Randall Stickrod

This discussion made me think of Hayes Street Grill, where I've not been in probably ten years, but at one time set a standard for seafood dishes in SF. Any recent visitors?

Pan asked about my earlier post suggesting that local agriculture probably wasn't seriously affected. I'm not posing as an expert, but I caught something on the news that suggested that. Most agriculture is inland, almost all the large-scale agriculture to be sure. As far as the effect on estuaries, big waves tend to lose their energy quickly once they hit land, so a 50 foot wave, for instance, would diminish quite rapidly once it was not being propagated in open water. Probably more significant was the general upwelling of water, the abrupt rising of the ocean, much more subtle than a crashing wavefront. From that, estuarial waters surely rose, but again, the farther from open water, the less the effect. Again, I'm no authority, just a semi-science geek. And hoping for the best.

For what it's worth ... reports of a perturbation to earth's rotation are strictly speculative right now. Our instrumentation (and theory) are refined enough to measure microscopic deviations in the motion of our planet, and a few scientists have calculated that the rotational period of the earth might be affected by a few microseconds. This is a negligible effect and of concern only to academics. Really. The flooding and inundation didn't have an appreciable affect on agriculture because crops aren't grown in any serious abundance close to the shoreline. The bigger concern is the outbreak of disease like typhus and cholera if sanitation and potable water aren't restored quickly. And dead bodies properly disposed of.

Don't know about best, but I've had paella at B44, which should have been excellent but was overcooked, dried out and gummy by the time it came from the kitchen. Both times. Surely it's not like that all the time there? When Zarzuela on Hyde first opened, I had a wonderful, near-perfect paella there, but a second visit to impress a friend (naturally) it came out dry and disappointing. It's probably worth going back though.

How about Venticello? I used to live across the street from it until a few years ago and it could be very good. A very stylish little place as well in an unlikely location on Nob Hill. Probably tough to get into as well. Too bad about Acquerello.

Pesce on Polk for cioppino. Lulu for lunch. Folsom and Fourth.

M-L, that was cruel of me because I don't think you can find it. I discovered it in a monstrous coffee table book on wine that was given as a gift years ago. I looked all over for it to no avail because it's such a perfect little literary gem. I even got to ask Le Carré himself when he went on line for a Q&A at Salon, and he said it appeared in a magazine years ago and he couldn't remember which. It's so good I'd copy it for you though.

Marie-Louise -- Hope this bit of of-topicness doesn't get me ejected, but every time I see your name I think of a fabulous short story about wine and romance by John Le Carré titled "The Growth of Marie Louise." Brilliant, inspiring and sexy. Worth looking for.

I've been to Maya a couple of times. Had good meals, to be sure, but nothing I can particularly remember. Something about the mix of style and location makes my instincts jangle -- I don't see it being around for a long time.

I must be nearly the only one who had a disappointing meal there. But I confess that I went in prejudiced -- I loved Pastis, its predecessor, and was really bummed when it was transformed. Pim is right, though, in that it's the perfect winter night restaurant for San Francisco. I really must give it another chance.

I'll add a nod for Quince. Had a birthday dinner there a few months ago and a downright fabulous couple of hours. The food was superb and the wine list seemed just right. But I can't remember the specifics of the meal or even which wine I ordered (a great mid-range Burgundy) because the "scene" was so much fun. Quince is clearly the venue of choice right now for the Pacific Heights old money swells. Danielle Steele was there, prominent in the corner window table with a half dozen of her daughter's chums. Willie Brown was holding court with a cluster of smartly dressed gentlemen. The next table had a guy who must have been 100 years old but dressed like a million bucks, with either his granddaughter or his trophy whatever. Great fun.

Hey Carolyn -- That would be B44. There's a newer place there, Brindisi, with a very seductive looking menu. That's next on the list.

Not sure if this is the appropriate thread, but I'd like to mention Cafe Beaujolais in Mendocino, where I have never failed to have a fabulous, outrageously memorable meal. Two of them were Thanksgiving dinners, the last just a few days ago. The meal was predictably fabulous. I'm convinced it had to be the best "traditional" Thanksgiving meal in the country. I wish I'd taken notes because I can't remember what the first course of oysters were poached in (had something to do with duck, as unlikely as that may sound) but it was so good I could have stopped right there. It is not possible to make turkey taste better. The dressing was ambrosial. Green beans, brussel sprouts, yams (sweet potatoes actually) all done in ways that seemed a revelation. And a fabulous wine list and perfect service, of course. God. Oh, and did I mention the pumpkin pie....? Sigh.

Thought it worth a mention -- dropped by Belden Alley downtown, which I find irresistably appealing, and had an unplanned dinner at Plouf, the French mussels specialty place. Seemed the perfect formula for a chilly winter night in SF, the house specialty, a black crock full of steaming mussels in a white wine and garlic broth along with their just-right frites and a glass (or two) of Sancerre. The fact that all the help are French was a nice touch as well. I'm still a bit blissful, several hours later.

Malik - No, I meant unflitered cold sake. The one I like most is quite neutral, not sweet at all (to my taste, anyway). I've had others that I considered too sweet to accompany food, but not this one. I need to specify it properly and find a link ..... I've not had it at Ozumo, but regularly at Yoshida-ya on Webster off Union where we go now and then. The food is not particularly noteworthy, but the ryokan-like ambience is appealing on wintry San Francisco nights.