Chef Frank Draws Fab Talent

Try Not to Drool… It takes a lot for the Insider to lust after or drool for a dinner. Not that I’m jaded or anything. I can lust after a perfectly grilled hot dog as easily as a nice steak or seven course tasting menu. Saying all that, there’s one upcoming dinner that would knock [...]

By | December 18th, 2019|Napa Eateries|Comments Off on Chef Frank Draws Fab Talent

10 Year Anniversary of Truffle Delights

Earthly Delights to Pleasure the Senses .... The Insider recently caught up to Robert Chang, the Managing Director and Chief Truffle Officer of American Truffle Co, the prime mover behind the Napa Truffle Festival (Jan 17-20, 2020). Bubbling over with enthusiasm for all things truffle, wine, food and Napa, Chang was a great NSI interview. [...]

By | November 25th, 2019|David's Travels, Play in Napa|Comments Off on 10 Year Anniversary of Truffle Delights

Shelton Spreads the Zin Gospel

Don’t Let Zin Steal Your Heart Away ... Many moons ago I attended my first San Diego Bay Food and Wine Classic and went to a Zinfandel tasting panel where I had the eye-opening experience of learning that not all Zins are fruit and alcohol bombs. Darn! That’s what I went there for!  Ha Ha.. [...]

By | November 22nd, 2019|David's Travels, Sonoma Wineries|Comments Off on Shelton Spreads the Zin Gospel

Meeting of the Minds with Michelle Metter

SD's Food and Wine Classic keeps evolving ... I’ve been attending the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival (SDBWFF) for over ten years now and loved every event I’ve attended. And through all the wine tastings, luncheons, dinners, parties and most of all that great Grand Tasting down on the San Diego waterfront I’ve [...]

By | October 17th, 2019|David's Travels|Comments Off on Meeting of the Minds with Michelle Metter

Its Only Food & Wine, But I Like It

Seattle Rocks ... The Rolling Stones rolled thru Seattle recently and since it was my birthday I thought I’d treat myself and the web gal to their show at Century Link Field Stadium. It was my fourth Stones show, and most likely my last, but the Stones, all in their 70s now, still deliver the [...]

By | August 28th, 2019|David's Travels|Comments Off on Its Only Food & Wine, But I Like It

Sunset Supper at Pike Place

RN74's Chef Shawn Talks ... Summertime. It’s normally a time to put up your feet for a bit and enjoy the sunshine.  But don’t tell that to Exec Chef Shawn Applin of RN74 in Seattle, who is doing double duty serving up lamb menguez sausage, combined with carmelized onion, Dijon and brioche bun at the [...]

By | August 9th, 2019|David's Travels|Comments Off on Sunset Supper at Pike Place

Auction of Washington Wines

Dessert Gal Promotes Washington Wines ... A triple chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich filled with butterscotch ice cream. While the web gal can’t wait to devour it, it was enough to make the Insider’s teeth hurt just reading the description, which brought a loud laugh from its creator, Kate Sigel, the Executive Pastry Chef at [...]

By | August 7th, 2019|David's Travels|Comments Off on Auction of Washington Wines

Napa Staycation

Twice is Not Enough... It’s always fun to renew tasting experiences you’ve enjoyed before. So it was a kick to drive down the 29 recently and have a Merlot tasting at Duckhorn Winery and a whole bunch of different wines at Castello di Amorosa. After turning off on to Lodi Lane we wound up the [...]

By | August 3rd, 2019|Napa Stays, Napa Wineries|Comments Off on Napa Staycation