I stand corrected.


I guess French Laundry does serve a 9-course vegetable tasting menu! See? I am starting a piggy bank asap so that I can afford to eat there one day. Might as well make the reservation now, since they get like 400 calls for reservations per day.

And to answer the FL tasting menu question in the comments, you do get all the food listed unless it says "or," then you have to make a choice. My assumption is that the portions are smaller, especially because they use the language "tasting menu."

Meat en Place


I am a few pages from finishing Kitchen Confidential. I love it, did I mention that? So inspired to read more food writing! Anyway, the book has a couple of pages dedicated to why the author hates vegetarians. His view is that he makes food his way, without any compromise and vegetarian diners with their special requests, stand in the way of this. Naturally, I don't see eye to eye with him here. The book is pretty meat heavy. I think he's obesssed with it. Meaning, it talks a lot about meat, meat preperation and meat presentation. I'm cool with it. I'm not eating it though. But it made me think about my being a vegetarian who's kind of into food. The unsophisticated eats I'm accustomed to, aren't made by chefs who think that they're above modifing a dish on the menu for my diet if they don't already offer a pasta primavera or slimy vegetable panini. To show the difference, take a look at the Chez Panisse menu (the restaurant, not the cafe) or the French Laundry menu (just to cite a couple of fine, West Coast eateries) and you're not going to see any vegetarian prix fixe menues. Sure, you got Greens and Millenium that both have entirely vegetarian or vegan menus. Hey, I've eaten at Greens and liked it. But I also want to eat with the big boys. Is that too much to ask?

I'm also feeling some inspiration to build up my kitchen arsenal with some pro gear for my new pro 'tude. Like the Wustof gourmet 6.5" santoku that's finally on sale at C&B. But the book also suggests a Global chef's knife as a cheaper alternative. I wasn't able to find it for cheaper though. And then I think I need to get Complete Techniques by Jaques Pepin so I can learn how to use the knives right. Baby steps, right?

Blogging for the car, home and office.

So car is in the shop and will be for a long time while dudes pop-a-dent, bondo, or paint whatever they need to. Meanwhile, Leon's letting me use his Golf. The last time I drove his car, some guy with the same car waved to me. I waved back, because if you've seen that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, same car? Wave back. Driving the Golf way different than driving my little happy meal toy of a pod-car. It feels really heavy, but safe. Must be all that German steel. If he ever decides to get rid of it, I know wifey wants it.

So Heylove's big day at home yesterday went over without too much destruction. The smart little cookie figured out how to work Tivo and make microwave burritos. When Leon got home, she was watching all the Dog Whisperer episodes we had recorded. Hot sauce was all over the remote.

I am anticipating a mystery staff meeting here in the office. I have no idea what it's about and that kind of scares me. I just talked to my boss, who's on her way in right now. Better get to spreadsheeting and calendaring. Oh, and the NY Times calendars finally came in! You act like these are not a big deal until you have to live without one. Ahhh, three months at a glance. Now I can think beyond January.

Riblet's big day

Picture by Heather.

Starting today and for next 10 or so days, my car will be in the body shop getting the dents out. I won't have a rental car, so I'll be doing my best to find rides from Leon and my friends. This means that I won't be able to make it home to let the dog out to potty at lunch. It's going to be a little rough for the poor brisket with no midday visit from mom! Really though. We've confined her to the kitchen, laundry room and back deck, via the doggy door. Hopefully she won't go stir crazy and drag everything she can get her little gremlin mouth on, out through the dog door. It's sad, but I do not have faith in my dog to not eff ess up. It's like I have a confirmed disaster of some level waiting for me at home. Utter dread. Tomorrow we may revive the puppy cam so that I can watch from my work computer, in 2 second frames as she causes havoc and chaos.

This weekend was three quarters sloth, one quarter movement.

25% watching 24 dvds (season 4!!)
25% reading (Kitchen Confidential, Easy Sewing)
25% eating (chowder redux, ice cream, 33rd Street Bistro - I had a gift certificate!)
25% walking the dog to go browse at Beers