Pollan and Mackey: Preach on, brothers.

Just how many Bay Area food bloggers were in the audience last night at the “debate” between Whole Foods CEO, John Mackey, and Omnivore’s Dilemma author, Michael Pollan? A quick tool around the Web seems to indicate there were quite a few. I’d definitely suggest reading what they have to say, because my comments on [...]

To Fish or Not to Fish

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was sixteen. I think it started when I bought my first 10,000 Maniacs cassette. (Yes, cassette. I’m old.) Natalie Merchant became my hero, and I wanted to be just like her. Which necessitated the nixing of meat.
Copying gave way to thinking for myself, and soon, I realized I agreed [...]

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers, But They Can Be Pissed And Write About It (Sutra)

This is not a restaurant review.
It’s really more of a service review. And not a particularly happy one.
Let’s say you, your partner, and four of your best pals are slightly tipsy, walking along the Embarcadero on gorgeous San Francisco night. It’s Friday after a long week, and you’re looking for some dinner. Where do you [...]

Hola, Andina (Portland, OR)

It’s a rare day when I feel compelled to write a glowing review from start to finish. I don’t know if that’s a reflection of my disposition, or a comment on the general state of affairs in vegetarian dining. It doesn’t really matter, either way. I’m just giving you a heads-up. I’m about to [...]

Ode to San Francisco (Out the Door)

You can’t help but fall in love with San Francisco on a day like today. While my East Coast friends are shoveling snow, I’m wondering whether the back of my neck is getting pink from the sun.
So it was the perfect day for lunch at the Ferry Building. Or as I like to call it, [...]

Portland suggestions?

We’re Taking Off to the Great White North this weekend to visit my parents. The question is, where should we eat? Any suggestions?
Now, I’m a Portland girl from way back in the day. We’re talking BSE. (Before Starbucks Era.) I used to sling espresso at the very first Coffee People expansion store, which was across [...]

The Good, the Bad, and the Sandwich (‘Wichcraft)

Okay, maybe Top Design is growing on me. Todd Oldham’s voice is sounding a little less like a grade school drag queen’s, and Kelly Wearstler’s one line smackdowns bear the mark of some serious evil genius.
But even if the show received a stay of execution on my Tivo To-Do List, it’s still no replacement for [...]

Ever…ever..greeeeeeeeen.

I’m sick. It seems I’ve contracted the creeping ick that’s been making the rounds at work. Everybody’s got it— we’re like a bunch of kindergarteners sharing crayons or something.
Fear not, gentle reader. I’m getting my medicine tonight: Veggie Pho from Evergreen Garden.
Now, a good Veggie Pho is hard to find. Actually, scratch that. ANY Vegetarian [...]

Crack smoking epidemic dulls San Francisco’s taste buds (Or, a cranky review of NOPA)

**WARNING: If you’re a fan of NOPA, you’re going to hate me. And I’m okay with that.**
Restaurant reviewers of San Francisco: Lay down your pipes. That shit is affecting your judgment.
Or so it would seem. Dinner last night at NOPA was a huge disappointment. Not that it was really bad. It just wasn’t particularly good. [...]

I promise this will be stuck in your head all day.

Sing with me now. (And give it your best Fixx impression.)
NOPA tonight
(NOPA tonight)
Wo oh (Wo oh)
Wo oh oh oh oh oh oh oh