Chuan’s

My experience with Szechuan cuisine is pretty limited.  I’ve probably eaten it only a handful of times and I was never impressed or filled with a desire to go back for more.  I think people always mistake Szechuan food for being particularly spicy, which it’s really not.  Though, my spice-O-meter may not be representative for…

chi SPACCA

The April birthday dinners in my family were pretty good with Orsa & Winston and Sushi Sushi.  September rolled around (yes I’m behind on the blogging!), and it was time to treat Smooth Obturator to something tasty.  Triple T, being the thoughtful wife that she is, made reservations at chi SPACCA knowing the carnivorous glutton…

Joël Robuchon

A new era in my life has started.  I no longer look forward to the wild partying, excessive drinking, and artery clogging buffet eating in Vegas.  Now when I think about Vegas, I get excited by the thought of eating something fancy and delicious.  Welcome to old age, right?  So the real reason behind my…

Bistrot L’Ancienne Auberge 1900

After some heavy hitting (stomach and wallet wise), meals in France, it was nice to have something casual.  It seems like every country has their special prized chickens.  Jidori chickens of Japan, and Bresse chickens of France, or “poulet de Bresse.”  The high quality reputation of “poulet de Bresse” has been longstanding, maybe as far…

Paul Bocuse, L’Auberge du Pont de Collognes

There are certain names in the food world that set off bells in one’s head, James Beard, Julia Child.  Some names are certainly more main stream than others.  Paul Bocuse is probably a bit less mainstream.  He’s no Wolfgang Puck, who has his name on frozen pizza boxes and his mug on iced coffee drinks….

Lèon de Bruxelles

Moule-frites is a very simple and classic Belgian dish that’s popular throughout France.  In fact, Leon de Bruxelles is actually a large chain restaurant in France.  Your thinking, “Overworked Underfed, how could you dine at a chain restaurant??”  Dear readers, some chain restaurants are awesome!  First off, everything at Lèon de Bruxelles is fresh, never…

Auberge Etchegorry

Etchegorry is quaint little local restaurant specializing in Basque cuisine.  Mama H.o.P’s Parisian friend, who I guess I’ll call Parisian Friend, has been a patron of this restaurant for years and years and she had nothing but high praise for this place.  The restaurant itself felt pretty homey, no frills.  I can’t say our welcome…

Michel Rostang

I had a whole list of restaurants I wanted to try while in Paris.  I tend to lean toward the new and contemporary.  But while in Paris, Mama H.o.P. and I were the guests of her Parisian friend who had her own restaurant recommendations.  Who am I to tell a Parisian where to eat in…

Fauchon

Fauchon is an international food company that dabbles in everything from pastries, confections, artisanal meats and cheeses.  At this outpost in Paris, they operated a small restaurant, bakery, and deli with some quick to-go items like sandwiches and salads.  Everything was soooo pretty and cute and of course cost an arm and a leg.  It…

Ladurée

It’s time to skip a few backlogged posts to blog about my recent trip to France.  I’ve been to France a few times in the past.  It’s the city where my father spent his formative years from childhood to adulthood, pretty much growing up and finding his way all on his own.  There seemed some…

Raku

There are 2 off strip restaurants that people always talk about in the Sin City, Lotus of Siam and Raku.  While the former fell just a bit short of expectations, the latter was well worth the cab fare.  Some people say Raku is one of the best izakaya restaurants they’ve been to.  Smooth Obturator and…

NOPA

Reservations are hard to come by at many of the hot & happening SF eateries.  The Pouter and I really wanted to eat at the ever popular Statebird Provisions, but couldn’t get a reservation and planned to try for walk in.  After much discussion with previous diners, we decided that would be a poor decision,…