Good Taste is the Worst Vice

(Not red) Velvet cake

Perhaps you're wondering why my velvet cake is more brown than red? To be honest, I was worried about amount of food coloring I'd need to use to achieve a truly red velvet cake.  It seems a little unnatural, and more significantly, I fear there's a high probability that my kitchen (and/or I) ... continue reading...


Lunch at Solbar, Calistoga CA

It's a longish drive from Napa to Calistoga - past the touristy wineries in the sunny valley, then through the center of St Helena (where Hwy 29 becomes, literally, "Main Street"), and finally out into a narrower part of the valley, where the hills are closer and anonymous wine production facilities ... continue reading...


Drinks at the Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley

I was curious to check out the Auberge du Soleil (probably Napa Valley's best known luxury resort), so D and I stopped in for a drink one afternoon. We snagged a table on the shady porch overlooking the valley; on a Sunday afternoon, it was packed! A dish of olives was delivered with our ... continue reading...


Next: Chinese Modern

I have to confess, I wasn't tempted by Next's Steakhouse incarnation - it seemed like far too much richness, so I skipped it. But I was excited about Chinese Modern, about the idea of these talented chefs reinterpreting what can be a pretty predictable cuisine here in the US. Did it live up to ... continue reading...


“Mi cuit” chocolate cakes

You know those ubiquitous warm chocolate cakes with a melting center?  I love to eat them, but I don't love the usual name.  "Molten chocolate cake" just doesn't sound as sophisticated as it should. So I'm going to take a page from David Leibovitz's new cookbook, which has put me in a français ... continue reading...


Dinner at Farm, at the Carneros Inn

I spent hours contemplating where to eat during our Napa trip, but in the end, some of the best food was at our hotel. Who'd have guessed? After driving up from the airport, we checked into the Carneros Inn and unpacked, then walked to dinner at Farm. It's an airy place that made me feel ... continue reading...


The Carneros Inn, Napa Valley CA

I've found my new favorite vacation spot - the Carneros Inn. Really, who could resist this? The resort is situated just south of Napa Valley, about equidistant from downtown Napa and Sonoma on either side - very convenient. There are sweeping views of vineyards and hills, and that ... continue reading...


Baked French toast

For those who don't enjoy standing over the stove making pancakes, omelettes, or French toast for more than two people (and let's be honest, isn't that all of us?), this is for you - baked French toast. What a frittata is to an omelette, baked French toast is to individually-made stovetop French ... continue reading...


1801 First B&B, Napa

D and I are heading back to Napa shortly, and I realized that I have a whole pile (well, whatever the digital equivalent is) of photos of the great B&B we stayed at last time. 1801 First is a charming Victorian house in the city of Napa itself, less than a mile from downtown restaurants ... continue reading...