A few nights ago, I went to dinner with some of my restaurant friends. And true to the industry, we went out for a late night dinner at Beretta out in the Mission—started at 9:30 pm (which is late for me, especially on a Monday night!) Two of them had worked (even though Mon's are traditionally their days off). Me? I worked that day too...then a quick gym workout before making a stop at another party first.
It's so much fun seeing these guys, they all use to work together at Postrio, and are still pretty close. I'm just lucky they let me into their little group. When you go out to eat with them, anything goes...discussion topics vary (and most are NOT 'proper' dinner conversations- which is probably why it's so fun!)
We joke, we tease each other, and we order everything on the menu...food, cocktails, dessert. You name it. See a favorite on the menu? Get it. See something that sounds interesting? Get it. See something that you heard was good? Get it. See something that you heard was not good? Still get it. Yes, this is dining with foodies, chefs or restaurant people.
At one point, the server came by and said 'Sounds like you guys are in the industry'. He must have over heard the chefys talking food costs and me critically eyeing their menu and commenting that I didn’t want the rhubarb dessert on the menu, declaring 'It's already the tail end of rhubarb season! I’ve had too much rhubarb! I'm over it!'
One of my chef friends jumped in and started talking about Alembic, where he worked, that the cuisine would be considered a 'gastro pub' and on and on. Meanwhile, my other chef friend, Chad, was hanging back and letting them talk. I couldn't resist. I chimed in 'He's a chef too. At Baraka. It's really good...'
I don't even remember who picked up the conversation at that point or what they were saying. I had this out of body experience where I saw myself talking. Oh my god. I was like that annoying proud parent that won't stop bragging about their child.
Yes. I'm generally super proud of all of my friends. You pick on any of them, and I'll set you straight. But when it comes to my friends, I'm especially proud of this one. I've known him since Kindergarten. Yup, through elementary school, junior high, high school...Through learning our colors and numbers to high school dances. We haven't remained close this whole time, and only really reconnected in recent years, but this was a guy that I grew up with, that lived down the street from me…I just knew he was gonna be big one of these days and I was going to talk him up!
We ended the night fairly early (for them, late for me!)...and despite the encouragement from Chad to go out drinking, we all headed home. After all, it was only a Monday. This gal was beat, and I still had a long week ahead. Til next time...which knowing the four of us, it'll be another few months before we all have the same night free. Big smooches to Jim for driving me home...even though I’m sure all he wanted to do was get home to his partner and even though I'm totally out of his way. He's always lookin’ out for me! With friends like him, living in the city is made a little easier for this girl.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
City of Foodies
Yes. I live in a city of foodies. From the homeless guy I saw eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon (seriously), to the cab drivers, San Franciscans know how to appreciate good food.
One time, I hailed a cab across the street from a restaurant I had just dined at. The can driver assumed I had just dined at the restaurant I had just been standing in front of (Absinthe Brasserie & Bar) and started grilling me the second I got into the cab. 'Was dinner good? Was it expensive? Is it overrated or was it good?' I told him I didn't actually eat there, and never had, but that all my bar experiences there had been amazing.
He started going on and on about restaurants in the city. Thought Zuni Cafe was overrated (agreed! Good, but overrated), where did I go in the Mission for burritos, he thought you can't find good Greek food (although he loved Kokkari), what about the food in my neighborhood (you can't beat U-Lees for good Chinese food!), and on and on.
It was the most interesting cab ride I've ever had! I found myself a little sad as I was nearing home. I wanted to stay and talk longer!!
The other night, it happened again. I got in the cab and told them where I was going. 'Joey & Eddie's...where the old Mooses use to be.' The driver (a SHE by the way!!) got into a conversation about how she couldn't believe Moose's had closed. And that she had heard mixed reviews about the place...and what did I think? While we were on the topic of North Beach restaurants, she brought up Washington Square Bar & Grill closing, and 'How could the WashBag close??'
It was great to be engaged in some interesting food dialogue with a cab driver once again. Another reminder that this city is filled with food crazed people. And another reminder of just why I love this city so much.
One time, I hailed a cab across the street from a restaurant I had just dined at. The can driver assumed I had just dined at the restaurant I had just been standing in front of (Absinthe Brasserie & Bar) and started grilling me the second I got into the cab. 'Was dinner good? Was it expensive? Is it overrated or was it good?' I told him I didn't actually eat there, and never had, but that all my bar experiences there had been amazing.
He started going on and on about restaurants in the city. Thought Zuni Cafe was overrated (agreed! Good, but overrated), where did I go in the Mission for burritos, he thought you can't find good Greek food (although he loved Kokkari), what about the food in my neighborhood (you can't beat U-Lees for good Chinese food!), and on and on.
It was the most interesting cab ride I've ever had! I found myself a little sad as I was nearing home. I wanted to stay and talk longer!!
The other night, it happened again. I got in the cab and told them where I was going. 'Joey & Eddie's...where the old Mooses use to be.' The driver (a SHE by the way!!) got into a conversation about how she couldn't believe Moose's had closed. And that she had heard mixed reviews about the place...and what did I think? While we were on the topic of North Beach restaurants, she brought up Washington Square Bar & Grill closing, and 'How could the WashBag close??'
It was great to be engaged in some interesting food dialogue with a cab driver once again. Another reminder that this city is filled with food crazed people. And another reminder of just why I love this city so much.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wedding Cupcakes
I made cupcakes the other night. They're 'Wedding Cupcakes'. I wanted to make a celebratory wedding cake for a co-worker and ended up making wedding cupcakes (easier to share!). We're not close friends, so you might wonder why I decided to make him wedding cupcakes, but it's because of this touching email:
On June 26th I will be getting married to my partner of seven years. I will be out of the office from June 26th until the 30th. In my absence please direct all home office issues to…
It was so sweet of him to disclose this information about his personal life to the office (he's normally kinda quiet) and it really touched me! And heck, any reason to bake and celebrate, and I'm there! Hope he liked 'em (wouldn’t it be horrible if he was allergic to chocolate or something? Or hated cupcakes more than anything?)
On June 26th I will be getting married to my partner of seven years. I will be out of the office from June 26th until the 30th. In my absence please direct all home office issues to…
It was so sweet of him to disclose this information about his personal life to the office (he's normally kinda quiet) and it really touched me! And heck, any reason to bake and celebrate, and I'm there! Hope he liked 'em (wouldn’t it be horrible if he was allergic to chocolate or something? Or hated cupcakes more than anything?)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Next Airline Charge
Remember how I few weeks back I asked what the next airline charge was going to be? My funny friend Paige guessed charging you to go to the bathroom. :) Nope, not yet.
Instead? You're being charged to fly standby. Check it out (from Budget Travel's blog):
Continental has just implemented a $50 stand-by fee to help the airline offset rising fuel costs. The change went into effect starting with tickets issued June 17, a representative for the airline says. If you purchased a ticket before that date, Continental will still let you fly stand-by for free.
It’s not the first time that Continental has passed costs on to its passengers (and some other U.S. airlines are even more guilty of the practice). In April, Continental raised its fee to change a ticket reservation on a domestic flight from $100 to $150, following United’s move to raise its change fee from $100 to $150. US Airways followed suit within days.
I only found out about the change in Continental’s stand-by policy because I’ve called the airline several times over the past several weeks to ask about flying stand-by from Pittsburgh to New York this weekend—and today was the first time an agent mentioned the new policy. I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere on Internet news sites, or on Continental’s own website…
Are other airlines going to follow Continental’s lead by charging passengers to fly stand-by, or by raising the penalty to change a ticket reservation? And if so, is the public going to know about it?
Wish there was some way for us to protest all of this...but why punish ourselves for the high cost of gas/fuel? I'm not going to let them win. I'm not going to stop traveling and exploring and seeing the world! This won't stop me from traveling! In fact, I just bought tickets to Australia. :)
Instead? You're being charged to fly standby. Check it out (from Budget Travel's blog):
Continental has just implemented a $50 stand-by fee to help the airline offset rising fuel costs. The change went into effect starting with tickets issued June 17, a representative for the airline says. If you purchased a ticket before that date, Continental will still let you fly stand-by for free.
It’s not the first time that Continental has passed costs on to its passengers (and some other U.S. airlines are even more guilty of the practice). In April, Continental raised its fee to change a ticket reservation on a domestic flight from $100 to $150, following United’s move to raise its change fee from $100 to $150. US Airways followed suit within days.
I only found out about the change in Continental’s stand-by policy because I’ve called the airline several times over the past several weeks to ask about flying stand-by from Pittsburgh to New York this weekend—and today was the first time an agent mentioned the new policy. I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere on Internet news sites, or on Continental’s own website…
Are other airlines going to follow Continental’s lead by charging passengers to fly stand-by, or by raising the penalty to change a ticket reservation? And if so, is the public going to know about it?
Wish there was some way for us to protest all of this...but why punish ourselves for the high cost of gas/fuel? I'm not going to let them win. I'm not going to stop traveling and exploring and seeing the world! This won't stop me from traveling! In fact, I just bought tickets to Australia. :)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Salumi Cycle
Salumi makes me happy. Seriously. What could be better than a little cured meat, wine and cheese? I would never get tired of it and I think I could seriously live off that!
So imagine how happy I was when I learned Chris Cosentino was opening up a store for his Boccalone meats...and at the Ferry Building, a place I'm at all time too! Yummy cured meats, and in my neck of the woods? Perfect. I was ready to join the Salumi Society!
Well. Life just got better. Eater SF broke this story today...can you imagine if they delivered salumi to you at work?? Oh my god. I've died and gone to heaven. Or I've found myself my next dream job. Biking around this gorgeous city and bringing people their cured meats? What could be better?
So imagine how happy I was when I learned Chris Cosentino was opening up a store for his Boccalone meats...and at the Ferry Building, a place I'm at all time too! Yummy cured meats, and in my neck of the woods? Perfect. I was ready to join the Salumi Society!
Well. Life just got better. Eater SF broke this story today...can you imagine if they delivered salumi to you at work?? Oh my god. I've died and gone to heaven. Or I've found myself my next dream job. Biking around this gorgeous city and bringing people their cured meats? What could be better?
My Love for Canned Air
I love canned air. You know what I'm talking about. The stuff you have in your office to clean your keyboard. I love how the can gets icy cold, and the sound it makes when you spray it. It's fun to use. And it creates a cool pattern on the surface.
At work, when I'm frustrated, I spray a little bit of the canned air, and it let's out some of our frustration. It also brings a smile to my face. Such a silly thing. One of my team members once ordered me a bottle of canned air, and gave it to me as a present. It was such a great surprise. Made my day.
Why am I writing about my love for canned air? Something that should probably not be made public?
Well...on the news tonight, I saw that someone died from inhaling canned air. A 17 year old boy was apparently sniffing my beloved canned air and using it to get high. Seriously.
It made me sad. That boy's poor parents. The potential he had! He was so young...a whole life ahead of him. But then I got mad. Kids do such stupid things. Canned air is for cleaning and a good laugh, but not for sniffing!! Come on!
I still love canned air. I'm not going to blame it for his death. If you think I'm going to stop using it, don't be silly. And if you're thinking of giving me canned air the next time I'm having a hard day, keep 'em coming. It still brings a smile to my face.
At work, when I'm frustrated, I spray a little bit of the canned air, and it let's out some of our frustration. It also brings a smile to my face. Such a silly thing. One of my team members once ordered me a bottle of canned air, and gave it to me as a present. It was such a great surprise. Made my day.
Why am I writing about my love for canned air? Something that should probably not be made public?Well...on the news tonight, I saw that someone died from inhaling canned air. A 17 year old boy was apparently sniffing my beloved canned air and using it to get high. Seriously.
It made me sad. That boy's poor parents. The potential he had! He was so young...a whole life ahead of him. But then I got mad. Kids do such stupid things. Canned air is for cleaning and a good laugh, but not for sniffing!! Come on!
I still love canned air. I'm not going to blame it for his death. If you think I'm going to stop using it, don't be silly. And if you're thinking of giving me canned air the next time I'm having a hard day, keep 'em coming. It still brings a smile to my face.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipe
So everyone’s asking me for the peanut butter ice cream recipe. The recipe I’ve been using is from Saveur (originally from Bruce Weinstein’s The Ice Cream Book), but I’ve tweaked it a tad. Here’s my recipe:
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
½ cup organic peanut butter (there are more natural oils in the organic/natural peanut butter)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just hot. Meanwhile, beat sugar and eggs together in a medium bowl until thick and pale yellow.
Gradually whisk hot milk into egg mixture in bowl, then pour milk-egg mixture into saucepan.
Return saucepan t medium-low heat and cook custard, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5 min.
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in peanut butter.
Let peanut butter melt into mixture. Strain custard into a large bowl, stir in vanilla.
Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 6-8 hours.
Process mixture in an ice cream maker according to directions. Finish with chopped peanuts if desired. Or mix in some chopped chocolate chips for your own Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream!
Enjoy!!
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
½ cup organic peanut butter (there are more natural oils in the organic/natural peanut butter)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
Heat milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just hot. Meanwhile, beat sugar and eggs together in a medium bowl until thick and pale yellow.
Gradually whisk hot milk into egg mixture in bowl, then pour milk-egg mixture into saucepan.
Return saucepan t medium-low heat and cook custard, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5 min.
Remove saucepan from heat and stir in peanut butter.
Let peanut butter melt into mixture. Strain custard into a large bowl, stir in vanilla.
Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 6-8 hours.
Process mixture in an ice cream maker according to directions. Finish with chopped peanuts if desired. Or mix in some chopped chocolate chips for your own Reese's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream!
Enjoy!!
Scare of My Life
I'm serious. Last night, was one of the scariest, worst experiences of my life.
I was at my cousin's wedding banquet, making small talk and having some wine with dear old dad. We hadn't had too much to drink at that point, and had just started eating dinner. I'm not sure if it was the lack of food he had eaten that day, or hot weather we'd been having, lack of water, or what, but all of a sudden, he started choking and then his eyes rolled back in his head, he swayed over, fell out of his chair and onto the floor.
All I remember jumping out of my chair and falling onto the floor next to him, kneeling down, shaking him and yelling 'Dad!!!' When he wasn't waking up, I grabbed my phone and dialed 911.
By then a few other people had raced over and a few minutes later, he woke up. It took him a few seconds, and was unsure of where he was initially, but then he seemed ok. Sat back up, drank some water, and was telling everyone he was fine.
He was probably a little embarrassed and scared himself. My friends know me well enough to know that by now I was totally crying and the whole experience had started sinking in. Basically at every point during the night when someone came by to see how he was, I would start up again. I know. Way to go on keeping my composure huh?
My family is the most important thing to me and I don't know what I would if anything were to happen to any of them. So Dad...hope you hear me loud and clear. Take care of yourself!!
I was at my cousin's wedding banquet, making small talk and having some wine with dear old dad. We hadn't had too much to drink at that point, and had just started eating dinner. I'm not sure if it was the lack of food he had eaten that day, or hot weather we'd been having, lack of water, or what, but all of a sudden, he started choking and then his eyes rolled back in his head, he swayed over, fell out of his chair and onto the floor.
All I remember jumping out of my chair and falling onto the floor next to him, kneeling down, shaking him and yelling 'Dad!!!' When he wasn't waking up, I grabbed my phone and dialed 911.
By then a few other people had raced over and a few minutes later, he woke up. It took him a few seconds, and was unsure of where he was initially, but then he seemed ok. Sat back up, drank some water, and was telling everyone he was fine.
He was probably a little embarrassed and scared himself. My friends know me well enough to know that by now I was totally crying and the whole experience had started sinking in. Basically at every point during the night when someone came by to see how he was, I would start up again. I know. Way to go on keeping my composure huh?
My family is the most important thing to me and I don't know what I would if anything were to happen to any of them. So Dad...hope you hear me loud and clear. Take care of yourself!!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Is It Too Late for Payard Vegas?
A few weeks ago, I was in Las Vegas for a conference...and one of the most memorable experiences of my life was at Payard Patisserie. Located in Caesar's Place, we experienced a five course dessert tasting menu...and every dish was perfect. Just a few days ago, I read this post on the LA Times blog:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2008/06/payard-vegas-no.html
A couple of months ago, I wrote a story on the latest round of restaurant openings in Vegas. The best bargain I found as part of that story was the elegant buffet breakfast at Payard Pâtisserie in Caesar’s Palace — $16 for coffee, fresh-squeezed juice, as many of the exquisite morning pastries as you can eat, plus cereals, yogurt parfaits and house-smoked salmon with all the fixings. However, it seems as if the management at Payard felt that petit déjeuner was too much of a bargain. A reader alerted me soon after that the price was now $22. OK, it was underpriced at $16, but isn’t that the definition of a bargain? Still, a $6 hike seems a bit steep. In another change, the bistro is no longer serving their dessert tasting at night, which is a real shame. I guess they never developed enough of an audience.
I was disappointed to hear that the dessert tasting menu was no longer being offered. In what must have been one of their last services, here are photos and descriptions of everything I was lucky enough to eat!
Our amuse...a soy and chocolate marinaded piece of fish, a chocolate polenta with duck, and a piece of thinly sliced beef (I don't remember what was inside!)
Poached Sickle Pear with Pomegranete, Cabrales Cheese and Szechuan Pepper Ice Cream...that was amazing ice cream!!
Warm Ricotta Tart with Citrus, Mint Salad, White Balsamic Vinegar...the mint salad was absolutely perfect. And on top? Baked Parmesan cheese!
Roasted Pear with Maple Syrup and Brown Butter Ice Cream. No need for any other words...it was perfection.
Tiramisu My Way: Chocolate Mousse, Espresso Granita and Mascarpone Cream. This deconstructed tiramisu was surprisingly easy to eat (and share).
Coffee Eclair, Milk Chocolate Mouse and Flaky Sable. The Flaky Sable (essentially a crispy, thin, chocolate cookie) was amazing. I've got to learn how to make it.
Red Wine Tart with Sangria-Prune Ice Cream. The ice cream was a highlight...so good. Inspiration for me and my new ice cream machine. Oh. And yes. There are a lot of glasses in the back. We had a different sparkling, moscato, or port paired with each one! :)
Devil's Food Cake, Cardamon Pot de Creme, Chocolate Pudding and Whipped Creme Fraiche. Can you see the 'devil's horns' shaped with thin chocolate? There were yummy rice krispy like rice puffs surrounding the cake.
Peanut Butter Napoleon with Milk Chocolate Rice Krispies. Not too peanut buttery, and not too rich. This was perfect.
The classic. Warm Hazelnut Chocolate Tart with Cocoa Nibs Tuile and Hazelnut Ice Cream. Amazing. Perfect.
This amazing truffle machine in the Payard patisserie has clocks around it that shows the time at all of his locations around the world...Tokyo, New York, Sao Paolo, etc.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2008/06/payard-vegas-no.html
A couple of months ago, I wrote a story on the latest round of restaurant openings in Vegas. The best bargain I found as part of that story was the elegant buffet breakfast at Payard Pâtisserie in Caesar’s Palace — $16 for coffee, fresh-squeezed juice, as many of the exquisite morning pastries as you can eat, plus cereals, yogurt parfaits and house-smoked salmon with all the fixings. However, it seems as if the management at Payard felt that petit déjeuner was too much of a bargain. A reader alerted me soon after that the price was now $22. OK, it was underpriced at $16, but isn’t that the definition of a bargain? Still, a $6 hike seems a bit steep. In another change, the bistro is no longer serving their dessert tasting at night, which is a real shame. I guess they never developed enough of an audience.
I was disappointed to hear that the dessert tasting menu was no longer being offered. In what must have been one of their last services, here are photos and descriptions of everything I was lucky enough to eat!
Our amuse...a soy and chocolate marinaded piece of fish, a chocolate polenta with duck, and a piece of thinly sliced beef (I don't remember what was inside!)
Poached Sickle Pear with Pomegranete, Cabrales Cheese and Szechuan Pepper Ice Cream...that was amazing ice cream!!
Warm Ricotta Tart with Citrus, Mint Salad, White Balsamic Vinegar...the mint salad was absolutely perfect. And on top? Baked Parmesan cheese!
Roasted Pear with Maple Syrup and Brown Butter Ice Cream. No need for any other words...it was perfection.
Tiramisu My Way: Chocolate Mousse, Espresso Granita and Mascarpone Cream. This deconstructed tiramisu was surprisingly easy to eat (and share).
Coffee Eclair, Milk Chocolate Mouse and Flaky Sable. The Flaky Sable (essentially a crispy, thin, chocolate cookie) was amazing. I've got to learn how to make it.
Red Wine Tart with Sangria-Prune Ice Cream. The ice cream was a highlight...so good. Inspiration for me and my new ice cream machine. Oh. And yes. There are a lot of glasses in the back. We had a different sparkling, moscato, or port paired with each one! :)
Devil's Food Cake, Cardamon Pot de Creme, Chocolate Pudding and Whipped Creme Fraiche. Can you see the 'devil's horns' shaped with thin chocolate? There were yummy rice krispy like rice puffs surrounding the cake.
Peanut Butter Napoleon with Milk Chocolate Rice Krispies. Not too peanut buttery, and not too rich. This was perfect.
The classic. Warm Hazelnut Chocolate Tart with Cocoa Nibs Tuile and Hazelnut Ice Cream. Amazing. Perfect.
Ice Cream Across the Country...And My Next Flavor!
Go Bi-Rite! Glad to see this lcoal favorite is making it's way into the national headlines. http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-drink/americas-best-ice-cream-story.html?partner=blog
This has turned into quite my diary of my ice cream making adventures. Anyone curious about what the ice cream for this weekend is? Peach ice cream! My farmer's market trip this morning turned out to be very fruitful (no pun intended!) Aside from the gorgeous sweet peaches, I also came home with a big bag of cherries and a brand new cherry piter. I've always wanted one! Not sure yet if I'm going to do a plain cherry ice cream or something fancier like a cherry rum ice cream (recipe from Emily Luchetti).
It was a beautiful SF morning, so lots of people out at the Farmer's Market. I was lucky we went early, and more crowded and I couldn't have wanted to stay! The first Saturday market day for Chris Cosentino's Boccalone...which from what I saw today, is already a huge success. Spotted some of my favorite San Francisco chefs checking out the fresh produce and mingling with other chef friends and locals. It was really nice to see and made me happy to live in such a great food community.
This has turned into quite my diary of my ice cream making adventures. Anyone curious about what the ice cream for this weekend is? Peach ice cream! My farmer's market trip this morning turned out to be very fruitful (no pun intended!) Aside from the gorgeous sweet peaches, I also came home with a big bag of cherries and a brand new cherry piter. I've always wanted one! Not sure yet if I'm going to do a plain cherry ice cream or something fancier like a cherry rum ice cream (recipe from Emily Luchetti).
It was a beautiful SF morning, so lots of people out at the Farmer's Market. I was lucky we went early, and more crowded and I couldn't have wanted to stay! The first Saturday market day for Chris Cosentino's Boccalone...which from what I saw today, is already a huge success. Spotted some of my favorite San Francisco chefs checking out the fresh produce and mingling with other chef friends and locals. It was really nice to see and made me happy to live in such a great food community.
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