As Brenda Dickson would say, "Well hello!" As you can see, I am back after going dark last week. I definitely needed the extra two days for the final push on my manuscript, which is what it usually take to write, edit, and lay out this column each week. Anyway, as I posted on my Twitter feed Sunday night, I can see the light at the end of the feedbag! Can't believe how many places I've been eating (sometimes dining) at the past three months, countered only by how much time I have been spending typing at my desk. A dangerous combination. Which is why I have gained the "first book" equivalent of the freshman 15—so crappy, right in the middle of bathing suit weather. Thank God we're in San Francisco, so I have until September to attempt to firm up a bit, ha!
Two weeks ago I was down in the 650 and 408 to try The Plumed Horse (wow), Kaygetsu (so glad I finally dined there), Madera (I want to move tablehopper HQ into the resort's business center), and some other places, including a night with my dad that included Acqua Pazza in San Mateo and Divino in Belmont, followed by some Remy XO at The Van's (because that's how we roll). And I didn't need a coat the entire time. It's summer somewhere, just not here.
The summery weather continued since I was up in Yountville last week checking out Brix (my lunch there is pictured), Redd, Bottega, and the new restaurant at Bardessono. Yup, this is exactly why I am broke and fat. I can't wait to write all these adventures up, but in the meantime, I had to tell you how stunning Bardessono is—talk about eco-fabulous. Since it's a bit spendy to stay there, I wanted to share this crazy deal with y'all: they're doing a party at the rooftop pool every Wednesday evening called Dive Bar, and are offering a special Wednesday getaway offer for $299. It includes overnight accommodations in a spa suite, two complimentary drinks at the party, and a three-course prix-fixe dinner for two in the delicious restaurant—pretty amazing as far as deals go. Just call and mention the offer, or email Jana.Flahive [at] bardessono [dot] com.
More heat! Am super excited to shut down my laptop and get outta Dodge this Friday and head out to… swanky Fresno! Well, actually Fowler, where I'll be picking magical Elberta peaches very early on Saturday morning. I was so lucky to be included in the adoption of a Masumoto Family Farm peach tree! The most glorious peaches I have ever tasted, truly. (Can you tell I'm excited?)
Want to taste some? And no, I am not hosting a peach giveaway—I'm gonna be a canning and jammin' fool this weekend. Fellow peach tree adoptive parents Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski turned me on to these oh-so-special peaches a couple years ago at Rubicon. And even though they currently don't have a restaurant kitchen, they will be doing a special Masumoto peach dinner at Boulette's Larder on August 11th… read all the details in the chatterbox.
Can't believe how much news I have to cover this week—so much has happened in the past 14 days. And thanks to tablehopper intern Erin Archuleta, we have a hardhat in this issue. So let's get to it. And yes, it's true—I'll be back next week with actual restaurant reviews; thanks for bearing with me during these past two months! I have most definitely been maxed the hell out.
As David Mas Masumoto said in a recent email, peach be with you.
~Marcia
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