In the News

Firefly Grill and Wine Bar and Artichoke Creative Host 2nd Annual
Celebration of Artichokes Dinner  
~ Enjoy one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience artichokes at their finest~

Encinitas, Calif., February29, 2008 – Encinitas’ renowned wine connoisseur, Jim Barrasso, is taking his culinary brilliance one step further. With the help of Ocean Mist Farms, the largest grower of fresh artichokes in the United States, and local marketing firm Artichoke Creative, Firefly Grill and Wine Bar will be hosting the second annual ‘Celebration of Artichokes Dinner’ on April 3, 2008, offering food and wine aficionados a dining experience unlike any other.

“At Firefly Grill and Wine Bar, we are always working to create exceptional wine pairing menus that leave each guest impressed and satisfied. Our goal with this dinner is to incorporate artichokes in an unique way into each course, including dessert, and pair the dishes with delicate wines from Clos LaChance,” Firefly Grill and Wine Bar’s owner Jim Barrasso explains. “We want to show diners that artichokes have limitless possibilities.”

The innovative use of fresh artichokes in dishes is a trend that has recently been gaining more momentum within the culinary industry. Lifelong artichoke aficionado, Artichoke Creative founder David Boylan, Firefly Grill and Wine Bar’s local marketing firm, approached Barrasso with the idea of hosting an exclusive artichoke dinner in 2007 during peak artichoke season. After working together to create this notable experience, Barasso and Boylan were taken aback by the astonishing turnout and enticing appeal the artichoke dinner held. Well aware of an artichoke’s health benefits and extraordinary taste, the duo have made it their responsibility to share that knowledge with the general public through the ingenious annual ‘Celebration of Artichokes Dinners.’

A recent study done by the United States Department of Agriculture found that artichokes were ranked 7th out of more than 100 common foods in having the most antioxidant capacity per serving and were ranked number one out of all the fresh vegetables tested, beating out broccoli and spinach. In addition to being filled with antioxidants, artichokes contain half the amount of daily fiber recommended by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Dietary Guidelines along with nutritional elements such as protein, Vitamin C, Magnesium and Potassium.

“Scientists are just beginning to understand the anti-cancer, anti-aging, heart healthy, immunity-boosting and cholesterol-lowering attributes of an artichoke,” says Kori Tuggle of Ocean Mist Farms. “Our knowledge of the nutritional benefits of artichokes is steadily, consistently increasing; we now know the combination of all the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients provide health benefits not found in supplements.”

Some of the unique artichoke courses in this year’s ‘Celebration of Artichokes Dinner 2008’ will include:

• Smoked Gouda and Artichoke Corn Risotto Fritter Appetizer
• Braised Lamb Osso Bucco – Roasted artichoke, fresh herb & smoked Mozzarella cannelloni, with Natural Thyme Lamb and jus
• Roasted Pineapple and Jerusalem Artichoke Tart with sweet basil ice cream and ginger caramel

Patrons interested in experiencing the ‘Celebration of Artichokes Dinner 2008’ on April 3 are encouraged to make reservations early by calling Firefly Grill and Wine Bar directly at
(760) 635-1006. Cost is $75 per person. Firefly Grill and Wine Bar is located at
251 N El. Camino Real in Encinitas. For more information about Firefly Grill and Wine Bar please visit www.fireflygrillandwinebar.com. For more information regarding the nutritional benefits of artichokes, etc please visit www.oceanmist.com.

About Firefly Grill and Wine Bar:
Firefly Grill & Wine Bar is a stylish, comfortable and contemporary restaurant where guests can sip, sample and savor. Firefly serves an eclectic blend of inventive yet unpretentious comfort cuisine exquisitely paired with limited-production wines from around the world. Firefly Grill & Wine Bar is open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended by calling
(760) 635-1066. For directions and hours, visit the restaurant online at www.fireflygrillandwinebar.com.