June 5, 2007

I already know my life is quite charmed (and I hope to keep it that way), but this past weekend was definitely extra-special. My sis finally returned from Australia, just in time for my cousin’s fab Italian wedding on Saturday—we feasted on arancine (fried rice balls with cheese, ham, and peas) and other treats at the reception, like tender gnocchi (I also got to try some fava bean ravioli, mamma mia) at Mezzaluna, our family friends’ restaurant in Princeton By the Sea.

Sunday we visited our Calabrese friend Dominic Muzzi’s farm in San Gregorio—he’s the one who does that incredible corn maze each year. Dad, sis, and I hand picked some rapini (man, was my Monday night dinner of sausage and tender, garlicky greens sheer heaven) and also left with fresh peas, favas, and the most exquisite strawberries, called Chandeliers. (You can buy direct from Dominic at his farm: 950 La Honda Road, just east of the San Gregorio Store—follow the strawberry signs.) We then scooted north to Sam’s Chowder House for my first-ever clambake—the checkered table was overflowing with clams, mussels, Maine lobsters, andouille sausage, potato, and corn. Add some crusty bread and a glass of Txomin Etxaniz and we were set. (Ends up you can host your own clambake there as a private event—how’s that for a swell party idea?)

This week is shaping up to be pretty fab (going to try Essencia tonight, Wednesday is the Uncorked Events party, Thursday my friends are cooking a swell dinner, Friday I rock out to LCD Soundsystem, and Saturday is the Golden Glass—check it out in the socialite! On Sunday, the tablehopper needs to do some yoga. And chill out.

Hey, want to win a pair of tickets to the StarChefs Gala on June 19? You know the drill: to enter, first, you have to be a tablehopper subscriber, and second, you have to forward the tablehopper newsletter to at least five pals—just be sure to cc luckyme [at] tablehopper [dot] com on the email so I know you forwarded it to five folks. (Their emails will stay private—I just need to keep track of how many folks you forwarded it to.) The deadline to enter is by midnight, on Thursday, June 7. I will be randomly drawing the winner and will email you to let you know you’ve won on Friday, June 8.

Lastly, this week marks round two of the wino pieces on corkage. I am also launching the matchmaker, a section with classifieds ads for the restaurant and bar industry. If you’re interested in learning more about running a classified ad, you know where to find me—just reply to this email!


Hoppingly yours,
~Marcia (rhymes with Garcia)