My most excellent roomate had a birthday on the 12th and it was decided that a dinner party was in order.  I dutifully volunteered to stop at St. Francis to buy wine during my workday (yes, I tasted while I was there-you would have too!), then headed home to begin preparations.

On the menu was:

Bleu Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breasts (Thanks Claire Robinson!)

Missytaters (see recipe from turkey day)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

For Dessert: French Vanilla Cupcakes drizzled with Blackberry & Port Reduction served with fresh Whipped Cream

All came out great.  We had several great wines from St. Francis that night:  Red Wine- Cote du Sonoma (YUM!), Meritage, Pagani Vineyard Zinfandel and the delicious Port for (and in) dessert.

Another good friend brought Khachapuri (an amazingly delicious cheese bread from the Rupublic of Georgia) for an appetizer.

Excellent evening full of great freinds and celebrating the birthday girl.  Love you, Merle!

 A few years back I volunteered to take on potato duty on Turkey Day and it was a success.  I am picky about my potatoes.  I don’t think they should be so overwrought with flavor that they deserve their own plate.  I also think that russet potatoes, milk and margarine are a sad thing to put on the table.  I came up with the following concoction that works every time and is always a great compliment to the meal-yummy enough to eat alone, not so crazy that they can’t be a part of the perfect Thanksgiving meal bite-mashers and turkey dipped in gravy.  NOM.

Missytaters

(adjust amounts per your party size)

5lb Yukon gold, White  or fingerling potatoes, -washed and peeled

5lb Red potatoes-washed and peeled

Chicken stock

Sauce:

1 cup sour cream

1/4c butter (unsalted-you will be surprised how little salt you might need after the stock and cheeses)

½ c grated manchego (I’d caution you to grate it yourself but good luck finding this pre-grated)

½ c grated parmesean reggiano (freshly grated, please!!! And seriously- if you even pause to glance at the powdered stuff in the green can, just stop following my blog)

½ c finely chopped chives

Salt to taste (for the yummiest treat ever I like to use a blend of sea salt and truffle salt mmmm)

Pepper to taste (again! Freshly grated is the only way to go!)

Once potatoes are peeled and washed, place in a large stock pot and fill with ½ water and ½ chicken stock or broth. (side note on the stock/broth- I don’t waste my homemade stock on anything like this, the store-bought stuff is just fine).  Add the potatoes and bring to a boil, cook until done (can be easily split with a fork).  Drain potatoes, reserving up to 2 cups of the cooking liquid in case you need it to thin the potatoes.  Put potatoes back in the hot stock pot (but no heat on!) and let some of the moisture evaporate while you prepare the sauce.

In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, combine the sour cream, butter and both cheeses.  Stir constantly until the mixture is warm and completely liquid, then immediately remove from the heat.

Slowly start adding the sauce to the potatoes-blending well after each ½ cup or so of the liquid is added.  I personally like a hand mixer for this job.  Keep adding the liquid until you have your perfect masher consistency.  If you find that they are still a bit thick, feel free to add back in some of the reserved cooking liquid.  Once you have the consistency right, taste and season with freshly ground pepper and whichever salt you like (try the truffle!!).  Once they are otherwise perfect, stir in the chives at the last minute.

Since I travel with these every year, I will place them in a crock pot and take them with me.  Once at my destination I will keep them on low or medium heat and stir regularly until serving.  This is also nice for whoever is hosting-you aren’t taking up any stovetop room they likely don’t have to share anyway.

Hope you love them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All that kept crossing my mind was “This is November?!”.  November is when I get so excited each year to start the baking, the lasagna experimentation, the soups.  Yet, at 7am it was nearly 70 degrees!  I am feeling cheated out of my “it’s so cold I need to make something comforting” mood.  Bah Humbug! 

I’ve decided the toowarmforNovember weather can’t step on my bliss.  I see a night filled with some delish mushroom and pancetta risotto and a roasted chicken stuffed with citrus wedges, rosemary and garlic.

Pics to Follow….

Left Bank-Santana Row…  Oh, how I love you….

I have to start this post with a little astonishment.  I almost started to blame myself, but really-I blame YOU.  That’s right.  If you are reading this and you have been to Santana Row before SHAME ON YOU for not clueing me in.  I felt like I went home on Thursday.  The home of my people, my kind of food, and the luxury that is SO fun to walk around in for a couple of hours-but that is a bit much to live in daily.  Can you say indulgence boys and girls?

So, we all know I love to indulge and there is rarely a bigger treat for me than a great meal coupled with a fantabulous drink.  And if I am alone with a great book?  Sweeeeeeet.  The only thing better is a handsome man next to me.  Thursday was all about the book!  The man was on my mind-but that is another blog…

Since the closure of Left Bank left Pleasant Hill (see previous post re: Left Bank Larkspur), I have pined away for the fondue and lemon drops (not to mention the cute boys buying my drinks).  Divine.  I have gone to the Larkspur location several times in desperate attempts to get my fix, but the fondue is never more than a runny, bland impersonation of what PH used to serve and the men who frequent the Larkspur location are retired or should be.  Such a waste-they really need to cater to the younger crowd.  Anyway, on Thursday I had an unexpected day of freedom and decided to head south.  I considered driving to the coast, and thought I would sit and have lunch in San Jose and see if the beach was still calling me when I was done.  I knew there was a Left Bank in San Jo  which I had never set foot in, and it was just the right opportunity to explore.  As I walked up I felt my heart jump into my throat-talk about love at first sight.  OMG I wish I had taken more pictures.  The location is beautiful. The restaurant is beautiful.  The bartender was covered in tattoos!  C’est magnifique!

So I take a seat in the lovely, Parisian-with-a-side-of-punk (screaming Missy heaven!) bar area and quickly order the fondue with crostini and fruit (apples, pears, raspberries, grapes), a side of chives and a Ketel One Lemon Drop.  I can’t even explain my excitement just sitting in this bar, waiting for my order.  I barely wanted to crack open my book.  When my order arrived-absolutely everything about it was perfection.  The drink and the fondue were both unbelievably good-even by my high Left Bank standards.  The fondue was creamy, thick and richly flavored.  The fruit paired with the fondue was exquisite.  The drink was delicious but a tad edgy.  MMMmmm

At the end of my lovely hour here there was only one conclusion possible-Left Bank at Santana Row is the best LB I’ve been to by a mile, overshadowing even P Hill back in the day.  High enough on my list for me to make the hour long trip down once in a while?

Hell to the yes.

http://www.leftbank.com/

http://www.santanarow.com/

There is something magical about the combination of sweet potato fries and a spicy aioli-type dipping sauce.  I’d love to throw rose petals at the feet of the genius who noticed this match was made in heaven.  I am going to review how well this match was executed at three Bay Area locations: 1515 in Walnut Creek, Jack’s in Pleasant Hill and Kinder’s (all locations taste the same-for better or worse).  These are specific to SPF and dips. I will write a  review for each restaurant as a whole another time.

1515:  In general this place throws me off-though I like it quite a lot.  I was excited to see an app on the menu of SPF & yummy sauce, and went for it with a Ketel One Lemon Drop.  By FAR my best experience with this highly sought-after (by me, I realize) treat.  I have ordered them twice at 1515 and both times the fries had a lovely fine crisp layer yet were soft and fluffy inside.  The aioli they were served with was delicious and quite spicy.  dingdingding-we have a winner here folks.

Jack’s:  I love Jack’s version.  Very consistent on the fries-very nicely cooked every time.  My issue is the sauce-the level of spiciness varies so greatly that sometimes you feel like you need a glass of water between dips (and we all KNOW I love spicy food) all the way down to wondering if they left out the heat altogether.  Don’t love the fact that I never truly know what I am ordering here.  I will say that when it is good it is good enough that I take the risk and order these every time I am there.

Kinder’s:  Ugh.  It hurts me to write this.  I LOVE Kinder’s!  SPFs here are a sad occasion.  Every time.  In every location.  They are always soggy, limp and overly seasoned.  The sauce they serve them with tastes like it is just mayo & one of their bbq sauces stirred together.  Meh.  Kinder’s as a whole is better than this!  Do something!  Please!

The moral of the story is this boys and girls: You may have to kiss a few frogs (Kinder’s) before you find your prince (1515).  And sometimes you have to just go with the “good enough” (Jack’s).

http://www.1515wc.com/

http://www.jacksrestaurants.com/menu_dinner.htm

http://www.kindersbbq.com/

I will never forget my introduction to this great everyday white wine.

I was flipping through the latest Wine Spectator magazine (Like any self-respecting foodie would be, duh) when I came across a life-altering article.  Okay-to be fair, it wasn’t the latest.  Wasn’t even this year’s…  My grandma Maggie gives me her cast-offs.  Now that you know the truth.  Let’s move on…..

If you read it or not, the point is that it made me raise an eyebrow.  This bold article claimed that Bogle’s Chardonnay at about $9/bottle rivaled those in the $25-$30 range.  The article went on to drool over this wine claiming that is was a fresh, not overly buttery or oaky chardonnay that was perfect to serve with almost anything-from sweet to spicy to savory to tangy.  I wisely hopped into my batmobile cleverly disguised as a Jetta and hauled ass to Safeway.  I had to see for myself if such a thing was possible for $9.  

Upon my safe and stealthy return home, I delighted in pouring what would be the first glass of many.  I was a little dumbfounded.  I mean…. When I go to buy a Chardonnay (it isn’t often, but it does happen) I tend to snobbily roll my eyes at anything less than $14/$16.  For some reason-this was the price point my brain told me was acceptable.  Isn’t it funny how we do that?  Assume a price range equates to a level of quality?  Shame on us (me).  I will also admit that growing up right here at Napa/Sonoma Wine Country’s doorstep and knowing the area quite well-the idea of a wine from Lodi didn’t exactly excite me.  I know-it is actually one of the rather up and coming wine subregions in California and there is a lot happening in that area.  But Lodi itself is just…bleh. Ick.  Just ask my sister about the Lodi Hoes. he he he

This Chardonnay has become a fave-it is consistently great and always on sale somewhere for around $8.  Kick her tires.  She’s solid.

**Sidenote about Grandma Maggie:  I truly believe that there is nothing more important than what I got from my grandmother-my taste for great food and wine and my natural inclination to cook well.  My little sister (only 19!) got it also.  Rock-star chef in the making.  Can’t wait to see her on “The Next Food Network Star” crying and telling the world how her big sister inspired her to greatness.  Yes, I just took credit for what G-Ma Maggie gave us.   =P 

I can’t wait until she is 21 and I can corrupt her in CA Wine Country.

www.boglewinery.com

www.winespectator.com

Seriously.

I have had some interesting and varied experiences on these wine tasting trips-and there have been many.  However, yesterday takes the cake in many arenas….

First stop was St. Francis.  I had never been before and now I am wondering why??  It was fantastic.  We had a reservation for a 1pm food & wine pairing-sounded lovely.  We showed up a few minutes late (less than 10), and were promptly greeted by a server who wasted no time pouring us a Sav Blanc to enjoy while we waited.  2 points for that girl!  I have a real love/hate relationship with Sav Blanc-usually there is no middle ground for me.  Mostly it’s the way they tend to be overthetop tart, however this one wasn’t!  It had enough acidity, don’t get me wrong.  And it wasn’t watery.  It was right in the middle.  Full of flavor without pinching my cheeks.  Nice.  Would I buy it?  I dunno.  $19/bottle isn’t too high, but I am not a big Sav Blanc drinker.  I might buy it for someone I knew was into this varietal, not likely for myself.

At 1:15 we were escorted into a lovely dining room and seated at a large table.  My party had 3 and we took an end of the table.  There were a total of aprox 14 of us at the table for the pairing.  The pairings were as follows:

2008 Chardonnay-Wild Oak, Sonoma County with House cured salmon, braised english peas, yukon gold potatoes, english pea puree, lemon beurre monte.  The Chardonnay was watery, unfortunately.  Very thin-none of that oakiness or buttery yumminess I love in most chards.  Bummer dude.  The smoked salmon was delish, though.

(**Side note-when you have a mouth full of Chardonnay and get a tickle in your throat that sends you into a sudden cough spasm-try to have the presence of mind NOT to spray the Chard all over the lovely table and your closest neighbors like I did.  To make matters even more embarrassing I then went into a sudden laughing fit making me look like the most drunk, assfaced version of myself imaginable.  Sad part is that this was VERY early in the day and I didn’t even have the slightest buzz going.  I can’t even blame it on being drunk!  Jeff & Jason-you will live.  Andrew-I know we met and became friends later in the day but, I am SO sorry again..)

2005 Cabernet Franc-McCoy Vineyard, Sonoma County with Royal trumpet, shiitake mushroom and fava bean ragout, carmelized cipollini onion, pecorino romano, romesco sauce, balsamic syrup.  The Cab Franc was about the most generic tasting red wine I’ve had in a while.  The dish it was paired with was phenomenal though-very hearty for a vegie-friendly dish.

2006 Syrah-Wild Oak, Sonoma County with Soy and Syrah braised pork cheeks, smoked gouda polenta, shaved red cabbage, braising jus.  The Syrah was yummy.  Nothing remarkable, but very tasty.  Not worth $38/bottle, IMHO.

2006 Red Wine, Petite Syrah, Dry Creek Valley with Roasted merguez meatball, sautéed ratatouille, couscous, kalamata olive vinaigrette, sweet basil puree.  The petit syrah was the wine highlight of this portion of my day.  YUM!  It is a dark, sexy wine full of luscious fruit and obscenity waiting to happen.  Yes, I would spend the $45 on a bottle.  Yes I would.

At the end we were given a glass of 2006 Port, Sonoma County with a mini chocolate cupcake topped with vanilla cream, chocolate sauce and candied rhubarb.  I love port.  Don’t even get me started on all the ways I love Port. Love, love, love it.  I am usually quite faithful to Prager Port-all varieties, but this was plenty yummy.  Yes, I know I use the words yummy and delish a lot to describe wines I like.  =P

So-despite embarrassing myself beyond repair I wasn’t ready to leave!  Our host for the day, Jeff is a member at St. Francis and escorted us into the members tasting area and invited along our newfound friends, Pam & Andrew (yes, the same Andrew that I sprayed secondhand chard all over).  I must be very charming and beautiful-he forgave me right away.  Either that or he is just a really nice guy.  Remains to be seen….

So, the newly formed dynamic fivesome started in the member’s area with the 2006 Bacchi Zinfandel.  Now, I am on some kind of major Zin fetish these days-I don’t know what my deal is.  So I was very excited to try some of the Zin SF had to offer.  Funny moment #umpteen happened while trying this one.  The fivesome is standing in a circle trying to describe the wine.  For some reason all that kept coming to my mind as a description was the fact that there was a distinct beef jerky tone to the Zin.  Pam described it as “leathery”, and that was my cue.  I blurted out that it made me think of beef jerky (that isn’t the potential insult it sounds like to this wine), and Andy pulls a rolled up baggie of beef jerky out of his pocket?!?!  WTF?  It was too funny to be true.  In all fairness-it isn’t as funny typed as I thought it would be.  Trust me on this one.  It was FUNNY.  Then I started wondering if what people had in their pockets-aka:within smelling range-was coloring my experiences of these wines!  What a thought.  Might have to be a whole separate blog topic.  We tried 2 more Zins at SF-both very nice yet unremarkable.  Overall-a fantastic experience that I will repeat again and again over the years I am sure with many different groups of people.  Andy, Pam, Jeff & Jason will remain my faves from this place I am sure…

We then went back to Rubicon.  See recent post re: Rubicon.  Nothing has changed.  Much I love there-most of it the staff.  I got to chat with Sean and Dave this time.  Fun fun.  Seriously enjoy the wines every time.  And yay-it was dry.  Hallelujah.

Then we headed down to Domaine Chandon for a glass of Etoile to finish the day.  As good as it usually is.  No major incidents here either way, except that the guy who served us was overly talkative and annoying.  No fun.  Don’t get me wrong-if he wasn’t annoying I would have loved to chat all night long.  Ask anyone-you normally can’t keep me quiet.  But.  Ya know.  Even I have limits.

Grabbed some fantastic mexican take out on the way back to town.  I have to call this day a great success. 

Thanks for the invite, Jeff.  Great idea.

http://www.stfranciswinery.com/index.asp

http://www.pragerport.com/

http://www.rubiconestate.com/flash.php

http://www.chandon.com/

The service is reliably great.  The food is usually very good.  There are always great coupons and secret specials to be found online.  The dark atmosphere provides some serious ambiance.  

Enough ambiance to set me up to discover my first couple in the large stall in the ladies room one night.  HOT  =)

What does this have to do with a brewery you might be asking?  Be patient.  I swear I will get there eventually.

So, yesterday was a lazy Monday.  It started raining and I decided to put all the plants outside to get some of nature’s love.  Around this time my roomie/lifelong friend asked if I wanted to grab some lunch.  Of course I did.  Any excuse to go out in the rain-even if it would mean ruining the good hair day I was finally having.  So, once we knew the lunch crowd would safely be gone we headed down to EJ Phair in Todos Santos Plaza, Concord.  Todos Santos has been slowly getting a facelift for a while now, and I am pleased every time I go down there.  Concord isn’t just the hood anymore, people!  There are some cute if not great restaurants, several cafe selections (aka: not just Starbucks!), and the farmer’s Market is here every Tuesday morning and Thursday evening.  The atmosphere is improving all the time and it wasn’t bad to begin with.

We were greeted and seated promptly at EJ Phair.  This was my 3rd visit in 4 years and the food improves every time.  The prices are decent and the specials are consistently good.  We ordered the BLTA, the Chicken Pesto Wrap and a cup of the potato soup.  Delish.  All of it.  

The service was good, the food was good, the service was attentive and polite.  What more can you ask for?  Maybe I should try the beer and see what the big deal is someday..  =)

Then, we headed out in the pouring rain and ducked into the Panama Bay Coffee Shop next door for a latte that S*bux wishes it could make. 

Rainy day perfection…

http://www.ejphair.com/

http://www.panamaredcoffee.com/concord.html

Ahhhhhhh, Stacey, Where to begin…

Before I can heap any praise at all (no matter how deserved it might be) on the Pleasanton location, I must ask that you IMMEDIATELY close the doors in Dublin.  EWWE.  Awful. Icky.  Need I say more?  There is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than a bad imitation!

Okay, on to the good stuff.  

This place is incredible.  Fun, inventive food made and served by people who obviously love food and don’t mind their jobs.  It is a pleasure every time I walk in the door.  I have never even heard of a house salad as good as this one.  It is a mixed green salad with dried cranberries, candied walnuts-all dressed in a really great champagne vinaigrette and topped with crumbled chevre.  Oh Yeah.  Some days I will just order a small house salad and be completely happy.   I also love love love the risotto specials and the Chicken sandwich.  Delectable.  Scrumptious.  Everything I have tried here has been great, and yes-the menu is funny.  There is Dilbert memorabilia all around the place (it is co-owned by Scott Adams-creator of Dilbert).  It all adds up to a great experience.  Not cheesy or snarky like the Dilbert associations might suggest, not snotty like the downtown Pleasanton location might provoke.  Charming.  Relaxing.  Exactly where you want to go to have a fantastic meal good enough to impress a first date in an atmosphere you would be equally comfortable in wearing jeans, a suit or your best datewear. Best of all-only a couple of snobs work here.  

The wine list is extensive and not awful on pricing.  You must try the Cosmo-it was voted “Best of the Bay”.  Speaking of cocktails….

The only issue I have ever had with Stacey’s (aside from my tragic visit to the Dublin locale) was when the manager asked me one balmy evening if I needed a taxi since I had ordered 4 Lemon Drops.  Problem was-I had only one drink with my meal.  When I explained this to her, she looked at me like I really was tanked.  

I still give her the finger when I walk past.