Category: Food and Drink

If you’re going through party withdrawal after the holidays, grab your girlfriends and head to the Central California wine region’s Meridian Vineyards for their Girl’s Night Out event Friday, January 23.

The teachers at TWU are top Bay Area event professionals, many of them Certified By The Guide. With their expert advice, you’ll learn how to set up a realistic wedding budget, get inspired by the latest trends in wedding decor, and learn practical tips for saving money on your wedding. This is a fantastic opportunity for couples to get up close and personal with some of the best event pros in the wedding industry. Because class sizes are small, you’ll have time to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge on wedding planning.

Recently, KC and I had the pleasure of visiting Carmel Valley Ranch. It’s a fantastic weekend getaway with a wonderful restaurant that offers many creative menu choices. The lobby’s rust-brown and burnt orange hues are warm and inviting. The golf clubhouse has shades of lime green, deep chocolate and white, giving it a crisp, modern feel. The pool area is charming without being too fussy, and the staff is so attentive. I can’t remember how many of them remembered my name, “Mrs. Chin!”. The in-room spa service was terrific, and they even honored my request to have my spa services near the pool. I believe I had Carmel Valley Ranch’s very first by-the-pool massage!

MyFox LA just came out with their latest Hot List. Readers voted, and we’re pleased to announce that many of the wedding venues and event professionals that made the list are featured on our site, too.

After a few days of long meetings, the ladies of Here Comes The Guide refueled and toasted a job well done with a delectable dinner at Cantinetta Luca, a sister venue of L’Auberge Carmel. The bistro is designed around the concept that Italian dining is a celebration of sharing, simplicity and family—and as a company that considers each other family, we warmed to this notion immediately.

We never cease to be amazed at the innovation in modern food trends. The latest example comes from event planner Sabrina Di Nardo in fashion-forward Montreal: dessert sushi. Just divvy up sweet treats maki-style, put together a pretty-and-zen presentation, and you’ve got an eye-catching meal finisher. Think bite-sized brownies topped with a bold berry or slice of Mandarin orange. Or pump up the whimsy factor and serve our favorite, Gummy Fish Sushi. Hold the soy sauce, please!

Did you know that before the 1880s, a couple was required by law to have a morning wedding ceremony? During Victorian times, the U.S. followed English custom with ceremonies between 10am and noon considered most fashionable.

If you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing something from last season, why would you serve food that was as just as passé as those Ugg boots gathering dust in your closet? As Californians, our desire to stay in vogue is not limited to our wardrobe. Since we come from a state with an abundance of wine, cheese, organic produce and other goodies, we also tend to keep up with the “in” foods—while watching our fashionable figures, of course!