Embracing the Beauty, Cuisine, and Vortices of Sedona, AZ

Embracing the Beauty, Cuisine, and Vortices of Sedona, AZBy Kat Thomas, Editor in Chief, Edible Skinny

“It has been said that Mother Nature created the Grand Canyon, but she lives in Sedona.”

--Proverb

Sedona, Arizona, with its iconic Red Rock canyons and spiritual vortices that whirl about, has been on the bucket list of Edible Skinny for years now.  Well pity us no more, as we’re happy to announce that we finally we able to slash a line through this one as a few weeks we headed to this magical, mystical, energy spot in the high desert of Northern Arizona!  

Sedona the Sacred!  The first thing to talk about in regards to Sedona is that it’s full of spiritual vortices (at least when an energy healer is writing the article...). The basic origin story is that in 1980, a local Sedona medium named Page Bryant acknowledged and named some of the vortices, causing them to gain in popularity as places for spiritual awakening.  But the vortices are nothing new, as Native Americans including the Navajo, Yavapai, and Hopi Indians recognized the energy of this area centuries ago! 

Vortex energy intensifies everything in comes in contact with and makes Sedona a huge amplifier.  In layman’s terms this means that everything you are feeling will be magnified.  If you are happy while you are in Sedona, you may become euphoric or blissful.  Conversely, if you are irritated, agitated or depressed, those feelings will also be magnified.  The locals refer to this special energy field as the “Spirit of Sedona,” a strong, creative, inspiring, and loving feminine presence that causes the trees to grow in twisted spirals and empowers the 4 million visitors that flock to it every year.  

The fabulousness of this energy field was incarnated in our amazing accommodations at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock.  Nestled amidst the spectacular beauty of poetic geological formations, this upscale resort celebrates the Red Rock landscape by aspiring to mirror this sacred space with the light and warmth of hospitality.

This energetic promise is found in their 221 oasis like rooms and suites with their stunning (stunning!!!) views and locally inspired designs.  Each room offers refined comfort and privacy with each room including a gas fireplace, balcony or terrace, small refrigerator, and microwave oven.  Seriously, the views are so beautiful you find it hard to believe that they’re even real!!!

After arriving, we headed down to the edible heart of the hotel: Shadowrock Tap + Table, the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock’s restaurant, bar, and porch that offers a comfortable modern environment where guests can kick-start, recharge or retreat.  The Porch, their 11,000 square foot porch, is the perfect gathering spot for a glass of wine or cocktail.  Adult playtime is available with games such as shuffleboard, ping pong, corn hole, foosball, or chess.  Or you can sit around one of the fire pits or in front of the fireplace while sipping on a craft beer or specialty cocktail.  For the perfect Southwest wind down try their Prickly Pear Margarita; tangy and tart, with a side of healthy (so you can have more than one!).   

The next day, at six in the morning, (and we totally deserve a gold star for getting up for it!), we took the hotel’s complimentary Sunrise Yoga class.  After guzzling down some complimentary coffee, we headed over to the facility’s tennis courts.  There we down dogged and cat and cowed in style as the sun rose from the east.  Namaste! 

And yoga was just the beginning, one of the coolest things about this hotel is their Outdoor Warrior Pit.  The Pit is a cross-training facility where resort guests can exercise at their leisure or attend a weekly class led by their seasoned instructor. This rough and tumble boot camp playground is equipped with tires, ropes, sledgehammers, and anchors; perfect for the Workout Warrior.  Just be prepared to get covered in Sedona’s signature red sand!  And if throwing tires around isn’t your jam, their state-of-the-art fitness complex offers new Precor and Life Fitness equipment, fitness classes, a 25 meter lap pool, and steam and sauna.  

After going hermit style and spending 36 hours at the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, we decided it was time to adventure outside of the resort’s grounds.  So, we hopped in our automobile and headed over to Elote Cafe, a restaurant that has quickly assumed regal status in Northern Arizona’s gourmet food scene.  Voted one of the 50 Best AZ Restaurants by Phoenix Magazine, Elote is the ultimate foodie paradise!!!

The restaurant’s concept is creative original Southwestern and Mexican Cuisine, which they do with perfection.  But be prepared to wait for a table as this is a no-reservations restaurant (that being said, the food is absolutely worth the while!).  While dining at the coolest communal table ever, we munched on Tacos de Buffalo.  Composed of Braised Buffalo Short Ribs with traditional Mole Poblano.  This dish was was so tender and flavorful we wanted to extend our stay another day just to return for more tacos!!!

On our last morning in Sedona (which BTWs the city of Sedona was named after one of the earliest settlers, Sedona Miller Schnebly, who was born in 1877 in Gorin, Missouri.  Her Pennsylvania Dutch mother "just thought up" the name Sedona for her daughter because "it had a pretty sound"... this was such a fun factoid we just had to drop it in somewhere…!) we decided to take in some of the 300 miles of scenic Red Rock trails that make it a hiker’s paradise (and make Sedona the Day Hike capital of the United States).   

And naturally if we’re at one of the most beautiful vistas in America, we just had to bust out a few photos with Mowgli The Dinosaur.  Mowgli The Dinosaur is a bedazzled T. Rex with 150,000 hand applied rhinestones of pure bling!  Mowgli is the the first large scale art installation by the creative media company This Way Adventures (owned by yours truly) under the BlingOSaurus rhinestone brand!  This 67 million year old SPARKLY T. Rex has become a mainstay at First Friday Las Vegas, the Dope Cup in the High Desert of California, the Cannabis Cup in Sacramento, CA, private parties in Tucson, and events hosted by The Green Light District.  And thus Mowgli got his own photoshoot in Sedona standing in front of the iconic Cathedral Rock, a beautiful natural cathedral and the most photographed Red Rock formation in Sedona.  

This gorgeous vista was  compounded by the fact that this space is considered a Magnetic vortice having a feminine or “yin” energy.  The flow of this energy is very nurturing, soft and welcoming and can assist you in inward activities, such as contemplation, meditation and reflection.  While the energy is more subtle, it is quite powerful, encouraging you to slow down, become calm and grow quiet.  A perfect bookend to our stay and this article (for those who want to get Meta!).  

So here’s to life being delicious, all your moments being postcard being worthy, and visiting the magical, mystical, energy spot of the high desert, Sedona, AZ! ;-)

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

Don’t Panic, It’s Organic at Kreation Organic Kafe in Brentwood

Don’t Panic, It’s Organic at Kreation Organic Kafe in Brentwood

By Kat Thomas, Edible Skinny

“Take care of your body.  It’s the only place you have to live.”

--Jim Rohn

Don’t panic, it’s organic!!!  A few weeks ago Edible Skinny was lucky enough to have a AB FAB meal at the AWESOME Kreation Organic Kafe in Brentwood.  Dining with the AMAZING Yoga Guru Jordana Reim (who just finished summiting Everest Base Camp with her company 180 Retreats!!!) we sampled complimentary activated charcoal water, were dazzled by blooming napkins, contemplated which flavor to pick from a juice selection that went into the hundreds, and embraced the non-oxymoron statement of desserts that are good for you.  Health at this level might sound like a fantasy, but I assure you in this timeline it’s the ultimate reality a Kreation Organic Kafe! ;-) 

Founded in 2005 by Marjan Sarshar; in the last decade Kreation Organic Kafe has expanded to 17 locations serving 100 percent USDA-certified organic cold-pressed juices, smoothies and superfood snacks.  Four of these locations (Santa Monica, Abbot Kinney, Beverly Grove, and Brentwood) are full-blown cafes and juiceries serving salubrious Iranian-inspired fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch menus.  The Brentwood location is also the first location in Kreation history to have a Bar (with a capital B) with Koktails crafted with Kreation’s signature juices.

It’s like this restaurant was designed to be a magical Insta Story...  Each table is decked with large scale vibrational crystals.  Dehydrated Napkins bloom into flowers when dropped into a self serve individual sized water bowl.   A waitress waltzes over offering an eyedropper of tableside activated charcoal to the distilled tap water served…  FYI: this is the PERFECT remedy for anyone with a hangover as charcoal binds to toxins in the body and helps eliminate them.  Along with the complimentary version, Kreation Organic Kafe offers options such as charcoalade, charcoal water, or flush down syringe if you had one too many last night! ;-)

Bring on the Juice!!!  Jordana and I started our meal with a couple of rounds of the Feel Better Shot, a healthy shooter that invigorated us with a serious punch of Turmeric and Echinacea, a bright burst of energy from Lemon, and a Cayenne kick.  It’s dense infusion of Vitamin C, will instantly refresh any foggy head!  But another solution is always alcohol (you like that pun there?), as Kreation Organic Kafe’s Brentwood location is the first to offer a full beer & wine bar, featuring cold-pressed juice Kocktails!  I voted for their Margarita, which was delightfully spicy, sinfully alcoholic, and yet also full of the freshest cold-pressed juices available (so at least it’s a bit healthy…).   FYI Kreation Organic Kafe San Vicente has Gratitude Hour everyday from 3pm-7pm for Kocktails and appetizer specials! ;-)

You are what you eat; don’t be fast, cheap, easy, or fake...  We then continued on to the food portion of this edible adventure!  We noshed on their Avocado Toast composed of Mashed avocado, Roma tomato, basil, garlic, chili flakes and chia seeds garnish on multigrain bread.  And in honor of Meatless Mondays (and Jordana being a Gluten Free Vegan) we also dined on their Vegan Meatballs and Sautéed Zucchini Noodles.  Trés Yumm!!! (With 3 Ms!!!)

In 2005, Marjan Sarshar started Kreation as an organic café on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica serving only 7 menu items, all her favorite Mediterranean and Persian recipes. Because they were one of the first healthy cafes, they were an instant hit for the health conscious eaters who wanted to live a high quality healthy lifestyle.  Later that summer, a retail space immediately adjacent to Kreation became available and she jumped at the opportunity to open the Juicery in that space.  September 17, 2011 became the official birthday of Kreation Juicery.  And from then on, it was to infinity and beyond!!!

Sarshar still stays close to her Persian roots, with Kreation Organic Kafe recently honoring Nowruz, the Iranian New Year (which is celebrated on the first day of Spring).  For the following 13 days afterwards, the restaurant offered Persian-inspired dishes to honor this holiday of renewal including: KooKoo (Persian Quiche), Ash Soup, Bone Broths, Yogurts, Rose Water and succulent Chicken Kabobs with Sumac.  Kreation’s house spices and sauces are also inspired by Mediterranean-Persian fare. 

It’s no coincidence that stressed spelled backwards is desserts!!!  To finish our meal, Jordana and I noshed on some Raw Cacao Pudding, this plant-based pudding dessert is a non-guilty essential full of the indulgent, satisfying flavor of chocolate while infusing your body with one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet: Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, and Manganese.  So hello dessert and goodbye stressed!!!

So here’s to life being delicious, all your moments being postcard worthy, and not panicking since THE JUICE IS ORGANIC!  ;-)  

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

BioHack Your Life with The 6th annual Biohacking Conference and Upgrade Experience at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel

BioHack Your Life with The 6th annual Biohacking Conference and Upgrade Experience at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel

By Omid Vojdani, Health and Wellness Editor, Edible Skinny

A few years back, I had the experience of a lifetime when I visited the flagship Upgrade Labs, the brainchild of Bulletproof founder, Dave Asprey, and the world's first Biohacking Health and Fitness facility, in Santa Monica, CA.  Amanda McVey, the VP of Upgrade Labs, and her expert team there treated me to almost every ‘biohack’ they had at their disposal so I could have the full experience of being upgraded by the cutting edge tech they had. After almost 4 hours I left with a level of energy that I can only describe as feeling like superman, but also a paradigm shifting sense of what is possible in the realms of human performance and health.

Since that experience, I dove head first into the world of biohacking in an attempt to feel that level of bionic energy as my new normal. Dave Asprey, the founder of Bulletproof, and a celebrity in the biohacking space, defines biohacking as “changing the environment outside of you and inside of you so you have full control of your biology, to allow you to upgrade your body, mind, and your life.” For example, most people know that when we get outside into nature and expose ourselves to healthy amounts of sunshine, we feel great and have replenished our vitamin D levels. Biohackers take that bit of knowledge and will use red light devices indoors to get all the same benefits (and then some) without having to leave the house. If I can get all the health benefits and save time and energy, I can use that savings for other things.

That is why I’m so excited about the 6th annual Biohacking Conference and Upgrade Experience that is taking place from April 5th through the 7th at the iconic Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel. Being in the health and wellness space myself, I knew a lot of the science of what I was going to go through at Labs years ago, but as they say, “words don’t change people, experiences do.” This is a chance for up to 1,200 people to experience the upper levels of human performance, and redefine what they want ‘normal health’ to mean.

This year, CEO Martin Tobias says, “We’ve totally overhauled this experience, making it more intimate and more interactive for attendees. People will walk away feeling better, looking better, and empowered and informed to live better.” Attendees will be treated to an Upgrade Labs approved menu of food prepared by the head chef and staff of the Beverly Hills Hilton, and if you choose to stay at the Hilton itself, in-room biohacks tailored towards combating the wear and tear of travel will be available. I’m looking forward to using the breath-EZ again; a little device that mists structured water that we breathe in to help restructure our cells from the inside out.

The speakers this year include, of course, Dave Asprey (the father of biohacking), as well as Arianna Huffington, Jim Kwik, Paralympian Amy Purdy, Dr Joseph Mercola, and many more. I’m most impressed with the wide variety of speaker topics this year, ranging from stem cells to the power of human connection to meditation and even spiritual awakening. I’m personally looking forward to Naveen Jain giving his talk about what he and his team are learning over at his gut microbiome company Viome. They’ve been collecting samples for years now, and I’d love to see the trends they’re discovering between our health and our gut bacteria.

I’m also looking forward to the tech playground this year more than others. Previously, there were almost too many venders and toys to play with, and I was left with the homework of trying to figure out which red light therapy company I wanted to go with. This year, the Upgrade Labs team has hand selected the best of the best in each category to be present aiming to create a much more streamlined experience for attendees to play with. Be sure to find the ‘cheat machine’ if you want to feel what a weightlifting workout SHOULD feel like.

My 4 hour upgrade experience left my life changed for the better; from making my workouts much more efficient, to improving my meditation game, to even redirecting my attention from what I thought was knee pain to instead focus on my lower back and kidneys. I can’t even imagine the changes that I’ll be able to make with 3 whole days of immersive biohacking and the new tools I’ll learn from speakers at the top of their industries. More importantly, I’m looking forward to shattering the upper limits of what my health can be.

If you’re interested in going to the event, purchase your tickets soon at  https://xp.upgradelabs.com/page/1375153/register, as space is limited and filling up fast. If you can’t make it, I highly recommend making a visit to either of the Upgrade Labs locations and treating yourself to the upgrade experience.

Omid Vojdani is the founder of Succeed With Omid, a program of complete personalized mind body health specializing in wellness, injury rehab, and relationship management. For more information check out succeedwithomid.com

LOVE in all forms at the AVNS at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

LOVE in all forms at the AVNS at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

By Kat Thomas, Edible Skinny

Relax, it’s just sex…

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to attend (along with 50,000 other people) the AVN Novelty Expo at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino a few weeks ago.  There surrounded by dozens of Fleshlight displays (if you’re unsure what this is, we recommend researching it while not at work…), we were reminded how the entire porn industry is about listening to your philosophical inner compass.

Let me explain…..

The AVN Novelty Expo is the Adult Entertainment Industry's premiere B2B event.  The AVN Novelty Expo brings together the latest and greatest items from a wide range of cutting edge companies such as toys, lingerie, lotions, sex furniture, and other novelty items.  More than 500 of the hottest stars from the adult industry were in attendance, priming themselves for the AVN Awards on Saturday night aka the "Oscars of Porn” where former stripper Cardi performed (two weeks before her Grammy win of Best Rap Album).

While there we saw it all!  And were reminded how one of the most AMAZING aspects at AVN weekend is how it embraces LOVE in all forms.  From Oculus Rifts based virtual reality porn to high class sex dolls to The Lair, an interactive playspace where you can absolutely come as you are, the AVNs scream “you just do you.” 

A template that can definitely be applied more in the real world!

The AWESOME thing about the porn industry is they don’t judge, they embrace.  Ever heard of Rule 34 of the Internet?  Whatever weird kinky porn you try to create in your mind, it already exists.  And with the limitlessness of human ingenuity, let’s just say Westworld is closer than you think! ;-) 

In the last twenty years the internet (whose bandwidth was built on early 90s nerds looking for porn...) has evolved into a LIKE culture.  Something that has brought us together as humans, but has also separated us from our philosophical inner compass.  Most of us now look to our Likes and Followers to tell us who were are. 

But not the porn industry.  Instead they say bring it!  Because Rule 34 is inexhaustible in their minds!

So let’s all be a little bit more like the porn industry and embrace LOVE in all forms!  In doing so, we’ll be taking the philosophical and moral high grounds, plus it’s a Hell of a lot more fun! ;-)

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

There Are Never Enough I LOVE YOUs: A Valentine's Day Product Guide

There Are Never Enough I LOVE YOUs: A Valentine's Day Product Guide

By Kat Thomas, Edible Skinny

“There are never enough I LOVE YOUs.”
--Lenny Bruce, Comedian

Lenny Bruce said it ABSOLUTE BEST!  Because the most important part of Valentine’s Day are the I LOVE YOUs.  The I LOVE YOUs to your significant other(s), your family, your pets, and MOST ESPECIALLY to yourself.  Now, I could write another two intro paragraphs for this Valentine’s Day Product Guide, but really all I want to do is keep mentioning FAB LOVE quotes.  You see some GREAT people said it much much better than me!  ;-)

But before we get to the quotes… if you’re still looking for some FUN and FLIRTY V-Day gifts to augment your I LOVE YOUs, below are 5 suggestions that we here at Edible Skinny ABSOLUTELY ADORE!!!

FAB Quote #1:
“Some LOVE stories aren’t epic novels some are short stories, but that doesn’t make them any less filled with LOVE.”
--Carrie Bradshaw

FAB Quote #2:
“Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes.  There’s too much fraternizing with the enemy.”
--Henry Kissinger

FAB Quote #3:
“All you need is LOVE. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
--Charles Schultz

Here’s to life being delicious, all your moments being postcard worthy, and I LOVE YOUs all the time! ;-)
DEMETER FRAGRANCE KITTEN FUR
Everyone LOVES Kittens!  But unfortunately certain boyfriends are allergic (I’m talking to you Matt Bourquardez!) or your apartment doesn’t allow them.  Luckily Demeter has captured a fragrance that truly purrrrrrrs.  After 15 years of effort, this New York based fragrance company has created the olfactory essence of a baby cat aka “kitten.”  All the warmth, powdery softness, and comfort of that purrfect spot, just behind a kitten's neck.  So grab a bottle of Demeter’s Kitten Fur and leave the Benadryl behind! ;-)
https://demeterfragrance.com/

MILK + HONEY LIP DUO
The best way to have a two hour kissing session is to have kissable lips.  Enter Milk + Honey, a Austin based handmade beauty product line that is toxin-free, organic, and plant-based.  Their Lip Duo (containing their Lip Polish and Lip Butter) is the perfect pair to prep for puckering up!  Made from Vanilla, Cardamom, Blood Orange, and Lemongrass, the Lip Polish buffs away dryness and provides a soft canvas for any lip color.  Finish your mouth prep with their Lip Butter for a silky pout with a delicate, natural shine.  The perfect solution for hours and hours of smooching!
https://milkandhoney.com/

THE AIRHOOK
This is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT for the Techie traveler in your life looking for more airline seat space.  The Airhook is a revolutionary two-in-one solution for airplane travel: a stable drink holder and a secure mount for an electronics device.  Designed to elevate the level of comfort and convenience for airplane travelers, allowing for maximum legroom, The Airhook uses the tray table in its vertical locked position as an anchor, rather than horizontally as a platform. Travelers no longer need to sacrifice space with the folding down trays!   Something a certain 6’3” foot boyfriend would have definitely appreciated on our 10-hour flight to Amsterdam last year! ;-)
https://theairhook.com/

PLUSONE VIBRATING RING
What Valentine’s Day is complete without a bit of SEXY SEXY time?  Now there’s tons of sex toys on the market but the cool thing about plusOne, a collection of adult pleasure products for quality-seeking yet budget-minded customers, is that they’re taking adult playtime into the mainstream marketplace.  That’s right you no longer need to procure your toys at a scuzzy roadside jerk hut (or the Internet)...  Since hitting the shelves in early-October, the brand has already sold nearly a quarter of a million devices in the U.S in big-box retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.  Our favorite is their Vibrating Ring: the snug-fitting ring that enhances his size while adding sensual vibrations for both partners.  The inviting (not scary at all) plusOne ring is made of super stretchy body safe silicone and has 10 vibration settings.  Portable and discreet, it’s perfect for precise stimulation.  And the fully waterproof ring is perfect for play in the bath or shower.  So let the games begin!
https://myplusone.com/

MARLEY UPRISE

Music is one of those universal presents, the ultimate gift of changing one’s good vibrations to even better good vibrations.  The House of Marley Uprise are Bluetooth wireless sports earphones that gives you the ability to make those Beach Boys sounds mobile.  Made of natural wood fiber and recycled PP composite the earphones have an 8-hour battery life (unlike some wireless headphones that die after 2 hours…) and a travel case made from recycled water bottles.  They’re also SUPER DUPER quick charging (which is A BIG DEAL when you realize you didn’t charge them and you want to go to the gym right now...).  Uprise even has a travel case made from recycled water bottles.  So get ready for those Good Vibrations that you need for your marathon training to be more mobile! ;-)
https://www.thehouseofmarley.com/

Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy.  She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com

Underground Vibes with No/Me at LA's Black Rabbit Rose and Madame Siam Sideshow Emporium

Last week Edible Skinny was lucky enough to drop by Houston Hospitality’s Black Rabbit Rose to check out Republic Records up-and-coming alt-pop singer-songwriter No/Me showcase her new album!

Named one of the Best Bars in LA by Vice, the fraternal twins’ magic-themed speakeasy (they are REALLY into speakeasies!) Black Rabbit Rose, features a short and sweet craft cocktail list with a stage that features rising pop stars, contortionists and illusionists, and burlesque shows.  (Oh and sometimes it’s also a Thai restaurant...).  While there I sipped on a Dark Arts cocktail (Lemongrass Vodka, Lime, Aloe, and Activated Charcoal), afterwards I was ready to join team Slytherin!

Songs played during No/Me’s half hour-ish set included her first dropped single: Consistent, a track that was inspired by No/Me’s recent attempt at online dating.  Her lyrics are a checklist of issues: she’s a skeptic, a cynic, a neurotic, a narcissistic, and a freak who’s “got the best intentions.”  Consistent is also featured on the recently announced FIFA 19 soundtrack, among the likes of Childish Gambino, Gorillaz, Logic, Billie Eilish and more.  No/Me’s vocal vibe is breathy raspiness with a WAHLOP of emotionality in every lyric delivered.  While studying at UCLA, No/Me double majored in musicology and music industry, while balancing nighttime gigs with her previous rock band.  Another breakout song was Savior, “Fuck the fairytales and your princess dreams.  I’m gonna give you hell like a killer queen.”  And with more FAB performances like this No/Me is definitely on her way to being a killer queen. 
 
After the performance it was time to sneak into another Houston space: Madame Siam Sideshow Emporium, the adjoining speakeasy (like I said…) whose theme focuses on the classic American traveling carnival, by way of the Donald Trump Silk Road.  With a secret door backdoor gum-ball machine entrance, there’s a something for every carney lover out there: a ball toss at Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, an in house Tarot Card Reader, ironic gum-ball options (such as “Pretty Fly For a White Guy”), and corndogs being slung from a chuck wagon.

Here’s to life being delicious, all your moments being postcard worthy, and being a killer queen at a Houston speakeasy! ;-)

Servino - Dionysian Italian Cuisine in the NorCal Seaside Hamlet of Tiburon

Servino - Dionysian Italian Cuisine in the NorCal Seaside Hamlet of Tiburon


By Kat Thomas, Edible Skinny


The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again.

--George Miller



Sometimes you go to a big town, just to go to a small town.  Or at least that’s what happened when Edible Skinny spent Martin Luther King weekend in San Francisco.  While in SanFran the Thomas Gals checked out the quaint by way of classy Tiburon.  With a current population of 8,600 people the town of Tiburon runs at an undemanding pace.  Located just north of San Francisco, in Marin County, California it is accessible by ferry from downtown San Francisco, as well as by car from Highway 101.  The city's name derives from the Spanish word tiburón, which means shark (inspired by the prevalence of locally native leopard sharks in the surrounding waters). 

Tiburon's Main Street has been preserved as it was when the town was a Gold Rush train town and lumber yard. The scenic "Ark Row" shops are actually housed in turn of the century boat houses that were converted into homes and shops when the lagoon between the Tiburon peninsula and the neighboring island of Belvedere was filled in.  It’s a great place to wander and find a vista meal, which is how Kelly and I ended up at local watering hole Servino!  This dockside restaurant and bar is owned by Angelo Servino, the Dionysus of Tiburon. (Aptly nicknamed after Warren Buffet, the Oracle of Omaha, dined in his restaurant twice in one week… once with Bill Gates). 



It was a warm January day, so Kelly and I chose to enjoy an al fresca meal watching the local ferries glide to and from San Francisco.  But just in case, the restaurant houses stacks of blankets for those who get chilly billy.  Claudia our server, and also a manager at the restaurant for the six years, gave us the skinny on the establishment.  Servino been in business 40 years.  Starting on Ark Row, and then moving into its current waterside space 20 years ago.



Claudia suggested we start with a white wine and chose a glass of the 2017 Erste + Neue, a Sauvignon Blanc from Sudtirol - Alto Adige, for us.  The wine’s name translates to “fresh and new.”  It originated from the Sudtirol - Alto Adige region of Italy, an Austro-Italian wine region noted for the distinct Austrian influences on the wine industry due to the region's long history under the rule of Austria-Hungary and Holy Roman Empires.  This Sauv. Blanc was perfect for a bright winter day, after the rain.  We savored each unique sip with a with throw draped over our shoulder and boats quietly bobbing the sun.  And because we were hungry (when are we not?), we paired it with some scrumptious Oysters Marin Miyagi from Tomales Bay.  Ginormous and full of creaminess, Kelly was in Oyster Heaven!!!



We chased our shellfish with cheese (how Italian of us!): Buratta and Culatello from Salumeria Biellese with green garnish.  Kelly and I agreed it was the best version of this AMAZINGLY creamy snot nose cheese we’d ever had!!!  And because we felt obliged to eat something healthy we added something green. Our salad included Baby Beets, Pistachios, Pickled Red Onion, and Arugula.  It tasted like spring, balanced with a tad of bacchanal: Goat Cheese from Cypress Grove in Humboldt.  One of the reason everything tasted so FAB was because Servino crafts their dishes with as many local and organic food sources as possible…. Really everything we commented on was raised or grown right around the corner from where we dining! ;-)


And nothing is better to soak in a stunning view than a little privacy!  Upstairs Servino has an events space perfect for a corporate meeting or intimate weddings.  The space, complete with outside deck and lounge area, overlooks the twinkling San Francisco skyline and sailboats leaning towards the sea.  This seaside gem is the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night, be it birthday or business.


But back to the food and wine!  Up next was a glass of the Rosé Linbrandi Curonian Rosé of Gaglioppo - Calabria.  Crisp with a hint of sweet, it was your epitome of Rosé Everyday!  We paired this with Servino’s signature dish: Zappa di Pesce, their version of Fisherman’s Stew.  An amalgamation of Clams, Mussels, Calamari, Fish of Day, Shrimp, and San Mariano tomatoes.  Kelly noted the sizable nature of the mussels only to discover (wait for it...) they were sourced less than an hour away in Monterey....



It was then on to large dramatic wines (this restaurant is owned by the Dionysus of Tiburon!!!).  We chose a glass of the 2013 Romeo Cellars Semprini Vive “Old Vine” Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa.  FUN FACT: the Romeo Family are personally friends with Angelo Servino. 

And because we were at an Italian restaurant we had to get a pizza.  We decided to split the pie down the middle with two of Servino’s specialities: half Funghi, half Zucca.  The Zucca was healthier comprised of Butternut Squash, Potatoes, Mozzarella, Arugula, and Shaved Parmesan. It was full of fresh fall tastes, earthy with a little bit of cream; the perfect cold weather snack for someone looking for a bite with autumnal flare.  The Funghi was more Dionysus decadent made of Mozzarella Cheese, Crimini, Baby Shiitake, Thyme, and White Truffle Oil.  It was the perfect hearty winter pizza.  “It far exceeded my expectations,” chirped Kelly between munches. 
 


And finally we came to Kelly’s 3 favorite food groups: wine, coffee, and dessert.  We swished more Romero Cellars wine, sipped on frothy cappuccinos, and savored a decadent flourless chocolate cake (made in-house by an aptly named chef called Leonardo).  Topped with fresh made Whipped Cream, Hazelnuts, Chocolate drizzle with a side of Silvered Strawberries this dessert was big on taste, rich and robust, but not on size.  This double decadence brought us straight back to the street of Florence. 

Here’s edible adventures, postcard views, and life being (fresh) and delicious


Kat Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both brands at http://www.thiswayadventures.com