Thoughtful Gourmet Blog

Do you remember ZIMA? ZIMA, the smash hit easy-drinking malt beverage delivered to the world from Coors Brewing Company (now Miller Coors) in 1994, is with us no more (Coors discontinued it years ago) but a mini-revival in the clear, citrusy beverage is well underway. To wit, Brian Felley & Mo Hodges, owners and drink-slingers […]

With Christianity’s high holy days just weeks away, wine is on my mind. Wine, a part of Christian religious traditions since its earliest days, deserves a place at holiday tables. A wine made from grapes grown in and around an Italian monastery and used in religious feasts? Bingo! I recently sampled two wines made near […]

You know you have come across a one-of-a-kind restaurant when you and your dining companions speak of the uniqueness of the experience from the moment you sit down and drape the napkin across your lap until the moment you leave, then continue the conversation on the way home and in bed that night. The Palace, […]

Stepping onto the grounds at the Cairdean Estate is, at first glance, unremarkable. To the right of the parking lot, heavy machinery stands in front of a wide building. To the left, a series of low-slung buildings sit quietly, as if waiting for something to happen. There is little noise, other than the occasional whoosh […]

Gluten free oatmeal is nothing new but oatmeals boosted with the nutritive power of matcha are are a new edition to the cereal market. The work of sisters Annette Downing and Susan Downes, Matcha Marketplace is a line of simply seasoned, not too sweet oatmeals. Made with gluten-free rolled oats, the oatmeals are available with […]

Mendocino is known for its laid-back style and all-natural approach. The area’s food scene reflects the innate casualness of the community – everyone is welcome here – yet there are good choices for even the most discriminating diner. For a complete look at my family’s recent visit to Mendocino, take a look at the video. […]

There is an inverse relationship between commute time and cooking time: the longer you spend commuting on a workday, the less time you spend cooking dinner that night. Lee and Megan Mokri, commuters both, were intimately familiar with this mathematical construct. So familiar, that they launched a business to provide convenient, healthy meals to others […]

Looking at Anar Restaurant from the street, it would be hard to tell this new lunch and dinner spot was open for business. Housed in a non-descript building on an industrial stretch of Harrison Street, its single window tinted in defense against the sun, Anar looks desolate. Push open the shaded door and the scene […]