Posts Tagged ‘Things to do in Calaveras County’

Music Venues Abound in Murphys, CA  by Bethany Woy

There is nothing like listening to live music. Yes, your ipod and CD can ease your troubles in the car—but there is something about sitting down and watching talented musicians taking you away to a far off place. Now, add that live music experience with a glass of wine and delicious food and you’ve found yourself a new spot to be. Every. Week. The following are a few places in Calaveras County where you can kick back, relax and let the good times roll… May I suggest booking a Food and Wine tour with Local Roots Food Tours and hitting up one of these lovely establishments after your tour to listen to some amazing local musicians???

Alchemy Market -  191 Main Street, Murphy’s, Ca  (209) 728-0700      Alchemy is a very well known and loved restaurant in Murphy’s and boasts Chef Jason Wright’s personal menu. The lovely interior showcases California Cuisine while adding local flair with their wine menu and baked goods. Not only is the menu to die for, live music is played at Alchemy TWO times a week! (My kind of place!) Every Tuesday from 4pm-8pm, $5 glasses of wine are served and Alchemy also offers a menu of fresh fish dishes as well as house made desserts.  Sounds good to me!

Every Friday, Alchemy offers jazz music by Matt Cullen on their patio from 5:30pm-8pm. The music is free- but the restaurant asks that you call for reservations and stay for dinner. Seems like a pretty easy thing to me. Alchemy also suggests if the mood strikes you- feel free to get up and dance!

V Restaurant, Bar & Bistro  402 Main Street, Murphy’s   (209) 728-0107 Any place that has been voted “best cocktail” years over, gets a gold star in my book. V Restaurant in Murphy’s has done just that. Not only are their award winning cocktails amazing- their menu showcases fresh, local and organic food that is absolutely mouth watering. Lamb meatballs or fresh vegetable risotto? Yes, please. Pair this with some local wine (or cocktail if that strikes your fancy) and some live music? You’ve got yourself a perfect night.  Each Friday and Saturday night, V offers local music that will knock your socks off! My suggestion is to check out their Facebook page for updates, calendars and specials. You won’t be sorry you did!

Want to make a full weekend of it? The V Restaurant is located in the Victoria Inn- check out their website and see if there are any reservations so you can make it a weekend destination!

Twisted Oak Winery  363 Main Street, Murphy’s,  (209) 728-3000 A beautiful winery with amazing wine, that has the brilliant idea to start a concert series? I’m in. Twisted Oak Winery has now released their summer concert series and boy does it look like fun! The winery offers a breath taking venue as well as food, drink and (most importantly!) delicious Twisted Oak Wine. The winery allows you to bring in your own food and drink (but the big wigs ask that you keep alcoholic beverages at home)- which I am okay with, because Twisted Oak wine is absolutely delicious. Hanging out under the stars while listening to beautiful folk music? Sounds like the perfect summer evening to me. Check out their website right now and purchase some tickets for these events. I guarantee they will sell out quickly.
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This could be my favorite time of year. The weather warming up, the trees starting to bloom and best of all… my mouth watering at the new, fresh produce. With that being said, I have compiled a list of some ‘foodie’ events happening in California in April. Get your calendars ready and put a bib on. If you love food, wine and fun- this list of events is for you. Enjoy!  (Blogger- Bethany Woy)

Sacramento Turn Verein Bockbier Festival- April 5: 6pm-12am, April 6: 3pm-12am
Tickets: Adult $20, Children under 12 $5
Turn Verein Hall- 3349 J Street, Sacramento

http://stvbockbierfest2013-zvents.eventbrite.com/

A traditional bockbier is a strong dark beer usually brewed around Christmas or the Spring. Well, it’s that time of year ladies and gentlemen! The celebration kicks off the first week in April and will take place at the historic (and beautiful) Turn Verein hall here in Sacramento. The festival will showcase the authentic Bockbier from Germany, traditional German music from local bands and delicious, mouth-watering food. Special performances of traditional German dances will be performed during both days. An amazing, educational and best of all delicious way to spend the weekend!

Festa di Vino- April 6: 6:30pm-10pm
Tickets: Adult $45
Scottish Rite Masonic Center-6151 H Street Sacramento

http://festadivino.com/

Music. Dancing. Live auction. And best of all… FOOD. A lot of food.
This tasty event  and will be showcasing over 20 local restaurants and 20 local wineries. Some of our local favorites (Ambrosia Cafe, Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, Firestone Bar- truly the list goes on and on) will be contributing at the event. A true celebration of food and wine. Right up my alley.

Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival – April 6: 1pm-4pm
Tickets: Adult $35 pre-order, $40 day off
Fremont Park- 1515 Q Street, Sacramento

http://sacramentobeerandchilifestival.com/

Sacramento Artists Council in partnership with the Grid Agency and Dad’s Kitchen is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Beer and Chili Festival. I don’t know about you but when I hear chili and beer as a combination my mouth instantly starts to water. The pair just seem to go so well: like peanut butter and jelly.  The Festival is a fundraiser for The Sacramento Artists Council and raises money for art programs that help at-risk children, children of homeless families and fund adopt a school art programs for Sacramento schools. Not only will you have your fill of delicious beer and chili, the money for the event goes to an amazing cause. You can feel like you’ve helped the community while gorging yourself! My kind of event! The festival will begin with a chili cook off competition (industry and individual) and unlimited beer tastings provide by local breweries. (Mad River Brewing, Lost Coast and Speakeasy Ales— just to name a few!)

Sierra Foothills Food and Wine Bus Tour- April 14: 10:30am- 2:30pm
Tickets: Adult $69,
Newcastle, California

http://local-food-tours.com/culinary-cultural-experience/farm-tours/

Wouldn’t you love to take the back roads through the beautiful California olives trees, vineyards and fruit farms? Want to know how vineyards can tell when it’s time to pick their grapes or how to grow the best tomatoes? We are so fortunate to live in the “Farm to Fork Capital of America”. Now is time to jump on board the Local Roots Food Tours Culinary Passport bus and explore the cornucopia of agriculture. Tickets include: transportation in a 14 passenger executive bus, a 4 hour bus ride with stops at independent farms, local  vineyards and a local produce market. A trained local guide ready to showcase their knowledge of the area. Hands-on, one on one access, from owners of the farms, orchards and vineyards. A catered 4 COURSE GOURMET LUNCH (what a deal!) and a reusable Local Roots Food Tours shopping bag. Can you say amazing weekend?! Don’t you want to be able to get to know this area of California a little better? This is the way to do it!

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SUMMER TIME IN SACRAMENTO and BEYOND!

Celebrate summer’s arrival by getting out and exploring Sacramento’s hidden gems.

Local Roots Food Tours SUMMER SIZZLE TICKET SALE:  $45.00 adult discount tickets for Sacramento Food Tours, $52 adult tickets for Murphy’s Food & Wine Tour by using special code “SIZZLE”!

Join our fun and entertaining culinary concierges this summer on one of our guided culinary walking adventures that walks you through heavily shaded streets in Sacramento’s most historical and cultural neighborhoods or down a rural mining town’s main street all while eating and drinking at hidden gems.  Learn what continues to make Northern California a foodie’s paradise, one taste at a time.

Our three-hour City of Trees Food & Cultural Walking Tour , Origins of Sacramento Food & History Tour and our Murphys Food & Wine Tour are intimate in size (17 max on every tour)…..this is not your large group food crawl tour….it is a great opportunity to slow down and go behind the scenes and experience 8 individual servings at 6 different locations (all with air conditioning and seating)….no running out of food and literally…no running allowed! It’s all about savoring each bite that is specially prepared for our tour groups,  learning about mom and pop eateries and restaurants that only the locals are lucky enough to know about-until now, exploring really cool neighborhood streets that are quiet, peaceful and surprisingly full of fun facts.  We make sure every tour participant connects to the whole food tour experience which shows in previous participants raving reviews over our walking tours!

Get tidbits of history and beautiful architecture while tasting the scrumptious foods that make Sacramento valley’s culinary scene a regional treasure.  You’ll taste farm fresh ingredients that inspire local chefs.  Tours are offered throughout the week.  Check our event calendar to see available tour dates.  Advanced ticketing is required so hurry and take advantage of our SUMMER SIZZLE TICKET SPECIALS!!

Wanting to go with a group of friends or relatives and make it a private experience?  No problem.  Local Roots Food Tours offers private group food tours 6 days a week.  Family reunions, vacations, or simply a time to get together with friends and enjoy food, fun and friendly people.  Come join our culinary food walking adventure and remember to use special code word “SIZZLE”.   Offer expires July 20, 2012!

Offer Details:  Discount tickets apply ONLY to ADULT TICKET PRICING.  Senior, Military and Children tickets are not included.  Tickets must be purchased by July 20th, 2012 and tour date secure between June 20th thru July 20th, 2012.  Exceptions can be made if you call directly and speak to our event planner/ticketing department.  No other specials/discounts can be applied to the sale price ticket.  Savings: $13.00 per ticket.

Murphys is a superb destination for exploring your palate; 9 excellent restaurants, 18 wine tasting rooms, artisan cheese, spice and chocolate shops and a gold old fashion bakery that will tantalize your taste buds.  Join Local Roots Food Tour this Memorial Weekend and SAVE on adult food tour tickets for Saturday ONLY!  Special promotion code: STARS will give you a discount of $15! 

Stroll along 1800’s-era Italian brick and stone buildings where talented chefs and vintners now produce their mouth-watering dishes and award-winning vintages.   You will be treated to a day following a trained culinary concierge who knows the town inside and out.  A culinary and cultural treat waiting for you to come participate in.  The Murphys Food & Wine Tour entails 3 hours of eating, walking and talking.  The culinary journey takes you to 9 stops at the best restaurants and shops.  You’ll eat unique dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced produce & taste fabulous, locally-made wines.

As part of our “foodie family”, you’ll get up close with chefs, owners, and winemakers of this quaint town.  Hear about the unique terrior and climate that puts Murphys wines in a class all by themselves, and connect with the artisans as you taste their unique creations.  A gourmet spice shop, a quaint cheese shop and a candy store that has been making homemade chocolates and hard candies for over 100 years! Advanced ticketing is required.  Visit http://www.localrootsfoodtours.com and use promotion code: STARS to book your Memorial Weekend Walking Food Tour today!

Want to start savoring your culinary exploration?   Here is a sample of the wonderful tastings you will experience on the Murphys Food & Wine Tour:

• House made pan seared crab cakes with sweet Thai chili sauce & fresh fruit salsa
• Fresh baked potato bun with rosemary and fresh melted Parmesan cheese
• Lavender and orange blossom short bread cookie
• Fried olives stuffed with calamari
• Red velvet beet bundt cake
• Handmade and locally produced English Toffee
• Gourmet sea salt tasting:Himalayan Pink Salt,Red Pepper Bacon Sea Salt, Espresso Bravo Sea Salt and Vintage Merlot Sea Salt
• Lamb meatball with pearl couscous
• 2009 Sangiovese paired with local cheeses

Come enjoy the finest wine and food in gorgeous Murphys, CA! Aptly named “Queen of the Sierras”, and one of Sunset magazine’s Top Ten Coolest Small Towns, Murphys is a superb destination for fine dining and wine tasting, and this tour shows you the best of both worlds. Stroll along 1800’s-era Italian brick and stone buildings where talented chefs and vintners now produce their mouth-watering dishes and award-winning vintages.

Our 3-hour tour includes up to 9 stops at the best restaurants and shops. You’ll eat unique dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced produce & taste fabulous, locally-made wines.
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