Oklahoma City Tornado devastated many, 2 miles wide and already 52 casualties (still counting).
Click the Facebook link and contribute to KFA (kids with food allergies foundation) who will be sending allergy safe food to food banks for the individuals and families in need.
Love on some families and extend a helping hand.
Manja!
Manja Review: Kitchen Door Napa, Local Seasonal & Handmade
Oxbow Public Market
610 1st Street
Napa, CA 94559
p: 707.226.1560
For link to Menus go here
Manja Review:
It was a beautiful day in Napa. Ashley Nicolei (LiveLoveManja Creator) was at Napa Fairgrounds attending the incredible BottleRock Food, Wine & Music Festival.
As a foodie with a severe allergy to Tree Nuts (all nuts besides peanuts, which are a legume) it is a difficult and sometimes scary task to approach vendors and booths to see if the food is safe to consume. Not all vendor reps take the questions well and some become uncomfortable.
Ashley was very impressed with Kitchen Door Napa’s Booth at the BottleRock Festival. Not only was the vendor knowledgeable (he knows what tree nuts are) he also mentioned that the kitchen where the food is prepared is Tree Nut Free. He was gracious, informative, and did not make her feel silly or strange for inquiring about the item’s ingredients and preparation protocol. Further more, the food featured is Asian Cuisine (Vietnamese) which is a rare find for people with nut allergies. Usually Asian Cuisine uses nuts in their sauces.
Ashley went with a Vietnamese Vegetarian Sandwich, which you may view a few blog posts earlier. It was so delicious, flavor packed, and clean. Digested well. Ashley was so happy and highly recommends to those with tree nut allergies.
To her surprise, the man behind the booth ended up being the Founder and Chef of Kitchen Door Napa. An excellent business, a business with awareness and compassion for food allergies. You have built a life long customer relationship with this satisfied foodie.
Manja!
Kitchen Door Napa: Local, Seasonal, Handmade, & Nut Free Kitchen
Ashley Nicolei attended last weekend’s BottleRock Music, Food, & Wine Festival in Napa, CA. Having attended festivals previously, she was a bit apprehensive about eating at the festival and participating in the tastings due to her severe nut allergy.
To her pleasant surprise, she found a Vendor whom prepares food in a Nut Free Kitchen (Tree Nuts, Peanuts are not a nut but a Legume).
Based in Napa, the food from Kitchen Door is always Local, Seasonal, and Handmade. Check em out!
Manja!
Vietnamese Sandwich Booth @ Bottle Rock Festival, Napa Valley
Do not allow this sandwich’s bland looking appearance fool you, this is no ordinary sandwich, its the work of a Vietnamese Nut Free Sandwich Shop. Heavenly.
This lil guy is bursting with flavor. Packed solid with cilantro, carrot, celery, cucumber, bok choy, watercress, and lettuce with a special sauce.
Nearly swallowed whole around 11am. Late breakfast/early lunch and truly satisfied.
BottleRock, you did us well.
Manja!
Do yourself a favor #SanFrancisco and meet @BottleRockNapa, the creators of the newest music festival in the Bay Area.
The Black Crowes. The Black Keys. Jane’s Addiction. Kings of Leon. Zac Brown Band. Further. Cake. Alabama Shakes. Okay, you get the point.
And as much as we love music festivals…
Somewhat. But way BETTER than Coachella.
Ella Ella Ella eh eh you’ve got nothing on Bottle Rock Napa Valley.
Not sorry. Manja!
KRAVE Jerky: Organic & Natural Swag at BottleRock Napa Valley
There is nothing like a safe snack and foodie swag during the festival mid day. Parched and a little hungry, protein is the perfect fix for that blood sugar drop.
KRAVE Jerky was kind enough to provide Manja with some Jerky Swag.
We love KRAVE for their unique flavor combinations (like basil and lime chipotle) and their quality goods. KRAVE product is organic and no additives, hormones, nor chemicals are used. Not only can you taste the difference, but your body feels good for consuming.
- no nitrates
- no hormones
- no artificial flavors
Tree nut allergy friendly (as always please check the labels and allergy notes just in case). We think you will love KRAVE just as much as we do.
Manja!
LiveLoveManja attends Napa Valley’s 1st Food, Wine, & Music Festival: BottleRock
LiveLoveManja Creator, Ashley Nicolei attended Napa Valley’s first annual food & wine & music festival, BottleRock.
As a foodie with severe food allergies, Ashley imagined this would be an interesting experience (she often becomes a tree nut allergy guinea pig). But to her pleasant surprise Napa was on the top of their game when it came to providing a variety of dishes that are able to accommodate some of the Top 8 Food Allergies. Stellar!
- gluten free options
- tree nut free options
- dairy free options
- vegetarian and vegan options
Pictured above is Ashley Nicolei with her dear friend, in the production lot. They met a few cool cats who had a low rider motorcycle and could not resist a photo opp.
To the right of the first image is the band Flaming Lips playing on the Citi Bank Stage. A true lightshow. Colors and stage set reminiscent of the Beetles.
The main picture is the festival before gates opened to the public. Morning set up was being secured. The Black Keys would be playing on this stage this evening, as well as Jane’s Addiction and Kings of Leon.
Bottom left image is Ashley Nicolei and new friends from MTV she made at the Lost Angel Wine Tasting Tent. One being from LA and the other two from San Francisco, the group bonded instantly.
Bottom Right Image is a private after festival jam sesh, where the classics are making music and art together. Drinks and appetizers were served as the guests kicked back and relaxed, while the artists shined in their element. The perfect end to a relaxing and eccentric weekend.
Very grateful we were able to attend.
Manja!
If you attended BottleRock Napa this past weekend, please feel free to share your experience and contribute your feedback.
Manja was so impressed with the variety of dishes the foodie booths and vendors were serving.
Usually a festival is a foodie with food allergies anything but ideal (especially if he or she forgets to pack a picnic). But to our surprise BottleRock Booths and Vendors offered a decent range of allergy friendly dishes such as nut free, gluten free, and dairy free. Vegetarian and Vegan options were also available.
It is comforting to know that Napa holds customer satisfaction and wellness dear, they go the extra mile to see to it that people with food allergies can also participate in the food & wine aspect of the festival.
This extra attention to detail has established a loyal BottleRock Festival Follower. Not only the music, but also the ambience captured our creative hearts.
Manja!
Fish Story Napa River
790 Main Street at Third
Napa, CA 94559
(located at the Napa Riverfront)
(707) 251-5600
(707) 251-8300 (fax)
Book a Reservation with OpenTable: Click Here
Looking for a sustainable, delicious, and wine spectator awarded restaurant spot in Napa? May we suggest Fish Story, Napa River. The Restaurant is next to the Napa River, so as you dine you can relax and watch the sun glitter on the water (or the moon light).
Manja is a huge fan of Fish Story because the restaurant offers a wide variety of menu options to guests. Although its a seafood restaurant, Fish Story also has vegan and vegetarian dishes available. The assortment of dishes and dietary options makes the restaurant an ideal choice for those dining in a group.
As a foodie with a severe food allergy to tree nuts, it is a wonderful and enjoyable experience when a restaurant can accommodate dietary restrictions. If you share a tree nut allergy, usually seafood restaurants are ideal (clean and basic ingredients, light if any sauces).
Fish Story was awarded Wine Spectator 2012 and OpenTable.com Diner’s Choice 2010. Rightly so. Easily one of Manja’s favorite Seafood Restaurants.
Manja!
BOTTLEROCK NAPA VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013
Manja Review: Fish Story
Seafood Restaurant · New American Restaurant
790 Main Street, Napa, CA.
(707) 251-5600
Today 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LiveLoveManja attended Napa’s Music Food and Wine Festival BOTTLE ROCK May 10th and May 11th.
One of the foodie booths featured in the “Whole Food’s Garden” side of the food tents , “Fish Story”, drew us in because they featured Ceviche (a Manja favorite). We were absolutely delighted to find a booth that could accommodate a severe tree nut allergy (a rarity in napa where most dishes seem to contain walnuts or almonds of some sort). Great food, wine, and music. Clear Beautiful Summer Weather. Ceviche and Guacamole. We could not wish for more.
The fish is cut in generous chunks and is a mild fish. It’s seasoned well (definitely can pick up the lime notes) which is very refreshing after a full day in the sun. We recommend getting a side of chips and guacamole and combining that with the Ceviche (if you’re sharing with another). The portions are generous and you are bound to be satisfied.
The guacamole is very rich (more creamy than spicy) so if you are sensitive to spicy foods you will like this blend. The chips have a light lime taste to them and are warm and crispy. The perfect late lunch or early dinner appetizer.
We enjoyed the picnic like seating near the heat lamps as well. A garden like ambiance in the middle of a desert hippie Napa Festival. Perfection.
Manja Tip: When living with a severe food allergy to tree nuts (all nuts besides peanuts which are a legume) seafood and ceviche are often safe choices, or dishes that the restaurant can usually serve you (meet tree nut allergy accommodations). Very simple and minimal ingredients are used in these dishes and are “clean eating” choices, should you be open to seafood.
Please note the attached image is not our own, and the credited link is provided.
Fish Story, we truly appreciate you being sensitive to food accommodations. You ROCK!
Manja!
