the old clam house

People who read my blog and make note of my favorite restaurant list have probably noticed:   I love places that hail from the past and have stood the test of time, retaining original signage, menu items, decor (although clean and maintained), charm and character. Well, add another spot to my list, The Old Clam House on Bayshore and Oakdale in SF.  This corner restaurant opened when Abraham Lincoln became president and the Gold Rush was just getting started.  It survived the earthquake and has been an old time watering hole ever since.  It has new owners and has been gently refreshed--keeping that original sign and tin ceiling while doing some Italian/American cuisine classics new justice. Pictured are the escargot and the the crab linguine Alfredo. Definitely worth a visit.

las vegas, august 2011

My dear friend Brendan had a great birthday in Las Vegas last weekend.  I wanted to write a brief shout out to the places/businesses that made it so special.  1st, the hotel, Vdara at the City Center was amazing.  Modern, with clean lines and off the hook beds and pillows, (you can buy their beds--call ) and super customer service.  2nd, Brendan's birthday dinner at Mastro's, in the Crystal Shopping Center.  Don't let the shopping center scene throw you--this is world class shopping and dining, with a tram/shuttle from the hotel and a table in Mastro's tree house.  The service and the amazing food, which included a 22 oz. bone-in rib eye, could not be topped.!!   Oh yes, it could--the decadent chocolate cake delivered by Leopold's of Las Vegas was flawless, and I am not a chocolate fan--but  I consider this the best cake I have every eaten!!  Happy birthday Brendan, well done!  (XXX)

chilled orzo pasta salad recipe

If you get Bon Appetit magazine, you probably know, that like alot of companies--it has gone through a re-make.  There is a new editor who comes from GQ and that means, of course, that the style and content has been revamped.  Content is interesting, with more and simple classic recipes, re-hauled, that can be executed at home, and alot of comments on what is in and what is out that will give you a retro chuckle.  One of the new issues suggested that we needed a fresh version of chilled pasta salad. What? The classic challenged? No worries, you can have the perfect chilled pasta, just  forget the butterfly pasta and go directly to orzo (melon seed pasta). This is the new designer pasta.  Here is my latest recipe:  serves two.

6 oz. orzo pasta, cooked in salted water, 5-51/2 minutes, drained and chilled.
olive oil
dry oregano
lemon juice
minced garlic
dash vinegar
chopped roasted yellow pepper
capers/vinegar
salt
pepper
crumbled feta cheese

Mix together 1/4 cup olive oil, dash oregano, juice of one lemon, 1/2 tsp. minced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped roasted yellow bell pepper, 2 tsp small capers, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper.  Toss with chilled pasta and 3 TBL of feta cheese.  Check for more salt and pepper to taste. Chill, then serve.

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recipe for yeast waffles

I  read a recipe recently that called for yeast to be added to the pancake or waffle batter.  It intrigued me because I was frustrated that my pancakes/waffles weren't getting the rise I wanted and my waffles in particular were not as moist and fluffy on the inside as I would like.  There are several types of recipes out there, some as complicated as making a starter, etc.--and days or weeks later you might have breakfast. I couldn't wait that long, so I made up my own recipe using my favorite pancake/waffle mix and the results were exactly what I wanted--golden brown exterior and a light and airy interior. I also recommend the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker.  The color and temperature settings and the built in timer makes sure the waffles cook perfectly and evenly every time.

Make this recipe the night before so the batter is nice and spongy in the morning. 

2 cups Krusteaz  Buttermilk Complete Pancake Mix  (Safeway has this, and it is a good one because it has both whole wheat and white flour).
1 packet (1/4oz) dry natural yeast
1/4 cup warm milk  (120 degrees)
1 to 1 1/4 cup water
2 TBL  vegetable oil
pinch salt

Warm milk in the microwave or small saucepan--do not over heat, it will kill the yeast.  Stir in the yeast and set aside. Let stand about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the pancake mix, water and oil--do not over mix.  Stir in yeast mixture and add extra water if necessary. Cover and chill overnight.  Pour onto preheated waffle maker and cook to desired color.  Makes 8, 4 inch Belgian waffles.

new york city in august

New York City in August has its advantages. True, it is hot and humid--clothes are sticky and forget your hair, but the lines are short, there are seats at the outdoor cafes and as always there never ceases to be a new discovery or a delicious dish around every corner. This past weekend was Tom Bogue's birthday and we were lucky enough to be guests at Mike Perricone's beautiful West Village apartment.
The trip can really be sized up by the amazing food experience. Let me give you a run-down:

At Gusto, 60 Greenwich Ave., the outdoor seating was heaven at 10:00pm --the scorching day is worth the balmy night. Standouts include Mike's favorite deep-fried artichokes hearts and a salad of fava beans, escarole, pecorino, mint and basil and a cooling late evening breeze.  Saturday lunch was wonderful at Keith McNally's Morandi, 211 Waverly Pl., a great people watching place with amazing rustic breads and Italian classics. Favorites here included a pesto based minestrone soup and a salad of prawns and grapefruit with a mustard vinaigrette.  We followed this up later with thin cracker crust pizza campagnola topped with burrata, parma ham and arugula at Olio, 3 Greenwich Ave. I had the most delicious creamy Italian dressing to dip it in.

Sunday brunch at BG's was nothing short of spectacular. With the exception of the company of Mike, George and Mirium, there is really nothing that can top the elegant room and service--favorite dishes like the seared sea scallop appetizer and the Gotham salad are not to be missed.  An evening walk to the East village and down a few steps into the Taj Cafe, 310 E 6th St., where a 4 course Indian dinner is only $10.00! (with music).

On Monday, Mike and I walked to the pier, stopping on the way at Murray's Cheese Shop, 254 Bleeker St., for a bit of brie and salami to nibble on. I bought a jar of fig jam, one of my favorite go to staples, but not always easy to find.

That evening, (Tom's birthday) Tom and I went for drinks at the St. Regis Hotel, the King Cole Bar. This bar is not for the faint of heart in the price tag department, but for one drink, the experience is worth it in this iconic space backdropped by the 1906 "Old King Cole" Maxfield Parrish mural. And there were many familiar faces in the bar including 60 Minutes' Steve Kroft.  Next we headed down to Hell's Kitchen to meet up with Tom’s friends, Ken and BJ Beasley at there favorite neighborhood hangout, Tout Va Bien, 311 W 51st. This charming French bistro is filled with, what else? French people, assuring us of delicious food. Start with the fresh rillettes of pork with french bread and gherkins, escargot baked with butter, garlic and Pernod and an onion soup to swoon over and you really don't need much more except some champagne to wash it all down. We headed down the street to Pier 9, 802 9th St., a gleaming modern space with a fresh eclectic seafood menu that had a couple of BJ and Ken's favorites, grilled big eye tuna with green curry, a Chicago style lobster hot dog and for dessert we shared a divine sundae with chocolate covered pretzels, tapioca pudding and caramel sauce. It didn't stop there--I had an amazing mushroom/Swissburger in the airport at Bobby Van's Steakhouse. I took half on the plane for later and it was even good cold. 

fettuccini alfredo

I have been meaning to share this recipe with you for awhile after I was stunned to find out that classic fettuccini alfredo actually has no cream in it.  Of course there are many American variations, but it was thanks to Rachael Ray who demonstrated the original Roman method of making this delicious dish on her show that got me to try it--and it couldn't be easier.

Fettuccini alfredo is a dish that supposedly started at a restaurant in Rome called Alfredo.  The simple combination of butter and parmesan melts together perfectly to create a silky and addictive sauce.

2 medium or 4 small servings.
8oz. of dry fettuccini, cooked to al dente in salted water, about 7 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of hot cooking water.  While it is cooking, warm a serving bowl in a 200 degree oven.

When ready, remove serving bowl from oven and add 6 Tbl of butter (6 large pats), hot noodles over butter and top with 1 & 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.  Toss, letting the cheese and butter begin to melt together.  Add small amount of cooking water to help create the sauce.  Continue to toss till smooth, silky and shiny. Taste for salt, but you may not need it because of the salt in the cheese.  Twirl with tongs onto individual plates.

a very special family fourth of july

This year, I celebrated a very special and fun 4th of July weekend loaded with events.  It all began when we were invited to a Havemann family (mom's side) reunion of cousins that we didn't know existed until a few years ago.  I started the trip in Crescent City, where there were 6 class reunions going on, including by brother Rick's 30th.  Mom, dad and I left for Oregon on the 2nd, stopping in Merlin at the Sportsman Association so I could watch dad shoot on the sporting clays course.  He has won 1st place in several competitions and will be competing at the Oregon State Sporting Clays Championship in Eugene later this month.  We continued on to the Central Point/Jacksonville area to join the family reunion dinner hosted by our third cousin Sheila and her husband Dick.  If you have never been to Jacksonville, OR., it is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth; the town has maintained the original facades of the turn of the century buildings and businesses.  Landscaping and flowers are perfectly manicured and the surrounding rolling hills are filled with miles of grape fields and  ranches surrounded by pristine white fencing.  It is also home of the Britt Festival, an outdoor amphitheater circled by redwoods that features a summer line-up of world-class musical artists.

The fun continued the next day when the group of us (about 36) met in Grants Pass at the Riverside Inn (a stunning hotel set in lush landscape hanging over the banks of the Rogue River across from Riverside Park. This is where you pick up the Hellgate Jet Boat Excursions.  We headed up the Rogue River through a pass of amazing rock known as "Hellgate" a name for a narrow rock passage.  We stopped at a rustic open air lodge called the OK Corral for a champagne brunch.  The delicious and abundant food was served family style, including homemade biscuits with sausage cream gravy, fresh breads, pastries, fruit, sausage, bacon, eggs and hash browns.  When we headed back up the river, the real fun began.  Our guide threw the boat into one after another 360 degree turns, plus fishtailing through the wake of another boat till we were completely soaked--but in the 90 degree heat it felt pretty good.  Sheila and Dick hosted an evening barbecue and we enjoyed getting to know all of our extended family.

We returned to Crescent City on the 4th early enough to put together a great barbecue with Rick and Donna in perfect weather that lasted into the evening--very unusual for CC.  And something we hadn't done in years--we headed downtown and watched the fireworks!  Before I left, I was able to have lunch at the Brian Scott Gallery with mom and some of the gals from the Crescent Harbor Art Gallery.  Add another great dish to the trip--ahi tuna nicoise salad with a tarragon vinaigrette.

5588 fernhoff road, oakland

My dear friend Fritz Hochfellner at Pacific Union International, Montclair, has just listed this landmark home for $2,995,000.  Read all about this fantastic property and email Fritz at fritzhoch@aol.com for more info.

This timeless contemporary masterpiece known as the "Joe Morgan" Estate, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright associate Aaron Green, commands 2.66 acres of prime Oakland Hills real estate with far reaching vistas of San Francisco Bay and beyond. The gated 5000+ sq.ft. residence features 4+ bedrooms, 4.5 baths with sweeping indoor and outdoor living and entertaining spaces, pool and tennis court all surrounded by splendid, landscaped grounds, that in true Frank Lloyd Wright fashion blend seamlessly with the architecture.

Nothing is left to be desired in this iconic masterpiece. Frank Lloyd Wright signature handcrafted built-in seating and cabinetry, hand picked fixtures and tile continue the harmony with the natural elements. More features include a luxurious master suite with dual bathrooms and closets, a glass framed family room opening to the pool, children and guest wing, sauna, wet bar and sunroom, three car garage, guest parking and state of the art security all within minutes of world class Bay Area amenities.  http://www.5588fernhoff.com/