Archive for 'Food'
15
Visiting Prakash in SF
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Like much of the exciting times in my life, this plan came together rather quickly. Thanks to Google Calendar, I was able to find a weekend P$ wasn’t busy (harder than it sounds), and after a few IM’s and despite many emails (due to my detailed planning), I was set to visit on the weekend of August 16th.
I did the research, made the reservations, and arranged dates. We were all set. The flight out of SBA to SFO was uneventful. I still cannot sleep on planes and the flight was early enough that it made me wish we had. Prakash picked me up in his beautiful IS350 and we were off to Berkeley. We actually had time to kill since the reservation was for 1:15 PM. We went to Haight and Sutter. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at La Boulange and shopped at True Sake and HUF.
Then, we headed off to Berkeley where Dave and Jessica met us at Chez Panisse for a late lunch. I was hoping they still had their duck confit but I settled for grilled squid instead. After, we crossed the busy street to visit a cheese shop and pizzeria. Prakash and I got some bread pudding. Then we drove about 5 miles away to Ici where we had some of their innovative ice cream flavors which ranged from Basil to a 50/50 orange sherbert.
As we said our goodbyes, I handed Jess three bottles of sake to give to her parents to take back to SB for me. I still need to pick them up! Anyway, we head back to Sunnyvale and hang out at Prakash’s apartment which was super clean and nicely decorated, I might add! We hung out for a bit, watched some movie clips then his (former) PM met us and we went off to Los Gatos to Manresa. The meal was a marathon and we were literally the last ones to leave the restaurant. When we got back, everyone just went to bed, exhausted.
The next day we got up early and got some boba (not too good), and drove to Napa to meet Noelle at Ubuntu. I had arranged to have Chef Fox cook us a tasting menu and boy did he deliver. We were seated outside on a picture perfect Napa afternoon. Then we went to Bouchon to get some pastries, wine tasting at a castle, and Dean and Deluca so Noelle could get some European butter. Yummy.
Back to Berkeley to change, then Ame at the St. Regis for dinner. Tropic Thunder (hilarious) then sleep for the flight the next morning. We woke up at 7AM for the flight and when we were almost at the airport, United texted me saying it was delayed. It was too late to turn around and I ended up leaving over an hour later than planned. What the heck? Shane picked me up at SBA and after grabbing a quick lunch I went to work.
P.S. Recently, when I told people about where I went in SF, they all exclaim “all those places?!” Sitting in the car and talking to a friend I’ve known for years made time fly. I do realize that it was an enormous undertaking (having me visit) and I am eternally grateful.
P.P.S. Complete reviews of Chez Panisse, Manresa, Ubuntu, and Ame coming.