“I didn’t want to be an Irish restaurant or a German restaurant or an English restaurant, all fairly common in the United States. I wanted to be able to do all that plus Belgian and Scottish and American and anything else that might come up by calling ourselves Olde World.” Scott Salmonsen opened Barley & Hops Olde World Family Tavern just over three years ago. A series of circumstances delayed his opening by nearly two years, thus opening months ahead of the recession instead of years. He’s not only managed to stay afloat, he’s read more
August 23rd, 2010 - 12:10 pm § in Dines
Hit The Jackpot At The Gambling Cowboy
“You need to offer it all. You better have quality. You better have value and atmosphere. You need to have the whole package.” I had lunch and a visit with Rene Ehmcke at The Gambling Cowboy in Old Town Temecula last week. It truly is a mom and pop operation. Dad Bill is the inspiratio[...]
August 12th, 2010 - 8:59 am § in Dines
It Feels Like Home At Rustico
It seems like everywhere I turn I run into Francesco Cusimano. If he’s not at his Rustico Ristorante & Pizzeria, he’s catering at Robert Renzoni Winery. Just last week I ran into him at the soft opening for Masia de Yabar‘s new tasting room in Old Town Temecula. It’s hard[...]
June 9th, 2010 - 4:16 am § in Dines
Walter’s of Portland
These pictures don't lie. Each dish had a gorgeous presentation and the flavors were out of this world. Jeff comes from South Florida and brings a Caribbean influence with splashes of Asian, Mediterranean, South American, Southwestern and Creole. Steve calls him "one of the most talented chefs I've [...]
Easter Brunch at Thornton Winery
Sunshine covered the Temecula Valley yesterday for Easter Sunday. After attending church, my wife Laura and I drove down Rancho California road… first stop, Stuart Cellars. A large group was in there tasting, so Shirley took us to the back bar and poured for us. After sampling the Pinot Grigio[...]
Lunch In Temecula Wine Country – Falkner’s Pinnacle
Image of Falkner Winery via Snooth “It’s all a matter of giving the customer what they’re looking for.” I spent some time with Ray Falkner recently at The Pinnacle Restaurant at Falkner Winery. Ray’s pride in what they offer at the Pinnacle is obvious. He calls their cu[...]