Tribute to Laiola

Photo from Bay Area Bites

It's hard to believe I haven't lamented the loss of my previously favorite SF restaurant on this blog, despite its being closed for over two years. The upside is we now have Tacolicious and the pan con chocolate remains on the menu! The downside is we lose a pleasant atmosphere filled with conversational bar backs, excellent tapas, and being seated quickly (in this city, it's a huge loss).  I will miss you, Laiola!

Tribute to Yoshida Ya

When I first flew into SF to visit John, he took me to a quaint Japanese restaurant across the street for romantic sukiyaki and sake. Seated in the window just off Union Street, it felt so deliciously comfortable and stylish to feast on blazing hot and soup. By the time I moved to SF, it had closed and reopened as the chic Umami, but we'll never forget Yoshida Ya!

Tribute to Nana

What I remember most about Thanksgiving at Nana's was that she insisted on making every single family member's favorite dish, even if it meant cooking enough food for an army! My favorite dish was the turkey appetizer, which I can't imagine a Thanksgiving without. I love Nana's attention to detail: pimento draped over the dried squash stem for the turkey's snood (yes, that's a real thing!)

Tribute to Jeanty at Jack's

Sad news from Sacramento. Street, that is. Jeanty at Jack's has closed after nearly 150 years! I will miss the gorgeous French cuisine, the semi-private feel of the rooms harking back to when it was a bordello, the daily specials written on never-ending mirrors, and the puff-pastry tomato bisque more than I can say! According to our waitor/historian, Jeanty at Jack's was the oldest restaurant in San Francisco that had stayed in the same location since opening, and was the fourth oldest restaurant in the city (after Tadich Grill and a couple others - Sam's?) Also, the Jack's in the restaurant's name was given for the fields that surrounded it when it opened, abounding with Jack rabbits!

Tribute to Random Indian Food

On a trip to Manhattan in 2003 I dropped off my friend and host at class in the Tisch school and walked a few blocks to discover a magical street lined with Indian restaurants. I was lured in by the promoter outside a spot with live sitar music and sat down to more food than should ever be allowed one person. Coconut naan, butter chicken…if only I could find this mystical street again!

Tribute to GMM

Ever since I can remember, my all-time favorite dessert, you know, the one I used to request (demand) for my birthdays growing up, is chocolate wafer icebox cake. Grandma Marg (GMM) used to make this long before I fell in love with it, or maybe that’s the reason I did. The recipe is literally chocolate wafers and whipping cream (add grand marnier instead of sugar, just as GMM would do!)

Tribute to Marjorie

Marjorie was one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle on 2nd & Battery. Better mojitos than I've ever tasted and a combination patio-happy-hour to rival all others. I will miss it!