Forge If You Are Hungry You’re coming into Napa on Hwy 29 and you’re starving. You get to the Imola & Soscol intersection and the mall eateries look good. But go a block behind and check out Forge, a place known for fine wood oven cooked pizzas. There’s a bunch more items on their menu, [...]
Check it out .... Took a doc outta the Napa Library the other day that left my head spinning. It’s called Three Stars. Highly recommend a view. Unlike that turgid doc Somm which studied four wine geeks trying to pass the master sommelier program, Three Stars bears repeated viewings because of its incredible contradictions of [...]
Fun in Sausalito ... Had some kicks at the Lexus 2017 Tasting event which was hosted by the Cavallo Point Lodge last Sunday in Sausalito. No doubt there were some good whites there but I had a nice [...]
Culinary Indulgence awaits ..... The Insider is off to Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, CA this Sunday, should be some kicks with excellent food and wines. Event runs from March 24-26. The weekend culminates in spectacular fashion at the Lexus Grand Tasting, featuring 15 Lexus Hotel Partner chefs from around the country and vintners from [...]
Was a blast ... The Insider had a blast at last weekend's Yountville Live event. While the main tent had a lot of fine wine and food, the highlight for me was Jessup Cellars tasting patio where their chard paired [...]
Taking On Anthony Bourdain... My Halloween evening with Anthony Bourdain...... The Insider went to Anthony Bourdain’s Vancouver Oct 29 lecture dressed as the Grim Reaper. I am a fan of his TV show No Reservations and his first two books, Kitchen Confidential and A Cook’s Tour. I loath his last book, Medium Raw. The Reaper [...]
Lauren Likes Her Music... To Oenotori we go where we speak with co-owner and general manager Lauren Rodde, wife of chef Tyler Rodde. Last night’s dinner? A slight pause.. Then a laugh.. A grilled chicken sandwich and I did it at home in an Asian style not Italian.. Favorite drink? A Hemingway Daiquiri... so refreshing [...]
If You Love BBQ... To the Cochon Volant BBQ Smokehouse on Sonoma Hwy where we caught up with chef Gordon Larman who has been dazzling locals with his BBQ for many years... Favorite restaurant in Sonoma besides yours? The Girl and the Fig. Last night’s dinner? The Girl and the Fig’s calamari and potato combo [...]
If You Love Your Sweets... To Sonoma Cake Creations we go where we sit down with Jennifer Carson, who has been creating some awesome cakes and pastries in Sonoma for the last 18 years... Last night’s dinner? A pause and a laugh.. I think a piece of cheesecake.. I was baking like a mad woman.. [...]
Let's Talk With An Aussie Winemaker To the LedsonWinery and Vineyards in Kenwood we go to talk to head winemaker Andrew Bilenkij, an Aussie native who has been collaborating with Steve Ledson the last five years in turning out a very nice range of tasty wines. Last night’s dinner? Mongolian lamb and Agadashi tofu. A [...]
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