Squeat Mungry

Dover Canyon, my life has been even more hectic than usual this past week, so I haven't had time to post, but I just wanted to thank you for a terrific blog! I think anyone who has posted in the blogs is fair game to be tagged, no? (Not me, though -- I'm a "dunnit"!) Cheers, Squeat

Carrie, how amazing! Congratulations. Can't wait for the spreadsheet. Can you do California next, please? Cheers, Squeat

That's correct, Jay-bob! Her name is Lisa Grossman and you can meet her right here on eGullet! Cheers, Squeat

Boulevard is another option. Excellent food and service, beautiful room, and you can be on the Bay Bridge heading for Oakland within two or three minutes of paying the bill. Enjoy your vacation! Squeat

I don't know much about Walnut Creek or Antioch, but for reasonably-priced and delicious Authentic Mexican in San Francisco, check out Los Jarritos ("the little jars") on South Van Ness at 20th. Delicious moles and enchiladas, and they make their tortillas by hand. They even do birria on the weekends. Wonderful, charming people as well: they go out of their way to make you feel at home. Los Jarritos 901 South Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94110 415-648-8383 Cheers, Squeat

Robyn, we obviously see Edna's plight in different ways. But I can answer one of your questions. I can't imagine a quality of life better than this. I wish I had it now. I may not yet be 'basically old' (I've always been arguably feeble), but I do want care, I want to be in my own home, I want to see familiar and friendly faces, and I definitely want to be alone sometimes (thank you Greta). Squeat Editted to remove what, upon a later reading, seemed a fatuous comment. My apologies for posting in haste, and while distracted.

Happy Mother's Day, Hathor, and all eGullet moms! Sounds like we're in for yet another fascinating foodblog. Thanks! Squeat PS kudos to you for commuting in Manhattan on a bike! yay! Very Katherine Hepburn.

Everyone needs 24/7 care. Edna Lewis is fortunate enough to have found it in Scott Peacock. It is no one's business -- not mine, a judge's, her family's -- to tell her that the choice she has made is wrong or right. She is comfortable with her friend. More power to her. May she live and die in peace! What I gathered from the article is that the fact that she is on Medicaid actually puts a severe limitation on Lewis's own resources. Which is just shocking and wrong. Robyn, if I am ever in Lewis' position I really hope people will just leave me the hell alone and allow my chosen friend to see me over. If you choose to end it in a 'facility', I will equally respect that choice. However, now that I have seen it happen both ways, you're not likely to convince me that 'managed care' beats out personal, emotional and involved care for ending one's days. Like you, I suspect that a judge will be involved in poor Edna's near future -- and the only time she has remaining. And to me, that is just another unnecessary and tragic ordeal for her to have to go through. Squeat

I'm disturbed by this as well, and must say that I also support Peacock (and, apparently, Lewis) in the decision to keep Edna in a situation which has become a comfortable and familiar home to her. Where, indeed, have the family been in her life for the better part of the last two decades? If their concern is truly for her ease and comfort, and in making her last years as happy as they can be for her, then they should support her in the decision she has made in choosing her home and companionship, rather than uproot her at this time in her life and force her into a living situation she evidently could have freely chosen at any time in the past, but preferred not to. Scott and Edna share a mutual love and respect for each other and for genuine Southern cuisine that pervades every page of The Gift. That her relatives are now trying to insist on ending the relationship they have forged together over the years indicates a willful blindness to her own wishes and to what thousands of readers can easily see is a unique and moving friendship, a solid and supportive home and, indeed, family in its most profound sense. Cheers, and all the best to Scott and Edna, Squeat

I have this cookbook and it is one of my very favorites. I'm originally from the south (North Carolina), and spent culinarily memorable and formative summers there throughout my childhood. This book is like going home. I highly recommend the book and highly commend the authors. Cheers, Squeat

Janet, I did hear that Minnies has burgers now, but I haven't tried them yet either. You're right, though: those folks do know from meat!

Another vote for Toronado for the beer-lover. Great selection, including some hard-to-find lambics. For some reason I was thinking that I had heard that Rosemunde had closed, but then I remembered that they discontinued their seriously good burger toward the end of last year, so that must be what I was thinking of. Their sausages are seriously good as well, but I miss the burger. It's been a long time since I've been to Marin Brewing Company, but I seem to recall the food being okay. Not great, but okay. That may have changed, though.

I PMed Ingrid to thank her for her wonderful article and to make a guess at the establishment where she had her NOCAS experience. Nailed it! Had a very NOCAS experience myself once at the same place. In fact, we got such bad vibes just walking into the dining room, we nixed our dinner plans and just grabbed a few drinks at the bar. Even the bartender was surly! Many more HOCAS experiences stand out in memory, as others have observed. Several of them at one particular place: the dining room at the Hotel El Drisco here in San Francisco in the mid to late eighties (when it was still open to the public), where the kitchen staff and the wait staff conspired each evening to create a roomful of enchanted diners. Thanks for the piece, Ingrid! Cheers, Squeat

Ooh! Ooh! I know! It's from Lewis Carroll's delightful Sylvie and Bruno, only it's orators: (I cheated and Googled for the quote, but I did know the reference.) Squeat Edit: Damn! Should've known you'd beat me to it!

Is this some kind of curse? I shattered a crystal vase during my blog!

That term was around at least 50 years ago during my childhood. Our definition was "Lettuce alone without dressing" followed with a snicker. Jim My dad (also a "Bill") used the honeymoon salad/"lettuce alone" pun, too. He had lots of bad puns, many to do with food. Example: Q: What's a buccaneer? A: Too much to pay for corn! :groan: Thanks for the blog, ms. victoria -- very interesting! Cheers, Squeat

Naturally, all just my personal opinion: The tour at Anchor Brewery is a blast, but be sure to reserve well in advance, as it fills up quickly. They've just come out with this year's Summer Beer (a wheat beer), but I haven't had a chance to taste it yet. Their Anchor Steam is a classic, and I'm fond of the Porter as well. I am as unimpressed with the food and restaurant at Gordon Biersch as I am with their off-tasting beer. Basically a yuppie meatmarket. I'd give it a miss. Thirsty Bear started off as a class act with innovative, top-quality beers and some interesting tapas in the restaurant, but both have declined and now the management seem content to be just another after work hangout for financial district workers. On the other hand, I'm quite fond of both the beers and the atmosphere at San Francisco Brewing Co. Their Albatross Lager and Gripman's Porter are both quite good brews. Cheers, and enjoy your visit! Squeat

According to Food & Wine, it's going to be called "Bocadillos". It's supposed to be in the Financial District near Jackson Square, I think, but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. I also read that Daniel Patterson (of the late Elisabeth Daniel) is supposed to be opening a small plates place in the same area called "Frisson". One of these early days I'm going to have to make a point of getting downtown and checking these places out. Squeat

Ha! So far I've lost two micro-plane graters that way!

I agree. I think the Grey Goose packaging is some of the most attractive to come along in some time.

You're welcome, Joan, but how was your research into the proteins (and starches, etc.) on your plate? I.e., how did you like the food? I guess it can't have been too bad, since you thanked me!

Those chimaki are so cool! Are they generally storebought, or do you make them at home? Happy Children's Day! (and Cinco de Mayo!) Squeat

I dream about food all the time. Particularly about cooking. I am the Ferran Adria and the Thomas Keller of Dreamland, too! Some really amazing stuff, but a little hard to describe, sometimes. Cheers, Squeat

Thanks for the report, JennotJenn! Sounds like you had a good time in spite of the freakishly insane heat we had while you were here. Did you make it to the Anchor Brewery? Cheers, Squeat

Forgot to mention Miette Patisserie. They do some stunningly beautiful (and delicious) pastries. Also, since this is its thread, I thought I'd include a link to the Ferry Building Marketplace, which also hosts the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Tuesdays year-round. Cheers, Squeat