21 minute read
Bistro 135
By VIRGINIA STILL
There is a dinner hot spot in a commuter town in the 209 called Bistro 135 where guests can delight in a variety of items from a Basil Arancini, Arugula Apple Salad, to a Baked Bolognese, Pasta alla Norcina or wood-fired pizzas. Located on 10th Street in Tracy, Bistro 135 is just that small, casual restaurant that has big flavors hitting all the senses with their American, Italian cuisine from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Executive Chef and Owner Kevin Fahey has been cooking in the kitchen with his grandmother since he was 3 years old, when his love for food began. His grandmother had her own garden so farm to table is something that Fahey grew up with. After six years in the Air Force, he attended culinary school in Napa where he learned French techniques with California cuisine and different styles.
“My motto is good food people know,” said Fahey. “We have done well. It is a small family place. Everybody here feels welcome, it doesn’t matter what you wear. I don’t care if you are rich or poor, I want you to come here to eat. Food brings people together and that is how it should be. That is what we want here at Bistro. We are simple. It is about the food.”
The restaurant industry can be challenging and a lot of work but Fahey has found some solace with a great crew, supportive community, and a family he loves dearly. The restaurant opened in April 2016; a business venture that he started with his wife. Through many changes over six years like surviving a pandemic, losing his grandparents, and becoming a father of three little ones himself, Fahey feels fortunate to have a successful bistro.
“It feels surreal,” Fahey said. “I never thought we would have a successful business let alone a restaurant because of how hard it is to make money in this industry. I feel like people were born to do restaurants. It is a different industry. If you are not willing to put the work in and the hours, it will not survive.”
There are 12 employees at the restaurant and two sous chefs that have been with Fahey for the past six years. They are given creative freedom in the kitchen, which has influenced the menu. Tracy native and Sous Chef Jesse Gomez shared that his favorite day in the kitchen is their fresh handmade “Ravioli Thursdays.”
“Tracy never had anything like this before,” said Gomez. “I am born and raised in Tracy. I am fifth generation. All my family comes in all the time. It feels good to be able to put good food out that everybody loves.”
On Thursday, Gomez gets in and makes the handmade pasta and creates a new ravioli each week. When asked what his favorite ravioli is he said, “my favorite ravioli is the next ravioli.”
“I am proud of my guys back there,” said Fahey. “We are not perfect but they do a really great job consistently. It is my crew and me that make this restaurant run and they do a very good job. I have a great staff that I trust 100 percent.”
Like the regulars that they have in the dining room, the same is true of the menu with a few items that have been there since day one including the Creamy Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Mac N’ Cheese, and the Cast Iron Sizzling Shrimp. The original menu only had 16 items on it but that has evolved through the years to many more delectable offerings.
The Chicken Parmesan is a guest favorite that is hand-breaded chicken breast with herbs and spices crisped to perfection, tomato sauce, mozzarella served with a non-traditional pasta in a white yummy cream sauce making this dish very palate pleasing.
The house made Baked Bolognese with slow-cooked ground pork, beef in tomatoes and vegetables that is traditionally made with pancetta but at 135 they use bacon, which gives it a little bit of a different taste while keeping that authentic texture and is very well done, topped with bread crumbs and freshly grated cheese and a little kick from the red chili pepper flakes.
e shareable, crispy Basil Arancini balls are made with their in-house risotto, parmesan brodo, fresh basil and cheese that are deep fried and served on the house tomato sauce with a balsamic reduction. e crispy outside with the so goodness on the inside is a delightful treat.
For those that may want something a little lighter they have soups and salads like the Arugula and Apple Salad made with red onions, macerated cranberries, honey glazed pecans and apple slices with a house made apple vinaigrette, giving it a very nice blend of sweet and savory avors. ey have two hydroponic gardens where they grow herbs for both the restaurant and the bar. ey have happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“What surprises me is how open-minded I have become since opening my restaurant six-and-a-half years ago,” added Fahey. “I love the rush of things. I love that every day is di erent. People need to eat so as long as you have a good restaurant and quality food you should never go out of business. I will never go hungry; my family will never go hungry. My perspective has changed a er having kids. Family is more important than anything in life. Without family and without love, nothing matters on this earth.” ●
No need to stay at home this New Year’s Eve. There are a host of happenings where you can join others in celebrating 2023. Below are just a few.
Merced
Club Mercedes is hosting a New year’s Eve party. Doors will be open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Pure Harmony will provide live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $25 each which includes champagne toast at midnight. Guests can bring snacks but no outside alcohol.
Club Mercedes is a nonpro t organization in Merced that supports local school and city sports teams through cooking fundraiser dinners and serves as their sponsors as well. It is located at 569 W. 9th St. in Merced.
Turlock
e Grand Oak Banquet Hall and Event Center in Turlock will be ringing in 2023 with the tunes of Assyrian superstar Alan George. Guests will be treated to a cocktail hour between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. before being served a four-course dinner at 8. ere will be an open bar throughout the night. And if all that isn’t enough, minutes a er the ball drops will bring the opening of a complimentary taco bar. Tickets to the celebration are $100 and can be purchased at Yonan’s Jewelers, the Grand Oak or by calling (209) 484-
Modesto
Modesto’s longest running nightclub will not only be hosting their popular New Year’s Eve party, but dinner will also be served. General admission to the event is $25, while $50 will get you a delicious dinner. Current entrée options include slow roasted tri-tip, fresh Atlantic salmon, cherry chipotle glazed salmon, parmesan-crusted chicken and lemon thyme chicken. Plates will be served at food stations with a salad, three sides and a dessert. Reserved seating is only available with the purchase of a dinner ticket only, and the dinner tickets can only be purchased in advance. ose looking to reserve their spot can do so by calling (209) 544-1962. Dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. while general admission will start at 8 p.m. All attendees must be 21 years of age.
Tracy
e I.P.F.E.S. Portuguese Hall of Tracy will ring in the new year with a Winter Wonderland Ball. e semi-formal event will start at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails. At 7:30 p.m., dinner will be served, which will be a choice of steak and shrimp or salmon and shrimp. Live music from Gilbert Machado will have the dance oor rocking from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. A champagne toast accompanied with chicken soup will take place at midnight. For any questions or tickets, contact Steven Martinho at (209) 610-9905, Luis Rocha at (209) 346-6591 or Lucia Martinho at (209) 629-5147.
Stockton
Friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Stockton will host their Stake Family New Year’s Eve party, which will feature games, food, music and dancing. It will be a pot-luck dinner, so guests are encouraged to bring an entrée, desert or a snack to share with everyone. e celebration is open to the public and will take place at 800 Brookside Road near the University of the Paci c.
Stockton
If staying up all night, isn’t your thing and want to celebrate New Year’s Eve earlier in the day, the Stockton Dirt Track will have end-ofyear entertainment covered. Starting at 1:30 p.m., A-Mod’s, B-Mod’s and Hobby Stocks will take to the blazing fast dirt oval. Tickets are being sold online and will be available at the gate. ose purchasing in advance online at Eventbrite will receive a special $10 price while those purchasing at the gate will pay $15.
Lodi
The Masquerade Gala hosted by the Tower Parks Waterfront Grille will be treating guests of all ages to a night of live music and a hearty dinner. The Working Class Band will be providing entertainment throughout the night while the dinner will include a choice of prime rib, rosemary chicken or pesto pasta. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and music officially kicking off at 7 p.m. A no-host bar will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 am., when the event wraps up. Tickets are $60 per person with group discounts also available.
Sonora
Begin the New Year by stepping forward in a dynamic and exciting experience with the New Year’s Fire Walk, set from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Jan. 7, 2023 at 14952 Sena Lane in Sonora. You can experience the Sierra Foothills and start 2023 off with empowerment and inspiration. More information can be found at allevents.in/Sonora/new-years-firewalk.
San Andreas
The Metropolitan on Main Street in San Andreas is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner, show, and party event starting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. It is a special 1920’s themed comedy performance called Dinner For One and will include a four-course meal ending the evening with ringing in the New Year. Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple; tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite under San Andreas dinner for one.
Sutter Creek
Party like it’s 2023 at the Hotel Sutter in Sutter Creek for their New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31. Enjoy elegant food stations in their banquet room and dance the night away to music by their DJ. It is a masquerade ball and guests will be greeted with a glass of champagne topped with cotton candy to start the festivities. There will be prizes for best masquerade costume and an option to upgrade to VIP for early access to their all-new Copper Room lounge and experience a “speak easy” vibe to kick off the evening. The event begins at 8 p.m. starting at $100 per person for the regular celebration and $150 per person for the VIP access to the Copper Room. Tickets and more information can be obtained by calling 209-267-0242 or visiting cellarpass.com/nye-masquerade-ball-at-hotel-sutter. ●
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
TIPS AND
TRICKS By KRISTINA HACKER
The dreaded question - what are your new year resolutions? This question should be banned at all water coolers, social media threads and definitely family get-togethers. No matter how much the thought of New Year resolutions causes almost unanimous groaning, we continue to make them.
According to History.com, we have the ancient Babylonians to thank for this tradition. They are thought to be the first people to make New Year’s resolutions about 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our new year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be. (I think many people would be more motivated to stick with their resolutions if the consequence of missing a day at the gym was a lightning bolt striking them down!)
According to a more recent study, as many as 45 percent of Americans say they usually make New Year resolutions, However, only 8 percent are successful in achieving their goals. 209 Magazine asked local experts to offer some tips and tricks on how to get started achieving those resolutions.
RESOLUTION: GET FIT/HEALTHY/LOSE WEIGHT
Getting healthy is a common New Year’s resolution, but it’s much easier said than done. 209 Magazine asked Erin Bashaw, DNP, MSN, RN, Director of Multi-Specialty Nursing and Weight Loss Surgery for Doctors Hospital of Manteca, for some advice on how to make healthy changes in 2023. Here is what she said: 209 Magazine: How do you recommend those looking to get fit in the New Year start working towards that goal?
Bashaw: Set small achievable goals and do one goal a week. Each week add a new goal. If your goal for the New Year is to eat healthier, start by eliminating one food or drink item that you know you should avoid. For example, soda can be loaded with sugar and hard on the digestive system. Start by eliminating soda and instead drink water. If you are missing the bubbles in soda, try sparkling waters. When we start with small goals and we achieve them, we are much more likely to stick with our plan. Another great example to eat healthier is to food prep at least two meals a week. When you plan your meals, you are less
likely to eat unhealthier choices. 209 Magazine: What things should people avoid when making a fitness plan?
Bashaw: I love this one! Every year people tell themselves they are going to join the gym and workout every day. Gyms can be expensive and let’s face it – crowded in the New Year. Instead, use some space in your house or in your neighborhood to do a quick internet workout. There are literally thousands of easy do it at home ten minutes or less workouts for all intensity levels. I do squats in my kitchen waiting for my coffee to brew and 8lb weights in my closet when I am figuring out what to wear. I used to use 5lb weights but they got too easy. See success – goal achieved. I also track how far I walk every day on my smartphone. My goal is 10,000 steps a day.
Again it comes down to setting small achievable goals AND doing what works best for you in the time you have to exercise. I have a co-worker who uses a foot pedal bike under her desk while she works. If you have not hit the gym all year, start with putting on some good shoes and going for a walk. Set small goals and the big rewards will come later. 209 Magazine: Are there ways for people to keep their motivation as the months go on?
Bashaw: The best way to stay motivated is to feel successful. You want to set yourself up for success so that you continue to feel motivated. How many times have you told yourself you are going to lose weight? You lose a few pounds but then gain it back and feel discouraged and may even give up. Setting small goals is the best way to achieve them and move forward feeling empowered. Start with a goal of 5 pounds in one month. It does not seem like much but 5 pounds a month for four months is 20 pounds. You can keep the momentum going if you feel good about your personal accomplishments and feel the physical benefits. The loss of just a few pounds can make people feel so much better physically and emotionally.
RESOLUTION: GET ORGANIZED
The new year is as good a time as any to get organized, according to Renewed Order owner Amethyst Reyes.
“I hear all too often of the overwhelm, anxiety, and stress our clients experience daily from the clutter and disorganization in their homes. The time spent finding the kids missing shoes, husband’s xyz, and car keys along with the money lost buying multiples of misplaced items will never be reclaimed,” she said.
Making time, rationalizing purging, and getting the whole family on board is a daunting task. But, according to Reyes, the weight lifted off your shoulders, the increased time there is to spend doing what is enjoyed, and lack of hearing “mom where is my…”, is an investment well deserved.
Reyes said the most common areas she finds clients struggling with are those that contain sentimental items or high traffic areas such the entryway. With that said, here are three practical tips to get your 2023 organizing goals started: - Just like any other goal, make this a priority, be realistic and stick to it! Designate a set amount of time each day/week to purge and organize. - Analyze what is and isn’t working for your family and why. Create systems around your current habits/routines. For example: if your family takes their shoes off in the garage don’t create a space in their closets. Instead create a system in the garage that is cute and functional. - Choose small areas first. Ones that you have minimal attachment to, such as a junk drawer, medicine cabinet, or linen closet. This will give you the momentum and confidence you need to tackle the bigger areas. - Set a timer! Don’t allow yourself to leave
that area until the timer goes o . is will hold you accountable and keep focus. Be sure to allow time to tidy up and put away items that have a home.
“Remember, it has taken time to get this messy so it will take time to get it all in order,” said Reyes.
For some professional help getting organized, contact Renewed Order to book your in home consultation at (209)802-0094, renewedorder.com or on IG: @renewedorderbyamethyst
RESOLUTION: SAVE MORE MONEY
For many people, getting a better handle on their nances is their main goal. is resolution can seem overwhelming, but there are free tools out there that can help. e website consumer.gov o ers tips on managing your money, information on credit, loans and debt, ways to avoid scams and identity the and a toolbox of other informational resources like how to sign up for the Do Not Call Registry and where to get a free credit report.
Consumer.gov o ers these tips for saving money: • For one month, write down everything you spend. Small expenses, like a cup of co ee, can add up to a lot of money. When you know where you are spending your money, you can decide what you might not want to buy. • Pay with your credit card only if you can pay the full amount when the bill comes. at way, you do not pay interest on what you owe. • Pay your bills when they are due. at way, you will not owe late fees or other charges. • Keep the money you are saving separate from the money you spend. • Consider opening a savings account in a bank or credit union. • If you keep cash at home, keep the money you are saving separate from your spending money. Keep all your cash someplace safe.
RESOLUTION: RECONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Sometimes end-of-the-year re ection turns towards our personal relationships. e holidays o entimes shine a light on the broken relationships in our lives, whether it’s family members who we’re feuding with or friendships that have gone to the wayside due to neglect.
Licensed Marriage and Family erapist Jacob Hiykel said that rst step in reconnection is to rst identify what caused the break in the relationship and then reach out.
“Open communication is important in any relationship. When a person has a feeling they wish to communicate, they trust it will be received in the way they intended. With a polarizing world climate, there has been a breakdown in communication among family members and friends based on values and beliefs surrounding COVID, politics, the environment, etc. In my work with individuals, I have seen lifelong friendships end and family members cut ties with each other based on their values and beliefs on these topics alone,” said Hiykel.
Hiykel said not communicating wants and needs can o en lead to anger.
“Respect is a key unmet want or need on any value or belief where you may not feel the same. It is a common value most people share; however, when we feel disrespected it can lead to arguments or ghts which then causes the disconnect. We all want respect, but it is also a value we should provide to others even if we have di erences of opinions. is will allow us to reconnect or maintain the current connections we value with friends and family,” he said.
Hiykel’s number one suggestion for people wanting to connect with family or friends in 2023 is to convey your desire to spend time with the ones you love and then have no expectation outside of this.
“Make your speci c want or need to connect known; then leave it to the other person to respond. Having no expectation is important, because if there is an expectation, that the other person cannot meet (based on values, beliefs etc.), then instead of reconnection, there will be cause for the disconnect to remain. ey will either respond with a similar want or desire, or they simply will not,” he said.
Hiykel said if your family member or friends doesn’t respond, be satis ed that you communicated your desire to spend time with them. If they choose to not put as much e ort or value on spending time together, then remember that is their choice, and you can then put e ort into relationships with people who value your time and space.
For professional help with relationships, contact Hiykel at (209) 485-7471 or Jhiykel@protonmail.com. ●or Jhiykel@protonmail.com.
