GKC gets around. This week we attended the International Food and Wine Festival at the Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, CA. But before we tell you about the wine (and even the other alcohol) we need to rave about the food. Coming out of the kitchen of their world class Tierra Sur restaurant, the taste treats were nothing short of amazing. Our palates were stimulated at every turn. From the fresh pasta with mushroom sauce and shaved truffles, to the beef cheek in homemade corn tortillas to the veal carpaccio and lamb sausage, it was a feast for the senses. And their paté…there are no words. It is our all-time favorite. We even ran into some New Yorkers who had flown in just for the event! (Okay, maybe it was the sun they really wanted but I don’t know…) And just a word about the desserts. We tried the French macaroon with the sweet potato jam and marshmallow button and they were right – it sounded unusual but tasted fantastic! The hazelnut and butterscotch truffles melted in your mouth and the Meyer lemon and huckleberry parfait was beyond. Then there were the apple empanadas, raspberry truffles, macaroons with chocolate drizzle….But I had to save room for the alcohol. We tried a drink made with Los Arango Tequila Anejo containing fresh cucumber juice, sweet and sour, tequila and chile verde salt. It would be welcome at my Purim table. My husband enjoyed the Louis Royer XO Cognac while I liked the Tomintoul Peaty Tang scotch. I tried the French Chateau Fourcas Dupré which was just as smooth as promised and the popular Domaine du Castel, the elegant boutique brand with the long finish. We also enjoyed the brand new Shiraz from the (also brand new) Harkham Winery. Too bad we had to drive home… it was a wonderful event and GKC looks forward to being invited back next year!! (hint, hint)