JonDough's Profile
Saison weekend prices?
The menu is the same because it is the format for their tasting menus. From what I was told, the dishes will be different but they will come out in that order and have to do with that theme.
Best restaurant desserts?
When did he move? I had dinner at Saison last month and the desserts were good but not mind blowing. In November I ate at Benu and 1 dessert was very good and the other was meh - I didn't finish it. I agree, most desserts at high end restaurants seem same old same old. I am actually really looking forward to what Atelier Crenn has to offer from all the favorable reviews lately.
Need suggestions for 5 day trip to SF/Napa Valley from NYC
Good point. It didn’t occur to me that your family has to eat too :). I listed a few suggestions below. I hope some people more familiar with Oakland can chime in.
Driving time from both restaurants (times are based on mapquest):
Dopo – Italian - 1 minute probably 10 minutes walking. It is up the street from Commis. Dopo’s sister restaurant Adesso is up the street as well. Great for cocktails and salumi.
Barlata – Spanish – 4 minutes
Wood Tavern – American – 7 minutes
Oliveto – Italian – 6 minutes
A Cote – French – 5 minutes
Burma Superstar – Burmese – 4 minutes
Need suggestions for 5 day trip to SF/Napa Valley from NYC
I think you should really consider Commis. Like Dustin_E said it is a great value and probably one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. If you dine alone you should get a counter seat. To me, it would be harder to dine alone at Saison or Benu.
New to SF. Perfect tasting menu at 5star place for 30th bday?
My vote is for Saison. I took my parents there this week and we loved it (one of the dishes was a foie gras toffee that I am still dreaming about). I thought it was better than Benu. It is expensive though. For four it came out to be around $250 per person with drinks and it can easily be more. The meal was very sea food focused - only 1 red meat dish. The meal was about 15 courses and took around 3-3.5 hours. Very easy to have a conversation with the people you are with.
My second vote is for Commis - one of my favorite restaurants. Probably one of the best values in SF/Oakland. I just love eating here.
Paso Robles Sangiovese?
There are some Livermore wineries that have Sangiovese. I know Mitchell Katz has one. Ruby Hill might have one too.
Marcel's Quantum Kitchen
He is a talented chef but the show didn't really do anything for his image - he still annoys me.
The egg nest surprise didn't look appealing to me at all and the dragon fruit cocktail looked like a dish Kevin made in Singapore. I was hoping for a little more from the "Quantum Kitchen".
I don't think I am going to DVR the show but I'll watch it if nothing else is on.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #9 - 02/09/11 (Spoilers)
He also killed it on the deconstruction challenge with the Mole.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #9 - 02/09/11 (Spoilers)
I always thought that Michael Volt talking down to Kevin was more due to editing than an actual conflict. He had that one comment that he could have said in a moment of frustration and Bravo just played it over and over.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #7 - 01/19/11 (Spoilers)
Marcel shouldn't give advice when he has trouble cooking his own food. That is one thing that bugs me about Interview/blog below. He doesn't think he went home because his food was bad. He believes he went home ONLY because he was a bad leader.
http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/20/top-chef-all-stars-episode-7-blog/
What's the weirdest or most awful wine you've ever tasted?
I almost tried some in Vietnam - my college buddy from Vietnam warned me that the first time he tired it he threw up. We drank some pretty horrible stuff in college, so that is saying something. I was determined to try it, because i thought it would be a cool experience - the smell was so bad that I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #6 - 01/12/11 (Spoilers)
What bugs me from the article is this: "Ed Note: Her rep called back to say Lauren just watched the video and she'll take him up on it if she can fly to New York and he puts her up at the Four Seasons." - So Jaime will only do it if he pays for her expenses?? He is teaching her for free! I would pay my expenses and pay for the class to learn from Ripert.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #6 - 01/12/11 (Spoilers)
The male version of a hip hop britney spears
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #5 - 01/05/11 (Spoilers)
I just think it is crazy that she went from "my food is better than theirs" attitude to the down beaten attitude she has now.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #5 - 01/05/11 (Spoilers)
I really enjoyed Mike I's and Fabio's tweets from last night.
Mike: How funny is that @jamielauren didn't cook a dish again. LMAO
Fabio: Jamie ??? ONE CLAM ?? are you F kidding me ??? LMAO
It does feel like she is being picked on..but I am sure everyone feels like she should pack her unused knives and go.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #5 - 01/05/11 (Spoilers)
He got along with Jennifer Carroll just fine. Maybe his dislike for Jamie is from him believing that Jaime is the reason Jennifer was kicked off?
Btw - Jamie is a mess. Has she made one successful dish yet? It definitely doesn't look like she is on her game.
I'm having a problem
I read that "the diner draped his head with a linen napkin to preserve the precious aromas"
Temecula vineyard recommendations
You used to be able to get a discount on wine tasting at Orfila when you visited the Wild Animal park - might be worth looking into.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #2 - 12/08/10 (Spoilers)
Without looking back, she only got like two stitches. She should have powered through it.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #1 - 12/01/10 (Spoilers)
I actually think Mike I.'s dish looked really well composed. It also received good reactions from the other TC All Stars.
It does look like he gained a lot of weight though.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #1 - 12/01/10 (Spoilers)
She probably did TC All Stars to get free publicity for the opening of her new restaurant. After her performance on the show and this interview I would say that she failed to get positive publicity. Her interview turned me from having a neutral view of her to negative.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #1 - 12/01/10 (Spoilers)
I am not a huge fan of AB either but nothing about Fabio's dish looked appetizing. We eat first with our eyes. A poor dish is a poor dish.
Foods that are better made in SF than NYC?
You can find Scuplin in the Bay Area. I believe Bev Mo has it sometimes and a few liquor stores carry it as well. I was just shocked at the price, I am used to buying it for $3. Stone's IPA might be worth trying as well.
