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Add this to the category of ‘why didn’t we think of that'??? A new food newsletter is being launched on October 27. Described as a cross between SAVEUR and DAILY CANDY, the twice weekly newsletter will bring you foodie types information about ‘off-the-beaten-path’ foods, beverages, books, blogs and culinary travel. Sign up now at TUTTIFOODIE.COM.
And be ready with the emails of a few friends who might also be interested. You can enter those as well. Share the wealth.
Okay, so I am a little biased. I was one of the instructors at last night’s ‘For the Love of Chocolate’ class at the new Cheese School of San Francisco. But I must say, a good time was had by all. And there was a whole lot of learning going on, too. We learned how to taste pure chocolate using all five senses. We learned the difference between a Port and a Madeira and a Malmsey. We paired cheese with chocolate. Oh, and did I mention the Scotch portion of our evening?
The most gratifying part of the evening was what I call the ‘Wow’ factor. That look of astonishment when a student discovers a totally new taste combination. The third place is what I like to call it. It is the place where certain combinations of foods take you to a new place that you have never been before, nor did you know it existed. We went there many times last night. Won’t you join us next time?
The next 'For the Love of Chocolate' class is February 6, 2007. If last night is any indication, it will sell out fast. Call Sara at 415.346.7530.
Join us tonight at The Cheese School of San Francisco for a class devoted to the love of chocolate. I will be teaching 'the art of tasting chocolate' portion of the evening. Nina, from Broadbent Selections, Inc., will talk to us about wine, Port and Madeira pairings. And finally, Sara from The Cheese School will help us pair chocolate and cheese. Class starts at 6:30. Cost: $60.00 per person.
Why do I love the new Bristol Farms grocery store downtown? Let me first say that I was skeptical. Who, I mused, is going to go grocery shopping downtown? How could a grocery store survive on the lower level of a shopping mall? Boy, was I wrong. Everyone is going to shop at Bristol Farms. This may not be the store to stock up on staples like dish soap or paper towels, but you buy those at Safeway on sale, right?
I am constantly dazzled by the creativity that entrepreneurs display everyday. We love the Internet for making the world a smaller place and for getting the world out to like minded enthusiasts. And being a self-employed entrepreneur myself, I empathize with the amount of determination and courage it takes to put yourself and your ideas on the line. To say not only ‘yes, I can do this’ but to show up everyday and walk the walk. Here are a few San Francisco entrepreneurs that I would like to recognize. All have taken an interesting idea that they came up with themselves and ran with it. Bravo!
I know this may come as a complete shock to some of you, but it is true. We are not French. Nor do most of us want to be. We are Californians and more specifically we live in the Bay Area. We are different. We think differently, we eat differently. Our fellow Californians who live just 30 miles north, south and east of us don’t get us. The President of our country never dares to visit. So how can we expect the French to get us? And why, may we ask, do we need them to? Well, we don’t. I understand that a high rating in the Michelin Guide has meant the difference between success and failure for a restaurant. But I am having a hard time believing that it will make much difference to the restaurants we, the people, support night after night after night. My friends that go to Gary Danko’s and La Folie on a regular basis are not going to stop going. A few egos will be bruised for a while. And then one day the chefs will wake up and understand that they are in business because we love them. I am pleased that the Michelin Guide doesn’t quite know what to make of us and the restaurants we love.
