eel river still pristine at redway, ca.

Well, another Father's Day, another birthday--really quite lovely. The first few days in Crescent City had great weather, and a wonderful visit with family, including my brother's mother-in-law Anitra and a very special visit and lunch with my high school English teacher and college mentor, Doris Whalen. Thank you for encouraging my writing--it comforts me to this day.

On Thursday we headed for the redwoods for a now four year annual family get together.  One of the highlights for me was a day trip up 101 to Redway, CA. to look for mom's family cabin and river access.  From the 1920's to 1950's my family had a cabin at Redway (the Hampton's of Eureka at the time)--there are photos of my grandparents (mom's folks) courting next to a Model T Roadster at the Eel River.  Mom said her first date with my dad was probably on that same beach. The cabin is long gone but luckily the river edge remains white and pristine, handholds worn into the rock face are still visible, and a path, where a road once was is still the hot ticket to access this little slice of natural beauty, time immortal.

jl designs new shop at 499 castro

Joseph Leon just launched his new store, JL Designs, with a champagne reception on May 20 at the corner of Castro and 18th (499 Castro) in the once Ritz Camera location. It can't get much better location wise on this corner with windows on all sides that look out to the center of everything and everybody.

Joseph is a top notch and well known floral designer with a long time shop in the famed St. Francis Hotel's shop row. His floral designs and his collection of new objet d'art and collectibles, (much in storage anyway) simply outgrew the little space. When this location became available, it was ideal. Floral orders are still available, but Joseph's collection of furniture, lamps, crystal, silver and porcelains is not to be missed--there is a treasure here for everyone.

la fonda, cabo

I got back from Cabo a couple of weeks ago, and once again had a wonderful time with Brendan and his dear parents. We have had dinner every visit at a place called La Fonda, every time with great anticipation because you knew you were going to get a great meal of exceptional quality in a charming setting. With that said, I just had to put a shout out about La Fonda and list it in my personal hall of fame as one of the best restaurants------you fill in the rest.

Located on Miguel Hildalgo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, this hacienda styled restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining, a comfortable but upscale feel, and a variety of authentic dishes not seen on some menus geared toward more American tastes. The cream of poblano soup garnished with pumpkin blossoms is outstanding and Brendan considers the pibil ( pork stew) the best he has ever had. If you are a meat lover and dying for a fix, this is the place for you, with dishes like ribeye steak in whiskey adobo sauce, or Kurobuta pork chops with a light mole, plus a full bone of beef short rib simmered in a pan sauce that will bring tears to your eyes, and the best (and very unique) chiles rellenos, an ancho chili stuffed with mashed plantains and cheese. They really pride themselves on the use of top quality meats and produce and the presentation of the dishes is beautiful but not overly stylized. All in all, world class.

7105 marlborough terrace

My friend Fritz, known in the real estate business as FRITZ, works for Pacific Union in Montclair, Oakland, and he does one heck of a business in listing luxury properties. He is well known and past and current clients regard him with the highest esteem. And with good reason; Fritz leaves no stone unturned when it comes to marketing a property and delivering top customer service. For him, everything matters, right down to the background of a photo or the color of a throw pillow and the placement of an accessory. This is certainly the case with his recent listing at 7105 Marlborough Terrace. If this was the right time for you to buy, this stunning home, with exquisite one of a kind lighting and fixtures, slab granite counters, views that go on forever and bathrooms that will make you weak in the knees might be just the right home.

my favorite things

There is a column in Elle Decor magazine that I love, called "The 12 Things I Can't Live Without." I read it religiously every month, to see if I too can't live without the same things as these famous designers and others. But I have come to one conclusion; most of the time I haven't heard of half of their favorite things, they tend to be a little esoteric. So I decided to come up with my own list of the 12 things I can't live without, a little more common to be sure, but my favorites for real!

1. Rave Hairspray. I have used it for 25 years, perfect hold, no flakes. Please don't ever go out of business. 2. Bluewick candles in guava. That's it. All other candle scents kind of nauseate me. 3. Beautiful sandals. I can't pass them up, gold, silver, black, jewels, doesn't matter. I like to show off a good pedicure and you can't beat the comfort and freedom. 4. Opi nail polish--pale pink on the hands and (for those great pedicures) dark "Lincoln Park" on my toes. 5. Starched white sheets and down comforters. I fell in love with the feel when I stayed in my first European hotel in 1999. You can't beat the feel of being consumed in a white cloud when you lay down. 6. My mother's impressionistic paintings of two New York street scenes. Not only are they beautiful, I cherish them. 7. Gucci sunglasses. Nothing too excessive, just seven or eight pairs 8. Pre de Provence soap and bath gel in verbena. The fresh scent is very clean and great in the summer. 9. My signature scent, Eau Des Merveilles, Hermes, subtle and light. 10. Foreign travel. I have had some amazing trips with my mother from Spain to Thailand and every place in between. One of my favorites continues to be the Pueblo Bonito Rose resort at Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. 11. Stationary. And all the sub categories, note pads, monogrammed post its, labels, stickers--I will become a pauper to fine paper goods. 12. Perfect comfort meal with my friend Brendan Eisan at the House of Prime Rib in San Francisco, deliciously executed every time and the perfect ending to my 12 favorite things.

hot la restaurants firenze and the counter

I was in LA a couple of weeks ago and Brendan and I had a couple of amazing culinary experiences. We had a lovely dinner at Firenze, a Northern Italian cuisine restaurant headed by former Top Chef contestant Fabiano Viviani. This warm space with an open kitchen, live music and private dining area delivered some exceptional food. First up was the fritto misto with calamari and zucchini complemented by the house made bread with a delicious garlicky tapenade. A salad of baby greens with Chianti soaked pears, goat cheese and candied walnuts was amazing only to be topped by the short rib stuffed raviolis laced with a creamy melted taleggio sauce.

I can't wait to go back for rabbit with black olives and a burrata salad with roasted mushrooms with pine nuts. The choices are unique and mouthwatering. The other hot spot in LA we visited is The Counter. This LA phenom is a franchise that has a line out the door. What is is the hook? A stylish interior, clean and modern, a hip bar that eases the wait for a table and a extensive choice of options for the perfect burger. Sit down, take a pencil and fill in the options--included is 100 percent Angus beef, cheese, four toppings, sauce and bun. The combination onion strings and french fries come with 2 sauces and are outrageous.

Another delicious visit to LA. Also a happy birthday to Kevin Alpert, you are the best. XXX, D.

dinner at 2223 market

Had dinner last night with long time friends Michael Perricone and Tom Brocato. Michael and I worked at the Rotunda together for many years and he is now in New York at Bergdorf Goodman and going strong. Tom is Director of Facilities/Real Estate, Charles Schwab, and I met him through Mike nearly as long ago as I have known Mike.

We reminisced about some of our memorable meals, one of which was a birthday party at 42 Degrees. Do you remember that great restaurant? Out next to Espirit at 16th and Illinois, 42 Degrees served some of the best food in this town (the marrow bone with toast points was absolutely killer) all with a sliding glass wall that opened on beautiful days and nights to views of the bay. I miss that place.

Last night we ate at one of our favorite haunts that one returns to again and again, 2223 Market. This San Francisco favorite close to the Castro remains successful because they don't mess with the winning dishes. The hearts of romaine is probably the best twist on a caesar salad I have ever had--I have tried to recreate this salad at home but it is never as good--grilled onions, capers, cornichons, creamy garlic dressing and big asiago crostini on top. Follow this salad with the best chicken in town, a roasted crispy skin thigh/leg combo on creamy garlic mashed potatoes, PERFECTLY al dente blue lake string beans, topped with onion rings and surrounded by a divine pan jus. Absolute perfection.

It's nice to know that long term friendships and favorite restaurants remain constant.

passion cafe adds charm and vitality to sixth street

I

was lucky enough to meet Steve Barton and Jacques Andre in early December when they where finishing their construction and getting ready to fine tune the business side of their restaurant venture, Passion Cafe at 28 Sixth Street, San Francisco. Introduced by my friend Tracy Everwine from Urban Solutions, who, knowing my past restaurant experience, thought I might be able to assist them with a little information about the interview and hiring process (and other questions) and I was only to glad to help.

They didn't need much. The truth is Steve, a contractor with a vision and Jacques, a talented French pastry chef, already knew what they wanted and what they needed to do and had set in motion a two year journey on a much anticipated project adding to the revitalization of Sixth Street.

With the layers and layers of past businesses stripped away, a cafe-bistro emerged. Original brick and reclaimed redwood, lighting, fixtures and a restored store front create the feel of stepping back in time, but a roof top deck painted with their signature rich orange color and wrapped with white lights brings it squarely into 2010 and will surely be the IT place to sit and sip champagne, enjoy a coffee or throw a bash!

But the food, the food! I stopped in during a wine tasting and Jacques sampled a couple of the house specialities. Jacques nails it with the creamiest of custards in both the vegetarian and classic quiche lorraine and a croque monsieur the likes of I've only tasted in the city limits of Paris. Jacques's garnish of caramelized onions is to die for. The full menu is still to come, but the tarts, pastries, soups, stews and other bistro fare will be worth the wait.