Food Quote of the Day....

Many things made me become a vegetarian, among them, the higher food yield as a solution to world hunger. -- John Denver

Food Quote of the Day.....

Cheese is milk's leap toward immortality. Clifton Fadiman

Cafe Rustica

Okay so my friend and co-worker Steve told me about this quaint little café in Carmel since me and Baby were going down for the weekend. He knows everything about Carmel and many co-workers told me of his many excursions and family ties to the rich and artsy town—so big-ups to Steve for the recommendation!

Well...me and Baby headed out and had one of the most awesome drives I’ve ever had. It was a long ride and I’d never driven down there myself (always riding instead). It was his birthday and I really wanted to do something special for him, so I rented a nice hotel with great amenities and décor (Mission Inn, which by the way—rocked). We drove into the hotel parked and checked-in for a quick change of clothes, putting the wine on ice until we returned after dinner.

We actually made it for our reservation! And although we were late getting there, after an almost pitch black ride up the mountain side, we were seated and served with ease and delight. The place was not at all pretentious, though French, and WOW—the Chef came to wait on us making us feel more at home than ever. He offered us the specials and we took our time and had a good glass of red wine while we awaited our entrees. Baby had the lamb and I had the halibut. Both were served with rustic sauces, buttered vegetables and mashed potatoes that were sweet and creamy.

The chef laughed and talked to us about where we lived worked and played and told us of France and his mom and his love of food. He was so kind and generous of spirit that it really did make our night. We even had dessert—something we never do. A bread pudding that was to die for, with raspberry and passion fruit sauces drizzled onto the plate and a dollop of fresh whipped cream infused with vanilla beans decorated with a simple sprig of mint. The chef picked out the perfect port and matched it with the dessert for an even more full experience. It was truly an extraordinary feat and we couldn’t have eaten a thing more!

What can I say about this place that I haven’t already said? It was romantic, warm, friendly and yes charmingly rustic! The food was amazing and so was the chef and the staff! It reminded me of mom’s cooking. Very home style—biscuits and gravy you know? We’ll if you don’t, please get over there and try it out! It’s so worth the drive and the time.


P.S.

It was one of the most affordable three course French meals I’ve ever had the pleasure of stuffing my face with…..lol!

Food Quote of the Day....

Cheese is milk's leap toward immortality. Clifton Fadiman

Food Quote of the Day....

“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” Julia Child~

Hail to Harbin!!!!

This past weekend was as decadent as a bacon wrapped foie gras sandwich on honey baked, handmade pan de’ leche! Now that’s rich!

We drove up stopping along the way for a cocktail as the entire place is alcohol free; So we had a few shots (vodka of course) and finished the rest of the drive into the northern mountainous landscape. We drove into the check-in point and boy was there, what seemed like, a lot of rules. Clothing optional, bring your own towels, no meat in the community kitchen, no parking in the drop off area longer than 15 minutes and whew….smoking only allowed on a tiny little deck at the bottom of the hill—this was going to be hard!

But to my amazement, it was incredibly easy—I mean I actually retained all that information and still managed to have a blast! Okay you guys…you know I’m a sucker for a good time but DAMN! This place was so serene. Nature everywhere, wild deer on the property not concerned with the likes of us humans, quail running about in small covey’s and one of the most handsome cats I’ve had the pleasure of meeting! The sun was shining, the air was fresh, and the landscape was lush with trees so green and an outlook of the mountainside that would make you thank the Goddess for your very life. We checked-in, gave the room a full inspection, showered dressed and was off to the community kitchen to make us a vegetarian dinner!

Now I’ve been in community kitchens, but none quite like this! This kitchen was bustling with energy and folks were really cooking. Some were cooking very elaborate meals sauteing a medley of fresh squash and aromatics while others had bags and bags of stuff they packed and hung around trying to figure out how to put it all together. It was nice to see other people enjoying cooking as I do and one guy even said to me “isn’t this cool”? To which I replied “this is fucking awesome”! To which he replied “I know right? I feel like I’m on Iron Chef”! As I calmed down and prepared for us two powerhouse salads (with mango avocado, raisins, currants, cheese all a’top a heaping bed of mixed greens w/ a bit of goddess dressing) and heated the corn and red pepper soup; Alli toasted the cinnamon raisin bread and backed me up on the dishes, cleaning and clearing our workspace. It was so great! Working together, eating together and my favorite part; traipsing all over the property together; though I’m certain we didn’t see it all.

We went back to the room for a swap out of grocery bags for bath towels and proceeded to the pool area for a dip. We disrobed and “got with the program “(very hard to do BTW) and scampered into the warm pool—a nice, relaxing touch; and both pools were not too crowded for us to feel as though we had our own space. It was wonderful! We exchanged tantric breaths, massaged each other’s backs, meditated and practiced breath exercises; and for the finally we took a long soak in the hot spring releasing toxins, stress and all the cares of the outside world into the water as if to give an offering to the Mother—she was most accepting and gracious; taking it all back to be recycled and used as energy of another form.

All night, we relaxed and shuffled about the resort and the morning brought clarity, renewal and a lot of sunshine. I took a late morning Iyengar class that stretched all of the stress from my limbs and joints, and put me in touch with my inner being and spirit while Alli slept in. No breakfast first, just a deep penetrating yoga and meditation. It was incredibly delicious and all I wanted to do after the class in the ginormous wooden temple was offer gratitude to the Mother for all she’s been giving me.

I’m telling you guys…you have to go to this place and hang out for a while. I promise you won’t be sorry. The people were friendly and if you don't want to cook, there is a restaurant on site. There are also workshops going on the whole time on principles in the healing arts and many other practices like yoga three times a day, and a spa with practitioners skilled in arts ranging from Swedish and Shiatsu massage to Reiki and Shamanistic healings. There were even a few tents where you could shop for goods like crystals, hand-made jewelry and other crafts (alike to Berkeley). There is also a general store for food and supplies in case you didn’t make it to the store before you came up.

I’ll tell you that it was freakin’ great; and then I’ll tell you again because it was! We almost didn’t want to leave because as my old (and dead) friend William Shaky “P” said, “Parting is such sweet sorrow”.

So we quickly made our way down the mountain and found this charming place to have a nice casual brunch on our way back to the city. Brannan's Grill in downtown Calistoga. We thought it would be a little stuffy as we were a bit underdressed; but the maitre d' welcomed us and seated us right away in a comfy leather booth that sat up high just across from the bar!

The drink menu was really nice and it was one of the first restaurants I'd ever had the pleasure of ordering a glass of local Gewurztraminer with my brunch--a completely sweet and sexy choice. It went perfectly not only with his sesame crusted ahi burger, but with my baby beet salad and herb marinated free-range chicken breast sandwich (complete with roasted heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and lemon basil aioli). Wow!

The waiter even made it a point to take his time and fix an extra special cocktail for Alli as he wanted something light like cider. He concocted an iced down hot apple cider into a hard cider with “crown royal on ice” (Jill Scott reference), lemon and what I think was a dash of bitters. It was so sweet and yummy that I almost forgot I had to drive us home and ordered one…..lol! The service was great and we would definitely go back to try the Hog Island Oysters and possibly the grilled hanger steak!

I can't wait! .....and neither should you! Get up north already people; there's much to be done!

I'm Back and I'm PROUD!!!!!

Hello Everyone; hope you’re well and enjoying the warm weather that’s come our way.
I just wanted to add a little something today so that you knew what I’d been up to lately and we could catch-up!

It’s been a while since my last entry and I wouldn’t be a good friend if I didn’t tell you about some of the wonderful places I’ve been in the last few weeks.

So I think I’ll highlight Domaine Carneros Winery. Yes yes y’all….I finally landed in wine heaven. Warm weather, a beautiful estate, friendly atmosphere and service; and oh yeah—the wine! Two red wines and two sparkling white –all for just $25.00. I didn’t realize how affordable it was and how accessible it would be to common (non-wine snobs) folk.

So I went with my tasting companion who’d also never been wine tasting, and we agreed that while pretension was a deterrent, the two of us would do well each having a set of skills lending us the courage to (as they say in Nike town) “Just Do it”! Me with my knowledge of food and wine; he with his culturally balanced and sophisticated background made it a perfect trip and what’s more, I don’t think anyone really cared.

This place was genuinely relaxed and families with small children as well as couples were there all having a great time.

We sampled two Pinot Noir wines that were extremely different from one another. One was smoky and dark with hints of cherry, currant, chocolate and black fruit (very rich); and another that was a bit light and very tart with a subtle sweet finish. The rich Pinot was my favorite!

Then we moved on to the white wines. Yes…wines—not champagne! These were sparkling whites that were for a NON-champagne lover very good in that they didn’t taste as if they were trying to be something they weren’t. They tasted organic and true to the landscape. As I looked out into the garden and saw the rust colored soil, and I could totally see why one tasted a bit nutty in the finish and the other had an almost buttery feel to it. They both went so well with the truffled white fish caviar, toast points and water crackers with crème fresh. It was divine! Buddha himself would have been pleased and happy to have been there…lol!

It was a great afternoon in the Napa Valley and I wouldn’t have traded good company and sunshine for anything else!

Next up: Harbin Hot Springs!

Arcadia: Michael You Woo Me....

Okay Michael Mina....and fellow food lovers. I was really ready to be disappointed thouroughly; but something happened that I didn't expect. I actually liked this place and I'm trying to figure out who I should go there with next as to not feel guilty about spending $150.00.


I don't think my dining companion was quite ready for this, and I have to say, neither was I...


At first look, the menu and wine list were quite intimidating. The lowest priced entree on the menu, I think I clocked at about $24. But I digress--After looking at the selections I really thought more of it. I wanted to go for the lobster corn dogs, and I rationalized it by thinking of this fu@%ing diet I'm on and how I would be really disappointed if we went all out and the meal wasn't good. It was, after all, a restaurant of one of the most celebrated chefs in the Bay Area. No matter me not trusting the reviews, and the palets of a few unhappy burger goers from the South Bay.


So I got over it, and ordered the pomergrante Cosmo, and the Chicken Mac & Cheese. Fellow yelpers raved about it and OMG, they were right! Truffle oil, aldente maccaroni, herbs and a very light and loose cheese sauce that reminded me of Gruyère and that special Amudeus cheese I get from whole foods. Both sharp and mild at the same time and it absolutley danced on my palet like a ballerina in the nut cracker. Did I mention the nutty undertones and smokey after tatse? I should have. I've never been able to think of such pleasure from a single entree. It's usually the the whole experience--apetizer, salad, soup, entree, dessert and attentive service; and "prefix", my favorite word on any sandwich board. But they knew we were yelpers and they actually did act the part. Although we went with the restuarant like hippies in a Board room; they managed to make us feel like we were alright.


The waiter was cute and almost got me in a bit of trouble as I tried to tell him that I eat slow and if he moved my plate/bowl, he would pull back a knub; he took it to mean somehing else, I think....and before I knew it he was offering me his finger in the most suggestive way he could--can you say WTF? I almost choked on my Cosmo.


Anyway....I tatsed my dining companions' lamb chops (and BTW he was really cool about it) which were flavorful and a bit under dressed with the veggies that accompanied them. Apparently they were a bit under seasoned and not enough...some of us do love our veggies! I must proclaim that he was right; I was so intent on tasting the lamb that I totally forgot about the tourney veggies and didn't even notice until he mentioned it after we left.


All in all, the experience was for me....really good; and I thought to myself, I should I give this place another go. And I will.....I will! :)

Food Quote of the Day....

There is no love sincerer than the love of food.


George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish Writer