Great Comments About Chauffeur Adrian 2009-08-03

After their game on Saturday (which they almost pulled out in the final seconds), Jodi Bacon from KHTK took some of the Monarchs out in our Hummer. Pictured here from left to right are DeMya Walker, Assistant Coach Monique Ambers and Jodi.

From their Facebook postings, I think they all had a good time, and they especially liked their Chauffeur, Adrian. Here is what they had to say:
Jodi - Adrian from Luxury Limo best...my headache, the worst!

Yesterday at 11:54am · Comment · LikeUnlike

2 people like this.

Lisa A.
Adrian is amazing..lets invite him over for the bbq!
Yesterday at 12:15pm

Laura A.Love Adrian..he is the best!! Can't wait until we go out again
Yesterday at 1:04pm

Ac W.
he was....and he was fine!
Yesterday at 2:20pm (more...)

1st Stiletto Crawl is Coming Up! 2009-08-04

Our friends over at Twin Soup are sponsoring a Girls' Night Out on August 19th. The ladies will start with a private shopping party at Madam Butterfly in The Pavilions, and then head down to my favorite pizza place, Hot Italian.
From there it is on to Mix Downtown, where they will enjoy their own VIP Section and bottle service. All this for only $50! (No, that is not a typo - $50 gets all of this!).
Sorry dudes - ladies only!

(more...)

Meet the "Top Chef Masters" on Sunday 2009-08-05

This Sunday the four "Top Chef Masters" from Northern California are hosting a Zin 'Ribs' Party at the Bottega Restaurant in Yountville.

Michael Chiarello, Cindy Pawlcyn, Herbert Keller and Elizabeth Flakner will all be there to sign books or bottles at 11:30 which will be followed by a cooking demonstration at 1. Guests will dine on Tuscan BBQ Ribs will enjoying Chiarello's 91 Point Zinfandel.
You can even bring kids as there will be lawn games for them. Best of all, the cost is only $30 ($35 day of the event). Kids under 6 are free and those over 6 but under 21 are only $15.
For even more information on this event, check out

(more...)

A Very Much Planned - Plan B 2009-08-07

Most of us have a Plan B when it comes to decisions. Lucky for those in the Arden-Arcade area, their “Plan B” is a restaurant featuring European culinary experience and New York business savvy.

Lionel Lucas, Plan B’s co-owner, greeted my friend and me with a smile as we entered and admired the restaurant’s contemporary atmosphere, clean lines and open space. Even though it was a lazy weekday evening, my gut (and not just its growling) and nose led me to believe this would be an enjoyable dining experience.

I am a big believer that every great dining adventure begins with a cocktail. The toughest part is deciding which one! Admiring a beautiful bar manned by a skilled mixologist is like shoe shopping at Nordstroms. So many pretty bottles, textures and colors to choose from that you want to try each one. Our bartender Matt, like any good cocktail consultant, created the “Perfect” Perfect Manhattan; with just the right amount of vermouth and that hint of bourbon. For my companions drink, he chose Patron’s favorite companion, the Margarita. Although Matt created one that most bartenders would be proud to shake, my friend’s discerning taste and more importantly his sampling of my own ‘rita concoction, has spoiled his taste buds. My Jimmy Buffet loving uncle taught me that all girls should know two things in life; how to change a tire and make a Margarita. Thank goodness I have AAA!

We were one of the first diners to arrive and I was utterly impressed to see that Lionel, who prefers to be called Lucas, was taking orders and juggling roles and plates in his own place. I’ve learned through my own hospitality industry experience, it should be admired when an owner roles up his sleeves to know first hand what the troops face on the battlefield.

A butter lettuce salad with blue cheese, dried cherries, walnuts and a dijon vinaigrette caught my eye and taste buds. I have been obsessed with butter lettuce lately and by far this salad continued that obsession. For our wining and dining pleasures, I complimented my salad with a bottle of Arrogant Frog Rose. This French wine and its rosewater essence brought me to les domaines de Provence and complimented the blue cheese and cherries perfectly.

My cohort had the half chicken breast with ratatouille. We learned that in addition to his charm, smile and Perfect Manhattan, Matt could also recommend the perfect wine. In this case the Deloach Pinot Noir. The succulent chicken fell off the bone allowing one to try and capture the juices between the tasty pieces of skin and white meat. The flavorful broth was unable to be soaked up any more because the chicken was already so juicy. The ratatouille with all its rustic Italian flavors made each bite one to savor . Even the side of “skinny” fries were rave-able!

We retired to the patio to finish our wine and enjoy the last hints of flavor that it brought out from our meal. To my surprise, my friend ordered cheesecake as the final note. I was too engulfed in the last bits of strawberry, rosemary and floral tastes of my Arrogant Frog to desire something sweet and creamy. However, the presentation enticed me towards a bite and I can’t say I regretted it. Plan B is a Luxx recommendation for those wanting to experience a great meal with an equally great setting. Don’t forget to tell Matt we said hello!

Plan B Restaurant – 555 La Sierra Dr, Sacramento (more...)

Bay Bridge is Closing Again This Labor Day 2009-08-11

For the third time in four years, the Bay Bridge will be closed on Labor Day Weekend. According to Cal Trans. the bridge will close on Thursday September 3rd at 8PM, and will reopen at 5AM on Tuesday September 8th.

During this closure, a football size portion of the eastern span will be cut and rolled away to make room for a double-deck detour that will be used until the new bridge opens sometime in 2013. For a great simulation of how this engineering feat will take place (including a time-lapse sequence of a similar procedure performed back on Labor Day Weekend in 1997) check out the Cal Trans video by clicking here. (more...)