Entertainment

CLOVIS -  Russo's New York Pizzeria, the only authentic New York-style, Italian restaurant, and pizzeria franchise concept, is set to open its first location in the Fresno market later this year. The restaurant is located at 1845 Herndon Ave, Ste. C Clovis, Ca 93611 will feature the restaurant's updated casual dining layout that includes an open-pizza concept station for guests to watch Russo's chefs prepare their hand-tossed pizzas and homemade meals fresh from scratch. The new design also allows the convenience for guests to choose take-out or delivery. This will be the first of five locations in development that is scheduled for the Fresno market by Don & Katharina Haines.

"We are excited to offer Fresno families, friends, and business associates a location for authentic New York-style pizzeria and Italian. Blending the simplicity of a pizzeria with the freshness of an upscale Italian restaurant, we deliver a chef-driven dining experience in a fast-casual setting.

RESTAURANT REVIEW - A hidden gem in Madera that was devastated by Covid closures and staffing issues is making a comeback with incredible food as just a fun place for the community to hang out with friends and neighbors. I’m talking about Tacos and Beer on Avenue 17 near Country Club. About a year ago, I was in the process of writing a review on this place after we picked up a tray of what they call “sushi”, then the location closed for a while before I got a chance to try their tacos or beer. This week, I was able to get back and check out the rest of what they have to offer.  I have to say I do not understand how this place is not packed every night.

The place has pool tables and dartboards with a state-of-the-art jukebox and televisions everywhere to watch whatever game is playing. I saw a plethora of beer taps, and their menu lists another dozen or so selections of bottled and canned beers. The food menu is filled with tacos and Mexican dishes made from traditional land-based meats (beef, chicken, and pork). Though it looks like they specialize in seafood tacos which is ironic considering what they call sushi does not seem to include anything close to seafood. 

MADERA -  Is there truly such thing as a perfect wine? Sunset Magazine’s International Wine Competition judges think so… Ficklin Vineyards, America's oldest Port winery established in 1946, has scored a remarkable 100 points, Double-Gold, Best of Class, in this year’s Sunset International Wine Competition for Ficklin Vineyards Old Vine Tinta Port, produced by Peter Ficklin.

The prestigious competition has the distinction of annually recognizing the best wines produced internationally. This year’s contest had over 2,900 entries.

FRESNO -  Lyons Magnus, a global food service and ingredient source, has released predictions for five emerging trends that will influence food and beverage menus in 2022 and beyond. "We use our proprietary research and analysis to support our partners with targeted trend insights to help them identify opportunities that will resonate with their customer base," says John Koch, Vice President National Accounts. "These trends are the cornerstone for innovative products and recipe creation."

REVIEW - I grew up eating Straw Hat Pizza, it was the best pizza I ever had. Nobody could recreate the taste of a Straw Hat Pizza, not even Me-n-Eds. Then they sold out to ‘Pizza Slut’, the worst pizza ever made, and Straw Hat was gone forever.

About five years ago, my wife and I were honeymooning in Lake Tahoe and found a Straw Hat Pizza in Harvey's Casino. We high-tailed it into the casino and sat down for a night of the best pizza I had eaten since I was a kid. Imagine my delight when last week my daughter and I were driving down East Shaw Avenue in Clovis, California, and saw a brand new Straw Hat where the Elephant Lounge used to be located. A week later, we made a point to go and try what I was sure was going to be great pizza.