The Culinary Timeline is a side-project that I've been working on since October. I'm hoping to have most of it complete by the end of January, with any luck. Until then, updates around here will be weekly, rather than twice weekly. Do stay tuned.
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I’m going to be quite honest: making ice cream at home, even with a machine, is really kind of a pain. While the ingredients and the techniques themselves are relatively simple, the planning itself is the real nuisance. The fact that you have to cook it, chill it, spin it, and then freeze it all seems rather daunting for those of us who prefer instant gratification. The fact is, all of this chilling and freezing can require several hours, and so even though the process itself becomes rather passive, it always seems to drag out, literally, for two days.
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I just received my allocation of 2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir, having finally earned a coveted spot on their mailing list during these tough economic times. Well, I should amend that statement: I earned a spot on their provisional list, which means that I’m entitled to some left-overs. I now have a couple bottles each of their 2007 Russian River Pinot and their 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot. I’m tempted to pop one open and see how it tastes, but I’m going to give these wines some time to settle back into place. Eventually, however, I will open one of [... read more ...]
Well, it seems as though the re-opening date for Mustard’s Grill keeps getting pushed back: from what I have heard most recently, the repairs and rennovations for Cindy Pawlcyn’s Yountville restaurant will tentatively be completed by May. It’s strange to drive by the restaurant each day and see the Mustard’s parking lot totally empty.
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My tendency to pair dim sum with trips to the de Young Museum is two-fold: (1) there are some noteworthy dim sum restaurants in the Richmond District, just a few blocks north of Golden Gate Park, and (2) since I have very little will power with dim sum, the de Young is a great venue to wander around while the bloating slowly subsides. Last week, I stopped in at Ton Kiang before heading to the “Warhol Live” exhibit, which began three weeks ago and runs through May 17.
The dim sum at Ton Kiang is [... read more ...]
Given the choice between a glass of Chardonnay and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, I’m liable to choose the latter about nine times out of ten. I have found that among wine drinkers, this decision tends to be pretty divisive: people will usually form a distinct preference between these two white wines, kind of like an Elvis-versus-The Beatles debate. For me, I just prefer the acidity and the aroma of Sauv Blanc, and I somehow find Chardonnay less intriguing on the palate (I also find Elvis less intriguing than the Fab Four, for what it’s worth).
A recent bottle of 2004 Whitehall Lane Merlot prompted a visit to their St. Helena winery today. I had purchased this Merlot almost two years ago, and so my recollections were a little hazy. Much to my surprise, however, it was excellent, and I was intrigued that I hadn’t remembered this wine more clearly. When I investigated its retail price, I was even more pleased to discover that it was only $28. Although I was sure that the 2004 Merlot was already sold out (which it was), I was interested in catching up with Whitehall Lane’s current releases.
Six wine professionals, including yours truly, blind tasted six Napa Cabernets this week, all from the 2005 vintage, and all hailing from the legendary Oakville appellation. The survey produced some mixed, yet interesting results. The list of wines was as follows:
• 2005 Tamber Bey Cabernet Savignon ($65)
• 2005 Groth Cabernet Sauvingnon ($58)
• 2005 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon ($55)
• 2005 Gargiulo “Money Ranch Road” Cabernet Sauvignon ($85)
• 2005 Nickel & Nickel “John C. Sullenger” Cabernet Sauvignon ($90)
I’ve heard through the grapevine that Mustard’s Grill will be closed though March. From what I understand, the restaurant is going to take the opportunity to do some remodeling beyond the initial fire repairs. Considering the slow ecomony, and the fact that this is the slow time of year for Napa Valley tourism, I suppose that the timing could have been much worse.
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Mandina’s is probably my favorite restaurant in New Orleans, at least when I’m in the mood for a shrimp poboy and a bowl of turtle soup. I found this photo online at wikimedia.org, and I really like how the neon pops against the dark background. Following its demise after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the restaurant finally re-opened during Mardi Gras 2007, a week I happened to be back in the Crescent City. Seeing this place up and running was a highlight of my visit.
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