In the confetti-cloud aftermath of Super Bowls like the historic one gone by, it was an annual ritual: One of the most visible stars on the winning team would be asked, "You just won the Superbowl—where are you going next?!"
And he would reply: "I'm going to Disneyland!" (Or Disneyworld!)
If someone asked the great Chef Daniel Boulud where he was going after winning his own Super Bowl, last month's Bocuse d' Or competition in Lyon, France, I know what he should've said.
Carmel! (Or Pebble Beach!)
The win in Lyon was the United States of America's first gold. (It's actually more of an international Olympics than a Super Bowl.)
The visit here will be Boulud's most recent of many, and one of two this season alone, for both Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest and Pebble Beach Food and Wine.
This year's GourmetFest goes down March 16-19—hint: there's more than a month to save up the money for some events—with a super-select group of 18 chefs.
Those include Michael Tusk, Nathan Rich, Cassidee Dabney and Per Hallundbaek—all told more Michelin-starred chefs than will appear anywhere all year in the United States.
There are the is-this-really-happening wine tastings from the likes of Chateaux Margaux, Domaine des Comte Lafon and Champagne Pommery.
Some appetizing teaser pics appear above; more information awaits at the Relais & Châteaux GourmetFest.
PBFW—its 10th annual, no less—follows April 20-23.
More news nibbles appear here:
• Boulud's Bocuse d' Or co-pilot Thomas Keller has a mean golf game, which is just part of what I learned with an extensive Q&A a while back. ("Astronomic Gastronomy: Thomas Keller’s obsession with the best made him a legend.") Keller competes in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend.
• The poke explosion is ongoing. Now still-new Poke House of Marina (384-7898) has a location coming to Cannery Row in about a month (at 601 Wave St.) called Cannery Row Poke House. Meanwhile, Sushi Time in Seaside (884-5011) is still finalizing Poke Time. Word from co-owner Jinhee Park is that there's no official open date, but it should could open this month, at 484 Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey, where the "Coming Soon" banner now hangs.
• Best of Monterey County final voting has commenced. Look for updates on finalists in categories like Best New Restaurant, Best Brunch and Best Food Truck on the blog this week. And get to voting via the Best of Monterey County 2017 website.
• To celebrate year two in business Bon Ton L'Roy's Lighthouse Smokehouse (375-6958) is dishing po' boys—shrimp, catfish and calamari.
• The Wharf Marketplace (649-1116) now carries Bigoli Pasta, fresh out of Sand City, and Revival Ice + Cream crafty sweet treats.
• In the January/February issue of Golf Inc. magazine, Porter’s in the Forest ranked among the Most Improved Public Food and Beverage Facilities in the annual Golden Fork Awards competition.
• Big Sur Bakery Chef Phil Wojtowicz and local event maven Mariah Green are collaborating on a cooking demo featuring wood-roasted half chicken, butter lettuce salad and seasonal veggies ($125 includes wine, 747- 4623) Monday, Feb. 27.
• Aubergine, Justin Cogley and Yulanda Santos are launching a monthly three-course "Redefining Flavor" series Wednesday, Feb. 15, with reimagined delicacies like brown butter halibut, sunchoke purée with brioche and burnt eucalyptus ice cream ($115 includes wine, 624-8578).
• On Tuesday, Feb. 28th at 6:00pm, Grasing’s in Carmel pairs dinner with The Far Niente Family of Wines. Dishes include foie gras, crispy black skin cod ($175, 624-6562).
• The 11th annual Santa Lucia Highlands Gala at Mer Soleil Winery presents 40+ wineries pouring limited-release bottles with local chefs on the gourmet bites Saturday, May 20 ($120, www.santaluciahighlands.com/gala).
• Mesa del Sol has won a Wine Enthusiast nod for its 2011 Syrah ($38) with a 93-pointer Editors' Choice.
• Tony Baker of Montrio Bistro and Soerke Peters of Basil Season Dining offer a 4-course dinner and educational event: "going green." ACF Monterey Bay hosts/wine by Wrath Winery. 6-8pm Wednesday, Feb. 15th. ($35/member;$45/nonmember, 601-5895 for reservations)
• Caraccioli Cellars (622-7722) is out with its vibrant sparkling Rosé. Valentines can be bubbly, after all.
• Mulligan Public (250-5910) opens at 9am during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 9-12) for Bloody Marys and such. Grey Goose Vodka sponsors a bar by night on the patio, and presents a $200-a-head hospitality venue called The View off Pebble's eighth fairway. Post AT&T it drops a Monday night industry night with $5 drinks.