Featured

Wine Pick of the Week – Doffo 2008 Malbec

September 2, 2010 By Chris Baptiste Leave a Comment

Doffo Winery is perhaps the best-kept secret in the Temecula Wine Country. Owner Marcello Doffo and his family (wife Zulma and their children Damian and Brigitte) produce some of the most flavorful, full-bodied and fruit-forward wines in the area – if not all of California. Following the philosophy that great winemaking begins in the vineyard, their attention to detail – extra pruning of the vines, thinning the grape clusters, restriction of water – helps to insure that their grapes are some of the richest and intense-tasting in the area. They even play classical music in their vineyard to help … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Wine of the Week, Wineries, Wineries Tagged With: Chris Baptiste, Doffo Winery, Malbec, Temecula, temecula valley, temecula wine country, Tom Plant, Wine Pick of the Week

Sweet Cheeks Studio – Where it’s “All About You!”

September 1, 2010 By Corie Maue Leave a Comment

From the moment you walk into Sweet Cheeks, you feel at home. This is no overwrought Zen garden spa; it is simply a relaxing space. Owners, Stephen and Cheryl Rhodes, planned it that way. They want each client to feel like family, and they are committed to a philosophy of complete attention to their client’s individual needs in a comfortable environment. After years as a Director of two Youth Opportunity Centers for high-risk youth in Riverside County and more recently a YWCA Director, Cheryl realized that she needed to make a positive change in her life. She wanted to continue to help people, but in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Day Spas, Featured, Services, Things to Do Tagged With: City of Temecula, Corie Maue, dan viescas, things to do in temecula

Raviolis! Osteria Now In Murrieta!

August 29, 2010 By Chris Baptiste 1 Comment

Chef Giuseppe di Gristina, one of the Temecula Valley’s most beloved & respected food “artists,” and his family, have just opened their second restaurant – Raviolis! Osteria. Located on Murrieta Hot Springs Road in Murrieta (right between the 15 and 215 freeways), the Osteria compliments their original restaurant in Lake Elsinore – Raviolis! Italian Bistro. If you’re seeking amazingly fresh, unique, and delicious Italian dishes, Chef Giuseppe has created the perfect, irresistible menu. The Osteria (Italian for “a place where the owner hosts people”) had their grand opening … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Caterers, Dining, Featured, Happy Hour, Meet-Ups, Restaurants Tagged With: Chef Giuseppe, Chris Baptiste, Juanita Gates, Juanita Juarez, Murrieta, Raviolis, Raviolis Osteria, restaurant, Temecula

Wine Pick of the Week – La Serenissima Cab Franc

August 27, 2010 By Trasier Schuyler 1 Comment

La Serenissima Cab Franc - Photo by Trasier Schuyler

I first met Tony Tiso at The Wine Co. in Temecula where he was doing a private tasting for the owner. In my usual style, I looked pathetic enough to score a small taste of Tony's family wine. It was just enough to get me jonzing for more. Over the past year I have met up with Tony (or his father Dr. John Tiso) at various restaurants or local private estates. I have become increasingly fond of the wine from this small, old world boutique winery and finally got my chance to visit Tony at his home/winery in Warner Springs. It’s a beautiful estate just 15 minutes past Vail Lake – well, at least … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Wine of the Week, Wineries Tagged With: La Serenissima winery, Temecula, tony tiso, Trasier Schuyler, Wineries

The Temecula Valley Players Present Fiddler on the Roof

August 25, 2010 By Corie Maue Leave a Comment

If you love great theater and have been longing to escape into a classic musical, make plans now to head down to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater to catch Fiddler on the Roof presented by the Temecula Valley Players and directed by J Scott Lapp. The gorgeous set design and live orchestra set the tone immediately. The story is set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, and the viewer is immediately transported to Anatevka where Tevye, the father of five daughters, attempts to maintain his family and religious and cultural traditions while outside influences bear down upon their lives. He must cope with both … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Live Theatre Tagged With: Ashley Edmonds, Chelsea Nicole, Cheri Kehler, Corie Maue, Fiddler on the Roof, Gary Iversen, J. Scott Lapp, Joshua Cavanaugh, Kayla Parker, Live Theater, Old Town Community Theater, Sean Tamburrino, Temecula Valley Players, Tysa Curry

@ 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

French Wine at Wine on a Dime

August 17, 2010 By Corie Maue Leave a Comment

I have always wanted to learn French, and thanks to Wine on a Dime, my education has begun. Each Wednesday, Wine on a Dime offers a wine or beer tasting from 5 – 7 pm for just $10 (or $12.50 at the door), and last week featured wines from France. Owner Michelle Campini greeted each thirsty “student” with a glass of Champagne, while Jeff Nelson from Henriot poured subsequent sips from a table nearby. I diligently practiced my pronunciation of Henriot (On-ree-o) while sipping and wandering the store. Champagne Henriot Brut Souvrain NV is a non-vintage Brut Champagne and must be identical no … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Wine Bars Tagged With: French Wine, Temecula, Wine on a Dime, wine tasting, Wineries

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

It’s All Greek to Me!

August 12, 2010 By Angie Myer Leave a Comment

The Greek Place Restaurant I absolutely love the flavors of Greek food, so this restaurant was a true pleasure for my palate. Throw in a little belly dancing, flaming cheese, and remarkably gracious service, and it was a feast for the senses! Vassiliki Batzakidou (“Vasso”) opened The Greek Place three years ago on the north-east corner of Winchester and Jefferson. She had found success with her first restaurant of the same name in Idyllwild, and left her son in charge to bring her authentic Greek culinary skills and warm Greek hospitality to Temecula. Her obscure location (behind the car … [Read more...]