Thanks to the many of you who took the time to email me, or comment on Twitter or Facebook, after reading my last post.
I want to apologize for the frustration of the Comments Form being "absent"; TypePad claims to be working on it, and they know it's a problem for several users (presumably those of us who were "upgraded" to the most recent "Gamma" version of the software). Unfortunately, they don't seem to know when it's going to be resolved.
Hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year's Eve celebration, whatever that means to you, and that you're enjoying this first day of Aught-nine.
I've sat down to write a post about my dad no fewer than a dozen times -- easily once a week since he passed away on September 9th. But something has always held me back. I'm not sure whether it's the fear that once I start writing, I won't be able to stop, or the concern that I won't do him justice, or the ever-present worry that no one really wants to read about loss and sadness.
Finally, this week, the time has felt "right". So please indulge me a moment, and let me tell you about Yahya Philip Khatibloo, and how he celebrated Christmas.
My father was not a man given to mindless behavior. Rare was the moment that you'd find him at a loss for words, and without an explanation for every action (or inaction) that he made. While this trait of his has made me a keen debater, and given me a sometimes-unhealthy level of curiosity, it wasn't exactly easy to live with. If my room wasn't clean, there had better be a logical reason why not. If I wanted to stay out late on prom night, I had best be able to explain why it was a GOOD idea, and not just why coming home earlier was a BAD one.
There were moments, though, that my dad threw caution to the wind, and embracing Christmas was one of them. In November of 1978, he and my mom had just made their way to America, toting along a precocious four year old. We parked ourselves at his eldest brother's house, where my mom and I whiled away the days apartment hunting with Aunt Bettie as my dad geared up for his MBA program at Adelphi, due to start the first week of January.
Looking back, I don't know how they did it. This move had come at a time at once fortuitous and deeply saddening -- they must have known Iran was falling apart around their families, and that it would be a long time coming before they'd set foot on their homeland again.
At any rate, as the holiday season rolled around, my parents decided to honor the Christmas tradition; a terribly difficult move for two people so far removed from every comfort they'd ever known, and one made from a place of pure love -- they didn't want me to feel an "outcast" in this culture, and they wanted me to have a history of traditions no matter where I lived.
From that year forward, we always had a tree, there were always presents under said tree, and my mom always made a traditional holiday dinner. Dad would put aside his stoicism, and our doors were thrown open to friends and cousins, and all THEIR friends and cousins. He would dress up as Santa, just because. He would trudge out in the coldest snowfall, me at his heels, to pick up a tree we could some years hardly afford, just because. As my brother and I grew up, he started to take us to Midnight Mass -- despite being a wholly unreligious man -- just because.
It's been a few years since all of us were together at Christmas; after my brother and I moved out, our folks no longer put on the game face like they used to. Dad would sometimes still go to Mass, because he came to love the music and ceremony of it. But the turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and ham were a thing of the past for him.
This year, mom and bro came up to the Bay Area and, my, was it bittersweet. I had struggled all week with making stuffing from scratch, or making Stovetop, which he'd always loved. Of course, I made the Stovetop, and mom and I teared up a bit talking about it.
Everyone says the first year is the hardest, and I can see why. It was so hard to set a table for four, knowing he'd never butcher the turkey again. It was utterly bizarre, as I shopped for gifts, to stop myself when I'd find something perfect for him. And the scolding I'd get when those gifts cost more than he thought I should spend on him... I do so miss that.
I hope that you and yours had a wonderful holiday, whichever one you celebrate, and I hope that 2009 is filled with light, prosperity and health for you. And I thank you for allowing me to go on about my father, who is dearly loved and sorely missed this holiday season.
Yahya Philip Khatibloo March 12, 1946 -- September 9, 2008
I know, I've been gone a while. Consider it a summer sabbatical. Or hiatus {tee-hee}. Truth is, I just haven't been terribly inspired in a while.
And then, sometimes it comes in spades, all at once. In a very short period of time, I have:
Celebrated a good friend's birthday at South Food + Wine, which has renewed the excitement for my trip to Australia in November.
Felt magically lit from within at the Fatted Calf dinner at Piccino, bubbling over with the thrill of great food and great friends and beautiful spaces.
Shown my kid brother some of the best food in this amazing city, and watched as it lit a fire in him to pursue his dream and go back to school.
Eaten the most perfect San Francisco summer sandwich: Fatted Calf mortadella, Dirty Girl tomatoes, butter and basil on Acme Pain de Mie...
... washed down with a glass of rosato...
... whilst watching a magnificent sunset!
Drunk a bottle of bubbly anchored behind Treasure Island
Ate a post-Ferry Plaza Farmers Market picnic on a blustery day in Walton Square
Drunk my way, with several awesome people, through half the San Francisco drinks listed in the Food & Wine Cocktails 2008 book.
LANDED A NEW ACCOUNT!
It's been a good summer, no doubt. But this week, in particular, seems to have broken me out of my writing stupor. I'll be back later this week with a couple of delicious bites -- I have missed this pretty pink page, and I've missed all of you!
I know I sometimes have a warped view of my world... For example, for the past several years, I've flown over 100K miles per year on United, which has bestowed upon me the status of "Premier Executive 1K". Which basically means I'm that schmuck you hate as you're boarding, who's usually seated in Business Class with a glazed look in her eyes, trying to remember which city she's heading to next.
There are, of course, some nice perks to this program -- the aforementioned upgrades usually clear, I get treated pretty well if there are irregular operations (e.g., weather, equipment problems, etc), and... and... OK, maybe that's mostly it.
But the thing is, once you get used to the perks, it's really hard to think about going back to a lower level of status. Like I said, a warped view.
What does this all have to do with Memphis? Well, United was running a double-miles promotion, and I've always wanted to eat at C's favorite barbeque joint, the Bar-B-Que Shop, so on a total whim, we booked a ticket that would put us on the ground in Memphis for almost exactly seven hours.
It was an exhausting journey (we were in the same clothes for exactly 28 hours), totally indulgent (three meals in 5 hours), and totally invigorating. It was one of those days that leaves you marveling at how amazing the world we live in is, and was a reminder to throw caution to the wind and take life by the balls sometimes.
Remember how I struggled with my decision? I posted on Facebook, I update my Twitter, I asked everyone who would indulge me. I studied every review, every YouTube demo, every blog post about the Canon EOS XSi.
And then? I ordered it. I waited with bated breath as my delivery window was posted on Amazon, and then delayed by two days. I said goodbye to my loyal little point-and-shoot. The one that followed me from Burning Man to Italy, and re-ignited my zeal for photography.
Yesterday, my brand-spankin' new camera was delivered. And in the evening, a special angel arrived bearing a "Congratulations" gift bag loaded with the things a newbie dSLR owner may not know she needs: a polarizing filter, a UV filter, a lens hood, and a cool Lowepro shoulder-strap that lets me carry around an extra battery (also gifted).
And today? Today I must admit that I have fallen completely and totally in love with my new camera. Why? Because I am more confidently taking photos that make me feel legitimized, if you can imagine that. Even after two of these:
Hangar One Mint Gimlet
2 oz Hangar One Kaffir Lime vodka
Juice of one Key lime
6 torn mint leaves
Agave nectar to taste
I like the mint flavor to be slight subdued in this drink, otherwise I think it overpowers the delicacy of the vodka. It's why I don't muddle. Simply shake all ingredients, with copious cocktail ice, until frothy and ice cold.
I love, love, love whizzing lime zest, sugar, and the tiniest bit of kosher salt in my spice grinder to rim this cocktail. It makes the presentation a little more special, and only serves to subtly enhance the flavors in the drink.
Olive is nine months old... It's hard to believe the time has flown by so fast since she was this wee thing.
Raising a puppy is hard, HARD work, and C really does deserve 80% of
the credit for this one. In exchange, he gets the undying adoration of
that adorable brindle face, who thinks he's the neatest thing since
sliced bread. Or Nylabones.
PS - Does anyone know how to set my blog posting settings in Flickr? I don't like the way it sets up posts at all... but it's so damn convenient!
Yes, indeed. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, which means that tonight at 10:48 Pacific Standard Time, we celebrate Persian New Year.
Last minute obligations are precluding us from making it to Los Angeles as we'd hoped, so I'm cobbling together a Haft Sinn from last year's provisions. It will do, though it can't possibly hold a candle to my mom's. Dinner tonight is the traditional Sabzi Polo Mahi-- my kid brother is braving the Persian market to pick up a smoked fish and green garlic.
We miss our family muchly, but in the past six weeks of living together, my brother and I have learned that we have each other through thick and thin, as different as we may be, and despite the decade separating us.
As we jumped over the fires last night, I couldn't help but think how different last year was -- all I wanted to do was leave the prior year behind, to move on, to purge the sadness and anger of the Persian year 1385. This year, I am thankful that 1386's hardships and sadness were all steps toward growth and strength. All the people I love are in a much better place, and the upcoming year can only build upon the foundation that is solidly in place.
To all of you who follow along every day, week, month -- you don't know how much your comments and emails mean. To each of you who has been a confidante and friend, thank you! And of my family in Los Angeles, I beg your forgiveness, for I know that our last minute cancellation has caused major disappointment. I love you dearly.
Last week, Sam and I went to Orson on their first publicly-open night. She wrote an outstanding post about it here, including some excellent tips for getting the most out of a meal at Orson.
I thought I'd toss my two-cents into the ring, as so many of you today are heading over from her post, and decided to take the opportunity to ask an interesting question, as well.
To begin though, I have to laud Jacqueline Patterson's cocktail list. I fell so promptly in love with the Celery Gimlet that I actually ordered two of them instead of trying a second cocktail. Interestingly, I tried Alembic's celery & gin concoction on Friday night, and have to say that Orson's version is a far more balanced drink. Sam's Catch-22, while not my personal cup of tea, is a masterful libation loaded with flavor.
Also, as Sam mentioned, the Lightly Smoked Fish ($15) is a wonder of sous vide cookery -- the outside is texturally similar to hot-smoked salmon while the interior retains the texture of cold-smoking. Charred Octopus ($11) is a light dish, punctuated by paper-thin shavings of beef tendon and sprouted peanuts; an odd combination to be sure, but one which works beautifully.
When Chef Falkner came out to say hello, Sam and I both couldn't help gushing over everything, from the drinks and savory courses I espoused above, to the lovely space and service. We chatted for a bit about the never-ending "California Cuisine" debate, which leads me to ask you this question:
Is San Francisco ready to embrace technique-based cooking?
Ours has long been a culture of ingredient-driven food, and with good reason -- just stop in at any Farmer's Market and you can see why. But in that process, we've effectively denied our restaurant kitchens the opportunity to develop and cultivate the use of creative techniques, styles, and flavors.
I think back to the wonderful and memorable Smoked Yogurt that accompanied our chocolate cake at Coi, and how it disappeared not long after our meal there because it was "too different". And yes, while I know that Winterland's location was cursed, it's still unfortunate that they closed SO quickly (though, by all accounts, service never really got where it needed to be). How about the dishes that Daniel Humm was turning out at Campton Place? How could we have let a creative mind of his caliber run off to New York?
The question has been asked many times, many ways. But I can't help but ask it again. Are we willing to pay top-dollar for food because of the effort it takes? Is San Francisco ready to support a local favorite daughter in her attempt to push the boundaries of what we eat in this town?
Weigh in, please. I'm truly curious to know your thoughts.
One of the things I love most about my office is its proximity to Fog City News, home of San Francisco's best chocolate bar selection. This would be a conundrum if I worked with chocolate-haters, or worse, eaters of mediocre chocolate. Fortunately, the office is staffed by folks who let only the finest chocolate pass their lips, and while our weekly outings can add up in cost, the resulting endorphin rushes are well worth it.
In any typical week, there are an assortment of bars on offer in the kitchen which would sate any mood. Feeling feisty? Here, try the Chipotle bar. Catching a cold? Good thing we have orange infused chocolate! In a lull? There's bound to be an Earl Grey bar in here somewhere.
Until today, however, there was no chocolate bar suitable specifically for a missed lunch. Today, we remedied this with the exquisitely unique Basil & Lime bar from Rococo Chocolates. If ever there was a savory chocolate, this is it.
Based in 65% cocoa, infused with the scent of a Persian garden, and with a mouthfeel we all found pleasant -- not too fatty, not too chalky -- this bar enjoyed a 100% acceptance rate in the office. No small feat, that.
Rococo has an incredible assortment of flavors, some of which are becoming more standard these days (Cocoa Nib or Earl Grey, for example), while others are still quite unique (Cardamom, Orange-Geranium, and Peppered Mint are intriguing). They also have the Mystery Sense Bar:
"Anyone purchasing the bar will be biting into the unknown and have to use their senses to guess the flavour. For each chocolate bar sold, 50p will be donated to Sense."
Very clever, and very cool, indeed.
Rococo bars aren't cheap - I think they ring in at around $9/bar at Fog City - but the flavors are intense enough that you won't find yourself finishing a whole one too fast.
Oh, and for anyone wondering: Yes, we have tried Vosges' Mo's Bacon Bar. We weren't so impressed - the bacon flavor is rather muted, and the not-quite-crisp-not-quite-chewy mouthfeel of the bacon bits is distracting to say the least. We'll happily stick with the Barcelona Bar which, despite its lower cocoa content, hits the mark on the combination of sweet, salty, bitter and texture.
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