Dreamy Food Dimensions Through Soledad

Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia: Milan, Italy

2012-02-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

Date: jeudi 2 octobre 2011 Location: Via Montecuccoli 6 Milano, Italy Telephone: +39 02 416886 http://www.aimoenadia.com/ At Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia, I had one of the nicest, most beautiful, memorable eating experiences ever. Big statement, coming from me, a well traveled citizen of the world constantly in search of the best food and wine. I have an affinity for all things Italian -

12 האחים, אבן גבירול Ha'achim (The Brothers), Tel Aviv: Israel

2012-02-01T01:08:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 28 janvier 2012 Address: 12 Ibn Gabirol, Tel AvivTelephone: +972 03 691 7171 So this was a typical lazy Sunday (I mean Saturday!) afternoon Soledad brunch, with an eclectic well-traveled international group made up of Israelis, Germans, Danish, an American, and myself - a 100% Taiwanese girlie. My experience here was evocative of scenes from "L'auberge Espagnol" (The Spanish

Fortuna Del Mar: Tel Aviv, Israel

2012-01-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

Date: 27 janvier 2012 Location: Tel Aviv Marina behind Carlton Hotel, facing water Telephone: +972 57 944 4036 http://fortunadelmar.rest-e.co.il/ I love this place. Fresh, savory, simple, casual, always open - especially during Fridays 4pm lunch when rest of Tel Aviv has already surrendered to siesta. Don't ask me why I always take weekend lunches so late. It's Soledad on the Medi, that's

Shila: Tel Aviv, Israel

2012-01-27T17:21:00.000-08:00

Date: 25 janvier 2012 Location: 182 Ben Yehuda Street Tel Aviv, Israel Tel: +972 57 943 9018 http://www.shila-rest.co.il/Article_E.php?Url_ID=40 Clean, simple, fresh. Tasty. A little less salt will do. Mais en generalement - tres bon dans sa simplicite. Good vibe and nice bar area. Adequete wine list. Must thank my sweet friend T.A. who always picks the good places. ^_^ Oh, and did I

Tel Aviv Port Farmer's Market: Tel Aviv, Israel

2012-01-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

Date: 26 janvier 2012 Location: Tel Aviv PortTel Aviv, Israel Tel Aviv port has a farmer's market much like other cities - San Francisco (Ferry Plaza), Barcelona (La Boqueria), or Madrid (Mercado de San Miguel http://soledad-bleu-etoile.blogspot.com/2011/01/mercardo-de-san-miguel-madrid.html). Here, it is a smaller version (since Tel Aviv is a small city), yet same colorful idea. Fresh

I ♥ Cafe Breakfasts in Tel Aviv!

2012-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 13 janvier 2012 Location: On Ben Yehuda, between Benedict and the small green grocery store (in true Israel fashion, I'll just omit the exact street coords and simply swag it!) Outside temperature: 11C/52F, Rainy I <3 cafe breakfasts in Tel Aviv. I love the cafe culture here in Tel Aviv. Anywhere on Ben Yehuda, Dizengoff, Rothschild, etc., you will find loads of small cafes

China Cafe: New York, NY

2011-12-24T06:56:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 23 decembre 2011 Location: 13 E. 37th St, New York, NY 10016 Telephone: +1 212 213 2810 http://cafechinanyc.com/about.html One of the things I love about life is diversity - food, people, culture. People and cultures can be so different and vast - however food always brings the two together, surpassing the language barriers or cultural challenges. Through food and wine is

Pierre Gagnaire, Michelin Three Star: Paris, FRANCE

2011-12-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

Date: 13 juillet 2011 Location: 6 rue Balzac, Paris, 75008, FranceTelephone: +33 (0)1 58 36 12 50 http://www.pierre-gagnaire.com/http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/1-50-winners/pierre-gagnaire One of the Top 5 Restaurants in the World, in Soledad’s book. In that small handful also includes L’Ardoise (Paris), Mozaic (Bali), and Aimo e Nadia (Milan). Until this day, the memory of my

Cordelia: Tel Aviv, ISRAEL

2011-11-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 5 novembre 2011 Location: 30 Yefet Street Jaffa (Tel Aviv), Israel Telephone: +972 3 518 4668 http://www.cordelia.co.il/?ID_Ctg=20 Comparison to: http://www.tacobell.com/ I was enthusiastic to try this "Modern French" restaurant in Tel Aviv (Jaffa neighborhood). The online description read "dark, gothic, candleabras, warm, romantic..." The food descriptions also made Chef

Danny's Kitchen: Taipei, TAIWAN

2011-11-05T05:28:00.000-07:00

Date: 27 juillet 2011 Location: Across from one of the Din Tai Feng's Great restaurant with fantastic Chinese chef (cute) who studied at Le Cordon Bleu in France. So naturally, the cuisine here is French base using freshness of local ingredients. Oh, and did I mention that of the most people who come to dine at Danny's Kitchen are mega wine enthusiasts. And I mean mega. Some of Taiwan's

Marshal Zen Garden Hot Springs Spa and Gourmet Fine Dining: Taipei, TAIWAN

2011-11-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Date: 25 juillet 2011 Address: Taipei Beitou Elegant Road 34 Telephone: +886 2 2893 5336 http://sgarden.lifeing.com.tw/front/bin/ptlist.phtml?Category=100479 In short - Classic. Refined. Sophisticated. Zen. Historic. Innovative. Quiet. For the gourmand. It has taken me awhile to get this blog posted. The reason for delay is not due to lack of prioritization. Rather, it is a matter

Akko and Elmoalem Restaurant: Israel

2011-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Date: 17 septembre 2011 Location: Akko http://www.acre.org.il/english/main/default.asp One of my favorite sites in Israel so far. Beautiful doesn't do this place justice. On the Medi, and one of the most well preserved sites in all the world. Take a walk through the underground Templars' Tunnel and see how advanced their modern day technology was for their times. So incredible, walking

Catit: Tel Aviv, ISRAEL

2011-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Date: mardi 27 septembre 2011 Location: 4 Hechal Ha Talmud Street Tel Aviv, Israel Telephone: +972 3 5107001 http://www.catit.co.il/ First night eating grand in Israel after an entire months' stay. Lucky girl. Before carrying on, must share that I have been reprimanded by fellow international food blogging friends that despite my food travel journeys being amazing, that my pictures frankly

Honda Japanese Cuisine: Taipei, TAIWAN

2011-09-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Date: 26 juillet 2011 Location: 1 Alley 7, Lane 303 NanJing East Road Section 3 #1 Taipei, Taiwan Tel: 886 02-2545-8828 There is excellent sushi in Taipei, if you know where to go. The sushi here made made me shed a tear (or two!) of happiness, you know, when you are masticating that piece of soft, melting, flesh and your eyes roll back in delight and you think to yourself - "wow, I am so

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo: Central, Hong Kong

2011-09-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Date: jeudi 28 juillet 2011 Location: Shop 202, Alexandra House 8 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel +852 2537 8859 http://www.ottoemezzobombana.com/en/homepage/ Video as filmed by my eating mate Simon Ng, sitting to my right that night. Typhoon Level 3 (Whilst dining at 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo - Hong Kong): www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABJcO-U98Ls The Italian cuisine here is perfecto. The

Alsace Wine Region & Hugel et Fils: Alsace, France

2011-09-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

Date: 11-13 juillet 2011 Location: Hugel et Fils Winery Riquewihr, Alsace France Alsace and Mosel have always been a priority wine region on my top places to visit. Perhaps not top on everyone's wine tourism list, yet these two regions are known by the pros in the industry as "white wine heaven." Alsace and Mosel are exceptionally beautiful. Picturesque might be the best way to describe

Middle Eastern Food in Arabic Region: Israel

2011-09-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 9 septembre 2011 Location: Somewhere in the Arab Region of Israel My third weekend in Israel. I met with friends in Tel Aviv who took me on a quick 3-stop lunch eating tour in the Arab region near Tel Aviv. I felt lucky to have a local friend lead the way, since not only do I love this kind of simple hole-in-the-wall street food (which is always hard to find the best ones in

Jerusalem, Israel

2011-09-03T12:58:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 3 septembre 2011 Location: Jerusalem - The Old City, Israel Getting around in Israel requires a reliable mode of transportation - a car. And patience. For a true city girl like me who has relinquished all driving responsibilities, I love my efficient life which has consisted of nothing more than a few minutes' taxi or subway transport for daily routine. Or, a hired car service

Turkiz Restaurant: Tel Aviv, Israel

2011-09-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

Date: 24 aout 2011 Location: Herz Roznblum Str. 6 Migdeley Ne'eman Tel Aviv, Israel Tel: 972 03 6996306 http://www.turkiz-rest.co.il/main-E.php My first meal in Tel Aviv. Turkiz (which means "turquoise" I learned yesterday) Restaurant, on the water. What a surprise! This is a beautiful, casual, and very relaxing restaurant with a view of the Mediterranean Sea. The food is fresh, and

Mosel Wine Region: Germany

2011-09-02T02:12:00.000-07:00

Date: 9-11 juillet 2011 Location: Zeltlingen, Germany Hotel: Zeltinger Hof Uferallee 23 54492 Zeltingen, Germany http://www.zeltinger-hof.de/ One word. Magnificent. "White wine heaven" is what the pros call the Mosel, a region I always knew I would visit without a doubt. In my Court of Master Sommelier class few years back, one of our instructors Master Sommelier Tim Gaiser introduced

Escargot, Foie Gras, and Chablis: Breakfast in Paris

2011-07-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 8 juillet 2011 Location: George V Cafe, en Champs Elysee Paris, France Life can be fantastic. Landed in Paris CDG this morning and was looking forward to the usual quick zip into Paris' 8th where my hotel is located. Unfortunately, I had not realized today was also the last day of Fashion Week in addition to something called everyone else in the world's summer vacation travel

Los Angeles Still Life: California

2011-07-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

Date: dimanche 3 juillet 2011 Location: West Los Angeles On a recent journey back to my college stomping grounds, stayed with my college girlfriend and we enjoyed a slow weekend of catching up on years of friendship over food and wine. My contributions that Sunday evening: 1 - 2002 1er Cru Chassagne Montrachet Domaine Romanet 2 - 2006 Hungarian Royal Tokaji 5 Puttanyos (classic favorite of

Brushstroke: NYC

2011-07-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Date: mardi 5 juillet 2011 Location: 30 Hudson Street New York, NY 10013 Telephone: +1 212 791 3771 Every so often, a new dining experience reminds you how fortunate you are to experience what most cannot even fathom. Last night I visited my dear friend Seju Yang, the Wine and Sake Director at Brushstroke, Chef David Bouley's newest creation. I was anxiuos to experience the wine and sake

Spruce SF: samedi 25 juin 2011

2011-06-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 25 juin 2011 Location: 3640 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94118 Tel: +1 415 931 5100 http://www.sprucesf.com/ Spruce SF used to be one of my favorite restaurants in the world. The wine list still is, no question. The cocktails - still the best in the world in my opinion. Spruce uses fresh herbs and flowers in their cocktails, and home brews their own liquers. I ordered

La Folie: San Francisco

2011-06-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 24 juin 2011 Address: 2316 Polk Street San Francisco, CA 94109 Tel: +1 415 776 5577 http://www.lafolie.com/html/about_us.html A 60hour weekend in San Francisco (wow!). Nice how just one extra day makes all the difference for my usual 48hour weekend stints. No question that restaurant eating was in the plan. I enjoy these weekends catching up with old friends over exquisite

The Schoolhouse: Wilton, Connecticut

2011-06-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

Date: mercredi 25 mai 2011 Location: 34 Cannon Road Wilton, CT Tel: +1 203 834 9816 "A special place where we spent a beautiful dinner. I'm glad you decided to go there that evening. Not only the wine was great." <3 The artisan cheese selection avec accoutrements that night - the Italian pairing was my favorite. Handsome European boys with beautiful accents. Sweet international girls

Le Jules Vernes Part Deux, Eiffel Tower: PARIS

2011-05-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 14 mai 2011 Location: Eiffel Tower A lovely three hour eating affair. Saturday lunch on a sunny day in an Alain Ducasse Michelin Star restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. Two Grand Crus. Lovely dishes, and very charming staff. Most of all, replete with a delightfully fun and cheerful eating partner sitting across from me while I took in the view of all of Paris. I loved it. It's just as

Corton: New York

2011-05-29T23:25:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 28 mai 2011 Location: 239 West Broadway New York, NY 10013 Tel: +1 212 219 2777 http://www.cortonnyc.com/ I guess, eating around the world with a critical approach has its positives and negatives. Constantly on the search for that next best, or similar experience. For this long holiday weekend in NYC, I was looking forward to a great meal after a solid month of non-stop carbon

2007 Domaine Bernard Ange Crozes-Hermitage

2011-05-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Date Tasted: jeudi 26 mai 2011 Location: New York "Northern Rhone to the rescue" quotes my similar palated friend upon reading my blog. 100% Syrah and opens with LOADS of complexity and character! A great bargain for the price conscious - and I love the fact that this wine still has my brain thinking on it the next day. I am a big fan of Crozes Hermitage Appellation of the Northern Rhone,

A16: San Francisco

2011-05-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 2 avril 2010 Location: 2355 Chestnut Street San Francisco, CA Tel: +1 415 771 2216 http://www.a16sf.com/ Italian in San Francisco. Spent quite a bit of time in Italy the past 6 months (two visits) - so I guess, my palate knows the rustic Italian fare. A16 was "good" but... frankly I was expecting a bit more considering so many people had raved about it. Wine list was indeed

Heirloom Cafe: San Francisco

2011-05-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 1 avril 2011 Location: 2500 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: +1 415 821 2500 Typical San Francisco style cooking. Fresh, seasonal, local, mostly organic. Barely any dressing on the salads, since the fresh sweetness in the greens speak for themselves. This was yet another one of those 48hour weekend trips to San Francisco - and recently my approach has been to

Cade Winery: Howell Mountain, St. Helena - CA

2011-05-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 21 mai 2011 Location: 360 Howell Mountain Road South Angwin, CA 94508 Tel: +1 707 965 2746 http://www.cadewinery.com/cade/ This is a beautiful, contemporary, serene, quiet winery. It is private-feeling and I almost hesitated to blog about this gem of a find. Reservations are a must (since this is a small production winery) and you will be introduced to Cade's wines while

Bellagio & Lake Como: ITALY

2011-05-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

Date: dimanche 8 mai 2011 Location: Bellagio via Lake Como, ITALY Train from Milano Centrale to Varenna, Italy. Meeting a good friend for lunch and afternoon stroll through a small, picturesque town and lakeside. This place is beautiful and it is no wonder some have tried to replicate it (although quite poorly) at the Bellagion casinos. For previous blog on dining for lunch in Varenna,

Gatto Milano: MILAN

2011-05-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 7 mai 2011 Location: via Castel Morrone, 10 Milan, Italy Telephone: +39 02 70006870 Naples, France, and Mediterrenean all fused into one. It was Saturday in Milan and I spent most the day lazing about in bed in my hotel room. By 6pm I was finally determined to get myself out of the hotel and to find someplace to eat. Dial in Milan friends? I was too lazy to start calling

Carre des Feuillants: PARIS

2011-05-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 14 mai 2011 Location: 14 rue Castiglione 75001 Paris Telephone: +33 01 42 86 82 82 http://www.carredesfeuillants.fr/index_en.html Michelin 2 star, with my girlfriend Monique. It's one thing dining out with the boys.. another experience entirely when just with the girls. Especially an intimate 1:1 dinner when with a fellow food wine snob (Burghound Sommelier Elizabeth Harcourt,

Le Jules Vernes, Eiffel Tower: PARIS

2011-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

Cocoron Soba House: New York

2011-05-16T03:50:00.000-07:00

Date: 16 mars 2011 Location: 61 Delancey Street New York, NY 10002-2916 Telephone: +1 212 925 5220 In search for the best noodle houses in NYC!! I have found one. Cocoron Soba Noodle House. They make everything fresh here, from their daily fresh soba noodes, down to their daily fresh tofu, and home made desserts. To top it off, each soba noodle dish is also individually prepared. The

15 East Sushi: New York

2011-05-16T03:19:00.000-07:00

Date: 26 mars 2011 Location: 15 E 15th St # B New York, NY 10003-3157 Tel: +1 212 647 0015 http://www.15eastrestaurant.com/ Beautiful, expensive, most tender and mouth watering sushi I have had in some time. Each small, delicate bite leaves you yearning for me. Dangerous on the wallet. :) Beautiful wine list, developed by sommelier Seju Yang (who is now the Head Sommelier at David

The Schoolhouse: Westport, Connecticut

2011-05-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

Date: 16 avril 2011 Location: 34 Cannon Road Wilton, CT 06897 Tel: +1 203 834 9816 http://www.schoolhouseatcannondale.com/ Good place for brunch in Westport area of Connecticut. Super cute! Hard for me to fall in love with this place coming from San Francisco (where we have the most succulent produce year round - YES even during the winter time!). Relaxing and calming environment, and you

48 Hours in Paris. One Boy. One Girl. Chilled Debauchery.

2011-05-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Date: Classified.Location: Paris. For a recent journey to Paris, I was pleased to be challenged with the task of putting together a 48 hour food and wine exploration. Quick hits, all but the best. I was armed with a few refined search tools – which were nothing but the sharpest in the industry. A Master Sommelier in my personal iPhone directory, another reputable winery owner of French

Slow Club: San Francisco

2011-03-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

Date: 26 fevrier 2011 Location: 2501 Mariposa Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: (415) 241-9390 Brunch. Have hit most San Franciscan brunch spots already, so searched for something new. Slow Club, not far from my house in the Mission. Cool, chich bar area; my british Hong Kong friend and I sauntered right up there and ordered our drinks (me, a cocktail; him, an espresso). Pomme frites

Laduree @ Harrods: London

2011-02-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 19 fevrier 2011 Location: Harrods, 87 Brompton Road Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL Tel: +44 020 7155 0111 The closest thing to the original Laduree in Paris. I'll take it however I can get it. Laduree in Harrods Knightsbrige. Must try the infamous Laduree Macaron in the following flavors: Violet, lemon, rose, caramel, and pistachio. Also, the heavenly velvet hot chocolate is

SNOG: London

2011-02-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 19 fevrieri Location: Snog Soho 9 Brewer Street London WIF ORG http://www.ifancyasnog.com/ Sexy neon disco yogurt in London. SNOG!

Yalla Yalla Beirut Street Food: London

2011-02-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 19 fevrier 2011 Location: 1 Green's Court, W1F 0HA London T 44 020 7287 7663 http://www.yalla-yalla.co.uk/ Yalla! "Hurry" in Arabic. I had been wanting to try this restaurant since it opened about two years ago. I read about its opening in the Financial Times. I remember reading it on the floor of my San Francisco apartment one Sunday afternoon, while flipping through the

Harrods Wine Shop: London

2011-02-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 19 fevrier 2011 Location: 87-135 Brompton Road (Knightsbridge) London SW1X 7XL England Soledad Candy Shop. Things I saw at Harrods and liked a lot!!!! Most of all, Montrachet Burgundy Magnums. Mmmmmmmm.......

Bourgogne - Cotes de Nuits, Seju Yang's Monthly Wine Tasting: NYC

2011-02-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 13 fevrier 2011 Location: Private residence in Soho, NYC. Not sure where to begin - just that unsurmountable luck fell upon me while dining at 15 East 15th Sushi last Friday night. Turns out our Korean-Japanese Sommelier Seju Yang, is a serious wine aficionado, though he humbly claims to have been embarrased when realizing he was serving a Master Sommelier that night. The three

1 Somm, 1 Master Somm, 1 Eve in NYC; 11 fevrier 2011.

2011-02-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 11 fevrier 2011 Locations: Momofuku, Morimoto, Tocqueville, 15 East 15th... all in the NYC. This is how we roll... San Francisco and NYC sommelier style. Cleaning up shop in NYC in one night! Dear friend Jesse B Master Somm was in NYC this weekend for the grand La Paulee Event. These guys aren't messing around. http://www.lapaulee.com/ When dining out with Jesse, food and

Mercado De San Miguel: Madrid, Spain

2011-01-30T07:49:00.000-08:00

Date: 22 decembre 2010 http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/ Spain is known for its characteristic "mercardos" - markets. These markets are the equivalent of a girl's candy store. Only better. If you know anything about Spain, then you know that they are first rate in jamon and manchego. Amongst other things are veerrryyy fresh seafood. My first experience at a mercado was in Barcelona a few

Vinoteca Barbechera Tapas & Wine Bar: Madrid, SPAIN

2011-01-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

Date: mardi 21 decembre 2010Location: C/ Gravina 1 28004 Madrid, Spainhttp://www.vinoteca-barbechera.com/index.html This wine bar shocked me with its down to earth, totally unpretentious environment and delivery of some of the most excellent tapas. I kind of remember sitting in high stool around glass tables that were resting on wine barrels, something like that. Service is a little rough, but

Lunch Time with Mallorca Tapas: Madrid, Spain

2011-01-22T17:01:00.000-08:00

Date: mardi 21 decembre 2010 Location: Madrid Office Tapas provided by: Our awesome Spaniard Manager and Mallorca Tapas http://www.pasteleria-mallorca.com/ I had finally arrived in Madrid the night prior from Milan, after a cancelled connecting flight in Brussels. Luckily I was able to hop onto the next flight (with only 13 open seats available!). Only 3 days in Madrid (and already 1 day

Il Cavallante Wine Bar: Milan, Italy

2011-01-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 19 decembre 2010Location: Via Ludovico Muratori, 320135 Milan, Italy Tel: 0254107325Italian wine bar with floor to ceiling windows and wine bottles. Noisy and boisterous inside, so not the place if you are looking for a cozy, quiet, intimate atmosphere to connect with a significant other. Updated daily wine list with whatever they have popular in stock at the moment, which is

Osteria Guilio Pane e O'jo: Milan, Italy

2011-01-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

Date: 11 decembre 2010 Location: Via Ludovico Muratori, 10 20135 Milan, Italy 02 5456189 http://www.giuliopaneojo.com/ This day was meant to be. All the stars aligned as 4 friends, who originally set to embark on two separate afternoon adventures, miraculously joined up by chance meeting in a flash of sliding doors. Earlier that day, we had spent a rare and sunny (yet COLD!), most splendid

Vecchio Varonna: Varonna, Italy

2011-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Date: 11 decembre 2010 Location: Contrada Scoscesa, 10 23828 Varenna (Lc) - Italy Tel. e Fax: 0341 830793 http://www.vecchiavarenna.it/vecchiavarenna2/index.html Lovely and quaint restaurant - with quite possibly one of the most well thought out and executed meals I experienced in the Milan region this last trip. Arriving at the restaurant by foot is the climax to the picturesque and

Lavanderia Il Girasole di Maurizio: Milan, ITALY

2011-01-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 19 decembre 2010 Location: Via Caterina Da Forli, 58, Milano COIN LAUNDRY! Tel: (+39)/(0)349 10 72 208 Metro: Near MA Metro station Bande NereHours: Open 07:40-22:00 including Sundays!! I had to blog about this experience, not knowing at the time what a big deal it was to do coin laundry in Italy (or other parts of Europe, apparently). I brought my American habits to other

N'ombra de Vin Milan: Milan, Italy

2010-12-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

Date: 8 decembre 2010 Location: Via San Marco, 2 20121 Milan, Italy http://www.nombradevin.it/chi_siamo.asp?lan=IT This is the perfect spot for a wine afficionado! You enter into a small cafe resembling that of a French Bistro. Then, you are taken down a flight of stairs on the right leading directly into the main dining hall - which is also a huge wine shop area. This was once the dining

Panini Giusto: Milan, Italy

2010-12-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

First eating experience in MILAN! Thanks to the coolest Jcat who performed much due diligence prior to landing, we knew exactly where to catch a perfect FIRST BITE in our Milanese eating experience! Having just touched down 8am local time (red eye flight from JFK and Frankfurt), we drove into Milan, checked into our swanky boutique hotel, got ourselves unpacked and situated, quickly caught up

Bar Agricole: San Francisco

2010-11-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 26 novembre 2010 Location: 355 11th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel: (415) 355-9400 http://www.baragricole.com/ Agricole rum, made from pure can sugar (not molasses). This new joint opened in August 2010. I'd anxiously been awaiting its revealing, having known about its clandestine R&D beginnings a year prior from fellow friend and hot Ducati rider Eric Johnson, who is a

Chez Maman: Potrero Hill, SF

2010-11-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 19 novembre 2010 Address: 1453 18th Street San Francisco, CA 94107-2801 Tel: (415) 824-7166 French. Cafe. Bistro. Escargot. Onion Soup w melted cheeeese. Crepes. Un Cafe. KIR ROYALE. Decadent chillax on a drizzly, cold, late Friday afternoon for late breakfast/lunch. Mmmmmm. In my cool neighborhood Potrero Hill. Love dining at the bar with a good friend and

PLOW: Potrero Hill, SF

2010-11-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 14 novembre 2010 Address: 1299 18th Street @ Texas San Francisco, CA 94107 Nyom nyom nyom!! PLOW is a new brekky/brunch joint that just opened a few blocks away from my house. Potrero Hill hood of SF, where the cool cats hang out. :) I had heard about this place for some time from local and international friends in HK (of all places!). Finally got to try it when I missed my

Mr. Pollo: San Francisco

2010-10-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Date: 22 octobre 2010 Location: 2823 Mission St x 24th San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: +1 415 374 5546 www.mrpollosf.com I don't know where to begin! This is a really fantastic restaurant and great bang for the buck. A true San Franciscan experience. Five star fine dining dishes in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the eclectic Mission neighborhood. Executive Chef Manny Jimenez (a real

Nombe Izakaya: San Francisco

2010-10-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

Date: 2 octobre 2010 Location: 2491 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: +1 415 681 7150 http://www.nombesf.com/ I'll say it once and I'll say it again. I love SF because it is one of the food and wine capitals of the world. I love it more because I can find just about any sort of authentic cuisine, within minutes of my home (now in the eclectic Potrero Hill/Mission hood). On a whim

Harvest Farm-to-Table: Carmel

2010-10-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Date: 25-26 septembre 2010 Location: Quail Lodge Golf Club 8205 Valley Greens Drive Carmel, CA 93923 Tel: +1 831 624 2888 What an amazing event! Fresh, organic, seasonal food, wine, and music all in one place! "Harvest: Farm-to-Table" is a yearly event presented by my friends at Coastal Luxury Management in Carmel, California. Appropriately named, Harvest takes place just at the end of

Quince: San Francisco

2010-09-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

Date: 16 septembre 2010 Location: 470 Pacific Avenue San Francisco, CA 94133 Tel: + 1 415 775 8500 www.quincerestaurant.com This is a beautiful and sophisticated restaurant. Modern French and Italian food is the specialty here, with fresh home made pasta daily. PERFECTLY Al Dente! An evening at Quince is truly a dining experience. Quince has impeccable service. Their staff is

Delarosa SF: San Francisco

2010-09-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Date: 12 septembre 2010 Address: 2175 Chestnut street San Francisco, CA 94123 Tel: (415) 673-7100 www.delarosasf.com What a surprise! My Top Chef friend Hosea Rosenberg was visiting this particular weekend, as a chef contestant in the yearly Kendall Jackson Tomato Heirloom Festival in Sonoma. Driving back into the city on Sunday, hungry, we wanted to try a new place in a different

LOLO SF: San Francisco

2010-08-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Date: 18 aout 2010 Location: 3230 22nd Street (bt Valencia and Mission) San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: +1 415 643 5656 http://www.lolosf.com/ HELLLLLOOOOOO Spanish/Medi/Turkish San Franciscan Mission style TAPAS! I LUUUV Lolo's!!!<-- Left: Tuna wrap... I've been to this trendy, funky, city hidden gem about a handful of times within the past year. It's in the Mission neighborhood of San

Heart Wine Bar: San Francisco

2010-08-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

Date: 31 juillet 2010 Location: 1270 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tel: +1 415 285 1200 http://www.heartsf.com/ So folks, it's been awhile since I blogged. I am extremely behind, I know. Life happens I guess! Thanks to all of your encouragement and feedback regarding support for reading my blog, I'm well motivated once again. Here's to getting back to blogging few x/month!

Traditional Balinese Food: Bali, Indonesia

2010-05-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

Date: 20-25 avril 2010 Location: Bali, Indonesia. Balinese cuisine is so savory and exotic. I cant write much on it because I am salivating just thinking about it... and at 11pm San Francisco time there is just no way I can get my hands on local Balinese dishes... so I won't even begin to try. Instead, I include the following links which describe Balinese food wonderfully. Bon appetit.. in

La Sal Spanish Tapas: Bali, Indonesia

2010-05-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Date: 20 avril 2010 Location: Jl. Drupadi Il No.100 Seminyak - Kuta - Bali Indonesia Tel: +62 361 738 321 http://restaurant-bali.com/html/la_sal_home.html Every night in Bali is a balmy tropical evening. The kind of warm, subtle humidity that vacationing couple's dreams are made of. Comfortable in your own skin around each other, clad in casual tank tops, cool button down shirts, shorts and

The Dharmawangsa for Afternoon Tea: Jakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

Date: 17 avril 2010 Location: Jl. Brawijaya Raya No. 26, Kebayoran Baru Jakarta 12160 Indonesia Tel: 62-21-7258181 http://www.the-dharmawangsa.com/ Beautiful place to take afternoon tea and coffee, bite sized south east asian desserts, and cuban cigars and cognac. Tranquille, tropical warm humidity... decadance in peaceful, quiet, serene environment.

Aroma Laut Grilled Local Seafood: Jakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Date: 17 avril 2010 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia. Eating with hands, that's the only way! Down homey hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Great local seafood. You pick, they bbq up for you. Honestly I think I got food poisoning from the local seafood here since my system is not accustomed to the local shellfish, but the experience was was worth it. =) Before entering the eating area, you will

Portico Terrace Bistro & Champagne Bar: Jakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

Date: 17 avril 2010 Location: Senayan City, Panin Tower Level Ground Jl. Asia Afrika kav. 19 Jakarta, Indonesia A swank restaurant and champagne bar at Senayan City, Jakarta. Seating area is an indoor Japanese inspired glass house, which allows one to sit indoors with cool air conditioning while still having the effect of being outdoors. Very chic concept catering to those who are looking for

Medan Baru - Northern Sumatran Small Eats: Jakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Date: 16 avril 2010 Location: Jl Krekot Bunder No. 65 Jakarta Pusat Very, very special ethnic Northern Sumatran small eats! I was totally elated to be taken here by my very dear and gracious host. This is one of those local joints that a tourist simply would not know about. Lucky for me I was in the know, tagging along as a willing visitor eager to try anything new and different that was

Marche Swiss Restaurant: Jakarta, Indonesia

2010-05-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Date: 16 avril 2010Location: Marche Plaza Senayan 10270 Jakarta5th Floor, Jl Asia-Afrika No. 8, IndonesiaTel: +62 21 5790 5856 http://marche.moevenpick.com/#/restaurant/open/116/empty/en/ Super duper cute concept. Chalet-inspired restaurant, serving typical Swiss foods, in an authentic Swiss ski-lift chalet with original items from Switzerland. As you walk into the restaurant, you are

Le Bistro d'Henri: Paris

2010-03-22T15:50:00.000-07:00

Date: 19 mars 2010 Location: 16 Rue Princesse, 75006 Paris, France As usual... taking to town alone by foot and eating through little neighborhoods... meeting interesting strangers along the way. some locals, some also travelers. all sharing the same love for good food and drink. on this particular night, i dined amongst 2 other married couples and 2 older gentlemen. it became one grand

The Front Porch, in the Mission: San Francisco

2010-02-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

Date: 9 fevrier 2010 Location: 65 29th Street San Francisco, CA 94110-4910 (415) 695-7800 Good ol' southern cooking, with a seasonal, local, fresh San Franciscan twist. Not too bad, yet also not rock solid. Ambiance is down home and cozy, service very kind. The kind of place you walk into and just feel comfortable. Be sure to dress down - very casual place where people are artsy and easy

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar: San Francisco

2010-01-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 30 janvier 2010 Location: 398 Hayes Street @ Gough San Francisco, CA Tel: +1 415 551 1590 Absinthe's Executive Chef is Jamie Lauren, whom I met through my dear friend Hosea Rosenberg (winner of Top Chef Season 5). I found myself craving a hot bowl of French Onion Soup after a 2pm showing of SF Ballet's Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky (which moved me to tears!). Actually moving

Crab Cakes, Mandarin Marmalade & Flat Bread: San Francisco

2010-01-17T02:24:00.000-08:00

Date: jeudi 14 janvier 2010 Location: Maison russe en SOMA San Francisco, CA San Franciscans LOVE to cook - and cooking on a school night is an especially fun treat when cooking with my resident Soma Russian chef friend. Tonight was just another casual evening - turned exquisite - with surprise recipes of tangerine marmalade jam made from homegrown backyard santa barbara tangerines.

le diner d’hiver de Soledad Bleu, Soledad's Winter Dinner, SF; 9 janvier 2010

2010-01-12T15:00:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 9 janvier 2010 Location: chez jennifer a san francisco Dream. Come. True. Soledad's very first hosted dinner. The art of entertaining and fine dining. It is not about the formality and perfection of the dinner's final presentation (the menu, the matching name cards, the perfectly paired wine, the place settings, sparkling waterford crystal, shining silverware, gold plated

Chapeau!; San Francisco

2009-12-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

Date: 16 decembre 2009 Location: 126 Clement Street San Francisco, CA Tel: 415 950 9787 Excitable Chef Phillippe personally comes to shake all of his patrons' hands. He is honest and will tell you what is good on the menu, and will also tell you what not to order as "I dont like the way the xyz is coming out today...." in his adorable and welcoming French accent. Tres bonne! Very

Brazenhead: San Francisco

2009-12-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Date: mercredi 9 decembre 2009 Location: 3166 Buchanan Street (@ Greenwich) San Francisco, CA Tel: 415 921 7600 http://www.brazenheadsf.com/ Cozy and quaint. Perfect place to pop in while walking by at 530pm on a freezing cold weeknight. Dining alone, and dining room still intimate and quiet before the evening rush comes in. Meditative. Known for yummy broiled escargot, roasted garlic

Delfina Pizzera, Fillmore: San Francisco

2009-12-06T18:33:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 6 decembre 2009 Location: 2406 California Street San Francisco, CA http://www.delfinasf.com/ Clean, quintessential San Francisco-style pizza and salads. This means seasonal ingredients. Stopped in for a quick last minute Sunday lunch. It has been remarkably cold this winter in San Francisco... wool sweaters everyday and turtlenecks or wool scarves are needed. Heading to a

Crocker Galleria Thursday Farmers' Market: San Francisco

2009-12-06T15:39:00.000-08:00

Date: jeudi 3 decembre 2009 Location: Crocker Galleria 50 Post Street at Montgomery San Francisco, CA 94104 It is nice to take short walking break during work lunch and stroll through the every-Thursday Farmer's Market at the Crocker Galleria. There are so many samples that one could make it an art out of the taste-sampling process. The smoked salmon is quite nice - the guys behind the stand

Boulettes Larder Lunch, Ferry Building: San Francisco

2009-12-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 4 decembre 2009 Location: 1 Ferry Building Marketplace San Francisco, CA 94111 phone (415) 399-1155 http://www.bouletteslarder.com/index.html Reservations absolutely necessary - request the communal table in the open kitchen dining room if possible. Else you will be stuck eating in the Ferry Building hallway on the side next to the restrooms and ATM. Be prepared to enjoy a

Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation at the Fairmont Hotel (Chef Hosea Designs Menu for 500 Guests): San Francisco

2009-12-01T01:11:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 21 novembre 2009 Location: Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco I was honored to be a guest at this important dinner. Hosea played Executive Chef to a 500 guest dinner due to his connection with the BJALC Foundation. It was a poignant event celebrating the foundation, an amazing foundation doing unimaginable things bringing together world class physicians and researchers. Together,

Fall Dinner for Top Chef Hosea Rosenberg 2009: San Francisco

2009-12-01T00:57:00.000-08:00

Date: vendredi 20 novembre 2009 Celeb'g for the Celeb Top Chef! No fear.

Tataki Sustainable Sushi: San Francisco

2009-12-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

Date: samedi 28 novembre 2009 Location: 2815 California Street @ Divisadero) San Francisco, CA 94115 415.931.1182 Applause for sustainable sushi and some of the most delicate, tasty, tender morsels of tataki sushi I have had in quite some time (not in San Francisco, anyway - probably in Taipei was the last time I experienced such fine, flavorful, delicate fish). Highly recommend the Arctic

Bar Crudo: San Francisco

2009-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 22 novembre 2009 Location: 655 Divisadero street San Francisco, Ca 94117 phone 415.409.0679 http://www.barcrudo.com/ Super duper fresh sashimi. Nice presentations to the immediate eye, yet could be a little more exacting on the precision of symmetrically sized portions. Sauces tad "americanized," catering to a rougher "fusion" type of foodie. I love my sashimi raw in

NOPA: San Francisco

2009-11-30T10:29:00.000-08:00

Date: mardi 24 novembre 2009 Location: 560 Divisadero @ Hayes San Francisco, CA 415.864.8643 http://www.nopasf.com/ My good friend Hosea Rosenberg (Top Chef Season 5) had been visiting San Francisco for a week. We had literally ran the gamut across town the past week with sights and activities all revolving around food and wine (Spruce, Town Hall, Fairmont, Delfina, Bar Crudo,

James Beard House: New York

2009-11-25T15:29:00.000-08:00

Date: lundi 9 novembre 2009 Location: 167 West 12th Street New York, NY Following the James Beard Foundation blog, I answered their blog purely for fun one afternoon. Share with JBF and its members what is one's favorite dessert wine? Winner receives 6-pc set of Spieglau digestif stemware. Without so much as even trying to win - I won. Here I am... at #10th responder. http://

Spruce SF: San Francisco

2009-11-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

Date: mardi 17 novembre 2009 Location: 3640 Sacramento St San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 931-5100 http://www.sprucesf.com/ Epitome of fine dining at its best. This is an elegant restaurant in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, one of the most expensive areas in the nation. It caters to the neighboring old riche that walk a few blocks to dine at Spruce - oftentimes more than

202 Chelsea Market: NYC

2009-11-15T16:03:00.000-08:00

Date: dimanche 8 novembre 2009 Location: 202 75 9th Avenue New York, NY Tel: (646) 638-0115 http://chelseamarket.com/202/ There is nothing quite like strolling through the hip, stylish, east-coast preppy feel of New York City Chelsea Market. It reminds me of the Embarcadero in San Francisco - yet spiked up a few solid heavy notches in urbanite character and charm. Think dark worn brick,

Lulu: San Franciso

2009-11-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

Date: jeudi 5 novembre 2009 Location: 816 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94107-1123 (415) 495-5775 http://www.restaurantlulu.com/ This place sucks on all levels. Sucky service. Very bland tasting food and even worse presentation. Super ugly "pear beignet" dessert (which came as part of Montforte's prix fixe lunch menu) which looked like a dried, hacked up unmentionable body part. The "pear

Hanging with Top Chefs

2009-11-02T02:56:00.000-08:00

Amelie Le Bar A Vin: San Francisco

2009-10-31T03:47:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 30 octobre 2009 Location: 1754 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA http://www.ameliesf.com/ Red, warm, cozy, run by Frenchies. Always a delight to practice my broken french... more or less can order a drink or plate or two with a few grammar errors. *_* Yummy french wines, cannot go wrong. Did not eat here hence cannot comment on food; had 3 cheese plate. Wheat bread was

Bar Johnny @ Polk and Green: San Francisco

2009-10-31T03:21:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 24 octobre 2009 Location: 2209 Polk St San Francisco, CA 94109-1815 (415) 268-0140 The best fried chicken and waffles, better than Roscoe's in LA from the famed Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles (Hollywood movies). Only served before 6pm or after 11pm. Bar Johhny CFW is served with belgian waffle! A great SF secret... Bar Johnny is one of the few restost that serves until 1am.

Vicoletto Restaurant and Wine Bar: San Francisco

2009-10-29T01:21:00.000-07:00

Date: mercredi 28 octobre 2009 Location: 550 Green St San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 989-2289 5pm in North Beach, early for 7pm dinner with the girls. Hummm, I had planned to cozy up in a cafe and get some work done on my lappy. Instead, found myself in an Italian resto/wine bar "Vicoletto" - casual, chic, and friendly vibe. Tasted two contrasting red wines, the 2007 N'ero d'Avola (like a

Tom Yum Soup, Shao Style ^^: San Francisco

2009-10-26T00:08:00.000-07:00

Online recipe (NOT SHAO'S): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_yum Wooweee! Finally I have been hanging out with my cool neighbor more often. Usually we just hear each other slamming doors. Lucky chap got to take care of me drunk this past Friday night. Then he was a good sport in attending a surprise birthday party with me this evening at Matrix Fillmore in the Marina. Now, same evening

Woodhouse Fish Company: San Francisco

2009-10-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Date: samedi 24 octobre 2009 Location: 1914 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA Tel: +1 415 437 CRAB http://woodhousefish.com THIS PLACE HAS $1 OYSTERS EVERY TUESDAY 4-10PM! I will be back! Great Cioppino! I was sluggish, slow, and hungover. Seafood Cioppino was the perfect cure. Fish, shrimp, crab claws, muscles, clams, scallops. The sauce may look red based and heavy, but

VIN12 "NO PINOT" Pinot Parade Urban Wine Retreat: San Francisco

2009-10-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Date: jeudi 22 octobre 2009 Location: 55 2nd Street, San Francisco http://www.vin12.com/ The theme of this month's wine retreat was "Pinot Parade." What this supposedly meant, as per their website marketing blurb is "Enjoy over 50 different wines including a variety of Pinot Noirs from Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Napa and select VIN12 producers from throughout California." I won't write too

Cha Cha Cha Tapas & Restaurant Bar: San Francisco

2009-10-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Date: vendredi 16 octobre 2009 Location: 1801 Haight Street San Francisco, CA 94117 Tel: 1 415 386 7670 http://www.cha3.com/ Ohhh what a wonderful evening. It had been quite a few months since I had last seen my very good friend, the lone Ducati rider, Carlos. Aka the cool cat. A fellow aquarian, I am convinced that this is why Carlos understands me well. Dreams, love of foreign things,