The signature is pretty amazing in and of itself.

I just got Ad hoc as well as Heston Blumenthal's book. I'm fascinated by the science of cooking that Heston's built his empire on but I don't think I have the time to recreate some of stuff from the Fat Duck Cookbook. It would cost way to much to recreate.

bryce_r if you haven't already seen them, hunt down Blumenthal's old "Kitchen Chemistry" and "In Search of Perfection" shows. They're fantastic. If you dig the Fat Duck book you might want to pick up "Alinea" too, although the real bibles are "Molecular Gastronomy" by Herve This and especially "On Food and Cooking" by Harold McGee. Everyone who loves food should get McGee's book.

Just snagged "Momofuku" by David Chang and "A Platter of Figs" by Chez Panisse dude David Tanis. Both are fantastic. Tanis' book is organized by suggested seasonal meals rather than in appetizer / entree / dessert chapters. Good stuff, but Momofuku really has me excited for its different levels of re-interpreting Korean cuisine. Plus it's an entertaining read aside from the recipes.

I was talking about this yesterday.
Name who you think are the top 4 California Chefs. Past, present, whatever.
Alice Waters and Keller came up quite a bit but I'm curious as to who you guys would pick.

a lot of people talk about jeremiah tower and david kinch.

I have the revised version of McGee's book and it's a must have for everyone who cooks. But thanks Xonocostle for the tip on Chang's book...I just picked up it up at Borders today for 24 bucks. The recipes don't seem to complex and from what I've read...it's pretty accessible.

As far as top chefs in California? No clue. I'll ask my brother in law because he definitely in tune with that sort of thing.

I love the momofuku book. It's interesting to see where Chang got his ideas, and how they evolved. Top 4 chefs - that's a hard one. It's interesting that you mention Jeremiah Tower, who's influence is under appreciated. Any of you ever get to his super fun but short lived Speedo 690?

Old Mandarin Islamic Best chinese in the city hands down. You can get a table anytime even friday and saturday.


P.S. dont blow it up. Its still kind of a secret

What do you like there?

In a city of ten thousand Chinese restaurants, "Old Mandarin Islamic" sounds worth visiting for the cool name alone! I see they have some big fans on the internet. The menu looks seriously appetizing.

BTW don't visit the restaurant link posted to Yelp! and Google. The restaurant doesn't appear to have an actual website, and the fake links redirect to a malware/spam site.

Yes the website is totally bunk. This place is a hole in the wall out in the sunset. Its not next to any other restaurants. so no foot traffic.

I have never been disapointed with anything I have ordered. Since its chinese Islamic, the food is halal. So tasty!!!!

If your sick their Hot and sour soup is medicinal

Beef and string beans are awesome

onion pancakes

so many. They have hot plate dinners there too but I have never tryed it. Im sure they are the bomb because thats what most people are eating when your eating there.

Plus the staff is super nice

Do they have chow fun there?

So for memorial day. Some friends and I took a trip to Yountville. Aside from being glared at for being tattooed weirdos, we(mostly me) ate a shit ton. We went by bounchon bakery and I bought food for a picnic. This is what we(I) ate:

-whole wheat baguette with some Chèvre (from the local market), I also brought some mango chutney. I love that combination of flavors

Jon looking mighty eager to get that goat cheese in his dirty paws.

-regular baguette with Fontina and Brie (from the local market)

-Turkey sandwich - It came with some sort of stuffing and cranberry sauce. Pretty good.

-Beef Brisket sandwich - mother of god. so good.

-Caramel Macaron

-Nutter Butter - ONDSLKSDNLKN!!!! My favorite thing at the bakery.


-Bouchon - the name sake mini cake.

-3 fuggedaboutits (chocolate covered rice crispy treat with salted caramel and sprinkled with espresso salt) I got into these thanks to Lalo and Karina who graciously brought me one.

-Oatmeal raisin cookie (No, no this is my favorite thing there)

-coffee and a chocolate eclair


I'd like to say that I continued to eat. I ate an embarrassing amount of food, so much so that you guys wouldn't believe me if I told you.. and even debated going to Ad-Hoc that night with joe. I probably would have but he never called me back after speaking to him that afternoon. AHEM!

(Real talk: I would just like to add that I also ate at Zachary's in the east bay that night. Go big or go home)

Ad Hoc is Monday, 6/28.

WTF? NLDKSNKLDS?? Did you think it was weird when I asked you "what time are you leaving tonight for Ad-Hoc?" and you said "I don't know, I'll find out and call you back"
Sign me up.

Will it be fried Chicken?

Didn't quite hear the first part then.
Still waiting to hear back.
Otherwise yes. Fried chicken!

Fuck, I need to move to the Bay Area.

More like "Grow Big or Go Home"

alex, awesome!

was the beef brisket sandwich from bouchon as well?
i gotta try it.

i've tried a number of those deserts and they're all awesome!
and i'm not one for sweets usually.

Everything was from Bouchon Bakery.

We have a Bouchon...er, but we don't have Yountville.

Awesome memorial day picnic!

I was thinking more about the fried chicken at Ad Hoc.

Now I have a craving for Bouchon. I'll be around there on Friday.

Is this the famous lemon brine buttermilk fried chicken? I never really order chicken at restaurants but have heard that this is one of the best.

Alex' expression in that photo keeps cracking me up. It's like he's worried that he's enjoying himself too much.

Have another nutter butter peanut butter sandwich cookie. (If you remember that, you're old.)

Not sure. I will have to find out

Now that I'm downtown during the week I've been hitting Boccalone all too frequently. Tasty salted pig parts are way addictive. Gotta get their t-shirt. They're one of the only places in town that still sells lard, aside from a few tiendas in the Mission.

Yes, lard. Stop making that disgusted expression. You know things go better with lard.