jimtak's Profile
Any good strawberries yet this year?
The strawberry stand on the Silverado Trail, just north of Trancas on the west side, has been harvesting ripe, sweet berries for about three weeks. Even the big ones are red throughout, and so very tasty. Cole's and other Napa restaurants feature these berries on their dessert menus.
Help on Jamon Iberico
The labeling and advertising are form the proper importer, and listed retailer. Caveat emptor
Help on Jamon Iberico
I just received a long desired Jamon Iberico, and was shocked to find that this arrived, labeled Jamon Iberico, but with white hooves, not the "pata negro". In Spain, I have seen these black feet on the hams hanging in the shops and restaurants, and on the hams in their carving holders. so that makes me suspect.
No word, yet, from the on-line purveyor, whom I have dealt with for many years.
Does anyone out there have any reason why an authentic Jamon Iberico might have white hooves?
Crane Melon Barn Update
Alternative - Tierra Farms (Airport Rd, north east side) farmstand in north Santa Rosa has organic Crane Melons. and Yum indeed.
Live in-shell scallops?
I've purchased frozen langoustines (Dublin prawns) from:
, pricey, but wonderful on a paella.
Where can I find steamers?
Like looking for a real lobster roll, soft shell steamers are a down east nosh.
And, while it might be interesting to try to dig them up where they are invading, your best bet is to order them from the on-line stores. They usually arrive fresh and alive, and when steamed on a bed of seaweed, oh so good.
Sushi in the City
For an interesting take on Sustainable Sushi:
Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar
www.tatakisushibar.com
2815 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 931-1182
ISO Wild Boar Bacon
Had a side order of this at Little Dom's in LA - wow! I can order it from d'Artagnan, but has anyone seen it in shops in the North Bay?
Where to find Padron Peppers?
Padrons should be much smaller than Shishito, little 1 square inch hearts. And part of the theater of the padrons is that every once in a while, its flame-on!
Where to buy Goat Meat
If you want local goat (or lamb) you could contact -
I've bought spring lambs from Don the last two years for the family Ishtar lamb roast, and am planning on roasting a goat soon. His sheep and goats weed the local vineyards in Napa/Sonoma.
Japchae - Korean noodles
Wow! I usually hit this spot for lunch and have not experienced mandatory charges...and since there is onlyone person in the kitchen, and one person handling the front (seatings, order taking, service), understand the "slow service"...
Morimoto in Napa
This could be a very interesting neighborhood. The paper shows that there is planting going into the mudflats on the river -
Where to find Padron Peppers?
Great find, napawinegirl, I'll have to stop at D&D on the way home...Happy Quail had this pepper exclusively for years. Conpetition is wellcome.
Japchae - Korean noodles
Had to stop for lunch between Sonoma and Geyserville, and remembered the Bear Korean restaurant in Cotati. A fast order of glistening japchae - cellophane noodles saute'd in sesame oil with a few greens - or a lunch special. Hits the spot, and is such a relief from sandwiches and sushi.
Bear Korean Restaurant
8577 Gravenstein Highway
Cotati, CA 94931
Red Crawfish in the TL
Years ago I read an article while at a conference in Anaheim (hotel reading material) about one of the Boiling Crab - type spots. This referenced a Vietnamese family who, after escaping by boat, ended up in Louisiana. And in the shrimping business. The men worked the boat, the women started a shrimp and crawfish boil business. Then along came Katrina. Boats destroyed, crabshack smashed. They relocated to the OC where they had family, and opened a crab/crawfish and shrimp shack.
My problem, when I went to the restaurant (and I cannot recall the name) is that the claim was that all the shellfish were fresh. In August, I asked, where would you get fresh dungeness and crawfish? No answer for that.
Vegetarian Japanese
Tataki has a menu section specific for vegetarians. And for the fish eaters, their choices are sustainable.
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Tataki
2815 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Good place for sweetbreads?
Shiraz in Santa Rosa has exquisite sweetbread preparations.
jumbo blue crab in SF?
99Ranch and the Seafood City stores sometimes have live blue crabs, but they are the Asian blue swimmer crabs - similar, but not the same species as the beautiful swimmers of the US East Coast.
The End of the Line
This new documentary film release explores the question of the sustainability of fish. We now know that human predation patterns which target the biggest prey has eliminated the bulk of the breeding populations of key species - Atlantic Cod, Bluefin and Bigeye tuna, Monkfish being just the beginning of the list.
ISO whole Katsuoboshi
OK, San Francisco Magazine featured Katsuboshi and its use in non-Japanese restaurants.
Some appear to have found the whole smoked, dried fillets of skipjack in LA Japanese markets - Mitsuya, Maruwa and Nijiya...
Anyone know if Bay Area/San Jose Japanese markets routinely stock these "fish logs"?
Jet-Lagged in Napa!
Taylor's Refresher also has a location in Napa at the Oxbow Market, open until 9 PM.
A little closer to Silverado...
Honey King @ Vallergas Market, Napa - who's been?
That's true, two other Vallergas markets have closed, leaving the Solano and Redwood the sole site. Also have to mention that they have a good butcher section - buy my whole hogs there. And they carry fresh tumeric! However, their gobo (burdock root) is dried out, always.
napa lunch/activity with toddler
North end of Washington Street in Yountville has a play park.
In St. Helena, there is a park down Adams street, just past the elementary school
dessert wine tasting at wineries
Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville has two - Moscato d' Oro 2007 and a Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis 2000
Willie Bird?
I took the challenge one day and had a meal there. It was perhaps one step above a cafeteria turkey and fixin's. Most of the diners were locals, but not "foodies".
Any wine tours stop by Bouchon Bakery?
I know that some bus tour stops at the V Marketplace 1870, which is right across the street from Bouchon, as I got caught at the crosswalk waiting for a few dozen tourists to walk n' talk their way across Washington St. And I did notice that they formed a long line snakling out of Bouchon...but, sorry, I didn't register the name on the bus...
What are the most popular, limited-supply food items in SF?
Thank you, Robert - I'll be looking for them when I can get out of the North Bay...
What are the most popular, limited-supply food items in SF?
Pimenton de Padron - one grower, found at only a couple of FM's...
