Carolyn Tillie

One other thing that has never been adequately explained -- but always seems true -- is never double a recipe in home baking. It just doesn't ever seem to work right. Mix up and bake single batches unless you have industrial equipment.

Couldn't agree more -- although it is only open for dinner. This has become my standard business meeting restaurant as the quantity and quality of food never fails to astound visiting guests.

Zuni Cafe. End of sentence.

I can't see the reason to blind bake unless you are starting with a raw dough that needs to be cooked in some fashion. Cookie crumbs do not fall in this category and would not need blind baking.

LOVE this place - not necessarily near Sonoma, but definitely worth the drive for quality goods.

Must disagree -- this is not a real tagine, but a tagine-shaped pot that will not do what a real tagine does. Trust me. I bought one of these and quickly sold it on eBay when I acquired a real one. While you might not be able to get it by Christmas, THE place for such shopping is Tagines.com. I recommend the Rifi.

Thanks for all the tips -- being a Japan-a-phile, I am looking forward to eating through EVERY Japanese restaurant in J-Town (even if they are owned and operated by Koreans). Tonight's venture was to Miyako at 1707 Buchanan Street - up one of the walkways opposite the J-town mall. Decent enough Maki and Temaki but hardly awe-inspiring. Still enjoyable nonetheless, with fresh ingredients and great service.

After three years of living amidst the grape vines, I am going to be moving into San Francisco proper -- near Japantown. I have never lived in a large city (always the country or the suburbs) and the culinary possibilities are very exciting. I am maintaining a ton of wine country writing contracts so my fine dining experiences will not diminish throughout Napa and Sonoma counties, but over the next few months, as I explore my new neighborhood, I thought I would share... I am excited because the world of ethnic food -- which is so illusive in Napa and Sonoma -- is being returned to me at last. That, and the concept that there are people in this world who will bring food to your front door after you call them! I'll keep this thread alive as I walk the neighborhood and eat at all the surrounding digs. I have already enjoyed the Kobe Burger at Harry's Bar at 2020 Fillmore. While not a restaurant, Boom Boom Room, on the corner of Geary and Fillmore is my local bar for late-night jazz and blues. Last night, boyfriend Kevin suggested a slice of pizza from local pizzeria Mozzarella di Bufala however they are owned by Brazilians and instead we had delivered a fabulously spicy Feijoada Completa, thick with black beans, chunks of smoked pork and beef, rice, collards, and farofa (yucca). Kevin lived in a Brazil for while and said that it was a 6 on his feijoada scale -- I loved it and am terribly curious what a 10 would be, thrilled that I can have Brazilian food delivered!

Coppola and Beringer are middle of the road AND almost Disney-like in their atmosphere. I actually like the reserve wines at both places, but the atmosphere is too touristy and overwhelming. They are great for first-timers who want the FULL winery experience and the memorabilia at Coppola can be very cool to look at, but if you want small, intimate wine tastings, than there are definitely better places. My current favorites include Peju which includes food pairings, Shramsberg for the caves and good sparkling (reservation required), Haven for syrah, and Zahtila in Calistoga for a great, affordable Beckstoffer cab.

Very, very nice report -- thanks for sharing!

The one I've been cooking for 20 years: 2 1/4 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon nutmeg 3/4 butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar 3 oz. mixed dried fruit (I use currants and/or golden raisins) 1 egg, beaten TONS of butter for grilling... 1. Sift flower, baking powder, and nutmeg in bowl. 2. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs, then stir in the sugar and fruit. 3. Mix to a firm dough with the egg and knead on a lightly floured surface. 4. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick and cut into 3" rounds. 5. Heat griddle or large frying pan to medium, with a tablespoon or two of melted butter for each batch. 6. Cook the cakes in 2 batches for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until evenly browned and firm to the touch. 6. Cool slightly, serve warm if possible with yet more butter and preserves.

In Point Reyes, I heartily recommend The Station House - amazing oyster, mushroom, and leek stew. In Carmel, I only eat at Casanova - from appetizeres to desserts I have yet to be dissapointed. Save room for dessert, the crepes are killer. In Napa, my current favorite restaurant is Restaurant Budo - Japanese/French fusion haute cuisine. The 16-course taster will put you back several hundred each and I think is well worth it.

Since most of the bottles tend to be in the $30 to $50 retail, the $95 is about right (the higher rate is more bottles). Since I pick up the bottles, I don't pay for shipping.

Even though it is only a mile or two from my house, I belong to the wine club at Vintners Collective which is a co-op tasting room promoting small wineries. These are wineries who are too small to have their own tasting rooms or facilities but which are making world-class wine. The selection varies from upwards of 15 different wineries and has yet to be disappointing.

Fly into Sacramento if at all possible, rent a car, allow a minimum of 2 hours to get to the Napa valley. There are many places to stay ranging from chain motels to 5 star resorts. San Francisco and Oakland are an extra burden you don't need, however allow 2+ hours from either, depending on traffic and weather. Make sure you have a reservation. http://www.napavalley.com/ ← I disagree, Bruce. Technically, Oakland is the closer airport although traffic time usually makes it about the same travel time as Sacramento. I ask all my guests to come into Oakland either very early in the morning or very late in the evening, making the travel time just over an hour from my house in Napa to the airport (Suzanne Fass will attest to that from her latest visit). When traffic is moving well, Sacramento is still upwards of an hour-and-a-half. But I drive fast. San Francisco, regardless, is the haul at well over two hours.

Ruth, don't discount Torrance! It is right near Gardena which has the most amazing Japanese food outside of Tokyo! There is even a restaurant that is ONLY open for Chankonabe during Sumo Bashos called Shin-Sen-Gumi! I moved to NoCal from that neighborhood and that neighborhood is surprisingly what I miss most, culinarily-speaking.

Panna cotta. We started with the foie gras terrine and oysters. The foie was served with grilled toast points -- unfortunately the grilled char flavor on the toasts overwhelmed the foie. It was better just eaten off the knife as it was perfectly realized. I had the turkey as well and Shawn had the venison with root vegetables (the meat was a little over done, should have been quite rare instead of medium). Nice to finally meet Krys!

Perfectly stunning... pictures and pairings and the gallette looks divine!

This is SO freaky... I just started dating a man who has asked me to go to Macao for a week in the spring. I had to confess I had no idea where Macao was and JUST spent the morning googling information about it. I'll definitely report back with pictures if it comes to fruition!

Dined at Manzanita in downtown Healdsburg over the weekend and was VERY impressed. The chef is changing the menu weekly and we enjoyed starters of beef tartare (which was only diminished by its garnish of hardboiled egg instead of raw), a salad of fennel, Buddha's hand citron, and pear, and an amazing roast quail with port-poached dried figs. For dinner three of us shared Chicken a Mattonne and Oxtails. I rarely order chicken in a restaurant and the serving of this was fabulous; succulent, moist, and an unusual side of beans and cabbage. Dessert included a walnut tart with raspberry sauce but we are all overwhelmed with a flourless chocolate cake with espresso sauce.

I have dozens of shots but will not be back in town until Monday or Tuesday to post... What a fabulous event!

Slight disagreement -- I believe Gardena's sushi and Japanese restaurants are a tad better, mostly because Gardena is home to the corporate offices of Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, etc... It is simply a larger Japanese community to support more authentic Japanese restaurants. But I love Katsu-Ya and a few others I've eaten at in Studio City - they just tend to be more Nouveau Sushi (with foie gras and truffles) than more traditional offerings.

Aaaaaggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Add it. Remember, fat carries flavor which is why we all like sausages. Without it, you have dried pork butt.

Which hotel are you staying at? Ventura Boulevard actually has some really great restaurants depending on what you pleasure is. I've had some amazing sushi at Katsu-Ya and one of the Pinot restaurants (Pinot Cafe, I think?) is there as well. For decent deli, you've got Jerry's Deli (I like their Duck Spinach Salad, but most people go for classic Jewish Deli food). I think you are in an okay spot, actually...