My Birthday with my friends

Posted on 06 May 2009 under Overall Wine Reviews, Uncategorized by admin

from left Suzie, Tommy, Me, Eric (president of the YEA)

from left Suzie, Tommy, Me, Eric (president of the YEA)

Me & my Chef, Michael

Me & my Chef, Michael

img_0721

Cortez in San Francisco - an undiscovered gem

Posted on 06 May 2009 under Food Reviews, Uncategorized by admin

I totally forgot how I found out this restaurant. It is nestled with many other restaurant in the busy street of Geary in central downtown of S.F.
The ingredients in the menu are mind boggling and courses are reasonably priced. I have to say after all the top notch restaurant that I have been to, such as Fleur de lis, Gary Danko, Michael Mina etc, this is one of the most surprising one. The service was impeccable too. It lived up to every standard of a 5 star restaurant. Here are the courses below… {Sorry for the orientation of the pictures, I couldn’t fix it to vertical}

Wine poached pear in Blue cheese walnut

Wine poached pear in Blue cheese walnut

img_0769Soup shot for two.
img_0770Citrus, Chicory & Avocado salad, kumquat coffee caramel, pomergranate & kaffir lime.
img_0771Toasted Marcona Almonds spiced w/teecino & chilies. (Teecino is type of herbal coffee without caffeine)
img_0772Roasted baby beets & Burrata, Bergamot, liquorish herbs & salad burnet. This dish was out of the World !
img_0773Prawns a la Plancha, creamy crab rice. Simply Delicious.
img_0776Duck & Fuyu Persimmon 3 ways with riliette, foie gras torchon. Great combination.
img_0777Roasted Venision, poached Seckel pear, celery root puree, hazelnut & long pepper. What a balanced dish. The meat was done perfect.
img_0778Seared Pekin duck breast, Trumpet mushrooms, leeks & baby rucola. Another favorite of mine.
img_0779Coconut Frangipane w/ caramelized bananas, Teecino ice-cream & passion fruit. This dish brought me euphoria ! I m still craving for it now !
img_0780Pistachio Milkshake shots for 2. What a great finish!
this is not the last course, I don't eat humans, they are my friends, Ryan & Elisha

this is not the last course, I don't eat humans, they are my friends, Ryan & Elisha

Wine that we had is Mamertino DOC in Sicily. The traditional blend is Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola & Nocera. All indigenous grapes.

Wine that we had is Mamertino DOC in Sicily. The traditional blend is Nerello Mascalese, Nero d'Avola & Nocera. All indigenous grapes.

Restaurant reviews: Ubuntu - a Vegan restaurant in Napa

Posted on 06 May 2009 under Food Reviews, Uncategorized by admin

I decided to go vegan tonight, just a night I promise. I heard a lot of hypes of this vegan restaurant which located on Main St. of Napa downtown. So I was quite curious. Ubuntu is the name and it roughly means Humanity toward others. There is a Yoga studio inside the restaurant on the second floor which is quite smart.
Here is the tasting menu I had:
The Garden Menu

Shiso , italian ice with olive oil & sea salt

Shiso , italian ice with olive oil & sea salt


Radishes with local chevre, nori

Radishes with local chevre, nori


cool Heirloom tomato minestrone, butterbeans, Haricot vert

cool Heirloom tomato minestrone, butterbeans, Haricot vert


round pond figs, somked & grilled, Piquillo jam, burrata, surrey

round pond figs, somked & grilled, Piquillo jam, burrata, surrey


Yogurt

Yogurt


a delicate summer stew, Garlic confit, okra, chickpeas & fried pepper

a delicate summer stew, Garlic confit, okra, chickpeas & fried pepper


Alliums & Fregola, natural broth with sherry, Boradeaux sauce

Alliums & Fregola, natural broth with sherry, Boradeaux sauce


expression of Carrots, scented with vadouvan & Nasturtium flowers

expression of Carrots, scented with vadouvan & Nasturtium flowers


summer Melon, prosecco sabayon, Basil ice cream

summer Melon, prosecco sabayon, Basil ice cream


Last course: vegan devil's food cupcakes

Last course: vegan devil's food cupcakes

2 of my favorite dishes above all are the Garlic confit in summer stew and the Alliums & fregola in Bordeaux sherry broth

Unfortunately, after all this….Mmm… I was still hungry

Episode.18 George Hendry talks Polyphenol

Posted on 05 May 2009 under Overall Wine Reviews, Uncategorized, Video by admin

Episode 17: An afternoon at Hendry Winery part 2

Posted on 03 May 2009 under Overall Wine Reviews, Uncategorized, Video by admin

Episode 16: An afternoon at Hendry Winery

Posted on 01 May 2009 under Overall Wine Reviews, Uncategorized, Video by admin