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Amici’s, on De Anza at Town Center Lane—is now featuring Gluten Free dishes, including Pizza. This is a boon for diners who love delicious Italian food, but have had to skip it because they are on a Gluten Free diet. The food is always delicious at Amici’s, and there is ample free parking in the building next door.
Brunch is now served at B.J.’s Brewhouse on De Anza at the 85 Frwy. The restaurant opens at 10:00 on Sat. & Sun., and is offering a new breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes, French toast and a few other options. This is great, of course—when it goes along with the latest morning sports on the plethora of TV’s around the room.
Hobbee’s, at Stevens Creek, in The Oaks Shopping Center offers new and innovative breakfast options almost every day. And, this is the only restaurant we know of where turkey bacon is served for those who prefer turkey. The menu is always interesting and updated, however—if you haven’t tried their ABLT-
Avocado, turkey bacon, lettuce & tomato – you are missing a wonderful sandwich.
 By Ruby Elbogen
Cross Promotions Work. This past weekend, a bin to collect canned and packaged food was placed near the registration table at The ACS Cupertino Relay For Life. Although the Relay was all about cancer research, participants brought along cans and boxes of food as well as fresh produce for the hungry. In all, 500 lbs. of canned food and 150 lbs. of produce came in.
We are asking Cupertino organizations like Rotary, Quota, Optimists, Kiwanis, PTA and all the others, as well as residents and groups having parties to include those less fortunate by including the notice on your invitations, and a food barrel or bags at your event.
We have children going to school without breakfast, students going to De Anza College without lunch and some with low-level jobs who are hungry. If you are having a birthday party-include silent neighbors you don’t know-virtually-to your party by asking your guests to bring along a few cans of food.
This small effort costs very little, sometimes just taking food from your own cupboard, and does a world of good. Please contact us at: TheCupertinoNews@Gmail.com if you and/or your group can help. Please–Pay it forward.
By Ruby Elbogen
HOBBEE’S, on Stevens Creek near the 85, in The Oaks Shopping Center- A great place for a July 4th patriotic Red, White & Blue Smoothie. Delicious beyond belief; and Hobbee’s is the ONLY place we know of where turkey-bacon is served. Great choice for an
ABLT (avocado/bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwich) double yum; and eggs with turkey bacon, which is crispy and delicious. We love Hobbee’s.
AMICI’S, on De Anza in the Villagio Building serves genuine New York pizza that is bubbly and beautiful. And, their Caesar Salad is outstanding. Amici’s also now has gluten-free menu options. For great Italian food you can’t beat–Amici’s. They also offer delivery.
BONJOUR, The Crepe Place on Stevens Creek at Blaney is now serving chocolate fondue with a variety of dipping options. Every occasion is special at Bonjour when you partake of a fondue. Their crepes also come in a healthy buckwheat option as well. Try it soon.
POT STICKER KING, In the Marketplace shopping center has been there for years and that only happens when a restaurant is friendly to all, will make adjustments in menu items-and serves good food. Pot Stickers rule here, however all the favorite Chinese dishes are on the menu, including vegetarian. There are fantastic Lunch Specials as well.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th OF JULY WEEKEND
 By Ruby Elbogen
It’s ironic to me that our county officials are focusing their efforts to reduce childhood obesity on fast food toys, instead of providing more opportunities for kids to exercise.
Instead of looking for an easy target—they should take a good look at our schools and the cuts to education that reduce physical activity. To cut obesity in our schools, slice the pork at the county level to bring greater physical programs to classrooms and after school programs.
Portable classrooms blossom like spring Poppies where outdoor games should be taking root. Cutting programs that encourage movement and music took its toll, you are reaping what you sowed. Instead of blaming themselves for over development of homes that overcrowd schools, they blame fast food purveyors for toys in fatty meals. Really?
County officials: Take a look in the mirror to place the blame for your lack of interest when it would actually have mattered. Use innovation to bring physical movement to schools—fund yoga, aerobics and ballroom dance classes in our schools, and watch the pounds drop. Be creative, not punative. It works.
 By The C-Team
BONJOUR – Although this popular place is famous for delicious Crepe’s of every variety, including the healthy Buckwheat versions you can choose your outer and inner crepe depending upon your mood or need for veggies, fruit and protein (the Brie & Apple is our new fave) AND, Bonjour is now serving Chocolate Fondue with a variety of dippers, too good to even describe. Try one soon. Bonjour, Stevens Creek at Blaney
B.J.’S – Has fantastic lunch specials. The endless soup and salad option is a great value that tastes delicious. There’s also an individual sized pizza with salad. AND if it’s your Birthday—Tah Dah, be sure to tell your server. Celebrate your B.D.’s at B.J.’s with a Pizooki. Better than cake. –on De Anza next to the 280 Fwy.
WING STOP – Recently opened at MARKETPLACE CENTER. It’s way across the parking lot from the popular ELEPHANT BAR. Marketplace has transformed from an ordinary shopping center to a Destination Shopping and Dining “neighborhood.” From Wing Stop with it’s huge variety of wings and sides; to POT STICKER KING—great Chinese food at low prices, and lunch specials. Erick’s for sandwiches and A new Sushi Bar just opened between Marukai Market and The Bakery. And, let’s not forget Cupertino’s iconic McHART’S and BEARD PAPA-for great cream puffs. Find all this and much-much more at the corner of Stevens Creek & So. Portal.
 By The C Team
Inge Roberts, Chair of this year’s Annual Hat’s Off To You Luncheon wants everyone to know that if you miss this celebration, you’ll miss the party of the year. The Luncheon will be held at Quinlan Center, on Thurs. April 22nd, and the fun begins at 11:45 a.m.
Tickets are just $15. Per person for the delicious catered Lunch from Outback Steak House. Quota will raise funds at Hat’s Off for its various charitable programs including: underprivileged women and children, the hearing impaired, West Valley Community Services programs; and this year’s featured basket raffle will benefit the Hearing Service Dog program to help make life easier for hearing impaired individuals.
Reservations are a must, so please contact any Quota member, or call:
408/255-9463, to reserve your place. Be There Or Be Square!!!
 March Noodle Month By Ruby Elbogen
Just leave it to Cupertino-News.com to bring you important information you can’t get along without. Since we just learned that March is the official month to enjoy noodles, we offer a few suggestions:
Since noodles were “invented” in China, we are very fortunate to have an ample number of restaurants, like Pot Sticker King in the Marketplace Shopping Center, at Stevens Creek & So. Portal ready and willing to serve us this perfect comfort food. With a noodle here and a noodle there diners will find plenty to slurp about.
Soba Noodles are beyond delicious, and I recently found them at Marukai Market, and at the Japanese Food Station in Whole Foods. Soba is healthy as well.
Macaroni and Cheese is a great dish to consume while celebrating, and you do still have half a month to enjoy this soothing comfort food at home. Add cottage cheese to the mix to maximize the protein.
Noodles are pasta, so I’m sure the celebrations can include the wonderful Italian dishes at Amici’s on De Anza at City Centre. Our staff has yet to meet a pasta dish here we didn’t like, but we keep trying. FYI, Lasagna counts as noodles.
No matter how you consume National Noodle Month, it will be memorable. However, after all this enjoyment, be sure to visit Super Personal Trainer, Brenda Kashuba at her 4Ever Fit Workout Studio, so that minute of Noodles on your lips, won’t last a lifetime on your hips. Yaaaay Noodles.
By The C-Team
 Red Mango RED MANGO – First of all, the chocolate frozen yogurt at Red Mango is the very best we’ve ever tasted. Every bite leaves your tongue happy and it’s very low in calories. What could be better? Also try the Red Mango parfaits instead of a regular lunch: Yogurt, fruit, grains, and nuts all in one cup. Delicious, and healthy, too. Red Mango, next to Amici’s at
De Anza and City Centre.
 Amici's AMICI’S – We tried the New York Pizza for the first time and it was an amazing, authentic treat. Exactly what New York Pizza is supposed to taste like. Too good for words!!! We split the pizza with a small Chicken Caesar Salad and it was wonderful. Amici’s, at DeAnza and City Centre.
 Bonjou BONJOUR – This casual kid friendly Crepe’ Place has added Panini’s to their menu and they are very good. The variety of crepe’ options is extensive. Warning: the dessert crepes are habit forming. Bonjour, at Stevens Creek & Blaney
 The Roasted Coffee Bean
The Roasted Coffee Bean
THE ROASTED COFFEE BEAN – While we look lovingly at all the goodies that cry out to us, we are delighted that “The Bean” also has a delicious egg, with or without cheese, on a muffin, and it’s very tasty. More like a soufflé than a scrambled egg, this dish is a great breakfast option, and when enjoyed with one of their famous espresso drinks is an unbeatable combo. The Roasted Coffee Bean, at Stevens Creek and Tantau.
 BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse B.J.’s – Continues to make their lunch special menu longer. We especially enjoyed their new Teriyaki Salmon with vegetables over sticky rice. They’ve also added a few, very small portion dishes like macaroni and cheese, and a Buffalo Mozzarella with tomato salad. You can make a meal from two or three small dishes. B.J.’s, at De Anza next to the 280 Fwy.
 Wine Pairings By George Edwards
The most satisfying aspect of focusing on the interaction of food and wine is the freedom to entertain any bottle that comes my way.
Sixteen or so years of nibbling, sipping and documenting my impressions taught me some invaluable lessons: There are few real rules; artichokes and most wines work just fine–and the ideal companion for Chardonnay is beef.
There are no boundaries; every wine and every cuisine is fair game within the everyday food spectrum. Had I been trapped in the varietal, regional, producer, etc. “Box” I would not have discovered the amazing food versatility of the delicately sweet, bright, low (6%) alcohol–Golan Moscato from Israel.
Alas, even the winery itself hasn’t figured it out yet since they label this a Kosher “dessert” wine on their website. So far three vintages have demonstrated an affinity for lamb, chicken (from fried to Cajun BBQ), salmon (batting a thousand), beef, lasagna with Italian sausage (go figure), and oriental veggie rolls (kudos with both soy and sweet and sour sauces). Dessert wine? Balderdash.
OK, the ’06 was downright yummy with a coconut tart too. And would I have paid any attention to an inquiry about the McNab Ridge French Colombard that received Double Gold and Best of ALL White Wines Awards at the Mendocino Wine Competition if I were boxed in? I don’t think so.
Not only do I particularly dig the wines of Mendocino and not only is Colombard way out of the mainstream, these had to be old vines (a very good thing) as no one today would plant this workhorse varietal of the Central Valley jug wine industry in a premium grape growing region. Hasta La Vista boundaries.
I am now on my second vintage and this low alcohol (in the 12’s), floral, grapey, immensely pleasing blue collar white hasn’t come up short once and I’m talking not only salmon, chicken, turkey, lamb, and lasagna, how about green beans, baked mushrooms, and Brussels sprouts to boot. Thank heavens we didn’t have our blinders on when this one came by.
Needless to say, the wine vendors who call on me know they can bring me just about any variation on the vinous theme, particularly those that no one else would deign to sample. That’s how I found myself pulling the faux cork (I hate those) on Sweet Pea Peach Infused Apple Wine from Washington.
Well, I’m here to tell you, this is a tasty alternative with both salmon and pork (makes sense, pork and apples). And don’t get me started on Dry Rose’ and creative junkyard dog red and white blends.
Not to mention the unfamiliar and puzzling grape varieties and wines like Bonarda and Torrontes from Argentina, the Verdejos of Spain, Falaghina from Campania in Italy, and the white Anthilia blend (Ansonica and Catturrato) from Sicily. What are we to do with them? Give them a little food context, of course.
 Wu Wo Tea Convention
By Sherry Fang Santoro
The Annual Wu-Wo Tea Convention on began back in the 1990’s by Mr. Tsai in Taiwan. Participants brought their own tea and utensils and sat in a circle to brew tea for their fellow participants. They brewed four cups of tea; three cups for the participants to their left and one for themselves.
The Wu Wo Tea Ceremony emphasized equality. Everyone is equal in this circle because each person brews, serves, and drinks tea as equal guests. Participants are expected to reflect and meditate during the tea ceremony and talk, primarily-about tea.
George Lin and his wife Janice Sung invited me to their Cupertino home on a recent Sunday morning to experience the Wu Wo Tea Ceremony. They hold classes on the many facets of making, brewing, and drinking tea.
Lin explained that tea is a main staple in the diet of Chinese Monks, because they are allowed only one meal each day that must be eaten before noon. The monks count on tea to get them through the rest of the day. He also touched upon the philosophical differences between the Japanese, Korean, and Chinese tea ceremonies. If you want to learn more about teas and Asian history, encourage you to contact George Lin and Janice Sung, to arrange for a private lesson on tea ceremonies. For more information please contact Janice Sung at 408-343-0149.
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