Soup Series: No-Rules Beef Stew

There’s frost on your car in the morning, your shorts and flip flops have been laid to rest and it’s time to start bundling up in front of the fireplace with a tasty bowl of steamy soup.  What does this all mean? It’s time to kick off this year’s Soup Series!  Sit back, enjoy and [...]

B. Smith on her new book, holiday cooking

Since entertaining and lifestyle expert B. Smith is in town, we jumped at the opportunity to chat with her for a few minutes about her latest ventures and the upcoming holidays.

Smith's latest cookbook, "B. Smith Cooks Southern-Style" (Scribner, $35, 336 pages) hit bookstores this month.

She'll be signing copies at Borders Bookstore at 2339 Fair Oaks Boulevard at 7 p.m. tonight.

Q: Tell us about this new cookbook. What treasures does it hold for home cooks?

A: We have three restaurants and the one in Manhatten (B. Smith's New York City) is influenced by international recipes, but we also had people requesting southern food, so there are lots of southern dishes on the menu. We decided to share some of the restaurant recipes. One is fried green tomatoes, another one that people really like is braised black eyed peas soup ... Our collard greens are in there.

Follow the link below to read more from B. Smith.

The Sacramento Holiday Survival Guide - 50 ways to make from now until 2010 stress free

Navigating Sacramento


1. Cell Phone Waiting Lot at Sacramento International Airport
Use the cell-phone waiting lot near to the airport entrance. It‘a a safe place to stop and wait for the call from arrivals to call to be picked up at the curb instead of circling. http://www.sacairports.org/int/parking/images/SMF3-240%20Cell_Phone_Lot_Card.pdf

2. ParkSmart Automated Parking System
Entering and exiting the lots at Sacramento International Airport is rapidly becoming as easy and convenient for credit card customers as paying for gas at the pump. ParkSmart allows customers to gain entry and pay for their parking using only their credit card. Video screens guide all customers through the process and a call button is available to get assistance.
Are cash customers still welcome in the lots and can credit card customers still receive a ticket? Absolutely! Any customer can get a ticket from the machine and present it to the cashier when exiting.

3. Vino Volo
Boutique retail store with a stylish tasting lounge and bar, allowing guests to taste wines in a comfortable setting. Terminal A Upper Level

4. Cool Brew
Sip some of Northern California’s local Brews at Gordon Beirsch to Go / Gordon Beirsch Terminal B Upper Level B2 or Pyramid Ales & Lagers / Pyramid to Go Terminal B Upper Level B1

5. Keep in the loop with the Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/SacIntlAirport and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-CA/Sacramento-International-Airport/57968300957
Sacramento International Airport has free wireless Internet (WiFi) service throughout the indoor, public areas of the airport. SMF's Wi-Fi network has 4 T1 connection, which provides users with speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps.

Eat Fresh and Local

6. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates offers an array of chocolate confections and chocolate pastries at her Sacramento chocolaterie. everything from scratch at our chocolaterie. Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates 1801 L Street Suite 60 Sacramento, CA 95811916.706.1738 www.gingerelizabeth.com

7. Taylor’s Market - Sacramento's gourmet grocery retailer since 1961. Specializing in Gourmet, Organic and Specialty Foods, beverages, wines, Meats, Fish, Poultry and wonderful cheeses. 2900 Freeport Blvd Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 443-6881(877)770-6077 www.taylorsmarket.com

8. Enjoy Rick’s: Potato, Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, Goat Cheese, Olives, Arugula pizza at OneSpeed Pizza is a neighborhood pizza joint in the heart of East Sacramento brought to you by Rick Mahan, Chef and owner of Waterboy Restaurant focus on beautiful local ingredients and simple, time tested cooking. Enjoy artisan pizzas, antipasti, daily changing specials and excellent service in a family friendly atmosphere. www.onespeed.com 4818 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 In the Heart of East Sacramento (916) 706-1748

9. It’s your Slow Food civic duty to get a rich, full-flavored heritage turkey straight from Corti Brothers. www.slowfoodusa.org www.cortibros.biz 5810 Folsom Blvd Sacramento, CA 95819-4693 (916)736-3800


10. Freeport Bakery’s Pies, Pear Fladen, Holiday cakes, specialty Breads and rolls, Holiday Stollen, coffee rings and quiches are a must for your holiday entertaining!
www.freeportbakery.com Freeport Bakery 2966 Freeport Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 442-4256

Toast to rainy nights

11. El Poblano a blend of spicy vodka and North shore Distillery’s Mole Poblano that’s like a cosmopolitan with a lation kick. Zocalo 1801 Capitol Ave Sacramento, CA 95811-4104(916) 441-0303 www.zocalo.com

12. The star ingredient of the Cucumber Martini at Iron is the Hendricks Gin from Scotland. Muddled and shaken with cucumber and simple syrup. This is a tasty one! Iron 2422 13th St.,Sacramento, CA 95818(916) 737-5115 www.ironsteaks.com

13. If the idea of combining tequila, ginger, plum, and topped with sparkling wine stikes your fancy, sample the Plum & Spice. At Lounge on 20, 1050 20th Street, Suite 100 Midtown Sacramento 916.443.6620 www.loungeon20.com

14. Grab two glasses and a bottle of Peter Franus, Napa Valley 06 Zinfandel, and sit out on the patio by a fire pit and heat up with your sweetie. Mason’s The Park Downtown | 1116 15th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 www.theparkdowntown.com

15. Watch the rain fall over the Sacramento river at Scott’s on the river. Saddle up to the bar and have the friendly bartenders set up up with a local brew and fresh oysters on the half shell. Scott’s on the River 4350 Riverside Blvd Sacramento, CA 95822 (916) 379-5959 www.scottsseafood.net

Holiday Shows

16. A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience1211 K Street Sacramento, CA 95814
24-Hour Information:(916)443-IMAX(4629)www.imax.com

17. The Nutcracker
Join the Sacramento Ballet as it celebrates the 500th performance of Ron
Cunningham's dazzling production of The Nutcracker! www.sacballet.org

18. California Musical Theatre will present the one-woman interactive
comedy “SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” beginning November 24, 2009 at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret theatre at 1000 K Street.
www.californiamusicaltheater.com

19. Almost Perfect Party. World Premier A Holiday Farce by Buck Busfield
Can a man win back his estranged wife by throwing the perfect Christmas party for their son? Only in the mind of Kipper Tilliker. November 15, 2009 - January 3, 2010 B Street Theatre 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

20. The Adventures of Pinocchio by David Pierini
An adaptation of Carlo Collodi's famous Italian folktale about the wood carver Geppetto who makes a puppet out of a block of pine to hilarious results. The puppet, Pinocchio, wreaks havoc throughout the countryside of Italy all in his attempt to become a real boy. November 21, 2009 - January 3, 2010 2711 B Street, Sacramento, CA 95816 Tickets, subscriptions and general information - 916.443.5300 www.bstreettheatre.org

See the Lights

21. Old Sacramento
One of the best places to view the lights in Sacramento is in Old Sacramento itself. The streets will be lined with Christmas trees, and buildings will be outlined in white lights. On Saturday, December 1st, don't miss the 15th Annual Lighted Boat Parade. This free event starts at 6pm and will pass by Old Sacramento at approximately 6:30pm. See spectacular boats decked out for the holidays!

22. Old Sacramento Tree Lighting November 25, 2009
The Annual Tree Lighting will take place in conjunction with the debut of the first annual Theatre of Lights event. Two 10-minute light shows will run throughout the holiday season Thursdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm.

23. East Sacramento's Fab 40's. Turn on your holiday music and tour the beautifully lit homes from 40th to 47th.

24. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver kicked-off the holiday season with the 78th annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Steps of the State Capitol. www.ca.gov/

25. More than a century after the Grand Electric Carnival lit up the streets of downtown Sacramento, a new event called the Carnival of Lights will set downtown shimmering again for the 2009 holiday season. The carnival will run daily through Jan. 3.

Get a tree and trim it

26. Davis Ranch 13501 Jackson Rd. Sloughhouse, CA 95683 (916) 682-2658
www.sloughhousesweetcorn.com / or www.davisranchproduce.com
Douglas Fir, Monterey Pine, Incense Cedar, Sierra Redwood

27. Billy’s Farm Fresh Christmas Trees - Choose and cut Christmas trees, wreathes and garlands, flocking, wagon rides, gift shop, apple cider. 8430 Dillard Road. Wilton, CA 95693. Phone: (916) 687-8354.

28. Pre-lit Artificial Trees
World's Finest Christmas Trees with Lifelike Branches - from $399
www.Frontgate.com


29. Want the “Get the Tree Quick” experience… Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest retailer of fresh-cut trees

30. There are thousands upon thousands of Christmas trees purchased in the Sacramento Metro regional area during the holidays. Too keep them out of landfills, residents can recycle their trees

Kiefer Landfill
Address: 12701 Kiefer Blvd., Elk Grove
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

North Area Recovery Station
Address: 4450 Roseville Road, North Highlands
Dates and hours: Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 8 a.m. to 4

Shop in one stop

31. Sacramento Harvest Festival
Get a jump on your holiday shopping as the Sacramento Harvest Festival returns to Sacramento! The Harvest Festivals are the largest indoor arts and crafts shows on the West Coast, boasting over 24,000 American handmade items. Guests can peruse jewelry, original art, clothing, toys, pottery, specialty foods, home decor and more www.harvestfestival.com


32. Crocker Art Museum 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival More than 100 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique gift items during the 2009 Holiday Art & Craft Festival. Support the Crocker and local artists while you shop...

Nov 27, 2009 (Friday) to
Nov 29, 2009 (Sunday)
Scottish Rite Masonic Temple
6151 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

33. Celebrate the holidays and get all your holiday shopping accomplished in Midtown
www.downtowngrid.com

34. Westfield Galleria at Roseville Shopping Mall
www.westfield.com/galleriaatroseville/
Over 190 stores, including:
Nordstrom
Macy's
Pottery Barn
Crate & Barrel
Restoration Hardware
H&M

35. The Fountains at Roseville www.thefountainsroseville.com

Get everyone out of the house

36. Midtown Ice Skating Rink NOV 20 - JAN 18
For the first time, Midtown will host an ice skating rink during the 2009-2010 winter season! The confirmed location for the Midtown ice rink is 20th Street between K Street and J Street. www.mbasac.com/midtownbusinessassociation/

37. Old Sacramento Heritage Holidays
On weekends in late November and early December Old Sacramento charms visitors with holiday themed history displays. Shops are decorated with 19th century decorations. Carolers perform dressed in period costume. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered. A new event is being added in the evening to commemorate the first reading of the poem, "The Night Before Christmas." The Theatre of Lights promises to be a fantastic display of lights combined with the storytelling of Mark Twain. www.oldsacramento.com/events-and-activities-detail.php?id=109

38. The 53rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree.
Truly a Sacramento holiday event seen by over 30,000 people annually, The Singing Christmas Tree has become a treasured holiday tradition for many families in the Capital City area and throughout Northern California. This year’s presentation is entitled “A Merry Olde Christmas!”
Capital Christian Center - Main Auditorium
9470 Micron Avenue
Sacramento, CA www.sct.cc

39. Bundle up the family and come enjoy the holiday season at the Zoo with treats to the animals and free admission thanks to Target! Zoofari Market will be open early from 9 am to 10 am for Sacramento Zoo Member shopping. Members recieve a 25% discount with their Membership card. Toys for Tots: Bring one new, unwrapped toy and receive a free child's admission ticket to use at your convenience. The U.S. Marine Corps will be taking your toy donations. Animal Feedings: Animals will get special treats delivered to them and staff will be on hand to share facts, secrets and answer your questions. 3930 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822

40. Sacramento Rivertrain Christmas Train
Approximately 20 miles west of the city of Sacramento in Woodland, California you can take an excursion on the Sacramento Rivertrain. The train takes a 32-mile, 3-hour trek along the Sacramento River. On selected days in late November and throughout December, the regular locomotive trip is transformed into a Christmas train ride complete with hot cocoa, stories, cookies, and music. Santa and his elves are also aboard the train to visit each of the passengers. Children are even encouraged to wear pajamas. This is also a great activity to do after reading the "The Polar Express. www.sacramentorivertrain.com/choose-a-trip-oct-dec.html


Holiday Road Trips

41. Shopping in San Francisco
Nothing could be more festive during the holidays than to wander down a city street aglow with decorations and lights and bustling with crowds of shoppers. And, on the West Coast, there's no better place to do this than Union Square, the epicenter of San Francisco's premier shopping district. From the lighted 80-foot tree that graces the square to the old-time carolers strolling through Neiman Marcus, Union Square is truly the picture of cosmopolitan holiday time.

42. Victorian Christmas, 2009 in Historic Nevada City Victorian Christmas, the old-fashioned celebration held each year in this colorful California Gold Rush town, evokes holiday memories of an earlier era. During the event, Nevada City's landmark historic district is closed to motorized traffic and transformed back in time. Christmas melodies and costumed characters remind visitors of another time and place.
Victorian Christmas 2009 is featured Wednesday nights, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, from 6-9 p.m., and on two Sunday afternoons, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, from 1:30-6 p.m. There is no admission charge. www.nevadacitychamber.com/index.cfm

43. YOUNTVILLE’S 21ST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS:
Yountville invites visitors to experience a holiday wonderland amongst the vineyards as the town transforms itself during its annual Festival of Lights. This country-style celebration features world-class food, wine and cultural activities and begins the weekend of November 27 and 28 as the town lights up with thousands of twinkling lights. Kickoff holiday festivities include streets lined with more than 20 top wineries and restaurants, nightly opportunities to meet Santa Claus at his West Pole post, late shopping and dining at local galleries, boutiques and restaurants, along with carolers, elves, horse-drawn carriage rides and ice carving. While the event is free for all, tickets for food and wine are one dollar each. What’s more, at day’s end, two couples will win a luxury weekend getaway in Yountville, including accommodations, spa treatments, balloon rides, bike tours, dining, wine tasting and more. For more information visit www.Yountville.com

44. Full Moon Guided Ski/Snowshoe Tours Beginning in December and extending through March, on Saturdays closest to a full moon, enjoy the magic as the Kirkwood Cross Country staff conducts ski and snowshoe tours of the area by moonlight. Call (209) 258-7248 for more information.

45. Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Cow Palace Exhibition Hall, 2600 Geneva Ave at Santos St., San Francisco CA; Tel. 415.392.4400. Sat and Sun, Nov 29-Dec 30, 11am-8pm, Admission $16-$6
Visitors are encouraged to dress as literary characters from Charles Dickens' novels. Visitors can sample an assortment of Christmas delicacies, holiday spirits and drink. Entertainers will also be on hand costumed as characters from the pages of A Christmas Carol and A Tale of Two Cities. If you have Great Expectations, you won't be disappointed as you weave your way through this Dickens Christmas Fair while celebrating the late author. www.sanfrancisco.com/festivals/


Burn off the Turkey and Mash

46. Old Salmon Falls Loop Pretty hike along South Fork American River; visit old town site Near Folsom, CA www.localhikes.com/Hikes/OldSalmonFalls_6922.asp

47. The American River Parkway is a 32-mile trail that goes up the river and through the city. You may not be up for hiking the entire route but you’ll enjoy whichever section you choose. You’ll hike over footbridges and along the scenic American River where you’ll see everything from rapids to smooth ponds and sandbars. This trail is shared by mountain bikers and equestrians and dogs are welcome. You’ll see wildlife and both shore birds and song birds in some of the more remote locations. This gorgeous parkway stretches from Folsom Lake to Old Sacramento www.dreamsacramento.com/sacramento-hiking-biking.html

48. The Fourth Annual Free, Fleet Feet Holiday Classic 3-mile run/walk is a way for Fleet Feet Sports Sacramento to say "Thank You Sacramento" for another great year and for area runners/walkers to give something back to those less fortunate.
Sunday, December 20, 2009 Start: 9:00 a.m. www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/fleet-feet-free-holiday-classic

49. Sacramento Bike Trail
From Discovery Park (downtown) out to Folsom Lake. Makes a great 60+ mile round trip ride without ever riding with cars. www.mapmyride.com/ride/unitedstates/ca/sacramento/638783107

50. Downtown Walking Tours
These unique tours through downtown Sacramento introduce visitors to the people, places and events that shaped California history. From John Sutter to Cesar Chavez, these tours cover more than 150 years of state and local history.
www.downtownsac.org/DSPAPP/V/life-and-culture/Book-a-Tour.html

Crapload of Cranberries

"I'm sorry, how many cranberries do you have?" I asked having been caught off guard and needing to make sure.

"A crapload," Kristy, my classmate, responded flatly.

"You have a crapload of cranberries?" I was amused at the meter and alliteration of her statement, and yet disgusted by the mental image in my head. "That's... lovely."

"So what can I do with them?"

"Uhh..." she had caught me in the middle of an argument between my various inner voices as we/I debated our/my schedule and how all final papers and assignments would be time budgeted. I silenced them all down as quickly as I could and began to stumble out what seemed to be a cohesive response. "Uh, well... let's see. Um, what kind of recipe are you looking for? I guess, I have a great one for cranberry sorbet."

She gave a frustrated sigh. "I don't have an ice cream maker. Not all of us cook like you do. I need something quick and easy - preferably dessert - that I can slap together a few times over the next few months. My dad brought me like three bags of the things and I dunno what to do with them." As she said all this her hands gesticulated so erratically I wondered if she might accidentally slap some poor passerby unconscious.

"Hmm, well it is a bit early for cranberry sauce I assume?"

"Yeah, and honestly I'm not a huge fan as the canned stuff turned me off as a child," she said, her face contorting into a sneer as her tongue slithered out in an show of disgust.

"Let me get back to you on that, I'll see I can figure out something easy." She thanked me and as she went to her desk and I went back all the different aspects of brain voiced their opinions in heated debate once more.

You could have given her the cranberry cake recipe! Who uses the word crapload? Why would someone not have an ice cream maker? That's a stupid question! I want to do something new! Who has the time? I wonder what would happen if she actually had slapped someone?

And so on. Eventually we/I came to the decision to make some cranberry shortbread bars.

I had tried one or two recipes in the past and found them to be somewhat disappointing as most tasted like soggy pie dough with overly sweetened cranberry sauce sloped over it. Joy of Baking's recipe, whose shortbread base I found inspiring due to the dumplette-like use of it on top of the cranberries adorable and for it's tender texture and old-fashioned flavor, was where I decided to start in developing a new cranberry bar. I took the basic cranberry filling recipe, the same for most any cranberry bar, and then decided to perk it up a bunch.

This filling is a small dose of brown sugar to make the flavor a little darker. An insane amount of grated ginger and the zest of an orange are added to add personality. The result is a cranberry bar that's enticing; one that wears a slinky red dress and beguiles your senses in spicy, citrusy smells.

The next day I brought over the cranberry bars to her desk.

"OMG!" because she doesn't say "Oh, my God," "These are so good! Is there ginger in this?"

"Yeps. I also threw in some orange a pinch of cinnamon and some vanilla too because, you know, why the hell not, right?" I shrugged and smiled. "So these work? Supe easy to throw together and it'll use up your cranberries. Though you will need to pick up some fresh ginger and oranges."

"I'll just throw in some ground ginger and toss in spoonful or orange juice. I have the rest I think."

My brain sighed just a little and I almost said something about her suggested substitutions but decided to leave it alone. More than likely I would choose to do the same if it came to it.

"So when can I get the recipe?"

"Just check my blog in a few days."

And so, here it is.

-All the voices in your head will agree that this cranberry bar is awesome. However, the cranberry bar is unable to make them shut up about it.-

Ginger Cranberry Bars
Makes one 8X8 pan - adapted from Joy of Baking

Cranberry Filling
2 1/2 cups of cranberries
1/3 cup + 3 tablespoons of sugar
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon of orange zest
3 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Shortbread Mixture
2 cups of flour
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of ground ginger
1 cup of butter
1/3 cup of brown sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly grease an 8X8 (or 9x9) inch pan with butter or cooking spray.

2. Place cranberries, sugar, brown sugar, ginger, orange zest, water, and vanilla extract in a 2 quart saucepan and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes until it becomes reduced and syrupy. Be sure to give the mixture a stir once in a while to ensure the mixture does not burn; be gentle though as you don't want to break the berries but keep them whole. Take off heat and allow to cool.

3. Sift together in a separate bowl the flour, cornstarch, salt, and ginger.

4. In an electric mixer cream the butter with the brown sugar and vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture until just incorporated.

5. Press two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan. Then evenly spread the cranberry filling, leaving 1/4 inch of space on the sides. Crumble the remaining dough over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until top begins to brown around the edges. Cool on a wire rack, then cut and serve.

-This is what a crapload of cranberries looks like in bar cookie form.-

Navagating to Nekeas in the Navarra

So just what is Nekeas anyway? A winery making excellent wines in the Navarra region of Spain. Although I’m home now, not continuing to share more of my amazing adventures would be withholding great information. Who knows when one may decide to venture off to Northwest Spain! To give a quick overview of the Navarra, it experiences climatic effects from both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and has 15,000 hectares (roughly 38 acres) in five sub-regions: Valdizerbe, Baja Montana, Ribera Baja, Ribera Alta and Terra Estella. Temperatures (from 82∞ Fahrenheit in summer to 28 in winter), soil and rainfall differ markedly throughout these areas. Navarra DO (Designation of Origin) regulations permit using 11 grape varieties: garnacha (grenache), tempranillo, mazuelo (carignan), graciano, cabernet sauvignon and merlot for reds and rosados (rosés), and viura (macabeo), chardonnay, muscat, grenache blanc and malvasia for whites. Red grapes cover 95% of the area. I ventured to Bodegas Nekeas in the northern most region who’s grapes are also grown in the northern most area of Navarra. Nekeas is a cooperative formed by a few families who had vineyards and were separately making wine in the Valley. They export a large majority of their wine under both the Nekeas and Vega Sindoa labels. The US exporter with whom they worked thought the name “Nekeas” sounded too Greek-like and requested they change the name for the US market. “Vega Sindoa” is the name of the river that runs through the Nekeas Valley just below the winery. We were there mid-September and harvest was just around the corner. Greeted by the marketing person and given an overview of the operation, she turned us over to winemaker Concha Vecino, as Concha had a free moment. Concha told us it’s her favorite time of the year as she spends mornings riding her bicycle through the vineyards taking grape samples to monitor ripeness. She invited us into her lab and shared her morning samples. We tasted a whole grape, then the skins alone without any pulp because grape skins contain many flavor components including tannins. You can have ripe grapes but unripe tannins! This particular day, although the brix (grape sugar) from one vineyard was where she wanted it, the grape skins were not. The skins were definitely bitter. For those interested, tannins are organic compounds that react with proteins and other chemicals. They are good because they impart flavors, round out red wines and give them a feeling of weight in your mouth. They’re found in grape skins and seeds, and are also present in other plant materials like wood and some fruits. Oak wine barrels can also be an additional source of tannins. Nekeas Vineyards We tasted, talked and laughed with Concha for over an hour. What an amazing experience! It’s not everyday you get to spend time with a winemaker in her / his lab tasting grape samples and learning first hand! Nekeas wines are quality, approachable, tasty and very reasonably priced. I’ll be seeking them out with a smile on my face and remembering my morning with Concha. El Chaparral is the name of their old vine Grenache vineyard.

Webber's Center Court restaurant closes abruptly

Ex-Sacramento Kings star Chris Webber, right, helps Jason Shinstock mix drinks at the 2006 opening of the Center Court restaurant.

The game is apparently over – at least for now – for Center Court With C-Webb, the sports-themed restaurant opened three years ago by former Sacramento Kings basketball star Chris Webber.

On Tuesday, a recording on the restaurant's answering machine said Webber is closing his sports bar and restaurant at 3600 N. Freeway Blvd.

"We regret to inform you that we have decided to close our Natomas location on Tuesday, Nov. 17. However, we look forward to seeing you at our new location in the near future. Thanks to all of our patrons for your continued support over the past years. Chris Webber and staff."

There was no indication where or when a new Webber restaurant might open. It is also unclear what caused the sudden closure.

Last year, Webber wrote in The Bee that "this past year was a challenging time for many of us in the restaurant industry. A significant amount of people, either by choice or necessity, are watching closely how they spend their money."

The restaurant opened to a good review in The Bee under the heading of "Food Fit For A King." Diners who didn't want to pay to go to the restaurant's neighbor, Arco Arena, could look up from heaping plates of food to one of 35 television screens.

By sports bar standards, the menu at Center Court was long and varied, including eight salads. There was also a full roster of sandwiches, pizzas and burgers.

The star burger was the "Fab 5," touted as Sacramento's biggest burger, with 44 ounces of choice Angus beef selling for the princely sum of $29.50.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving - A New Tradition