What’s Cookin’

Hola amigos. As promised, here’s round two of my massive news catch-up for you. (I didn’t want to totally overwhelm you on Tuesday—that column was getting out of control.) As for me, well, I am currently rocking out at Coachella, and very far away from my desk,…

Man, here we are as a country, going through another really awful, violent, tragic happening. Oh, Boston. Those poor families, the runners, and spectators—so many people touched by this senseless tragedy. All of us are. There is a massive amount of emotion to sort through while we are left…

Kia Ora! (That’s my Māori hello to you.) I returned from New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon after an action-packed and food- and wine-filled 10 days in that gorgeous country. Seriously, whoa. I had some of the best shellfish of my life, was so impressed with many wonderful wines I…

Well, I sure am glad this column isn’t filled with a rant about the sudden removal of the beloved Maxfield Parrish Pied Piper of Hamelin mural in the Palace Hotel, which was slated to be sold at auction at Christie’s in a couple of months. Nope, the outcry…

Happy spring, fabulous people. Boy am I feeling it—although I am sorry for the folks on the East Coast currently freezing their heinies off. What I can’t believe is that in one week I’m going to be in New Zealand’s late summer weather. With one look…

Hello, clouds. So much for riding my bike to dinner tonight. And then on Wednesday evening I’ll be taking the train down to San Carlos for a winemaker dinner with Lucio Gomiero of Vignalta at Limone. Oh, and Thursday is Taste of the Nation, with a fabulous lineup of…

Buon giorno. I just have a few tidbits today for you—I have been drowning in deadlines, and things are beginning to heat up around here with just two weeks until I leave for my trip to New Zealand. (Can’t. Wait.) Earlier this week, I was invited to a…

Hola. How was your weekend? Mine was pretty en fuego, starting with the Hard Water preview party (details are in today’s column) and then Festa della Donna at A16 on Friday night. The restaurant was packed with lovely ladies (and the men and women who love them). Was such…

Happy International Women’s Day! Here’s a salute to all the women who do so much to make this world a smarter, kinder, better, and more beautiful place. “Festa della Donna” is one of my favorite memories from when I lived in Italy, the streets filled with yellow mimosa,…

Howdy amigos. I can’t believe the ONE night I get invited to go out on a friend’s boat to watch the launch of The Bay Lights, and we are getting rain. It’s been bone-dry and of course it has to rain tonight. So. Lame. Guess I’m…