If you ever had any doubts about the caliber of food those lucky Googlers get to nosh on for free, check out my story in the new December issue of San Francisco Magazine.

Charlie Ayers got the ball rolling in 1999 when he became the first executive chef at the Mountain View headquarters of that search engine giant. The delicious foundation he established helped nurture and lure a host of culinary stars. Now, Ayers is set to open his first restaurant, Calafia Cafe and Market A Go-Go in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village. Although anticipated to open this month, due to construction delays, it will most likely open in January now.

Read the rest of this entry »

If those after-Thanksgiving sales have left your wallet rather depleted, you’ll be glad to know that these dining deals will let you to indulge your gourmet tastes without breaking the bank.

Head to Healdsburg Dec. 3, 10, and 17 for a progressive, three-hour feast each of those evenings. Enjoy four courses, each at a different restaurant you stroll to on or near the Healdsburg Plaza.

Among the participating restaurants in the “Strolling Holiday Dine Around” are: Cyrus, Bovolo, and Dry Creek Kitchen. At $85 per person, it might not seem like the biggest bargain. But out of town visitors can receive up to 30 percent off their hotel stay at participating lodgings. For more information on that, click here.

Select shops in the Downtown Retail District also will offer guests a 10 percent discount on a purchase of $100 or more each of those three days.

A portion of proceeds benefits the Healdsburg Shared Ministries Food Pantry.

To reserve a spot for “Strolling Holiday Dine Around,” call (707) 431-7346.

Saratoga’s Sent Sovi invites you to dine with a free $25 gift certificate good through Dec. 31. To get a certificate, just email holidays@sentsovi.com, and the certificate will be emailed to you.

At San Jose’s Santana Row, chow down on a two-course $14.95 prix fixe lunch at any of 12 participating restaurants. The “Out to Lunch” promotion is good only on weekdays through Dec. 31.

Read the rest of this entry »

After stuffing yourself silly this Thanksgiving, your palate probably will be wanting something lighter the next day.

How about a cookie?

Don’t laugh. I know you’re thinking a cookie is not diet fare. OK, maybe technically it isn’t. But this cookie is not loaded down with chocolate, peanut butter or icing. So as cookies go, it is lighter. Sort of. What can I say? This is the way my mind works.

Sicilian Pistachio Bars are made with both ground and chopped pistachios. Sure, there’s butter and eggs, too. But just to strengthen my case, you should know that pistachios are now considered a super food. They are high in protein, fiber, Vitamin B6, and healthy monosaturated fat. Some research has shown that pistachios also may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

The recipe is from “Dolce Italiano” (W.W. Norton & Company) by Gina DePalma. Like most bar cookies, they are a cinch to make. They bake in a thin layer for a long time — 35 to 45 minutes. The result is a very crispy cookie akin to shortbread with intense pistachio flavor.

It’s the perfect little indulgence that won’t weigh you down. After tonight, that’s the last thing you want. So go ahead, enjoy a cookie tomorrow. I know I will.

Sicilian Pistachio Bars

Read the rest of this entry »

Consider this the ultimate sustainable sushi.

After all, nothing over-fished went into creating this beautiful dish. The maki rolls, salmon egg nigiri, and even the pickled ginger and dab of wasabi you see here are cookies and candies. Yes, all made of chocolate, crisp rice, apricot gummi “eggs,” and other edible items.

Suedy’s Koo-Ki Sushi of San Jose crafts these intricate, realistic-looking sushi sweets by hand. Two sisters — one a former illustrator, the other a former teacher — started the business 13 years ago. They set out to create a unique cookie, and more than succeeded.

Purchase an array of sushi cookie assortments, as well as chocolate chopsticks and “kanpai!” cups at the tiny retail store tucked into a warehouse/office park area of San Jose. Most items also can be ordered online.

Read the rest of this entry »

Just in time to spice up your Thanksgiving, the king of spices, Penzeys, has opened in Menlo Park at 771 Santa Cruz Ave.

This is the first Northern California outpost of this renowned retailer that sells more than 250 spices, herbs, and seasonings.

Read the rest of this entry »