Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Cellar: Toast to the Crushpad Cleary Ranch Release Party
My dear friend, a vinum fanaticus and lover of all things wine-related (otherwise known as V.F.), has offered to guest blog on her wine adventures. This week she was fortunate enough to attend the Cleary Ranch Wine Release Party at Crushpad in the City.
One wish I have is to make my own wine. Regardless of whether I would achieve this by having my own vineyard or just making my own blend with grapes I purchase, I would love the opportunity. One place in San Francisco (soon to move to Napa) that allows individuals to do precisely this is Crushpad (http://www.crushpadwine.com/). I went there for the first time last night to attend the Cleary Ranch Vineyards Inaugural Release Party (http://clearyranchvineyards.com/).
From the outside, Crushpad looks like a warehouse, but once you walk inside you see rows and rows of stacked barrels strategically placed to make room for events. It’s a little chilly inside since it’s the storage area for the aging wine, but after a glass of wine the temperature is just fine. What better way to warm up!
I’ve never actually been to a wine release party at Crushpad (only at actual wineries) or to one for a vineyard that has only released one wine, but this event was very well done and their 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, was outstanding! It’s a great wine to drink alone and would also pair well with food. It is drinkable now; it was not too dry, fruity or tight and it was a bit heavier than your typical pinot, which I enjoyed (being a huge cab drinker). I look forward to their 2009 vintage next year, and to see how their Chardonnay turns out as well.
Because Cleary Ranch Vineyards has only bottled their 2008 Pinot, they had barrel tastings of their 2009 Pinot and a 2009 Chardonnay as well as a sparkling wine to begin the night and cleanse our pallets. They also had some nice appetizers out… meat, cheese, fruit, mini brownies and shrimp cocktail… yummy!
Overall, I was very impressed by the event and would definitely recommend Cleary Ranch to others. I can only dream about the day when I can have my own release party!
V.F.
More about V.F.: Passionate about food and wine, she is constantly searching for the next great wine, winery, dish and restaurant. Moving to San Francisco from MN in 2005 opened her eyes (and nose and mouth) to what life is like when she has amazing food and wine at her fingertips. Not only does she love enjoying food and wine in and of themselves, but she also appreciates how they bring people together. She believes that sharing time with friends/family over dinner with great wine is one of the best things about life.
One wish I have is to make my own wine. Regardless of whether I would achieve this by having my own vineyard or just making my own blend with grapes I purchase, I would love the opportunity. One place in San Francisco (soon to move to Napa) that allows individuals to do precisely this is Crushpad (http://www.crushpadwine.com/). I went there for the first time last night to attend the Cleary Ranch Vineyards Inaugural Release Party (http://clearyranchvineyards.com/).
From the outside, Crushpad looks like a warehouse, but once you walk inside you see rows and rows of stacked barrels strategically placed to make room for events. It’s a little chilly inside since it’s the storage area for the aging wine, but after a glass of wine the temperature is just fine. What better way to warm up!
I’ve never actually been to a wine release party at Crushpad (only at actual wineries) or to one for a vineyard that has only released one wine, but this event was very well done and their 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, was outstanding! It’s a great wine to drink alone and would also pair well with food. It is drinkable now; it was not too dry, fruity or tight and it was a bit heavier than your typical pinot, which I enjoyed (being a huge cab drinker). I look forward to their 2009 vintage next year, and to see how their Chardonnay turns out as well.
Because Cleary Ranch Vineyards has only bottled their 2008 Pinot, they had barrel tastings of their 2009 Pinot and a 2009 Chardonnay as well as a sparkling wine to begin the night and cleanse our pallets. They also had some nice appetizers out… meat, cheese, fruit, mini brownies and shrimp cocktail… yummy!
Overall, I was very impressed by the event and would definitely recommend Cleary Ranch to others. I can only dream about the day when I can have my own release party!
V.F.
More about V.F.: Passionate about food and wine, she is constantly searching for the next great wine, winery, dish and restaurant. Moving to San Francisco from MN in 2005 opened her eyes (and nose and mouth) to what life is like when she has amazing food and wine at her fingertips. Not only does she love enjoying food and wine in and of themselves, but she also appreciates how they bring people together. She believes that sharing time with friends/family over dinner with great wine is one of the best things about life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Chef's Corner: A Brunch to Savor - Custard French Toast
Toasted. Fluffy. Sweet. These adjectives combined describe the best French toast I have ever tasted at a well-known Sacramento institution - Tower Cafe. Tower's french toast is remarkable. The thick slices of bread are soaked in custard overnight and cooked to perfection; the outside is crispy and toasted and the inside is fluffy and sweet. You have to taste it to believe how truly good it is.
Tower Cafe is a quaint little eatery near downtown Sacramento but can be a bit difficult to get to at times, especially on weekends where the line runs from inside the door to the corner of the block. This is the main reason why I wanted a copycat recipe I could make at home for those days I wasn't in Sacramento and/or didn't want to endure a long wait.
I looked online and was able to develop my own recipe after searching out how to make a good custard mix. To start off, I always use fresh or day-old Italian bread. Acme Bread is delicious but Grace Baking Italian works just as well.
I sliced the bread at an angle to obtain the long slices of bread you get at Tower.
I mixed eggs, whipping cream, vanilla, milk, sugar, cinnamon and a dash of salt in a bowl.
I poured the resulting custard mixture into a flat pan and lay the sliced pieces of bread flat in the pan. After 30 minutes, I flipped the bread so that the other side can absorb the custard mixture as well.
I then toasted the french toast until it was crispy and brown on both sides.
With just a slight pour of maple syrup, the toasted, fluffy sweet bread just seemed to melt with every bite.
This Custard French Toast tastes every bit as good as Tower, although there is something to be said about savoring the real deal. However, this substitute will serve us well whenever we have a craving for a sweet brunch treat and can't make the trek to my absolute favorite brunch place in Sacramento.
Tower Cafe is a quaint little eatery near downtown Sacramento but can be a bit difficult to get to at times, especially on weekends where the line runs from inside the door to the corner of the block. This is the main reason why I wanted a copycat recipe I could make at home for those days I wasn't in Sacramento and/or didn't want to endure a long wait.
I looked online and was able to develop my own recipe after searching out how to make a good custard mix. To start off, I always use fresh or day-old Italian bread. Acme Bread is delicious but Grace Baking Italian works just as well.
I sliced the bread at an angle to obtain the long slices of bread you get at Tower.
I mixed eggs, whipping cream, vanilla, milk, sugar, cinnamon and a dash of salt in a bowl.
I poured the resulting custard mixture into a flat pan and lay the sliced pieces of bread flat in the pan. After 30 minutes, I flipped the bread so that the other side can absorb the custard mixture as well.
I then toasted the french toast until it was crispy and brown on both sides.
With just a slight pour of maple syrup, the toasted, fluffy sweet bread just seemed to melt with every bite.
This Custard French Toast tastes every bit as good as Tower, although there is something to be said about savoring the real deal. However, this substitute will serve us well whenever we have a craving for a sweet brunch treat and can't make the trek to my absolute favorite brunch place in Sacramento.
Friday, February 12, 2010
A Day in the Life: Snapshots
As a sweet surprise, the other day, my best friend (who requests to hereinafter be referred to only as "Ms. Nacho") shows up at my door unexpectedly with two little mounds of goodness in a Citizen Cake box.
The second was Citizen Cake's Retro Tropical Shag. This was definitely my favorite of the two. The cake was light and heavenly but was bursting with passion fruit flavors. The fruit mousse is topped with vanilla buttercream and sprinked with coconut flakes. Refreshing and sweet but not too overpowering.
It didn't take us long to devour the petite treats. Can't have too much savory without some sweet. Having seen Elizabeth Faulkner on Top Chef numerous times, I have always wanted to try her desserts. I was not disappointed.
I enjoy desserts but absolutely need my savory. Below are just a few snapshots of some recent delicious food bites.
BJ's Pulled Pork Sliders
Marinated Tofu Salad and Authentic Boo Dae Jigae (Army Stew)
Go Hyang Soon Doo Boo in San Bruno
My First Pinkberry
Cafe Golo Linguisa Omelette
Yoyo Sushi Platter
Nola's Sweet Potato Fries
Nola's Fried Chicken
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Restaurant Dish: The 2010 Big Eat SF
Inspired by 7x7 Magazine's 2010 Big Eat SF, 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die, I compiled my own list of favorite bites and drinks of San Francisco. This Big Eat SF list is fantastic and includes a diverse and eclectic selection of food and drink items from various restaurants. I fell in the love with the list because unlike so many of the other best of lists out there, it focuses not on a restaurant as a whole, but only on its most oustanding offering.
The following is a list of my personal favorite dishes and drinks that I randomly crave every so often but go back to re-experience as frequently as I can. There are of course so many more items I could have included, but I limited my list to the top 25 dishes and/or drinks.
25 Of The Best Eat+Drink - San Francisco
25. Sweet Potato Fries - Pacific Catch
24. Chicken Banh Mi - Saigon Sandwich
23. Dry-Fried Chicken - San Tung
22. Carnitas Super Burrito - Gordos Taqueria (Clement)
21. Coffee Crunch Cake - Sweet Stop
20. Ahi Tuna Tartar - Aqua
19. Chilaquiles - Mamacita
18. U.C.S. Roll - Yoyo Sushi
17. Cellophane Noodles with Dungeness Crab - Slanted Door
16. Sangria - Cha Cha Chas
15. Braised Shortribs and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes -
Jardiniere
14. Manchego Flambeado - Alegrias
13. Tzatziki - Kokkari
12. Miso Ramen - Katana-ya
11. Fried Noodle Soft Tofu - My Tofu House
10. Square Slice of Cheese/Veggie - Golden Boy Pizza
9. Chicken Hash - Ellas
8. Shrimp Rice Roll - South Sea Seafood Village
7. Dry-Aged Filet Mignon Bone-in - Boboquivaris
6. Cold Noodle Salad - Tanuki
5. Edamame Hummus - Umami
4. Seafood Pho - Sai's Restaurant (OR Pho Vietnam)
3. Toasted Roast Beef Sandwich - Viking's Giant Submarines
2. Minced Chicken with Eggplant - Little Thai
1. Prime Rib with Creamed Spinach, Baked Potato and
Yorkshire Pudding - House of Prime Rib
Notably, a best pasta dish is absent from the list. The reason for this is that I just haven't found a dish that rivals Ella Dining Room and Bar's (Sacramento) Parpadelle with Poached Egg, Crispy Proscuitto and Preserved Lemon Butter Sauce. This dish is creamy from the broken egg yolk, with sufficient texture and saltiness from the proscuitto and an unexpected but truly complementary citrus bite from the lemon in the butter sauce (although I don't have a picture, a picture is available for you to drool at here: Ella). Hopefully I will find something that is comparable in SF sooner than later!
What is on your list?
The following is a list of my personal favorite dishes and drinks that I randomly crave every so often but go back to re-experience as frequently as I can. There are of course so many more items I could have included, but I limited my list to the top 25 dishes and/or drinks.
25 Of The Best Eat+Drink - San Francisco
25. Sweet Potato Fries - Pacific Catch
24. Chicken Banh Mi - Saigon Sandwich
23. Dry-Fried Chicken - San Tung
22. Carnitas Super Burrito - Gordos Taqueria (Clement)
21. Coffee Crunch Cake - Sweet Stop
20. Ahi Tuna Tartar - Aqua
19. Chilaquiles - Mamacita
18. U.C.S. Roll - Yoyo Sushi
17. Cellophane Noodles with Dungeness Crab - Slanted Door
16. Sangria - Cha Cha Chas
15. Braised Shortribs and Horseradish Mashed Potatoes -
Jardiniere
14. Manchego Flambeado - Alegrias
13. Tzatziki - Kokkari
12. Miso Ramen - Katana-ya
11. Fried Noodle Soft Tofu - My Tofu House
10. Square Slice of Cheese/Veggie - Golden Boy Pizza
9. Chicken Hash - Ellas
8. Shrimp Rice Roll - South Sea Seafood Village
7. Dry-Aged Filet Mignon Bone-in - Boboquivaris
6. Cold Noodle Salad - Tanuki
5. Edamame Hummus - Umami
4. Seafood Pho - Sai's Restaurant (OR Pho Vietnam)
3. Toasted Roast Beef Sandwich - Viking's Giant Submarines
2. Minced Chicken with Eggplant - Little Thai
1. Prime Rib with Creamed Spinach, Baked Potato and
Yorkshire Pudding - House of Prime Rib
Notably, a best pasta dish is absent from the list. The reason for this is that I just haven't found a dish that rivals Ella Dining Room and Bar's (Sacramento) Parpadelle with Poached Egg, Crispy Proscuitto and Preserved Lemon Butter Sauce. This dish is creamy from the broken egg yolk, with sufficient texture and saltiness from the proscuitto and an unexpected but truly complementary citrus bite from the lemon in the butter sauce (although I don't have a picture, a picture is available for you to drool at here: Ella). Hopefully I will find something that is comparable in SF sooner than later!
What is on your list?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Cupboard: Taste of Umami
Interesting article on sfgate on how "umami" defies definition, followed by a delicious sounding Seared Rib-Eye Steak recipe:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/24/FDO11A1E1S.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/24/FDO11A1E1S.DTL
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Day in the Life: Ringing in the New Year
A brand new year, a brand spanking new set of resolutions and a brand new blog to document it all. I have been following blogs for years and have always wanted to have my own but this was the year to do it; one resolution for the new decade checked off the list.
To give some background, I was born in and grew up in the great city that is San Francisco. I have lived in other cities, towns and in another country, but San Francisco has always been my home. Fast forward to today - my job was recently relocated to Palo Alto and my significant other, Mr. Tacoma, lives in Sacramento. Regardless of my commute to work and to my other half, San Francisco is still my home. I couldn't be more fortunate, having grown up in one of the best food and wine centers and a well-known cultural mecca.
But it is not just about San Francisco. It is about the search for the next morsel of mouth-watering food, the next taste of a delectable drink and the journey as a whole. And the search can very possibly lead me to opposite ends of the continent. In fact, I pray it does. And I hope that by documenting my journey, I can hold onto the savory memories just a little bit longer; relive those gorgeous moments and embrace them almost as if I am experiencing them once again.
To give some background, I was born in and grew up in the great city that is San Francisco. I have lived in other cities, towns and in another country, but San Francisco has always been my home. Fast forward to today - my job was recently relocated to Palo Alto and my significant other, Mr. Tacoma, lives in Sacramento. Regardless of my commute to work and to my other half, San Francisco is still my home. I couldn't be more fortunate, having grown up in one of the best food and wine centers and a well-known cultural mecca.
But it is not just about San Francisco. It is about the search for the next morsel of mouth-watering food, the next taste of a delectable drink and the journey as a whole. And the search can very possibly lead me to opposite ends of the continent. In fact, I pray it does. And I hope that by documenting my journey, I can hold onto the savory memories just a little bit longer; relive those gorgeous moments and embrace them almost as if I am experiencing them once again.
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