Carolyn Tillie

My parents used to cruise a lot. The very last cruise they got to take was one that stopped here with exactly those same restrictions. At the time, I was living in Napa and my sister and I drove into the city to meet them and take them out for the day. They actually requested Fisherman's Wharf which is not something I would ever recommend to a foodie tourist. It was fine for my 70-year old parents but there are no restaurants of any exception at Fisherman's Wharf. It is simply a tourist trap and we ate nothing but horribly mediocre seafood. With good walking shoes, you can head south to the Ferry Plaza and have a truly decadent culinary experience (read through most of the SF threads - there have been a lot of pictures taken lately of the Ferry Plaza and all the places you can eat within the Plaza itself including The Slanted Door). Just across the street from the Plaza is Boulevard. Within walking distance of the Plaza is Perbacco, Town Hall, or Yank Sing.

I've been trying to search for a thread I started like this a year ago, to no avail. Last year, I made a handful of home-made cheese. My caraway-studded cheddar was my best attempt and a veined blue failed miserably (actually, both attempts -- one dried out and the other stayed way too moist and oooozed). I also use Home Cheese Making by Ricki Carroll but also really liked Making Artisan Cheeses by Tim Smith as he has some great hints and innovative recipes.

I think that is pretty harsh. My BF and I dine out a lot and frequently share entrees by virtue of the fact that we eat our large meal of the day for lunch and often only want a little at dinner time. Now we usually compensate by ordering an expensive wine and we tip well, but I know that we are not the norm. I think just adding an amendment to the bottom of the menu that shared plates incur an additional charge is sufficient. Granted, it won't raise Mussina's evening income to the standard he would like, but is a common practice we are used to seeing.

If memory serves, the last week in September will hardly be a call for heaters -- if anything, it might be too hot to sit outside, even in the evening; you'll prefer to be inside where there are air-conditioners.

You'll seriously get tired of eating this way for 11 days strait... Living in Napa for four years, I got so tired of the ubiquitous Sonoma Valley Duck Breast with [insert fruit of choice] and reduced [insert wine of choice] glaze, and wilted [insert greens of choice] and [insert carb of choice]. You'll start having great meals of simple cheese, bread, and wine (maybe a sausage or cut meat) and craving something ethnic...

I totally haven't decided that! So many choices...

Nah, I'm not that bad.... it is only that they are stacked under a small, corner table and I don't see them often enough to remember they are there. Because I live in small quarters, I am rather anal about getting rid of stuff (never buy a new outfit without making sure there is a hangar to put it on sort-of-thing!). Also, in a week or two I will be tackling a bigger task of emptying my storage unit and know there will be over 1,000 books I have to go through and discard. Because many of rare, first-editions, their disposal will take more care.

I'm a dissenter on Dry Creek Kitchen having a disastrous meal there about 18 months ago (courses arrived and having to ask for silverware; wines being poured but the server not having a clue what was being poured; courses being served with the wine pairing showing up as we were finishing the course...) In Healdsburg - and on the square specifically - my two favorite restaurants for evening are Barn Diva and Manzanita. But I heartily recommend Bovola for lunch. Barn Diva is a few doors away from Selby Winery, probably my favorite wine producer in the area.

Click On Me ← Okay, am I just missing something here? This thread's title and the opening line of the story is all about this woman who is the Youngest Woman Ever to be a master sommelier but how-the-bloody-heck-old is she??????? Very badly written article (and no offense against you Don Giovanni; we appreciate the link!) to insinuate such an important fact while not offering the information. But, for the record, she passed the test at the age of 21.

I just do a quick hand-wash of anything on the bamboo (certain to do it early, before it dried on) and let it air dry. I rarely use soap, though -- thinking that soapy residue might affect the flavor of any future steamings.

Count me as a huge fan! Here is my report for a few weeks ago...

Starting my birthday celebration, some close friends joined us at the converted Winterland location (2101 Sutter St, at Steiner) to what is now Cassis Restaurant-- we started with a Tuna Tartare and Pissaldiere for starters, both of which were lovely. This was all started with a Chateauneuf du Pape, 2005 - a bit on the young side but quite ballsy. For entrees, the four were: Duck Confit with a potato gratin, seared Swordfish with a zucchini gratin, a pork roast with pappardale side, and the Daube with a polenta side. I only got one taste each of the duck, pork, and daube but I believe the daube was a clear favorite, although the polenta was grilled and a bit drier than I prefer (I like them creamy and wet). The pork was succulent and moist. The duck was less rare than I prefer and the swordfish thinner than I normally like but was served with a great sauce - heartily grilled with a great crusty exterior. With this, we ordered is Vielles Visgnes 2003 (producer not remembered at this point) and was perfect. For dessert, we pulled out the stops; Tarte Tatin, Creme Brulee, Chocolate Fondue, and a Mille Fleures served with an amazing 1990 Sauternes. The Tarte Tatin was perfection as was the Creme Brulee -- just barely enough custard to hold up the caramelized sugar. With the fondue, they served skewers of banana and strawberries along with strips of a Niçoise-regional pastry highlighted with orange flower water. Along with the desserts came the true highlight of the evening; a 1990 Chateau Guiraud Sauterne. Golden caramel, subtle honey, flowers, and more... I am greatly intrigued to go back to try their pizzas and something else of special note: The new owners brought with them from France a world class, to-die-for wine cellar that they have yet to add to the wine list. Why? Prices. There exists on this little corner of San Francisco classic vintages of Romanee-Conti, Petrus, Musigny, Margaux, Latour, etc... My eyes glazed over at the wonders I saw and the owners have yet to determine the value and selling prices of these gems. They've only been open two weeks. I'll be stopping by often to watch their development; both from the kitchen and from the wine cellar.

Because it is a business meeting for Sunday and my contact is coming from Escondido, I've decided on the Four Seasons Aviara. A bit more of a professional setting. Still debating Saturday's lunch though.

A dear friend gave me one of these and I adore it!

Fascinating re-cap story on the arsonist in today's San Francisco Chronicle. Some things that have come out: The mind reels....

Memorial DayWeekend....

Qwerty's technique is what I was going to suggest when you have a single breast. A low, slow render of the fat although I don't necessarily think a final hot sear is necessary; after 20 minutes or so the skin will be perfectly crispy. Slowly and occasionally ladle the hot fat over the top of the breast and you will only have to turn the breast over for a minute or two to finish.

I am SOOOOO jealous! I have met Chef Musa a few times here in California and have always admired his food. One of my aspirations is to dine in his restaurant...

When I moved from a four-bedroom house to a one-bedroom apartment, the cookbooks were the only part of my 1,200+ book collection that didn't get put into storage. That was 18 months ago. The cookbooks sit in a single, large IKEA shelf that holds about 300 (give or take) and in the past 18 months, I have kept myself to that single unit. That means that when something new is bought, something has to go -- and, honestly, I have a pile of about 15 books sitting behind me that are ready to go. They are books that haven't been opened at all in at least five years or, in the case of A Meal Observed, didn't interest me at all despite multiple attempts. I have a similar strategy for my closet: If I haven't worn the garment in three to four years, it goes to the Goodwill. In the case of books, I either utilize Book Crossing to give away the books or I bring them to a used bookstore for credit. Usually it is the former.

Asia-Vous is best restaurant in Escondido and perhaps in all of San Diego. It can be extraordinary; it's a restaurant that could easily hold it's own in either L.A. or S.F. I am not sure if they are open on Sunday or not. If they are it's well worth a visit. If not, check 150 Grand, also in Escondido. ← Thanks for the heads-up on Asia-Vous -- looks as though it is not open at all on Sundays but I'll advise my friend who goes there often. I've pretty much decided on Aviara and will report back my findings. It seems like the nicest, quietest place for a decent meal and business meeting.

Second the Cheese Store in Beverly Hills. Beautiful place, really. For fresh fish, look to the various 99 Ranch Markets -- they are geared towards the Asian community but seriously have the best and least expensive fresh fish. I used to frequent the one in Artesia on the corner of the 405 & 110 but know there are others. As RJWong indicated, many communities have local farmers markets and although the Santa Monica one is often considered the biggest and brightest, I actually preferred the Hollywood one for "feel." I feel like a broken record, but now living in NoCal, the things I miss about LA include the Japanese restaurants in Gardena (especially Shin-Sen-Gumi), Little India on Pioneer Boulevard near Artesia, the Cuban roast pork at Versailles restaurants, Zankou chicken, and the Mexican food...

I am a rice addict -- I would take it any old day over potatoes as a starch. When I walk down my hallway, there is a daily smell coming from my Chinese Consulate neighbor that spikes my craving. My comfort food is plain ole sticky white rice with a dash of salt and lots of butter. My Hawaiian godmother taught me her secret recipe for sticky Hawaiian Fried Rice and a batch of that will feed me for days... At home, I am a big fan of the Forbidden Rice and Bhutanese Red Rice. I make Basmati rice to construct Lamb Biryani and my BF makes the best Risottos I have ever had (never order them in restaurants any more...)

Thank you, Abra! For a year, I would definitely bring along my cat. Six weeks we are debating (and probably will not -- my little guy has been with me 15+ years and is getting on in age). Actually, since my initial post (what - three, four hours ago?) we decided on Avignon and have already e-mailed a few inquiries regarding apartments there for the entire month of October. We are considering book-ending a week on either side for traveling elsewhere in Europe.

I've had great fun reading through this thread -- while not an entire year like Abra is doing (and I have to apologize that I never read the original thread, Abra, that explains why/how you are going for an entire year), I am looking at a six-week stay this late fall; October and November. Right now, the BF and I are really up in the air -- between France and Italy. He is fluent in French and I have spoken the language in 25 years so I will need to start from scratch. He wants to learn Italian and that would be a "from scratch" language for me. We also have the consideration of a cat. We know we can bring a cat to Italy, but how about France? I've been perusing sites like those below and just have too much to choose from! HomeAway.com interhome.us Rentvillas.com luxuryrentals.com

Have you ever made home-made paper? Methylcellulose is mixed into the water along with the pulp to act as a sizing. Before the age of chemicals, potato starch was used. You could give it to crafters who make paper or try it yourself!