Cucina di Andrea, Maremma seafood high up in the Etruscan hills ...

the location.
clelia & andrea's terrace & kitchen, vetulonia, italia
the menu.
✳ triglia marinata with tomato & basil
✳ mackerel tartare with tomato & shallot
✳ anchovies marinated in lemon juice with shaved shallots
✳ fresh strozzapreti pasta with seafood sugo
✳ clelia's tiramisu & limoncello from andrea's mom

Alfresco cooking with a view ...

The perfect travel find while exploring the Maremma, the remote coastal region of Tuscany: Il Baciarino's two minimalist cottages are nestled in an ancient olive and oak grove on the steep slopes of Vetulonia, an ancient Etruscan hill town with endless views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding hills of the Maremma region. In theory, it would have made a great base to explore the region, but we opted to stay put around our casetta and just relax, enjoy the views and cook a few meals in the alfresco kitchen {in the compnay of the resident donkeys, Gina & Stella} ...

A week night dinner & chocolate tart with Diego ...

the location.

philippine & daniel's kitchen, san francisco, california

the menu.

✳ lemon & olive oil marinated fennel with burrata & mint { recipe here } 

✳ marinated sirloin steak with roasted heirloom root vegetables
✳ almost flourless chocolate tart with fresh raspberries & creme fraiche

Market : The Foundry in Minneapolis

I first spotted The Foundry long past their opening hours, on a neighborhood stroll through Minneapolis' Warehouse District {& dinner at The Bachelor Farmer} the other night. Peaking through the windows and spotting a cool interior and beautiful home wares, I just had to come back the next day ...

From a Knoll table stacked with golden ceramic plates to a rack of gorgeous Turkish blankets, from the cool background soundtrack to the packaging details, it's the perfect store to browse for the home, for your best friend's wedding - or just to pick up a set of red rimmed breakfast plates that make the perfect souvenir from a fun city trip {just wish it was less than a four hour flight away!} ... 

Le Cercle Rouge: A Taste of Savoie ...

Last night marked another fun Le Cercle Rouge gathering at Chez Spencer, this time featuring the flavors of the Savoie region. Tastings of some crisp white Savoie wines along with an Savoie cheese spread and chef Laurent Katgely's interpretation of classic raclette and tartiflette with Reblochon, Beaufort and other amazing cheeses of the region...

A sunny Friday lunch at Piccino in Dogpatch ...

the location.

piccino cafe, dogpatch, san francisco, california

the menu.

✳ farro verde, sugar snap peas, pickled ramps, almonds, mint yogurt
✳ asparagus, burrata, heirloom polenta, watercress, salsa verde
✳ salsiccia, mozzarella and red onion pizza
✳ sightglass coffee

Two days of cooking {mostly Ottolenghi style} in the desert ...

the location.

nancy's kitchen, desert hot springs, california

the menus.

✳ cheese, flatbreads, cured olives & an orange cava aperitivo

✳ roasted cauliflower & hazelnut salad { recipe here }

✳ petrale sole sauteed with Italian parsley

✳ roasted chicken thighs with clementines & arak { recipe here }

✳ broccolini with lemon pine nut olive relish & black rice

✳ frank's fried potato with rosemary

✳ chocolate sorbet & dark chocolate

Coffee at Casa de Kokomo ...

On last week's desert road trip we detoured high up into the rugged canyons of Joshua Tree, to check in with Klaus and catch up over strong Mexican coffee - just loved his infinite desert vistas:

A fun weeknight dinner & fab home in Koreatown ...

the location.
chloe's apartment in koreatown, los angeles, california
the menu.
✳ salumi & cheese spread with baguette & chloe's marinated olives
✳ arugula salad with shaved fennel
✳ spaghetti with fresh tomatoes, swiss chard & parmesan
✳ dark chocolates

Market: Magpie & Rye in San Francisco

Magpie & Rye has been one of my favorite shops ever since they opened in San Francisco's NoPa neighborhood as part of the trio The Prairie Collective.

A tiny storefront with an evolving selection of wares, it's always a fun place to browse, pick up something new for home or kitchen and a perfect place for unique gift finds you won't see elsewhere:

a well curated selection of art & photography books, beautiful home & kitchen accessories, handmade jewelry along with an interesting mix of vintage finds. Here's a sneak peek at the current selection:

Mid century modern & Italian Majolica in the Marina

the location.

carmel's marina apartment, san francisco, california

the menu.

• french 75 cocktails

• marcona almonds & dry cured black olives

• pecorino cheese, roasted hazelnuts & Mission honey on toasted baguette

• herb braised Emigh lamb shoulder with provencal beans

• lemon sorbetto & cherry gelato with Italian chocolate salt crunch cookies

Recipe : Marmalade Tart

When life gives you oranges ... make marmalade tart!

Last days of winter & Sunday brunch with Olivia

the location.

aq restaurant & bar, san francisco, california

the menu.

✳ caramelized green garlic & miso brioche

✳ roasted sunchokes, nasturtium creme fraiche

✳ citrus salad with roasted hazelnuts

✳ soft scrambled eggs, mushrooms, gruyere

✳ malted pancakes, caramelized bananas, maple bacom

✳ italian sausage & fried egg, rutabaga kraut, potato

✳ eggs benedict, avocado, brioche, crab hollandaise

The first signs of spring & a picnic in the country ...

the place.

michael's barn in sonoma county, california

the menu.

✳ butter toasted ciabatta bread with prosciutto cotto
✳ soft boiled eggs, cheese & apples

✳ raspberry-almond-marzipan tart with whipped cream