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Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Goodbye King, Hello Coho, Janet Fletcher Chefs and home cooks do have alternatives to the local beloved salmon Recipes: Delfina’s Paccheri Amalfi Style Sauteed Ling Cod with Leeks & Aanchovy Butter Halibut Baked in Pumpkin Seed Mole Broiled Sablefish with Coriander & Paprika Judy Rogers’ Four-Minute Egg Gribiche Hotdog days of spring, Georgeanne Brennan Recipes: Jerry’s_Style Red Hot Currywurst mit Brotchen The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Malaysian stew inspires a song in her heart Recipe: Rendang What’s New: Opening: Anchor & Hope in San Francisco Other Openings: Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastapol and Le Garage in Sausalito Top Chef: And then there was one Pantry Primer: A how-to gift set Media: Cook’s Illustrated lightens up Taster’s Choice, Amanda Gold Mollie Stone’s cheddar makes Hall of Fame Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Views, Seafood compete for attention at Waterbar on the Embarcadero (This review appeared Sunday, April 20, 2008) Dining Out, Amanda Gold La Trappe encourages going Belgian in North Beach Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Bigger Xanh rolls out edgy design, more dishes in Mountain View Pizza of the Week A16 in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Michael Mina to open a cocktail lounge in the Westin St. Francis hotel . . . new chef at Marché in Menlo Park . . . Berkeley’s Hotel Durant to undergo renovation . . . Dine About Town to run again June 1 – 15 . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Spring Entertaining: Keeping it simple, Georgeanne Brennan Let the season’s most pristine produce guide your menu Recipes: Menu 1 Radishes & Favas with Butter & Sea Salt Asparagus with Tarragon Mayonnaise Roast Chicken Stuffed with Thyme Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes & Artichokes Strawberry Meringues Menu 2 Toasts with Green Garlic & Farmer’s Cheese Green Herb Salad with Black Trumpet Mushrooms Slow-Cooked Lamb with Leeks & Rosemary Butter-Braised Carrots, Peas & Favas Rhubarb & Strawberry Shortcakes The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler For the love of potatoes Recipe: Turkish Potato Salad What’s New: Opening: Mono debuts dinner at Jack London Square Other openings: Portelli Ross in Novato and Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill on Kearny Street Event: Chocolate Salon Holiday: Prepared foods for Passover Taster’s Choice, Amanda Gold Yehuda matzo still the Passover favorite Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants (This review appeared Sunday, April 6, 2008) Dining Out, Carey Sweet Lively Eat comes up short in the kitchen in San Anselmo Dining Update, Michael Bauer Fringale keeps its French spirit South of Market Dining Update, Amanda Gold Classic cuisine reigns at le Bistro in Petaluma The Inside Scoop Palmetto to close . . . tricky balancing act between Chapeau and Clementine . . . MacArthur Park in Palo Alto changes hands . . . new Perry’s to open at the Embarcadero . . . and more. Benefits

It's been about a year since the City of San Francisco passed it's law banning the large supermarket and drug chains from using plastic bags. NPR article about the bag ban I live outside of the city, so I don't grocery shop in SF often. It would be interesting to hear from people who do shop there all the time. I am also a big fan of the large blue/green crazy printed Trader Joe's bags, and I also keep them in my car. I take them to other stores and the checkers sometimes comment on them. "What a nice bag! Oh it's from Trader Joe's". Never won the $25 raffle either, but I keep putting in my ticket. On a somewhat related topic, there is also a move here in SF to use the biodegradable utensils at the nicer take out places and to use paper/cardboard take out boxes instead of plastic/styrofoam. I love those biodegradable spoons and forks, I wash them and save them to use when cooking in a nonstick pan.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Kids’ menus grow up, Tara Duggan Chefs are reaching out to families with special plates for children The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Meatballs evoke memories of Grandma Recipes: Big Meatballs Berlin-Inspired Potato Salad The Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne A beet hater explore the root of the matter Recipe: Beet-Hater’s Salad What’s New: Opening: Candybar in San Francisco, featuring 4-course dessert tasting Openings: Domo in Hayes Valley, Bellanico in Oakland’s Glenview, Poesia in the Castro Top Chef: Feeding a crowd, gorilla style Taster’s Choice, Amanda Gold Organic applesauce land in the Hall of Fame, Mollie O and Eden Organic are winners From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Baja-style fish tacos take a detour through New Orleans Recipes: Halibut Fish Tacos Favorite Green Salsa Favorite Red-Hot Salsa Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Well-balanced, hyper-local fare at Fish & Farm on Taylor Street in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, March 23, 2008) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Pacifica Catch reels in families on Ninth Avenue in San Francisco Dining Update, Michael Bauer Potrero Hill’s Baraka maintains its allure The Inside Scoop James Beard nominations . . . Café Saint Rose to expand . . . changes at Sens restaurant . . . Western Regional Barista Competition in Berkeley . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Kids’ menus grow up, Tara Duggan Chefs are reaching out to families with special plates for children The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Meatballs evoke memories of Grandma Recipes: Big Meatballs Berlin-Inspired Potato Salad The Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne A beet hater explore the root of the matter Recipe: Beet-Hater’s Salad What’s New: Opening: Candybar in San Francisco, featuring 4-course dessert tasting Openings: Domo in Hayes Valley, Bellanico in Oakland’s Glenview, Poesia in the Castro Top Chef: Feeding a crowd, gorilla style Taster’s Choice, Amanda Gold Organic applesauce land in the Hall of Fame, Mollie O and Eden Organic are winners From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Baja-style fish tacos take a detour through New Orleans Recipes: Halibut Fish Tacos Favorite Green Salsa Favorite Red-Hot Salsa Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Well-balanced, hyper-local fare at Fish & Farm on Taylor Street in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, March 23, 2008) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Pacifica Catch reels in families on Ninth Avenue in San Francisco Dining Update, Michael Bauer Potrero Hill’s Baraka maintains its allure The Inside Scoop James Beard nominations . . . Café Saint Rose to expand . . . changes at Sens restaurant . . . Western Regional Barista Competition in Berkeley . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Dreamy desserts, Janet Fletcher Italy’s famed ricotta stars in dishes that celebrate Easter, tradition and the season of rebirth Recipes: Whipped Ricotta with Candied orange, Pistachios & Chocolate Ducca’s Ricotta Cheesecake with Brown Sugar Crisp Topping Ici’s Ricotta Ice Cream La Ciccia’s Saffron Ricotta Cake Caramel Ricotta Pudding (Budino di Ricotta) A sweet hereafter for candy lovers, Jane Tunks Seasonal Cook, Molly Watson Keeping up with the Meyers Recipes: Spicy Meyer Lemon “Pickle” Whole-Fruit Meyer Lemon Marmalade What’s New: Taste Test: Dunkin’ Donuts coffee Easter: Basket-worthy bunnies and eggs Gadget: Instant juicer Top Chef: S.F. chefs grab the limelight The Baker, Flo Braker Bread makes quick work of tart shells Recipes: Toasted Bread Tarts Caponata Creamy Peanut Butter Filling The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Make salad or eggs the main cours Recipes: Steak Salad with Arugula, Parmesan & Crispy Capers Farmer’s Omelet Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer A few hits, but mostly misses at Burlingame’s Ristorante Brio (This review appeared Sunday, March 16, 2008) Dining Out, Karola Saekel Sushi Solano’s menu casts wide net in Albany Dining Update, Miriam Morgan From restrained to bold, playing with Southeast Asian flavors Sirayvah Organic Thai Cusine in San Carlos and Three Seasons Vietnamese in San Francisco Pizza of the Week Pizza Antica with locations in San Jose, Mill Valley, Granite Bay and Lafayette Readers’ Comments from Michael Bauer’s Blog Readers’ Platform: Four-star differences The Inside Scoop Cowgirl Creamery and Cyrus restaurant branching out . . . Greenleaf, Inc. changes hands . . . Food and Water Watch campaign to “Take Back the Tap” . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Soups & Salads, Georgeanne Brennan Late-winter pairings make the perfect seasonal dinners Recipes: White Bean Soup with Wild Arugula & Meyer Lemon Creamy Rutabaga & Barley Soup Leek & Potato Soup Spicy Pork & Rice Soup with Lime Frisee, Escarole, Bacon & Fried-Potato Salad Radicchio & Parsley Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Chopped Salad with Cilantro & Parmesan Spinach & Satsuma Salad with Orange-Infused Vinaigrette Tripe lovers reveal their offal secrets, Janet Fletcher Recipes: Dona Tomas’s Menudo Taverna Santi’s Trippa alla Fiorentina What’s New: Top Chef: San Francisco? Four Bay Area contestents Market Report: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco Cravings Dept.: Tracking down Girl Scout cookies St. Patrick’s Day: Where’s the (corned) beef? Restaurant Openings: Clementine and L’ardoise both in San Francisco Taster’s Choice, Amanda Gold Frozen garlic bread leaves panel cold, top-scoring Safeway Select brand only get 52 points Cook’s Books, Tara Duggan Indian authors take cues from American sensibilities “Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet”, by Padma Lakshmi “American Masala”, by Suvir Saran “Complete Book of Indian Cooking”, by Suneeta Vaswani “Quick & Easy Indian”, by Madhur Jaffrey Recipes: Pan-Seared Flounder in Chipotle Yogurt Sauce (Padma Lakshmi) Chipotle & Date Chutney (Padma Lakshmi) Saag Gosht (Lamb with Spinach) (Madhur Jaffrey) Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Fun atmosphere, serious food at sleek Conduit in the Mission (This review appeared Sunday, March 9, 2008) Dining Update, Michael Bauer Michael Mina enters the four-star galaxy in San Francisco Pizza of the Week Pizzeria Delfina in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Restaurant openings in the East Bay . . . Scott Howard to go to Left Bank in Larkspur . . . Last Supper Club remodeling in the Mission . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Rising Star Chefs 2008, Michael Bauer Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena Recipe: Citrus-Cured Sardines with Escabeche Vegetables Richard Corbo, Ducca, San Francisco Recipe: Arancini Jonnatan Leiva, Jack Falstaff, San Francisco Recipe: Foraged Wild Mushroom Tart with Blue Cheese Fondue Ian Begg, Café Majestic, San Francisco Recipe: Cream of Mushroom Soup Jeremy Fox and Deanie Hickox Fox, Ubuntu, Napa Recipes: Frozen Meyer Lemon & Yogurt Parfait with Rhubarb & Rose Geranium Spiced Carrot ‘Crumble’ with Vermouth, Orange & Crème Fraiche Rising Star chefs 2007 – Where are they now? Seasonal Cook, Victoria McGinley Two-for-one vegetables are the bargain of the produce bin Recipes: Roasted Root Vegetables with Blood Orange Vinaigrette Turnip Green Vichyssoise with Pickled Turnips & Malt Froth Sautéed Beet Greens with Crispy Fried Garlic What’s New: Opening: Luce in San Francisco’s new InterContinental Hotel Opening: Le Club in San Francisco’s Nob Hill Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Café Rouge’s fresh, sweet Italian sausage is the winner The Working Cook, Tara Duggan If inspiration won’t strike, wing it Recipes: Sesame & Ginger Chicken Wings with Roasted Broccoli Creamy Macaroni with Sausage, Peppers & Mushrooms Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Serpentine – Comfort food in an unexpected location, San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood (This review appeared Sunday, March 2, 2008) Pizza of the Week Patxi’s in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley (also in Palo Alto) The Inside Scoop Moose’s to become Joey & Eddie’s . . . Scott Howard closed . . . Chez Papa chef leaves to open Le Garage . . . Myth chef on TV on “Top Chef” . . . new chef at Brix in Napa . . . more guest chefs at Manresa . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, February 20, 2008 Martin Yan’s Can-Do Attitude, Amanda Gold The Bay Area’s gregarious TV chef focuses on his native China with a new school and book. Recipes: Shangri-La Beef Spice Market Fish Tangerine Peel Chicken Seasonal Cook, Janet Fletcher Chefs hail Tuscan kale Recipes: Creamy Polenta with Tuscan Kale Tuscan Kale with Anchovies, Golden Raisins & Pine Nuts From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan A salad for pleasure, not punishment Recipes: Tender Greens with Pears, Caramelized Wlanuts & Blood Orange Vinaigrette Caramelized Nuts What’s New: Shopping Cart: Ramen lightens up Shopping Cart: Crock o’Clover Xroads sea salt from the Philippines Restaurant Openings; Taylor’s Refresher and Pica Pica Maize Kitchen, Venezuelan cusine, both in the Oxbow Market in Napa Books: “Eat This, Not That”, by David Zinczenko Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Panel warms to just one frozen lasagna, Michael Angelo’s brand. Cook’s Books, Amanda Gold Baking lessons of the melting pot: “Baker’s Odyssey”, by Greg Patent Recipe: Lamingtons Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer O Izakaya riffs on Japanese tradition with winning food in the Hotel Kabuki in Japantown (This review appeared Sunday, February 17, 2008) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Sudachi riffs on Japanese classics, on Sutter Street in San Francisco Dining Update, Carol Ness Soizic Bistro seduces with interplay of flavors in Oakland Pizza of the Week Cucina in San Anselmo The Inside Scoop Slow Food Nation plans taking shape . . . executive chef leaving the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco . . . new wine bar for the San Francisco Hilton . . . remodeled Fifth Floor to reopen . . . Hog Island Oysters to open in Oxbow Market in Napa . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, January 30, 2008 A fine pickle Cooking in Common: From Seoul to San Francisco, the cross cultural condiment adds snap to cold-weather menus Winter pickles are cooler than a cucumber, Karen Solomon Recipes: Quick Pickled Daikon with Lemon Bar Bambino’s Pickled Carrots Korea’s kimchi addiction catches on in the West, Janet Fletcher Recipes: Betelnut’s Udon with Braised Pork, Greens, Kimchi & Poached Egg Betelnut’s Cabbage Kimchi Betlenut’s Fried Shallots Whole Cabbage Kimchi Kimchi Fried Rice What’s New: Openings: Kuleto’s Epic Roadhouse Kuleto’s Waterbar Other Openings: Citronelle in Carmel Valley Shopping Cart: Raw fare from Roxanne in markets Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Kettle deemed most dip-worthy chip (with ridges), enters hall of fame From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan A Super Bowl-perfect prescription Recipes: Spicy Chicken Tacos or Tostadas Vinaigrette Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Lafayette’s Gigi is uneven, but heading in the right direction (This review appeared Sunday, January 27, 2008) Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Rumi’s inspired menu roams Silk Road in San Carlos Dining Update, Michael Bauer Portions, prices up at ‘more satisfying’ Terzo in San Francisco Pizza of the Week Giorgio’s on Clement Street in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Chef changes at SPQR . . . Andronico’s will no longer sell tabacco products . . . changes at Taste wine bar in Berkeley . . . and more. Letters to Food Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, January 23, 2008 The new yogurt culture, Amanda Gold Pro-yo has replaced fro-yo as the trendy snack of choice; appetite for probiotics fuels the market for ‘live’ yogurt Seasonal Cook, Georgeanne Brennan Savory ways with sweet grapefruit Recipes: Grapefruit, Escarole & Radicchio Salad Black Cod with Grapefruit Beurre Blanc Seared Scallops & Grapefruit with Spinach The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Rice bowl is simple Seoul food Recipes: Kong Na Mool Bahp (Soybean Sprouts & Rice) Ale-Braised Mussels with Rustic Garlic Toasts What’s New: Restaurants that feature eggs in appetizers and main dishes Opening: Blue Bottle Coffee debut its Mint Plaza café Other Openings: Brown Sugar in Oakland, Cocina Poblana in Oakland, Koi Palace opens another location in Dublin Special Edition: Peet’s “Farley” blend Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness House Organic crowned the top tofu Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Genial South Food + Wine Bar showcases down under cusine on Townsend (This review appeared Sunday, January 20, 2008) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Menu takes surprise turns at Olea in San Francisco Pizza of the Week Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur The Inside Scoop New chef for Chez TJ . . . Cetrella in Half Moon Bay open again after makeover . . . sommelier to stay at Myth . . . Maganani Poultry in Berkeley sold . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, January 9, 2008 What would Michael Pollan eat?, Carol Ness The reluctant food movement guru writes another book to answer that very question Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne Spain inspires an end to resolutions Recipes: Smoky Chickpea Soup Spanish Salad Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Trader Joe’s organic hot chocolate is the winner, enter Hall of Fame East to West, Linda Furiya Reward yourself with warming rice dish Recipe: Ochazuke The Working Cook, Tara Duggan From pan to plate in mere minutes, how to pan-sear meat and fish Recipes: Toasted Cracked Wheat with Steak, Onions & Greens Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi with Buttered Radishes over Rice Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Big food ambitions in a modest space at Odyssey in Windsor (This review appeared Sunday, January 6, 2008) Dining Update, Carol Ness Dona Tomas gets the balance right in Oakland Dining Update, Amanda Gold Seafood hit and miss at Seafood Peddler in San Rafael Pizza of the Week Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too in Mountain View The Inside Scoop End of an era as Washbag, Trader Vic's close doors . . . changes at Lark Creek Restaurant Group . . . Globe to reopen this week after kitchen fire . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, January 2, 2008 Just the flax, please, Stacy Finz Nutrition pros help find the grains of truth amid the hype about what to eat Recipes: Hulled Barley with Brown Butter & Scallions Wild Salmon with Quinoa & Peas Seasonal Cook, Melissa Swanson An onion's beauty is more than skin deep Recipes: Short Ribs alla Genovese Caramelized Pearl Onions Pickled Red Onions The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler When chickens come home to roast Recipe: Ekuri What's New: Dining Deals: Dine about town Shopping Cart: Multigrain instant cereal with some pizzazz Books: "The Oxford Companion to Italian Food" Mail Order Meat: Lava Lake lamb Taster's Choice, Carol Ness Frozen Spinach from China launches the 2008 Hall of Fame, Woodstock Farms brand Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Top Ten Dining Spots of 2007 Perbacco Wood Tavern Café Majestic BarbersQ Ducca Nick's Cove Laiola Ubuntu Plumed Horse SPQR (This review appeared Sunday, December 30, 2007) Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Pleasing Polish specialties at Chopin Café in Walnut Creek Pizza of the Week Gaspare's on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Chez TJ chef heading to Meadowood . . . more about Citizen Thai & the Monkey closing . . . well know sushi chef Sachio Kojima returns as a guest to San Francisco . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, December 26, 2007 A One-Pot Wonder, Janet Fletcher France’s iconic pot-au-feu is the perfect post-Christmas dish Recipe: Laurent Manrique’s Pot-au-Feu with Gros Sel Sauce From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Wrap up the holidays with a simple crab feast Recipe: Dungeness Crab Cazuela What’s New: Opening: Conduit takes minimalist slant in the Mission Shopping Cart: Holiday crunch, Raincoast Crisps Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Hall of fame opens doors to 10 items, summary of all taste tests in 2007 The Working Cook, Tara Duggan The shrimp that stirred the pot Recipes: Shrimp Etouffee with Polenta Quick Butternut Squash Soup with Spiced Pepitas Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Sens’ food hits the mark in a stunning setting, Sens Restaurant in Embarcadero Four in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, December 23, 2007) Dining Update, Michael Bauer One Market chef’s artistry shines Dining Out, Carol Ness It’s all about the vibe at Oakland’s Lavende East Pizza of the Week Gioia in Berkeley The Inside Scoop Citizen Thai and the Monkey closed on short notice . . . Thomas Keller moving ahead with plans for a burger place in Yountville . . . Cottage Eatery to open in Tiburon . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Four-star Feasts , Janet Fletcher Top Bay Area chefs share their menus for a holiday at home Recipes: Lamb Chops with Sunchoke Puree & Shallot Marmalade, Ron Siegel, Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Braised Pork Shoulder with Savoy Cabage & White Beans, David Kinch, Manresa Herb-Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Beurre Colbert, Thomas Keller, The French Laundry Cajun Shrimp (with Help from Mom), Douglas Keane, Cyrus Pancetta-Wrapped Venison Loin, Roland Passot, La Folie Grilled Duck Breast with Cabbage, Chestnuts & Citrus Salad, Jean Pierre Moullé, Chez Panisse What’s New: Oxbow Market in Napa gathers local purveyors Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant opens, South of Market Sundance Kabuki Cinemas goes way beyond popcorn Bayless' Frontera Fresco opens in San Francisco OpenTable accepting New Year's Eve reservations Jones holiday soda, new flavors Christmas Tree, Sugarplum, Egg Nog, and a nice, savory Christmas Ham Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Best budget caviar, under $35, Tsar Nicoulai and Marky’s are top scorers For the food-obsessed, a holiday postcard from Europe , Karola Saekel Recipes: Riesling Pears Yara’s Super-Easy Frozen Holiday Mousse Obaster Gingerbread Spice Mix The Baker, Flo Braker Recipe: Braided Coffee Cake Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Not one miss in the Italian- inspired menu at SPQR, on Fillmore (This review appeared Sunday, December 16, 2007) Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Ingredients shine at understated Parcel 104 in Santa Clara Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Back A Yard does Jamaican jerk the right way in Menlo Park Pizza of the Week Pizzetta 211 in the Richmond District The Inside Scoop Fire damages Globe restaurant . . . Mission Pie youth program to expand . . . Imperial Tea to close Chinatown location . . . and more. Benefits