Well known for its Chardonnay, Grgich Hills also produces several other wines all of which are made from estate grown, certified organic grapes.

Take a peek at the menu that Whole Foods has prepared to compliment the wine!

MENU:
First course
Seared sea scallops with fresh peaches, lemon fillets, Live Gourmet butter lettuce and champagne vinaigrette. Paired with Grgich Hills Fume Blanc

Second course
Smoked salmon pizza with Whole Catch smoked salmon, Cypress Grove “Purple Haze” goat cheese, Bellwether Farms crème fraiche and chives. Paired with Grgich Hills Chardonnay

Third course
Smoked and glazed babyback ribs, fresh shucked and buttered corn and sweet potato fries. Paired with Grgich Hills Zinfandel

Main Course
Filet of beef stuffed with Borough Market Stilton, wrapped with 365 center cut bacon, cabernet sauvignon reduction and sautéed spinach. Paired with Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Dessert Course
Cow Girl Creamery Organic Triple Cream, with cherry merlot reduction, fresh cherries and raisin-walnut toast. Paired with Grgich Hills Merlot

To reserve a spot for this event, send your RSVP to kylethornton@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900. The five-course meal — including wine — is $70 per person.

Wine Dinner with Grgich Hills Estate
Whole Foods Market at Plaza El Segundo

Saturday, July 24th at 6pm

760 South Sepulveda Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245

Now, I’m a total omnivore but I was bummed to miss this dinner.  I was looking forward to what the minds at Whole Foods would come up with as they paired wines with each dish in this meal.  I’m thinking red wine goes with beef, right?

Thankfully, the dinner was attended by Shoshana from the vegetarian focused food blog Veggie 101.  She did a great review of each course, complete with pictures.  I’m referring you to her to get the details!  Follow the link below for the complete review.

Restaurant Review: Whole Foods El Segundo Vegetarian (Vegan) Wine Dinner, June 29, 2010

Summer Berry Salad from Whole Food's Vegetarian Wine Dinner (Courtesy of Veggie 101)

There’s just over a week left to enter this contest which ends on Monday, May 31. To get complete details and submit your design, go to http://www.freshandeasy.com/designabag.aspx.

What are you waiting for!? Oh, and if you win, don’t forget where you heard about it!

For just $40, diners will enjoy a four course meal paired with beers from Stone Brewing.  As always, space is limited in the cozy wine bar where they hold these events so get your RSVP in today!  RSVP by email to kyle.thornton@wholefoods.com or by calling 310-333-1900.

THE MENU

First course
Jalapeno and Crab Wonton Purse w/Leeks and Plum Wine Drizzle served with Stone Pale Ale

Photo Credit

Cook a Brunch Mom Would Be Proud Of

Many of our area grocery stores have deals going on. So you know where to go to get what you need, but will you know what you need when you get there?

Fresh & Easy has put together this handy Easter Brunch shopping list to keep you from missing anything. To make the prospect of cooking that much sweeter, it comes with a coupon for $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.

Of course, you can use the list anywhere but the coupon is only good at Fresh & Easy!

South Bay Fresh & Easy Locations » http://www.freshandeasy.com
ROSECRANS & AVIATION, 1700-C Rosecrans Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
PALOS VERDES & WESTERN, 26640 Western Avenue, Harbor City, CA 90710

Plenty of Options for Dining Out

If cooking isn’t part of your Easter plans, here are a few places that have special deals for brunch or dinner.

• Fuego at Hotel Maya » http://www.jdvhotels.com/dining/losangeles/fuego
  700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, (562) 481-3910

  They’re not technically in the South Bay but the venue alone makes Hotel Maya worth the drive. This Sunday they’re serving a Latin-inspired brunch with a ceviche bar, a taquito station, and plenty of authentic Mexican sweets. You can check out my review of their brunch for for info. Be sure to check out the big umbrella!

The Big Umbrella at The Maya Hotel in Long Beach.

• Ortega 120 » http://www.ortega120.com
  1814 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (310) 792-4120

  Here’s another option for doing Easter fiesta style. “Back by popular demand, for Easter, Mas y Mas Brunch! $25 for adults & $10 for kids 12 & under. Reservations are in two hour increments & strongly recommended. 9:30am-3pm”

• Chez Melange » http://www.chezmelange.com/
  1611 S. Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90277, (310) 540-1222

  In addition to a special A La Carte Easter Brunch & Dinner, Chez Melange is offering a gift for ladies who wear Easter bonnets. Put on your big hats!

• Samba Brazilian Steakhouse » http://www.sambaredondo.com/
  207 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA, (310) 374-3411

  If you’re really hungry — or want to see some dancers in feathers and not much else — head over to Samba. They’re offering “all-you-can-eat BBQ meats grilled on open fire, endless salad bar, glass of champagne or orange juice. $40 adults and $20 kids 4-12″.

• Admiral Risty » http://www.admiral-risty.com/
  31250 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275, (310) 377-0050

  After a month of “fish on Friday”, seafood might not be your first option for Easter. If it is, check out Admiral Risty. Starting at 11 AM on Sunday, they’ll be serving Easter dinner all day. Oh, be sure to check out their menu online. I love their funky old-school website! Its Web 1.0 but totally gets the job done with complete menus and prices.

Photo credit: Fresh & Easy.

On Wednesday, March 17, everyone in the South Bay becomes Irish!  From sunrise to sunset, the streets of our beach cities are likely to be packed with green-clad leprechauns chasing rainbows and pots o’ gold.

Here are a few suggestions to get your St. Patty’s Day celebration going.

Harry O’s, El Segundo
http://www.harryoselsegundo.com

“Let out the Irish in you!  If Guinness and Irish Car Bombs are your thing, you’ll feel right at home at Harry O’s. “  Look for St. Patrick’s day specials all week long.  Happy hour all day Monday – Wednesday and 4-7 PM Thursday-Friday.

(310) 322-2255; 226 Standard St, El Segundo, CA

Bluewater Grill, Redondo Beach
http://bluewatergrill.com

Celebrate the luck of the Irish all day Wednesday with these and other specials:  $3 Guinness or Green Draught Beer by the Pint; Guinness Beer Battered Fish & Chips for $12.95 at lunch or $15.25 during dinner; $5 shots of Jameson or Bushmill’s Whiskey.

(310) 318-3474‎;  665 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, CA 90277-2004

Daily Grill, El Segundo
http://www.dailygrill.com

All week long, Daily Grill is serving up hand-carved corn beef sandwiches during lunch for $12.95 and any draft beer for $4. On St. Patty’s Day after 4 PM, they’ll be serving the traditional favorite corn beef and cabbage.

(310) 524-0700; 2121 Rosecrans Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245

Whole Food’s Market, Plaza El Segundo
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com

If you think there might be too many leprechauns in the streets, have your own celebration at home with St. Patty’s Day goodies from Whole Foods. They have specials on their own including: Plowshare Stout, a “slightly sweet, rich delight of a beer has chocolate and black coffee flavors with a creamy vanilla character”; Beer-Infused Dubliner Irish Cheddar with Stout, a “12-month-aged cheese…double-milled with Irish Stout”; and corned beef briskets ($5.99/lb). Check with the staff for cooking suggestions and receipes.

(310) 333-1900; 760 South Sepulveda Boulevard, El Segundo, CA 90245-4717

For a more detailed list of what’s going on at the regular South Bay haunt’s like Hennessey’s, Sharkeez, and Patrick Molloys, check out this page at South Bay Events.

Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo Credit: marco

Subtle hint of things to come in the Manhattan Beach Target.

For the past couple months, Target stores in the South Bay have been shuffling stock from one part of the store to another, only to move it back a couple days later.  What’s all the fuss about?  They’re making room for groceries.

Target stores already carry many staple items like milk, bread, and canned foods.  The new mini-grocery sections will add fresh produce and additional frozen goods.

Signs around the Manhattan Beach and Gardena stores — both of which are in the middle of remodelling — report fresh groceries will arrive in April.  The Redondo Beach and Torrance stores are also adding new grocery section although construction has not begun at the Torrance location near Del Amo mall.  As for the two Carson locations, I haven’t been there in a while and wasn’t able to get anyone on the phone

“The Street” is saying that Target is adding groceries to its list of big-box-store items in an attempt to beat the on-going recession.  Others say that Target is trying to compete with Wal-Mart for more discount shoppers.  Granted, both of these articles are from 2009, but they still have some truth to them as household budgets continue to shrink and new grocery sections open in stores branded with a bullseye logo.

As for me, I’ll be happy I can get my contact solution, laundry detergent, and fresh fruit all in the same place.

Will a grocery section in Target make you more likely to shop there compared to a regular grocery store?  Knowing their marketing and pricing style, do you have any opinions on how Target’s grocery might compare to Wal-Mart’s or a regular grocery like Ralph’s or Albertson’s?

South Bay Target Stores

Target has several stores in the South Bay area.  These are the ones that I know have grocery stores coming to them.  Ask the manager at your local store if your neighborhood Target isn’t listed below.   Find more info online at Target.com.

The folks at Whole Foods are at it again with a great deal for diners interested in gourmet foods and well crafted beverages, offered at a reasonable price.

This Sunday, February 28, Whole Foods at Plaza El Segundo will be serving a select beer from Ballast Point Brewery with each course of a a four course meal.

Based in San Diego, Ballast Point Brewery has been making craft beers since 1992.  They have consistently won awards locally and internationally for their quality brews.

For just $40/person, Whole Foods is lining up the following menu to compliment beers from Ballast Point:

1st course
Yellowtail teriyaki with sesame-peanut slaw
Paired with Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale

2nd course
Scallop and bacon pot pie with Seaside English Cheddar
Paired with Ballast Point Amber Ale

3rd course
Coffee rubbed filet of beef with wild mushroom ragout and Borough Market Stilton
Paired with Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter

Dessert Course
Pumpkin and orange crème caramel
Paired with Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat Beer

For reservations, contact Whole Foods at Plaza Elsegundo by email at sppchmarketing@wholefoods.com or call 310-333-1900.

Four Course Beer Dinner at Whole Foods Market, Plaza El Segundo

Sunday, February 28th at 6pm

760 South Sepulveda Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245-4717
310-333-1900

[photo courtesy of Speaking Of Beer]

OK, so the Little Debbie isn’t coming.  Representatives of the brand, hereafter known as the “Smile Squad”, will be in the South Bay this coming Friday to hand out free treats while supplies last.

The Little Debbie Smile Squad and Cupcake Car.

Look for the Smile Squad at Food-4-Less in Torrance and Wilmington from 9 AM to Noon.

Fittingly, the Smile Squad is decked out in Smart Cars tricked out to look like chocolate cupcakes.  The visit is part of Little Debbie’s Share-a-Thon tour which has already made stops in several East Coast cities.

If getting a free cupcake isn’t motivation enough for you to see the Smile Squad in person, check out the Share-a-Thon website to register for a chance to win prizes including a GPS system, a year’s supply of cupcakes (how many is that!?), or your very own cupcake smart car.  Sweet!

Like any other product promotion going on these days, you can follow the Smile Squad and their cupcake mobiles on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CupcakeCar.

Cupcake Car Times and Locations

Friday, December 18, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Food-4-Less
851 W. Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA

Food-4-Less
336 W. Anaheim St.
Wilmington, CA

Attention all foodies: a new Bevmo has emerged in the South Bay, and it is situated on PCH in Rolling Hills (just south of the PCH and Hawthorne intersection).

This location celebrated its opening in style, with a mega tasting event that benefited the Boys & Girls Club of the South Bay. This lively festivity took place in the adjoining parking lot, and it featured an array of tasting tents and hoeur dourves, including ahi on cucumber, a variety of wraps, bruchetta, fresh fruit, cookies, and brownies.  Some noteworthy aspects of this event were the Jack Daniels luxury bus (that featured an expert to answer questions and offer information about this whisky) and a fireman fundraiser table that was selling a Jim Beam cookbook and offering some delectable BBQ (yum!).

Ahi on cucumber.

Let’s get to the good part…the alcohol! Everyone was given drinking tickets (inside a goody bag that also offered a BevMo wine class, a wine opener, and coupons) to sample 10 beverages of their choice. Many respectable wineries (Beringer, Coppola, Toad Hollow, etc.) and breweries (Dogfish, Pyramid, etc.) were represented, and the options also included hard alcohol (Johnnie Walker, Three Olives, etc.) and creative cocktails. Some tasty finds were:

• the Margarita King (a pre-made cocktail that simply needs to be shaken and served)
• the Leblon Cachaca (Brazilian rum that creates a variety of fruity beverages)
• Three Olives’ new Bubble vodka (bubble gum vodka may sound weird, but women were flocking to this tent to savor the new drink)
• Big Daddy’s Bloody Mary Mix (perfect amount of spice)
• the Remy Martin Champagne Cognac (strong, but good)

Be sure to visit this new location to check out the variety of booze, to meet the friendly staff, and to take advantage of the 5 cent wine sales!

The 100^th BevMo

2533 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance, CA 90505-7091
(310) 257-0034