-
Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Picaro ? ?
We stumbled across this tapas restaurant in the Mission District of San Francisco. We weren’t even thinking about lunch, but the rich, earthy aroma coming from the kitchen lured us in like moths to the flame. The colorful, art-filled walls and the bustling atmosphere contributed greatly to the lively tenor. Our waiter Jose gave us a few thoughtful suggestions.
Read More → 
Cranberry Whiskey Smash Cocktail
Throughout the holiday season, we find ourselves entertaining and celebrating with friends and family. Inevitably after a grand feast, I end up with leftover cranberry sauce. In an effort not to be wasteful, I’ve found creative uses for the tart and tangy sauce such as spreading it on turkey sandwiches, throwing it into smoothies, and even placing it on top of a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on occasion.
This year I came up with a new and exciting way to blow through all the leftover cranberry sauce at once with a fabulous cocktail! Though I’m not a big whiskey fan, I found this libation to flow quite smoothly once you get beyond the initial ‘bite’ of the first sip…
Read More →Corn Cheddar Chowder
Corn Cheddar Chowder is my go-to soup as we transition from the late summer heat of ‘Indian Summer’ to autumn each year. Why? Because this is the ultimate in comfort food, without leaving you feeling like you need a long hibernation after ingesting it. (Though that is never a bad idea…right?)
Read More →Spiced Pumpkin Martini ? ??
I created this cocktail on a cold, windy autumn evening recently. The warmth of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom spices just seem to sink deep into my tired body at the end of a long, cold day and warm it to the bone. As I recall, we sipped this lovely drink while handing out Halloween candy last October 31st!
Read More →Sage Roasted Winter Vegetables ?
We visited our local farmers market this morning and I was inspired by the amazing selection. We decided upon fennel root, crimini mushrooms, yellow onions, and rainbow carrots, all packed with freshness & nutrients. You can just taste the sunshine!
Read More →Travel & Adventure – Dean & Deluca Napa Valley ? ?
Dean & Deluca
607 St. Helena Hwy S, Saint Helena, CA 94574 (Just off highway 29!)After our wonderful tasting experience at Prager Winery & Port Works, we stopped into Dean & Deluca for a bit of epicurean perusing. Dean & DeLuca is a chain of fabulous gourmet grocery stores for foodies. The first store was established in New York City in September 1977, in the SoHo district, a rather upscale area in lower Manhattan.
Known for it’s unique selection of meats, cheese, freshly baked bread, and of course, the vast array of gourmet chocolate truffles, this is the perfect place to pick up all the fixins for a decadent picnic in between visiting wineries.
Read More →Le Voov! Restaurant Review: The Peasant & The Pear ?
The Peasant & The Pear
267 Hartz Ave
Danville, CA 94526 Ph. (925) 820-6611This marvelous restaurant is one of my new favorite East Bay restaurants, Michelin recommended, and a prime example of 5-star dining. Under the guidance of owner Rodney Worth and his wife Natalie, the menu is dynamic, the food is unique in flavor, the ambience is lovely, and the service is impeccable.
A true Danville gem, this restaurant is quaintly hidden in a small plaza, so you may drive right past it without even noticing it. If you access the rear parking lot, it is quite easy to find.
Read More →Guess Where I Am…? ?
¿Cómo se llama Mr. Llama? I had a wonderful conversation with a lovely llama at Harley’s Goat Farm in the charming coastal town of Pescadero recently. After swapping stories and goat jokes with this wooly sentry, Brian and I had the pleasure of attending a 6-course farm dinner in the loft of the old barn on the property. The fresh, delicious cuisine, the ambiance of candlelight, and meeting new friends, all made this an exceptional experience! ???
Read More →Rockin’ Raspberry Beauty Smoothie
Embrace a diet rich in every spectrum of the rainbow for an ultimate beauty pick-me-up for your hair, skin and nails. Fruits & vegetables are packed with antioxidants along with other vitamins, nutrients, fiber, and minerals that play a huge role in achieving beauty through optimum health.
Read More →Guess Where I Am…? ?
We went to the 64th Annual Sausalito Art Festival over the Labor Day 3-day weekend. Known as the ‘Premiere Waterfront Art Festival’, the event brings the best of unique, refined artistic talent together with music, great food and wine. It also happens to be one of the most prestigious shows in the country, gathering talent from around the globe.
After an amazing day of fun, saturated with the brilliant talent we had taken in at the festival, we were greeted by the beautiful and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. As we left the Marin tunnel to pop back to the San Francisco Peninsula, I couldn’t help but revel in our glorious day!
Read More →Fort Fun Dog Park With Otter! ?
Fort Funston, located in the southwestern end of San Francisco, is one of Otter’s favorite places to meet up with other dogs and run freely through the sand dunes off-leash. on a given day, thousands of dogs visit to frolic in this decommissioned military defense site on the wind-swept coastal hills in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).
Once a harbor defense site and Nike Misile launching site during the cold war, the salty air now is slowly reclaiming remnants of abandoned artillery battery stations and old access roads.
Read More →Travel & Adventure – Rombauer Vineyards
Rombauer Vineyards
3522 Silverado Trail North, St. Helena, CA 94574, Phone: (800) 622-2206
We headed North on the Silverado Trail for a tasting at Rombauer Vineyards. After driving up the curvy, narrow road to the winery, we were greeted by a few colorfully painted cow sculptures and gorgeous landscaped gardens. The winery is located atop a sunny knoll surrounded by giant trees that offer the perfect shield from the bustling valley below. As we stepped from the car, a tranquil, quiet peacefulness overcame our senses and the playful sound of songbirds danced through the air.
Read More →Guess Where I Am…? ?
When attempting to photograph a troop of Rhesus Macaque monkeys in the wild, always keep a watchful eye on the dominant male of the harem…
This naughty little monkey climbed my long braid just like it was a jungle vine and mounted my head, while whooping loudly. I’d swear all the female monkeys in the troop were laughing with delight.
Read More →The Sock Burglar Strikes Again…! ?
When I leave the house, Otter will go into our bedroom and steal a sock or two out of the laundry hamper to sleep with it until I return. She licks the socks, rolls on them, and plays with them, finally cuddling them underneath her like a little puppy while she completes one of many daily-napping cycles.
Read More →Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Cha Cha Cha’s
Cha Cha Cha’s (Tapas & More)
1801 Haight Street, San Francisco 415 386-7670
After visiting the San Francisco Botanical Garden during the annual ‘Flower Piano’ celebration, we headed over to Cha Cha Cha’s to experience incredible cuisine amid the chaos of blaring Latin music, devotional alters, and abundant laughter. The aromatic Cuban spices hang heavy in the air as the indigo walls of the restaurant envelop one’s senses. The kitchen is bustling with excitement while your stomach and your brain simultaneously define a divine hunger.
Read More →Guess Where I Am…? ?
We visited Elephant Butte Reservoir located on the Rio Grande in New Mexico, just 5-short miles (8.0 km) north of the quaint little town of Truth or Consequences. The name “Elephant Butte” refers to the volcanic core making up the island at the center of the reservoir, which is said to resemble the shape of an elephant reclining on it’s side. The reservoir and the surrounding land are part of the largest state park in the state of New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park…
Read More →Sticky Monkey Cocktail ? ?
This little cocktail emerged during a recent heat wave. After purchasing 20 lbs. of Cara Cara oranges at Costco, I felt compelled to mix up a thirst-quenching, yet hydrating liquid massage for my mind to greet the weekend with a splash.
Read More →Guess Where I Am…? ?
Massive Mandala On The Beach!
As we were driving along the coast, somewhere between Half Moon Bay & Santa Cruz, when we came across this huge mandala created on a sandy beach.A mandala (Sanskrit: मण्डल, circle) is a geometric concentrically structured pattern representing the cosmos or the universe. In many spiritual traditions the creation of a mandala is a practice to invite focus, meditation or an induction into trance state. Mandalas are also used to establish a sacred space.
Read More →Le Voov! Restaurant Review: Rangoon Ruby ?
Rangoon Ruby, (Burmese) 680 Laurel Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Traditional Burmese food is quickly becoming the rising star of Southeast Asian cuisine, surpassing even sushi and Thai food in popularity throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Under the experienced guidance of Chef Max Lee, Rangoon Ruby captures the pure essence of authentic Burmese cuisine with flavors influenced by Thai, Indian and Chinese traditions. The plates are served family style (shared) and beyond being delicious with great, unique flavors, the presentation is lovely. Similarly, the décor of the restaurant is elegant and well thought out.
Read More →Seasonal Fruit Dessert Crêpes ?
We visited our local Farmer’s Market yesterday and discovered a huge selection of amazingly sweet, juicy, yellow peaches. This fabulous find led us to the obvious conclusion that there was nothing left to do but celebrate by making some peach & vanilla ice cream crêpes for dessert! I assure you, it just doesn’t get much better than this…
Read More →
