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Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Fired Up Over Wood Ovens, Olivia Wu Outdoor cooking builds community while keeping traditions alive Recipes: Sourdough Starter Bean Ragout with Toasted Breadcrumbs Walnut Sourdough Bread Putting a wood fired oven to the test, Carol Ness The hottest items on a restaurant’s wish list, Amanda Gold, Victoria McGinley Breaking Ramadan’s fast with a taste of home, Ben Hubbard Recipe: Yemeni Kahsa Pizza of the Week, Michael Bauer Gialina in Glen Park So you think you can cook Enter the Turkey Team Cook-Off What’s New: Desserts Iron Chef Watch Openings: Craig’s Place, La Farine, Sultan Market Report: pumpkins, and more Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness O.J. with calcium lacks backbone Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Spanish and California cuisine blend well at Laiola in the Marina (This review appeared Sunday, October 7, 2007) Dining Out, Carol Ness Berkeley’s Hot Pot Spot, Zabu Zabu Dining Update, Michael Bauer Refined menu brings Bong Su into balance in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Kuleto is updating restaurants . . . Slow Club update . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 3, 2007 A Pizza Odyssey, Michael Bauer Michael Bauer launches his quest to find the Bay Area's best pies with Pizza Friday, a weekly multimedia feature on his blog. But first he samples some of the nation's best. One man’s attempt to perfect the art of home pizza, Jon Bonné Recipe: Jon Bonné’s Pizza Chef’s Night In, Jane Tunks Chef Brad Levy of Firefly Recipe: Brad’s Mom’s Chicken with a Mushroom White Wine Sauce So you think you can cook? Top Chef? Iron Chef? They've got nothing on us. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we're firing up The Chronicle's Turkey Training Camp. And we need you for our Turkey Team Cook-Off. What’s New: Openings: Sens, Southern Mediterranean in Embarcadero Center Openings: Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge, Japanese izakaya cuisine in the Sunset Openings: Mediterranean meets Mexican at Lolo in the Mission Takeout: GrubHub helps you find delivery options in your area Market Report: persimmons, corn, eggplant, beans, sweet onions and heirloom tomatoes, last chance for stone fruit Taster’s Choice, Victoria McGinley Testing local pizzeria pies, eight local chains were tested The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Two simple sidekicks round out weeknight suppers Recipes: Grilled Chicken with Tortellini Pasta Salad Brown Rice Risotto-Pilaf Seasonal Cook, Karola Saekel Autumnal salad marries quail and the love fruit, from Luka’s Taproom and Lounge in Oakland Recipe: Pomegranate-Glazed Quail with Frisee and Brussels Sprout Leaves UC Berkeley film festival spotlights food, farming Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Butterfly Bistro offers bold take on Vietnamese, in the Tanforan Mall in San Bruno (This review appeared Sunday, September 30, 2007) Dining Update, Amanda Gold Jeanty at Jack’s loses some of its spark, on Sacramento Street The Inside Scoop Fork chef to open a new restaurant on Oakland’s Auto Row . . . Frisee to open in the Castro . . . new chef at Campton Place . . . new owners for Baraka . . . new owners for PJ Steak in Yountville . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 26, 2007 The Magic of Ginger, Marlene Sorosky Gray Recipes: Asian Ginger Chicken Salad Ginger Spice Cornbread with Ginger Honey Butter Sauerbraten with Gingersnap Gravy Very Gingery Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Caramel Glaze Baked Ginger Apple Pancake Gingerbread Roll with Lemon Cream Triple Ginger Triangle Cookies (Web-only recipe) Cafes feed need for play dates & lattes, Karen Solomon Seafood by the Season, Olivia Wu A hotbed for oysters Recipe: Cream-Free Oyster Chowder What’s New: Openings: SPQR in Pacific Heights, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Walnut Creek Openings: Whole Foods in Oakland Gadget: Spork Shopping Cart: Gino’s East frozen pizza Market Report: Apples, persimmons, late-season stone fruit, heirloom tomatoes Food Conscious, Janet Fletcher Dairies unite to set safety standards for raw-milk cheese East to West, Linda Furiya Two ways to coax eggplant haters from their shells Recipes: Lightly Vinegared Eggplant Eggplant and Ginger Soy Sauce Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Farina needs marinating to realize its full potential, in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, September 23, 2007) Dining Update, Tara Duggan Relocated Tajine as tempting as ever in San Francisco Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Small plates a big hit at Spasso in San Carlos The Inside Scoop 1300 On Fillmore to open next month . . . change of venue for Slow Food Nation . . . Roosevelt Tamale Parlor closed for renovations . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Meaty Alternatives, Amanda Berne Chefs find winning ways to cook seitan, tempeh and tofu Recipes: Buffalo Girls Mock Aioli Firefly Seitan Italian Sausage Maverick’s Pan-Fried Tempeh Tempeh Picadillo Empanadas Tempeh Picadillo Mint Mojo Alex Arguellos’ Pickled Red Onion Food Conscious, Carol Ness Farmers burning out on market life A feast for the harvest moon, Olivia Wu Recipe: Popia What’s New: Openings: Nightspots Prana in San Francisco Openings: Nightspots Bar Johnny in San Francisco Break out the rice cakes for Chusok, Korea’s Thanksgiving Shopping Cart: Easy prep Indian simmer sauces Guidebooks: Gary Danko tops Zagat Market Report: Tomatoes, peppers, corn The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Aloo gobi, just like Mom makes Recipes: Aloo Gobi Gemelli Pasta with Chicken & Arugula Restaurants Dining Out Bargain Bites, 107 mini-reviews (This review appeared Sunday, September 16, 2007) Dining Out, Karola Saekel La Finestra focuses on Sicilian flavors in Lafayette Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Berkeley’s Venezia continues to satisfy The Inside Scoop New chef at Rose Pistola . . . changes on Belden Place . . . airport dining . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Secrets of great home cooks, Janet Fletcher Gifted Bar Area food lovers open their kitchens and recipe files Recipes: Susan Abbanat’s Barley, Lentil & Fennel Salad Susan Abbanat’s Shaved Celery & Sweet Pepper Salad with Watercress, Pecorino & Mint Ruth Begell’s Roasted Feta with Olives & Thyme Bedig Margossian’s labne Sandwiches Bedig Margossian’s Grilled Flatiron Steak with Roasted Summer Vegetables The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Sweet thoughts for Rosh Hashanah Recipes: Polish Apple Cake Sephardic Cinnamon-Ginger Chicken with a Cornucopia of Grapes Baby Greens with Apples, Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette & Sesame-Phyllo Wafers Web only recipe: Ruth Begell's Summer Vegetable Frittata What’s New: Discovery: Elk Creamery’s goat cheese Opening: Whole Foods opens SF lifestyle store Also Open: Palencia in San Francisco and Café Mariposa in Oakland Market Watch: Dragonfruit, apples, grapes, also peaches and plums are still coming in Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Whole wheat tortillas fail to win over panelists, Whole Foods 365 Organic and Buenatural are the leaders Cook’s Books, Amanda Gold “Aromas of Aleppo”, by Poopa Dweck, Sephardic cooking of Syria Recipe: Tamarind-Stewed Meatballs Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Painstakingly re-created Nick’s Cove is worth the wait on Tomales Bay (This review appeared Sunday, September 9, 2007) Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Tried-and-true Thai best at Citrus & Spice in San Rafael Dining Update, Michael Bauer Revamped Bacar still having growing pains in San Francisco The Inside Scoop A. Sabella’s to close after 87 years . . . Rick Bayless to bring Frontera Fresca to Macy’s Union Square . . . Chow to open new location in Danville . . . and more. Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Chicken and Egg Food Conscious, Carol Ness Raising poultry the new-old way Restaurant chickens come home to roost, Amanda Gold Recipes: My Dad’s Best-Ever Roasted Chicken Creamy Chicken Masala Wood Tavern’s Pan-Roasted Chicken with Breadcrumbs Sesame Chicken Drumsticks Bistro Luneta’s Chicken Adobo JW’s Grilled Chicken Chicken Curry Bay Area chefs take a crack at slow-cooked eggs, Tara Duggan Recipes: Baby Romaine Hearts Salad with Tempura Egg Garlic Chips Egg Methods What’s New: Openings: Supersize supermarkets Also Open: Tinderbox sustainable food in Bernal Heights Haute Caffeine: Peet’s precious Panama Esmeralda Breaking Bread: Who’s got Challa Market Watch: Apples, pears & figs Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Egg Beaters beat out other egg substitutes The Working Cook, Tara Duggan West African twist on chicken stew pleases parents, kids Recipes: Arugula & Tomato Fritatta West-African Inspired Chicken Stew with Mashed Sweet Potato Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Ducca brings back the allure of hotel dining at the Westin San Francisco Market Street (This review appeared Sunday, August 2, 2007) Dining Out, Michael Bauer Scene trumps food at Pleasant Hill Left Bank Dining Out, Amanda Gold Goood Frikin’ Chicken, but also much more in the Mission The Inside Scoop New executive chef at PlumpJack Café . . . Sutra to close . . . Limon to open second location . . . and more. Benefits Recipe Clarification: Plum Cake II

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 29, 2007 Snack attack, Stacy Finz With a new law and schools cracking down on junk food, what’s left for kids to eat? Recipes: Crunchy Vegetable Aram Sandwiches Banana Licuado Fruit Smoothie Web only recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits The Baker, Flo Braker Kid-hearty and healhful Recipes: Fig-Quinoa Breakfast Bars Dried Fruit Crumble Squares The Seasonal Cook, Karola Saekel Plum-perfect summer cakes Recipes: German Plum Cake Plum Cake II What’s New: Opening: Plumed Horse in Saratoga Also Open: Brenda’s, New Orleans-style in San Francisco Moveable Feast: Seoul on Wheels, Korean barbecue truck Shopping Cart:Kid-friendly meals, bars and snacks Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Lunch meat tasting, turns up turkeys, sliced packaged turkey is tasted, Organic Praire and Diestel are top scorers Cook’s Books, Victoria McGinley “Allergy-free Cookbook”, by Alice Sherwood Recipes: Leek & Butternut Squash Soup Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Mexico DF shows promise, but ultimately disappoints, on Steurt Street in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, August 26, 2007) Dining Out, Tara Duggan Flavors sing at Popol Vuh, Yucatecan restaurant in the Mission Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Capellini still exudes pizzazz and polish in San Mateo The Inside Scoop Monte Cristo Café to open in Embarcadero 4 . . . in Palo Alto, St. Michael’s Alley will relocate and Calafia Café and Market a Go-Go will open . . . Chefs Cookoff benefit for Afterschool Alliance . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Green Days, Olivia Wu Gardeners, cooks glean fresh ideas from a downtown rooftop herb garden Recipes: Roasted Vegetable Soup Green Gazpacho with Sorrel & Lemon Verbena Rooftop Cilantro Pesto Lemon Verbena Crème Brulee Shiso Sushi Garlic-Chile Rib Roast in a Thyme Nest Magrut (Kaffir) Lime Leaf Cake with Garden Flowers (Web-only recipe) Seafood by the Season, Olivia Wu Northwest’s mussel beach Recipes: Simple Roast Mussels Golden Mussels Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne Getting saucy without heat Recipes: Pasta con Salsa Cruda Penne with Basil Cream What’s New: Books: For the love of cheese Openings: Custom Burger Lounge in a San Francisco hotel Openings: Bistro 9 and Pete’s Tavern Openings: Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio in Napa Market Watch: Eggplant, tomatoes and lots of peppers Shopping Cart: Fiorucci Italian dry salame Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Vanilla non-dairy frozen desserts, Whole Soy is the winner Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Witty Spork follows through on flavor, too on Valencia Street (This review appeared Sunday, August 19, 2007) Dining Update, Michael Bauer Oakland’s Pearl has lost its luster Dining Out, Karola Saekel Unique French dinners at Post Meridian @ the Kensington Bistro The Inside Scoop New wine bar openings . . . Buca di Beppo to close for remodeling . . . Kuleto to open two San Francisco restaurants in 2008 . . . renovations at Jardiniere . . . Fifth Floor is sold . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 8, 2007 Sweet on tomatoes, Carol Ness Seasonal Cook Tomato Days: Oliveto pastry chef, Jenny Raven, shares her secrets for uncommon desserts Recipes: Mascarpone Budino with Sungold Tomato Compote Walnut Ice Cream with Brandywine Caramel Sauce Tomato Sugarplums Scrape together a simple granita, Casey Ellis Recipes: Watermelon Lime Granita Lemon Mint Granita Ginger Maple Granita Raspberry Granita The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Breaking bread with bakers in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius Recipes: Pane e Pomodoro (Savory Tomato Salad on Bread) Pappa al Pomodoro with Basil or Arugula What’s New: Restaurant Opening: Spruce in Presidio Heights Marin-French Cheese Company sweeps annual awards Rancho Gordo’s new “Gay Caballero” hot sauce The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Two ways to dress up fish for company Recipes: Broiled Fish with Salsa Fresca & Rice Broiled Fish with Israeli Couscous Pilaf & Corn From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Tres Leches cake goes one better Recipes: Pastel de Cuatro Leches (Four-Milks Cake) Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Slices and sips of Italy as Mission’s chic Bar Bambino (This review appeared Sunday, August 5, 2007) Dining Update, Michael Bauer New chef elevates Absinthe in San Francisco Dining Update, Tara Duggan Eclectic Doce Lunas satisfies in Sonoma county Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Chef marries Moroccan flavors with California accents at vibrant Zitune in Los Altos The Inside Scoop More projects set for Village Pub Group . . . Bistro Zare closed in Napa . . . Foothill Grille opens in Napa . . . Suppenkuche remodeling . . . and more.

Yes, that sounds right, thanks Annachan!

What's the name of that place on Divisadero that has "vintage" cookware? They hads lots of older Le Creuset and copper pieces. It's been a year or so since I've been in that neighborhood, is it still there?

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 1, 2007 Revisiting the caprese, Janet Fletcher Seasonal Cook Tomato Days: Italy’s classic salad inspires other summer dishes Recipes: Tomato Bread Salad with Burrata Bruschetta with Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil Spaghetti with Spicy Cherry Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella & Basil Caprese Tower with Pesto Marinated Bocconcini with Cherry Tomatoes Fresh Tomato Risotto with Mozzarella & Basil Food Conscious, Carol Ness Pastured eggs catching on Chef’s Night In, Jane Turks Chef Alison Barakat, a.k.a. Bakesale Betty, riffs on a picnic favorite Recipe: Bakesale Betty’s Fried Chicken Sandwich What’s New: Ice cream sandwiches Restaurant Openings: Enrico’s on Broadway with a new owner, Metro Kathmandu on Divisidero, Foothill Grille reopens in Napa Market Watch: Sweet ‘n Crisp Asian-style Cantaloupe from Dulcinea Cooks Books: “I Am Grateful: Recipes & Lifestyles of Café Gratitude”, by Treces Engelhart with Orchid Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Plenty of lemons in sorbet tasting, the highest scorer was Sorbetto Classico Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Essencia’s upscale Peruvian fare is hit-and-miss, on Gough Street in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, July 29, 2007) Dining Out, Jennifer Tomaro Smokin Oakie’s BBQ Joint in Pleasanton gets to the meat of the matter Dining Update, Michael Bauer A tip of the Chapeau to chef Philippe Gardelle, Chapeau on Clement Street The Inside Scoop Hotel Palomar and the Fifth Floor restaurant for sale . . . Press Club, a wine tasting room featuring six wineries is planned for Yerba Buena Lane . . . Town Hall/Salt House team plans to open a Napoletana style pizzeria . . . The Art Institute of California will launch a culinary program next March . . . and more.

The SF Chronicle's Food Editor and lead critic Michael Bauer takes a quick look at the LA food scene in today's food section. Includes short reviews of 10 restaurants.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, July 25, 2007 The dish on Los Angeles, Michael Bauer 10 meals, 5 days -- and too many valets and VIPs to count Capsule reviews of: BLD Cut Spago Hatfield's Patina Jar Pizzeria Mozza Providence La Terza Lucques Seafood of the Season, Olivia Wu Going wild for white sea bass Recipes: White Sea Bass in Escabeche White Sea Bas Tacos Peruvian Tiradito of White Sea Bass Seasonal Cook, Olivia Wu Forget diamonds; give stone fruit Recipes: Grilled Peach Panzanella Roasted Chioggia Beets with Nectarine Juices & Marjoram Green Bean & Santa Rosa Plum Salad What’s New: Whole grain pasta Kombucha New Book: "Vegetable Harvest", by Patricia Wells San Luis Obispo olive oil from Robbins Family Farm Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Starbucks sweeps iced coffee taste-off Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Change of pace, and ribsticking fare at Napa’s BarbersQ (This review appeared Sunday, July 22, 2007) The Inside Scoop Affordable, healthful dinners to go in Berkeley . . . Burritoeater.com nearing 500th review . . . and more. Letters to Food

I've been reading that blog too, and really enjoy it. I believe that the blogger in question posts here from time to time. Maybe that person can be persuaded to join this thread? Love to hear more about that. Kudos to Rowdy on cooking Les Halles, your friends must be very lucky!

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Slices of summer, Amanda Gold Seasonal Cook: Crisps, shortcakes, clafoutis and other fruit desserts are the superstars of the season Recipes: Vanilla-Scented Blueberry & Nectarine Crisp Marbled Chocolate Cherry Clafouti Cinnamon Shortcakes with Plum Compote & Cinnamon Crème Fraiche Peach & Mascarpone Tart with Oatmeal Cookie Crust Gadget junkie puts devices to the test, Stacy Finz The Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne Soups to chill when it sizzles Recipe: Avocado Soup with Cucumber, Melon & Mint What’s New: Restaurant Openings: Palmetto in Cow Hollow, Frjtz on Valencia, Laiola in the Marina New Book: “Healthy Community Cookbook” from the Bayview-Hunter Point based group Youth Envision Fair trade, organic coffee from Sundance Coffee Company Market Watch: Tomatoes! Also corn, beans and zucchini Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Panel tests fresh mango salsa, Whole Foods and Mollie Stone’s are winners Cook’s Books, Karola Saekel “Adventures of an Italian Food Lover’, by Faith Heller Willinger “Cucina del Sole”, by Nancy Harmon Jenkins Recipes: Spaghettini with Swordfish Ragu Lemon & Garlic Chicken The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Hawaii’s many cuisines coexist in one bowl Recipes: Saimin Winnie’s Somen Salad Sesame Salad Dressing Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer It’s high time to rediscover the redone Café Majestic in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, July 15, 2007) Dining Update, Amanda Gold Italian chef focuses on the tried and true at Ristorante Fabrizio in Larkspur Dining Out, Carol Ness Riva Cucina wades into restaurant business in Berkeley Dining Update, Michael Bauer El Dorado Kitchen caters to all seasons in Sonoma The Inside Scoop Donna Scala to open new San Francisco restaurant, plus more around the country . . . Bar Tartine pastry chef moves to Manresa . . . SF chefs Traci Des Jardins and Chris Cosentino will compete on the Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef” show starting in October . . . and more. About our reviews Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, July 11, 2007 Hot off the grid, Tara Duggan Solar ovens utilize nature’s rays for energy-efficient, everyday cooking – even in foggy San Francisco Recipes: Baby Beet Salad with Feta, Walnuts & Arugula Buttermilk Cornbread Peach & Blackberry Cobbler Rice Pilaf Wheatless Apricot Cake Shrimp & Lemon Skewers The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler How to play with a peach Recipe: Shakin’ Lemongrass Turky & Green Beans with Peaches Chef’s Night In, Dabney Gough Chef Vanessa Dang of Vanessa’s Bistro in Berkeley Recipe: Ginger-Soy Marinated Salmon Salad What’s New: Restaurant Openings: Nick’s Cove on Tomales Bay, Le P’tit Laurent in Glen Park, Sushi Solano in Albany Restaurants for Bastille Day Market Watch: Peaches and corn Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Middle East Co. tops pita bread picks Cook’s Books, Karola Saekel “My Bombay Kitchen”, by Niloufer Ichaporia King Recipe: Fish Moli (Fish in Coconut Milk) Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Quirky charm, homey cuisine at Café Saint Rose in Santa Rosa (This review appeared Sunday, July 8, 2007) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Less is more at Ginza in Tiburon Dining Update, Michael Bauer Alamo Square offers solid seafood choices in Fillmore Street in San Francisco The Inside Scoop Another new pub near AT&T Park . . . Zuppa’s owner to go back to the kitchen . . . changes at Elite Café . . . update on Plumpjack Group . . . and more. Between Meals, blog by Michael Bauer About our reviews Letters to Food Benefits

Azurite, you certainly have a lot experience with Amtrak! A couple of years ago when I was travelling frequently between the Bay Area and Sacramento for business, I rode the Capitol Corridor trains quite a few times. Since those are commuter lines, there was no meal service, just a snack bar with the microwaved and packaged snacks. It was nice to be able to relax with a glass of wine as the train made it's way around the edge of the bay on the evening ride though. Hope you enjoyed your time in the Bay Area.

Trader Joe's has had a line of dried pasta for about the last year or so that is packaged in a yellow/gold paper bag (plastic inside) . It is marked as "imported from Itay" and uses the "trafilato al bronzo" on the packaging. I have enjoyed these pastas and found them easy to get to the al dente stage. I usually cook pasta to the minimum time recommended and then sample every minute or so until I get the texture I like. The price is reasonable, about $2.69/lb (454g). You can see the surface difference from the bronze dies. Unfortunately, this product only appears in small quantities lately.

Lots to do around Jack London Square Scott's Seafood has some Bay Area classics like Shrimp Louis and Petrale Sole, if you like seafood. More info If I recall correctly, Jack London Square is just across the street from the Amtrak station. I assume you are taking the Coast Starlight. I haven't had the opportunity myself, but I hear that the scenery is incredible, dining onboard the train is pretty good and the wine-tasting car is a lot of fun. Have a great trip!

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, July 4, 2007 Super Scoops, Janet Fletcher New ice cream recipes and machines make it easy to experiment with fanciful concoctions Recipes: Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream Fresh Peach Ice Cream Butter Pecan Ice Cream Vanilla Ice Cream, Philadelphia Style Fudge Cookies for Ice Cream Sandwiches Web-only recipes: Peppermint Ice Cream, adapted from "A Passion for Ice Cream" by Emily Luchetti Cheesecake Ice Cream with Blueberry Sauce, adapted from "The Perfect Scoop" by David Lebovitz Straciatella (Italian-style Chocolate Chip Ice Cream), adapted from "The Perfect Scoop" by David Lebovitz Scoop Shops, Kacie Ratner Seasonal Cook, Karola Saekel When life gives you melons, make a summer salad Recipe: Charentais Melons with Candied Walnuts, Watercress & Vanilla Bean Vinaigrette Cook’s Books, Karola Saekel “Mastering the Grill”, by Andrew Schloss and David Joachim Recipe: Turkey Fajitas with Guacamole Vinaigrette What’s New: Fra’Mani mortadella Restaurant Opening: Citrine is a new restaurant from Safeway, in Redwood City ”Ratatouille” – the book Food Conscious: Yukon River salmon Creamy new mascarpone from Crave Brothers of Wisconsin Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Ice cream sandwiches are tasted, the winner is from Lucerne (Safeway, again!), sadly the It’s-It only scores in the middle of the pack From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan The birria that didn’t get the goat Recipes: California Birria Mexican Rice Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Sophisticated interior meets stylish food at Osha Thai in Cow Hollow (This review appeared Sunday, July 1, 2007) Dining Update, Michael Bauer Food outclasses service, décor at Chez TJ in Mountain View The Inside Scoop Charles Phan and Loretta Keller will run the café at the California Academy of Sciences when the rebuilt museum opens next year . . . rising star chef James Syhabout is going back to Manresa . . . Pacific Catch benefits from iPhone ads . . . frozen yogurt bars . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Scenes from the market, Karola Saekel Farmers feed appetites for local products as the bountiful summer season begins Recipes: Turnip & Leek Vichyssoise Braised Chard with Balsamic Reduction Zucchini Gratin Very Berry Pudding with Lavender Cream U.S. olive oil coming into its own, Olivia Wu Top olive oils, Alex Malamud Food Conscious, Carol Ness The shopper’s GMO guide What’s New: Openings: Mexico DF in downtown San Francisco, Sudachi sushi in Polk Gulch, West African, Lagosia, in Berkeley, Charles Chocolate Factory Store & Café in Emeryville, and The Kitchenette café in Sonoma Aromatic preserves from Harvest Song Artisanal Preserves Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Only one artichoke dip, Santa Barbara Bay, scored well, heavy flavorings in the rest were unpopular Cook’s Books, Carol Ness “The Breakaway Cook”, by Eric Gower Recipe: Minty, Boozy Chicken Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Lively Greek taverna heralds comeback of Silicon Valley: Dio Deka in Los Gatos (This review appeared Sunday, June 24, 2007) Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Magnolia Pub & Brewery in San Francisco, pub food gets a lift Dining Out, Karola Saekel Pleasant service, sushi rolled into one at Musashi in Berkeley The Inside Scoop Crustacean may open a Palo Alto location . . . changes in Marin . . . Marina Supermarket to open separate location for seafood and meat . . . and more.

Ah Leung, I learned so much from your posts. I also enjoyed the great photos. I hope you will still be posting, when you have the time, because you have made a great contribution to the California forums. Best regards, Pam

Ah Leung, I have always enjoyed your posts (and great pictures) in the California forum. Your expertise on Chinese cuisine has provided great learning experiences for the members here. I hope you will still post when you have a chance, answer questions and show us more of those great photos. Best regards, Pam

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Breaking breadsticks, Janet Fletcher Forget the bread basket; pass the grissini and salumi Recipes: Carol Field’s Grissini Torinesi Emporio Rulli’s Grissini Torinesi (Turin-Style Breadsticks) Bay Area's artisan bakers reluctant to get on the 'stick, Janet Fletcher Rating commercial breadsticks, Miriam Morgan The Accidental Vegetarian, Amanda Berne Gidget goes to market: There’s a bit of a strategy for getting the most out of the market Recipes: Baja-Style Zucchini Tacos Tomato & Corn Salsa What’s New: Central Coast olive oils win top honors Bristol Farms to test and label seafood for mercury levels Irish loaves at John Campbell’s Irish Bakery Bellwether Farms sheep’s milk yogurt Opening: Levende East in Old Oakland Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness ‘Voluptuous’ Fage Total is the top Greek yogurt Cook’s Books, Kacie Ratner “The Hog Island Oyster Lover’s Cookbook”, by Jairemarie Pomo Recipe: Oysters with Cucumber, Lime & Sake The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler In the pool, thoughts turn to Esther Williams and eggplant Recipe: Melitzana Papoutsakia (Baked Eggplant) The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Chinese noodles tangle with tofu and vegetables Recipes: Crispy Chicken with Fennel-Potato Salad Ginger Tofu with Noodles & Vegetables Restaurants Dining Out, Michael Bauer Innovative East-West Fusion at Nikko Hotel’s Anzu in San Francisco (This review appeared Sunday, June 17, 2007) Dining Update, Michael Bauer Service and food slide at Tres Agave in San Francisco Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Dim sum is spot-on at The Kitchen in Millbrae Dining Update, Miriam Morgan Soi4 hitting style over substance in Oakland The Inside Scoop Andrew Jaeger’s House of Seafood and Jazz to close . . . updated Filipino food at the soon to open Palencia in the Castro . . . Herbivore opens in Berkeley . . . two new restaurants on the coast Montara Bistro and Seventh Street Montara . . . and more. Letters to Food Benefits