Taking Mac & Cheese To New Levels...

Mac & Cheese. I love Mac & Cheese. And I know I am not alone in this...
I have been making my own Mac & Cheese for the last couple years (and I'm not talking about the stuff that comes in a box either) and it has always been a hit amongst my friends. The photo above is one of my standard Mac & Cheese that I prepare.
But after awhile, I got tired of doing the same ol' recipe, so for our Superbowl Party this year, I decided to take it to another level. And another thing was that my boy, Raz, said that although he loved my Mac & Cheese, he said that he loved Smith & Wollensky's Truffled Mac & Cheese more.
What?!? Better Mac & Cheese than mine? Hmph!
I'm not mad at it, but I definitely accepted that challenge...

I sampled two new recipes - a new Cheddar Mac & Cheese and a Truffle Mac & Cheese. Technically, I kicked up my Old Recipe for the first and then tried a whole New Recipe for the other. How I went about it was that I searched for 4-5 Recipes for each and then took bits & pieces of each to make New Recipes. It all turned out very well.



What I came up with for my standard Mac & Cheese, which as you can see from the photo above, looks essentially the same, but in flavor I kicked it up a little by adding Cayenne, instead of Nutmeg and I also added some Dijon Mustard. People liked this much more with the change in spices and I am glad that I tried it.



As for the Truffle Mac & Cheese, I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. I mean, how do you go wrong with Truffle? Needless to say, it was a huge hit and I cannot wait to make it again soon. Lucky friends, huh? You bet...

I need to go write down the Recipes now.

Back in Range... And So Happy To Be There...

I've always liked this place. Since they got their Michelin Star last October, this place has been doubly as packed which makes for reservations that are a little hard to come by at times. Of all of my Dining Experiences here at Range (you can read about the other times here), I have decided that this has become one of my 'go to' places, and I've also learned that my favorite place to sit & dine there is at the Bar. Let me share why...
That particular evening we walked in without a rez on a Friday night at around 9pm. We were told that it would be a 45 minute wait until they could seat us. In the meantime, we decided to grab a drink at the Bar. By the time we finished our 1st cocktail, the Bar opened up and we opted to sit there for Dinner. I have to tell you, the Staff is really friendly and very knowledgeable about their Food and Libations, which is why I enjoy eating & drinking at the bar. You get more interaction and I personally like being in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.

As for the Food that Evening...


We started with the Raw Hawaiian Tombo, sliced thin Sashimi-style atop creamy Avocado, a refreshing Tangerine Broth and finished with Fresh Tangerine Slivers and Radish Sprouts. Simple and Delicious. This is a great start that awakens the Palette and this is how I typically like to start off my Meals. If there are Oysters, or some type of Crudo, Tartare or Sashimi on the Menu, I usually order it. I like Raw Food.



We then shared the Butternut Squash Stuffed Pasta topped with Parmesan, and drizzled with Lemon and Olive Oil. I thought that the mild saltiness from the Cheese and the crisp tartness of the Lemon worked well against the creamy sweetness of the Butternut Squash. A Very Nice Dish.



I chose the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with a Parsnip Puree, Sauteed Green Chard and Marinated Scallions for my Main, which I enjoyed, although I have to admit, not as much as the Coffee Rubbed Braised Pork Shoulder that I had at one of my previous visits to Range.


My companion had the Roasted Chicken with a Fennel and Bacon Bread Salad and drizzled with a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, a Dish which we both liked very much.

To sum it all up... We had a Great Meal and a Great Time sitting at the Bar, chatting with other Diners and the Bartender. FYI - the Menu changes daily and does a wonderful job with Fresh Local Ingredients. I love their Food...
Range has become one my favorite go-to Restaurants and I look forward to going back again very soon...

Foreign Cinema's 8 1/2 Year Anniversary Party...

I attended Foreign Cinema's 8 1/2 Year Anniversary Party the other night and it was a blast! The Event was in Celebration of their 8 1/2 Year Anniversary. The cost was only $40 for what seemed like endless Appetizers, Open Bar, Live Music & Perfomers, and 100% of the proceeds went to Street Smart for Kids. The evening itself was well worth it...



As I walked in, my first encounter is with an Oyster Bar. A Perfect start from the getgo...
The Joint was crowded and bustling and I'm feeling the excitement from the moment I walked in.
As I'm loading up on Kumamotos, I glance around and notice in the distance, the Fellini movie '8 1/2' projecting onto the Back Wall, with Live Music and Live Performers such as Acrobats, Fire Jugglers & Contortionists performing on a stage in the Central Courtyard. As it turned out, the entire night had a very Felliniesque Vibe to it - Surreal, Exaggerated Imagery mixed with a little Comedic Absurdity.


We move into the Main Restaurant to find some Drinks and there were 2 long tables with little Appetizer Plates of various Dishes ranging from Seared Beef, Duck and Pork with various Preparations, as well as Individual Salads and Couscous Dishes. While my friend went to grab us some Martinis, I staked out at the tables with the Appetizer Plates seen in the photos above. The Food was Really Good.
Honestly, after having been to FC many times for Dinner, Brunch & Special Events or Occasions, I have come to the conclusion that FC's Food is much better at Events than the Meals I've had whilst sitting down for one. If you read me regularly, you may know that I have written about this before. This Event just proved again, how much better their Food is when it is done in Small Plates or Passed Hors d'Oeuvres-Style. Take it from me, if you can go to one of their events, I highly recommend it.



As we moved out onto the Courtyard, we walked past the Acrobats & Performers to the back corner where we found a huge Grill ablaze with Delicious Little Mini Burgers, as well as Lamb & Chicken on Skewers being fired up. I had the Mini Burgers which were yummy and the Lamb Sirloin which was placed atop a bed of Israeli Couscous. All of it Delicious.
As we traversed onward to the Modernism Gallery to explore what else was in Store, we ran into yet another Oyster Bar & opportunely procured some Sparkling Wine along the way. As the night wore on, we had made another few rounds around the Place, Eating and Drinking all the while...

All in all, it was a Fantastical, Dream-like Night filled with Great Food, Jazz Music & Performances reminiscent of a Fellini Film. How Appropriate and Memorable it all was!
Bravo Foreign Cinema and Happy Anniversary and 1/2...

Cafe de la Presse

Cafe De La Presse

Category: French
Neighborhoods: Union Square, Nob Hill

Price Range: $$

I have been here several times for Lunch, Bloody Mary's and Mimosas, and I have to say that I really dig this place. It is situated right off Union Square and it's a great spot to stop for Lunch during a day of shopping, or even just to meet a friend to catch up.

I love the Atmosphere and the Design of the Space with its Old World wood panel walls and Cafe chairs and tables. Not to mention that they have a great offering of international newspapers & magazines. It reminds me of my college year abroad in Marburg, Germany and the particular cafe that it reminds me of was a place there called Cafe News. Ah, looking back, they were some Good Times...
I have not had a chance to try Dinner here, but it is a definitely a Great Space during the day. It is situated right across the street from the Chinese Pagoda Gate entrance to Chinatown on Grant & Bush Streets, and if you get a table by the window, it's a great spot to People watch.

As for their Food, I l frequently get their 'Poulet Roti' which is a Roasted Organic Chicken au Jus & Frites. It is SO good! The Chicken is Crisp on the outside and deliciously Juicy on the inside. Perfectly prepared. The Frites are no joke either... I have also tried the 'Tartare de Saumon' - Salmon Tartare, Haricot Vert Salad, Pomme Gaufrette recently which I absolutely loved. The Combination of the Flavors & Textures of the ingredients together is really really good...

A definite Must-Try.

The Menu has a lot to offer as far as Parisian-style Bistro/Cafe Fare, such as Steak Frites, Salad Nicoise and Salad aux Petit Lardons.

One more thing that I have to tote is their Creme Brulee - the carmelized sugar on top is light & crisp and the Creme is perfectly Creamy & Smooth. Damn, it's good! One of the best creme brulees that I've ever had... Well Done.

Recently renovated, I just learned that the Restaurant came under Aqua management by Laurent Manrique, Jean Claude Persais & Charles Condy in the fall of 2005, which says something as far as the Food is concerned. Gotta remember to come back here for Brunch one of these days and put CDLP through the Raptor Brunch test (Eggs Benedict-style)...

Wine & Wish Impressions...

This Gourmet Food & Wine Event was this past Saturday evening and it was a pretty spectacular event as you can imagine. It was held from 5-7:30pm in a sprawling Space on Treasure Island, in which the walls were swathed in dark velvet which showcased the Stars of the Event - the Wine & the Food.
Although it was raining heavily that night, neither rain nor sleet nor snow would have kept me away, and let me tell you it was worth every minute...
I have to admit that I was a bit starry-eyed upon entering... It was almost like a red carpet event for Food. Quite dramatic actually, and people were dressed to impress, some in semi-formal attire even...
Over 70 participating Wineries & Chefs / Restaurants presenting a Taste of what they have to offer... And all for a great cause. The Make A Wish Foundation.
It's a win-win situation. You simply can't go wrong.
I really must urge you to attend when this event comes back around next year if you have never been. I know I definitely will...


Here are the Raptor Highlights...

The Food:


These 3 Restaurants prepared the Tastiest & Most Memorable Morsels of Food which had me wanting to go to each of these Restaurants to try more...


SPQR had my favorite Dish of All...
A Savory Mouthwatering Pork Soffrito atop a Deliciously Creamy Polenta.
*sigh*
SO good...
I have to try SPQR soon.


The Wine:


Holdredge Wines was one of my faves. The knowledgeable husband and wife team of John & Carri Holdredge were there and one could tell that they were really into their Wine. With good reason, I might add... They said that they tended to stick to making their Favorite Wines, such as Pinot Noir, Syrahs & Zins, which just happen to be my Faves as of late as well, and I thought their Wine to be Delicious. I was even invited up to their Winery in Healdsburg for a Private tasting, or I can just come to their Tasting Room on the weekend. My favorite was the Mazie Rose Pinot Noir, which I was able to remember thanks to Carri for writing down on the back of her card. I also want to mention that they had a great 2006 Late Harvest Pinot Gris, a Dessert Wine called Grace's Cuvee, named for their daughter Gracie.

Other Favorite Wines offered were Nicholson Ranch and Enzo Wines which we may try to go to one or more of these when we do our French Laundry weekend this month.


Some Honorable Mentions...





Limon had their Signature Ceviche in these pretty little shot glasses, which although a cute idea, it suffered in logistics and a was a bit difficult to eat. Good Ceviche nonetheless...

The Marin French Cheese Company had a great Table offering many of their Award-Winning Artisan-crafted French Cheeses. A great place to stop by as you are sauntering around wine glass in hand. I love the Gold Award wining Rouge et Noir Triple Crème Brie. And they had little recipe cards for Dishes that you can prepare with their Cheeses...

Farallon was simply offering up Freshly Shucked Oysters with either a Mignonette or Tartar Accompaniment.
Could you imagine non-stop shucking for 2 1/2 hours? They still did it with a smile...

Millenium had these Papadums topped with a savory topping whoes Flavors just burst in your mouth...

I even wrapped the evening up with one of Kara's Cupcakes Cute Mini Cupcakes- I liked the Sweet Vanilla, but I heard that the other offerings of Ghirardelli Chocolate, Coconut & Passion Fruit were just as good...

There were a wealth of Foods offered, too many to mention here...
I guess you will just have to go next year to see for yourselves.

Make a Wish Foundation's Wine & Wishes Event

Make a Wish Foundation's Wine & Wishes Event

Sat., Feb. 2, 2008
Treasure Island ~ San Francisco, CA

Hello Friends & Fellow Foodies!

Great Food & Wine for a Good Cause? The Raptor is so there...

Anyone else care to join in the Food & Fun?

Just wanted to put it out there for anyone that may be interested in going as well. You can get a $15 off discount with the Tablehopper discount code. Tablehopper readers can get discounted tickets for $135: just click on "Buy Tasting Tickets," fill out the registration form, and enter "dream" under the discount code. The event is one of the organization's signature fundraisers, generating over $500,000 for the greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Thanks Marcia!

The Wine and Wishes Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting has proven to be one of the most acclaimed culinary events in the Bay Area. Great chefs, impeccable wines, a magical cause and YOU…a perfect equation for an unforgettable event.
During the Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting you will be able to sample amazing wines and exquisite dishes from any foodie's dream list! And all for a Great Cause!

Hope to see you there!

2008: To A Wondeful New Year...

So here we are in a New Year and the Year holds many adventures and exciting changes in store for the Raptor, which I cannot divulge as of yet... I know, the suspense is killing you, right? Well, soon enough, Grasshopper, soon enough...
All I can say is, Stay Tuned...



At the end of a year and with the start of a new, people often reminisce and look back at the year that had passed and recall one's 'Bests' or 'Faves' of the year.
I found myself asking the following question in a conversation I had the other day,
'What was or were Your All-time Best or Most Memorable Meals of 2007?'
The month of January alone brings many a food article about the writer's 'Best Restaurants/Eats of 200_', which, of course, prompts us to think about what our own answers would be. I suppose my question has 2 parts - What were your Most Memorable Meals and Overall, What was the Best?
I really would love to hear some of your replies. Don't be shy now. You know I'm not.
And with no further ado - here I go...
.
The Raptor's Favorite & Most Memorable Meals of 2007...

1. Absinthe was my Most Memorable this year. Grilled Steak with Bone Marrow. One Word. Unbelievable.
2. Universal Cafe is my Favorite Brunch/Lunch spot. All of it is just so incredibly good.
   
3. Farina the time I went with my Boys, Raz & Mark C. The Veal Chop is still on my Mind.
4. Les Amis Revisited for Ally K's birthday - the entire Dining Experience was one of the best...

And so...
A Challenge To My Readers in the Spirit of the New Year....
I wanted to put forth a challenge to you to offer suggestions of Food or Places that you think I absolutely need to try this year.
Let's start with ones that are already on my List...

1. Gary Danko. Check.
2. French Laundry. Check. (in February)
3. SPQR
4. Tinderbox
   
5. Lolo
   
6. Zuni for their Wood-Fired Chicken, Caesar & the Zuni Burger
7. Canteen
8. Chez Panisse
   
9. Manresa, if there's time...
   
10. ??? Your suggestion here, Reader... C'mon now, what do you got?
    

Ah, the Holidays in All of its Splendor & Many Blessings...

Hello Readers and Fellow Foodheads! It is 2008 and it is bound to be a really exciting year for the Raptor and hopefully for You as well... I hope you all had a great holiday! I know that I sure did...
I flew to my old hometown, Philly and celebrated the holidays with my family there, and then I found myself on a plane that Sunday going to Phoenix and then back to San Francisco on Christmas evening. It was quite a trip going back and forth, coast to coast, but well worth it when family and friends are involved...

During my travels, I ate quite A LOT, as is expected during the holidays, and along the way, I had a few interesting observations that I thought I would share with you...

Whilst in Philly, I of course, had my daily Raptor doses of Cheesesteaks. In a 48 hour period, I had my current all-time favorite, Steve's Steaks, care of my cousin Joy. (Thanks Joy!) As I've mentioned in my Philly Cheesesteak post awhile back, I love Steve's for their awesome Bread and also because they are the only place I know that keeps their thinly sliced Ribeye whole. Most places chop it up fine, which I don't have a problem with either, but I kinda like it this way.

My second steak came from D'Alessandro's in Manayunk/Roxborough, care of my other cousin, Vince. (Thanks Vin!) I thought it was pretty damn good, although I didn't get to eat it fresh, it was still good heated up. Will need to revisit that one once I get back to the East Coast...

Another thing that I wanted to write about is the Wawa Food Stores. Most people from the west coast would not recognize this convenience store because it is mostly regional to the east coast, specifically in PA, MD, NJ, DE & VA. Out here in the west coast, they mostly have Circle K's, we have 7/11's and Wawa's. I really loved this convenience store, because it has an in-house deli and produce section and more variety than most others. My favorite thing to get there was their Roast Beef Shorti, which is a 6" Roast Beef Sub (or Hoagie, which is what I'm used to calling it).

Yeah, that's right, a Roast Beef Shorti and a bag of chips was the best snack. I missed it. Which is why I went to get myself one while I was in Philly to relive old times...

It was interesting to see that they had electronic screens for ordering at the Deli with these easy to use touchscreens. I found it a little strange though, because it wasn't that crowded and the Deli is so small that it seemed superfluous to have it there when the the person making your sandwich is standing right there. I suppose it is whimsical and definitely adds to the image of 'convenience'.

So I order myself a R.B. Shorti on the the touchscreen and order it as I used to back inthe day and I anxiously await my sam'ich. Once i have it in my hands, I bite into it and realize that it was not the same as I remember it. I am disappointed... I found myself asking myself, 'Where's the Beef?!?' I mean, I remember it being so much Meatier. Since when did Wawa's get chintzy with the Meat? This just burst my childhood bubble... I suppose I will have to use the Extra Meat option in the future. Let's hope it was just that particular Wawa...

So where were we? I'm in Philly for a Family Holiday Dinner at my uncle's house and he has this huge spread of Filipino Foods. They had the best Dinuguan (if you don't know what this is, perhaps you can try it first one day with out knowing what your eating and then I will tell you...)
I was shocked to discover that my little 'Raptor Niece', Alexis (see pic of little 2 year old with the devoured spare rib bone in hand, in the right hand column) actually eats Dinuguan, as well as Lumpia dipped in Vinegar, Longanisa and Whole Deep Fried Sardines. She's only 2 and she eats just about anything, even if it is exotic or unfamiliar. I am a very proud Auntie Ninang!

One dish that I had at the family dinner was Arroz Caldo with Chicken that I thought to be exceptionally good and made for a pretty photograph which I wanted to share below.

So on the Sunday before Christmas Eve, my family & I fly back to Phoenix for Christmas. And as we are driving around Phoenix, I spot this bizarre and unusual fast food joint that I had to photograph and share with you as well.

This place was called the Heart Attack Grill and it is an actual fast food establishment! I can't believe it! They even have a website, which proudly states, 'We're Dumb & Proud!'. What the hell?!? It's just weird, I tell you...

Their Menu, which they refer to on their site as 'Medication', includes items such as the Double, Triple or Quadruple Bypass Burgers^®, Flatliner Fried Deep Fried in Pure Lard ^{® (Are you kidding me?!)} The Quadruple Bypass Burger® features 2 lbs of Beef, 12 Slices of Bacon and 4 Layers of Cheese adding up to a walloping 8,000 calories. What!?! And all of this is served up with PBR's, Coca Cola's and if you're hankering for a smoke afterwards, they also sell Lucky Strikes. How nuts is that?! As Serious as a Heart Attack I guess...

And it gets stranger even.
The Food is served up by servers dressed up as doctors and sexy nurses! This is almost comical if it weren't so wrong! The website has a number of articles justifying their food and Cigarattes, and toting a Heart Attack Grill Diet, PBR's, and and article on whether or not the AZ Attorney General should shut this joint down. Unbelievable. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I just wouldn't believe that such a place could exist.

So moving on to a better topic, we had a great Christmas Meal. I prepared a Ribeye Roast and Lobster with Mashed Potatoes and Salad. A nice spread and a nice meal to celebrate how fortunate we are as a family...

I hope you had as wonderful and memorable a holiday as well and I look forward to writing more for you in 2008...