The first time I went to LV Mar -- Chef Manuel Martinez' upscale, contemporary Latin restaurant in Redwood City -- I walked in on a private party. I was headed to Vesta with a friend on a cool November night, the week before Thanksgiving, when we walked by LV Mar and saw that window signs … Continue reading Eat Local: LV Mar
It's summer! Just writing those words brings a smile to my face. (Could you tell that it's my favorite time of year?) How did you mark the official arrival of summer? Did you barbecue at home with the family and neighbors? Take your kids to the park for a picnic? Pass a leisurely afternoon day … Continue reading Field Trip: Celebrating Summer with CUESA
The recent hot, hot days have kicked off the ripening process for stone fruit trees here in the 650. The 75-year-old apricot tree in my backyard is heavy with pale-orange, blush-kissed fruit. Every morning for the past week, I've stood under that tree, looking up and pondering which small treasures to pick for the day. … Continue reading Grow Local: Got Stone Fruit?
As we're heading into the last weekend of May, it's time for the first update on my attempt to grow food. After just about a month, my little garden is flourishing! To date everything I planted is thriving, and much to my surprise, the lettuce is overflowing the planting boxes. As a comparison, here's what … Continue reading Grow Local: How Does Your Garden Grow?
The Downtown Farmers' Market in Palo Alto is one of my favorite weekend markets in the 650. It's a small market, but with an abundant selection of local produce and hand-crafted foods. For many years it was my go-to market on Saturday mornings from spring through late fall. During the Gâteau et Ganache years, my … Continue reading Shop Local: Palo Alto Farmers’ Market
It all started with the Sexy Fries: waffle-cut sweet potato fries smothered in melted cheese, grilled onions, a spicy sauce and cubes of Indian cheese called paneer. That was my introduction to CurryUpNow's "Indian street food" at Off the Grid a couple of years ago. The weather was typical for an August evening at Fort … Continue reading Eat Local: Get Yer Sexy On
Nothing brings out San Carlos residents like a new restaurant on Laurel Street! Johnston's Saltbox, at the southern end of Laurel (cross-street: St. Francis), has been quite the draw since opening in early April. The team of Sean Johnston and Jennifer McAteer Johnston -- he handles the front of the house, while she handles the … Continue reading Eat Local: Johnston’s Saltbox in San Carlos
650Food is six months old today! If you've been following along, you know that I've been writing about food -- eating, cooking, buying, and growing -- in the 650, aka San Francisco's peninsula neighborhoods. A few weeks ago I wrote, admittedly with a smidge of garden envy, about neighborhood gardens. Well, today my garden envy … Continue reading Grow Local: In Which I Walk the Talk
You know what I love about spring in the 650? Everything! The days are deliciously warm, and the sun sets late enough in the evening that you can have dinner outside. Spring color brightens every yard on my street, thanks to blooming trees, rose bushes, and freshly planted annuals. The luscious perfume of citrus blossoms … Continue reading Inspired: Creating a Kitchen Garden
The first time I walked into Taylor's, Gott's Roadside in Palo Alto's Town & Country shopping center last fall, I was super excited to order my all-time-favorite Ahi burger. Maybe I'd even splurge and order a side of sweet potato fries! From the time construction started and the "Coming Summer 2013" sign appeared in the … Continue reading Field Trip: Taylor’s — er, Gott’s Roadside
