The best bites were: passionfruit truffles from Cocoa Bella, anything from Poco Dolce, chocolate covered brazilian honey cakes from

Book Review: Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris

I was super excited about this book. It seemed like it would get me more fun food places than I could possibly visit let alone eat from in my short trip. Of course I was right, but that did not turn out to be the frustrating thing. The frustrating thing was that I possesed a guide book for Paris that lacked a map. It did list the nearest Metro stop, but more than anything I wanted to see these places laid out on a map so that I could quickly find any of them that might be nearby or determine if the walk were too long to make it before it closed.

Since I got home I discovered that there are online updates and maps. If I had been a reader of her blog, I may have assumed this to be the case, but as my husband bought her book I had no idea what lie on the internet. Or, if i were younger and had grown up with the internet, I may have also have assumed this book would have a sister web site, but I'm too old, and now too far for away for that info to be useful. But, if I make it back this fall, I am so there.

All in all, this book delivered some of my favorite experiences of the trip.

Not a Fan: Guy Fieri

As a Sunset magazine subscriber I like to try out the recipes. As a rule I am not a Guy Fieri fan, I can't stand to look at his awful hair or listen to him talk. But really, I think it's about the hair. But, I cooked up his whole menu (except for the dessert, what's camping without s'mores) that was in last month's Sunset. Who doesn't love a chimichurri, and the fresh stuff is way better than most of what I ate in Argentina.

Paper Straws

I get the aestheticism of paper straws, they are adorable. However, they have the mouth feel of that cotton the dentist stuffs in your mouth when he's done with your filling, only your mouth can feel it, it's not numb. So, i think that is worse.

Arcata, the hub of Humboldt County

My trip to Arcata was for two things; to hike in the redwoods and to have dinner at Folie Douce (http://www.holyfolie.com/) which my friend owns. I have been thinking about their salami, brie, and apricot jam wood fired pizza since i first tasted it over a year ago and it did not disappoint. There is no better way to finish off an eleven mile hike than with delicious house cava at 6 bucks a glass, a wonderful salad of greens, perfectly dressed and some bbq kumamotos touched with wasabi. Plus, my friend Marsha stopping by to share my table and bring on desserts.

New York City

I got to try the Magnolia Bakery's famous cupcakes. The cake is dry and the frosting is really great. My cousin was right that it's their banana pudding that takes the cake. It is so delicious and the portion so giant...I was happy I had my sister to share it with. Actually, I could have used all my sister's to share it with. The pudding manages to be light and creamy without coming off like a mousse, it just seems like the best pudding you've ever eaten.

I finally had lunch at the Tea Box at Takashimaya. The Bento Box wasa great. A bowl of rice with some sort of crab meat and scallion mixture on top, four bites that included a cube of tofu, a shrimp dumpling, something deep fried and delicious and a shot glass of cold red pepper soup. I love that they were all actually bite sized. I hate having to take two bites using chopsticks...then there was a beef dish that was lovely and a small salad. I got the French Verveine tea with butter cookies for dessert. I loved the tea it was subtle and flavorful, lemony without a hint of bitterness.

I tried so much in NYC. My favorite bagel (Absolute), a new deli (Katz's), the famous Mister Softie, and a street hot dog. I even came upon a Jaques Torres boutique on Amsterdam. The one thing the Frick Collection is missing is a cafe or tea room. Then the place would really be perfect.


I did manage a lunch at Bouchon with an old friend and only wished that I had the stomach space to try their take on the Fluffernutter! Since I make them at home and have had some food friends turn up their noses I was extremely happy to see the world's best french chef include them on his menu. Go team.

We made a stop at Dylan's candy bar which was fun. I brought home a peanut butter and jelly chocolate bar for my husband, it was as fun as it sounds. Now, if they'll only get on with the fluffernutter version.

Back in the Saddle

I spent a week backpacking recently and it's been a while. So, instead of gourmet trail dinners, i opted for light weight dehydrated beans and instant brown rice one night and too wet pasta the others. it seems i have lost my touch for draining pasta without a colander. That didn't seem to bother my husband, or myself, we were both hungry from so much hiking. the highlight of that trip was probably the cheeses i picked up at the Cowgirl Creamery. One with truffles and my personal backpacking favorite: Midnight Moon that Cypress Grove imports from Holland.