Tuesday, July 29, 2008

In love with memories










Okay, two things in my life have been true. That is San Francisco sourdough bread (Boudin that is), and real French bread (from France). Having been to France twice as a kid, I know what French bread tastes like. Since this is not France I have until now not been able to taste what I remember as a kid. Mr. Keller has again hit the mark he so often has. tasting the bread at the table opened up a flood gate of memories that I thought I had forgotten.That damn bread was worth going there, then the damn frites, and then steak frites. The frites were so good that I had to have them twice. Bouchon for me is a comfort blanket and I love its warmth.
Thank you Mr. Keller for Bouchon.








People you have to come to the Napa area and eat, eat, and eat... oh yeah, and drink... wine that is.

Bitter pill well swallowed


Gordito's Mexican has to be the Hell bad Mexican food goes when it dies.
"If people think this is Mexican food they must be Booting black tar Heroin (i.e CRAZY.) It shares a building with a Chuck E. Cheese's for God's sake. The food is tasteless. Service well I don't know because I try not to go there at all."


If you have hate in your heart let it out... right.

Last meal on earth



Simple food done very well.


"So my rating might be a little high(five stars), but three generations of my family have been eating these hamburgers. They are sooo good. I might just have to change my last meal to a Dave's hamburger. The menu has like three things on it. The pie is always fresh and hand made.
some rules:1: NO FRIES ONLY CHIPS.2: KNOWN WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE ASKED.3: GET A SHAKE WITH YOUR BURGER.
Dave is a old ass kicker, but he loves what he does. every burger is cooked with Dave's own sort of love.
Soon all the places like Dave's will be gone, so enjoy them."
(p.s I just found out the sad news that Dave is no longer with us, and has past on. 1/24/2007 Fairfield,CA)

The eye bone Steak


"Most people would walk right by this place, and that could be a good thing. My girlfriends family grew up in Sacramento, and just had to go to Lil' Joe's on the way back from Tahoe.
When we walked into Lil' Joe's, I have to say I was a little nervous. The place looked right out of the 50's, but with about 20 years of dirt and grim. Making sure to order what everyone else was eating, that way if one of us got sick the rest would as well. As I sat there hearing the old stores of the neighborhood and of Lil' Joe's, more and more people walked in to eat. The thing that made me realize I was not going to die was when I looked around I saw Cops, workmen, school teachers, and cab drivers where all eating at Lil' Joe's.
Steak and eggs at Lil' Joe's is one of those moments that you understand that you can't judge a book by it's cover. If you have the moxie to go into these sort of places you might just find that serving good food to hardworking people is more important then fixing the tiles in the floor or putting up new paint on the walls."

Tiki Tom you are my hero.


Oh, Tiki Tom's. Let's just say huge let down. Tiki Tom's is a restaurant in Walnut Creek, CA and an awesome bar. But It is never good to ask the guests at the party you are catering to "party" with you.

"Let's just say this, doing lines of TOOT in the back of the van at your catering job is not a good idea Tiki Tom! Thank you for making a Graduation party soooo special."

Did I hear fried rice?


"Two words " Fried Rice"
All you have to do is go to Maui. Find your way to Napili, and locate The Gazebo restaurant. Order anything on the menu, and repeat this the entire time you are on the island.
Yes there is a line, yes you will wait in it."

Mama don't go!



Okay, if you happen to be in Paia, HI then you have to check this place out.


"I do not know where to start. Mamas is the best fish restaurant that I have every been to. But it is hard to write this review.
So I will tell you that when I was going to try Sushi for the first time, someone told me that if I was going to have sushi make sure that I go to the best restaurant and have the best sushi i could find. That way after no matter many times I would have bad Sushi I would always have the memory of the best Sushi to fall back on.
I just wish I had Mamas fish house the first time I had fish.
The Best."

Brass tax


Okay, now that is over we can get to the brass tax. I am a lot more brash then what you previously read. I shoot it straight, an almost take no prisoners attitude about food and restaurants. Since it is going to be a couple of weeks before I start school. Here are some of my reviews of restaurants that I dug up.
Enjoy.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Going to cooking school... What!

As a child I was introduced to food made by my grandmother. She was a wonder of a cook and every creation that she made, was made with love. The food was always hearty, stick to your ribs, fair. As I grew, my mother worked with me to expand my creative side. Together we experimented with everything from exotic marinades to simple spice blends, nothing was out of bounds when cooking at home. I was allowed to shop, prep, and cook anything that came to mind. My mother never attempted to limit my abilities. I have taken this passion of food from my grandmother and mother and am now the one that friends and family refer to as the “foodie”.

I find a great comfort in cooking for friends and family and hope to formalize my training with the Napa Valley Cooking School. I understand that I need to gain better understanding of the culinary field and I have chosen this culinary school for two main reasons. First off, the Napa Valley Cooking School resides in Napa, which is known as the center of culinary world in California. Secondly, I wish to attend the Napa Valley Cooking School to gain valuable experience from some the best teaching Chefs in California.

My goal from graduating from Napa Valley Cooking School is to become a well-versed Chef and work with others in the preparation of food in the restaurant setting. My greater life goal is to write books, articles and essays on culinary arts.
In a way this blog will help me understand and remember where I a have come from. I hope someone looking into cooking will like to read and learn what it is like to become a Chef form a point a view that hits closer to home, then some stuffy nose in the air person.

Thank you.
PaddyPoo