Michele StuevenToca Madera is offering two seasonal cocktails to help celebrate the holidays. The Agua Fresca combines vodka with coconut water, lemon, pineapple, Aperol and Canela and is topped with a brûléed pineapple. Also on the holiday menu is the Alma de Sol, a blend of lemon and passion fruit topped with Zucca Amaro. Take it over the top and pair them with a taco el padrino under glass – Japanese A5 wagyu, escabeche purée, whipped creme fraiche, gold leaf and caviar.
Starting Wednesday, January 5 (National Keto Day) through Sunday, January 16, Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing will be available as a finishing drizzle at select Blaze Pizza locations. Known for their long line of no-dairy or sugar condiments, sauces, dressings and toppings with everything from ham glaze to hollandaise sauce, going low carb for January may be a good option for some.
Alma de Sol (Courtesy Toca Madera)
To get started, Primal Kitchen has a Whole30 Kit – Starter Collection, which includes mayo with avocado oil, chipotle lime mayo with avocado oil, ranch dressing, greek vinaigrette and marinade and avocado oil. The Keto Kit – Starter includes mayo with avocado oil, ranch dressing, balsamic vinaigrette and marinade and avocado oil. They have dairy-free dips and dressings, including cilantro lime, Ranch Dip, No-Dairy Garlic Alfredo Sauce and a line of Vegan Mayo. Their recipe for a roasted vegetable bowl is a good way to kick off the new year and a few pounds.
THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK ONLY, presented by Brit + Click and Four Sigmatic, the mushroom industry pioneer that brought the health benefits of functional mushrooms to the U.S., will be at the Holiday Cabana pop-up at Century City Mall. Meet with their National Educator to learn more about the brand and tips for using mushrooms to help with stress and immune support during the holidays. Their functional foods include ground mushroom coffee with lion’s mane and mushroom cacao with reishi.
Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks returns for its 12th consecutive year, Monday, January 17 through January 31, bringing with it a variety of special prix fixe price points showcasing the region’s culinary bounty and the perfect Santa Ynez Valley wines to pair with it.
As with years past, participating Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Weeks restaurants will feature curated, chef-driven three-course prix fixe menus at price points of $30, $40, or $50, plus tax and gratuity. Many area wineries and tasting rooms will also participate at various levels and price points, including offering two-for-one tastings, special tasting flights, and discounts on bottle purchases. Participants from Los Alamos to Buellton and Solvang include Full of Life Foods, The Tavern at Zaca Creek, S.Y. Kitchen, Hitching Post Wines and Foxen Vineyard & Winery to name a few.
Full of Life Foods in Los Alamos (Michele Stueven)
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