PamelaF

I bought a set of Ikea's 365+ china about 4-5 years ago and I have been very happy with it. It's plain white, nicely shaped and light. I have a small household so perhaps it does not have the same wear and tear that larger family might, but so far no chips and it still looks almost new. I do use a dishwasher. This product is very different from stoneware dishes that I have had. Stoneware tends to show scratches and knife marks, the glaze breaks down and it does tend to chip around the edges. I like Corelle too, for everyday dishes. If you go to the Corelle website you can see some of the interesting options (like the Square line) and patterns that are available.

Thanks, for posting your impressions. I hope more people will add their input. I started this thread for two reasons, first because the Westfield Centre food court has the potential to become a "foodie" destination, almost like the Ferry Building. There is an item in the SF Chronicle food section today about Slanted Door's plans to open an outlet there (Out the Door), for casual dining, takeout and also retail. My second reason is that when I visited the Centre, the food court was so crowded that I was discouraged from staying and having a meal. Every vendor had a long line waiting for service and the seating areas were full. Also, it was not clear to me whether there was common seating for all the vendors, or if some areas were reserved for table service. I had a look around Bristol Farms market (noting the pickets outside on Market Street). I did notice the high prices. One thing that stands out is 28.99/lb for crab meat. I know that this is a luxury item, but that's almost a third more than I have seen in other high end markets. I did like the looks of Bristol Farms crepe bar, the prices seem reasonable, about 5.95 per filled crepe, that would make a nice lunch. If the new center is this busy now, I guess I will just have to wait until after the holidays to try it again. I hope this topic will grow as more people who have visited the new Westfield Centre add their comments. Best,

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Thanksgiving 101: Turkey Training Camp, Stacy Finz If five novice cooks can prepare a turkey and all the fixings, you can, too Recipes: Best Way Brined Turkey Best Way Unbrined Turkey Best Way Gravy Best Way Mashed Potatoes Cranberry-Orange Relish Uncooked Cranberry Relish Walnut-Mushroom Stuffing Cider-Braised Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Broccoli with Mushrooms Butter Pecan Pie Pumpkin or Apple Galette Best Way Pumpkin Pie Extreme Thanksgiving wear, John Lee Thanksgiving to go is a phone call away, Holly Benadum and Karen Bianchini Turkey Survival Guide Holiday Hotlines Planning for Thanksgiving Do-ahead Pecan Pie Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Cranberry drinks add sparkle to the festivities, Trader Joe’s, R. W. Knudsen and Safeway Select all score well. The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Thanksgiving gravy 911 Recipe: see the Best Way Gravy recipe in the feature article The Inside Scoop Out the Door, a casual restaurant from the Slanted Door’s owner will open a second location in the Westfield Centre . . . lots of new openings in the Mission . . . Broadway Grill to open in Burlingame . . . and more. Restaurants Dining Out, Karola Saekel Cuisines commingle at Vanessa’s, Thai and French, in Berkeley Dining Update, Bill Addison Dopo’s smacks of simple elegance in Oakland Restaurant Openings, Laura Compton Regalito Rosticeria in the Mission and B Restaurant & Bar in Yerba Buena Gardens Between Meals, blog by Michael Bauer Benefits

In late September, the new Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall opened. Its main draw is the Bloomingdale's department store, which is new to San Francisco. The mall is located on Market Street directly across from the tourist area that centers around the Powell Street cable car turn-around. The food-related news is that the new mall has an extensive lower level food court with many vendors offering different styles of food. These are not the typical vendors that show up in every shopping mall, but seem to be independent operations that are offering interesting menus. Also in the food court, is Bristol Farms Market, a high end grocery with fresh meat, seafood, produce, "gourmet" items, and prepared foods. I am starting this topic to invite everyone to comment on the food and the experiences that they have had at this new San Francisco destination.

This time of year they will likely have Pumpkin ice cream as the special flavor of the month. Then as we move into December, I believe they do a pretty good Eggnog. However, my all time favorite is Avocado, second runner up is the Mango, but those flavors are more appealing in summertime.

I agree with Robyn here, the commute time between San Francisco and Menlo Park is significant. You should look at the more dense areas in the suburbs (such as central Palo Alto) to provide a neighborhood feel with urban amenities. You will find streets with walkable shopping, restaurants and cafes (and probably also dog parks). You will not find the same diversity as you would San Francisco, but that is what weekends are for. Best,

Hi Erik, It's great to see you blogging! Also, congratulations on becoming a forum host. Looking forward to seeing your choices for the week. I know that this will give eGullet a fresh look at what San Francisco and the neighborhoods have to offer.

Safeway supermarket's slogan has been bothering me for a while: "Not just ingredients for cooking, ingredients for life" Maybe it's just me, but when I go to a grocery store I am usually looking for food items, that I will cook. Compared to a lot of other stores, Safeway doesn't even offer a very good selection of prepared foods or non-food convenience items. So this slogan is just pure marketing fluff.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, November 8, 2006 THE HEAT IS ON, Flo Braker How to get the best from a new generation of ovens Recipes: Chocolate Chip Cookies The Baker’s Dozen Butter Cake Butterscotch Blondies Chefs find food for thought, Carol Ness A report on Bay Area chefs who attended the Slow Food’s Terra Madre event in Turin, Italy. Spain’s culinary Picasso seeks new inspiration, Amanda Gold An interview with Ferran Adria after his cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa. What’s New: Book: “Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook” by Georgeanne Brennan Book: “Betty Crocker: Why It Works”, by Kevin Ryan Restaurants: Weird Fish and Rasha Thai both in the Mission Gluten free pumpkin pie from Crave pastries Noe Valley Bakery offers a line frozen dough to “Bake at Home” In the Market: Persimmons and apples Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Chocolate cake mixes lack chocolaty flavor, Betty Crocker, at 55 points, has the top score The Inside Scoop Grasshopper restaurant in Oakland to close . . . Enrico’s on Broadway has also closed . . . the Ferry Building Farmers Market will no longer offer the Sunday and Thursday markets . . . Andronico’s will close its Walnut Creek location while Trader Joe’s will open one there . . . Trader Joe’s plans to open a store in Berkeley is receiving some local opposition . . . and more. East to West, Linda Furiya Sweet, crisp Asian pears capture the season Recipes: Asian Pear, Carmelized Onions, Blue Cheese & Soy Sauce-Roasted Pecans on Flatbread Soy Sauce-Roasted Pecans Carmelized Onions The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Roasting brings out the best in root vegetables Recipes: Baked Ham with Apples & Root Vegetables Scallop & Mushroom Chowder Restaurants Dining Out, Jennifer Tomaro Service and basics shine at Uncle Yu’s, Szechuan restaurant, in Lafayette Dining Update, Michael Bauer Living large at Cortez, on Geary Boulevard Dining Update, Bill Addison P.J.’s Oysterbed, New Orleans fare warms your cockles, on Ninth Avenue

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, November 01, 2006 Magic Miso, Beth Budra A guide to Japanese soybean pastes and how to use them Recipes: Miso-Broiled Black Cod Orange Almond Miso Vinaigrette Sesame-Miso Dipping Sauce Cook’s Books, Karola Saekel “The Joy of Cooking”, 75th Anniversary Edition by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker Recipe: ‘Joy of Cooking’ Quick Tuna Casserole A classic is put to the test, Laurel Maury Cook’s Books, Karola Saekel “Michael Mina, the Cookbook”, by Michael Mina Chef’s Night In, Dabney Gough Recipe: Fran Gage’s Almost Flourless Chocolate Cake What’s New: Restaurant: AVA in San Anselmo Grass fed beef from the ranch at Hearst Castle Bakery: Kara’s Cupcakes in the Marina San Francisco is voted the most vegetarian-friendly city in North America by VegNews magazine In the Market: Apples, pears and grapes The Working Cook, Tara Duggan A hearty stew is just the ticket for an autumn night Recipes: White Bean & Sausage Stew with Broccoli Spinach Ravioli with Roasted Butternut Squash The Inside Scoop The Plumed Horse restaurant in San Jose is getting a makeover . . . staff cuts continue at Copia . . . Bristol Farms market in the new Westfield Shopping Centre is doing brisk business despite high prices and pickets . . . and more. Restaurants Dining Out, Amanda Gold Vin Antico, a bistro and wine bar in San Rafael Dining Update, Michael Bauer O Chame, Japanese fusion cuisine in Berkeley Benefits

Tell us more about the Pranqster . . . ale or stout or ?

The San Francisco Chronicle food section featured duck recipes this week. Some ideas from local chefs. Welcome to eGullet, rwsweet!

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Bringing Duck Home, Janet Fletcher A guide to cooking a bird that's both crisp and juicy Recipes: Nancy Oakes' Slow-Roasted Duck Cindy Pawlcyn's Roast Duck Bay Wolf's All-Day Duck Bay Wolf's Seared Duck Breasts with Spice Rub Manka's 'Shut Up' Duck Legs China Chronicles, Olivia Wu It’s a hairy crab extravaganza The Inside Scoop Jonathan Waxman and Stephen Singer will open a restaurant in Sebastopol . . . Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc . . . changes at COPIA . . . and more. What’s New: Restaurants: Salt House at First and Mission, Perbacco on California Street, Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay New book: “In Great Taste: Fresh, Simple Recipes for Eating and Living Well” by Evelyn H. Lauder, Rodale Press Market Watch: warm weather means there are still tomatoes, also winter greens and fall fruits: pomegranates and persimmons Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Ortega, Bearitos, and Rosarita are the top scoring refried beans. From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Pumpkin seeds morph from jack-o’-lantern to mole Recipes: Pipian Mole Candied Pepitas Restaurants Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Shiva’s atmosphere coddles Peninsula diners in Mountain View. Dining Update, Bill Addison Turkish hospitality warms a foggy West Portal spot, Bursa Kebab. Dining Update, Michael Bauer Yabbies Coastal Kitchen weathers the storm on Polk Street.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Dabbling in mustard, Tara Duggan Add a pungent kick to your cooking with varieties infused with Cognac, beer, grape must or walnuts Recipes: Salmon Crostini with Mustard-Dill Sauce Crispy Mustard Lamb Chops Sausages with Radicchio-Fennel Slaw Dandelion Greens with Bacon-Mustard Dressing Heirloom Tomato Tart Seasonal Cook, Stacy Finz Baker has a trick or two with pears, also a list of Sonoma and Mendocino county bakeries. Recipe: Pear Upside-Down Cake What’s New: Sweet ginger treats Campbell's reduced-sodium soups Roadside BBQ restaurant opening in the Richmond Hue L'Amour Vietnamese restaurant opening on Van Ness Avenue Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Fancy root beers fall a little flat, IBC is the top scorer with on 57 points A menu's pastoral descriptions may not be what they seem, Bonnie Azab Powell The Exchange, Karola Saekel New requests for: Pasqua's Chicken Caeser Salad, Sunmaid Raisin's Golden Fruitcake, and Japanese egg salad tea sandwiches. Recipe: Williamsburg Orange Cake Restaurants Update, Michael Bauer Cyrus in Healdsburg joins the four-star elite Dining Out, Karola Saekel Cafe dishes out bistro fare on Oakland's auto row, Z Cafe & Bar Between Meals, Michael Bauer's blog Benefits

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 11, 2006 Flat-Out Simple, Janet Fletcher The trail of Mediterranean flatbreads around the world Recipes: Thyme Bread (Manaqish bil-Za’atar) Moroccan Flatbread (R’ghayef) Turkish Meat Bread (Etli Ekmek) Yemeni Fried Bread (M’lawwah) Yemeni Cilantro Chutney (Z’houg) The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Shopping can be a pain in the . . . (Never turn your back on a lobster) Recipe: Mu Shu Vegetable Wrap Chef’s Night In, Dabney Gough Mussels, Indian style from Vijay Bist of Amber India Recipe: Konkan Steamed Mussels What’s New: Restaurant openings: Circa on Chestnut Street, Sutra on Brannan, Pescheria in Noe Valley, Alembic on Haight, Somerset in Oakland and iTapas in Palo Alto. Michael Chiarello opens a NapaStyle retail store in Berkeley Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Trader Joe’s and Marie’s are the top-rated Blue Cheese Dressings The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Grounds for a quick dinner Recipes: Chicken & Eggplant Kofte with Bulgar Spicy Shrimp with Lemon-Peanut Kale & Rice Restaurants Dining Out, Amanda Gold Salt tarnishes Vignette’s stylish, upscale cuisine on Bush Street near Union Square Update, Bill Addison Win some, lose some at Le Zinc in Noe Valley Between Meals, Michael Bauer’s blog Comments on the Michelin Guide ratings

This was in the SF Chronicle Sunday magazine recently: SF Late Night Dining

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, October 4, 2006 Food 20, Michael Bauer The best recipes from two decades of the Chronicle Food section Recipes: 1986: Thai Chicken Salad; Runner-up: Shaker Lemon Pie 1987: Cioppino; Runners-up: Corn Fritters with Fresh Mango Chutney; Asparagus with Sesame Oil Vinaigrette 1988: Sumatran Red Short Ribs of Beef; Runner-up: Fusilli alla Carlo 1989: Raised Waffles; Runner-up: All-American Barbecued Chicken 1990: Barbecued Vietnamese Five-Spice Cornish Game Hens; Runner-up: Thai Glass Noodle Salad 1991: Rosemary Polenta Pound Cake; Runner-up: Gruyere Cheese Puffs 1992: Double Corn Spoon Bread with Green Chiles; Runner-up: Watermelon Agua Fresca 1993: Perfect Popovers; Runners-up: Warm Asparagus with Tarragon Vinaigrette; Chicken Lime Soup 1994: Sicilian Chicken with Lemon, Mint & Almonds; Runner-up: Milanese Braised Pork 1995: White Chili; Runner-up: Fresh Apricot Ice Cream 1996: Bostini Cream Pie; Runner-up: Flo Braker's Favorite Angel Food Cake 1997: Braised Oxtails with White Beans & Salsa Verde; Runner-up: Spicy Beer-Boiled Shrimp 1998: Basque-Style Fisherman's Stew; Runner-up: Green Bean & Arugula Salad with Ricotta Salata 1999: Vietnamese Shaking Beef Salad; Runners-up: Black Bass with Pine Nut Gratinee; Oysters with Chile, Lime & Mint Granita 2000: Twice-Baked Goat Cheese Souffles; Runner-up: Thai Shrimp in Curried Coconut Sauce 2001: Tacos de Carnitas; Runner-up: Pumpkin Polenta Cake 2002: Delfina's Insalata del Campo; Runners-up: Chettinad Chicken Curry; Tomato & Herbed Ricotta Salata Salad 2003: Turkey Jook; Runner-up: Summer Tomato Tart 2004: Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe & Spicy Sausage; Runner-up: Apricot Almond Upside-Down Cake 2005: Strawberry-Almond Shortcakes; Runner-up: Shortcut Caesar Salad Timeline, Laura Perkins Highlights of world events and food news from the last 20 years. Restaurants Dining Out, Jennifer Tomaro A warm welcome to Italian fare at Incontro in San Ramon The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne Yerba Buena Lane will soon have two new restaurants: Laurent Manrique will open Alley and another branch for Amber India . . . Prescott and Villa Florence hotels are up for sale . . . soon to open in Noe Valley Oallie featuring local and seasonal ingredients . . . Amanda Berne is leaving the Chronicle (and this column) for a position as a cookbook editor with Ten Speed Press . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Almonds, Georgeanne Brennan Enjoying almonds at their peak is one of the best things about having the quintessential California crop growing in our backyard Recipes: Dried Apricot & Almond Bars Almond Granola Clusters Fresh Pear & Almond Dessert Pizza Almond-Breaded Chicken Cutlet with Capers and Lemon Ancho-Almond Mole Sauce The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne Laura Cunningham is leaving the French Laundry and all of Thomas Keller’s restaurants . . . new CEO and chef for PlumpJack . . . changes at Ame . . . Incanto chef Chris Cosentino to compete on Iron Chef America October 6th . . . and more. Ramadan meal gets modern twist, Moina Noor Recipes: Fruit Chat Badam Dood (Milk with Almond Meal) What’s New: Chow magazine launches their new web site Restaurant openings: Barracuda, Little Star and Pier 15 Apples, pears and Oregon huckleberries are in the market Smoked paprika hits the mainstream at McCormick Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Two Italian chocolate hazelnut spreads tie for first place, Nutella and Barrati & Milano The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Try braising for an almost foolproof way to cook fish Recipes: Braised White Fish & Vegetables in Lemongrass Coconut Milk Chipotle Beef Taco Salad Smile, you’re on culinary candid camera, Jon Bonné Rules for table side shutterbugs EGullet reference: Restaurants Dining Out, Carol Ness Xyclo puts a new spin on Vietnamese cuisine on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue. Update, Michael Bauer Pleasure and pain at Mecca in San Francisco on Upper Market. Update, Bill Addison A Russian gem in the Richmond, Katia’s: A Russian Tearoom Between Meals, Michael Bauer Clips from Michael Bauer’s blog Letters to Food Benefits

It's NOT Parmesan, it's Grana Padano! This was a new find today at Trader Joe's. It's a block of Grana Padano, inside a plastic casing, with a grater on the bottom. Just twist the top and, fresh grated cheese! View of the grater on the bottom (and the disclaimer that says it's authentic) It was more expensive than buying the (presumably) same Grana Padano in wedge form, but it had that cool gadget factor and I couldn't resist. Pam

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Back to the ranch, Carol Ness Consumers are going to the source for pastured beef, pork, poultry and eggs Recipes: Marinated Grass-Fed Flank Steak Sally Gale's Olive-Crusted Rib Roast Chileno Valley Beef Stew Seasonal Cook, Amanda Gold Apples for a Sweet New Year Recipes: Currant- & Ginger-Stuffed Baked Apples with Honey Creme Fraiche Butter Lettuce, Apple, Endive, Walnut & Cheddar Salad with Honey Vinaigrette Grilled Flatbread with Melted Brie & Honeyed Apple Compote Calling Bad Cooks, author Thanksgiving is coming, and The Chronicle is here to help with Turkey Training Camp. The China Chronicles, Olivia Wu Suzhou is all about refinement What’s New: Thomas Keller opens Ad Hoc in Yountville Cindy Pawlcyn to open Go Fish in St. Helena Gary Danko tops Zagat list New gadget from Zyliss the Dial-N-Slice Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Ready-made tabboulehs come under scrutiny, Nutritious Delicious and Raquel’s are top scorers, others disappoint Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Red Ginger menu takes trip through Pan-Asian cuisine in El Granada Dining Out, Carol Ness Jojo restaurant is a taste of France in Oakland Dining Out, Amanda Gold Italian fare you can rely on at Mescolanza in San Francisco The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne The corner of Van Ness and Pacific will see yet another restaurant open, it’s ninth . . . former Lark Creek chef Michael Otsuka is now at Rotunda . . . and more.

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, September 6, 2006 For the love of chocolate, Laura Compton Once again Bay Area artisans are at the forefront of a confectionary renaissance, featuring Ariella Toeman of Cocoa Designs, Chuck Siegal of Charles Chocolates, Michael Mischer of Michael Mischer Chocolates and Stephanie Marcon of Coco-Luxe Chef’s Night In, Dabney Gough Grandma’s chicken stirs childhood memories for Gayle Pirie, chef at Foreign Cinema Recipe: Grandmother’s Oven-Baked Chicken The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne Laura Chenel steps down as cheesemaker . . . new restaurants opening in Noe Valley and Glen Park . . . news about the Oxbow Public Market under development in downtown Napa . . . Kara’s Cupcakes in the Marina . . . and more. What’s New: New restaurants: Bui, Vietnamese in Berkeley and Toast on Church Street New gadget: the Soyabella Soy Milk Maker Generation Chefs, a non-profit that teaches nutrition and cooking to teens is offering cooking classes in San Rafael Quaker Oats “Magicolor” Oatmeal New cookbooks for kids Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Salt and vinegar potato chips are tasted and Lay’s Kettle Cooked is the winner. Seasonal Cook, Karola Saekel Grapes add intrigue to savory dishes Recipe: Cojondongo (Gazpacho Salad) The Exchange, Karola Saekel New requests for sopaipillas, fregola and orange pour-over cake. Recipe: Almond Milk Curd (Hung Yun Dow Foo) Dining Out, Amanda Gold Keeping the wolf at bay at Ward Street Café in Larkspur. From South to North, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan Mango makes Mexican gazpacho sing Recipes: Mrs. Hyder’s Mango Gazpacho Mango-Cucumber-Jicama Street Food Changes in Wine & Food

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 30, 2006 The Lunch Issue, Stacy Finz Send students packing with kid-tested meals, Amanda Gold Recipes: Mini Pita Pizzas Quinoa for Kids Corkscrew Pasta Salad with Edamame, Red Peppers & Crunchy Noodles Sweet Potato Burritos Chicken Nachos Chunky Salsa Base Hard hats’ lunch pails spill their secrets, Carol Ness What’s New: Healthier alternatives for snack packs from Annies’, Organic Valley and more Granpa Witner’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Mixer – great gadget Tanglewood – new restaurant in San Jose’s Santana Row Taster’s Choice, Carol Ness Ranch salad dressing is tasted. Safeway brand wins with 81 points and enters the hall of fame. The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Totable lunch for the office Recipes: Sesame Soba Noodles with Tofu & Spinach Chicken & Rice Pilaf with Tomatoes The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Marlena is the Queen of packed lunches Recipes: Chilled Artichoke with Homemade Tartar Sauce Thai-Inspired Noodle & Vegetable Salad Pan Bagnat Dining Out, Amanda Berne Favorite lunch spots: Myth Café Mixt Greens Aqua Slanted Door Out the Door Rotunda Bay Wolf Redd Tacos Sinaloa Tacos El Gordo Curry Corner Rosamunde’s Toronado Red’s Java House Saigon City Flying Fish Grill Bix Ana Mandara Junoon Jack Falstaff Chez Papa Frisson The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne Dining Out, Jennifer Tomaro La Cocina, Mexican restaurant in Orinda features peak flavors and low prices East to West, Linda Furiya Recipe: Chinese Almond Cookies with Five-Spice Powder Letters to Food

The shameless plug for the eG t-shirts gave me quite a laugh and your adorable child is a very good model. I understand that is eCGI class is about how diners can take charge of their restaurant experience, however, your book IS called "Turning the Tables", so I would be interested in your advice to restaurateurs. What are the top five (or ten) things that you, as an experienced diner, want to find in a restaurant?

Another solo dining question: I travel a lot for work and often dine alone. I really like to try the eG recommendations when I go to a new city. However, I do have a habit of always bringing along something to read. I wouldn't say that I get rude service, but just rather perfunctory service. Should I break this habit? It sounds like I am missing out on a lot of that bartender gossip and camaraderie, that you are all enjoying. How badly are readers looked on by the wait staff?

Digest: San Francisco Chronicle Food Section for Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Flash in the pan, Georgeanne Brennan Stove-top cooking is a quick, cool and simple way to enjoy summer's bounty Recipes: Pan-Fried Cube Steak with Gravy Sauteed Corn, Zucchini & Hungarian Wax Peppers Chilled Melon Soup with Lavender Chicken & Celery Salad Chicken with Heirloom Tomatoes & Olives Duck Breast Glazed with Lavender Honey Sauteed Plums for Ice Cream or Pound Cake The Roving Feast, Marlena Spieler Sacramento a la carte, Marlena shares the best from her hometown Recipe: Pasta Salsa Cruda The Inside Scoop, Amanda Berne Presidio dining ready to roll . . . ban on lentil imports from India . . . second location for Goat Hill Pizza . . . and more. What’s New: Many local restaurants are offering August wine specials Second location for Cesar on Piedmont Avenue Organic Coffee Company Wonder Bread in the movies Taster’s Choice, author Pomegranate-blueberry juice blends are tasted, Naked juice scores high enough to enter the hall of fame. The Working Cook, Tara Duggan Dainty lettuce withstands grill's fiery heat Recipes: Roasted Chicken with Salsa & Poblano-Corn Hash Salmon with Grilled Romaine & Romas Dining Out, Mandy Erickson Dim sum entices at Joy Luck Place in downtown San Mateo