Category Archives: General

A Mustards Celebration

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Before Yountville became home to more Michelin stars per capita than any other city in the world, there was Mustards Grill.

At a time when Yountville wasn’t exactly a dining paradise, Chef-Owner Cindy Pawlycn created the landmark restaurant at the gateway to Wine Country a quarter century ago. There, she deftly began serving her own blend of California cuisine with global influences in a come-as-you-are, laid-back atmosphere.

Pawlcyn went on to become a James Beard award-winning cookbook author, and chef-owner of Go Fish in St. Helena, and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen also in St. Helena.

Throughout June, Mustards celebrates its 25th anniversary by bringing back a menu of greatest hits, as well as wine selections from its early years. Look for grilled sweetbreads with lemon, parsley, and caper brown butter (1986); tea-smoked Peking duck with 100-almond-onion sauce (1992); and lemon-lime tart with “ridiculously tall brown sugar meringue” (1998).

Cocktail Time

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With pricey, fancy cocktails all the rage at Bay Area restaurants, why not learn how to make your own?

You can at a series of mixology classes at the Bay Club in San Francisco and other member Western Athletic Clubs. The classes are being taught by H. Joseph Ehrmann of San Francisco’s cocktail saloon, Elixir. The next class is “Farmers Market Summer Cocktails” at the Bay Club in San Francisco. The two sessions for that class are: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., both on June 18.

Price is $85 for members; $100 for non-members. For reservations, click here.

Pie? Oh My!

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Olson's cherry pie

It’s cherry season, when Food Gal’s fancy turns to cherry pie. Not just any cherry pie, though, but the one made by C.J. Olson’s Cherries stand in Sunnyvale.

The fruit stand, which has been in the same location since 1899, has weathered a lot of changes over the decades, including development all around it. But one thing hasn’t changed: During cherry season, you’ll find sweet, juicy, fresh cherries sold at the stand in abundance May through August, and November through February.

Deborah Olson, fourth generation owner/manager of the fruit stand, is a trained pastry chef. Is it any wonder then that her Bing cherry pie is the stuff of dreams? It boasts a super flaky crust, and the filling is bursting with cherries without being cloyingly sweet. When a pie is this good, it’s almost a waste of time to try to make one better yourself.

A 6-inch pie is $11.99, and available for shipping year-round. The 8-inch version ($17.99) and 10-inch one ($21.99) are offered only at the fruit stand.

Dosas: The Breakfast of Champions

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Dosas being made at Junnoon. Photo by Chris Schmauch.

They are at Palo Alto’s Junnoon restaurant, where dosas are the star of Saturday brunch.

The delicate South Indian crepes are made to order from a lentil-rice batter. At Junnoon, they get both traditional and modern takes. Enjoy one filled with mustard seed and curry-leaf flavored potatoes and grilled onions ($12); or one wrapped around Petaluma farm fresh eggs and sliced Kurobuta ham with avocado raita ($14).

Alongside, sip one of the specialty brunch cocktails ($9 each), such as mango mimosa or iced spiced chai (spiked with Captain Morgan spiced rum).

Brunch is served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

A modern take on a dosa. Photo by Chris Schmauch.

World’s Most Expensive Father’s Day Gift

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If your Dad is a scotch connoisseur, then this may be the ultimate gift for Father’s Day:

A 5-day trip to Scotland complete with first-class air and helicopter transport; luxurious accomodations, including a stay at a private mansion; meals prepared by one of Scotland’s most acclaimed chefs; a round of golf at the famous St. Andrews Links; a bespoke kilt and family crest consultation; his own private butler during his stay; dinner at Inverrary Castle, home of the Duke of Argyle; a private blending session with Chivas Regal’s master blender; and five days of specialized whiskey tastings.

When Dad and his guest return home, they will receive their custom kilts; and two bottles of Chivas Regal 25-year-old scotch whiskey, one of which will arrive in a special case designed by Viscount David Linley, son of Princess Margaret.

That luxe Father’s Day gift is a mere $117,650.

The trip can be redeemed either Aug. 3-8 or Aug. 31- Sept. 5. Just contact Travelcorp International at (225) 231-4735 until June 16.  For more information, call (888) 332-2907.

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