A new sports bar and restaurant moved in just down the street from our house. At first, Gillian and I didn’t pay much attention to it. But over the past month, we noticed a lot of cars parked on the street in our neighborhood on Sundays – always when the NFL games were on TV and we determined people were flocking to the sports bar.

Just this past week, I subscribed to the Motley Fool Hidden Gems investment service. The service came with several special reports, one of which was a report titled “The ONE stock you don’t want to MISS in 2007”. Much to my amazement, the stock Tom Gardner and Bill Mann recommended was the new sports bar and restaurant in our neighborhood that everyone was flocking to.

So, I decided to dig into the company and found out some startling details. The company, Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDQ symbol BWLD), was founded in 1982, with a single bar near the Ohio State University. Over the next twelve years the company grew to 35 locations. But in 1994, the company faced serious financial issues and brought in former KPMG financial consultant Sally J. Smith as CFO to help turnaround the company. In July of 1996, Ms. Smith was promoted to CEO and President. Under Smith’s leadership, the company grew from 35 locations to 493 in December of 2007. The 500th unit will open in February.

Smith took the company public on November 21, 2003. Since the IPO, the share price has doubled, closing Friday at $22.90. Since 2000, revenue has grown from $53.2M to $321M (8-year annual growth rate of 29.3%) and net income has grown from $2.6M to $20.5M (8-year annual growth rate of 34.3%).

This is a remarkable story. And one more thing … of the seven executive corporate officers, five are women – Sally J. Smith, CEO; Mary J. Twinem, CFO; Kathleen M. Benning, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development; Judith a. Shoulak, Senior Vice President of Operations; and Linda G. Traylor, Senior Vice President of Human Resources. The girls have gone wild at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Gillian and I have decided to stop in our local Buffalo Wild Wings before the Dallas Mavericks – Denver Nuggets game today. In my research, I found out BWLD operates on the franchise model and has no presence in Northern California. Who knows, maybe our site survey will bear fruit and we will introduce a new brand to Sacramento?

Imagine, a women-led sports bar company and a woman-owned franchise. It’s worth a thought Gillian!

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Note: the photo of Sally Smith is courtesy of Forbes Magazine's website

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Myth – all the great wines are expensive. Au contraire!

I subscribe to Wine Spectator and found ten great wines this past year for $15 or less. And the good news – I still find them on the shelves. But sometimes you must be resourceful.

For example over the holidays, Gillian and I were shopping at Bruno’s, our local lake house grocery store in Lakeport, California. Bruno’s has a surprisingly good selection of wines for Lake County. We found one of our favorite best value wines - the Columbia Crest Merlot, Columbia Valley Grand Estates, which sells for $7.79 at Costco. Both the 2003 and 2004 scored a 90 rating by Wine Spectator. The most recent release, the 2005, is not rated, but has been widely distributed and there it was on the shelf at Bruno’s. I dug into the back of the shelf and found four bottles of the 2004. I bought them all, excited that I had scored a 90 rated wine for $7.99.

Digging into the back of the shelf pays off a lot. The stockers are trained to rotate the old stock up front and place the new stock in the back. But quite often they are lazy and don’t follow proper protocol. I find treasures with this technique all the time. Even at Whole Foods this trick works. Recently, I found two bottles of the 2005 Yellow Tail Shiraz Eastern Australia, The Reserve for $10.99 (rated a 90 by Wine Spectator) shoved in the back of a row of 2006 bottles.

Here’s my current shopping list of 10 great wines for $15 or less:

1. Australian Domaine Wines, Shiraz McLaren Vale Alliance, 2004; $14; 90 rating; 4,000 cases imported:

   Focused, generous and appealing for its licorice-scented blueberry, plum and vanilla flavors, hinting at dried tomato as the finish lingers. Needs time to soften. Best after 2008.

2. Razor’s Edge Shiraz McLaren Vale (Australia), 2005; $12; 90 rating; 20,000 cases imported:

   Smooth and round, with ripe plum, blackberry and dusky spice flavors that just don't quit, lingering on the open-textured finish. Not a big wine, but flavorful and graceful. Drink now through 2012.

3. Jacob’s Creek, Shiraz South Australia Reserve, 2004; $12; 90 rating; 90,000 cases imported:

   Smooth and open-textured, with cherry and savory red pepper flavors that mingle effectively on the mineral-tinged profile, lingering against refined tannins on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2014.

4. Yellow Tail Shiraz Eastern Australia, The Reserve, 2005; $11; 90 rating; 50,000 cases imported:

   Bright, lively, harmonious and generous. A sleek mouthful of blueberry, currant and plum flavors, neatly packaged with hints of cream and spice as the finish sails on. Drink now through 2015.

5. Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc Sonoma County, 2005; $13; 91 rating; 26,270 cases made:

   A textural delight, with fresh, vibrant white peach, melon and lemon-lime citrus flavors that are fragrant, fleshy and rich, with a whiff of fresh-cut grass and juicy acidity. The flavors echo on the long finish. Drink now.

6. Staete Landt Saugvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand), 2006; $15; 91 rating; 6,000 cases imported:

   Wildly fragrant, with a bold burst of passion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and lime skin flavors. Grassy notes and vibrant citrus acidity pulse through the finish. Drink now.

7. Drylands Saugvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand), 2006; $15; 91 rating; 18,000 cases imported:

   Exuberantly fragrant, bursting with luscious gooseberry, passion fruit, grass and grapefruit flavors. Concentrated, almost oily, with lingering citrus tanginess and mineral nuances. Drink now.

8. Quinta De La Rosa Douro (Portugal), 2004: $15; 91 rating; 5,000 cases imported:

   An extracted, intense style, with plenty of red raspberry, mineral and chocolate flavors that are fringed by exotic Asian spice notes. The mouth-filling finish echoes the fruit and spice flavors, topped off by some cappuccino notes. Drink now through 2012.

9. Bodegas Borsao Gamacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos (Spain), 2005; $12; 90 rating; 5,000 cases imported:

   Vivid and concentrated, yet still focused and nimble, this red delivers plenty of black cherry and raspberry flavors, framed by toasty, smoky oak. The tannins and acidity are both gentle, but there's enough to keep this balanced and lively. Drink now through 2010.

10. Columbia Crest Merlot Columbia Valley Grand Estates, 2004; $11; 90 rating; 140,000 cases made:

    Bursting with blueberry and currant fruit, this zips across the palate with a racy texture and refined tannins. Lingers enticingly with a hint of mocha on the finish. Drink now through 2009.li>

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Note: source of the reviews is Wine Spectator.

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks to Mason and Tricia for a wonderful event to benefit the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home. Buy your tickets ASAP.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

New eating opportunities at Sacramento International Airport:

Local favorite, Lemon Grass – A casual Vietnamese and Thai eatery with an emphasis on freshness that takes its inspiration from Southeast Asian street food and market kitchens. (Located in Terminal A)
Quiznos – A tasty and fresh alternative to traditional fast-food, Quiznos offers mouthwatering sandwiches on artisan breads, fresh salads and hearty soups to the traveling public. (Located in Terminal A)
Starbucks Coffee – The three new airport locations will offer specialty coffee beverages, an array of pastries, sandwiches, salads and snacks, and fresh roasted coffee by the pound. (Located in Terminals A and B)
Saladworks – A cafe offering an extensive array of choices including uniquely flavorful salads and wraps, sandwiches, soups and more. All made to order with generous portions of the finest, fresh-cut ingredients. (Located in Terminal A).

There are also plans to plans to refresh and expand existing airport favorites California Pizza Kitchen, Burger King and Pyramid Ale House.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:27 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Famous Greek Cuisine
• New Menu Items
• Delicious Pastries
• Imported Beverages
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Greek Imports
• Hellenic Cultural Display
• Greek Music & Dancing
• Exciting Entertainment
• Religious Display

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street

Free admission on Friday 11AM-3PM
Saturday and Sunday - Admission $5, Seniors $4 and Children 12 and under free.
Click here for a $1 off coupon.

If you can't jet to Athens for the weekend, this is the next best thing!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I received this piece in the mail today. Looks like something worth checking out.

A new tour company is in town -- one that will show visitors a side of the capital city often overshadowed by Napa Valley. More than 200 wineries operate within 60 miles of the capital, and now locals and visitors alike can enjoy tasting tours at the area's most popular wineries and discover intimate hidden gems along the way. Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours will showcase wineries within Amador, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado and Calaveras counties.

Customer interest prompted entrepreneurs Grady and Gina O'Bryant to start this new venture. Before moving to Sacramento, the O'Bryants operated G.O. Transportation Services, Inc., which catered to tourists visiting Alaska. They decided it was time visitors became familiar with the wineries of the Central Valley after receiving a phone call from two women visiting from Mississippi. The women wanted to enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the Sierra Foothills. "We called the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau and asked about tours to local wineries and were told they didn't have any tour company to recommend," Grady O'Bryant said. "We were also told to call a limousine company, but every limousine company recommended a trip to Napa Valley wineries. The ladies decided to pass on the trip. Gina and I decided to investigate the reason why no local company was promoting local wineries. That's when we decided to jump on board and start our tour company."

The O'Bryants' main goal is to make sure that both their customers and the wineries have a pleasant experience with Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours. "Wineries want quality customers, and often limousine companies will bring in anyone," said Grady. "They don't qualify their customers beforehand, and often bring large groups without making reservations."
Grady and Gina have developed relationships with winery owners, working closely with them to create an ideal wine experience for their customers. "We post wine tasting etiquette on our Web site and on all our printed material," said Grady. "More importantly, we fit the right group with the right winery. And we'll make reservations as far in advance as possible."

Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours has partnered with one of Sacramento's largest limousine companies. With a fleet including sedans, limousines, limo-buses and motor coaches, they can provide service to any size group.

For more information about Sacramento Wine and Nightlife Tours, contact Grady or Gina O'Bryant at 916-443-8741 or visit www.sacramentowinetours.com.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:23 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Vegetable lovers entertain more than fruit lovers, and drink more wine with dinner.
The average American consumes three bottles of Ketchup each year
One in five Americans live on a diet of ten foods or fewer. Among the most common choices - french fries, fried chicken, chocolate chip cookies and Kraft macaroni and cheese.
If candy is labeled low fat, people will eat 28.4% more.

Courtesy of Gourmet magazine, July 2007

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out this local website, Edible Sacramento, that 'celebrates the abundance of the Sacramento Valley season by season'. Beautiful photos of fruits and vegetables, wine tastings, recipes. And it's all 100% local.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Like most people, I wasn’t looking forward to my first day of Jury Duty. I didn’t qualify to be excused based on any of the reasons listed on my juror form. So, I headed downtown Tuesday morning to do my civic duty, while thinking of the numerous reasons I could give the judge for not wanting to serve.

Living out in the ‘burbs, I don’t often get the chance to venture downtown. This was going to be an adventure, I told myself. I did my part for the planet and caught light rail from Folsom and got off close to the court house. I figured it was going to be a long day, so I looked around for a place to purchase a Cappuccino. Of course, I spied the Starbucks on almost every corner. But, I wanted to feel like a local and sample one of the downtown coffee houses. I had almost given up, when I spied a sign for Temple Coffee hanging off a chain link fence that surrounded a building site across from Cesar Chavez Park. It claimed that Temple was the ‘Best Coffee and Tea in Sacramento’. I weaved my way past the trucks and building materials to 1014 10th St to find a rather odd looking building. I stepped inside and found a coffee shop that didn’t look like the cookie cutter stores that dot our cities.

This place had character in its wooden floors and genuine smiles on the faces of the people that worked there. I eyed the list of drinks and felt somewhat intimidated by the choices. I decided to play it safe and go with my favorite – a double Cappuccino. The friendly lady behind the counter listened while I ordered and then asked me if I wanted the ‘shot’ to be a smooth version from Sumatra or a more edgy version from Brazil? I’ve ordered quite a few cappuccinos in my life at many coffee shops around the world, and I’ve never been asked what roast I wanted in my drink. After deliberating for a few seconds I chose the Sumatra and was asked to have a seat - the barista would bring my drink out to me when it was ready. I reminded the server that I wanted it ‘to go’. “I’ll still bring to you”, she said. I feigned interest in an art book sitting on a table surrounded by comfy leather sofas, and waited. When it arrived, it had one of those fancy designs on top, where the barista used the coffee to create his signature design in the foam. The cappuccino was, as promised, smooth and the foam just the right temperature and consistency. I savored my purchase and vowed to come back at lunchtime to try the Brazilian. I know that coffee purists would condemn me for drinking a cappuccino after breakfast, but I’m of the belief that this drink is a true test of a barista’s skill in ‘pulling a shot’ and blending it deftly with foam that isn’t too light or too heavy.

My lunchtime Cappuccino was just as good as my morning one. This time I decided to savor it from a real cup and sank into another leather sofa. I looked around and noticed that most of my other coffee cohorts were busy working on their computers. I couldn’t see if they were doing email or surfing the web, but I did notice that all of them were sitting in front of their designer looking ‘Mactops’. I’m always bemused by the fact that most people in coffee shops use a Mac of some sort. Is it that they want to show the world that they are ‘cool’ and unique (personally I don’t think they’re either, as everyone around them is doing the same), or is it that people with regular laptops feel embarrassed to bring them out for fear of being mocked for their boring design and commitment to ‘The Man’ (aka Microsoft)?. I didn’t have time to unravel the secret as my services were needed back in court to determine the fate of the defendant. With the trial now heading into its 4th day, I’ve become a regular at Temple Coffee and make my way each morning to the Mecca of coffee downtown.

I’m not sure what I’ll do when the trial is over. Should I volunteer for more jury duty just so I can get a good coffee fix downtown, or should I frequent the ‘Fourbucks’ across the street and just imagine I’m drinking a real Cappuccino?

Paul Robinson
Guest Blogger

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Research studies have shown that an antioxidant that is found in red wine can select and then kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells. A chemical that makes grape skins and wine red has been shown to kill human leukemia and lymphoma cells that were cultured in a lab. The research is to be published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. And, unlike other cancer treatments which often damage healthy cells while attempting to eradicate cancer cells, this compound doesn't.

About 44,000 new leukemia cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2007, and there will be about 22,000 leukemia-related deaths according to the National Cancer Institute.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:39 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pierre and I often have this discussion - usually over a bottle (or two of wine). Every day we read in the paper the next new great benefit that comes from red wine drinking and we joke about how much more we could possibly squeeze in. So today, I found this story and decided this writer is on the right track!

My Red Wine Experiment by Bill Shein

HAVE YOU HEARD about the many health benefits of red wine? If not, you are living under a rock — which, you should know, does not have any health benefits at all. Red wine, however, can lower blood pressure, fight cancer, protect your heart, and bring stress-reducing joy to a meal of pasta or prime rib.

A recent study also found that high doses of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, produced a tremendous increase in the strength and endurance of laboratory mice. The mice also began speaking with exaggerated French accents — but their new accents were somewhat less noteworthy than the fact that they were speaking at all.

In the study, the muscle-bound mice received a daily dose of resveratrol equivalent to drinking hundreds of glasses of red wine. But the researchers were quick to point out that "no one can drink enough red wine to obtain such doses."

Is that so? In the name of science, I decided to put their claim to the test. What follows are actual entries from my research log.

Glass 1 — I begin my experiment at a local diner, drinking Merlot with breakfast. Several people — clearly not scientists — look at me, horrified. I adjust my white lab coat and raise my glass in their direction. They look away.

Glass 6 — Finishing off the first bottle, I am strong enough to lift my plate in the air and yell, "Keep them home fries coming, Chefie!"

Glass 12 — At 9 a. m., I'm at my desk. I open a bottle of Shiraz. I start Microsoft Word and begin writing. Unaware of my increasing strength, I type too hard and break several keys.

Glass 27 - Maybe it's just me, but everything I write is utterly hilarious. For example: "I like blue. I really do. Blue is my favorite hue!" I giggle constantly while refilling my glass again and again — in the name of science.

Glass 50 — My formerly flabby arms are now inexplicably toned. I feel as if I can lift my refrigerator over my head, which I do. Many things spill. I go outside for a walk.

Glass 78 - Catching my reflection in a store window, I see that my "one-pack abs" have been transformed, without exercise, into impressive six-pack abs. When did I become shirtless? No idea.

Glass 134 — I fall madly in love with the Wicked Witch of the West, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Glass 265 — While doing shoulder presses with a parked car, I notice that I now have 12-pack abs. Still no sign of my shirt (or lab coat).

Glass 400 — After lunch, I see the mayor on Main Street. I tackle him, pull up his shirt, and deliver a loud raspberry to his naked belly. He is not amused. I cackle uncontrollably for hours.

Glass 582 — To the best of my knowledge, I am now invisible.

Glass 583 — Still invisible.

Glass 584 — Yep, I am definitely invisible.

Glass 585 — According to the police officer cuffing me in an (occupied) dressing room at Victoria's Secret, I am no longer invisible. I post bail, even though no jail cell could possibly hold me. I am Schwarzneggian.

Glass 638 — Incredibly, my 12-pack abs are now 14-pack abs: Twelve abdominal muscles in front, and, somehow, two extra abdominal muscles on my back. Weird.

Glass 744 — A large crowd gathers at the wine store to view my transformation. I stand on a bench and share a line from Plato: "Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the Gods to man!" People go wild, passing me around above their heads. Then I read aloud from "The Republic" while doing bicep curls with two small children. The crowd roars.

Glass 857 — As the sun sets, I drink a final glass of wine, make a few more notes, and then fall asleep. I do not wake for a long, long time. When I do, I discover that everything after Glass 12 may have, just possibly, been a dream. But in my pocket I find a summons to appear in court. Something about trespassing at Victoria's Secret. Weird.

Bill Shein is a trained research scientist. Do not try this experiment at home.

(This column first appeared in the Berkshire Eagle newspaper on Friday, April 27, 2007.

Cheers!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dear Lou Dobbs:

I must respectively disagree with your constant attack on "illegal immigrants" in the U.S. You could not be further from the truth when you report on your CNN "news show" that illegal immigrants are bad for our economy and that they take away from honest job seekers.

Why don't you report the truth? You constantly represent your opinions as factual news. And I am disgusted with your "news". And your conclusions!

Sir, here are the facts:

Gillian and I spent this past weekend in Houston, attending a fabulous Impressionist art display at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. And fine art it was - Degas, Monet, Manet, Renior, Toulouse-Lautrec, Chegal, Picasso, Van Gogh, etc. After a truly exhilarating day in the museum, we sought out local seafood cuisine and found ourselves at the Cafe Red Onion Seafood & Mas restaurant. Thanks to the Zagat Survey we chose correctly. The food was superb and the service was great. The decor was okay, but who cared that it wasn't better, as the wait staff, to include the bartender Shawn Spencer, made our evening memorable.

Shawn, a black man, (he corrected me when I addressed him as an African American - as he is an American) tended bar as he should - engaging, customer focused, and a good listener. Shawn, a product of a white Italian father and a black mother, has big plans - he dreams of owning a restaurant. And I think his dream will come true. Why? He has a great mentor - the chef and owner of the Red Onion.

After dinner, Shawn took time to introduce us to the owner, who has five restaurants and 180 employees in the Houston area. Gillian and I were impressed with the team, the food, and the owner.

Starting in 1995, the owner and his wife, Barbara, built the business from a five-stool store with three employees, to a 180-employee workforce. The employees are provided a company-backed healthcare plan. The chef grew up learning the business in Chicago, starting as a dish washer, eventually moving up to sous-chef, and then taking the plunge into entrepreneurship.

The chef - Rafael Galindo, a native of Honduras, but now a voting American citizen, with 180 employees, revealed a very personal thing about his past during our conversation - Rafael, the proud American and owner of a multi-million dollar restaurant empire, and highly rated by the Zagat Survey, had been an illegal immigrant for ten years.

I am damn proud of Rafael Galindo. And you Mr. Dobbs are dead wrong.

Pierre Cutler
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pierre and I are visiting New Mexico - the land of enchantment, the land of arguably the most experienced presidential candidate, Bill Richardson, and, as we have found, the land of the most friendly people in a tourist destination that we have ever met.

We flew to Albuquerque and drove up to Santa Fe. We stayed at the Hotel Plaza Real which had reasonable rates and a great location, although it's a little tired. The first night we ate at El Farol, a tapas restaurant that was recommended by a local. It's right on Canyon Road, the road that holds a great majority of the galleries in town. We arrived, were seated and our waitress promptly took our order. Then the slips began. She couldn't get the cork out of the bottle of wine - it crumbled. She tried a second bottle - same thing. Finally, she met success with the third bottle. We ordered several delicious tapas from the menu. The first plate arrived and was not as ordered. We very nicely and politely informed the waitress that we had received the wrong plate. She seemed ready to dispute our order, but re-thought. Then the beef plate arrived and was clearly overdone. By then the waitress had sort of given up on us and it took a while to get her attention and explain the problem. This time she did argue, but eventually returned with a piece of meat cooked as we had originally ordered. All in all, the food and wine were decent, but the minor slips both in service and in attitude of the waitress marred our experience.

Next day, we spent practically the whole day visiting galleries on the Canyon Road as we are looking for a large piece of art for our space in Dallas. All of the gallery owners were extremely friendly, providing a high level of service and knowledge. It's rare to find such genuinely eager service providers in an area that is overrun by tourists pretty much year round.

After our multiple mile walk, we were ready for dinner. I had picked Bistro 315, before we left home, a restaurant that multiple websites had been very high on. When we arrived, it resembled a hole in the wall and didn't seem very promising. But this is precisely when exceptional service turned an average dinner into a momentous one - all in the person of Deborah.

Pierre ordered a bottle of pinot noir. Deborah brought it to us and from the first sip, Pierre was disappointed. I chastised him for not dialoging with Deborah about what she would recommend. After all, this was a wine bar and restaurant and the wine list held more than 300 selections, of which, I was sure, Deborah was more familiar than Pierre. After a while, he admitted that he should have and began discussing various wines with Deborah and others of the wait staff. Now it was time for dinner and by this time we were very comfortable asking Deborah for her recommendations. And now it was time to have a decent bottle of wine - Deborah recommended. Pierre told her that we would leave any we didn't drink for her to consume later. This generosity prompted by the ridiculous laws of New Mexico that don't allow you to take an open unfinished bottle with you when you leave. She brought us a fabulous bottole of French Burgundy. And then we learned about her interesting background which included being born and raised in Buffalo, New York, spending 14 years in Paris, and then following a guy to Santa Fe. By this time, Deborah brought us two glasses of sauternes and a free creme brulee for dessert. The chef, whom we imagined was French, came out to chat and we learned how he had found his way from Peru to be a chef at a French restaurant in Santa Fe. We had a memorable dinner. Compared to the night before, the food was the same or maybe even a little inferior, but the service was superb. Thanks Deborah for a wonderful evening.

So, please bear with us while we ramble through New Mexico and maybe don't manage to post every day. Next we are off to Taos with two more great dining experiences ahead of us.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A restaurant in a Dallas suburb has found a way to help charities while helping itself. Spurred on by a customer who wanted to raise money for a favorite charity, they turned 15% of their food sales to the customer's charity one Tuesday night. The charity actively promoted the event, the restaurant gained additional customers that night (and maybe repeat customers in the future) and the charity got about $1000. Now, every Tuesday night is charity night at the restaurant.

It's a win for the restaurant and a win for the charity. Sounds like a great idea for Sacramento's bustling restaurant scene.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Roxy's at 2381 Fair Oaks Blvd. Mike Dunne, the Sacramento Bee's restaurant critic, calls it Ranch style with touches of Paris. Same owner's as Lucca's downtown. They serve great weekend breakfasts. Perfect for before the Kings game on Sunday.

Mehran, Indian and Pakistani - good food at bargain prices. In the old Bravo restaurant space at 2333 Fair Oaks Blvd. Wow, so many choices, so little time! Maybe we can squeeze it in on Friday night??

Mulvaney's Building & Loan, 1215 19th Street. In the old New Helvetia Building. I think we will try it out Saturday night. See if it gives our favorite Waterboy a run for the money!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:47 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was flipping through my latest Bon Appetit magazine (March 2007) and suddenly catch the world 'Sacramento' on the Readers' Quick Recipes section. I stop and read more closely.

There is a photo of Nick Vidargas of Sacramento, CA with his Open-Face Bacon-and-Egg Sandwiches with Argula. Nick is billed as a law student, newlywed and an enthusiastic cook. (He's model good looking too!) He used to bus tables at Chez Panisse in Berkeley and now 'on weekends, he heads for the farmers' market, picks up what looks best-and turns it into dinner.'

Wow, this guy is too good to be true. I can see this blurb put under the nose of many a husband in the coming weeks to spur them to Nick-like behavior. I, however, will simply be gloating as my husband, who loves to shop for fresh foods and turn them into delicious dinners, will be trying out Nick's recipe for us!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Put a cork in it. In my day, that was a less than a polite remark. But this time, I'm referring to wine bottles.

It seems that natural cork remains the favorite closure of US consumers. Consumers in the UK and Australia have a much higher acceptance level of screwcaps and synthetics. The French, like Americans, prefer natural cork. The tide is changing, however, with a global increase in the acceptance of synthetic and screwcap closures.

The survey results were announced at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, held recently in Sacramento, Billed as the largest wine and grape trade show in the nation, the Symposium drew attendees from around the world to hear industry experts share their views on winemaking, grape growing, finance and business, public relations, and market trends.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:57 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Dowtown Sacramento Partnership website lists 3 leading downtown restaurants that are offering special Valentin'es multi-course dinners.

The Firehouse offers a 5 course dinner for $99 per person

Restaurant 55 Degrees offers a 3 course dinner with complimentary champagne toast for $65 per person

Dawson's Restaurant at the Hyatt is offering a 5 course dinner with complimentary champagne toast for $130 per couple.

Check out some of the other great choices also - among them Biba's and The Waterboy.

And don't forget to make reservations ASAP. I use OpenTable and couldn't be more pleased with the ease and efficiency in making reservations online with this free service. They also have a few more suggestions for Valentine's Day special dinners.

Of course, you could consider a special romantic dinner at home!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An alphabetical list by Michael Dunne of the Sacramento Bee of the 10 best:

Biba, 2801 Capitol Ave., Sacramento; (916) 455-2422. Italian food at its best

Carpe Vino,1568 Lincoln Way, Auburn; (530) 823-0320. California and Mediterranean cuisine

Enotria Restaurant & Wine Bar, 1431 Del Paso Blvd. (at Arden Way), Sacramento; (916) 922-6792. Focusing on Mediterranean-Italian-California cuisine.

La Provence Restaurant & Terrace, 110 Diamond Creek Place, Roseville; (916) 789-2002. Flavors of France and the Mediterranean regions prepared with California style.

Lemon Grass, 601 Munroe St., Sacramento; (916) 486-4891. Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.

Mason's, 1116 15th St., Sacramento; (916) 492-1960. California cuisine and New American cooking.

Masque Ristorante, 3909 Park Drive, El Dorado Hills; (916) 933-8555. Italian.

Mulvaney's Building & Loan, 1215 19th St., Sacramento; (916) 441-6022. Using the best locally grown produce.

Restaurant 55 Degrees, 555 Capitol Mall, Sacramento; (916) 553-4100. French and Belgian cuisine meet California bounty.

Slocum House, 7992 California Ave., Fair Oaks; (916) 961-7211. New American cooking.

Taste, 9402 Main St., Plymouth; (209) 245-3463. Mediterranean and Caifornia inspired.

The Waterboy, 20th Street and Capitol Avenue, Sacramento; (916) 498-9891. Southern France and Northern Italy.

My favorite? No matter how far we roam, we always come back to Waterboy.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Sacramento International's Terminal A has a new (and most welcome) restaurant. Vino Volo, a new restaurant and wine bar next to the boarding gates, opens today in Terminal A. The restaurant offers a big wine list, a tasting bar, small plates of food and lounge chairs.

Other Vino Volo wine bars have opened at Dulles International near Washington, D.C., and at Sea-Tac International Airport in Seattle. More coming soon to Baltimore Washington International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

So when the flight gets delayed, you can't get an upgrade, your seat is a middle seat, or other such normal woes of modern day travel, you will have some wine to go with the whine!

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, United States (UPI) -- California`s wine growers want officials to know they add $51.8 billion to the state`s economy and $103 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

The Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers said Friday in a newly released report that the state`s vintners create 759,000 jobs in the United States and billions in economic activity, while generating significant tourism, trade, taxes and revenue.

The two groups commissioned the 'economic impact' report to provide 'solid data on the state`s industry to use in public policy discussions with state and federal legislators and other key officials' as they consider farm bills and agricultural subsidies.

California, which has about 500,000 acres of vineyards, is the fourth largest wine producer in the world after France, Italy and Spain, producing 225 million cases in 2005. The 185 million cases sold in the United States had an estimated retail value of $16.5 billion.

'The state`s wine industry is clearly an asset to the economic vitality of California and the (United States).'

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sacramento News and Review has an interesting list of 'dining bests of' voted on by their readers. Here are some highlights:

Best restaurant

Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
various locations, www.mikunisushi.com

2. Restaurant 55°
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com

Best new restaurant

Restaurant 55 Degrees
555 Capitol Mall, (916) 553-4100, www.restaurant55.com

Spataro Restaurant and Bar
1415 L Street, (916) 440-8888, www.paragarys.com

2. Mason's Restaurant
1116 15th Street, (916) 492-1960, www.theparkdowntown.com

Best fine dining

Biba
2801 Capitol Avenue, (916) 455-2422, www.biba-restaurant.com

2. The Firehouse Restaurant
1112 Second Street, (916) 442-4772, www.firehouseoldsac.com

Best wine list

Enotria Cafe & Wine Bar
1431 Del Paso Boulevard, (916) 922-6792, www.enotria.com

2. 58 Degrees & Holding Co.
1217 18th Street, (916) 442-5858, www.58degrees.com

Best spot for dining alone

Jack's Urban Eats
various locations, www.jacksurbaneats.com

2. Café Bernardo
various locations, www.paragarys.com

Best happy hour

Brew It Up!
801 14th Street, (916) 441-3000, www.brewitup.com

2. Elephant Bar
6063 Sunrise Boulevard, (916) 961-3628; 1500 Arden Way, (916) 564-2526; www.elephantbar.com

Best Indian food

Mother India
1030 J Street, (916) 491-4072

2. Kathmandu Kitchen
various locations, www.kathmandukitchen.com

Best Mexican food: local

Ernesto's Mexican Food
1901 16th Street, (916) 441-5850, www.ernestosmexicanfood.com

2. Tres Hermanas
2416 K Street, (916) 443-6919

Best Thai food

Thai Basil
2431 J Street, (916) 442-7690; 8785 Center Parkway, Suite B120, (916) 681-8424; www.thaibasilrestaurant.com

2. Amarin Thai Cuisine
900 12th Street, (916) 447-9063; 6608 Folsom-Auburn Road, Suite 9, in Folsom, (916) 988-8581; www.amarinsacramento.com

To see lots more categories, visit the SN&R website

I have only two comments:

What, on earth, happened to Waterboy, 2000 Capitol Mall, the best Sacramento restaurant by far?

And no mention of Lemon Grass, the fabulous Thai/Vietnamese restaurant located at 601 Munroe Street (near Loehmann's Plaza on Fair Oaks Blvd).

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Wine Spectator has just named its Wine of the Year. The winner is:

Casanova di Neri - a Brunello di Montalcino - Tenuta Nuova 2001,. Wine Spectator gave it a score of 97 out of 100. The wine is priced at $70.

Tasting Note
This family-run winery is one of the best examples of the recent winemaking renaissance in Tuscany. Casanova di Neri has excelled with Brunello di Montalcino, the region's famous Sangiovese-based red, since its debut vintage in 1993. The 2001 is its best Tenuta Nuova ever, delivering the depth, richness, freshness and unique character expected of such a great vintage—at a price in the mid-range for 2001 Brunello.

Run out and grab some - or better still, buy a ticket to Italy to grab a bottle locally! Montalcino is a fabulous destination.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sadly, Lomo Argentine Grill, site of the very successful Sacramento Executive networking event in October, has closed its doors. Bob Shallit has the full story in his column in the Sacramento Bee today.

Good product, poor marketing. If no one knows you are open for business, you probably won't draw a very big crowd!

Too bad, we liked it and we loved it for our events. Anyone got any favorite places for groups of 150+ in late January, early February.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Invited to a dinner party and looking for a great bottle of wine to take? Or planning on giving wine to your employees or good clients for the holidays? It is possible to impress without breaking the bank. Go online and do a little research.
We have a subscription to Wine Spectator and they have lots of tools you can use to find great wines at reasonable prices. But you can also do the research for free. Go visit the Beverages and More! website. You can search on 90 point wines in various price categories - they even have an under $10 category. Impress your host and impress your palate. It's not that hard. And many of the wines you find online are available at your local grocery store. One of our favorites - Columbia Crest, Merlot Columbia Valley Grand Estates 2003 with a price of $11 and a Wine Spectator rating of 90. (You can get it even cheaper at Costco).

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Can you digg it? | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)