Everything in its place

I recently read an insightful, elegantly stated blurb from the famously perfect chef of The French Laundry, Thomas Keller. It was about how by using the culinary concept of ‘mise en place’ — French for ‘put in place’ — in his cooking, and everyday life, allowed... Continue

Sonoma’s fabulous farm stands

The small town farm stand. There may not be a means of shopping for food that brings me more joy. Saturday dawns and I begin plotting my day, which will inevitably revolve around an unhurried stop at one of Sonoma’s many delightful farm stands. We... Continue

High Five pops-up with Korean fried chicken in Guerneville

The itsy bitsy town of Guerneville, it’s Main Street lined with towering redwoods, seedy looking roadhouse-style bars, and small town gift emporiums, is one of those Wine Country towns that always leaves me wide-eyed in wonder. In what feels like the middle of nowhere, here... Continue

The 2013 Market report

The woodsy, heavenly smelling smoke hovers over the horseshoe, making my stomach growl and as I approach the Plaza, I am ridiculously happy to see the bright white tops of the market tents through the (finally) green leaves of the trees. It is officially Tuesday... Continue

Beach in a bottle

I am only back from the beach a few days when the craving for the hot, golden sun on my skin and soft sand beneath my feet, the smell of tropical fruit, of ocean, and coconut sunscreen -- that unmistakable beachy smell -- overwhelms me. The... Continue

Life is delicious, thanks to mom

We all get something from our mothers, I suppose. A girlfriend inherited her striking, thick eyebrows and a gal I work with, her loud, happy laugh. My own little sister thanks mom for her pale blue eyes, the color of the clear Bahamian sea, the... Continue

Dreaming of a biscuit

I ’ve been away for weeks it seems, traveling for fun, traveling for work. It seems tragic to leave Sonoma this time of year when it is just so darn pretty. Tragic to leave Sonoma almost always; you know I miss the food here… and the... Continue

Talking burgers

Just what is a ‘good burger’ anyway? Is it the beef? The fat ratio or the size of the grind? Charcoal, gas or a dirty-in-a-good-way diner griddle? It could quite possibly be all about the bun. Kaiser or Dutch crunch? An English muffin is always... Continue

Dinner along the highway

I completely space out as I drive in from the City. Mill Valley, San Rafael, Novato, all passing in a blur of concrete. I immediately perk up as I exit onto Hwy. 37, I begin to breathe again, the top down, hair furiously whipping my face.... Continue

Cuba, how sweet it is

I remember my first Cuban coffee. It was a sweltering summer afternoon, the tropical Miami air clinging to my skin, the humidity heavy, moisture frizzing my hair ridiculously. There were four men playing dominoes at a beat-up café table on the sidewalk, somehow managing to look... Continue