Kayde's Profile
Chez Panisse 2012
On pairing, not CP. The other night at Donato Enoteca, we just asked for pairings (not on the menu), and the chef, sommelier and our waiter put together an excellent and interesting series of Italian wines - essentially they split several different wines-by-the-glass. Excellent. It was easy, good, and they obviously enjoyed doing it, so I'm going to make a habit of asking.
One year of date night dinners
April Report:
Following a cluster of late afternoon appointments on Monday in Redwood City, we decided to bypass rush hour and give Donato Enoteca a try. We were seated in the airy front room alongside counter seating and busy open kitchen, and sat down to glasses of Drusian Proseco with house bread and tapenade. We went for the 7 course tasting menu ($68), and were glad we did. The chef devises them on the spot and accommodates preferences or aversions. We requested one weekly special item: grilled Monterrey sardines, but otherwise the chef chose among menu and special items, and added a few that were off-menu, like house-made ravioli of wild greens and Robiola cheese sauteed with brown butter and sage on a bed of mixed wild mushrooms. Just one delicious well-composed example of many. Oh, and risotto parmigiana with slow-roasted pork belly, crisped and glazed just before serving...
We asked for wine recommendations, and the chef, sommelier and our waiter devised a pairing series of interesting Italian wines - one white, 2 reds - tasty every one, and each complemented the course in front of us as well as the one that followed.
Our young waiter not only kept things moving smoothly at our pace (leisurely) but he was an enthusiastic collaborator. He described each course well, but not as though he was making a declamation, he listened, reported to the kitchen and, by request, he circled our courses that were on the menu and hand-wrote descriptions of those that were not.
The 3 course weekly prix-fixe ($34) looked good and good value, and Monday night a varied clientele spread about a range of seating options: patio, counter, private rooms, large and more formal dining rooms. We really like Donato Enoteca, enjoy the fresh-tasting combinations of ingredients in the Italian tradition, as well as the carefully selected wine list, and especially would recommend it to people who live or work on the Peninsula.
One year of date night dinners
Yes, across the range of reviews words like "sterile" and "refrigerator" come up often, even "indifferent," and that was not at all our experience. Hubby loves to explore good food, but has zero interest in temples to gastronomy or pretension to such, and he had a wonderful time, thanked me for choosing Commis. And commented that he felt perfectly satisfied, and better satisfied than after meals that had left him "full." We don't often spend that much, but it may now top the Special list.
One year of date night dinners
So last night we went to Commis - sat at the counter and tried their wine and beer pairings. All those wonderful bites of intense flavor with texture, chew and crunch, and each pairing was delicious. We talked comfortably without raising voices and enjoyed watching the chef, sous chef and all compose various assemblies over and over again (lots of tweezers) and the overall effect was relaxed and relaxing. In fact, we enjoyed an evening of perfectly delicious courses and in an atmosphere much warmer and more welcoming than I had expected. One surprise ingredient was oxalis: Yes, new use for the yellow flowered weed that pops up around my garden, as well as some joking that they'd already come by for some of mine.
The Rellik Tavern – One of the best bars in the Bay Area [Benicia]
Telling detail - that they keep Ron Zacapa on the shelf.
Sounds wonderful. Glad to see exploration of the Benecia-Martinez-Vallejo area.
One year of date night dinners
I know exactly what you mean...
btw - our March destination is Commis.
One year of date night dinners
February has been pretty hectic, but to keep on track with the monthly date nights, last night we went to B-Dama. Thanks, abstractpoet, for the suggestion - lively izakaya house scene and delicious food. One server in particular helped us narrow our initial choices off the specials board, as well as several yakitori (tongue, chicken cartilage, quail egg with short rib), and we kept adding more. We spent nearly 2 hours sipping, nibbling tasty bites and talking - definitely a good time, and the total bill was just over $60. It is a bit noisy, but we had no trouble conversing at a tiny corner table. Definitely a return spot, and often.
One year of date night dinners
Open kitchen does have its sacrifices, but reverential is not the scene I was hoping for. I do appreciate your observation and will discuss this again before making reservations. Commis might be it for February.
mirror finish of stainless steel roaster - functional?
Thanks everyone for a very interesting discussion. But, aside from what comes off with a quick scrub, I think I'm going to decide that it's all patina - what happens to anything (or anyone) that is well-loved and well-used.
mirror finish of stainless steel roaster - functional?
Thanks, all. Kaleo's points about properties of different surfaces are excellent - as I personally have had entirely different results baking bread in dark metal and pyrex pans.
For me, the immediate question is: How might the shiny surface affect function? Is it worth trying to get off every bit of baked-on grease? It did occur to me that even a bit of stuck stuff could be like a magnet to yet more stuff, but if it's just cosmetic I don't really care.
Would any of you use copper or steel wool on a pan like this?
mirror finish of stainless steel roaster - functional?
Does the mirror finish of a stainless steel roaster have any particular function?
After coveting the ergonomics, the sheer ease of my brother's roasting pan and rack, both with great big handles so perfectly placed, I took advantage of post-holiday sales and bought an All-Clad stainless roasting pan, which came with a nonstick rack. Sunday I inaugurated them with a slow-roasted leg of lamb, and then raised the heat and added some potatoes with rosemary - all were just delicious - and the pan was nice and heavy, perfect on the stovetop when I added red wine to the pan drippings.
After dinner I put them all in the dishwasher, as recommended. The nonstick rack was a bit duller, but otherwise fine, though some cooked-in grease still stuck to the roasting pan. I scrubbed a bit with a soapy plastic wool, wondering why, as I normally live with a certain amount of...let's call it patina. But the roaster came with such a mirror finish as I rarely see, and I can't help but think it may have a function.
So, do any of you know the answer? Have any good guesses?
One year of date night dinners
Thanks much, and it really is.
Maybe I should clarify - we each had a crab dinner and we split the herring salad and the duck plate, served in the order above. Which does add another few wrinkles into the service, but you'd never have guessed that from the team. So still more praise to the Camino kitchen and floor staff.
One year of date night dinners
So this is the January entry, in which we bent the rules. As others on this board have mentioned, Camino is very noisy, which is the main reason I wasn't going to consider it for date night, but we hadn't been there, so last night we went to the Monday Crab Feed at Camino and counted it for January.
We ordered 2 crab specials, and decided to add the pickled herring plate and the grilled duck while we were at it. Our main server arranged with the kitchen so that everything was spaced into separate courses.
So first the spicy crab broth with rice, scallions and chiles. Absolutely tasty, but not particularly spicy.
Then the salad of local house-pickled herring, mussels and potatoes, with mixed fresh herbs and house-made turnip kraut. Herring still had a fresh taste, not overpowered by salt, and turnip kraut was nice and crunchy.
Then halves of fireplace grilled Dungeness crab served over new potatoes, broccoli romanesco, chicory salad with a spoonful of garlic mayonnaise. Perfect. Aside from the mayo (excellent, but a little went a long way) not a shred was left on either plate.
Then grilled duck breast and slow-cooked leg with prunes, spatzle and homemade sauerkraut. We each had a couple perfectly moist slices of duck breast and set the rest of the meat aside (for the next day) while we polished off spatzle, prunes and sauerkraut. Another great melding of flavor and texture, as this kraut was also cut thick and nicely crunchy, wine-soaked prunes sweet-tart and soft, the spatzle substantial.
Dessert was buckwheat shortcake (crisp on the outside, earthy and just sweet enough) with slices of mixed citrus and whipped cream.
Servers were attentive and good-natured, drinks and plates arrived and disappeared at a perfect pace, which takes some organization, especially as the long tables filled. Twice we were brought what another party had ordered, and, when the error was promptly fixed, I saw that they were on the exactly opposite side of the dining room. We saw couples, threesomes, foursomes and larger groups come and go, and only as we were leaving did I realize that we'd been there for over 2 1/2 hours, and never once felt pressure to move on.
Yes, Camino is noisy, but neither of us found it unpleasant. It reminded my husband of dining room clamor in the big old resort hotels where his family vacationed throughout his childhood, and the association is comforting. But he did tell me that he could hear conversations on either side of us more easily that he could hear me (never a shrinking violet) and that was distracting, and may rule out Camino for future date nights.
But we will definitely be back. The food was excellent, fresh and inventively composed, it's a great atmosphere and the team of servers are a real asset. We had a wonderful time.
Decent Rye Bread in the east bay?
As a big fan of Octoberfeast, when others on this thread said their rye bread is dry, I decided to research that myself. And so, as of Friday, while the flavor is excellent, I concur that the Jewish Rye bread is on the dry side. But love those Octoberfeast pretzels, pretzel croissants, pretzel bread, and the Reaper buns are fabulous.
One year of date night dinners
We've been there, so rule number one knocks it out for date night. But many thanks for the reminder, because we'd like to return with a larger party. In fact, we've been wanting to treat a sister-in-law who worked for many years in Japan, and Kappou Gomi would be perfect - not only did she instigate the first visit, but they live in the Richmond.
One year of date night dinners
Boy, am I glad you all mentioned this. I thought we'd sit at the bar for the view, and assumed that we'd still talk comfortably. When I mentioned the bar idea to hubby he wasn't interested (though he likes the bar at various sushi places, so...?) Those front tables were my choice when Jojo's had that location.
One year of date night dinners
Jai Yun has been on my own must-do list for a couple of years. Close to BART is a good thing, especially in SF, though certainly not a requirement. We are less likely to drive to Sunnyvale, unless otherwise in or going through the area. But I appreciate every one of these.
One year of date night dinners
Oooh, thank you. Looks perfect - love spots with specific regional emphasis. I'll start making a plan and will report back.
One year of date night dinners
Thanks. I've been to O Chame, but it was long ago and I don't think hubby has ever been, so I say it fits the guidelines. B-Dama looks like a good suggestion too, and has the advantage of being closer and more likely to become a new fave.
I hope I didn't steer all suggestions toward Asian restaurants, though we have such a fabulous variety. Someone asked where we usually like to go, and when we go out, those happen to be the flavors and preparation we usually explore. Please - happy for all kinds of suggestions.
SF/East Bay restaurant and food trek report, and thanks
Great report in general, and I'll second your account of the Friday trek - a very good time. You covered amazing ground while in the area. We were planning to hit A Cote and Marica for dinner soon, and now might move them up the list.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/828108
One year of date night dinners
Thanks for all the replies so far. I loved Manka's and we've already been to Chez Panisse Cafe and downstairs. I was thinking of Commis when I said this project might spur me to actually make reservations. Was thinking of Haven, maybe Pican, and haven't yet been to Camino, but hear (!) that it's too noisy for a date night. The host at Wood Tavern told me to reserve a particular table if we actually want to talk. To tell the truth, I'm a pretty darned good cook, and most of the time when we go out it's usually for good budget food that is nothing like what I make at home. Shan Dong noodles. Sushi. The only-in-Chinese menu at Flower Lounge. Chop Bar pig roast. I was thinking of Jai Yun, for example. Looked at B-Dama and can't believe we haven't been there, especially for tongue and cartilage - yay! But back room A Cote sounds great, Marica does too., and I hadn't heard of Lazy Bear, but looks fun.
I appreciate your thoughts on this.
One year of date night dinners
Would denizens of this board help me plan a year of date night dinners?
My husband told me that my big gift would be one special dinner every month of 2012. HOWEVER, he set a few rules:
The restaurant must be new to us - nowhere we've ever been before.
This is a Date Night and dinner is the focus, not a bite before or after a play or concert.
We're both adventurous eaters, have zero dietary issues, and really have fun exploring a variety of foods, ethnic markets and restaurants. In general, food is primary, not tablecloths, and these dinners are absolutely not shakedowns. But since there is a Date Night theme, I think that really really noisy places are out, no matter how good the food might be, and, while reservations are not obligatory, we're probably not looking for a wait in line either. We have a whole year to plan, this could be the spur needed to make reservations at places that normally seem like too daunting a wait. We live in Oakland, so nearby would be the focus, but don't limit yourselves - we've been known to overnight elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area, and besides, we're willing to trek for good food.
Any intrepid souls out there?
Good catch. I pasted the name from a review of a few years ago. After a year or so absence, we were there not long ago and, aside from the flat screen, it seemed the same. Had pho, not snacks, but I'm pretty sure they were on the menu.
Any intrepid souls out there?
That's my neighborhood too, and in the above post I forgot - that La Farine location will be closed all this week.
Where to find tongue near Palo Alto?
I love to shop at Mi Pueblo - super clean, excellent deli section. From time to time my Colombian husband pines for beef tongue in tomato salsa, and the meat department is my Go To spot for whatever my neighborhood butcher doesn't stock, especially tongue, oxtail, tripe (several kinds!). Just before Christmas, that's where I bought a pig's head and made my own headcheese.
Any intrepid souls out there?
La Farine has locations on Piedmont Ave. (across the street from the other Gregoire) and on Fruitvale Ave. Either would have easier parking than College.
I'm a fan of Vietnamese snacks at Pho Hoa Hung (2211 International Blvd) like steamed duck blood and goat hot pot, but those might take more time than you want to spend.
How long to keep Buche de Noel?
Made on Friday with chocolate and coffee ganache. And, after posting, I decided to call it research and we dug in ourselves.
So to report: While cake and ganache have maintained good flavor and consistency, refrigerator odors are going out to be the problem. The outer piece was just beginning to pick some up, still very slight, even for me, and my husband claims that I can detect anything. But, even if we hadn't cut into it, preservation as a Buche de Noel for Friday was unlikely. Not a total waste, I'm getting it into a sealed container, then on Friday will slice and recycle into some sort of raspberry/chocolate/sponge pudding. Still, it was gorgeous...
How long to keep Buche de Noel?
My brother was VERY clear Christmas morning that he had dessert more than covered and please not to bring more. Would my Buche de Noel last in the refrigerator until Friday, when we're having people for dinner? This is a sponge version.
Late Sunday afternoon dinner near Mariposa and Florida
Thanks so much. These all look like great options, and 5pm would work with our timing.
Late Sunday afternoon dinner near Mariposa and Florida
Please help. We need a spot for a good, but not too lingering, late afternoon meal before an early Sunday eve performance on Florida St. between 17th and Mariposa. I don't recall much beyond coffee right in the area, though that was a couple years ago and things change. I was thinking of the variety of Asian, Middle Eastern or Latin American flavors heading toward the Mission area, but all suggestions in all directions are appreciated. One of our friends (party of 4 to 6) is having a birthday, so might want more than a "hole-in-the-wall".
