Fork & Bottle

Restaurant Review: Bistro des Copains in Occidental, CA

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:12:42 GMT

Our summer foray to Bistro des Copains doesn't have us running back. But since our visit, the chef has changed although the menu is extremely similar. We liked that it's very true to it's bistro name, offering french-style comfort food in a casual setting.

Fork & Bottle's Holiday Gift Selections

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:00:33 GMT

Jack & Joanne offer dozen of gift ideas for Wine Lovers, chefs (young & older), wood-burning oven and BBQ enthusiasts, cheese lovers, connoisseurs, gardeners and bakers... Happy Holidays!

Updated: Our amazing Gingerbread House resources

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:56:14 GMT

Joanne has added many new 2008 Gingerbread House kits to our incredibly detailed page on Gingerbread Houses. Check it out!

Recipe: Apple Fennel Dressing

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:53:40 GMT

This apple fennel dressing had the perfect amount of lightness and crunch to compliment turkey on our holiday table last year but it would also be lovely with pork or ham.

Recipe: Persimmon Bread Pudding

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:46:28 GMT

Enjoy persimmons at the peak of season in this easy to make ahead dessert, which will win you raves at Thanksgiving and beyond.

Restaurant Review: Restaurant Eloise in Sebastopol, CA

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:27:30 GMT

Restaurant Eloise, Sebastopol's newest fine dining spot, lured us with the promise of house made charcuterie and an appetizer of bone marrow. We were enthralled and will be back soon.

Getting your Kids to Try New Foods, Eat Diversely and Make Better Food Choices

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:29:17 GMT

It's back-to-school time and Joanne has been thinking about how children eat both at home and away from home. Here are some tips for parents to get their kids to try new foods, eat diversely and make better food choices. Included are some suggestions for better snacks and packed lunches.

Great Cheese Find: Cora's Tumin del Dian

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:46:30 GMT

Tumin del Dian is a small round of cow and sheep's milk cheese. It's seasoned with pepper and wrapped in a chestnut leaf.

Fork & Bottle's Directory of Irish Farmstead Cheese

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:52:55 GMT

After visiting Ireland last year and, tasting many of its great cheeses, Joanne decided to compile this directory of Irish Farmstead Artisan cheeses.

Ireland is famous for its milk, cream and butter – and also lately for its cheese. She’s added tasting notes and photos for a few of the cheeses we encountered on the trip, some of which were bought at Sheridan’s Cheesemongers in Galway, Co. Clare, some at On the Pig’s Back, in the English Market in Cork City, Co. Cork and still others at Trevor Irvine’s stall at St. George’s Market in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Many of the cheeses listed in the directory are available in the US, but a number of them you will have to go to Ireland to taste.

Three Mendocino County Restaurant Reviews

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:59:21 GMT

During a two-day visit to the Mendocino coast we visited Café Beaujolais (Mendocino), Le Rendezvous (Ft. Bragg) and the Mosswood Cafe (Boonville). We particularly enjoyed Café Beaujolais.

Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Dukkah

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:20:04 GMT

Joanne's pork tenderloin recipe is easy to prepare and makes for a delicious main course.

Wine Tasting: Bonhams Pre-Auction in San Francisco

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:11:28 GMT

Another excellent tasting, with Chateau de Beaucastel's 1989 CdP standing clearly above the rest of the wines.

More Food Reference Book Reviews

Fri, 30 May 2008 20:56:24 GMT

Joanne has added the following reviews:

The Story of Tea A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss

Tea Aromas and Flavors Around the World by Lydia Gautie

Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning by the Gardeners and Farmers of Terre Vivante

Fish Forever by Paul Johnson

Fine Waters by Michael Mascha

Restaurant Review: Cyrus in Healdsburg, CA

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:10:51 GMT

We return to Cyrus after a couple of years and have a truly great meal. Prices are up but our recent experience definitely justified the Michelin two stars. The food sets the highest mark in Sonoma county, but we'd still like to see more focus on local purveyors. If elaborate dining is what you seek in Sonoma, Cyrus is the perfect destination for indulgence.

You must not miss the excellent cheese cart...

Restaurant Review: The Restaurant at Meadowood in Saint Helena, CA

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:40:11 GMT

Our dinner at The Restaurant at Meadowood was lovely. The restaurant has a pleasant, relaxed décor which is still elegant. This casual elegance is reflected in the food from Chef Christopher Kostow. The meal was very enjoyable and we would happily return.

Great Cheese Find: Abbaye de Tamie

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:23:20 GMT

Yes, monks can make great cheese. Abbaye de Tamie is such an example. It's a washed rind raw cow's milk cheese. It's not so easy to find, but worth the hunt.

Wine Tasting: Rhone Rangers 2008

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:43:20 GMT

The 2008 Rhone Rangers tasting in San Francisco was quiet this year. There were some good wines here, with Copain's wines standing out.

Wine Tasting: Bordeaux 2005

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:32:49 GMT

Jack and Joanne taste more than 40 of the better Bordeaux wines from the heralded 2005 vintage.

Wine Tasting: La Paulée 2008

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:05:09 GMT

This year's La Paulée event was held in San Francisco. Jack reports on more than 90 Burgundy wines.

Recipe: Fast Lasagna!

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:09:49 GMT

Joanne's recipe makes great lasagna fast, cutting some corners to make it quicker and easier, but no less delicious.

Wine Tasting: Empson's Barolo, Brunello and Bellivista

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:00:09 GMT

Jack tasted wines from a dozen Italian wineries imported by Empson USA. The wines from Conterno Fantina, Bellavista, Bongiovanni and Ca Rome impressed him the most.

Restaurant Review: The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, CA

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:18:46 GMT

Frankly, we were disappointed with our first visit to the Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil. There are many good choices for an expensive dinner in Wine County; this one doesn't make our list.

Restaurant Review:Underwood Bar & Grill in Graton, CA

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:24:13 GMT

We keep returning to the Underwood Bar & Grill when we are out in Graton (usually purchasing plants). We think it's a nice lunch spot in West County.

Essay: Bad Fruit or Good Cookies - Which is Better?

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:31:00 GMT

Joanne shares her thoughts about whether it's better to give kids, as a school treat, out-of-season, "conventionally-farmed" fruit from another continent or, cookies made by a parent with mostly high-quality, ingredients. And, how bad is sugar? Do you think sugar-substitutes are a better choice than real sugar? She invites your comments.

WBW# 42: Fontodi and Tenute Loacker

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:57:38 GMT

We taste two enjoyable Italian reds and review them in exactly seven words. We enjoyed the 2001 Tenute Loacker Cabernet Sauvignon-Lagrein Kastlet more than the 2001 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve.

Restaurant Review: Nick's Cove in Marshall, CA (Marin)

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 03:49:53 GMT

Our first to Nick's Cove was quite a mixed bag. We understand the popularity of the spot, but the food and service was not what we had expected from this pricey new waterfront destination.

Restaurant Review: Ubuntu in Napa

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:07:03 GMT

We had a nice dining experience at Ubuntu, but this lunch fell a bit below our expectations. Even so, it is the 'go-to' restaurant for vegetarians in Wine Country. We will try dinner there next time.

Still Say No to Girl Scout Cookies in 2008

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:16:47 GMT

Our 2008 update on how the Girl Scouts STILL have trans fat in the cookies, despite their promise to eliminate trans fat three years ago. This remains shameful to us, as the childhood obesity and diabetes epidemic continues.

Restaurant Review: Special Dinner at West Country Grill, Sebastopol, CA

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:13:14 GMT

We quite enjoyed The Flavors of Bombay Dinner with Niloufer Ichaporia King at West Country Grill. The cashews amazed Jack and we were pleased to see the kitchen so excited about cooking something different.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #41: Friuli-Venezia Giulia Whites - The Round-Up

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:30:13 GMT

Here's the roundup for January 2008's WBW. More than 40 participated to report on Friuli-Venezia Giulia white wine. Results seemed to depend more on local choices and availability, than the amount spent, although many of the more expensive wines were enjoyed most.

Wines reviewed were from Radikon, Zidarich, Vodopivec, Jermann, Miani, Movia, Damian Podversic, Lis Neris, i Clivi, Livio Felluga, Adrian Gigante, and many more.

Wine Tasting: Friuli-Venezia Giulia wines

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:01:16 GMT

A tasting of four red and fifteen whites at the Jug Shop in San Francisco. I tasted some extremely interesting and outstanding wines from Gravner, Jermann, Vodopivec and Moschini.

WBW #41: Miani and Jermann from Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:43:09 GMT

Fork & Bottle are hosts this month for Wine Blogging Wednesday. For our selection, we chose to feature a wine from two of the best makers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: The 2006 Miani Ribolla Gialla and the 2004 Jermann Capo Martino. Both were quite good, but only offering about $35 of pleasure right now. Some day though...

Bonhams' Pre-Auction Wine Tasting: Massandra Collection

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:29:01 GMT

Can they make great wine in the Ukraine? Of course they can, and they have been at Massandra, in the Crimea (Yalta), for more than one hundred years. On November 30th, we tasted one dozen Massandra wines at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco.

Reminder: Deadline entries for Wine Blogging Wednesday #41

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:03:53 GMT

A short reminder: For those of your participating, please submit your entry for WBW#41 by the end of Wednesday, January 16, 2008.

Again, the theme is the excellent white wines of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Northeastern Italy.

Wine Sevens

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 23:07:36 GMT

We introduce this page with four Sevens:
  •  Seven Extraordinary White Wines made from unheralded grape varietals
  •  Seven Great Grower Champagne Producers
  •  Seven Great Sonoma County Pinot Noir Producers
  •  Seven Popular, Pricey Napa Wineries not favored by Wine Geeks

Update: Food and Wine Blogs that Score!

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:40:18 GMT

Blogs that Score is one page at Fork & Bottle which gets updated ten or more times a year. Five recent additions I'd like to bring to your attention are:

Wooly Pigs – Heath Putnam has some amazing posts here about the raising and slaughtering of pigs (with a gourmet bent).

What to Eat – Marion Nestle frequently blogs on the food issues of the day.

Grow Better Veggies – Cynthia Sandberg (Love Apple Farm) shares her expert knowledge on growing biodynamic vegetables.

Two wine blogs, The Picky Eater (Keith Levenberg) and Rockss and Fruit (Lyle Fass) are written by New Yorkers who know an awful lot about wine, despite being just 30- and 33-years-old (respectively).

And, if I had to choose a Blog of the Year, I would give it to The Ethicurean. Bonnie Powell distills the news on food issues, food concerns and food politics, making it possible for the rest of us to keep up and be informed on the subject.

2007 Photos from our Gardens

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:28:33 GMT

It's winter, so although not much is happening in the garden right now, our gardens from 2007 are worth a second look. This page is a collection of photos from our garden for the 2007 calendar year including photos of a couple of unusual additions and visitors.

Great Cheese Find: Cahill's Porter

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:55:02 GMT

Joanne's latest cheese find is Cahill's Porter, an Irish farmhouse cheese made with Porter from County Limerick.

Food Sevens - Top 7 Food-related Lists

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:10:38 GMT

We introduce this page with five Sevens:
  •  Seven Real Reasons to Buy Organic Food (the one Jack is most proud)
  •  Seven Cookbooks that get a lot of use in our Kitchen
  •  Seven Ingredients you never want to find in a food you’re about to Eat
  •  Seven Favorite Antique Apple Varieties
  •  Seven Notable American Heritage Turkeys

Restaurant Review: Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:00:05 GMT

We finally return to the Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg (CA), after dining there twice, five years ago. It has improved, but we're still not loving it. The Ahi Tuna Tartare rocked, though, along with the grapefruit and orange sorbets.

WBW #40: Carver Sutro and Switchback Ridge

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:20:37 GMT

This month's theme, chosen by Megan (Wannabee Wino), is wine made from the Petite Sirah grape, also known as Durif. Of the two wines we drank, the 2002 Switchback Ridge was big and alcoholic, and the 2002 Carver Sutro was more balanced and food-friendly.

More Cheese Book Reviews

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:21:26 GMT

Joanne reviews five more Cheese books:

  •  Cheese & Wine by Janet Fletcher
  •  The Cheese Deck by Max McCalman & David Gibbons
  •  The Cheese Lover’s Companion by Sharon Tyler Herbst & Ron Herbst
  •  The Murray's Cheese Handbook by Rob Knafelt
  •  Vermont Cheese Book by Ellen Coke-Ogden

Restaurant Review: AOC in Los Angeles (A|O|C)

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:22:38 GMT

Two new reviews: Jack dines alone, and then a second visit, with family. We like this restaurant/wine bar and, if we lived near enough in L.A., we would visit regularly.

Kids Cookbook & Gardening Book Reviews

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:35:20 GMT

Joanne reviews ten more Children's Cookbooks, Garden Books and Story Books:

  •  Fairytale Feasts by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple
  •  My A to Z Recipe Box by Hilary Karmilowicz
  •  A Seed is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston, Illus. by Sylvia Long
  •  The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall, Illus. by Shari Halpern
  •  Kids Cook 123 by Rozanne Gold
  •  Great Gardens for Kids
  •  The Magic School Bus Gets Baked In A Cake by Joanna Cole, Illus. by Bruce Degen
  •  The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad by Joanna Cole, Illus. by Bruce Degen
  •  The Magic School Bus In a Pickle by Joanna Cole, Illus. by Bruce Degen
  •  The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds by Joanna Cole, Illus. by Bruce Degen

Christmas Gingerbread House Gallery

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 20:46:05 GMT

Joanne and Trent have been building Gingerbread Houses for three years. We have compiled a gallery of Christmas Gingerbread House photos. 2007's houses are currently underconstruction (not up yet). Cross the yellow tape at your own risk.

Restaurant Review: The General's Daughter in Sonoma (revisit)

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:31:31 GMT

Although our second visit to The General's Daughter is not quite as good as our first visit, we still regard it as the finest restaurant in Sonoma (that we've been to).

Dining with Kids in Restaurants

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:11:50 GMT

While we're far from experts on parenting, we think that kids should get to eat real food at nice restaurants. Joanne offers encouragement to parents and then explains the rules plus tips, tricks and gadgetry to make it a success.

Fork & Bottle's Cheese Sevens

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 23:45:39 GMT

This is the debut of a new F&B feature - Lists of Sevens. We're starting with four lists for Cheese:
  •  Seven Great Irish Farmhouse Cheeses
  •  Seven Great Fondue Cheeses
  •  Seven Cheeses to Eat with Beer
  •  Seven Great California Cheeses

Fork & Bottle Pantry Feature: Butter Resources

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:29:11 GMT

We love butter. Unsalted, salted. We've been tasting the butters of the world and Joanne has compiled a list of the ones we've tasted. A few years ago we even hosted a butter tasting. This page will grow and expand as we sample more butter and find more butter sources.

A Guide to Buying Wine at Auction

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:08:36 GMT

If you ever have considered buying wine at auction, Jack's guide will lead you through many of the ins and outs of choosing where to bid and how to be successful. The focus is on purchasing Drinking wines rather than Collectible wines.

How to Build a Gingerbread House Kit

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:19:22 GMT

Joanne, for the first time, mixes and bakes the walls of a Gingerbread House using a bake-your-own ginger bread house kit. Although this page is not a step-by-step instruction set, it's close enough that most questions you'll have are answered. (It's not rocket science, but it does take some careful planning.)

How to make a Party or Holiday Cheese Platter

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:39:23 GMT

Putting together a holiday cheese platter? This quick guide from Joanne might help expand conservative cheeselover's horizons and their guests. Included are tips on plating and choosing cheeses as well as ideas on what cheeses to choose for your holiday cheese plate. Joanne also offers some suggestions for more kid-friendly cheeses.

Countdown to Thanksgiving Dinner 2007

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:56:00 GMT

This is our third year of Joanne doing a diary leading up to our Thanksgiving meal. This year, we're having one of the rarer breeds of heritage turkeys, a Slate Blue. Except for the wines, just about everything being served is local, organic and/or from the farmers' market.

Updated with final photos, menu and text.

WBW #39: Vincent Dureuil and Guillemot-Michel

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:45:32 GMT

This month's theme, chosen by Neil (Brooklynguy), is Burgundy from the Mâconnais and Côte Chalonnaise. A biodynamically grown wine we chose was the 2005 Guillemot-Michel Macon-Villages Quintaine. It was delicious and very appealing right now - restaurant ready. The 2005 Vincent Dureuil-Janthial Rully 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes was in need of at least several years, if not more, before we would be loving it. (It took three days for it start to come around, showing great promise.)

Both of our wines really impressed us and we would buy them again.

Recipe: Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta & Walnuts

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:39:30 GMT

Brussels Sprouts get a bad rap. Perhaps restaurants are to blame, as my father complains constantly (he loves brussel sprouts) that all the restaurant ones he gets are undercooked and inedible (or cooked to horrid mush).

I've converted a number of confirmed brussels sprouts haters at Thanksgiving with this recipe. Simply, they are nicely cooked with some bacon, butter & crispy walnuts. These brussel sprouts have a mild flavor and a nice al dente texture. They are easy to partially make ahead and finish the day of. We'll likely have them this way again this year (with Boccalone pancetta), as we scored the very last "club" at the farmers' market.

Bet you didn't know: It is spelled both brussels sprouts and brussel sprouts.

Great Holiday Kitchen Gadgets & Essential Items for the Kitchen

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:23:11 GMT

We've updated our page for the Holidays. All items we've tested and can truly recommend. - Joanne

A gift for the Cooking Engineer – the ultimate thermometer – and the one I use everyday:
Thermapen Digital Thermometer

A gift for those who use a lunchbox or lunchbag - For the Daily Zen of Lunch:
Zojirushi Mr. Bento Stainless-Steel Lined Lunch Jar, Silver

For the cook who likes to make gratins: Kyocera Adjustable Ceramic Slicer

For the cook who'd like to make perfect rice everytime: Zojirushi NH-VBC18 10-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer with Induction Heating System

For the cook who is serious about stews and soups (or roasting!): Le Creuset French Ovens

For leftovers - an alternative to plastic wrap: Silicone Universal Lids

A gift for seafood lovers: The best lobster & seafood cracker: Zyliss Lobster/Seafood Crackers

A gift for a Cook who makes Gravy or Stock: Glass Fat Separator

A gift that will please the dishwasher: Cucina Detergent

A gift for teflon users: A better choice than regular teflon - Look Cookware

My Favorite Kitchen Pan and the most versatile piece of All-Clad I own: All-Clad Ltd 13" Braiser

A great gift for tea drinkers - The best way to boil water: Simplex Coil Bottom Kettle (for gas stove tops)

A great gift for coffee lovers: KitchenAid Pro Coffee Grinder & Bodum Thermal Stainless Coffee French Press

Great gifts for cooks who love to bake:
An Awesome Spatula: Chef'n Silicone Switchit Spatula
The very best whisk: Rösle Flat Whisk
The essential item for a baker or roaster: Silpat Food Grade Silicone Mat

Great hostess gifts for cooks:
The Ultimate Spice, Cheese & Chocolate Grater: Microplane Graters
The best cutting boards: Epicurean Grooved Cutting Surfaces
The ultimate best oven mitts: Duncan Industries: Kitchen Grips Oven Mitts

For the cook who has everything: For Sharper Knifes without Fear: Füri Rachel Ray TechEdge Pro Knife Sharpening System

A great gift for a BBQ enthusiast: Outset Non-Stick Grill Basket – Copper

Restaurant Reviews: Plumpjack Cafe in Squaw Valley

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 22:05:13 GMT

Plumpjack Cafe is the most upscale dining spot in Squaw Valley. And like every other Plumpjack-owned restaurant that we've dined at, it has a hotel chain-feel to it, rather than an independent feel. So, they don't many chances with the food and the wine list is more boring than it should be. We'll reluctantly go back, but we really think they can improve if they just had the desire to.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Baked in a Pumpkin

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:46:03 GMT

Was this the original Thanksgiving pumpkin pie? Who knows, but it tastes great and is even a fun cooking project to do with your junior chef...

Restaurant Review: Graham's at Squaw Valley, CA

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:15:49 GMT

We were excited about visiting Grahams after viewing their winelist online. Too bad the food that evening didn't justify the high prices. Do we need to pay a $12 entree tax just because we're in ski country?

Great Cheese Find: Selles sur Cher

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 01:29:54 GMT

Joanne's latest cheese find is the renowned AOC Selles sur Cher from the Loire Valley. This ash-covered goat cheese has intense acidity, while its complexity speaks of its terroir. Best in Spring and Fall.

Recipe: Cheese Herb Scones

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:01:00 GMT

Trent first made scones in a kid's cooking class. Joanne adapted a few recipes to end up with this one using a premium cheddar like Lincolnshire Poacher and fresh herbs from the garden. The bread flour makes this scones more like buns and they are a great cooking project for little cooks; they are very easy to make and the results are delicious. Try them with soup, as an after school snack, with dinner or even as Thanksgiving side dish!

Restaurant Reviews: Where to Dine in Squaw Valley (nr. Tahoe)

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:28:07 GMT

Here are our reviews of the casual restaurants in the Village at Squaw, including Plumpjack Balboa Café Squaw Valley, Auld Dubliner Irish Pub, Fireside Pizza, Mamasake and Plumpjack Bar. The Plumpjack Bar is the best of the lot. We also visit the new and only wine store, Uncorked - Wine Store & Wine Bar.

Spooky Kids Halloween Party

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:55:56 GMT

Joanne and Trent threw a Halloween party last year and Joanne wrote up some notes about the party preparations. They made swamp punch, frog burgers, pumpkin cakes and tombstone cupcakes. In addition, they made popcorn ghosts to decorate the table and, for the guests to take home.

These Pumpkin Cakes are not too sweet - more like a pumpkin muffin but the icing, which is tinted with natural food coloring, made them really cute for the party. Joanne ended up serving them on a bed of green tinted coconut (grass).

Wine Tasting: Terry Theise Grower Champagnes Fall 2007 Tasting

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:35:32 GMT

This was my third time tasting through Terry Theise's Grower Champagne lineup. I tasted all 67 wines that were available that day. I've long been a fan of Vilmart and they were showing really well, again. But quite a few others really impressed me, too.

Afterwards, I tasted some other wines available from Winewise, with the Tissot and the Lopez de Heredia standing out strong.

Restaurant Review: Unnamed Cafe in Geyserville, CA

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 01:31:18 GMT

Formerly the Chateau Souverain restaurant, the Unnamed Cafe has a beautiful view. The food is good enough to stop at when you're hungry and in this area (which has few restaurants). But, it's not a destination and the wine list is only for those who want to drink the wines of Rosso & Bianco. (Good thing they have beer!)

Restaurant Review: Rosso Pizzeria & Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, CA

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:48:44 GMT

The first pizza-focused restaurant in Sonoma County that we really enjoy and frequently visit. Sustainable sources and many organic and biodynamic wines, too.

WBW #38: 2005 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:59:34 GMT

This month's theme is dry Portugese wine. We have reviewed the 2005 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Vinhas Velhas from the Douro. It is a wonderful red field-blend of perhaps 30 varietals that wowed us with it's concentration and balance. Worth buying and cellaring.

Recipe: Zucchini Mini Muffins

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:55:32 GMT

Joanne and Trent create a delicious recipe for those spare zucchinis in your garden.

Restaurant Review: Solbar in Calistoga, CA

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:15:21 GMT

A visit to Solbar, the restaurant at the new Napa Valley resort, Solage, proves to be a pleasant lunch spot. Joanne really liked their handmade Potato Gnocchi with summer vegetables, local herbs and hobb's pancetta. The Gulf Shrimp & Vegetable salad was pleasing:

Wine Tasting: Bonhams & Butterfields Pre-Auction Tasting 9/2007

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:41:56 GMT

Last week, we attended another worthwhile tasting at Bonhams & Butterfields. The standouts included the 2001 Dujac Bonnes Mares, the 1975 Stag’s Leap SLV Lot 3, the 1997 Voerzio Barolo La Serra and the 1998 Chapoutier Ermitage Les Meal. A half-dozen first-growth Bordeaux were all quite good but none rocked.

Restaurant Review: Bar Crudo in San Francisco

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:45:29 GMT

Our first meal exceeded our expectations at Bar Crudo, a small restaurant in San Francisco near Union Square. We are quite eager to return for their excellent seafood, such as their Lobster Salad, coupled with a wonderful beer list.

Recipe: Hot Potato Salad with Bacon

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:37:26 GMT

This is Joanne's recipe for a German-style Potato Salad. Yum!

Restaurant Review: Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver, BC

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:33:21 GMT

Blue Water Cafe was our favorite restaurant during our short stay in Vancouver, BC this last April. Simply put, this restaurant specializes in seafood and it's excellent. We are eager to return.

WBW #37: 2002 Terlano Lagrein Porphyr Riserva

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:25:42 GMT

The theme this month is indigenous grape varietals, chosen by Tyler (Dr. Vino's wine blog). We chose a red wine grape, lagrein, which is native to Alto Adige. Our 2002 Terlano Porphyr is an excellent wine, but would be better with additional aging, as it's still tight, even after being open for more than five days.

Restaurant Review: Oliveto in Oakland, CA

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:20:47 GMT

We finally made it to one of Oliveto's Oceanic dinners. We feasted on a diverse selection of seafood. The pink sea bream was excellent and we loved the shaved octopus. (One of the special wines of the night totally rocked, too.)

Wine Tasting: 2007 Family Winemakers

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:51:38 GMT

Jack focused mostly on whites this time and was quite pleased with the Chasseur Chardonnays. The wines from Ramey, Calera (Mills vineyard pinot noir vertical) and Littorai also stood out.

Restaurant Review: Manresa in Los Gatos, CA

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:47:33 GMT

Finally, we write up our two dinners at the heralded Manresa in Los Gatos, CA. Our 22-course meal last year was spectacular. This year's Alain Passard-L'Arpege dinner was a wonderful tribute to spring vegetables. Manresa is definitely worth a special trip.

Great Cheese Find: Seelander

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:29:15 GMT

Joanne's latest cheese find is Seelander, a selection of the reknowned Swiss affineur, Rolf Beeler. It is Gruyere-like in nature, making it a great addition to a Fondue, but is wonderful on its own. Seelander has a long finish.

Restaurant Review: West County Grill in Sebastopol, CA

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:34:44 GMT

We enjoyed our visit to this bright new restaurant in Sebastopol. The atmosphere at West County Grill is appealing and the food was good. We liked the emphasis on using local suppliers and that they have a wood-oven. We'll happily return for another meal there soon.

Recipe: Fried Gubbeen

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:10:32 GMT

Joanne's Fried Gubbeen cheese recipe was inspired by a lunch item at a pub in County Cork. Gubbeen is a wonderful washed rind Irish Farmhouse Cheese (which is imported into the US) but you could also use any washed rind cheese for this recipe. It makes a wonderful accompaniment to a salad or appetizer.

Restaurant Review: Odyssey in Windsor, CA

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 01:57:19 GMT

Our first visit to Odyssey, the new hot restaurant in Windsor, CA, garnered mixed feelings. There is definite promise in the food and the choice of ingredients, but we felt as if there was still some ironing out to do on the details.

Wine Tasting: The Sorting Table

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:42:03 GMT

An excellent tasting of The Sorting Table's portfolio. The White Burgundies from Remoissonet and Henri Boillot were outstanding amongst a strong field of wines.

Restaurant Review: Rodney's Oyster House in Vancouver, BC

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:58:00 GMT

During our short foray to Vancouver, BC in April, we made a point of asking for the locations of the best oyster joint. Rodney's was by far named the most, so off we headed. We can see the appeal. Rodney's is a casual, pleasant spot, with a great raw bar. We would happily return to feast there again on oysters.

Restaurant Review: Rare in Vancouver, BC

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:59:21 GMT

The Aldergrove Duck Breast was singing at Rare. The food was quite good but the service was a bit too in your face. Still, we would definitely return.

Side note: Our four-year-old did his first tasting menu, eating most of the courses.

Artisan Charcuterie Resources

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:58:46 GMT

Joanne has assembled a great shopping resource of companies offering artisan charcuterie which practice sustainable or good farming or that use heritage meats. It's a work in progress so keep checking back.

Recipe: Melon Sorbet

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:50:46 GMT

A simple, fun recipe for making melon sorbet from most any kind of sweet melon. Make it with your kid(s)!

Restaurant Review: 'wichcraft in San Francisco

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:08:22 GMT

A lunch at 'wichcraft was a bit better than the reviews we had read but still, this is not a destination. Before or after a movie at the Metreon or shopping at Westgate, it beats the chain restaurants in the area.

Eight Cookbook Reviews

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:58:01 GMT

Joanne reviews eight more cookbooks:

  •  The Ballymaloe Bread Book by Tim Allen
  •  Braise: A Journey Through International Cuisine by Daniel Boulud and Melissa Clark
  •  Essence of Chocolate: Recipes for Baking and Cooking with Fine Chocolate by Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger
  •  Michael Mina: The Cookbook by Michael Mina
  •  Tartine by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson

The other three reviews are on this page:

  •  Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon by Claudia Roden
  •  Instant Entertaining from Donna Hay
  •  Kaiseki: The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant by Yoshihiro Murata

Restaurant Review: Angèle in Napa, CA (revisited)

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:47:26 GMT

A second visit to Angèle wasn't as good as our first. Still, we like the ambiance and the menu, and will return.

Great Cheese Find: Timanoix

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:25:05 GMT

Joanne discovers Timanoix, a soft cow's milk cheese brought into the US by affineur Pascal Beillevaire.

Update: Kids' Food Books and Kids' Cookbooks

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:05:29 GMT

Joanne reviews seven more books:
Ratatouille (movie tie-in)
The Paper Bag Prince by Colin Thompson
How to Make An Apple Pie by Marjorie Priceman
A Kid’s Herb Book by Lesley Tierra
Sweet Treats by Carolyn Beth Weil
Fun Foods by Stephanie Rosenbaum
There's a Hair in My Dirt by Gary Larson

Two Recipes: Celeriac and Potato soup and Celery Root and Potato with Apple and Bacon soup

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:41:17 GMT

Joanne provides you with two excellent recipes to turn those gorgeous celeriac (celery root) you see at the Farmers' Market into delicious soups.

Restaurant Review: Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, CA

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:40:44 GMT

Perhaps our seventh visit to Willi's Wine Bar, it's not a destination but a change-of-pace. The food is likable but the wines fall short.

The Artisan & Farmstead Cheese Pairing Project

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:18:18 GMT

Fork & Bottle, along with some cheese-aficionado bloggers, tested pairings with more than a dozen cheeses: Black Gold, Comté, Cone de Port Aubry, Fleur Verte, Garrotxa "La Bauma", Kuntener, Langres, Picolo, Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Pozo Tomme, Pt. Reyes Blue, Queso de Obeja Blanda, Red Hawk and St. George.

Restaurant Review: Go Fish in St. Helena, CA

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 22:23:17 GMT

Our second visit was excellent - the food was simply delicious. Bravo Go Fish in Saint Helena, CA (wine country).

Wine Tasting: Return to Terroir - Biodynamic wines in Los Angeles

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:50:43 GMT

About 200 biodynamic and organic wines were available to taste at Nicolas Joly's yearly American tasting, Return to Terroir. An excellent tasting - well worth going to if you're in the trade.

Restaurant Review: K and L Bistro in Sebastopol, CA

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:22:09 GMT

Our latest visits to K & L Bistro find the food mostly delicious, but don't be in a hurry as the kitchen is small and our main courses arrive slowly. K and L is a great casual wine country spot and can be a successful dinner with kids, too.
We always order the Fritto Misto now, too:

Recipe: Raspberry Lemonade

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 22:28:29 GMT

Joanne and Trent whip up and perfect homemade raspberry lemonade.

Joanne and Jack's Cheese Pairings

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:06:38 GMT

As part of our Great Cheese Pairing Project, Joanne tastes four cheeses (Fleur Verte, Cone de Port Aubry, Black Gold from Elk Creamery and Point Reyes Blue Cheese) with all sorts of accompaniments including five wines.

Jack tests four cheeses (Picolo from Andante Dairy, Comté, Langres and Kuntener Reblochon).

Wine Book Reviews

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:59:55 GMT

Jack has reviewed more wine books. His favorites are:
4000 Champagnes by Richard Juhlin
Italian Wines 2007 from Gambero Rosso
The Wines of France by Jacqueline Friedrich

Update: Master Cheese List

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 03:38:29 GMT

We've added 50 cheeses this time: Abbaye de Tamie, Aged Chelsea, Beaufort, Blanc Bleu de Rizet, Bleu de Bocage, Blu de Montviso, Bocconcino di pura capra, Bourboule, Brebis du Lavort, Bridgid's Abbey, Caerphilly, Calabrese, Chablis Chalencay, Chabriou, Chambord, Cirrus, Cone de Port Aubry, Crecenza, Crucolo, Erhaki, Great Hill Blue, Green Hill, Green's Raw Milk Farmhouse Cheddar, Gris Vulcan, Grise des Volcans, Grotte del Tufo, Hoch Ybrig, La Pierre Doree, Le Coeur d'alvignac, Moncenisio, Mont des Cats, Northern Gold, O'Banon, Old Chatham Shepherd's Wheel, Old Wick, Otentique, Pee Wee Pyramid, Pentu de L'Etang, Pepato, Quicke's Farmhouse Cheddar, Sapore Estivo, Sauvageon, Seastack, Seelander, Selles sur Cher, Serpa, Timanoix, Torta Ambrose, Trailhead, Ubriaco all biarra rossa and Vieux Lille.

Restaurant Review: Ravenous in Healdsburg, CA

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:59:20 GMT

Our dinner at Ravenous was just okay. If you dine there, go for lunch. At night it was pretty hard to see our food. (We hope that they will consider additional lighting for some of their tables.)

WBW #34: 1999 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:57:43 GMT

One of the great Cabernet Sauvignons of the world is our choice for this month's theme, Washington Cabernets.

Web Shopping Review: John & Kira's Chocolates

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:12:51 GMT

John & Kira's Chocolates were fresh and the flavors both lively and subtle. We appreciated their use of local ingredients. The lovely ladybugs flew away altogether too quickly. We must reorder again soon.

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:03:13 GMT

Joanne's Chicken Pot Pie recipe really came together...the concept is to roast two chickens one night. (Eat the first that night.) The next day you make the pot pie using the carcass of the first along with the entire second chicken (which is already cooked) and the leftover potatoes.

Bonus Secrets of Wine Country

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 22:58:27 GMT

One of our best pages has been tweaked, revised, and updated for Summer 2007. Plus, it now has a picture of one of the 95 Snoopy statues.

Restaurant Review: Madrona Manor in Healdsburg, CA

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 23:14:30 GMT

Our second visit to Madrona Manor was pleasing. It's definitely one of the best choices for a romantic dinner in wine country.

Restaurant Review: Coi in San Francisco

Mon, 14 May 2007 09:34:36 GMT

Our visit to Coi was excellent and it's a restaurant that we recommend. The sea bream sashimi was to die for!

Restaurant Review: Jardinière in San Francisco

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:17:02 GMT

Our first dinner at Jardinere was a wonderful experience which we will happily repeat soon. Jardinere is one of the few restaurants with a cheese cave and the cheeses were on the mark. By far the star was Joanne's entree: "Carnaroli Risotto with Wild Mushrooms, Toasted Pinenuts, Treviso and Fontina d'Aosta". We really enjoyed a great bottle of Chenin Blanc from François Chidaine with the food, but Jardinere also offers many tasting flights of wine and spirits to pick and choose from.

The Art of Affinage with Pascal Beillevaire

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:56:53 GMT

Affineur Pascal Beillevaire headed a class at the San Francisco Cheese School called The Art of Affinage and Joanne was pleased to attend. He shared nine wonderful cheeses and spoke a bit about his company and what he does. We still dream of his raw cow's-milk butter but we'll have to go to France to get it.

Recipe: London Buns

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:55:59 GMT

Joanne customizes The Ballymaloe Bread Book's delicious London Buns recipe at a perfect time. Sam at Becks & Posh has posted a call for English Food recipes: Fish & Quips (round-up link). Try these buns with a cup of tea or coffee and dream of England!

Restaurant Review: Sea Salt in Berkeley, CA

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 01:22:52 GMT

We had a lovely lunch at Sea Salt and would like to return soon. The restaurant was quiet on a weekend afternoon but looks like it might be a vibrant spot in the evening.

Web Shopping Reviews: Lobel's of New York and H&H Bagels

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:43:00 GMT

The meats are very pricey but the quality shines through at this very famous New York meat shop. We'ver already reordered.

A second new review is for H&H Midtown Bagels East. We liked these bagels and might order again.

Great Cheese Find: La Pierre Doree

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:50:17 GMT

Joanne's latest find is La Pierre Doree du Beaujolais, a raw goat's milk from the Beaujolais region of France. Pierre Doree has a scent of fresh, salted butter and, well, that alone is enticing enough!

Also, announcing the The Great Cheese Pairing Project. Our goal is to create a list of what to pair with Artisan and Farmstead cheeses. We invite cheese afficionados to choose an artisanal or farmstead cheese and over the next ten weeks discover the "good and great" food and beverage pairings with that cheese. Details here.

Restaurant Review: Martini House in Saint Helena, CA

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 22:34:53 GMT

Our return to Martini House in St. Helena resulted in an enjoyable albeit pricey dinner. We still wished for starch with the entree and dessert left us a bit flat, but the cheese course was lovely, as was the service.

Wine Tasting: Edward Roberts Int'l Pre-Auction in SF

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 17:25:53 GMT

It's been a few years since ERI Auctions held an auction and tasting in San Francisco. We tasted all 37 wines.

The 1949 Gruaud-Larose was the best of the pre-1975 wines and also the oldest. Of the younger wines, the 1987 Groth Cab and the 1996 Trimbach showed very well. The surprise of the tasting was the wonderful the 1998 Hanna Bismarck Ranch Cabernet.

Cooking Notes from The Dinner with the Mysterious Dr. A’s Nephew

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:06:42 GMT

Joanne had a lot of fun creating this delicious dinner, which was paired with some special wines. As you'll see, she took many notes and photos. The Horned Dorset Lamb rocked.

The menu page, which also details the wines, is here.

Don't throw out your old seeds yet!

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:42:26 GMT

Spring is nearly here! In late February, Joanne hauled out her collection of Heirloom, Organic and Interesting Seeds. The collection spans about five years which makes the seeds old - and possibly not viable. A great surprise was that 35 of the 40 mostly five-year-old Heirloom Tomato seeds sprouted!

Wine Tasting: Dal Forno Amarone Vertical

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 18:33:31 GMT

Jack recently tasted ten vintages of Dal Forno's Amarone at the Masters of Food & Wine in Carmel, CA and came away very impressed. Romano Dal Forno, during his first-ever visit to the US, talked for more than an hour and his passion is reflected in these rich, balanced wines.

Restaurant Review: Artisanal in New York City

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 20:33:10 GMT

The cheese course and the two cheese fondues stand out at Joanne's second visit to Artisanal. Definitely a must-stop for cheese lovers.

Organic, Heirloom, Biodynamic and Heritage Seeds Sources

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:06:48 GMT

One of our best pages gets a huge update, with more than 20 new listings, including a biodynamic seed source. In addition, most of the current seed listings have also been updated to note some 2007 offerings and new introductions.

Restaurant Review: Ad Hoc in Yountville, CA

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:51:36 GMT

What looked like a promising meal at Thomas Keller's new casual restaurant failed to meet our expectations. The otherwise beautiful shrimp in the Mari i Muntanya were brined to death so that all you could taste was the salt. None of the other courses excited us.

Bonhams & Butterfields Pre-Auction Tasting

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:28:45 GMT

Another excellent tasting at Villa Taverna. A La Spinetta, a Marquis Phillips Integrity, and several Burgundies were a delight to taste. The 1997 DRC Echezeaux was the best "inexpensive" DRC we've tasted. Too bad the 1971 J. Prieur Chambertin goes for so much, as it stole the night.

Put Down That Bacon

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 02:43:14 GMT

Inspired by the recent press on the pink lagoons of pork production pollution (think industrial pig farming), Joanne urges you to consider the food you are eating and learn where your sources of beef, poultry and chicken come from.

Restaurant Review: Taylor's Automatic Refresher, St. Helena, CA

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:59:51 GMT

Here's our review and thoughts on the restaurant we've been to the most often in wine country. Burger's get a Yes, Fries a No. Ahi, Yes, and Chocolate Shakes a big Yes.

Restaurant Review: Michael Mina in San Francisco

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:30:59 GMT

The food at Michael Mina is very good (when it's not over-salted), but dining is an expensive experience. With many dishes served in three different versions on your plate, you may only like/love one or two of the three, meaning you have little chance for a perfect meal. And, alas, too many high-priced wines on the winelist is a turn-off.

Update: Coffee & Chocolate - Great New Finds

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:34:16 GMT

New Chocolates:
Brown Paper Chocolates (several new flavors updated)
CocoaBella Chocolates
Chocolove Orange Peel in Dark Chocolate
Vosges Chocolate Bars (three new ones)

New Coffees:
Bouchon House Blend
Blue Hill Special Roast Blue Hill Blend
Electric City Roasting Company Blue Moose
Narsai's Premium Blend Coffee
New Mexico Pinon Coffee
Outland Java Company Organic French Roast
LA Burdick Whole Bean Dark Roast Coffee
Sunshine Coffee Roasters Organic French
Ecco Caffè Papua New Guinea Organic

Wine Blogging Wednesday #30: 1997 Sine Qua Non Imposter McCoy

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 20:43:19 GMT

This month's theme is New World Syrah. Our choice is from a small, artisan producer who lets each wine express its uniqueness. Sine Qua Non is now probably the most famous syrah producer in the country.

Great Cheese Find: Robiola di Castagna

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 23:39:10 GMT

Joanne describes this chestnut leaf wrapped robiola as soft, delicate and pliable. The white center looks chalky. It smells of wet wool and freshly wet leaves. The center is very creamy with a salty tang on the finish but smooth - the goat balanced with the sheep gives a hint of animal but a fresh flavor. The flavor of the chestnut leaves is present throughout, adding a bit of sweetness.

Wine Tasting: Perrin and Château de Beaucastel

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:35:14 GMT

A terrific tasting of current releases and some older wines going back to 1988. The Beaucastel Hommage à Jacques Perrin wines are the juice.

Web Shopping Review: Artisanal Cheese in NYC

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:09:21 GMT

We were quite pleased with the seven cheeses we ordered from Artisanal Cheese in New York and will definitely order from them again.

Restaurant Review: Angèle in Napa, CA

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:50:42 GMT

We had an excellent lunch at this City of Napa restaurant. The food was consistently well made, nicely plated and well conceived. We shall return!

Still say No! to Girl Scout Cookies in 2007

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:06:12 GMT

For 2007, the Girl Scouts still have Partially Hydrogenated Oils (trans fat) in their cookies. Joanne tells you what she thinks about this, along with the related Girl Scout merit badges.

Also on this page is last year's rant on the same subject.

Wine Blogging Wednesday: Biodynamics - The Round-Up

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:02:52 GMT

The Round-up is up! Thanks to the 38 participants who scoured wine stores to find a biodynamic wine. Cullen, Zind Humbrecht and M. Chapoutier found the most tasters but there was a wide range of wines chosen. A couple of the wines turned out not to be biodynamic but the hunt was part of the participation so you can read about what they found.

Recipes: Not-so-Traditional English Trifle

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:03:05 GMT

Joanne and Trent worked on a twist on Traditional English Trifle for our Undiscovered treasures party in December. Guests have requested the recipe – so here it is in three parts (so you can make it in steps if you wish). Trifle is a great make-ahead dessert as it actually improves sitting overnight.

Besides the link above, there are two other recipes for this dessert:
Victoria Sponge Cake
Honey Custard

Wine Blogging Wednesday #29: 2001 Zind Humbrecht Riesling Clos Windsbuhl

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:54:33 GMT

This month's theme is Biodynamic Wines and we've chosen one from one of the leaders of the biodynamic movement, Olivier Humbrecht. It's delicious, dry, vibrant and well-balanced.

Master List of 300+ Biodynamic Wine Producers

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 22:01:47 GMT

This is a compilation, from a variety of sources, of producers who either make biodynamic wine or make wine from biodyamically grown grapes. Also included are those who are uncertified and those who are experimenting with biodynamic preperations.

Food, Wine and Cheese Event Calendar for 2007

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 21:46:47 GMT

This is a list of the better large food, wine and cheese events scheduled for 2007, including the major Slow Food events that have been announced. Of course, we update this page through out the year.

Slow Food Event Report: Go West Young Wattle!

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:26:36 GMT

The Napa Valley Slow Food convivium hosted this wonderful tasting event at the Silverado Country Club. We dined on heritage pork from Heritage Foods USA, but on the lesser cuts - the whole beast ones.

Great Cheese Find: Tommette Morgee au Seyssel

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:58:00 GMT

Joanne's new love is from affineur Herve Mons’ - Tommette Morgee au Seyssel from France's Rhone-Alps (Haut Savoie) region. It’s a small round cheese which is washed in a local white wine called Seyssel. Morgee means washed rind or “smear ripened”. The cheese is a mixed milk pressed cheese (raw cow and goat’s milk) with a soft pate. It has a pungent, earthy element to it, but retains some of the fruitiness from the wine it is washed in.

Fork & Bottle to host Wine Blogging Wednesday #29

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 00:15:40 GMT

As hosts for the first Wine Blogging Wednesday of 2007, our chosen theme is Biodynamic Wines. We've created a page with several articles and other links, and a second page listing a huge number of Biodynamic producers.

Restaurant Review: Fish in Sausalito, CA

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 23:00:41 GMT

We've had two excellent visits to Fish and we'll be going back regularly. Fish is a simple, casual seafood restaurant focusing on sustainable sources. It's right on the water and very relaxing.

Don't Sweat the Vegetables

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:42:42 GMT

Joanne writes about parents getting their kids to eat vegetables. This article also includes some hints and tricks to getting a young child to eat vegetables.

Our new Gingerbread House

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:37:40 GMT

Joanne and Trent love to decorate gingerbread houses, and they've become a tradition in our house. Joanne shares some tips and resources for making gingerbread house decorating a bit easier and even more fun, in this first installment in our Holiday Cooking with Kids (which is more about doing things together than actually cooking). So get out your candy and start your icing!

Updated with many Gingerbread House resources and links.

Fork & Bottle's Holiday Kitchen Gifts

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:23:23 GMT

We now have twenty two items that we are really happy with and so can heartily recommend them. The above kettle works really well with a gas stove top...if your kettle takes forever to boil, this is what you need!

All About Wine Corkage and Corkage Fees

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:16:15 GMT

Jack takes on everything to do with corkage in this article which comprehensively explains corkage fees, policies, etc. If you ever wondered whether to tip, what to take and when to call the restaurant, Jack addresses most of your nagging questions.

Restaurant Review: Go Fish in Saint Helena, CA

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:50:36 GMT

Our initial visit to Cindy Pawlcyn's new restaurant. The scallops were excellent, the rest of the food was mostly quite good. But the service was not, as we reveal in detail. We will return in December when a new head chef takes residence.

(Lobster wonton soup; tastes very good but missing lobster-like taste)

Countdown to Thanksgiving 2006

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 23:38:51 GMT

For the second year, Joanne has written a blog-like timeline diary leading up to our Thanksgiving Feast. This year we have 14 people to feed and two heritage turkeys to cook.

The second, smaller turkey is going in the wood-burning oven. We don't want it to turn out like last time we tried this:

Updated, photos of the turkeys and this photo of Trent severing the barbs off the troll clubs:

Final Update: Turkeys cooked, reviewed, more.

Restaurant Review: Zin in Healdsburg, CA

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:08:45 GMT

We've dined here many times but have never had a really great meal. The food is consistent and it's an okay choice but it's not a destination for us.

Wine Tasting: Martine's Wines Grand Tasting

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 19:25:28 GMT

An in-depth tasting of wines from importer Martine's Wines (San Rafael, CA). Outstanding wines from Leroy and Perrot-Minot made this an excellent tasting.

Event Report: Slow Food Heritage Feast

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:07:17 GMT

Hosted by our own local convivium, Slow Food Russian River, this was our big local event for the year. It celebrated heritage foods, focusing on ones that are part of Slow Food's big project, Renewing America's Food Traditions. The soup (below) rocked, too.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #27: 2001 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Junior

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:38:17 GMT

Hosted by Kitchen Chick, this month's theme is Ice Wine. Our eiswein is from Germany, from one of our long-time favorite producers.

Great Cheese Find: Cone de Port Aubry

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:05:49 GMT

Joanne is swooning over this complex raw goat’s milk cheese. The two that she's enjoyed were aged and selected by affineur Herve Mons.

Cone de Port Aubry is firm and slightly crumbly. The nose is of melted butter and softly warm goat with almosty a dusty earth undertone. The flavors are complex, starting with buttered popcorn and buttered mushrooms then fading into a pronounced acidity like crème fraiche/soured cream with a hint of lemon and a distinctive but subtle finish of hazelnuts.

F&B Recent Updates and Additions

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:20:12 GMT

First, you'll find a link to the new short movie, the Meatrix 2.5, on our home page, along with a few new blogs on the very left.

US Cheesemakers Update: We're now up to 207 cheese makers! We haven't had the time to do more detailed descriptions, except for a few, like Dancing Cow.

A new book review is up: What to Drink with What you Eat. The title says it at all and we think it's both well done and very useful.

Another order from Formaggio Kitchen is now in our Web Shopping section.

Lastly, we've added another 38 cheeses to our Master Cheese List.
These are all cheeses we've tasted recently. The cheeses are: Bermuda Triangle, Black Gold, Bloomsday, Blu del Moncenisio, Bobolink Foret, Bonne Buche, Bourguignon, Brebis du Lochois, Bubalus Bubali, Burrata, Cabecou Feuille, Chabichou du Poitou, Cornish Yarg with Nettles, Daisy Cheddar, Fleur Verte, Forsterkase, Fourme de Rochefort, Fragolino, Gour Noir, Grand Marcel, Jean Grogne, Le Vache de Chalais, Leonora, Mad River Roll, Mozzarella di Capra, Petit Marcel, Pozo Tomme, Roccolo, Roomano, Sancerre, Stilton, Teleme, Tomme de Lucciana, Tommette Morgee au Seyseel, Two Rock, Valencay, Vlaskaas, and Winchester Gouda (super aged).

Restaurant Review: Bistro Ralph in Healdsburg, CA

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 04:02:12 GMT

Another pleasant lunch at Bistro Ralph. Two regular favorites, the chicken livers and the CK Lamb burger, were prepared well and satisfied our hunger.

Recipe: Chilean Sea Bass Provençal

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 22:07:35 GMT

Chilean Sea Bass is back on the menu; Whole Foods has found a sustainable source and we snatched some up.

Joanne created this early Fall recipe using bounty from our own garden. (Only the red onions weren't from our garden.)

Restaurant Review: Market in Saint Helena, CA

Fri, 20 Oct 2006 00:41:20 GMT

A visit to Market in St. Helena for lunch was pleasant enough. But we had mixed feelings about it. We would likely return if we lived in St. Helena, but we would probably not have it in a short list for a visiting tourist.

Artisanal Cheese Center's Master Class Intensive: Lesson One

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:59:14 GMT

In July, Joanne took the Master Cheese Intensive Class at Artisanal Cheese Center in New York City. This is the first in a series of tasting notes she has organized with photos of each cheese. This first cheese plate was the introduction to the class - showing the progression from soft and mild to strong cheeses.

The eleven cheeses Joanne describes in-depth are Cabecou Feuille, Chaource Bourguignon, Tomme Crayeuse, Tomme de Savoie, Serra da Estela, Torta del Casar, Gouda, Roomano, Blue D’Auvergne, Colton Bassett Stilton and Blu del Moncenisio.

Recipe: Fig & Ricotta Tart

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:54:11 GMT

Figs are in high season in California so Joanne devised this fig and ricotta tart to go with a tapas style meal. She drizzled Rare Hawaiian Organic Winter Honey over the top.

Restaurant Review: Bouchon in Yountville, CA

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 20:45:54 GMT

Another excellent lunch at Bouchon. It remains one of the very best restaurants to visit in wine country. (The photo is of Nonats Frites, an immature fish eaten whole.)

Wine Tasting: Bonhams & Butterfields Pre-Auction Tasting 9/2006

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 02:55:59 GMT

An excellent tasting. Outstanding wines included:

1961 E. Chandesais Hospices de Beaune Cuvée Rousseau Deslandes
1988 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
1998 Leroy Nuits St. Georges Aux Boudots
1999 Domaine du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz
1985 Château Pichon Lalande
1998 Montevetrano

Wine Tasting: Champagnes - 78 Current Releases

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 01:30:10 GMT

This was a great Champagne tasting put on by the Institute of Masters of Wine (North America). There were quite a few standouts, including wines from Lanson, Vilmart, Dom Pérignon, Perrier-Jouët, Taittinger and Bollinger.

Great Cheese Find: Roccolo

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:55:35 GMT

Joanne's latest cheese find is one she's particularly excited about: It has a great acidity showing on the finish and the salt lingers. A very complex and sexy cheese.

Restaurant Review: Devi restaurant in New York City

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:07:08 GMT

If you like your Indian food quite spicy, Devi may be one of your best choices in New York City. The atmosphere is romantic and the wine list is quite good for an Indian restaurant.

WBW #25: 1997 Vilmart Coeur de Cuvée Champagne

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 03:57:32 GMT

We chose a bottle of Vilmart because over the years this is the producer of grower Champagne whose wines we've enjoyed the most.

This was our first bottle ever of Coeur de Cuvée, Vilmart's top bottling. It was excellent but a bit closed (and you can't decant!) and would have been better with additional aging.

Winemaker Dinner at the Farmhouse Inn with Radio-Coteau, Porter Creek and Copain

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:23:40 GMT

One of the best wine country winemaker dinners we've attended. The food was excellent and the wines very enjoyable.

Each winemaker discussed their wines: Wells Guthrie of Copain, Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau and Alex Davis of Porter Creek.

Restaurant Review: Fatty Crab in New York City

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 21:47:21 GMT

An excellent meal at Fatty Crab leaves Jack wanting to go back and sample more. A very popular small restaurant with no reservations accepted, so go early or be prepared to wait.

Secrets of Wine Country: Winery Visits - Tips, tricks, hints

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 21:01:29 GMT

Our third Secrets of Wine County page focuses on visiting wineries in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. It's designed to help a visitor get more out of a day of tasting at wineries. We talk about etiquette, what to wear (comfortable clothes and no high heels), etc., along with a short list of a few wineries in each area.

Restaurant Review: Lupa in New York City

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 23:35:32 GMT

A wonderful meal at Lupa in New York City. The food and the wine exceeded our expectations. The Frutti Di Mare was a very nice way to start the evening, but was overshadowed by the Orrechetti with ground pork sausage and greens.

Update: Coffee & Chocolate - Great new finds

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:58:57 GMT

Some real winners here, especially Kee's Chocolates and MarieBelle's Chocolates. Joanne is also enthusiastic about the coffees, including the one from Raven's Brew.

Chocolate:
Kee's Chocolates
MarieBelle
KSHOCOLAT Honeycomb & Vanilla Milk Chocolat
Ludomar Urron de Chocolate con Avellanas

Coffee:
Raven's Brew Misty Fjords
Dean & DeLuca Sumatra Mandheling
Bodega Coffee Co Premium Blend Continental Roast
Flying Goat Coffee Mexico
Nectar of Life Happy Place

Recipe: Watermelon Juice Drink

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 01:38:39 GMT

Here's a delicious, refreshing summer drink now that watermelons are in season. (Be sure to pick one with seeds, as they almost always have better flavor.)

Restaurant Review: Delfina in San Francisco

Fri, 18 Aug 2006 21:12:06 GMT

We had a pleasant enough dining experience at Delfina, but don't understand the raves we've heard about it. Not a destination, but a good neighborhood restaurant.

Restaurant Review: Blue Water Grill in New York City

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 03:44:03 GMT

A last-minute restaurant choice at the very popular Blue Water Grill off Union Square in New York City turned out well. Oysters and an Alto Adige sauvignon hit the spot.

Restaurant Review: Blue Hill in New York City

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 01:04:25 GMT

A pleasing dinner at Blue Hill in New York City. Excellent ingredients and care will make this restaurant particularly appealing to members of Slow Food.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #24: 2003 Pascal Cotat La Grande Côte Sancerre

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 01:03:13 GMT

The Cotats produce some of the best sauvignon blanc in the world. Our wine from Pascal Cotat, in an abnormal, high heat year, is excellent.

Restaurant Review: Momofuku in New York City

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 03:32:08 GMT

Perhaps the Official Translation of Momofuku should be "Excellent Steamed Buns," as "Noodlelishish" seems to be not quite right. Momofuku isn't pretentious and delivers really good food from some really good sources.

Restaurant Review: Manzanita in Healdsburg, CA

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:26:09 GMT

Our first-ever lunch visit to Mazanita did not exactly excite us. The food was good enough that we'll return, but it's not a top choice either.

Visually Imperfect Produce

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:03:56 GMT

Jack shares two small stories about farmer's being unable to sell less-than-perfect produce, along with some thoughts on the subject.

Update: Master Cheese List (32 additions!)

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:19:28 GMT

It's been more than three months since we updated our Master Cheese page. This time we've also added some jumps to get you to the right part of this incredibly long page quickly.

The July additions:
Acappella
Ascutney Mountain
Bandon Vale
Blank Slate
Bleu de Sassenage
Brother Laurent
Cacetto al Raboso
Caprino Noce
Cardona - Cocoa
Centovalli
Chevre (from Yerba Buena Goat Dairy)
Cravot
Ewe F-O
Fleur de Chevre
Hooligan
Just Jack
Lemon Quark
Lyburn Gold
Maccagno
Marco Polo
Metronome
Midnight Moon
Parrano Robusto
Pyrenees
Raschera d’AlPeggio
Riesling x Sylvaner
Robusto
Rondo
Sharpham Rustic
Soumatrain
Tronchetto di Capra al Miele
Winnemere

Restaurant Review: Redd in Yountville, CA

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:30:10 GMT

We had an excellent lunch there in late April will dine there again when opportunity presents itself.

Sashimi of hamachi, sticky rice and edamame, with lime ginger sauce

Wine Tasting Notes: Pre-1980 California Wines

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:03:40 GMT

About 30 people from around the Bay Area in San Francisco gathered at Jack Falstaff's to taste more 40 California wines from before 1980. The special guest was François Audouze (who brought the two non-California bottles you see in the photo).

WBW #23: BBQ wine - 2001 Valsacro Dioro "Selección J & D" Rioja

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 06:02:13 GMT

Our choice for a BBQ wine (this month's theme) is from a 100 case production (US only) from Bodegas Valsacro. It's an interesting mix of 50% tempranillo, 10% carignan, and the remaining 40% is a field blend dominated by grenache. It all comes together, making for a wonderful wine.

Restaurant Review: The Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant in Forestville, CA

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 22:39:24 GMT

After an excellent "young winemaker's" dinner there, we return and review The Farmhouse Inn. Another excellent meal - we rank it as one of the best three restaurants in Sonoma County.

Recipe: Chilled Sorrel Soup

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 22:18:48 GMT

A Spring-Summer soup where a small amount is quite satisfying.

Three new Food Book Reviews

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 06:15:01 GMT

Joanne reviews three books: Real Food Revival by Sherri Brooks Vinton and Ann Clark Espuelas, Chew On This by Eric Schlosser, and her favorite, Full Moon Feast by Jessica Prentice..."Few food books are this inspiring."

Secrets of Wine Country: When to visit, Traffic & Weather

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:45:04 GMT

Our second page in our new section on visiting Napa Valley and Sonoma County focuses on when to visit, traffic snarls, fastest routes, where to see redwood trees and more. Plus some speed trap infomation.

Secrets of Wine Country: Restaurants

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 03:22:28 GMT

As we celebrate our first anniversary, we launch a brand new section of our website: Secrets of Wine Country. Living in wine country, we couldn't resist doing our own guide.

Our main page is all about Napa Valley and Sonoma County restaurants for lunch and dinner, along with cheese shops and stores to buy the best picnic supplies.

Update: A look at Wyndhayvn's Vegetable Gardens in June

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 23:18:19 GMT

The Golden Raspberries, tomatoes, and much more are coming along so nicely. This is the most success we've had at growing our own food. If only we had some full sun!

Note: This is another one of our super-long pages, where your mouse's scroll wheel gets a work-out.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #22: Lower Alcohol Reds - 2000 Clos Rougeard "Les Poyeux"

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 04:43:44 GMT

Our choice of wine this month is a world class Cabernet Franc from the Foucault brothers who jointly run Clos Rougeard. They set the standard in France and perhaps the World for Cabernet Franc. Elegance, great balance and serious ageability.

Cooking with Kids: Sugar Cookies & Gingerbread Houses

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:00:08 GMT

Joanne's fourth article on cooking with your kid(s). Lots of photos and Tools of the Trade. Plus some great sources for safe/healthy ingredients.

A Note to Feed Readers

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 02:48:01 GMT

We're going to email our first newsletter around June 18. So, this is your last chance to get on the list. (Subtle hint!)

Bonus: You'll be the first to learn of the new font color being added to the F&B website. Yes, our first additional color since the launch of our site. Somehow we found a color that doesn't clash with the others. So, please, pop open the sparkling wine when you see it!

Update: Our Roses (and other Flowers)

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 02:03:33 GMT

Our roses are especially vibrant this year, perhaps due to the crazy amount of rain we had in March and April. So, many new photos have been added to this page.

Wine Tasting: 2006 DuMOL Open House

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 17:22:14 GMT

Once again, the wines were great. The two newest additions looked extremely promising: The 2004 DuMOL Clare Chardonnay from Carneros and the 2004 DuMOL jack robert's run Syrah RRV.

Wine Tasting: Vineyard Brands 2004 Red Burgundy

Wed, 31 May 2006 15:48:05 GMT

This tasting featured new releases from Bruno Clair, Vincent Girardin, Henri Gouges, Thierry et Pascal Matrot and Mongeard-Mugneret. We were reminded, once again, that we don't own enough, nor drink enough, Red Burgundies.

It was especially a treat to taste so many Vincent Girardin wines; we've drunk more bottles from him than any other Burgundy producer.

Recipe: Goat Cheese Crackers with Ground Bush Tomato

Wed, 31 May 2006 03:40:49 GMT

Nice, fresh, CRACKERS! Get 'em while they're HOT!

Wyndhavyn Menus: A Wine Country Dinner with a Local Focus and a French Flare

Mon, 29 May 2006 17:02:09 GMT

Not one, but three recent menus. The first featured Duck Confit and finished with an old wine from the Ukraine. The second, A Simple Easter 2006 featured a very tasty ham that cut more like butter. The third, Roasted Chickens and Cheese had interesting cheeses and the first asparagus of the season.

Update: Gourmet Foods - Nine more to make you hungry!

Sat, 27 May 2006 18:07:43 GMT

Lantern pasta! No candles or electricity required!

Pastifico Marella - Lanterne Pugliese Pasta (dried pasta)
Beecher's Blank Slate with Honey (cheese spread)
Confitures de Raphael - Framboise (jam)
Svenska Original LantChips (potato chips)
Ritrovo's Sweet & Salt from Abruzzo (flavored salt)
Tegole (sweet hazelnut biscuit)
Dolcielo 'Brownies for Adults'
Toby's Ranch Dressing (salad dressing)
Nirmala's Kitchen Akatjurra Bush Tomato (spice)

Cheese of the Month: Piedmont from Everona Dairy

Thu, 25 May 2006 15:57:08 GMT

Our cheese this time is a wonderful farmstead sheep's milk cheese from Everona Dairy in Virginia. Joanne says it has great depth and character - high praise from her!

Wine Tasting: Bonhams & Butterfields May Pre-Auction Tasting

Wed, 24 May 2006 20:30:35 GMT

Another interesting lineup of wines. The winners were the 1986 Heitz Martha's Vineyard (a lot of people liked the 1987, too), 1982 Lynch Bages, 1997 Harlan Estate Borromeo, 1993 Hartwell and 1998 Araujo.

Rant: Just Say No to Girl Scout Cookies

Tue, 23 May 2006 21:53:50 GMT

With Childhood Obesity out-of-control, we were sickened that the Girl Scouts continued to sell cookies with transfat in them - and we were beginning to think we were the only ones concerned.

Although Joanne wrote this rant back in January by the time we were ready to feed it the 2006 cookie season was over. But after reading Nicholas D. Kristof's great Op-Ed NY Times column on May 21 - it encouraged us to post Joanne's rant - as Kristof's Op-Ed has the Rest of the Story.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #21: Rochioli Estate Pinot Noir Russian River

Mon, 22 May 2006 06:04:48 GMT

Our choice of wine this month is the pinot noir we've had the most often. I think we've tasted ten vintages so far. It didn't clash with our paired recipe, Slow-roasted Steelhead, but nor was it perfect. It is perfect with roast chicken.

Recipe: Slow-roasted Steelhead

Mon, 22 May 2006 05:51:07 GMT

Although Steelhead is not one of our favorite fishes, it IS in-season and is the heart of our recipe for Wine Blog Wednesday #21 and Is My Blog Burning #26. Secret: A lightly-oaked chardonnay would have paired better than the pinot noir.

Update: Coffee & Chocolate - Our Latest Finds!

Fri, 19 May 2006 17:11:58 GMT

Beautifully made and delicious Woodhouse Chocolates in St. Helena surprised us and along with Masterpiece Coffee in Marin and Barking Dog Roasters in Sonoma and made our May local coffee/chocolate challenge enjoyable.

On the Chocolate side:
Woodhouse Chocolates
Mademoiselle de Margaux - Chocolate Noir Orange
LA Burdick
Jacques Torres Chocolate Maltballs

On the Coffee side:
Masterpiece Coffee - Fair Trade Blend
Barking Dog Roasters - Dog House Blend
Thomas Hammer - Fireball Blend
Giamaica's Crema Caffe

Update: Great Local Foods - Eight of Interest

Wed, 17 May 2006 23:50:57 GMT

Of note is the long-awaited debut of Paul Bertolli's Fra' Mani Handcrafted Salumi. The former Oliveto chef has a tremendous passion for salumi and if you check Fra' Mani's website, you'll see the people that he's hired have that passion, too.

But also, there's a new source (to us) for Grass Fed Beef in Marin (but they deliver to the Santa Rosa Farmers' Market) - Lunny Ranch.

Fra' Mani Classic Italian Sausage - Berkeley/Oakland
Hobbs Applewood Smoked Bacon - San Rafael
Woodhouse Chocolates - Saint Helena
Rising Tide Sea Vegetables - Mendocino
Point Reyes Original Blue Dip & Dressing - Point Reyes
LouLou's Cornichons & Bing Cherry Jam - San Francisco
Lunny Ranch Grass Fed Beef - Inverness
Bouchon Bakery - Yountville, CA

Web Shopping Review: Jacques Torres Chocolates

Thu, 11 May 2006 19:18:57 GMT

Joanne was quite impressed the quality of the chocolates and malt balls from Jacques Torres in New York and recommends them highly.

Recipe: Chicken Parmigiana

Tue, 09 May 2006 23:27:39 GMT

One of our house favorites, this is Joanne's version of Chicken Parmigiana. Yum!

Wine Country Event: Slow Food & Michael Pollan in St. Helena

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:19:39 GMT

At the welcoming Silverado Brewing Co. (where they don't use PHOs!), Michael Pollan spoke about findings from his new book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma".

We dined on great local food, including artichokes and Niman Ranch Heirloom Pork Chamorro. 'Twas an excellent late spring event hosted by the Napa Valley Slow Food convivium.

Wine Tasting Notes: Domaine Select Tre Bicchieri wineries

Wed, 03 May 2006 19:24:10 GMT

Before tasting 91 Tre Bicchieri wines at Italian Wines 2006, we went to a pre-tasting put on by Domaine Select and tasted 44 wines there. Many were wonderful!

Wineries included: Hofstatter, Massolino, Molino di Grace, Il Palazonne, Velenosi and Pupille.

Restaurant Review: Tra Vigne in St. Helena, CA

Tue, 02 May 2006 21:20:50 GMT

Joanne has fond memories of eating rabbit ragu at Tra Vigne. But a recent visit for lunch has us thinking that we don't need to go there again for quite a while. Three words from Joanne: "Too much salt."

Wine Tasting: Italian Wines 2006 - Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri wines

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:26:52 GMT

The is one of the best Italian wine tastings in the U.S., with stops in New York and San Francisco. Tre Bicchieri means three glasses - and the 100+ wines at this tasting were all awarded three glasses by the Italian wine magazine Gambero Rosso.

We had the opportunity to taste many great wines including ones from Prunotto, Sanct Valentin, Bruno Giacosa, Tenuta Coppadoro, La Spinetta, Ornellaia and Hofstätter. The tasting is sponsored by Gambero Rosso and Slow Food Editore.

Notes from a special dinner at Santi in Geyserville, CA

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 01:57:28 GMT

The last of four special theme dinners at Santi. This one was focused on the food and wine of Northeastern Italy. It was very enjoyable!

Drinks:
MV Carpano Vermouth Antica Ricetta
MV Borgo Magredo Prosecco
2004 Marco Felluga Molamatta
2003 Movia Ribolla
2004 Hofstatter Meczan Pinot Nero
2004 i Baldazzini Lagrein
2002 Ramandolo La Roncaia Verduzzo

Food:
Anguilla ai Ferri
Sope di Vardi e Urties
Salsiccia Fruiliana con polenta di Grano Saraceno
Cervo in Agrodolce
Stucolo di Pera

Restaurant Review: Greens Restaurant in San Francisco

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 21:57:30 GMT

Another visit proves to be our most enjoyable. But still we can't recommend going out of your way to dine at Greens. The Mediterranean Sampler (pictured above) was very good.

Cheese of the Month: Ubriaco - Sot la trape - Fragolino

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 22:16:17 GMT

Ah, Drunken Cheese from Italy! So good, it needs three names! Actually, these are variations of the same hard cheese, usually made from raw cow's milk and soaked in wine grape pomace.

It's rare to find a cheese that I'm enthusiastic about that isn't, well, stinky. This cheese has such a beautiful pineapple smell to it, that it really stands out. Tastes good too, but the taste is more of a hint of pineapple.

Recipe: Pumpkin Rock Cookies with Shagbark Hickory Nuts

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:46:00 GMT

Delicious Springtime Pumpkin Cookies! Well, pumpkins aren't in season, but a special nut is.

Not so helpful note: The rock part gives them that certain crunch and minerality that you expect in a fine cookie.

(Yep, we snuck in a Slow Food Ark ingredient - Shagbark Hickory nuts - it takes four hours of labor to extract one pound of them!)

Wine Tasting Notes: Frederic Wildman & Sons 2006 Spring Tasting

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:09:59 GMT

The tasting of the Wildman portfolio includes Pol Roger, Olivier Leflaive, Nicolas Potel, Trapiche, Paul Jaboulet, Pascal Jolivet and Hugel, amongst others.

The Hugel wines exceeded my expectations, and the 2003 Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert was the best Jaboulet I've tasted in recent years.

And then there was the 2002 Trapiche Iscay which almost seemed infused with Chocolate. I'm still not sure what to make of it, but further exploration, er, tasting is required.

Restaurant Review: A16 in San Francisco

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 23:59:33 GMT

A relaxing, wonderful evening at A16. The food was fresh, hearty and satisfying. We are eager to go back.

The restaurant was also hosting two special guests that evening - the owners/winemakers for both Movia and De Conciliis. A16 was pouring 7 different Movia wines and 8 different De Conciliis wines by the glass and half-carafe.

Recipe: Island Pork Tenderloin

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 06:03:46 GMT

Re-tested and now with beautiful pictures. Joanne cooked this dish more frequently in the past, but we haven't had a great source of pork tenderloin lately, and so it fell out of rotation. We need to have it (and variants) more often!

Wine Blogging Wednesday #20: 2000 Gravner Ribolla

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 01:02:18 GMT

Josko Gravner's 2000 Ribolla is a great wine. It is also one of the most wonderful wines to smell in the world. Updated with great photos from Vias Imports.

Update: Master Cheese List

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 23:42:35 GMT

Latest Additions (23 new Cheeses):

Alpage Prattigau
Bachtelstein
Bagòss di Bagolino
Baita Friuli
Bergblumenkase
Bishop's Blessing
C2
Caciotta del Lazio
Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese
Eldgennossen Kase
Friesago
Mahon
Montrachet
Murcia al Vino
Nata Cantabria
Persillé de Tignes
Sot la trape
Smokey Blue
St Drean
Stanser Fladä
Tronchetto
Tupi de Sort
Ubriaco allo schioppettino
Walder

In addition, more than a dozen other cheeses listed were added to and/or updated.

Cheese

Update: US Cheesemakers - 18 more!

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:12:56 GMT

Eighteen more American cheese makers to bring to your attention, including two we should have listed long ago, Vermont and Rogue. A couple are from places you don't think of for cheese - New Mexico and Texas.

Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese (ID)
Beaver Brook Farm (CT)
Coonridge Organic Goat Cheese (NM)
Green Pastures Dairy (MN)
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese (KY)
Little Rainbow (NY)
Maid in the Shade (TX)
Northern Prairie Chevre (IA)
Palatine Valley Dairy (NY)
Rogue Creamery (OR)
Rustling Wind Creamery (CT)
Sweet Grass Dairy (GA)
Sweetwater Valley Cheese (TN)
Tall Cedars Farm (VA)
Townhouse Farm (ME)
Traders Point Creamery (IN)
Vermont Butter and Cheese (VT)
Yellow Branch Farm (NC)

Cheese

Wine Tasting Notes: 1989 + 1990 Barolo with the Rare Wine Co.

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 20:44:43 GMT

What a great tasting! Ten of us tasted 1989 and 1990 Barolos from Giacosa, Giacomo Conterno, Aldo Conterno, Mascarello, Francesco Rinaldi and Clerico. The wines were in perfect condition. A big thumbs up to Manny and Barry of the Rare Wine Co.

Cooking with Kids: Real Pretend Cakes & Milkshakes

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 05:18:49 GMT

This is the second article by Joanne on how to get your little guy or girl to have fun cooking in the kitchen with the chef(s) of the family. This one focuses on cakes and milkshakes.

Restaurant Review: LaSalette in Sonoma, CA

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 02:23:13 GMT

We visit our second favorite restaurant in Sonoma. It's the first time we've had Lunch there. It was good but not all three of our previous dinner meals there were superior.

Organic and Heirloom Seed Sources and Resources

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 02:25:59 GMT

One of our hidden pages gets a huge update and comes out into the sun. If seeds are on your mind, you'll want to check out this detailed page and its links.

Recipe: Stinging Nettle Simple Syrup

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 22:05:54 GMT

This is an easy-to-make herbal syrup recipe. We made a soda for our little guy that he loved. Yep, Stinging Nettle Soda. We're going to roll this out nationally, going head-to-head with the evil High Fructose Corn Syrup purveyors...

Well, maybe not.

Joanne's Organic Gardening Guide

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:17:52 GMT

Spring is here! (Well, not quite where we live - that blasted groundhog must have seen his shadow!)

And it's Planting Time! But before you run out and buy chemical fertilizers, amended soils, and "miracle" drugs for your garden, check out Joanne's guide to healthier plants.

One key is to use compost for everything. A second key is to fertilize with a mixture of Organic Compost/Compost Tea, Rock Dust and Oyster Shell Dust. (Way cheaper and makes your plants happy, happy, happy.)

Rant: The new two-edged knife - Bioplastic made from Corn

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 22:28:42 GMT

Joanne wonders about biodegradable plastic made from corn - Is this Good or Bad? Accompanied by some great links on the subject.

Wine Tasting Notes: Alsace & Rhone in San Francisco

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 02:19:28 GMT

My mental rank for Albert Mann wines has been just a slight notch below Zind-Humbrecht and Domaine Weinbach for quite a while. Well, no longer - Albert Mann has joined the very top echelon of Alsace wines. The Jean Becker and Weinbach wines showed very well, too.

If you went to this tasting in hopes of tasting some great Rhones, you came home disappointed. It was mostly a tasting of lesser wines - you really had to search for something good.

Cooking with Kids: Mudpies & Cheese Souffles

Sat, 18 Mar 2006 01:01:08 GMT

A new article by Joanne on how to get your little guy or girl to have fun cooking in the kitchen with the chef(s) of the family. Lots of hints and suggestions.

2006 Wyndhavyn Garden

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 20:58:53 GMT

A new page for 2006, with photos of early flowers.

Recipe: Joanne's Irish Stew

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 22:28:32 GMT

This was delicious! Fortunately there was plenty.

Cooking Notes: From a Hot Chocolate & Shortbread Tasting Party

Sat, 11 Mar 2006 17:17:30 GMT

Joanne's very extensive notes and quite a few lovely photos from our recent Hot Chocolate Tasting Party. This is a long page - be sure you have a mouse with a scroll wheel!

WBW #19: 2000 Le Clos du Caillou Très Vieilles Vignes Reserve Côtes du Rhône Villages

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 03:53:15 GMT

Ah...a top level CdR that's really a CdP in disguise. We really like the style of Le Clos du Caillou wines and this one certainly does not disappoint.

Wyndhavyn Menu: A Dinner for a Cold & Rainy Night

Tue, 07 Mar 2006 04:47:55 GMT

You don't feel any heat, nor smell wood smoke when running a wood-burning oven. But the food cooked in it tends to be wonderful!

Case in point: The main course of Braised Monkfish cooked in our wood-burning oven with La Valleta Fagioli del Purgatorio, Leeks and Tomatoes. Leftovers? Hahahahaha-ha.

Wine Tasting Notes: Bonhams & Butterfields Pre-Auction Tasting

Sat, 04 Mar 2006 06:40:17 GMT

A great tasting held February 9, 2006 in San Francisco.

Outstanding wines included the 1985 Château Cheval Blanc, 1990 Château La Conseillante, 1986 Château Margaux, 1983 Château Pichon-Lalande, and 1990 & 1991 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard.

Update: Coffee & Chocolate

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 06:12:14 GMT

Just when you thought it was safe to walk by the chocolate bars and gourmet coffee at your favorite store, along comes...

Hachez Cocoa D'Arriba - Orange 77%
Poco Dolce Rocher, a mix of Almonds, Coconut and Dark Chocolate
Poco Dolce Dark Chocolate Covered Burnt Caramel Toffee

Coupa Cafe Organic Venezuelan Single Estate
Tupinamba Torrefacto (sugar-roasted!)
Calistoga Roastery's Clive's Wake-up Call
Giamaica's Arabica Caffe Cubano

Local Food: Two Organic Apple Juices and Four More Finds

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 19:27:56 GMT

Excellent local foods from:

Solano Gold's Autumn Harvest Organic Apple Juice
Nana Mae's Gravenstein Organic Apple Juice
Black Sheep Farm - Pork and Beef
Bennett Valley Bread & Bakery's Mt. Taylor 5-Seed Bread
Rustic Bakery's Flatbread
Santi Charcuterie

Local Charcuterie: Fatted Calf

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 06:00:37 GMT

I still remember going back again and again and again at the Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting months back for more and more of Fatted Calf's Mortadella. I you live in the SF Bay Area, you need to check them out at the SF and Berkeley Saturday Farmers' Markets.

Recipe: Wild Mushroom Soup

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 01:13:15 GMT

This was delicious - not just a wonderful soup, but also a great mushroom dish.

Menu For A Hot Chocolate Tasting

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 21:26:22 GMT

Twenty Hot Chocolates, Twelve Shortbreads, F-i-v-e kinds of Tea Sandwiches... Seven-Mushroom Soup, Nine Artisan Cheeses, Seven Wines and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Restaurant Review: The General's Daughter in Sonoma, CA

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 22:14:56 GMT

We had an excellent meal at The General's Daughter and it is definitely on our Recommended List.

Gourmet Foods Update: Eight is Great

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 03:47:11 GMT

Our Top Pick:
Old State Farm Maple Syrup - Highly recommended! Sets our standard for maple syrups, and we tried so many.

But we also like:
Maggie Beer's Blood Plum Paste
Niman Ranch St. Louis-style Pork Ribs
Caramoo Caramel Crumble
Zambeedo Creme de Rose Flavored Dessert
Rustichella d'Abruzzo Cannolicchi
Doctor Kracker Crackers
Starr Ridge Crackers

Local Food: Point Reyes Preserves & Cakes from Patisserie Angelica

Wed, 15 Feb 2006 06:50:28 GMT

Patisserie Angelica is sort of a local secret; they focus on Wedding Cakes locally, but a few of their "regular" cakes are sold by the big gourmet guys nationally. Fortunately, they have a great selection at their store in Sebastopol, CA. We've never been disappointed with a cake of theirs.

Point Reyes Preserves preserve quite a few vegetables and fruit, and are found at the Point Reyes and Marin Farmers' Markets. We keep buying.

Bonus for feed readers:

Della Fattoria's Biscotti and Polenta Pullman Bread - Jack adored this biscotti with cranberry and pisatchio. Joanne loved and now craves their Polenta Pullman which we think is only available at their Petaluma store.

Rant: "Farm Eggs" - When did Eggs get a new Label?

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 01:16:57 GMT

Joanne is perturbed by the new term "Farm Eggs".

Jack votes for calling all others "Industrial Eggs" (in big letters on the boxes).

Cheeses of the Month: Bachtelstein, Montrachet and Persille de Tignes

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 05:29:09 GMT

Three new ones to delight your cheese senses:

Bachtelstein is a cow’s milk cheese made near Zurich.

Persille de Tignes is a semi-hard raw goat's milk cheese from the Pyrenees.

Montrachet is made from raw goat's milk in Burgundy.

Restaurant Review: Santi (aka Taverna Santi) in Geyserville, CA

Wed, 08 Feb 2006 17:32:14 GMT

A very comfortable place to dine in Sonoma Wine Country. We will continue to go back.

Wine Tasting Notes: 2nd Annual Pinot on the River

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 07:16:26 GMT

Quite a few excellent California Pinot Noirs. I'll be going back again this year.

Recipe: Shepherd's Pie

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 23:51:59 GMT

This was wonderful! And the mashed potatoes with celeriac - what a perfect pairing!

Update: Olive Oil Tasting at F&B

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 07:00:48 GMT

Finally, a tally and interpretation of the results.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #18: Wine Shops That Feel The Love

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 05:33:40 GMT

We've chosen Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa, CA as the wine shop. No, it's not a small store. Not a medium. Not a large. No, it's XXL. Think of a store with more than 250 Zinfandels in stock.

And the wine that was recommended to us was the 2004 Lutea Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. This is not a big winery, nor a medium-size winery. No, I don't think you could use the word small yet, either. No, this is really micro-like - just 125 cases were made of this delicious organically-grown pinot noir - the winery's first ever release. Looks like a pinot used to like - light in color, not dark. And no crazy amount of alcohol.

Web Shopping: Korin Japanese Trading Co.

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 06:14:46 GMT

A short review on a pair of new chef's knives, Masamoto VG-10 Gyutou and Mac Superior Gyutou.

Plus an interesting alternative to steel-wool scrubbing pads: Sandclean. Watchout, dirty sticky pan with baked on muck! Your days are numbered! (Think Hong Kong Action-movie accent.)

Update: Our Master Cheese List

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 20:46:11 GMT

Another 25 for our list. Be glad we don't send this to your cell phone! But that's just because they don't do ring smells - yet.

We've also updated Cheese Resources - check out Treany Artisinal Cheeses (very top left), and Ideas in Food (scroll way down on left).

The twenty-five cheeses:

Aseitao or Azeitao
Bianco Sardo
Bondon à la Fleur de Sel
Brezouard aux Herbes
Brigno de Flanders
Caciotta al Rosmarino
Cendré du Beauzac
Chanco
Cimonino
Furiani
Grayson
Ibores
Island Stream
Livingston Gold
Monte Cristo
Pantaleo
Petit Fiance des Pyrenees
Queso de Mano
Roncal
Sapori Di Anglona Bianco Nuraghe
St. Blaise Grand Modele
Sugarbush Cheddar
Tommette de Yenne
Tornegus
Wildmannli

Recipe: Cioppino Fish Stew a la Joanne

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 19:03:17 GMT

And this paired wonderfully with the best dry muscat I've ever had, the 2001 Dirler Grand Cru Spiegel Muscat from Alsace. Oh that nose!

Wine Tasting Notes: Brunello di Montalcino

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 04:04:54 GMT

Our tasting notes from a huge Brunello di Montalcino tasting in San Francisco. Tasting the 2001 Brunellos was really tough as they are so young and freshly bottled.

Update: US Cheesemakers (25 more!)

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 05:07:26 GMT

Just in case you've tried every cheese you can get your hands on, here's some you've missed:

Appel Farms
Appleton Creamery
Bobolink
Boggy Meadow
Catapano Dairy Farm
Champlain Valley Creamery
Cobb Hill Cheese
Consider Bardwell Farm
Crowley Cheese
Estrella Family Creamery
Goat’s Leap
Golden Glen Creamery
Hawthorne Valley Farm
Monteillet Fromagerie
Northland Dairy
Pleasant Valley Cheese
Pure Luck Texas
Quillisascut Cheese
Samish Bay Cheese Company
Seal Cove Farm
Silvery Moon Creamery
State of Maine Cheese Company
Udder View Farm
Washington State University Creamery
Widmer Cheese Cellars

Plus, Frog City Cheese is recognized, er, properly.

Cookbook Reviews: New from Paula Wolfert, Martha Stewart and Susan Spungen

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 03:23:12 GMT

Joanne reviews another three cookbooks:

The Cooking of Southwest France: Recipes from France's Magnificent Rustic Cuisine
by Paula Wolfert

Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook
by Martha Stewart

Recipes: A Collection for the Modern Cook
by Susan Spungen

The Paula Wolfert book is the most inspiring but Joanne will probably use the Martha Stewart one the most.

Gourmet Foods Update: Seven Score

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 07:17:57 GMT

Seven for you to taste, but, please, not together, not the same night, not the same day, they really, really cannot be combined in any way, not even with a Kitchen Aid mixer set on full turbo. Trust me!

American Flatbread Frozen Pizza
Cape Herb and Spices Grinders
Tiny Trapeze Simply Vanilla Marshmallows
The Toffee Shop Penrith Fudge
Sugar Shots Organic Liquid Cane Sugar
Sauces 'n Love - Sugo Rosa
The Oatmeal of Alford

Web Shopping: Chelsea Market Baskets

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 06:04:08 GMT

Gourmet Gift Baskets are, well, not something on my gift giving or receiving lists. Gourmet Gift Baskets are something of an oxymoron - never really having items a gourmand would appreciate. So here we are recommending a wholesaler and retailer of such(!)...

Joanne made a purchase from them when she was looking for a particular product and found they carried it. And so she ordered a few other items and was quite pleased with what she got, including the Gourmet Lunch basket.

Restaurant Review: Chez Panisse (Downstairs)

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 05:29:29 GMT

A visit in Mid-January brings pleasure. Plus four paragraphs on why Jack...hmmm...keeps going back.

The best course of the night was the first one: Grilled Cannard Farms Leeks with egg and black truffles.

Wyndhayvn Menu: A Simple Birthday Dinner

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 05:00:55 GMT

A relaxing evening, with the main course of Roast Chicken, turned out to be one of the best chickens we've ever had. Was it really the seasoning?

Add another wonderful bottle of 1978 Mouton, and a gorgeous Present cake from the super local dessert bakery, Patisserie Angelica, made it an extra special evening.

Cookbook Reviews: Three winners from Young, Hesser and Kaimal

Sat, 21 Jan 2006 02:41:31 GMT

Joanne has reviewed these three:

The Breath of a Wok: Unlocking the Spirit of Chinese Wok Cooking Through Recipes and Lore by Grace Young

The Cook and The Gardener: A Year of Recipes and Writings for the French Countryside by Amanda Hesser

Savoring the Spice Coast of India: Fresh Flavors from Kerala
by Maya Kaimal

Cheeses of the Month: Tomme de Yenne and Brezouard with herbs

Thu, 19 Jan 2006 22:58:27 GMT

These are of the two cheeses we purchased from Fromages.com. They are new to us and wonderful!

The Tomme de Yenne (Tommette de Yenne, Tomette de Yenne) is a deliciously soft, melt-in-your-mouth cheese. It’s made from pressed uncooked cow’s milk aged a minimum of one month. It’s similar to Tome de Savoie or Beaufort, but with it’s own distinctive character.

The Brezouard has a stinky element but is semi-hard with herbs rolled in - they enhance the flavor rather than "are" the flavor. It's sort of similar to Muenster from Alsace.

Web Shopping: Fromages.com

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:06:01 GMT

Great artisan cheese from France. At your door two days later. Excellent Comte and Epoisses, plus a "Discovery Board" of five cheeses. Life is good.

Chocolate Alert: Vivani Organic Dark Chocolate with Orange Flavour

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 05:18:34 GMT

Dark chocolate with fruit is usually okay to good, but rarely great or fantastic. And then there's Vivani Organic Dark Chocolate with Orange Flavour. Just put it in the fantastic category. (You pass Go, and Collect 200 Chocolate Pts.)

Also, three coffees are reviewed by Joanne: La Colombe Nizza, Moka Joe's Moka Joe Blend, and Kalani Organica French Roast Coffee.

Web Shopping: LobsterAnywhere.com

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 18:08:33 GMT

Big lobsters. Delicious chowdas.

Restaurant Review: Spring (in Chicago)

Fri, 13 Jan 2006 20:32:58 GMT

A very enjoyable meal one very rainy night in Chicago. The Hamachi Sashimi, the Lemongrass & Coconut Soup, and the Maine Sea Scallops in a Moroccan spiced stew of butternut squash, were excellent.

Tasting Notes: Chicago Wine & Food Festival

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:38:37 GMT

I found some good wines during a sampling of the Grand Tasting, but the three seminars were a lot more fun.

The Italian Wine Merchants seminar featured a great talk by Sergio Esposito and the best wines of the day.

Joe Dressner was quite entertaining and passionate about the six Louis/Dressner wines he was discussing.

A cheese and wine pairing class with Max McCalman was a bit too focused for the novice cheese eater for me. Yet it did have its good parts. (Many more notes added January 13th.)

Pantry Update: Crummy Brothers Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 18:23:12 GMT

Never thought I'd be raving about a *Mint* Chocolate Chip cookie. These are like a great wine in that the complex balance of tastes and mild sweetness is so perfect.

Recipe: Five Cheese Veal Parmigiana

Sat, 07 Jan 2006 03:46:13 GMT

...because four cheeses would be ONE short.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #17: Kiwi Reds

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 07:33:38 GMT

Our wine this month is the 2003 Spencer Hill Pinot Noir
Coastal Ridge from the Nelson appellation. Good at $25.

Internet Shopping: Formaggio Kitchen

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 20:31:30 GMT

Our second order.

The Big Hits: Giamaica Caffe, and La Force Basque, a seasoning. Plus a reorder of The Profumato del Chianti, a finely ground sea salt with herbs.

Internet Shopping: Chefshop.com

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 20:18:49 GMT

The Oatmeal of Alford is the winner so far.

Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 06:27:32 GMT

And they're, of course, a great pairing with a wonderful Kurobota ham.

Wyndhayvn Menu: Christmas Eve 2005

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 23:01:48 GMT

The Snake River Kurobota Bone-In Ham (ordered via David Rosengarten's Rosengarten Report) was quite good and sooooo tender.

Restaurant Review: Eccolo in Berkeley, CA

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 06:03:16 GMT

A very pleasant brunch one day in September. The highlight was perhaps the Chanterelle Mushroom and Herb omelette.

Update: Our Master Cheese List

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 00:51:05 GMT

We update this page 1-2 times a month, but as there's so many this time, we'd thought feeding it would be appropriate. We also slightly reformatted it - shrinking our longest page down to a mere 9 pages in length. (Be sure to have wheel mouse installed!)

The additions: Amish Frolic, Chistou, Etorki, Giglio Sardo, Il Caprino del Piemonte, Medora, Nicolau Farms Chevre, Oka, Perdido, Pitchounet, Red Leicester, Red Spruce (Cheddar), Regal de Bourgogne, Ricotta Dura Stagionata, Robiola Vecchia Valsassina, Tomme de Chataigneraie, Tomme de Templiers, Toussaint, and Zamarano.

New Cheese of the Month: Stanser Schafkase

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 04:50:14 GMT

Stanser Schafkase has an Alsatian muenster-like pungent smell. It’s strong flavor is slightly grassy, slightly herbal with a hint of spiciness. It’s smooth, firm and slightly soft with a mellow slightly buttery finish.

Check out the wine pairings, too.

Wyndhavyn Menu: A Feast for Saturnalia

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 04:47:14 GMT

Roasted Leg of Lamb was the main course. Some remarkable wines from Fiorano, Takler, Laurel Glen, Movia and Chateau Pradeaux added to the pleasure of this relaxing dinner.

New Pantry section: Coffee & Chocolate

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:50:05 GMT

Coffee and Chocolate now get their own page. There are quite a few great new additions, too.

...and there was dancing in the streets.

Update: Great New Local Foods

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:44:36 GMT

Three great new food treasures: Robert Lambert's White Fruit Cake, Fiorello's Gelatos, and Phoenix Pastificio's Sweet Pea Ravioli.

Book Reviews: Kids books & Kids cookbooks

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:29:23 GMT

This page has recently grown to 13 books reviewed and most are recommended.

Book Reviews: Gardening Books

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:26:32 GMT

Our page on eight garden books has been updated and is worth a look.

Book Reviews: Three Cheese Books

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:22:22 GMT

Joanne reviews three more cheese books:

1. American Farmstead Cheese: The Complete Guide To Making and selling Artisan Cheeses by Paul Kindsedt

2. Cheeses of the World: An Illustrated Guide for Gourmets by Bernard Nantet

and a forgotten classic,

3. The Wine and Food Society's Guide to cheese and cheese cookery by T. A Layton

The latter includes a cheese and wine tasting for 10 (!!!) Liebfraumilchs.

Wine Tasting: Marin Pinot Noir

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 06:06:23 GMT

Tasted in June, but finally written up. Of note are the 1997 and 1998 Vision Cellars Marin Pinots. Also, my first taste of a Skywalker Ranch wine; nah, it wasn't nasty at all!

Wine Tasting: The Age of Riesling - December 2005

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 06:49:55 GMT

A tasting of mostly Terry Thiese German and Austrian wines hosted by The Age of Riesling. Germany looks quite good for 2004!

Bonus: Some John Kwitkor Valley View small grower Champagnes.

Wine Blogging Wednesday #16: Paolo Bea

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 01:32:44 GMT

Derrick's Challenge (from An Obsession With Food (+ Wine)):
Pick wines based on their labels. We chose...
2003 Paolo Bea Santa Chiara (a white blend)
2000 Paolo Bea Sagrantino Pagliaro

Cookbook Review: Charcuterie

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:21:04 GMT

Your Fork 'n Bottlers have gone from eating next to no charcuterie to eating it 1-4 times per week in the past year. So this book is Of Interest!

Cookbook Review: Artisanal Cooking

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 04:18:22 GMT

A new review by Joanne of a very interesting cookbook by Terrance Brennan and Andrew Friedman.

But have you the stuff (and counterspace!) to make the Poached Halibut with Lemon Mousseline, Pistachios and Dates?

Restaurant Review: Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen

Tue, 29 Nov 2005 23:25:25 GMT

We again visit Cindy's for lunch and are happy. An excellent sit-down lunch spot in St. Helena.

Menu: Thanksgiving 2005

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:21:24 GMT

A 20-1/2 Bourbon Red, seven wines, tasty gravy, and more.

Recipe: Spiced & Spiked Walnuts

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 04:07:33 GMT

A Thanksgiving appetizer at Chez Wyndhavyn.

Rant: Why Buy Local, Organic, Sustainable, & Non-GMO

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 04:00:23 GMT

Joanne makes her case.

Recipe: Dressing with Sierra Beauty Apples, Royal Trumpet Mushrooms & Walnuts

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 05:55:36 GMT

It looks good and smells good. But I won't get to taste it until Thursday. And a reminder, this is a dressing recipe, not stuffing. Dressing. Not stuffing.

Joanne's Cheese Book Reviews

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 05:30:05 GMT

Trying to decide on a cheese book to purchase? Here's some clues!

Diary: Countdown to Thanksgiving 2005

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 18:33:15 GMT

Joanne thought we should do a running, er, commentary(?) of this year's Thanksgiving feast at our house.

So far, the haul from the Marin Farmers' Market, List of What Has To Be Done, and the proposed Thanksgiving Day menu is here.

Update 1: The Heritage Turkey arrived, weighing in at a whopping 20.46 lbs. Photos up.

Update 2: Pumpkin pie and many of the vegetables are prepared. The table is ready to be set.

Update 3: Wines opened and now listed. Cheese list changes. And more.

Recipe: Apple Parsnip soup

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 18:26:38 GMT

Joanne found some wonderful parsnips at the Marin Farmer's Market and we needed a Thanksgiving soup - so that's what we have. Will be enjoyed by those who don't like parsnips, too.

Our Holiday Selection of Kitchen Gadgets, Etc.

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:43:09 GMT

Have your credit card ready, the servers at Amazon and Sur la Table are standing by, awaiting your order.

Tasting of Terry Thiese’s Small Grower Champagnes

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:38:46 GMT

This was an excellent tasting of Terry Thiese’s champagnes (the specialist in small growers). Vilmart and Geoffroy really stood out...really great values!

Recipe: Joanne’s Apple Pie

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:37:19 GMT

The cookie cutters made it really beautiful!

Recipes: Braised Mustard Greens & Baby White Turnips

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:35:56 GMT

As Joanne says, the turnips will even be eaten by turnip haters.

Recipe: Prime Rib

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:33:53 GMT

And what nice photos! Yum for the mouth and the eyes.

Menu: Sunday Birthday Dinner

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 00:32:02 GMT

Our first Prime Rib in almost two years. Yum!

Tasting of 20 Greek wines imported by Sotiris Bafitis

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:26:57 GMT

As a group, these wines were quite good, and show that the Greek wine industry is coming along.

Riesling Renaissance - German Wine Tasting

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 05:05:45 GMT

The San Francisco stop of this "tour" was, well, quite disappointing, to be nice about it. In a sea of mediocrity, the best really stood out.

Restaurant Review: Quince in San Francisco

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 05:20:23 GMT

Interesting Italian - relaxing and very enjoyable. We'll be going back.

Wine Blogging Wednesday: Mischief and Mayhem Pommard

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 06:42:13 GMT

The challenge was to pick a wine that was produced in quantities of 250 cases of less. We picked one that just 62.5 cases were made of - 2002 Mischief and Mayhem
Pommard 1er Cru Clos Orgelot (from Domaine Christophe Violot-Guillemard). And it was really, really good.

Damnation Beer

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 04:48:31 GMT

The first California beer that we've had that gets a big Thumb's Up. From The Russian River Brewing Company, a micro-brewery.

Three New Cheeses of the Month

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 04:36:04 GMT

1. Mitica's Miticrema - a spreadable sheep’s milk cheese from the Murcia region of Spain.

2. SF Drake - the rarest cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. So secret that they won't put in on their website. It is a triple-crème pasteurized cow’s milk cheese washed in Beaumes de Venise and topped with macerated currants.

3. Pierce Point - The Fall/Winter seasonal cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. It is made from organic whole milk, washed in a muscato wine and rolled in dried herbs from the Tomales Bay coastal region.

Wine & Spirits 2nd Annual Top 100 Tasting

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 16:25:12 GMT

This was an excellent tasting event held on October 12. But I'm still searching for the Petrus that was pictured on the cover of the program booklet.

Review: Seaweed Café

Fri, 28 Oct 2005 05:52:36 GMT

A visit to (probably) the top restaurant in Bodega Bay.

Update: Wine Resource page

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 04:30:22 GMT

Our wine resources page has had quite a few updates recently, including more Wine Forums and Food & Wine pairings (very bottom left column).

Review Update: Hog Island Oyster Company - SF

Sat, 22 Oct 2005 04:27:00 GMT

Our second visit to Hog Island Oyster at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal Market Building. Great oysters. Great manila clam chowder.

Review: Barndiva Restaurant

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 04:56:13 GMT

An early September visit exceeded our expectations. What a wonderful addition to the Healdsburg restaurant scene!

Riesling Offline Wine Tasting Notes at Hana

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 06:43:10 GMT

A group of twelve riesling aficionados, from as far away as British Columbia, swirled 21 rieslings and 2 rouges. Quite a few of the wines were delicious! No sake that night!

Review: Hana Restaurant

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 06:37:14 GMT

The restaurant we've dined at the most since moving to California. This review focuses on a Mark Squires BB offline event featuring rieslings.

Wine tasting notes from the Mosel Winemaker's Dinner

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 05:50:09 GMT

Some excellent wines, including the Wine of the Night, 2001 Willi Schäefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spätlese Goldkapsel (auction wine).

Review: Fifth Floor Restaurant Mosel Winemaker's Dinner

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 05:47:58 GMT

Photos, menu and thoughts on the food from August 18th.

Recipe: Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:43:50 GMT

Joanne's best tomato soup ever! This recipe really brought out the flavor of the tomatoes, and the peppers added a nice subtle element.

Bonhams & Butterfields September 2005 Pre-Auction Tasting Notes

Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:04:58 GMT

There were a lot of very good wines, but nothing in the truly great category. The bottle of 1983 Pavie was the big failure of the night; alive for 5 minutes - dead after that.

Wine Blog Wednesday #14 - New New World Pinot Noir

Fri, 07 Oct 2005 22:26:03 GMT

We selected a Jack and Joanne favorite, the 1997 Movia Pinot Nero (or 1997 Movia Modri Pinot for those of you reading this in Slovenia). This is a pinot noir unlike any you've ever had.

Recipe: Singing Pink Scallops

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 05:38:55 GMT

These very beautiful Pacific Northwest scallops are in-season and Joanne cooked them simply to keep their flavor intact.

Recipe: Sweet Potato-Crusted Ahi Tuna

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 05:25:48 GMT

Another tuna preparation that was yummy.

A Dinner with Heritage Foods USA at Chez Panisse

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 04:59:02 GMT

Menu, photos and general details. Patrick Martins from Heritage Foods USA and Frank Reese from Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch hosted this artisinal dinner, along with Alice Waters.

Jack is Guest Writer at Accidental Hedonist for a weekend

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 04:20:08 GMT

Posts include "Big Chain Supermarkets vs. Whole Foods", "You can't let me into Safeway", "How to Lose Weight: “Eat Less and Exercise…?” Wrong.", "Time to order Heritage Turkeys" and "Seven Wine Topics". This is more than I have written for Fork & Bottle in the last month. Glad it's off my chest! Thanks Kate for the chance to let loose.

Recipe: Sauteed Swiss Chard

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 04:11:33 GMT

Yes, Joanne some how made Swiss Chard pleasurable to eat. I have stopped ignoring Swiss Chard at the Farmers' Market and even buy it all on my own.

Kermit Lynch Trade Wine Tasting Report

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 18:29:44 GMT

Some delicious wines were tasted, including wines from Zind-Humbrecht. Quite a few of these wines are just now coming into the market (September).

September Garden Update

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 06:01:02 GMT

With such a mild Summer here, the plants are a bit fooled into thinking Fall is already here. Here's a few photos.

Menu: A Cuban Feast with a Spanish Flair

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 05:43:50 GMT

Our small dinner party featured Norman Van Aken’s “One-eyed Barbequed Ropa Vieja in Home Fries That Kick” with fresh Lima Beans. Even the photos are worth viewing!

Recipe Upgrade: Frittata with Sea Beans

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 05:38:58 GMT

What do you do with Samphire/Seabeans? Egg it up!

Internet Shopping: Korin Trading Company (update)

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 05:35:17 GMT

Korin is a Japanese kitchen products store specializing in knives. From an earlier purchase we finally got to use the key item from our order, the cedar sheets. We used them when we grilled wild salmon – yum!

Wine Blog Wednesday #13 - Chocolate Cake plus Wine

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 05:15:02 GMT

Clotilde at Chocolate & Zucchini's challenge to find a “wine that will pair beautifully with an intensely flavored chocolate cake." Our 1998 Turley Zinfandel Delinquent was a pretty good match with David Glass’s Ultimate Chocolate Truffle Cake.

New Fork & Bottle Cheeses of the Month!

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:49:41 GMT

Jack’s pick: Robiola sapore di bosco from Arrigoni Valtaleggio’s. This is a washed rind cheese made from pasteurized brown alpine cow’s milk.

Joanne’s pick: Cypress Grove's Purple Haze is a fantastically creamy and light chèvre with a subtle flavoring of lavender buds and wild harvested fennel.

Recipe: Eggplant Parmigiana

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:46:47 GMT

Will be enjoyed even by people who don’t like eggplant.

Menu: Pirate Grub for Trent’s 3rd Birthday

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:45:53 GMT

Oh, the little gourmands! Edible Frozen Pizza? Yes, way!

Menu: Braised Lamb for New Friends

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:44:30 GMT

Braised Romney Lamb Shoulder from Heritage Foods USA was the focus of a great dinner. Thanks, Amanda Hesser!

Menu: Eye of Round Gains Raves

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:43:40 GMT

The guy at Prather Ranch at the Ferry Terminal convinced us to buy this Eye of Round to roast. It was delicious!

Menu for a Finishing Salt & Rosé Wine Tasting

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:42:57 GMT

Menu, photos and a list of the wines.

Menu: A Thanksgiving in June

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:41:18 GMT

The arrival of a heritage turkey spawns a dinner. Just our menu and some photos.

Cooking & Tasting Notes from Spring into Summer Dinner Party

Sat, 10 Sep 2005 01:38:34 GMT

Extensive notes, except for brief notes on the wines.

Menu: Spring into Summer Dinner Party

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 20:21:14 GMT

From June: A ten-course meal at Wyndhavyn with great food, and wines which showed amazingly well.

Bloggity Blog Blog Blogs

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 05:01:12 GMT

We've created a separate page to list more blogs. There's 16 blogs on this new page and an additional 16 blogs listed on our home page, including a bunch of new ones.

Our home page also has quite a few new events listed in the "Upcoming Events" section.

Restaurant Review: Della Fattoria Downtown in Petaluma

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 04:25:24 GMT

One of our very favorite local bakeries has a small cafe in downtown Petaluma, CA. The food exceeded our expectations.

Wild Flour Bakery - Our Favorite Local Bakery

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 00:18:55 GMT

Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti. Check. Seeded French. Check. Secret picnic table at far end of garden. Check.

Summer Hot Slaw Recipe

Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:27:06 GMT

New fresh, local ingredients, including pancetta from Santi (Healdsburg, CA), made this a wonderful dish the other night. Plus seven photos to get you salivating!

Pinot Days Festival - Tasting Notes from the Grand Tasting

Mon, 15 Aug 2005 23:59:17 GMT

A great tasting event! Our brief tasting notes for 131 wines, plus Bottles Desired (a rating) for quite a few of them.

Golden Glass 2005 - The Wine Tasting!

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 07:08:18 GMT

Notes (and many Bottles Desired) for the 124 wines we tasted on June 18th.

Two Great Cheese Finds

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 23:50:38 GMT

Abbaye de Citeaux and Tenerella scored big with us.

Press - St. Helena Restaurant Review

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 23:30:52 GMT

The newest upscale restaurant in Napa Wine Country gets an early evening visit in late July.

bovolo Restaurant Review

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 23:04:43 GMT

From our visit on July 19, 2005. bovolo is in Healdsburg, CA.

Recipe: Rack of Lamb

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 06:04:59 GMT

A quick-to-make recipe that our family eats 1-3 times per month.

Pride Tasting & Lunch

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 05:31:22 GMT

Sonoma Showcase of Wine and Food - July 15, 2005: Lunch and tasting at Pride Mountain Vineyards. Tasting notes for 8 wines plus 6 from barrel. Plus menu.

Marcassin Pinot Noir Blind Tasting

Fri, 05 Aug 2005 00:08:28 GMT

A single-blind tasting of eight 2002 Pinot Noirs held June 10, 2005. There were two dozen tasters, including Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer.