Sideways goes to Sweden

The day I arrived to Sweden, my Swedish boss, Christer Jonsson, tells me that there is a showing of Sideways at the local theater and they will be doing a tasting of imported California Pinots. I couldn't believe it. I had heard that sideways had made a big splash worldwide but to encounter it personally was pretty amazing. I was not able to attend due to a previous engagement but it would have been great to do a personal story on the event.

I am having a good time learning all about a different culture and language. The people here in Sweden are wonderful and hospitable. I miss all my family and friends but I appreciate the opportunity I am experiencing here. They laugh at me when I try to say words in Swedish but I think they just like to tease me.

I went to dinner at a upscale, award winning restaurant, PM & Friends. We were treated to a multi course meal which started with mousse of herring and avocado with a cracker, salad and dried beet, mushroom soup, and a main course of deer prepared with a sweet cherry sauce. Then for dessert they brought us a dollop of ice cream and fresh berries. I paired my deer with a Barbara from Spain. It was lovely.

Flying off to Sweden

Well friends,
I am writing this from the comfort of my own home office but by the time you read it I will be somewhere flying over the polor cap! I am on my way to Sweden. I wish I could say it was to do R&D, like we love to do, but it is actually for work. I work part time for the number one software developer in Scandinavia, IST, Inc. We have been in development for the past few months on a new, cutting edge student information system due for release in November for three of our local districts to pilot then for commercial release in the spring of 2006. I am going to do some software testing and some consultation for functionality. Sounds really exciting doesn't it? I just hope I am as smart as they think I am! Shhh don't say anything if you know otherwise.

Well, the plans for the Wine Cottage Bistro are coming along so well. It looks like we will still be able to meet our Nov 15 deadline to open. Kathy Pospisil has been working hard on the interior color scheme and finishes, Mia Relyea has been busy (in between having beautiful Daniela) with our marketing and branding efforts. She has come up with a logo design and look that we are very excited about and, of course, Danny and Matt and all the boys have been working hard on all the other facets of building the Wine Cottage Bistro. The concrete molds were filled yesterday for the bar. The molds were filled with black concrete with chips of red and amber glass. On Monday they will release them from the molds and determine what kind of look the bar will take on doing some polishing on the concrete to acheive just the right look that artisian, Dan Jacobs has envisioned. Kristi DeArmond and Joyce Geib, mother and daughter faux finishing team from Hanford will be coming down to do the interior faux painting to give the inside an old world warmth. Kelly Smith of Arroyo Grande is busy on the back bar cabinet and focal piece, while Ken Babb works on the outside sineage. Rene Sims will be traveling up from Monrovia, CA to do the floor tile in the bathrooms and Phil Wilcox will be doing the flooring in the kitchen and bar area. We have Mike Reese and his crew waiting in the wings for the outdoor patio work to begin. Mike (our dad) will be doing an old world stamp job over color concrete. He will also be doing the finish on our outdoor wood fired oven and brick perimeter planters.

Aside from all the building and decorating going on over the next two weeks, our Chef, Matt LaRocco will be busy in the kitchen finalizing the menu, working on the prep list, interviewing for kitchen positions and organizing the working procedures of his kitchen. We will give him some R&D time also to tour the wineries of SB County meeting the winemakers and growers of our fabulous wines and to setup our winemaker schedule begining with Ardison Phillips in December and going month by month throughout the year.

So when I get back the interior and exterior will take be close to its finished look. It sure is great to have a team of people all working together to get the project done on time. It is also great to have a partner, my sister Aimee, that is taking control and seeing that all of this gets done.

I will post a blog in Sweden and maybe even send some pictures.
Later,
Beck

OTORA Days a success

The people of Old Orcutt were absolutely wonderful on Saturday, September 10 during the Old Town Orcutt Revilization Association 2nd annual fundraiser. It was a great day to get all the business owners in Old Town to unite for this valuable fundraiser. The plans for the development of Old Town Orcutt are the vision and guide of OTORA. The downtown area and the walking mall area near 285 S. Broadway, owned by the Will Family, will be a focal point of Old Orcutt in the future.

We were proud to be part of the festivities. Even though we weren't able to serve either food or wine, we were able to intoduce ourselves to the town and let them know what we were all about. We met so many people that told us how happy they were to get a new restaurant in Orcutt that will offer quality food in a unique atmosphere. Many people were seeing our restaurant for the first time. The craftsman style building with open, hand hewed beams were just a couple elements that show the craftsman quality that Dan Jacobs brings to the Wine Cottage Bistro.
Thank you to all our supporters. We look forward to serving you very soon. Please check with us for our grand opening specials.
Rebecca & Aimee

Welcome to Chef Matt LaRocco

Matt La Rocco comes to us directly from Cafe Roma, an upscale Italian restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Matt's credentials for being a talented and innovative chef are many. He began his passion for cooking while working at The County Kitchen during high school. He quickly realized that his passion was going to be in the kitchen. He quickly moved up until he was the executive chef for Cafe Chardonnay in the Ballard Inn.

Matt is a local Old Orcutt resident. He attended May Grisham elementary, Orcutt Junior High and Righetti. He is excited to be coming back to the area to cook for his people. Please stop by and say hi to Matt.

Old Orcutt Days, September 10 10 AM-4 PM

Please join us at the 2^nd Annual Old Orcutt Revitalization Streetfaire. Broadway, from Clark to the Loading Dock will be closed for vendors, BBQ, street faire and Old Ford Custom Car Show.