Bethany Rogers

@ Thai BBQ

August 24, 2010 By Bethany Rogers 1 Comment

Photo by Mike Chava Tucked in a narrow slice in a smallish shopping center is a Thai restaurant that should not be missed. At Thai BBQ is an authentic family owned eatery. Jason Sithichai and his sister, Trisha Alvarado have followed in the footsteps of their parents, who have owned Thai Original BBQ in Cerritos since 1986. Jason saw a need in the burgeoning Temecula Valley for quality ethnic restaurants. The restaurant is truly family owned and operated. Jason, 29, describes himself as the “chef, busboy and janitor.” His 31-year-old sister still teaches full-time, as does his fiancé, Christine. They … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dining, Featured, Meet-Ups, Restaurants Tagged With: @ thai bbq, bethany rogers, Temecula, temecula dining, Thai Food

Meet the Author!

August 21, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

Have you read What to Expect When You’re Expecting with a highlighter and post-its in hand, or are you the kind of parent who thinks Dr. Spock is a Star Trek character? Whatever your level of parenting expertise, no matter how much you look to others to teach you how to keep from screwing up your kid, RAISING THE PERFECT CHILD THROUGH GUILT AND MANIPULATION is sure to give you something to think about. As the title suggests, this isn’t your standard parenting book, in fact, it’s really not a parenting book at all. Instead, comedian and mother Elizabeth Beckwith takes a twisted look at the traditional … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Family, Featured Tagged With: Book signing, Eclectic Books, Elizabeth Beckwith, Murrieta, Raising the Perfect Child through Guilt and Manipulation, What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Wine Pick: Thornton Winery’s 2007 Rosé

August 14, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

Driving up the stately driveway to Thornton Winery is always a lovely, peaceful endeavor. Last Friday was no exception, as my husband Steve and I headed there to become reacquainted with some old friends. The weather was unusually cool for August, and we knew the outdoor patio and unique tasting procedure at Thornton would provide just the relaxing afternoon the four of us were craving. Clara and Jess were already seated in the partial shade of the outdoor patio, just off the tasting room and gift shop at Thornton. They’d ordered a Warm Brie en Croute, drizzled with a silky honey sauce, but had not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Wine of the Week, Wineries Tagged With: bethany rogers, Temecula Wine, Thornton Winery, Wine Pick

Check Out the Cooking Classes at Oak Mountain Winery

July 22, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

Oak Mountain Winery is hosting a cooking class, tomorrow,  July 23rd with world-class chef Michael Cragg, from 6:00-9:00 pm. $60.00 per person which includes food and wines paired with each course. A 25% discount applies for wine purchases that night. The seats are limited so RSVP. Menu for July 23, 2010 Appetizer: Bruschetta Three Ways Salad: Cucumber Wrapped Asian Salad Entree: Ratatouille Stuffed Chicken Breast Dessert: Orange Poached Apricots with Nutmeg Pain Perdue This is sure to be a fun evening with great food! Tell Oak Mountain Winery you heard about it on Taste of Temecula. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Wineries Tagged With: Chef Michael Cragg, cooking class, cooking classes, Oak Mountain Winery, Steve Andrews, temecula wine country, Wine De Portola Wine Trail

D’Canter’s Restaurant

July 17, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

Like many in the Temecula Valley, Angela Pike believed, at one time, when she wanted a nice meal, she and her husband would have to leave the area. The desire for an upscale restaurant close by led her to open D’Canter’s in December of 2007. “Every time we wanted to eat, we had to get on the freeway,” the tall attractive brunette explained, “I wanted to bring fine dining to the north end of the Valley. I realized that I could open a restaurant that I would want to go to eat at.” That was exactly what she did. D’Canter’s, the name representing Angela’s passion for both horses and wine, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: bethany rogers, carl kravats, D'Canter's, Fine Dining, Food, restaurant, Temecula Wines, wine bar, Wines & Wineries

Cooking Classes at Oak Mountain Winery

July 17, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

Oak Mountain Winery, located on the picturesque De Portola Wine trail, played host to a cooking class on Friday night. Executive Chef Michael Allan Cragg taught eager and engaged participants many flexible and tasty recipes. Oak Mountain owner and winemaker, Steve Andrews, was on hand to pair his wines perfectly with each course. The cooking class took place out on the beautiful outdoor pavilion nestled right into the vines. The tables were set in a U shape around Chef Michael's cooking station. His charisma and youthful smile kept everyone engaged. The class was more hands-on than expected as the participants … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Specialties, Wineries Tagged With: Chef Michael Cragg, cooking class, Late Harvest Viognier, Meritage, Oak Mountain Winery, Sauvignon Blanc

Cowboy Jubilee Music Festival

July 12, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

This wonderful event is a fundraiser to benefit the children’s education programs at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, and a celebration of the ranching and cowboy way-of–life. The Jubilee Dinner, Dance and Concerts at the Ranch begins on July 17 at 3:00 pm and will feature 3 shows, dinner, dance, western artisans, historical displays and specialized vendors, silent and live auctions. Last year, the Cowboy Jubilee was rated as one of the top five events of the year in the Temecula Valley by local media. The spotlight continues on the Jubilee for a 4th year to musically, poetically, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Attractions, Live Music, Specialties, Sport & Recreation Tagged With: concerts, Dance, Historic Downtown Murrieta, Jubilee Dinner, Jubilee Trail Ride, Murrieta, Murrieta Equestrian Center, Santa Rosa Plateau Foundation

Bethany's Wine Pick of the Week

July 9, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

What do you do when it is summertime, and you want a lighter wine, but it is not blisteringly hot, and red still sounds good? Hart Winery has the perfect light bodied, flavorful Red wine in their Grenache. I was thrilled to pick a wine from Hart Winery. It is one of the oldest wineries in the Temecula Valley. Joe Hart, still the owner and winemaker, began planting grapes in 1974. Some of those original Cabernet Sauvignon vines still exist on the property, grafted now to produce Syrah. My husband, Steve and I have lived in the Temecula Valley for a long time. We have been fortunate to drink many delicious … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Wine of the Week Tagged With: bethany rogers, Driveway Red, Grenache, hart winery, Jim Hart, Joe Hart, Juanita Gates, Red Wine, rose wine, Sauvignon Blanc, temecula wine country, White wine, Wines & Wineries

Great Harvest Bread Co. “It’s all about the bread”

July 5, 2010 By Bethany Rogers Leave a Comment

In addition to the commitment to the local community, the bread is what it’s all about. The foundation bread at Great Harvest is the Honey Whole Wheat, made with only five recognizable and easily pronounced ingredients; honey, whole wheat, water, yeast and salt. Along with Honey White and Cinnamon Burst, it is available daily. Various whole grains, nuts, spices and herbs are added to the Honey Wheat or the Honey White to make most of the other breads such as Whole Grain Goodness, Cheddar Garlic, or Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Swirl. In addition to the three regulars, a variety of about seven breads … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Other Tagged With: bethany rogers, bread, Great Harvest, Juanita Gates, Temecula

Bethany’s Wine Pick

June 25, 2010 By Bethany Rogers 1 Comment

On a warm summer day, many people’s thoughts turn to Rosé. One of the best places for thoughts to run anywhere is Keyways Vineyard and Winery. Set in on a gentle hill on the De Portola Wine Trail, Keyways has beautiful views and a lovely setting. I was there this week to visit my longtime friend, Jacque, who pours there. We have both been in and around wine country for years, and I knew she would help me find what I wanted. When I went in, I wasn’t necessarily thinking Rosé, I just wanted a bottle of wine to enjoy with my husband on our back porch. We were coming off a long week, and nothing lubricates … [Read more...]