Did you enjoy your summery weekend? So weird seeing people buy Christmas trees in shorts. Although it was definitely good and rainy when I was up in Healdsburg last Tuesday checking out all the new places to eat up there. Crazy delicious food, from the absolutely stellar fried chicken at Pizzando, some of the best moussaka I’ve ever had at Taverna Sofia, fab tapas like shishitos and chorizo or Dungeness crab fideuà at the stylish new Bravas, killer aperitivi and thin-crust pizza at Campo Fina, and gumbo and fried okra at The Parish. I was also ready to move into my room at the H2Hotel—the Japanese deep-soaking tub outfitted in Heath tiles was just beyond. I could get used to having Flying Goat French-press coffee in the tub each morning, let me tell you.
I’m actually headed back up to Healdsburg this Friday for the last installment of the 2012 Supper Club series at Copain Wines, with Momofuku chef David Chang cooking that night (I’ve had this on my calendar for months, am thrilled it’s finally here). Looking forward to the selections from winemaker Wells Guthrie, and guest sommeliers Robert Bohr (founder of Grand Cru Wine Consulting, New York) and his wife, Jordan Salcito (wine director of Crown Restaurant, New York).
Have you been drinking your fair share of bubbly this holiday? I was blown away (yet again) with the wines at Arlequin Wine Merchant’s annual Champagne tasting last week, and was happy to discover the crazy good deal of the Saint-Chamant blanc de blancs NV (which is hand riddled!) for only $43.20 with that night’s deal, and is now $48. Can’t wait to crack it. There are some other swell steals as well (like the Philipponnat Brut Royale Reserve for $45, or the Gonet-Medeville Brut Tradition 1er Cru NV for $38)—you should swing by if you’re looking for quality bubs for host/party gifts. Or for yourself. Or me.
As I enter week three of the lamest cold in the world, I am becoming an expert on soup delivery, like Hunan wor wonton soup and hot and sour soup, and eating way too much of the turkey pozole I made. Although I did take a nice break from spicy soups to check out the new menu from chef Robin Song at Hog & Rocks—you can really see his Haven/Plum pedigree. Oh, and remember that special holiday Feast menu I mentioned they’re doing? You get wagon wheel-leek ash gougères draped in lardo with it, hello.
And, yeah, check out those soft-scrambled eggs on toast that are utterly blanketed in white truffle that I had at my friend’s house on Sunday. All I can say is I wish all belated birthday brunches were that good, holy cow. I am so spoiled.
This week, I have much holiday madness for you, I hope you’re ready. Are you eating your fill of latkes? I have missed out thus far, although this Bubala Please video (Making Latkes) made me laugh so hard I hardly mind. And if you put A Dave Brubeck Christmas on the hi-fi, be sure to pour out a little eggnog for the man.
Lastly, are you coming to the BLK Saturday holiday pop-up this Saturday in the Mission?! I curated some wonderful products by local food vendors, come on by! There will be bubbles, and musique, and tacos from Tango & Stache! And the space is marvelous, trust.
Hubba.
The best brunch in the world: white truffle shaved over soft-scrambled eggs and toast. Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Dec 11 2012
