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and Gelatiamo!

NW Bookfest this past weekend - 4 more (food related books) for me: Beard on Food, James Beard (1st edition, $1.00) The Northern California Best Places Cookbook, Cynthia Nims (also $1.00) Macrina Bakery and Cafe Cookbook, Leslie Mackie & Andrew Cleary (1/2 price, just released!) Seductions of Rice, Jeffrey Alford & Naomi Duguid (1/3 price of hardback - less than the cost of the recently released soft cover). Made the potato-cauliflower curry last night.

I went. Enjoyed the lack of crowds at the whole festival. The cooking stage was not too exciting this year. Never saw the crowds like last year for Alton. Still ended up smelling like the food booths adjacent. Still tortured by the unforgiving folding chairs. Saturday: Eric Gower was the best presenter I saw. His recipes (and personality) are interesting, his premise, questionable. Experimentation with traditional Japanese ingredients used in "brighter, contemporary ways". (Not really a quote.) Kirstin Dixon was done in 1/2 hour - and wasn't tolerable to watch. Missed Rick Rodgers (there were other presentations of interst going on) Chris Prosperi was giggly nervous (?), but made, and served, crab cocktails - a riff on bloody mary's with plenty of vodka and Maryland crab he smuggled in. Sunday: The Cookbook review panel was okay, not terrribly exciting. A noticable lack of ethnic or pastry recommendations. Cynthia Nims is a fast talker. Not a great public reader. Lisa Shara Hall was really interesting. Her book is beautiful, but pricy at $40. Nice present material with a bottle of vino. She exudes authority and competence in the best way. Braiden Rex-Johnson, queen of the finger quotes. Someone could do her a favor and break her of that habit. To me, she sounded very self serving. It was difficult to take her seriously as a writer or editor. That said, I'll admit I own one of her books! That's all I caught, at the Beard Stage.

What was the result of this investigation? Am I living close to the source, yet in a region that claims to have no decent deli food? I had a nice pastrami sandwich at Persimmon, in Seattle, recently - even though they put mayo on it!!!

Michel is back - with curly hair! Do you consider what food to eat while watching this show? Had to make a burger last night...and ice cream. Two items I don't usually eat (at least at home.) Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate ice cream. Rory's, not mine. Chicken or beef?

Ah, the old sourdough of San Francisco riff. Water, climate, what have you. Thanks for the explanation.

And Pastrami is added to the menu (to go with the Reuben). I was shocked to find it served with mayo - but it was spicy nice with hot mustard and horseradish all mixed in. Side of parsnip/celery root soup. There's something about Sara that just makes you want to return - and the food is most satisfying too!

Marcella Hazan, Deborah Madison...I'll have to go home and get the rest of the names not already mentioned. edit to add: Annie Sommerville Sally Schneider Gayle Ortiz Nancy Silverton Rose Levy Beranbaum Joyce Chen (inherited) Nina Simonds (okay, I don't really like the book) Annemarie Huste (also inherited - points if you know this one) Laurel Robertson/Carol Flinders/Bronwen Godfrey (haven't opened this in a long time...but it got me through college) Frances Moore Lappe (not much cooking, early science?) Jane Brody Julee Rosso Shiela Lukins Molly O'Neill Lora Brody and of course, Julia, Alice, Diana, Irma, and Elizabeth David.

ouch. We have some excellent bakeries. Not experienced with Acme (was a fan of Bay Breads last visit to SF.) Girl chow, can you describe how it is superior to (different than?) Macrina, Grand Central, Tall Grass, Essential, Biofournil, or Ciro's? (Or if it is a softer style, what's the place in Kent? Wild Wheat? Sold at PCC.)

http://www.restaurant.com/25for25/

Since it was a short thread, I'm bringing it up for this year - 2003. They are charging ($10 or $15 for a two-day pass) to attend rather than asking for donations this year. October 18 & 19, Sandpoint again. There is a cooking stage - heyjude - are you involved and will there be cooking this year? The website isn't complete, but so far it looks like mostly locals including: Charles Ramsayer from Ray's Boathouse (and the cookbook) Braiden Rex-Johnson and the updated Pike Place Market Cookbook Tom Douglas - the new Big Dinners Cookbook (is that the correct title?) Kirstin Dixon - Alaskan wilderness cuisine (but fancy?) Cookbook review panel by local book buyers and Rick Rodgers - The Carefree Cook Chris Prosperi - Wife of the Chef also caught Bruce Schneider's name - but is he talking code or food?

Also noted in Zoe's email.

to keep the construction workers from wasting time people watching. Unlike us web browsers.

couscous, ginger peach crumble...not too heavy, a little spicy...

Um; no. This really is a normal week for me. Is it that abnormal? I have no idea. Bruce I think they were implying you were to fast for Yom Kippur. Non-observant or bad assumption? What was the Monday surprise - air travel?

Was she ever the head chef? The press release says executive sous chef at opening and with Sundstrom. A small aside - Sundstrom did a terrible job at Carmelita - what was that about? He went on to work well with vegetables at E&O. Was his heart just not in it? Was the budget too tight for his cuisine? If so, how will he do on his own? But, J.M. is the best and I think together they will create something wonderful. And who is Kelly (maybe pastry?) Are you ready to find a spot back in ol' Seattle?

October Savuer magazine lists this as a must have - though out of print. Good find!

A PR release: CULINARY CHANGES FORTHCOMING AT EARTH & OCEAN- JOHNATHAN SUNDSTROM TO OPEN OWN RESTAURANT EARTH & OCEAN ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CHEF MARIA HINES TO THE CULINARY POST Seattle, WA- For the past three years, Executive Chef Johnathan Sundstrom has received substantial public and media accolades both locally and nationally, for the culinary talent he has demonstrated at Earth & Ocean. Capitalizing on his successes, Johnathan has decided to expand his professional portfolio and open his own establishment this November. Along with partners, J.M. Enos and Kelly Ronan, Johnathan will open a casual, neighborhood restaurant on Capitol Hill with a menu influenced by America and Europe. Johnathan has developed a wonderful relationship with the entire crew at Earth & Ocean and his presence will be missed. With great excitement, the staff has learned that the gifted Maria Hines will return to Earth & Ocean to take the new lead as Executive Chef. Maria worked for Earth & Ocean as Executive Sous Chef from the restaurant's opening in 1999 and with Johnathan Sundstrom from 2000 to September of 2002. In that year, Maria left Seattle for an opportunity to open 15 ria in the Washington (DC) Terrace Hotel for the Myriad Restaurant Group. There she worked with Chef Jamie Leeds, recently nominated a Rising Star in Washington D.C., from Starchefs.com. Maria moved to New York City in April of this year, accepting a position as Sous Chef with Chef Kerry Heffernan at Eleven Madison Park, a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant lead by the renowned restaurateur Danny Meyer. Danny Meyer, president of Union Square Hospitality Group, is also the operator of Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern in New York. As a "West Coast girl", originally from San Diego, Hines has ultimately always wanted to be back in the Pacific Northwest. When she was in Seattle she fell in love with the local food resources and small farms. Says Hines " I support the practice of buying organic and I am passionate about the use and promotion of heirloom products. Not only will I have direct access to the food items that fuel my culinary creativity, but as an avid outdoor sports person, I can also take advantage of the mountains, the clean air and the friendliness of Seattleites." Hines has traveled extensively through Western Europe and Morocco, and has now cooked in the northwest, southwest and northeast regions of this country. Her food will focus on a regional American theme, combining the comfortable with adventure. Look for such dishes as: Nettle Farms Chicken Noodle Consommé, Roasted Free-Range Chicken and Sally Jackson Cheesy Biscuits, Pacific Halibut & Penn Cove Mussels with Polenta and Arugula Sprouts and Niman Ranch Pork Chop and Beans with a Smoky Ham Hock Jus. Hines also envisions that the Earth & Ocean menu will offer an Organic and Vegetarian tasting options

Tom Douglas raved about India Bistro in Ballard on his radio show Saturday - spoke highly of the pakoras and lamb chops. For what it's worth.

Thoughts on Pabla - I think it is on 2nd, near Pike? I'm not sure if I know what really good Indian food is - I like India Bistro in Ballard as well, but I'm guessing it isn't great. Tried the lunch buffet - generous, some unusual dishes, lots of Indian appearing (and sounding) dinners. A little more expensive for the buffet than many, maybe $8 or $9? I don't think it is related to the one in Renton, or at least this one isn't all-veg.

1st and union - across the street from the south end of the Pike Place Market. A black hole for restaurants. Love quoting myself. Looked at the menu for Union - they have a multicourse tasting menu for $65 with some fine sounding dishes. Working with tongue, foie gras, sweetbreads and such, as well as interesting cheeses, vegetables and "safer" meats and fish. Starters and seconds in the $8-15 range, entrees are mostly under $20. I liked the vibe - happy staff so far. Needs business (at least mid-week.)

This will be interesting since Walter Pisano, the original chef (and son of "Tulio") has left. Watch for him at Troiani's in December in the old Flemings space. and now, back to our regular programming. I'd give Fish Club another try.

That's too bad about Patty's, she was pretty cool. They had a decent breakfast but I tired of it pretty quickly so I'm not too dissapointed -- I was more enamored with the waitress than the food. Wasn't this the expansion site? I do believe the original is still up somewhere. I too like the name Sea Monster Lounge. It sounds like they're going to serve alcohol and that's a good thing, Wallingford can't have enough bars. Patty's used to be on Greenwood - that place is named Pete's Eggnest these days.

Bandol's opening soiree is October 17. Nice packaging. Limited hours.

Too funny - there is a new bar on 2nd near Battery, named The Viceroy. Too cool for words. To comply with requirements to have food available, they have goldfish crackers on the bar, and "sell" Hungry Man frozen dinners for $25 each!!!