MitchW

I do have to say that after dining out in Dublin and London for 10 or so days, it’s so much more relaxing and fun than dining out in NYC can often be. Not always, just often.

Latest Coney Island Cyclone breakdown is nothing to worry about, ride's die-hard fans say https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-hits-coney-island-cyclone-operators-with-2-violations-as-iconic-ride-remains-shuttered Have fun!! In 2007, a 53-year-old man died in surgery after he fractured three neck vertebrae while on the coaster. The next year, an Arizona woman was injured on the ride and eventually won a $600,000 payout.

Either that, or doesn’t understand how to make vegetarianism work all that well while dining out.

Had a reservation for Drapers Arms this afternoon, but cancelled it and decided to stay within walking distance of our airBnB in Marylebone (we have an annoyingly early departure tomorrow morning). We’ve had some quite good meals at Noble Rot (the Mayfair one), BRAT, St. John Bread and Wine, and Planque.

No. To be honest, never understood the love of Coldplay.

Fish Shop was excellent. We also had a fine meal (tonight) at UNO Mas.

At 88. RIP, Billy the Kid.

I’ve tried a couple of the various canned seafood pates. I’ll just say they’re not my favorite. Rather take a can of the seafood and make some of my own.

If we weren't going away tomorrow for a week+, I would. Though maybe he has some that still needs some time, and I can stink up the wine fridge with it!

It is indeed. I think they often had it (maybe still do) out for tasting at Despaña.

Only if you go to Anchor.

The abrupt ending of the post above? I forgot something was on the stove, almost boiling over. Re: Angler - that whole bird, which basically comes as you see it, was one of the tastiest birds I've had in a while. Cooking with wood helps, the brine was just right, and they use a good quality bird. Along with Parker House rolls and a side salad, it makes for a nice dinner. As a solo diner, I hit Yank Sing one day for lunch and had a nice assortment of dim sum. The caveat at Yank Sing? Don't order everything from the first cart that comes your way...they're pushy! My other solo lunch was at old favorite, after wandering North Beach a bit (and popping into City Lights)... And having an old-school espresso at Cafe Grecco, wasn't here... But here... (Y'all thought Sam Wo, huh?). No, Brandy's, along with Henry's Hunan, was where my first exposure to Hunanese food in the US took place. Both restaurants were around 35-40 years ago, and visited extensively. On this gorgeous SF day, I had the lunch special... Which included the starters above. Hot and spicy soup, cold noodle and cucumber salad, and a fried big dumpling...followed by a spicy stir-fry. All in around $20. After lunch, I walked to San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (reciprocal entry with Whitney Membership!). They have a nice Warhol collection, including this Dolly: A Brancusi... Quite a few Calders: And a Robert Arneson, a local Bay-area artist, and a leader of the Funk Art movement. That one is called Smorgi-Bob, The Cook. And I thought it apropos. Our final dinner - thanks to @voyager above, was at her recommended place in Dogpatch - Piccino. Dogpatch might be a little out of the way if you're staying out in the Richmond or Sunset or Noe Valley, but it's practically a hop skip and jump from where we were on the Embarcadero. A nice California melon salad, with obligatory flowers. House-made pasta with sausage and greens was good (I might've cut back on the bread crumbs), and should've been shared. Oat and berry crumble desert topped it off just right. Lovely meal, another place with lovely service as well. Early flight the following morning...

My wife had a business trip to San Francisco recently; I decided to tag along, and we went a couple of days prior, which gave us nearly a full week. First couple of days AirBnB'ed in the Castro, then moved over to a hotel just off the Embarcadero. Had a couple of old-fashioned breakfasts those first couple of mornings... Orphan Andy's, followed by the following morning at The Cove. Both fine for breakfast. Took a drive out to Tomales Bay for lunch with a friend. Northern Cal's best. Tomales Bays and Humboldt Bays, at Hog Island. First two dinners: one at Delfina, the night was arrived, was okay. And easy. Then State Bird, which is really good. Met a friend there, and cranked up the bill. Some nice wines, some excellent food, and the sweetest service west of the Mississippi; I love that staff. Our final in the Castro, a nice find, recommended here or by previous hosts, was this place on Castro St. No res - we waited about an hour after writing our name on the white board - and they close early (like 8?). It's just the kind of food I want to eat when local... Crab. Just...crab. A really excellent wild shrimp dish. Which may have been a special, or based on the entree? A piece of local rockfish of some sort, mash, butter, lemon. Kind of a perfect meal for me, with sweet service, easily drinkable wines, and 2 blocks from our AirBnb. The Castro could turn into my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco. Moved to the hotel - view from our barely openable window on the 8th floor: When Significant Eater started dealing with work, I was able to go off on some adventures. I climbed the fucking Filbert Steps. I'm old. I hadn't climbed the Filbert Steps in a decade (or maybe more). It was warm, because the most beautiful time of year, at least in the Bay Area, tends to be the beginning of football season and for the next month or two. Above - iykyk. Climbing to get here... Fog cooperated: In every which way. Hotel was around the corner; I'd reserved the bar area at Boulevard, where the menu is a la carte, and the food is good. Especially the California Abalone Roll: Met a friend at Angler... More to come.

I mean, for small quantities (which is all I deal with), I think refrigerator jams are just fine. Sorta like pickling.

Chris and Glenn were often referred to as the songwriting pair descended from that other great British songwriting pair. Their first 3 or 4 albums were loaded with great songs.

That may have almost been Squeeze. Jools or Paul Carrack?

Central Park Summerstage earlier this week (with a harvest moon!)... Who knew I'd like Boy George, but his band was great, his voice was great; his selection of covers wasn't bad either, with Walk on the Wild Side, You Can't Always Get What You Want, Purple Rain. As they like to do now, especially for summer shed dates, it was a co-headlining tour. With one of my favorite "bands," Squeeze. Squeeze is in about their millionth iteration; obviously, Glenn (an underrated guitarist, in my opinion) and Chris are Squeeze, and they just offer a great time.

Or maybe that there are cocktails available elsewhere?

@Sneakeater would have eaten it.

OG Met.

Old Met. RIP.

The fish monger at Essex Market does a pretty good job of this type of display...sheet pans, on ice, and covered. Though I can't recall the last time I bought anything from him, I do look every time I'm at the market.

Of course; and that one is a seminal book any way you slice it.

I think I remember the hoard-buying incident of Rittenhouse bonded. Or maybe it was only because of the bottle change?

I set a timer for 1:30 on side one, and 1:00 on side two. Hot pan, some grapeseed oil.