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.

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.

GEELONG, Australia -  A clever smartphone concept, that turns any wine label into a digital channel, using virtual technology, is set to roll out to the US, with California wineries getting onboard from this week.

The concept, called Winerytale, enables winemakers to "virtually" hide digital content behind their wine labels, which eager consumers unlock by scanning with their phones. The entire experience is then stunningly brought to life with augmented reality.

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.

FRESNO - Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, known for its award-winning, hand-crafted sandwiches, has announced a newly signed franchise agreement that will bring three new stores to Fresno. The first location located at 5058 N. Palm Avenue is slated to open in early spring 2021.

The three-store agreement is spearheaded by restaurant industry veteran and current multi-unit Checkers and Rally's franchisee, Javier Gomez. With over 32 years of experience in the restaurant business and a proven track record of growing businesses in new markets, Gomez is well-acquainted with the food industry.  He got his start in the restaurant business as a junior in high school, working at a KFC in Los Angeles.