Squeat Mungry

A search has revealed some discussion already about Michael Bauer's power and influence as not only food section editor and chief restaurant critic at the San Francisco Chronicle, but also now in charge of the weekend magazine, so I will spare everyone my usual rant and just say that I don't always see eye to eye with him. Personally, I miss Patricia Untermann. That said, one of the highlights of the Chron's food section is eGullet's own Marlena Speiler, who contributes a column. I also like the newish weekly wine section. I think Paul Reidinger has done some good writing for the Gaurdian (free weekly tabloid), too.

Thanks ronnie for a super blog! Wish I could have been there for that party. Cheers and Happy Holidays, Squeat

Yes, I remember The Magic Pan here in San Francisco, as well. (In fact, I thought they started here, but I really don't know the history.) It was a real treat. I do remember the Split Pea Soup, and the huge selection of crepes on the menu. Always had a great time there. Cheers, Squeat

Thanks, Jaymes! Don't know how I've missed out on these. I'll have to keep an eye out for them. So, they make a loud popping sound, but don't actually explode, I guess? Sounds like fun! Our own traditions included egg nog on Christmas eve, drunk out of Santa Claus mugs. We kids were also allowed to choose one present from under the tree to open Christmas eve. We left out cookies and milk for Santa, and a bowl of oatmeal for Rudolph. (It never occurred to us as being unfair that none of the other reindeer got anything.) On Christmas morning, stockings always contained tangerines or mandarin oranges and pecans, walnuts and other nuts, along with other stuffers. Then we always made "Santa Claus pies" to go with breakfast, which were basicly crescent rolls filled with butter and sugar. Breakfast was always fried ham and scrambled eggs with grits and red-eye gravy. Christmas dinner was either goose or ham. Cheers, Squeat

Ah, yes, Christmas Crackers. My mother instilled the Cracker Rules in us early, and we abide by them to this day. Each of us must read the silly joke, and it is forbidden to remove the silly paper crown during dinner. Unless it's on fire. Could one or both of you elaborate? I have no idea what you're talking about. The hat and the silly joke is inside something? Does it explode? Is there anything else in there? Thanks in advance, Squeat

Scotch.

Yes Ti Couz uses the buckwheat, but the other one (Mission Grounds) uses a regular white flour batter. My favorite creperie in the Bay Area is Tatoutis in oldtown Oakland, which also specializes in the Brittany-style buckwheat crepes. Their "complete" (Gruyere and ham topped with a sunnyside-up egg) is terrific! Thanks for the article, Francis! Cheers Squeat

Hmmm. Well, I can understand how some bartenders might get defensive, though I don't think I personally would take it as an insult, and I certainly would never snap back at a customer. Also, depending on the bar, the barkeep may be worried about being perceived by management as a "heavy pour" -- not a good thing from management's point of view! Generally, as a patron, if I think a standard pour is not going to cut it for me for whatever reason, I'll specifically order a double. Hope that helps. Cheers, Squeat

I take it this was a mixed drink? Is it their usual? Doesn't sound too different from asking for a double.

Maggie, I second (or third?) the Bill Neal recommendation. Man knew southern food. It was a terrible loss when he died so young.

How'd the plant do? My memory's a little hazy, but it seemed to do okay. That arrangement thankfully only lasted for a couple months. I still remember the first day, though, as we sat staring at each other in stunned silence, and then slowly began to work out a plan for disposing of our snack without seeming ungrateful.

Really? I remember HATING skim milk as a kid. For a while, my mom arranged for my sister and I to stay at some woman's house after school until she got off work (as a schoolteacher). Every day, this woman served us a "snack" consisting of a slice of Velveeta on Wonder bread and a glass of skim milk. We were appalled! We had never seen "food" like this. Every day I would put the sandwiches in my pocket and we'd pour the milk into the potted plant. For some reason, we never told our mom. Squeat

I'm glad to hear this, thanks! I know someone that it will make a perfect holiday gift for.

I'd nominate Paula Peck's The Art of Fine Baking. I picked this up not too long ago, and have really been enjoying it. As a novice baker, I find it very clear and helpful, and not at all intimidating. Squeat Edited to add that I am definitely among those who wish to see Classical Southern Cooking republished!

Oops! My bad. Creative memory at work again. Let's just say everyone I know voted against it! I do remember now that the voters approved it, but a judge said it had to pass the Supervisors. Please feel free to not believe anything I say in future. Squeat

ExtraMSG, General Assistance recipients in San Francisco receive from $320 to $395 per month. Newsome's "Care Not Cash" proposal (which has now been rejected by both the voters and the Board of Supervisors) would immediately cut that to $59 per month and, in theory, move those affected (an estimated 6000 individuals) into homeless shelters. One problem with that is that these shelters are already full. San Francisco does spend quite a bit, relatively speaking, on social services programs, but it is obvious that current efforts fall woefully short of a solution. Now that he has ridden this single issue (the homeless) into office, it will be interesting to see what Gavin Newsome will be able to accomplish. The Board of Supervisors, among others, remain skeptical. To many, it looks like Willie Brown all over again. Cheers, Squeat

I'm not convinced. I don't think I'd get optimum enjoyment of my toast if I let it sit for up to two minutes and then put on butter straight from the fridge!?! And how are you going to slice solid cold butter 1/17th the thickness of the bread? Squeat

Just before Thanksgiving I was having trouble finding jarred chestnuts. I went into Yum, a local specialty shop (think hard-to-find cooking oils, glaces, frozen puff pastries, imported spices, etc.) looking for them. They didn't have them, but they suggested a place that might, and then proceeded to call them on the phone for me and make sure! The other store did have them, but I was simply blown away that the Yum people would not only suggest a competitor, but actually ascertain that they did have the product I wanted. This will keep me going back to Yum. That and the fact that they always have something delicious to sample. And that they are just so darn nice. Cheers, Squeat

I agree that it is not good manners to expect free drinks. And as a patron I don't. My customers at the bar don't either, but at least around here it is a traditional way of expressing (in an entirely discretionary way) appreciation for steady custom.

Okay, this is totally off topic, but that was jwagnerdsm, and he suddenly stopped blogging on December 3. I'm starting to worry because he hasn't posted since then. Was there severe weather in Iowa? Squeat

I think Tennessee may be the same way. I've never heard the bartender say "this one's on the house", and I'm on a first-name basis with a few bartenders in town. However, I have been grossly undercharged on a number of occasions, which I can only assume is deliberate. I always make sure to tip based on what I've had to drink/eat. Overtipping bartenders is always a good policy, if you plan to return. Wow, you guys aren't kidding? I guess this is another thing California does backwards, but in all the years I've been working in and patronizing bars, it has been pretty much a regular policy that good, regular customers are comped every so often. How else do you cultivate/promote regular clientele? Cheers, Squeat PS Yes, generous tips ARE duly noted!

Melkor found it HERE Thanks. I think. Ugh. First "Zauvignon", now "Chauvignon". I'm going to bed.

This reminds me of when our mayor, Willie Brown, swore he would use MUNI as his transportation. He rode the damn bus once, accompanied by huge media foo-fah-rah. Then it was back to double-parking his limo all over town. This kind of empathy has recently been echoed in current mayoral candidate Gavin Newsome's touted "Care Not Cash" proposal, in which San Francisco's poorest residents would be denied the current measly stipend with which they are expected to try to feed themselves in favor of a whole slew of beaurocracy-heavy "services", of which most of them would probably remain ignorant, and which the rest would eschew out of what little could possibly remain of their sense of dignity. Squeat in San Francisco, praying for a Gonzalez win in today's mayoral election.

Not sure I would trust a list that includes the heading "Cabernet Zauvignon"! And, um, sparkling cab? You guys are frightening me! I have missed this on the list, I guess (entirely possible -- I'm home sick with a fever and desperately trying to entertain myself here on eGullet). Can someone point me directly to this, so my suffering can be complete? Thanks, Squeat

You gotta eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day if you want to prosper in the new year. The collards (or mustard or turnip) greens are just there to go with the peas or Hoppin' John -- pour vinegar over all. Cornbread should be served as well, with lots of butter. Everybody goes to everybody else's house to eat this stuff and share good wishes for the year. We never did the throwing money thing, but it reminds me of the Thanksgiving tradition my mom's family had and that we kept every year if we weren't going to relatives' house for T-day dinner: Our Thanksgiving meal consisted of a simple onion soup, and afterwards we sat around the table while the annual checks for charity were made out. Good memories, Squeat