American Palate

Picked warm from a tree, a California apricot opens into halves as easily as if it came with a dotted line down its center. The seed infuses the core with a hint of almond; the fruit carries the scent of citrus and jasmine; and it tastes, some say, like manna from heaven. In these pages, Robin Chapman recalls the season when the Santa Clara Valley was the largest apricot producer in the world and recounts the stories of Silicon Valley's now lost orchards. From the Spaniards in the eighteenth century who first planted apricots in the Mission Santa Clara gardens to the post-World War II families who built their homes among subdivided orchards, relive the long summer days ripe with bumper crops of this much-anticipated delicacy.

From saloons and tamale vendors to greasy spoons and neon-lit drive-ins, Sacramento natives Maryellen Burns and Keith Burns trace the trends of California's capital city through 150 years of dining out. Share in the delicious anecdotes and recipes gathered from restaurant owners, employees and patrons as they recall Sacramento's favorite places to eat--a century of Hangtown Fry served at the Saddle Rock, crispy won ton dunked in red sauce at the Hong Kong Cafe, pineapple spare ribs with Mai Tais at Maleville's Coral Reef and burgers and sundaes devoured at Stan's Drive-In. Savor these stories of the ambiance, the service and the grub that created lasting memories and drew crowds, decade after decade, to Sacramento's iconic restaurants.

Just fifty years ago, Oregon had no wine industry of consequence. Today, the state teems with a wine culture that matches the fecundity of its land and the vital spirit of its people. The pioneers who dared that tradition into being, from astrophysicists to cherry farmers to harpsichord makers, stand poised to pass on their legacy to an eager new generation. The bold experimentation of urban wineries now joins the steady contributions of outstanding producers like Bethel Heights, Cerulean Skies, Eyrie and Honeywood. Kenneth Friedenreich, a noted Oregon wine writer and an equally ardent Oregon wine devotee, seizes this moment of transition to probe the state's fascinating oenological frontiers and evaluate the repercussions of the industry's dramatic success. Based on dozens of interviews and even more glasses of wine, this drinking companion volume traverses the full range of Oregon's viticultural areas, providing useful AVA maps, historical photos and extensive winery listings.

With a dash of humor and a sprinkling of recipes, culinarian Marc Hinton chronicles the bounty of the Pacific Northwest from the mastodon meals of the earliest inhabitants to the gastronomic revolution of today. In this lively narrative, learn how Oregon's and Washington's chefs have used the region's natural abundance to create a sumptuous cuisine that is stylish yet simple and how winemakers and brewers have crafted their own rich beverage traditions. From potlatches to Prohibition, seafood to sustainability and Lewis and Clark to James Beard, Hinton traces the events and influences that have shaped the Pacific Northwest's edible past and created a delectable fare that has foodies and enophiles from around the world clamoring for a taste.