Newsletter

This week's tablehopper: cheese o'clock.                     Tower of power at the Fresca Italia table at the Fancy Food Show. This week almost killed me with news (and next week isn’t looking any slower). It was definitely a weekend of (almost) competition eating, bookended with the Good…

This week's tablehopper: bubbles o' clock.                     At the chef’s counter at Plum in Oakland. Hey, you busy freaking out about that dang thirteenth zodiac sign? I mean, really, what the hell? And the earthquakes, and crazy reports of birds falling out of the sky and flying…

This week's tablehopper: afternoon delight.                     The eggs (by candlelight) in Cafe Jacqueline’s kitchen. Can I just do a shout out for spicy food? I’m gonna, right now, because not only did it put some fire in my belly this past cold-as-hell week, but I think it…

This week's tablehopper: casual friday.                     Clam chowder with fennel at Citizen Cake. Hey there, how is everyone doing in their Victorian ice boxes? Let’s just say the wine in my apartment is at a perfect cellar temperature, and I’m coming up with some really disturbing wardrobe…

This week's tablehopper: after the party.                     Kuay Tiew Moo Look Chin Pla at Lers Ros (aka #71, soup with pork, noodles, and fish balls). Happy New Year, dear readers. Did you set it off? Blow 2010 up? Slash and burn it? Pop wheelies? Yours truly lived up to…

This week's tablehopper: snark attack.                     The Make-Out Room (where it’s always New Year’s Eve-meets-the prom). Why hello there. You polishing your silver, your Champagne flutes, and hopefully your dancing shoes? The city is gearing up for what is always the worst night to get a cab,…

This week's tablehopper: it's only wafer thin.                     Baccalà: it’s not Christmas Eve without it. I decided to take it a little easier this week and only try to stay up until 11pm writing this thing instead of my usual 2am or 3am on Monday night.…

This week's tablehopper: up on the top shelf, click click click.                     Our cat Merna on last year’s tree-decorating day. (So over it.) Yup, I survived my epic holiday par-tay weekend, although I’m not so sure about my waistline (it doesn’t help matters to think of…

This week's tablehopper: bossy girl.                     The uni and cauliflower pizza at Cotogna. Time to flip on those afterburners. Do I really have three parties I’m going to on Sunday? The calendar says, “Yes, Marcia, you sure as hell do.” And one on Saturday. And one tonight. I…

This week's tablehopper: a very busy (and boozy) elf.                     “Who, me? I didn’t burn down the tree! I only look evil.” Yay, my Fodor’s deadline is ALL DONE, so now I am free to get into the full holiday swing. Someone is ready to par-tay! This…