A Trader Giotto's Dinner

To say I don't cook much would be something of an understatement. But I do have my moments. One of my dishes (maybe my only) is a sausage pappardelle from Trader Joe's.

The whole meal, including wine, is just eight items, so it's perfect for the express checkout. I think it's just eight items. Wait. Six...seven...eight—ok we're good. Whew!

I remove the casing from the sausages and fry them up while the onions and peppers sauté in the other pan.

Then I dump the meat and veggies into the sauce, and let that go for at least an hour.

Then, viola! A Trader Giotto's feast! That wasn't so difficult.

Or was it? And I wonder why I don't cook very much.

Triple Chocolate @ b. patisserie

Sketches from Japan • Autumn 2013

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November 20th -November 27th

Packed pretty light—just the Tom Bihn Smart Alec and the Co-Pilot.

Tokyo>Osaka>Kyoto>Nara>Hiroshima>Miyajima>Tokyo

Going in style—on United. This is my view for 10+ hrs.

Oh, but "Grown Ups 2" should keep me entertained.

Nori was kind enough to let me charge my phone at the counter.

Time to check in to my capsule hotel and call it a night after a long day.

Good Morning! I better get down to the showers before it gets too busy.

GOOD NEWS: There's a shower open.  BAD NEWS: See "Good News"

Tokyo's version of okonomiyaki.

GOOD NEWS: I didn't lose the second JR pass.

At 8:15AM the atomic bomb "Little Boy" detonated over Hiroshima.

Miyajima

Time to go home— at least I'm flying ANA on the way back. All in all, a great trip. I saw the koyo (fall colors) at their peak while covering a lot of ground in a short amount of time. Yet I didn't feel too rushed. It was too bad about losing the JR pass, but I didn't let that get in the way of enjoying my trip.

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Watermelons @ Nopa

The Abbot's Cellar

Latest illustration for Edible San Francisco Magazine, featuring Chef Brando Oldham.

Sketches from Italy

I've arrived! Nunzio the driver is waiting for me at the airport.

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This guy is something of a local celebrity, having been in an indie movie about Roman Slackers or something.

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The Isle of Ischia. I stayed on the West coast at Forio.  You could probably stay anywhere and just hop around to the other towns on the bus.

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Some notes and suggestions from the patrons of Pietratorcia.

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Great B&B close to the ferry in Forio. Very convenient location.

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The nice, simple, convinient  B&B where I stayed in Rome.

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Segrio from Mordi & Vai Gastronomia "Romanesca"

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This conductor accused us of improperly validating our tickets. He called the police, who simply scoffed at the conductor.

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Ahh, time to head back. What a trip!

If you're thinking of visiting Rome, please check out Rome Like A Local, a great way to discover the hidden gems in Rome!

18 Reasons

Honolulu Half Marathon Weekend

Christmas 2012

Sketches from Maui and Lanai

The ABC store has everything. I usually get a bamboo beach mat. Cheap and easy to carry around.

The depiction of a distinguished Japanese gentlemen on the cash register assures that your Yen is acceptable here.

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I took a day cruise over to Lanai with Paragon Sailing Charters.  Great trip and worth every penny. After an hour or so sail we arrived at Hulopoe Bay and snorkeled there for a while.

Then we headed in to Manele Bay, where after disembarking, I walked over to The Four Seasons and had a cocktail at the poolside bar. Very refreshing, whatever it was!

On the way back, some spinner dolphins accompanied us for a bit.

Napili Bay

Lunch at The Gazebo.  I think this place is famous for their giant pancakes, but I had the very tasty tuna melt.

Pirate guy at The Gazebo.

Each morning at about 6:15 a bird would start chirping somewhere near my window. I wonder if it was this guy!

Chef's Counter @ Nojo

Greg Dunmore, the chef/owner of Nojo, prepares an avocado salad.

July Sketchcrawl @ The Ferry Building

Boon Fly Cafe

BOON FLY CAFE , CARNEROS —Went up here last weekend to escape the San Francisco summer fog. Quant, rustic, modern, delicious.

A friend had this breakfast cocktail while we waited. Too spicy for my liking, but love the idea!

We started the meal with a bucket of thier signature hot donuts. You can tell them how many you want. We did one a piece.

Possible inspired by the bacon bloody mary, I had the Bacon, Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado Sandwich.

Boon Fly Cafe

Cazuela @ Olea

Welcome to Olea, a cozy little place in Nob Hill, offering local California fare in a casual, unpretentious setting. Many reviews label it as a "hidden gem" but this jewel appears to have been discovered—arrive after 10:00AM and you can find yourself waiting a good amount of time for a table. Even if the secret is out, it's still worth the wait.

There are so many delicious looking items on the menu, but I keep getting the cazuela— my go-to meal at Olea. I want to try something else, but I don't have the nerve to deviate from a sure thing. It doesn't disappoint, that's for sure. Maybe someday I'll venture off the beaten path and get something else...but until then, I will continue to order this delightful dish.

Chef's Counter @ NOPA

Braxton in the kitchen. Looks like a burger is ready!

Egg Sandwich @ Jane

With tomatoes, cheese and ovocado....mmmm!

Mara's Italian Pastry

As one of my favorite cafes in North Beach, Mara's Italian Pastry is a great place to sit and people watch—and yes, have a vanilla latte and some cookies, too.

Watercolors @ Bacchus Wine Bar

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/41559259]  

I'm having a little watercolor show at Bacchus Wine Bar next Thursday, May 10th. The reception goes from 6PM- 10PM, and will be up until July. So if you're in the neighborhood, stop on by to check out these painted, edible delights. Local. Gluten free. Zero peanut allergens.

Sketches from Hawaii

I recently went to Oahu and the Big Island for my birthday. Here are some sketches from the ten day trip.

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I wasn't staying at the Surfrider, but I did hang out there. This guy was singing about a little grass hut.

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I liked sitting on the porch in the rocking chairs.

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This is the hotel I stayed for the weekend—The Aston Waikiki Circle. And circular it was. Comfy bed, too!

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First Mai Tai of the trip!

I took The Bus to Koko Head. Slow but cheap. What's the hurry, right?

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So many steps to the top, but worth the view.

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Two great meals—a mixed plate from Rainbow Drive-In and eggs and sausage from Eggs 'N Things.

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Now on to the Big Island. 12B would be an indication of what's to come.

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A really cool beach north of the Kailua Kona airport.

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Snorkeling near Captain Cook's monument. I remember a lot of Yellow Tang and a couple of aptly named Parrot Fish.

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Oh, stayed at the Royal Kona Resort. Great value, great location. Mauna Kea offered an amazing view of the island as far as the eye could see.

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It was on the happy hour menu, and I couldn't resist the colors. Tasted very banana-y. Huggos on the Rocks is a great place to catch the sunset, too.

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Just me,  the trade winds, and....a vietnamese silk robe?  Anyway, it was a great trip!

Bacon wrapped pineapple