by Christina Waters | May 5, 2010 | Food, Home |
In his glory and surrounded by a) adoring culinary fans, b) terrific music, and c) spicy aromas of garlic, chile and ginger, Joseph Schultz ascended the stage/altar and wok’d and wok’d until no plate was empty.
It was a May Day afternoon devoted to gado gado, Dragon chicken (very mild), Calamari two ways (the djawa was superb, just like the old days), Pad Thai (glorious texture and temperature, invisible flavor), and never-better lashings of Hibiscus Cooler. While Irene Herrmann plus the ubiquitous Rangells filled the courtyard nextdoor to the restaurant-in-waiting with mandolin melodies, the crowd ate its fill.
Astonishingly enough the entire outdoor, makeshift, camp cooking operation went smoothly. (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 5, 2010 | Home |
I love this new ultra-thin faux English muffin invention that has been popping up at groceries under a variety of brands.
Our house favorite is from Oroweat, loaded with actual flavor, but only 100 calories (that’s for two halves!). Called “Sandwich Thins” they toast up quickly, are both crunchy and yet chewy, contain flavor and even whole grain interest, and yet they do so much less damage (to various midriff regions) than say an entire bagel.
Divine with cream cheese and Peach Amaretto jam from Stonewall. Divine.
by Christina Waters | May 5, 2010 | Home |
They’re neighbors. Friends. Share common interests. Even collaborated on a restaurant concept together. And now they’ve both won prestigious James Beard Foundation awards.
They would be winemaker Randall Grahm, whose recent, word-twisting memoir Been Doon So Long has taken the Best Wine Book award, and chef David Kinch of Manresa, named Best Chef/Pacific division. That Grahm and Kinch are at the top of their game will come as no surprise to those of us fortunate enough to graze in their pastures.
But it’s still a sweet honor.
Kudos.
by Christina Waters | May 4, 2010 | Art |
Join music lovers and amphibiophiles Sunday afternoon, May 16, from 2:30 to 5:30
at the17-acre Mt. Madonna estate of Sam and Terry Wright for a gala New Music Works al fresco concert. Among the highlights will be NMW founder Philip Collins’
Frog Requiem, a piece for 11 instruments, soprano and narrator, dedicated to
those frog species which have succumbed to extinction in recent years.Â
 The benefit concert—performed in a bona fide frog pond—will be preceded by a tasting of wines and hors d’oeuvres from top restaurants and winemakers , combined with a tour of the Wrights’ English garden. A donation of $100 per person is requested, 100% of which will go to support the New Music Works non-profit founded by Collins 31 years ago. Tickets may be reserved by calling Barbara Burkhart at 335-1429.
 Composer Collins was moved to write (more…)
