A little Thanksgiving help, plus sip and shop locally at the Art, Wine and Gift Bazaar
One-stop shopping that includes the very finest in locally made wines—what’s not to like? But that’s not all. You can avoid the crowded spectacle that is Black Friday and still find that perfect gift for your lucky friends and family. And you can do it all in one afternoon, Nov. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. at the annual Art, Wine & Gift Bazaar hosted by the Surf City Vintners group on the Westside of Santa Cruz. Visualize Kelly’s Bakery. Good. Now turn around in a slow 360-degree circle. What you see all around you are opportunities for sensational holiday shopping, with a special emphasis on artisanal flavors and high quality handcrafts. Spicy items from El Salchichero, beautiful jewelry and potted plant arrangements from New Leaf, scone mixes and outrageous pastries from Ivéta. Jams, coffees, and granolas from Companion Bakery. Gift certificates to West End Tap & Kitchen and Kelly’s French Bakery. Don’t forget to also check around at the many small boutiques tucked into the nooks and crannies—like the fabulous La Sirena, home of special-occasion clothing, accessories, and baubles to die for.
Enjoy a little wine tasting—it is the holiday season, after all—while you look around and shop. This is definitely the time to splurge on something a bit pricier than you might usually consider. Holiday gifts should be special, so taste those wines carefully, and think about what might thrill the aficionados on your list. Tasting fees at the wineries are $5-$10, and may be waived with wine purchase. Wineries will donate a portion of the day’s tasting fees to the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center in Santa Cruz. “This is a day of local wine, local art and local giving,” Lois Sones of Sones Cellars reminds us. Come and taste, buy, sample, play Santa. Visit surfcityvintners.com for more details about the micro-winery collective Surf City Vintners.
Fudge Love
The Incredible Fudgy cookie at Ivéta is the best $2 you’ll ever spend. Chewy, densely chocolaty, barely sweet and topped with a fat pecan. This is definitely the cookie of the season! Go get yours.
Thanksgiving Prep
If you can’t bake your own pumpkin pie this year, give thanks that you live near Gayle’s, Kelly’s, and The Buttery—each one bakes pies that are authentic, utterly rich, moist, old-fashioned and, yes, tasting absolutely homemade. If you’re tired of the old, reliable-but-predictable canned cranberry sauce then cruise around and find one that’s made by hand. I’m thinking you can find wonderful sauces at our top markets. Or grab some cranberries and oranges, and google a recipe for making your own cranberry sauce. It’s a simple and delicious way to contribute to the Big Meal (without worrying about whether the gravy has lumps). Or, and I’ve said this many times, grab yourself a jar of Major Grey’s Hot Mango Chutney, and use it as a jumping off point for your own imagination. Pretend you’re the gorgeous roast turkey centerpiece. What accompaniment would you like? Maybe chutney! Add some splashes of hot sauce, some tamarind. Get creative, people. And yes, with dinner a bottle of Grenache would be great. But never underestimate the enduring, anywhere anytime appeal of Champagne with turkey. (Champagne with anything.) We only have so many occasions to sit at the table together (without cell phones or hand-held distraction devices, please!). Make the most of the upcoming opportunity to enjoy a holiday meal with the people you care about. It’s a privilege, not an entitlement.
