Can’t afford to take your Valentine to Paris this year, huh? Why not create a little Parisian romance with a bite-sized French cookie that’s all the rage – the French macaron. Not familiar with these sweet little confections? From simple ingredients like confectioners’ sugar, almond flour and egg whites emerges a dainty dessert that will impress your Valentine. These are definitely a step above a ho-hum box of chocolates!
You can make your own macarons, and there are a number of easy-to-follow recipes, but it’s the technique that makes the cookies light and chewy and the filling flavorful and lush. This Martha Stewart video does a nice job of breaking down the steps to create an authentic macaron experience.
However, if you’re more of a “pick it up at the bakery” kind of person, you’re in luck. Estelle’s Patisserie in downtown at 9th and K has delicious macarons (the pistachio one is unbelievable), as does Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates at 18th and L (the salty caramel one sounds amazing – hint, hint). Even Trader Joe’s carries macarons in the frozen section, and if you’re on a budget this Valentine’s Day, these are perfect – $4.99 for 12 chocolate and vanilla macarons (and, yes, they are good!).
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The Cellar in Historic Folsom
There are some restaurants that are just a pleasure, and The Cellar on Sutter Street in Historic Folsom is one such place. I’ve been to The Cellar a number of times, but when I learned of their expanded menu, I couldn’t wait to try it. Executive Chef Joe Cuka has created a little something for everyone with a whole lot of deliciousness going on.
Once we made our wine choices from the extensive wine list, we began sampling a few items from the menu. We started with Ahi Tuna Tartare Tacos and one of their most popular salads, featuring strawberries and spinach, and both were really tasty.
I was unprepared, however, for how Amazing (yes, with a capital “A”) their Three-cheese Mac ‘n Cheese would be. I have no words. It was simply THAT GOOD. And, drumroll please, it was gluten free to boot. Chef Cuka explained how he eliminates the need for a traditional roux base which calls for flour, and instead uses a creamy garlic and onion béchamel as a base for the three-cheese sauce. And I can attest to how flavorful this makes the dish.
For dessert, I sampled (okay, inhaled) the double fudge brownie with caramel, whipped cream and strawberries, which is also amazingly, inexplicably, deliciously gluten free. I freely admit that the chocolate-obsessed me that I keep under wraps was in foodie Nirvana.
The menu features a wide range of items from Bruschetta to Chorizo Grilled Cheese to Pulled-Pork Sliders, from Flatbread Pizzas to the traditional Cheese Platters, and in addition to the decadent Double Fudge Brownie, they also offer a Berry Cobbler.
The menu prices are so reasonable, with most items ranging between $6 – $12. They also expect to receive their full bar license soon and plan to offer craft cocktails.
I encourage you to check out The Cellar. You may see me there enjoying another bowl of Mac ‘N Cheese – but don’t expect me to share!
Tell us about your favorite menu items.
The Cellar Wine Bar
727 Sutter Street #B
Historic Folsom District
Folsom, California 95630
916.293.9332
For more information, visit:
www.TheCellarWineBar.com
The Cellar Wine Bar’s Facebook page
Make Tax Day Tasty with Some Freebies
I’d planned to write about one of my favorite desserts, but the fact that this particular post happens to fall on Tax Day could not go unnoticed. And what we all need more than another (albeit delicious) dessert recipe on Tax Day is something that’s both tasty and free. So, check out these free offers available in our area:
- Arby’s is offering free snack-sized curly fries on April 15 with this coupon. This is the fourth year Arby’s has offered free fries on Tax Day.
- And, McDonald’s is once again, according to the Hufffington Post, offering a free small coffee during breakfast hours on Tax Day.
So, go forth and don’t pay (for these items, anyway!).
Wordless Wednesday: A B.J. Cinnamon Bear Claw
For the best Bear Claw (think light-as-air pastry with a cinnamon-sugar apple filling), head to recently opened B. J. Cinnamon, 402 East Bidwell, Folsom. Their Maple Bar with Bacon gets two thumbs up, too!
The Purple Place
The Purple Place in El Dorado Hills—half restaurant, half bar—prides itself on fresh, delicious food and drinks served in an upscale diner-like atmosphere (and it should). But with a name like The Purple Place, there’s bound to be a “colorful” history that is just as compelling.
The restaurant is built on land that once served as a stop on the Pony Express, and there is at least one customer who still rides in on horseback for his Purple Place fix. Perhaps the most interesting story is how The Purple Place earned its name. Legend has it, according to owner Mike Hountalas, Folsom Prison donated leftover paint for The Purple Place. There wasn’t enough of any one color, so the owners mixed all of the paint colors together. The result? You guessed it—purple. And later, when the owners considered repainting it a different color, there was such an outcry from patrons that The Purple Place remains purple to this day.
I’d been hearing about The Purple Place for some time, so on a beautiful March morning I had the pleasure of ordering three of their breakfasts: the waffles with berries, a pancake and the vegetarian eggs benedict. I happened to be dining alone and planned to sample just a bit of each. That was difficult! The breakfasts were fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. The single pancake was the size of a plate (and easily the equal of a stack of four regular-sized pancakes). The coffee was hot and plentiful, and the friendly service (thanks, Hillary!) made the experience truly enjoyable.
The Purple Place’s breakfast menu offers a variety of choices from healthy (organic granola and berry parfait, fresh berries and cottage cheese) to items from its griddle (a variety of pancakes and waffles), to omelets and specialty eggs (think every type of egg benedict you’ve ever dreamed of).
There are a couple of surprises on the menu—in particular the B.O.C. (a.k.a. Breakfast of Champions) which includes a 24 oz. can of Budweiser or Bud Light in a brown bag, along with a heaping plate of hardwood, honey-smoked bacon, plus ranch and syrup for dipping. There was a diner interested in trying this breakfast, so thank you to Carey Stewart for being a great sport and trying the B.O.C. so I could get a photo.
If you’re looking for a great breakfast place, head over to The Purple Place (they also serve lunch and dinner). Eat at the counter, in the dining room or outside on the patio—and bring the kids (they do have a kids menu). They are particularly busy on the weekends; however, they open up the bar area for additional breakfast seating so the wait isn’t very long.
I can’t wait to head back to The Purple Place (and not alone this time) for another breakfast. Although, I think a review of the bar may be in order!
Tell me, do you have a favorite breakfast spot?
The Purple Place
363 Green Valley Road
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
(916) 933-2313
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