Tired...

I've had so much on my mind lately but I really haven't had anytime to post..not until today. It's my first day off, thank god! I love reading everyone's post so I'll give you one right back. Here's my latest update: I was hired to work P/T the usual 3-4 days/week, but now it looks like I'll be working 5 days a week but only 7.5 hrs/day. Isn't that just strange! So needless to say but I'll say it anyways, "This is crazy, and I'm not sure what I'm doing." It's always the case, so don't fret, cuz I'm feeling a little better today. Maybe I'm in need of therapy??? So far, I've spent 5 full days at the bakery, working the dreaded weekends. The good news is that I am becoming a pro at laminating dough. It looks like I'll be in charge of the croissant and puff dough from now on. I love the sheeter and that gadget they have to press the dough and butter into blocks. I am also getting good at mixing bread (even though the HOBART does all the work) but at least I know when to add more flour and check to see if the gluten has developed yet.

Went to a couple of restaurants this week in downtown San Mateo and enjoyed both of them. Didn't realize I had so much good stuff to chose from. Wednesday night went to Sinbad's and ordered their chicken swherma wrapped in lavash and baba ganoush. Loved the sandwich, because the chicken was grilled and it tasted so refreshing because of the assortment of veggies. They also have entertainment there: music and a scantily dressed woman shaking her hips. Sean would love it there! Second restaurant was the Japanese place next to the Japanese supermarket. Never noticed it before. Very small setting, but I liked it that way. They had everything except for sushi rolls. We tried a couple of specials: pickled fried rice (very good), curry udon (not bad), and tonkatsu ramen (santa ramen is better-plus i thought tonkatsu was the breaded fried pork...that was not the case. instead i received two thinly sliced pork.) Regardless I enjoyed the placle and will go back.

Here's what I baked this morning:


lemon chocolate tart
(chocolate is underneath)








banana nut muffins -------->







Here's an Eggplant Pasta Sauce that I made last week. Very good over pasta! Found it on someone's website! ( I should post these recipes huh?)







Anyways more ranting and ravings to come.....

First Post! Welcome

So the first post on this new Blog. What to write? First, I hope everyone was able to sign up without too many problems. Each of us should be able to post new content whenever we want through your own accounts. This space is intended for you to post rants, raves, stories, experiences, recipes, and anything else you want to share about food, dining, cooking, working, etc.

I am still working on the layout and making it look pretty and functional, but please start posting. Everyone can start with an UPDATE post. Let us know what you have been up to since our last day together.

Here is my Update:
I quit Greens as of 1/14. My last day at Chow will be 1/26. Over the holidays, Tom (my chef de cuisine from Piperade), messaged me about a job opening there and at the sister restaurant, Bocadillos. I will be working at Piperade again starting 1/29.

My episode of Bay Cafe aired in December. It was exciting and embarassing to watch myself on TV. All the feedback from the show thus far has been very positive. I just got the DVD from the producers, so let me know if you guys would like a copy. I will send it out as soon as I learn how to burn a DVD.

For Christmas, Cindy got us dinner reservations at The French Laundry in February. I am so excited and can't wait to go. As some of you know, we went down to LA over new years. We left SF around 4:30pm (after working 7-3 at Greens) and I drove like a madman to make our 10:00pm reservations at Lucque's. Food there was flavorful and yummy!!! We had the best short ribs with horseradish whipped potatoes, roast suckling pig with greens, and sweet potato beignets. We also did our usual romp through Westminster (Bolsa/Little Saigon) which was excellent as always.

Other meals over the break include Delfina, Dolores Park Cafe, BiRite Creamery, Jai Yun, Scott Howard, Yield Wine Bar, and Dynasty Seafood in Cupertino. I will post reviews of these at a later time.

I look forward to reading all of yours, and please, let me know what bugs you and what I should change about this site. Thanks