Gastronomie

I got ZAP'd today -- and it's not what you think

Surely you've read all about ZAP by now. It's that insanely popular festival honoring the only true California grape, Zinfandel (no Primitivo backers need argue this point, please).

Well, C and I headed out this morning, not quite as early as we should have, to attend the Trade & Media portion of the tasting. It's a whole lot more calm than the insanity of the free-for-all tasting that starts at 1pm, with room to move and a chance to actually SPEAK with the winemakers.

Since it was nasty and misty out, and we didn't want C's camera to get wet, I dropped him off at the front of Herbst Pavilion so he could get some shots in and get our badges while I went to find parking. Riiiiiiight.

An hour later, frustrated beyond belief, and with a blood pressure hovering somewhere in the "dangerously high" zone, I returned to the front of the Pavilion and sent one of the staffers off to find C in the melee. After getting in three near-physical altercations with three DIFFERENT people over parking spots, and watching dozens of folks walk out with loaves of delicious-looking baguettes and purple-stained teeth, only to get into the waiting cabs, I gave up and just wanted to get the HELL out of there.

As soon as he was in the car, I made a beeline for a favorite lunch spot. No waiting, no parking mayhem, and most of all, NO ZINFANDEL... I just needed food. So where did we go?

Oh, come now, you know how I like making things interesting. So, the first person to guess where we ate lunch today will receive a ticket to the Food Blogger Face Off at the Ferry Building on February 6th.

The picture below could serve as a hint, if you're so inclined.

Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Wine | San Francisco | ZAP

Persians Break the Fancy Food Barrier

I spent several hours at the Fancy Food Show this week -- there's nothing like walking the Moscone floor, going from caramels to cheese to chips and back again to test the fortitude of one's stomach. Personally, I have a limited daily tolerance, and I really have respect for the food buyers who do this three times a year, three days at a time... not to mention all the off-site tastings and events they attend.

But the real point of this post is this: Mashti Malone, makers of the Persian ice creams I grew up eating, the people who brought a taste of Tehran summers to Tehrangeles... well, they're all grown up and going Whole Foods on us.

I'm thrilled. Really. I love seeing my ham-vatan, my countrymen, attaining success. But my first question of Mashti Shirvani, the president of Mashti Malone was: "are you changing the packaging for the Persian markets, too?!?"  Because that ubiquitous clear plastic tub with its pink and blue "Fingilishi" (Farsi-English hybrid, the national language of Tehrangeles) speaks volumes.

Venus Knows Breakfast

Most often, if we're meeting people in Berkeley for breakfast, we head to La Note. It doesn't happen too often, as they don't take reservations and I hate waiting on line for upwards of 45 minutes when I'm grouchy and famished.

So, I was really excited when C's best friend called to invite us to Venus, just down the street from La Note. 'Cos here's the thing -- while they don't take reservations for brunch, you can call on your way down, and they will put your name on the list. The only caveat is that they'll only call you a couple of times before giving your table away if you're not there, which is totally fair if you ask me.

So, how's the food? Awesome, and so much more interesting than La Note's.

C and I shared an order of Luxury Flaps ($7), luscious, sexy pancakes with Belgian chocolates and fresh raspberries. They didn't need butter, syrup, or anything else, and the texture was moist and tender. I can only imagine how amazing they'd be at the height of summer.

I also had the Country Breakfast ($6.50), which included salty, crisp-tender homefries, two eggs (scrambled) and "Amy's Biscuit". While I didn't much care for the biscuit, which seemed to be made with whole grain, the eggs were clearly incredibly fresh and the potatoes were seriously addictive.

C loved his Royale Omelette ($9.50), a California omelette souped up with chipotle crema, though I passed up a bite as I was at my egg-limit for the day. G had his regular 2x2x2 ($8.50), which two slices of tasty thick-cut applewood bacon.

J's Indian Brunch ($9) could be the most unique brunch entree I've ever had, and it was really delicious. Curried veggie pancakes were served with curry scrambled eggs, chapati and banana raita. I already know that this is what I'll be getting next time I go back.

Service was just fine (though several sources report that it can be slow and sometimes surly), and since we had called ahead, we only had a 5-10 minute wait. The space is warm and inviting, with lots of exposed brick and rotating artwork. Unfortunately, the tables are set very close together, so it's hard to maneuver the tables and the place can get pretty loud.

Venus is a great alternative to La Note... well, really -- it seems that La Note may become my alternative to Venus!

Venus Restaurant
2327 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA
510.540.5950

Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Brunch | Bay Area | Berkeley

Rubicon -- Not Just for Business Dinners Anymore

It's hard to say what made us go back to Rubicon... we'd been there less than a month ago for a holiday dinner with my company. Dinner that night was exceptionally good -- everyone raved as we walked out, and we all found ourselves asking "What happened here?"

Rubicon used to be very... dependable. Solid food, an extraordinary wine list, hushed tones -- a great place to take clients for a business dinner. But Rubicon for a date? Never.

So, when C called to ask if he could take me to dinner... well, I jumped at the chance. Then, when he suggested Rubicon, I found myself hesitating for just a split second. I jumped onto the Dine About Town website, and looked at their menu. Sounded amazing. "Rubicon it is -- meet you there at 8:30?"

And so, I walked into Rubicon, promptly at 8:30 and walked up to the handsome gentleman in black, sitting at the bar and sipping a glass of Roederer. "How lucky am I?," I thought, as he ordered me a drink.

Dog Blogging Weekends

I don't often participate in DBW, but C took such an incredible picture of my boy, Bogart, last week that... well... I just had to share with you!

And to keep it somewhat Gastronomie-related, the wine back there on the right is Ravenswood's Rancho Salina Bordeaux-style blend. We have lots of fun comparing and contrasting this wine with the wine that Mr. G makes every year from Rancho Salina grapes.

Technorati Tags: Food & Drink | Dogs | French Bulldog | Dog Blogging Weekends | San Francisco

I'm so embarrased

I can't believe it's been this long since I posted. I mean, it's been so long that the bookmarked link to TypePad has dropped off my history list... Shameful.

I don't come bearing excuses... only to say that I have been suffering a fierce case of Blog Fatigue. I must not be alone, because a quick Googling turns up nearly 14,000 hits. Even The New York Times has written about "Blatigue".

It's been hard to get motivated when I'm on the road as much as I've been; ironically, all the traveling has led me to some really amazing and "bloggable" meals.

So, this year, my "Birthday Resolution" is to fall in love with Gastronomie again. I'm going to start taking better care of this little corner of the web (and, by extension, myself).

Happy Birthday to me, and Happy Re-Birthday to Gastronomie!