Crossing paths with The Black Cat Bistro...

Fireside dining in an intimate 1930s house on Main St in Cambria... every bite a perfect bite from chef/owner Deborah Scarborough's fresh and flavor-filled cuisine...

A great meal of seasonal, organic, sustainable, and locally harvested foods... Thoughtful wine & beer pairings, plus a delicious limey pomegranate cosmo to start...

Arugula & Bresaola Salad

Chevre & Pickled Currant Bruschetta

Idaho Rainbow Trout
with cauliflower, raisin butter, eggplant, micro mint, chili oil

Seared Sea Scallops
with butternut, bacon, sage brown butter,
green apple, Brussels sprouts, coriander

Flat Iron Steak
with mescal scented quinoa, green onion,
mole, winter squash, cilantro, pepitas

www.blackcatbistro.com

Town of Harmony, pop. 18...

A quaint artisan town off Hwy 1, Harmony has a rich history as an old creamery town rediscovered as a true artists' retreat...

One of the 18 locals is a sweet spotted dog from Harmony Glassworks, which features personalized glass-blowing lessons...      Harmony Pottery has a working studio and gallery...      And for local music, the Painted Sky Studios has a great concert series...

Harmony Cafe has finally re-opened, serving a fresh Italian lunch from chef Giovanni paired wine from Harmony Cellars...

http://harmonyglassworks.com/

http://www.harmonyca.com/HarmonyPottery/

http://paintedskystudios.com/upcoming-concerts

http://www.harmonycellars.com/

Farmers market soups...

A sellout at every farmers market in San Luis Obispo county, Stephanie Burchiel's soups are so delicious that she is now taking advance orders - leave your jar the week before and she'll have it waiting at the next market...

Many of her favorites available in her new cookbook, and new surprises for the new year at the local markets...

Tried the japanese yam / heirloom sweet pepper soup at home... Yummy!

http://farmersmarketsoup.wordpress.com/

*cookbooks available at farmers markets

  and local stores

Markets:http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/AG/farmersmarket/FarmersMarketSchedule2012.pdf

Cayucos polar bear dip...

Each new year's day at noon... no wetsuits allowed

...victory t-shirts for all

A lyrical ode to the central coast...

There is no deeper wave than this...

A benefit song for the 2012 Bioneers Conference
http://www.ecologistics.org/centralcoastbioneers/

Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas...

Live cam:

http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/livecam.htm

...approx 17,000 playful pups migrate here each year

...they have a lot to say

...like to hang out with friends

...enjoy the beautiful views

...winter is the best time to view mating rituals and births

...and they certainly know how to relax

www.elephantseal.org

Christmas lights up Cambria...

Grab a mug of hot spiced wine at the garden gate and meander through the light show at the first-annual Cambria Christmas Market at the Cambria Pines Lodge...

www.cambriachristmasmarket.com/
www.cambriapineslodge.com/