I'm in the Bay Area so I'm lucky enough to have the amazing Berkely Bowl grocery nearby .. those fat gorgeous morels were next to the fresh fiddlehead ferns (gasp) which were next to the fresh favas. It was spring-a-palooza!

Couldn't resist and bought a half pound of these beauties today. Can't decide what to do with them .. I'm a little giddy. What's your favorite way to serve these?

We're having a late dinner in Yountville and are looking for somewhere with a great bar appetizer menu so we can snack and have cocktails beforehand. Doesn't have to be in Yountville - greater Napa area is fine. Any thoughts?

Looking for handmade, yummy tamales in Concord - taco truck works so does a grocery store or even a restaurant that does to go ...

Any suggestions?

Want to try some authentic arepas (not too reengineered for modern times) but don't know where to try.. Prefer somewhere I can take-out and not have to sit down to order them.

The Yankee Pier in Lafayette has been getting pretty good reviews. And it puts you close to the Walnut Creek or Orinda theaters.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/513284

Just to throw another idea in the mix ... the Slanted Door has a truly fine beer list - mostly really great Belgiums. It goes so very well with Vietnamese food.

La Taqueria on Locust Street is a good choice for fresh, tasty and reasonably authentic Mexican in Walnut Creek. Nothing fancy - burritos, tacos, etc. but very good. The lengua tacos are my personal favorite.

I have a very nice brisket I wanted to take with us on a camping trip. Since I know that BBQing low and slow is the way to cook it I thought that I would pre-cook it at home and then somehow "finish" it when we camped - presumably over our Smokey Joe at camp. I don't want to cook it all the way through because I was hoping to serve it warm for dinner.

Any advice on how cook it at home and then finish it over the camp BBQ (without destroying it, of course)?

Hi - Planning a birthday dinner and was looking for a festive atmosphere as well as awesome Italian. I think Oliveto and Incanto will both come through on the food side. The question is which one lends itself better to a festive birthday dinner for four chowhounds?

Thanks!

Hi - We are going to a concert Sat. night and need to catch an early dinner (5:00 ish). Both are on Piedmont Ave. which is close enough to where we will be seeing the concert. I know it might be hard to compare the two but they both are places I've really wanted to try.

We'd like to keep it under $50-60 for two without wine added in. Also considering the weather of late, can you eat outside at either spot?

Finally, the food at Dopo seems to get mixed reviews. What are folks' experiences of late at either spot.

Thanks so much!

Hi - My parents are interested in "eating" their way around a city or region of Italy. They do not want cooking classes nor do they want the emphasis to be on wine. Food/restaurants are what they are looking for. They are not so particular about which city or region as long as it is interesting and tasty.

They are seniors so a guided tour would be most preferrable (they are not willing to drive themselves around). I know they do not have unlimited funds so price does matter.

Has anyone taken a trip to Italy and used a company or guide for a culinary (not cooking class) tour?

Thanks!