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Easy Cottage Pie
This easy cottage pie is packed with flavorful ground beef, a medley of frozen veggies and a creamy potato topping. The combination of tender meat filling and velvety mashed potatoes creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that is a comforting classic. With readily available ingredients, you can whip up this delicious comfort food in no time.
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Prosciutto Apple Bites
These delightful prosciutto apple bites are a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. This appetizer features crisp apple wedges, wrapped in slices of savory prosciutto and complemented by chunks of creamy provolone cheese. Drizzled with a touch of olive oil and served with a balsamic glaze for dipping, these bites are not only delicious but also visually appealing.
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Shadowbrook Restaurant
One of the most amazing culinary adventures you will find in Santa Cruz County, in the heart of Capitola, is Shadowbrook restaurant.
Capitola, a beach town that brings thousands of tourists annually, with some of the most gorgeous beaches and best vibes you will find in California, is just south of Santa Cruz.
If you visit the area, make sure to spend your day adventuring the boardwalk, seeing all the beauty it has to offer, and then check out the beautiful buildings in Capitola. Like Burano, the colorful island near Venice, Capitola is partially known for its gorgeous beaches and colorful buildings.
The town’s uniqueness rubs off on the restaurant, Shadowbrook, which has been around since 1947!
Shadowbrook’s Uniqueness
Shadowbrook lies at the bottom of a steep hill, directly above, and overhanging of a river. The location is tucked in and you cannot see the restaurant from the main street. If need be, the restaurant will give free transportation in retro taxis up to three miles from the restaurant.
Once you get to the top of the steep hill, you can either walk down the hill, through a forest of plants and flowers, or you can take a unique cable car, which will take you directly to the front desk of the restaurant crafted from recycled redwood. This restaurant’s recycled wood is all from used wine redwood vats from the early 1900s!
The restaurant itself has multiple indoor levels, all unique and themed, along with multiple levels of patios, including one on the same level as the river. Every table outside has an overhead heater that can be turned on by the customers through the touch of a button.
The experience beyond the food is worth the trip!
The Food at Shadowbrook Restaurant
Besides the salad starters, a lot of the starters are fish, including calamari and ahi poke. I ended up enjoying a baked brie dish, with a jalapeno jelly and crostinis on the side. They also have a small selection of soup, including a clam chowder which is supposedly the crowd favorite.
For entrees, the restaurant offers a few selections of seafood, including salmon, lobster tail, and scallops. There is also an assortment of vegetarian and vegan options, followed by a list of entrees containing meats. These entrees include filet mignon, chicken parmigiana, and osso bucco.
The Drinks
Accompanying the decent wine list and beer list, Shadowbrook is known for its unique craft cocktails. They use unique ingredients not found in most bars, and create a large list of cocktails, each with a fun twist.
I had a cocktail called the “Gold Rush” which was Larceny bourbon, mixed with orange blossom honey and orange bitters over ice. It was sweet and tangy; an amazing cocktail!
Final Words
If you are ever in the Santa Cruz area, Shadowbrook restaurant is a must. The retro cabs, cable car, and restaurant scenery are fascinating and fun. The place is amazing for a date, but it’s also a great place to go with your family! You can reserve a table up to 30 days in advance, which I would highly recommend. Also, there is a dress code, so check that out on their website before you go!
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Perfect Vacation Formula
The formula for creating the most memorable vacation includes traveling with a group of at least four people, enjoying a minimum of four new experiences and doing something “unexpected.”
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/ Song_about_summer Research of 2,000 travelers aged 18-34 found 36% felt stepping out of your comfort zone was necessary for a perfect vacation, wanting to push their boundaries at least four times during any given adventure.
While 32% believe making new friends is key; a memorable vacation means meeting three new people.
And at least three new dishes should also be tried.
Commissioned by the social travel company for 18-35-year-olds, Contiki, and conducted by OnePoll, the study revealed an outstanding trip will see 45 photos and 15 videos taken to capture the four “perfect moments” they want to experience.
Respondents have been on an average of seven truly memorable trips each, while 29% of those who have traveled solo feel these vacations created more memories than any other.
“The reason we travel is, at its core, to create memories – whether it’s from that perfect moment or trying something new out of your comfort zone,” said Rachel Storey, Brand Director of Contiki. “Exploring a new destination and culture is opening yourself up to the unknown with the potential to create memories that can last a lifetime when you make every moment count.”
The research also found 45% of travelers believe spending time with people physically on vacation is more important than ever, due to today’s increasingly virtual world.
Meanwhile, 36% consider a memorable vacation more important than previously due to their current work-life balance and 34% feel they need to make every moment count when traveling thanks to increased work pressure.
Nearly half (47%) feel so strongly about this that they would quit a job that didn’t allow them to take the time off they needed for an unforgettable trip.
It also emerged 43% pick their travel destinations based on the experiences they might have while there and 36% have a vacation bucket list of moments they want to tick off.
As a result, 58% have tried to plan a “perfect” moment while away, like a glorious sunset or catching animals in their natural habitat.
But 53% prefer a perfect moment to happen naturally or organically, rather than be something that is engineered — 81% even believe it’s the imperfect or unexpected moments that can make a vacation more memorable.
Nearly half (47%) of those polled also prefer to post a completely authentic image on social media — showing the good and the bad — rather than a perfectly staged image with filters (28%).
“When you reflect on trips from the past, it’s often the moments you couldn’t have imagined, that leave the deepest impact,” continued Rachel. “Whether it’s a moving encounter with a local, making a new friend, ordering an unusual item in a restaurant, or taking a leap of faith on a new activity – the ultimate souvenir is the memories you make along the way.”
TOP 20 PERFECT MOMENTS TO EXPERIENCE ON VACATION
- Watching a sunrise or sunset with your friends or family
- Some kind of joke or funny event that becomes a running joke among your friends or family
- Something funny that becomes a story to tell for years to come
- Doing something that takes you out of your comfort zone
- Drinks or food with a view
- Making a connection with a local person/ group of people
- Trying the local delicacy which is considered unusual at home
- Taking a detour or getting lost and finding an empty beach or amazing view
- Seeing a famous landmark
- Swimming in the sea
- Making a new friend
- Doing something adrenaline-spiking, such as bungee jumping or parachuting
- Ticking something off your bucket list
- Getting a full tour of a beautiful city
- Seeing animals in their natural habitat
- Finding the ideal souvenirs/gifts
- Getting a tour around a local town or village
- Being proposed to/ proposing to someone/ witnessing a proposal
- A vacation romance kiss
- Climbing a mountain
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Classic Lemon Bars
These zesty lemon bars feature a buttery crust and a creamy citrus filling. Each bite offers a delightful explosion of lemon flavor that will leave you wanting more. These fun bars are simple to make, no matter your level of baking experience.
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Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you’re a fan of bold flavors and crave the perfect blend of heat and creaminess, then you’re in for a treat. This mouthwatering buffalo chicken dip combines tender shredded chicken, tangy hot sauce and a mix of cheeses. This crowd-pleasing appetizer is guaranteed to steal the show at any gathering, whether it’s a game day celebration or a casual get-together with friends.
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Easy Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo
This classic shrimp fettucine alfredo is a tried and true favorite. Succulent shrimp, perfectly cooked fettuccine, and a velvety, creamy Alfredo sauce come together to create a dish that is as comforting as it is delicious.
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The Matheson
Healdsburg, California, the heart of Sonoma County’s wine region is one of the fastest growing regions in all of California. The town, becoming known for its beautiful scenery, diverse terroir, high end wines, and ever expanding food culture, has caught the attention of many. Thousands of people flock to the town for barrel tasting weekends, and other large events, with peak seasons filling up the town’s plaza.
Right at the corner of the plaza, a new two-story restaurant named The Matheson has hit the scene. The two-story restaurant, joined by its Roof 106 cocktail bar above, is the newest, hottest restaurant in Healdsburg.
First Impression
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/ The first thing you see, walking through the doors of the Matheson is a beautiful interior, modern, but fanciful decor, a 360 degree bar, an open kitchen, and a whole wine wall with automatic dispensers dedicated to both Sonoma County’s amazing wines and other high-end wines from around the world.
After being greeted by a hostess, you can grab a drink at the bar, a glass of wine from the wine wall, or even venture to the roof for a cocktail with a view of the plaza. The rooftop is absolutely gorgeous, with a full, wrap-around bar inside, with comfortable seating, and a more casual feeling. When you step onto the patio, you have a perfect view of downtown Healdsburg, seen from the firepits and couches lining up the sides of the patio.
The Food
Image Credit:https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/ A wide menu awaits you if you eat at the first-floor dining room. Chef Dustin Valette has outdone himself. You can find everything from woodfired pizza to a tasting platter of sushi. The most amazing part is that you could not go wrong with either.
If you decide to eat at Roof 106, you will find a smaller menu, with a more approachable feel. You can still get a variety of pizzas and appetizers, including shishito peppers that are out of this world.
The Drinks
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/themathesonhbg/ The extensive number of wines you can find on the wall as you enter the restaurant is astounding. Many wines are from Sonoma County, but you can still find wines from notable wine regions like Bordeaux, Mendoza, and Napa.
While enjoying a meal prepared from a menu built by chef Dustin Valette, you might as well try his personal wine, Valette. Valette cabernet sauvignon is a beautifully crafted, Sonoma County cabernet, made by Healdsburg’s own, and world renowned winemaker, Jesse Katz.
The cocktails are their own craftsmanship. Each one is unique and equally as amazing as the last. My recommendation is the modern margarita, which is clear with ingredients crafted by the Matheson team. It is an amazing balance of sweet and tangy and is not lacking in alcohol.
Takeaway
The food scene is amazing in Healdsburg. You will find everything from local burger joints like Healdsburger, to three Michelin star restaurants, like Single Thread. Go check out the wines, the scenery, and the restaurants, but do not forget to stop and check out The Matheson while you’re at it!
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Biscuits and Gravy
You have to love the south and the fantastic recipes they created. We love biscuits and gravy in our house. It’s terribly filling, so plan on a late breakfast and skipping lunch, or better yet, make biscuits and gravy for dinner.
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Wine Personalities
If you enjoy spending time on your own, you are more likely to enjoy red wine, according to new research.
Image Credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/wine-635373836 A survey of 2,000 American adults who drink wine regularly looked at the personality differences based on respondents’ favorite style of wine and found that those who enjoy red wine said they’re introverts (48%), while respondents who enjoy sparkling wine, are the most likely to be outgoing, identifying as extroverts (40%).
In tune with their favorite wine, rosé drinkers believe they’re the happy medium, establishing themselves as ambiverts (32%).
Conducted by OnePoll for Barefoot Wine for National Wine Day on May 25, results also showed that on average, respondents have five glasses of wine a week.
At parties, those who enjoy sparkling wine (26%) and red wine (23%) say that they’re likely to be “quiet observers.”
Rosé drinkers are the “party planners” of the group (19%), and enjoyers of white wine said they can be found taking pictures or being the life of the party (20%, each).
Interestingly, those who like white wine also said they’re “indoor people” (38%), while red wine drinkers enjoy the outdoors (36%).
This may also be why red wine drinkers are also likeliest to be early birds (46%), and those who prefer rosé and white wine are night owls (33%, each).
Thinking about their pets, those who prefer sparkling wine (29%) and red wine (40%) are likelier to be dog people, while rosé (17%) and white wine drinkers (27%) are cat people.
“It’s important to offer something for everyone’s different taste preference and personality,” said Jennifer Wall, Barefoot Winemaker. “When crafting wines, creating varietals that are fun, flavorful, and easy to enjoy is how we bring new friends to wine.”
The survey also asked respondents about their careers and found that the most popular industry for those who enjoy sparkling wine (31%), red wine (21%) and rosé (19%) is healthcare. White wine drinkers reportedly work in accounting or finance (19%) or engineering and manufacturing (17%).
Among consuming wine, respondents also spend apt time on social media (87%) and make time to watch shows or movies on TV (86%).
Wine drinkers’ are creative, with some of their favorite hobbies including writing (47%) and drawing (36%).
Many are also athletic, enjoying playing (38%) or watching (20%) sports like football (16%) or basketball (13%).
Your star sign may also say something about your favorite wine, with Geminis (20%), Cancers (13%) and Tauruses (10%) preferring white wine. In contrast, Leos (18%) and Libras (11%) prefer sparkling wine and Scorpios (13%) and Virgos (16%) opt for rosé.
Sparkling and red wine drinkers also have a knack for living on the edge, being more inclined to get a tattoo (70%, each).
“Having different viewpoints is what makes life interesting and fun; the same holds true for wine,” said Jennifer Wall, Barefoot Winemaker. “Regardless of what varietals you enjoy, wine should be less complicated, more fun and enjoyed with friends and family!”
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans 21+ who drink wine was commissioned by E. & J. Gallo Winery between March 22 and March 24, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
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