There is good crazy and bad crazy.
The good-craziest chef I know sent me a text about the good-craziest artist I've known last weekend.
The text included the above picture, at Cachagua General Store (659-1857), the best renegade one-night restaurant in the West, which reveals a sign by a new stash of books called Ed Leeper Memorial Book Thing that reads:
“Bring a book. Take a book. Bring a book back. Keep the book. You don’t even have to read your book...just love it.”
I love that.
(In a related note: Last week, I couldn't look ahead at 2015 without taking one look back at 2014 and the loss of Leeper, the survival of a friend and the discovery of my favorite taqueria.)
More food news nibbles:
• After a reality-bending first Relais & Chateau GourmetFest, the second ever is now set and scheduled for March 5-8.
• Then there's this: The lineup for the—holy caviar cannoli—eighth Pebble Beach Food & Wine, April 9-12, is out and up on the website.
• Paul Wetterau, former sommelier and manager at spots like Casanova and Marinus—and Weekly contributor behind pieces like 2007's "Spit Out: The sommelier certification test brutalizes a young wine pro"—is back in Carmel as GM for Casanova, itself fresh off a much-awaited update to its decor.
• The Kosher-style Deli Lunch and Bake Sale at Temple Beth El (424-9151), now a Salinas community tradition for 59 years, is served 9am-6pm Thursday, Jan. 29. Think large corned beef sandwiches, coleslaw and pickle, plus a wedge of cake ($12).
• Chef Brendan Jones of LOKAL (659-2125) and winemaker Mark Chesebro team up for a cooking demo and family-style dinner with wine pairings 6:30-9:30pm Wednesday, Jan. 28. Cost is $60 regular or $55 for Chesebro Club members. RSVP.
• Knuckles has a bunch of new craft beers—21st Amendment, Golden Road, Brew Dog and more—as fully reported with.
• Ten artisan winemakers along the River Road wine trail, including Hahn and Scheid, are sharing the love 11am-4pm on Valentine’s Day Saturday, Feb. 14. With the purchase of a Valentine’s Passport, visitors can enjoy wine and food pairings, special discounts and an entry to the grand prize drawing. Prices increase from $35 to $45 on Feb. 1. Available at www.riverroadwinetrail.com.
• Colleagues of the Arts' annual Mardi Gras lobster boil 6-9:30pm Friday, Feb. 6, with beads, masks, live acts and a Cajun lobster feast ($125, 607-9584 to reserve).
• All you can eat crab, pasta, salad and desserts are at the Salinas Sports Complex for the Young Farmers and Ranchers Crab Feed 6pm Saturday, Feb. 28. ($55, 751-3100)