« April 2009 | Main | June 2009 »

May 28, 2009

Spirit to Spirit Solstice Faire - June 20th - San Pedro, CA

Mark your calendar now!

June 20th 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Contact:  Laura M. Vasquez
Location:  429 W. 6th St., in Historic Downtown San Pedro.

(310) 968-6250         e-mail: ombasics@sbcglobal.net

Whale & Ale Solstice Faire

A celebration of Midsummer's Eve!!
Get into the Spirit & join us in the celebration of an ancient holiday celebrating the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice.  Fun, food, music & a variety of exhibitors are on the menu for your enjoyment.

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 03:46 PM in Attractions | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Jazz Every Sunday at The Whale & Ale - San Pedro, CA

We feature Jazz every Sunday… 5 to 8 p.m., no cover chg.; on June 7 & 28 will be Mike Guerrero Trio, & on June 14, - a special treat: Jazz Trumpeter Barry Anthony is bringing the hot Jazz of the1930’s, 40’s & 50’s to The Whale & Ale. Barry heads up “The Jazz Whalers”, - a three piece combo featuring LA’s finest musicians performing the best music of the jazz age.

Whale & Ale Jazz


In a typical set you’ll hear Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Chet Baker, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin & all the great composers of Broadway & Tin Pan Alley. This is the Jazz of New Orleans, Chicago, New York & LA as performed in it’s heyday, full of life & soulful energy. If you like your Jazz hot & lively, then come & join Barry & his “Whalers” at The Whale & Ale

San Pedro, CA

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 03:25 PM in Attractions | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

First Thursday of June is June 4th! San Pedro, CA

IzonEden1 In response to popular demand from a devoted Izon Eden 2 following of First Thursday Arts & Dining enthusiasts, we now offer our whole  regular menu, & live music form Izon Eden all evening, 6.30 to 10 p.m., without any cover charge.

HERE is a link to our dinner menu.

 

(Don't forget we now bottle & sell David's exceptional salad dressing!)

Join Us At The Whale & Ale - San Pedro, CA

 

American Triptychs Exhibition, June 4th, San Pedro, CA

Whale & Ale Triptychs Exhibition

The first showing of Ann's American Triptychs will be held at Gallery 478. The Artist's Reception will be part of San Pedro's 1st Thursday Art Walk, from 6-9pm

American Triptych started in 2005 as a previous project (Val Verde) was ending. Ann would drive to Montecito on the 126 highway, which cuts through the farmlands of Santa Paula & Piru; until the recent urban sprawl you could imagine you were in the California of the 1960’s – all orange trees & sleepy towns. Piru is where the project started, but Cabazon, Indio & the wind farms of the east 10 fwy soon joined it. The imagery is about a uniquely American vernacular, our visual history & language. In each town Ann has tried to create one image, which captures what she feels that town is about – or maybe, what it used to be about. 
 
Gallery 478
478 W. 7th St., San Pedro
310-732-2150
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ann Mitchell

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 03:05 PM in Attractions | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Father's Day at The Whale & Ale - San Pedro, CA

I am giving a Whale & Ale silk-screened beer glass to every Dad Whale & Ale fathers daythat day; so come & fill it with his favorite Ale!Whale & Ale Father Knows Best

Father's Day, 2009
 June 21st - 12:30 to 8 p.m.


We have increased our regular, large menu of all sorts of delicious dishes;
Free Whale & Ale Beer Glass for every Dad; - it doesn't get much better than that!
Come & celebrate Father's Day with us at
The Whale & Ale

Click HERE for menu that day

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 02:11 PM in Dining | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Backbeats are back... at The Whale & Ale - San Pedro, CA


Due to selling out, each time they play, - they're back - Saturday June 20 at The Whale & Ale! From 8 to 11, with a $10 cover charge.

You will need a reservation, - to see So. Cal.'s best Beatles tribute band, by far.

Backbeats outdoors trio

Drawing on a repertoire of well over 90 individual Backbeats outdoorscompositions recorded by the Beatles, local tribute band The Backbeats recreates the most significant sound to change popular music in the 20th Century. So book early to avoid disappointment.
Email me at andrew@whaleandale.com, or call 310.832.0363.

The Whale & Ale - San Pedro, CA

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 01:53 PM in Attractions | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

San Pedro Brewing Company Take Gold

The San Diego Fair International Beer Competition results are in !!Whale & Ale Beer Competition logo

Whale & Ale Brewing Company I am proud, as a San Pedran, to announce that San Pedro Brewing Company has won the GOLD medal for its Pedro Pilsner!
It beat out a German Brewery: Kulmbacher Pils, and New Belgium Brewing Co. (That's the brewery that makes Fat Tire).
This event pits a number of excellent breweries against each other, (some BIG and some tiny, - like San Pedro Brewing). I think it appropriate that James won gold in the Pilsner category, - a style originally from The Czech Republic, where James Brown (SPBC's owner) used to work and where his brewing equipment was built.

Jason Welke, the SPBC brewer, also brought home an honorable mention for their venerable Shanghai Red Ale. Excellent work, Jason!!
More info at: Sanpedrobrewing (no www)
Come down and try San Pedro Brewing Company's award winning beers!!  A link to all winners is below.
Cheers,
Andrew Silber

Results of 2009 San Diego International Beer Competition

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 28, 2009 at 10:50 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 27, 2009

Country Inn & Suites Naperville, IL Honors Military

CIS Logo- I Love This Country
Country Inn & Suites
"Land of the free, home of the brave" 
May 2009
 
In Celebration of our Military
 
The Country Inn & Suites Naperville would like to offer some amazing deals over the next two months...

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a joyous day of patriotic parades and picnics, a fun night of sparklers and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag. 
Take this opportunity to enjoy our Military Appreciation Special where your room rate is $17.76/per person (double occupancy and 2 night minimum stay required.) 
 
Included in your Military Rate:
-Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet
-Indoor Heated Pool and Whirlpool
-Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout hotel
-24-Hour Fitness Center

$35.52 per night!
 
Valid ONLY June 12 & 13 2009 and July 17 & 18 2009
Valid for King Rooms only
Two night minimum stay required
Valid for new reservations only
Based on Availability 
Special Code: 1776
 
To book online:
Log on to www.countryinns.com/napervilleil
 
Enter your selected date (June 12 & 13 2009 or July 17 &18 2009)
In the Promotional Code box, enter: 1776

or

Call the hotel direct at 630.505.3353 and be sure to mention the special code: 1776
 
Sincerely,
Julia Pohlman, Director of Sales
630.328.4650 
Country Inn & Suites
1837 Centre Point Circle
 
630.505.3353
Military Coupon 
If you have a Military ID, please bring this coupon and your ID for a complimentary beverage of your choice at our Lobby Bar.   Must be 21 or older to order alcohol. 
 
Valid only on June 12 & 13 2009 or July 17 & 18 2009
Must be accompanied by a reservation 

Thank you for serving our Country!

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 27, 2009 at 10:33 AM in Lodging | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 26, 2009

Edge of Seattle Cooking, Father's Day Special

Edge of Seattle Cooking
In This Issue
Featured Chef
Menu from Provence
Featured Chef
 Eddy Rico
Chef Eddy Rico
Chef Eddy is a true Frenchman from Provence, 
where it is blessed by the sun..sumptuous and delicious flavors await you from the south of France.  Provence is know for a terroir that produces aromatic and savory native products.  The combination of these flavors and the fresh local ingredients...are not only delicious but economical too.

Join him in "la cuisine" and with his guidance 
prepare a meal of traditional regional dishes of Provence in the Spring.
 
3:00-9:00= 6 hrs.
 
$99.00 Pay Now

 

May 30
 
3:00-9:00 
 
Provence crostini
 
Mini eggplant and mint salad
 
Grilled mediterranean beef and green risotto
 
"Pink" pears poached in red chili pepper sauce
 
 
 
 
CurtisNancyRich
 
 

 

L'Auberge Edge of Seattle

a French Country Inn in Woodinville Wine Country
Seattle Metro Area Culinary Edible Vacation Destination
There is no place like Seattle's Woodinville Wine Country to spend your time cooking hands-on French Regional dishes, drinking wine and learning about the great winemakers that help make Washington an amazing culinary vacation destination.
 
Try our exclusive Two Night Three Day fun filled package, or call us to change/delete as you see fit.  Check out the details


Our Price: $ 1267.00Buy Now
Edge of Seattle Cooking Newsletter
(425) 844-4102 
French Pastry Class 
Bonjour, Hello Everyone:
 
The weeds are out along with the flowers...so much to do and not enough time in the day to do it all.  Besides our garden growing like crazy...we've also had a lot happening at our French Country Inn this month of May.  Our last French Regional Cooking Class for May with Chef Eddy Rico...is coming up soon on May 30th.  This month it's been all about Provence!  This is also the time of year where we get lots of guests spending the night with us that are from other parts of the world...yes, we are busy; but give us a call, we may just have room for you!  Call me to check on the openings at our Inn and our hands-on cooking class. (425) 844-4102 Our Auberge French Country Inn
Father's Day Special $149.00
 
Buy 4
get on FREE
 
This class was so popular in March...that we decided to do another this month of June celebrating Dad's Day and the beginning of summer!  book 4 get one free, book 3 get 50% off the third.
Regional Louisiana/Cajun Cuisine

Hors D'oeuvre
Osters Bienville
Kathy Cuvee Viognier
 
Fish
Spiced Pan Fried Trout a la Meuniere
Pasco Robles Zinfandel
 
Entree
Grillades Beef Stew with Herbed Creamy Grits
Monte Rosso Zinfandel
 
Dessert
Bananas Foster
Desiree Chocolate
 
Offer Expires:  June 21, 2009Check out the details
Come for a visit and experience the French Joie de Vivre..whether it is to spend the night with us or to partake in one of our culinary events...you are sure to feel like you are in an unusual place where you'll soon realize we are into the details and the personal touch.
 
A Bientot,
 
housefront1
Nancy Gates-Douglas; Proprietress
Edge of Seattle Cooking (425) 844-4102

Posted by AlexanderSBrown on May 26, 2009 at 11:27 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 13, 2009

Edge of Seattle Cooking

Edge of Seattle Cooking
In This Issue
Featured Chef
Menus from Provence
White Varietals
Wine Snobbery
Featured Chef
 Eddy Rico
Chef Eddy Rico
Chef Eddy is a true Frenchman from Provence, 
where it is blessed by the sun..sumptuous and delicious flavors await you from the south of France.  Provence is know for a terroir that produces aromatic and savory native products.  The combination of these flavors and the fresh local ingredients...are not only delicious but economical too.

Join him in "la cuisine" and with his guidance 
prepare a meal of traditional regional dishes of Provence in the Spring.
 
3:00-9:00= 6 hrs.
 
$99.00 Pay Now

May 16 

3:00-9:00 

Lamb and coriander crispy ravioli,
 
Steamed asparagus and egg salad with parmesan cheese cream,
 
Salmon with spices wine and purple mashed potato,
 
 
Coffee sabayon mousse
 
May 30
 
3:00-9:00 
 
Provence crostini
 
Mini eggplant and mint salad
 
Grilled mediterranean beef and green risotto
 
"Pink" pears poached in red chili pepper sauce
 
 
 
Edge of Seattle Cooking Newsletter
French Pastry Class 
Bonjour, Hello Everyone:
 
The weeds are out along with the flowers...so much too do and just not enough time in the day to do it all.  Besides our garden growing like crazy...we also have a lot happening at our French Country Inn this month of May.  We just finished a fantastic two day French Pastry Workshop, our varietal Wine Tasting social is just around the corner and we also still have two more French Regional Cooking Classes coming up.  This month it's all about Provence!  This is also the time of year where we get lots of guests spending the night with us that are from other parts of the world...yes, we are busy, but give us a call, we might just have room for you!  Give me a call to check on the openings at our Inn and our hands-on cooking classes: (425) 844-4102 Our Auberge French Country Inn
White Varietals:      May 19th 6:30-9:00                                 $35.00 PP at the door
Chardonnay, Viognier & Semillion
 
Kristen Scheelar When the halibut is running and the first vegetables and fruits of spring are in the farmers markets I begin to crave Chardonnay, Viognier and Semillion. These are three beautiful varietals that signify the start of summer and are wonderful pairings to the lighter fare that we all eat during the summer months.
 
This month we will taste Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France, Viognier from the Northern Rhone, and Semillion from Bordeaux or the Hunter Valley in Australia. In reading about these varietals, I came across this charming Cinderella description of Semillion in Jancis Robinson's book Vines Grapes and Wines, she says;
 
"Semillion is a very odd grape. It is grown all over the world. In most vineyards it sits around sullenly like an overweight schoolgirl, showing awkward fatness or just plain dullness in the wine it produces. In odd places though, as if under the spell of a fairy godmother, it can be transformed in to a raving beauty."
 
Bring your glass slippers and your love of wine and join me on May 19th to celebrate the coming summer months and the wines to go with them.
Cheers, 
Kristin
 
Join up, join us at our upcoming May Wine Tasting and become neighbors, and learn about the down-to-earth goodness of these three varietals:  Viognier, Semillion and Chardonnay.  The way to do it, is to toast the grape and those who nurture it, from the soil to the glass through the Art of the Vine, The Art of Wine and the Art of the Table! 
Please RSVP for this event (453) 844-4102  $35.00 served with French hors d'oeuvres. 
Wine Snobbery..Norman E. GatesNorman E.Gates   1920/2004
Q:  I like boxed wine.  There. I am telling you this without shame, and now that you know this, I want to ask you why some people look embarrassed when I tell them I drink boxed wine.  There are some very refreshing flavors in boxed wine, and a lot of boxed wines are very inexpensive.  (I only buy the inexpensive.) 
            I call people who refuse to drink boxed wine, wine snobs.  They, no doubt consider me a real wine slob.  I would like to know what a real wine connoisseur thinks about boxed wines such as Franzia and Peter Vella.
A: Being called a wine snob today is not very nice; it carries an unpleasant connotation.  But in the beginning years of America's wine revolution wine snobs enjoyed a more favorable reaction from the public.  They were linked to a cult of experts, more specifically to more wine experience and knowledge than anyone else.
            Like any sensible person, I discount the hocus-pocus of wine: the excess of connoisseurship, the absurdities of fussy service, the ceremonial of a pecking order of glasses, the supposed ability of the expert to determine from a few sips which side of the hill the original grapes were grown on.  One can become an excellent wine lover in an intimate dining room setting, the requisite elements being three: people, wine and excellent food.  So with wine, the necessary elements being likewise, three: a simple bottle or a boxed wine as put forward in your question, or a magisterial red wine from California, calling for involved investigation; a clear glass, holding at least a half pint; and two willing lovers. 
            Just because wine can be enjoyed without hoopla, doesn't mean that care shouldn't be taken in its consideration.  Wine is indispensable, not unsophisticated.
            What do I think about boxed wine?  Never gave much though about that before.  Many times my family has enjoyed boxed wine in our younger years, but honestly, for now it's too late to drink cheap wine anymore!
            It's easy to make fun of the wine snob.  It's also often good fun.  I remember hearing about a would-be enthusiast offered his dinner guests a glass of wine:  "It's a little domestic Burgundy without any breeding, but I think you'll be amused by its presumption."  Such silliness exists, and should be laughed at, because it is laughable.  But, on the other hand a "wine snob" may simply be someone who knows more about wine than you do.  I meet him frequently -- nice fellow, but one who has not learned to convey his information tactfully or clothe his enthusiasm in quiet banter.  I also find that one must be wary of snob-calling... the inferior man is often known by the number of snobs he complains of meeting.  And, he who knows something about "one of God's greatest gifts to man," is often called a wine snob.
            The wine snob at his worst is a turn off and a bit of a fool.  But at least he is a learned bore and a learned fool.  The drinker of inexpensive wine is not a slob, but more a novice in my view, who should be encouraged to try all styles of wine.  He is opposed to the ladder of taste (even when explained it's not a fixed chain of command) as his kinfolk spirit is opposed to a chain of command of opinionated competence. Widespread, is the notion that wine merchants, give lip service to such dogmas as a "wine is good if it taste good" and the only way to discover the right standard is to count noses of those adhering to it.  
          Even wine restaurants, where food and beverage managers offer a selling phrase. "A good wine is the wine you like," when talking to the host of the table, forgetting that it must meet the approval of all the dining guests.  Back of these statements probably is the idea that they will make converts to wine drinking in establishments as accessible, as soda pop.
           The childish palate will always at first prefer the excessive of sweetness.  For certain Americans you cannot confer a greater gift then this added appeal to any dish.  This does not make sweetness, an ingredieance of palatable food.
            Yet the wine man who, for what he thinks is sound business reasons -- expounds this nonsense and will spend a great time contradicting his actions.  For he is constantly offering his personal friends, not the wine they will "like" or that he thinks they will "like," but the best of wines from his cellar in the conviction that the palate is as trainable as the mind, or the body. 
            Few men can afford to drink only the best wine every day; and indeed no one should want to, for there is monotony in excellence - as in mediocrity.  But that doesn't have to hinder man, even as he drinks his sound inexpensive boxed wine, from knowing that there are other wines capable of giving him, if he paid attention to his palate, rarity and finer pleasures.  A wine is not good merely because you like it.  It's possible however that I may like it because it is good; in which case it is pointless for me to change the wine... before changing myself!
CurtisNancyRichL'Auberge Edge of Seattle
a French Country Inn in Woodinville Wine Country
Seattle Metro Area Culinary Edible Vacation Destination
.
 
There is no place like Seattle's Woodinville Wine Country to spend your time cooking hands-on French Regional dishes, drinking wine and learning about the great winemakers that help make Washington an amazing culinary vacation destination.
 
Try our exclusive Two Night Three Day fun filled package, or call us to change/delete as you see fit.  Check out the details


Our Price: $ 1267.00Buy Now
Come for a visit and experience the French Joie de Vivre..whether it is to spend the night with us or to partake in one of our culinary events...you are sure to feel like you are in an unusual place where you'll soon realize we are into the details and the personal touch.
 
A Bientot,
 
housefront1
Nancy Gates-Douglas; Proprietress
Edge of Seattle Cooking
Father's Day Special
 
Save 25% on bookings of Four
 
This class was so popular in March...that we decided to do another this month of June celebrating Dad's Day and the beginning of summer!  book 4 get one free, book 3 get 50% off the third.
Regional Louisiana/Cajun Cuisine

Hors D'oeuvre
Osters Bienville
Kathy Cuvee Viognier
 
Fish
Spiced Pan Fried Trout a la Meuniere
Pasco Robles Zinfandel
 
Entree
Grillades Beef Stew with Herbed Creamy Grits
Monte Rosso Zinfandel
 
Dessert
Bananas Foster
Desiree Chocolate
 
Offer Expires:  June 21, 2009

Posted by AlexanderSBrown on May 13, 2009 at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 07, 2009

Press Release: KABC TV Broadcast - San Pedro CA

KABC TV Broadcast featuring San Pedro, CA and The Whale & Ale.

Whale & Ale channel 7

Posted by Marsha Rhodes on May 7, 2009 at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack