. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Free. 221 N. Center St. downtownstockton.org/ events

JACKIE BURRELL — STAFF PHOTOS

The Japanese gardens at Stockton’s Micke Grove Regional Park offer serene walking paths, a koi pond and a scarlet bridge.

ADVENTURES IN THE GROVE

Plenty of parks just made for picnicking and photographs, education and exploration

Stockmarket: This lively street market began two years ago in downtown Stockton with a mixture of food vendors, artists, makers and live music. These days, it’s held on the third Saturday of the month at Caldwell Park, on the corner of Pacific and Alpine avenues near the University of the Pacific. This summer’s events run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16. Free. Details: stockmarketca.com.

Taste of the Delta: This annual food and wine festival showcases the restaurants and wineries of the California Delta region. Enjoy wine, small bites and live music from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Stockton Yacht Club, 3235 River Drive. $30 in advance, $35 at the door.

Details: tasteofthedelta.com

By Jackie Burrell jburrell@ bayareanewsgroup.com

Micke Grove Regional Park is also home to the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, offering glimpses of the past, such as this one-room schoolhouse built in 1866 and still in use up until 1959.

Stockton-Con: Get your geek on at Stockton’s own version of ComicCon. Stockton-Con focuses on San Joaquin Valley artists involved in comics and graphic novels, video games, anime, manga and more. The two-day event runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 19-20 at the Stockton Arena, 248 W. Fremont St. Tickets $13$22. Details: stocktoncon. com More: Find more Stockton area events, including Lathrop’s BaconFest and the Stockton Community Pow Wow at visitstockton.org.

A transportation exhibit yields insight into days long past, when peddlers’ wagons, like the one at the back of the room, roamed from town to town.

We may think of Stockton as an urban expanse, but with dozens of regional parks and more than 60 municipal groves, the city is practically polka-dotted with greenery and public spaces. You can frolic with the kids at the city’s Pixie Woods, enjoy a summer concert at Victory Park or take in a movie at the waterfront Weber Point.

With so many parks to choose from, it’s difficult to choose just one — and these parks are made for picnicking. So on a recent sunny Saturday, we took a gastronomic detour into Stockton’s past before heading for IF YOU GO Micke Grove Regional Genova Bakery: Open Park. Named after a Monday-Saturday at 749 N. Lodi farmer-turned- Sierra Nevada St., Stockton philanthropist, this Micke Grove Regional 258-acre expanse lies Park: Open daily at 1793 N. between the two cit- Micke Grove Road, between ies and offers so many Stockton and Lodi; sjparks. attractions, it’s practi- com/parks cally five parks in one. San Joaquin County HisThe city’s iconic torical Museum: Tickets Genova Bakery, which $2-$5. Open Wednesdaywill hit the century Sunday in Micke Grove mark next year, sits Regional Park; sanjoaquinastride a corner just a history.org few blocks from downtown. A historic landmark plaque graces the side of the wooden building, painted in shades of cream and forest green. Angelo Rolleri opened this small Italian grocery store in 1918, with a deli and bakery that still provide freshly baked ciabatta, milk rolls and other breads for the city’s restaurants.

The Genova deli counter is the perfect spot to pick up picnic fare — a ciabatta roll stuffed with salami, mortadella, havarti and tomatoes, perhaps, farfalle tossed with broccoli and pesto, and cans of Sanpellegrino limonata and aranciata rossa (blood orange) sodas.

Micke Grove’s rolling landscape lies just north of Stockton, its pinot noir vineyard neighbors a reminder PARKS » PAGE 11

Top 7: Niche Destinations

Travel Gear: UpCart

We’re always looking for travel inspiration — especially when the list includes places a bit off the beaten path.

Now NationalGeographic.com has come up with a list of incredible vacation destinations that includes something for every niche interest, from music lovers (hello, Nashville!) to snorkelers (check out Bonito, Brazil) and architecture and jazz buffs (Rotterdam, baby!).

Here’s just a sampling from the list. Find the rest — including the all-important details on what to see on that trip to Madeira, Costa Rica or Rwanda — at nationalgeographic.com/travel.

The folding wheeled luggage cart made porters of all of us, while putting legions of real porters out of business. Why pay, when we could pile on multiple bags and then roll, roll, roll our totes everywhere? Until we came to stairs or curbs. Oh the weight, the strain, the cart tipping, the bags sliding into anarchy.

Help! Porter! Unless you’re armed with the new UpCart.

Equipped with an ingeniously designed threewheel chassis on each side, the cart mounts stairs with two wheels on each side always in surface contact, balancing out the weight and maneuvering upward or down with loads up to 100 pounds. The UpCart’s design makes it bulkier than two-wheeled carts, but its six wheels, sturdy platform and extendableheight handle fold into a surprisingly manageable 21-by-24-inch bundle that weighs fewer than 10 pounds and stashes easily in a car trunk or checked luggage. Details: $90-$100 at upcart.com.

1 Bonito, Brazil 2 Rotterdam, Netherlands 3 Cocos Island, Costa Rica 4 Nashville, Tenn.

5 Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda 6 Seattle 7 San Juan, Puerto Rico — Staff

THINKSTOCK

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

001 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP F11

WISH YOU WERE HERE CARIBBEAN: Lafayette residents Cindy and Bruce Lincoln just returned from a Panama Canal Princess cruise that departed from Fort Lauderdale.

Travel tips: “Check out the COURTESY OF THE LINCOLN FAMILY Cruise Critic website (cruisecritic.com),” Cindy says. “Lots of information on cruising, questions answered and you can even join a roll call to meet fellow passengers before you even get on the ship. I use Cruise Critic or TripAdvisor to find excursion companies. Most companies just take our names and we pay (on) the date of the excursion. One excursion we did, which we found on TripAdvisor, was Trikes Aruba (pictured above). They were very good at responding to emails, very helpful once we got there and there were no hidden costs, like additional money for taxi rides or photos.”

LAMB MEDALLIONS & LAMB BROCHETTES

RACK OF LAMB

COLORADO LAMB CHOPS COURTESY OF JEFF IDELSON

IRELAND: Walnut Creek residents Miriam Schaffer and Jeff Idelson visited Ireland recently on a trip that included a falconry lesson at Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare.

Travel tips: “Practice driving in a right-hand drive car in the left lane of incredibly narrow roads,” Idelson says. Other not-to-be-missed experiences include an evening of Irish music in a pub and the Long Room at Trinity College in Dublin.

Selling More Lamb Than Any Fine Dining Establishment in SJ County

THE PLACE FOR LAMB

Share your travels with us! Send your vacation selfies to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Be sure to tell us who’s who, where they’re from and where you are — and include a couple of travel tips to help fellow readers globetrot, too. Find more Wish You Were Here features at mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.

477-6133 • 501 N. Lincoln Center www.papapavlos.com • papapavlos@sbcglobal.net

Education for

What’s Next

GEOQUIZ

Renoir, Yosemite — and Willy the Jeep?

Where are you?

Clue: Caterpillar tractors

Discover what’s next in your future.

University of the Pacific offers more than 80 undergraduate, 30 graduate and professional academic programs.

Answer: Find it — and more — at mercurynews.com/tag/geoquiz.

Last week’s answer: San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Ariz.

FILE PHOTO

FROM PAGE 10

that this is Lodi wine country. These particular grapes belong to Ironstone, whose winery is actually in Murphys. But this region is dotted with wineries of its own, with dozens of tasting rooms in Lodi, Acampo and on the outskirts of Stockton itself, where Sorelle Winery holds court.

But we are on a park exploration mission today, and Micke Grove’s rolling landscape brims with possibility. This is Stockton and Lodi’s answer to Golden Gate Park, a beloved expanse of groves, greenery and amusements.

There’s a serene Japanese Garden, a bustling zoo, a small amusement park — dubbed Fun Town — and a historical museum where you could spend the entire day and still not see everything. Also: A lake, a water playground, regular playgrounds, softball fields, an 18-hole disc golf course and acres of picnic grounds and barbecue areas.

With its one-way, winding lanes and multiple exits, it’s easy to get lost here — and even easier to exit inadvertently, so hang on to your parking ticket ($5 on weekdays, $6 on weekends) so you can get back in again. Psst, bring a map, too — print one out at sjparks.com/parks.

The 3-acre Japanese Garden, which opened in 1965, was designed by Nagao Sakurai, who spent 20 years as a landscape architect at Japan’s Imperial Palace. Today, it’s a serene landscape of winding paths, shaded by 65 flowering cherry trees and adorned with stone lanterns and elements that reflect Shintoism, Buddhism and Taoism. The five-story pagoda lantern on a hill was donated by Lodi’s Japanese sister city, Kofu. Huge, colorful koi glide through the pond. And the graceful scarlet bridge and classic Japanese-style pavilion will set fervent Instagrammers’ hearts a-flutter.

It’s all blissfully peaceful. Graduates take photos on the bridge. People stroll the paths in twos and threes, or lean over the railing of the koi pond to watch the plump fish swirl through the rippling green water. There’s no picnicking here, but tables dot the landscape elsewhere in the park, including near the rose garden, where the aromas of barbecue and flori-

the Gold Rush.

Bay Area kids may study living history at Sutter’s Fort, Malakoff Diggins or Hyde Street Pier. San Joaquin County kids do that here. Take a good look at the big photograph of Calaveras schoolchildren, hanging near the school house door. Their garb may look 19th-century, a docent confides, but those faces are from the 21st.

But this blast to the past is fun for any age. We found the agricultural exhibits, from a Flame Tokay grape vineyard to the displays on wagons, dairies, tools and fruit produc-

tion fascinating. Who knew lye was used in prune production? Or that the demand for wine grapes during Prohibition was so high that between 1918 and 1928 the number of East Coastbound ice-packed railcars grew from 16,358 to 73,085.

If Trivial Pursuit ever adds an agriculture — or picnic category — we are absolutely going to dominate it.

Pacific.edu

Try it. Love it.

31st Annual

CRUISE ADVENTURES Unlimited Serving all cruise lines since 1987

Pixie Woods Wine Tasting Friday, June 23, 2017 5:00 to 8:00 pm

Princess Cruises Sale Princess Sip+Sail

(Adults Only)

FREE all-inclusive beverage package* FREE specialty dining** June 20 - 23 Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico & California Coast British Isles & Majestic Grand Asia Valerie & Colleen O’Connell Call for details and sailings Call M-F 9-5:30 Sat 10-2 *when booking a balcony or above **when booking a mini-suite or suite

(925) 935-7447

1610 Locust St., Walnut Creek www.cruiseadventuresunlimited.com

CST# 2074362-10

Parks

bunda mingle on the afternoon breeze.

Consulting the map — and narrowly averting yet another accidental exit — we wind our way back to the San Joaquin Historical Museum. From the street, all you see are a few low buildings and a rustic, redpainted mercantile, which serves as the museum entrance. Looks are deceiving. These 18 acres include eight enormous exhibit buildings, four historic buildings — the one-room 1866 Calaveras School among them — and a trail that winds through exhibits on native habitats and

HAWAII $759* KONA HONOLULU MAUI KAUAI

$769 $759 $759 $799

*5 NIGHTS HOTEL WITH AIRFARE

MULTI ISLAND PACKAGES AVAILABLE

An Exquisite Wine Tasting Benefit Napa, Sonoma & Lodi Wine Regions Hors d’oeuvres • Entertainment • Impressive Silent Auction Music Throughout the Park

(Includes commemorative Wine Glass)

Tickets available at Fine Wines, Wine Wizards, at the Door or for credit card payments call Tony at 209-688-3888 3121 Monte Diablo Ave., Stockton All proceeds from this event support improvements and new features at Pixie Woods Children’s Playland.

For more information call Yvonne Sampson at 209-969-6048.

LAYAWAY OPTION AVAILABLE

TRAVEL CALL FOR SPECIALS SERVICES 800-675-4050 CST #2019604-10

YOSEMITE ROOMS, CONDOS, COTTAGES AND VACATION HOMES. CENTRAL YOSEMITE!

559-642-2211 www.yosemitewestreservations.com

MAUI CONDO AND HOME YOUR PIECE OF PARADISE 250+ Studio, 1-, 2- & 3-Br condos in Kihei, Wailea & West Maui (Kahana & Kapalua)

Call us on Maui at 844-368-1406 to save with our best rates! • www.MauiCondo.com

F12 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001

Contest date 6/15 – 7/30

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017

SUBSCRIBERS ENTER TODAY

to win a trip in our Eat Drink Play Maui sweepstakes!

ONE winner will receive a TRIP FOR TWO to Ka’anapali Beach Resort including: T Roundtrip tickets for two (2) from San Jose/Oakland to Kahului, Maui. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

T 6 nights/7 days stay in the Lahaina Kai Tower Deluxe Ocean View room plus entrance to the Royal Lahaina Lu'au, Myths of Maui show for 2 guests

ENTER TO WIN NOW

T Compact rental car for 6 nights/7 days

AT MEMBERSHIP REWARDS

myaccount.mercurynews.com | myaccount.eastbaytimes.com For blackout dates and restrictions see complete contest rules.

About Ka’anapali Beach Resorts: • 13 properties • 2 golf courses • 2 shopping centers • AND an endless array of activities and dining options. www.kaanapaliresort.com @KaanapaliResort Home of the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival Ka'anapali

About Royal Lahaina Resort: Set amidst 27 acres of tropical lawns and gardens, fronting the best and most exclusive stretch of Ka'anapali Beach, the Royal Lahaina Resort is a truly unique Hawaiian Resort.

Enjoy the Royal Lahaina Lu’au as it takes you on a journey throughout the islands of Polynesia, complete with a traditional imu ceremony, exotic flavors of native Hawaiian cuisine, and the thrilling three-man Samoan fire-knife dance finale.

About Alaska Airlines: Enjoy Aloha every day when you take advantage of Alaska Airlines deals on West Coast flights to Hawai'i, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. For their lowest fares visit www.alaskaair.com