Spice Up Your Sip: Creative Recipes with Gran Malo Spicy Tamarind Tequila Liqueur

We were told that an icy shot is the best way to enjoy this liqueur. So, we had a few! Although I never got to talk to him, I was able to try a few cocktails with this liqueur. My first thought was Yum! This is surprisingly spicy. If you haven’t tasted tamarind, it’s considered a fruit, but I always thought it was a seed pod that hangs from a tree. I’ve only seen this in the Southern US and Mexico. You take the pulp out of the Inside the pod. It is high in tartaric acid, giving a sweet and sour taste and a tart flavor. Gran Malo says, “Many people describe the fruit as something similar to tropical lemonade with a hint of caramel. At first, it’s sweet, and then a tarty sourness creeps up your throat.” Continue Reading →

Woof ‘n Rose Winery: A Trailblazer in Ramona’s Wine Scene

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Woof n Rose Winery motto

Marilyn and Steve Kahle, owners and winemaker (Steve) for Woof ‘n Rose Winery in Ramona came to San Diego in 1987. They purchased a property on five acres in Ramona, a small town east of San Diego.

“Our wine journey began as a landscaping project in 1995. With five acres of property which was essentially burnable brush, we decided to clear a small portion of our property and plant a few grapes to see if they would grow and if it would be something we would enjoy. The grapes grew and we did seem to enjoy it, so we planted more grapes, eventually planting a total of nine varietals,” Marilyn Kahle said. Continue Reading →

The Barn House BBQ “The Messier the Better”

The Barn House BBQ in Lemon Grove

Like tacos, ask ten people their opinion on BBQ and you’ll get fifteen answers. There’s Carolina, both east which is peppery and vinegar-based, and west which is Bavarian-based. You have Kansas City with its beef ribs and sauce which is sweeter and tomato-based, and Memphis with its pork. Texas likes its meat cooked low and slow over hickory wood. Many cooking styles.  Many spice Continue Reading →

Scenic Valley Ranch Winery

Today's line-up of wines at Scenic Valley Winery

The McGrath’s did their research throughout the Ramona Valley to learn what varietals grow well here and in the end they decided that they liked Bordeaux-style wines. They planted Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Albariño, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah. Continue Reading →

Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels providing cool vibes and more

Spill the Beans coffee

Cool Vibes, Good Music, Food and Drink. That is the motto of the newly opened Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels. Located on the north side of The Townsend Apartments, or as some call it, the back entrance to Fashion Valley Shopping Center, they join other supporting businesses for this new housing area. One of these businesses is Spill the Beans Coffee and Bagels. Continue Reading →