This past Thursday found us at the 2nd of the “Dinner at the ____” series put on by Totally Local VC. The location for round 2 was Serra Cross overlooking the City of Ventura. Chef Jason Collis of Jonathan’s was at the helm this time with a fantastic menu and Shannon Wright prepared the desserts. This event benefited the Serra Cross Conservancy. Of course, tastes of Ventura Limoncello were served to prepare the palates of the guests. In addition, the new locally brewed Ventura Surf beers and wines from Vino V winery were featured. Locally imported Tequila Alquimia was also on hand, and partnering with them, Ventura Limoncello offered a great finish to the evening, more about that later…
In addition to several appetizers [including Rosemary skewers with Baja wild ahi tuna, Limoneira avocados and yellow watermelon] that were passed around, the main menu consisted of Tuscan Bread Salad, Rio Gozo Farms Grilled Summer Vegetables, Ratatouille Puff Pastry and an amazing Limoneira Lemon Roasted Chicken. Shannon’s dessert was an Old Creek Ranch Blackberry Cobbler. [View Lisa McKinnon's VC Eats coverage of the event]. The evening was topped off with the fireworks of the Ventura County Fair. Amazingly, we had the clearest night of the week and the views were spectacular.
In our “keeping it local” theme, Adolfo Murillo of Tequila Alquimia and I have collaborated on creating amazing margaritas using their tequilas and our liqueurs. We first “worked together” at the Conejo Valley Margarita mix-off. We were told by several attendees that our margarita was best of the show, but being producers, we were ineligible for an award. We have since perfected the cocktail (as if it needed perfecting) and the 805 Margarita was born. In addition to Tequila Alquimia’s Reposado and Ventura Orangecello Blood Orange liqueur, the key ingredient is Tequlia Alquimia’s all natural margarita mix. We unveiled it as the “chef’s toast” for the evening’s nightcap to huge accolades.
We also decided to incorporate Alquimia’s Blanco Tequila and Ventura Limoncello Originale into a margarita. It is the aptly named 101 Margarita. We plan on sharing these recipes with restaurants all over Ventura County and the central coast as soon as the margarita mix is ready for distribution. Stay tuned for more information on where you can order one soon…
We hope to see you at the next “Dinner at the ______” set for October 6th. This time around it will be Dinner at the Pumpkin Patch, with Rachel Main of Main Course California at the range with desserts by Kate Dunbar of Petit Reve Cafe in Ventura.
We also need to give a great big “Welcome” to the Best of VC Marketplace which recently opened in Santa Paula. This unique local shop features gourmet foods, local products, gifts and artisan items, all created in Ventura County. Our Ventura Limoncello Vinaigrette is featured there. Best of luck Talia.
