Santa Barbara.

I've been to Santa Barbara a handful of times over the last few years.  I've never stayed in town-- always at White Lotus Foundation, on of my yoga schools.  But over the years, I've discovered a few Santa Barbara gems.  Places I love to return, and always made a point of going when I'm in town.  It's such a gorgeous town, I really could live there.

Veselka.

When I'm in New York, I always head to Veselka.  When I lived in New York (for one summer, in 2004), I lived just a 20 minute walk from here, and would come at all hours.  This is really my perfect idea of comfort food, and it's open 24 hours.  I love the mushroom and sweet potato pierogies.  And the blintzes.  Oh, heaven.  It's great for groups who want to share.  And it's not such authentic Eastern European fare that it can't accommodate vegetarians.

Behold:

Oh, yes.

Chicago.

This past weekend, I was in Chicago.  A dear friend from high school is expecting her first bebeh, and this weekend was her baby shower.  It was, as always, fantastic to catch up with my friends from high school.  But I also had the opportunity this time to explore Chicago, which was really great.

Ferry Building.

Everyone in San Francisco knows about the Ferry Building Farmer's Market.  Dan and I went yesterday to get produce for the week, as well as have our knives sharpened.  We also had Chilequiles for breakfast from Primavera.  (Second week in a row, actually.)

They were phenomenal.  Also: we're cute and make each other laugh.  Good times.

Dan's Birthday.

Dan and I threw a little shindig at our place for Dan's birthday last night.  Our friends are fantastic, Dan got plenty of great stuff (and attention!).  We both had a blast, and I feel so lucky I got to honor my phenomenal partner.  I am impossibly lucky and so in love.

2 Amys.

Oh, holy pizza.  This is one of my favorite pizzas I've ever eaten, and one of my favorite DC spots.  San Francisco is kind of notorious for not having great pizza (or bagels), so when I go east, I always eat Italian.  Recently, I went to 2 Amys, for the first time in years, with one of my best friends.  I remembered it being amazing, as was not disappointed.  Observe:

Pizza is yummy.

Really yummy.

We are really cute.

Amazing.

Chantrelle Quiche.

Lucca Ravioli.

An amazing thing about my neighborhood is all of the specialized food.  Food that isn't just made, it's crafted.  Made in small batches by passionate people.  Which is probably why I end up shopping at four or five groceries or markets every week-- each place has something unique, excellent or special.  This week's delightful spot is Lucca Ravioli on Valencia.  They're an Italian specialty shop that has all kinds of jarred Italian delights, loads of amazing cheese, breads and sauces made in house.  And the ravioli and tortellini (and all the other fresh, handmade pasta) is ah-mazing.  Seriously, it's just so much better than the dried stuff. 

Last night we had their pumpkin ravioli with leeks, mushrooms, browned butter and sage.  Dan's a lucky dude.

Tartine.

Everyone in San Francisco worth her salt knows and loves Tartine.  It's one of my Top 10 You-Have-To-Go-When-In-San-Francisco spots.  It's regarded as one of the best bakeries in the entire city-- with amazing French pastries and bread.  It isn't a stuffy kind of place-- more rich, sumptuous, and rustic, just like the pastries.  Dan and I had a late breakfast there yesterday.  It's fabulous luck to live just a few blocks away.

We split the morning bun-- my very favorite!

Glen Canyon Park.

I had never really explored the neighborhood of Glen Park in San Francisco.  So my sweetie and I decided to have a mini-date to go on a mini-hike through Glen Park Canyon.  After almost ten (10!) years of living here, it was high time that A. I explored someplace new, and B. that I made it to this little canyon, full of people and dogs.  It's set back, close to public transit (BART) in a cute neighborhood filled with beautiful homes, adorable shops, and loads of dogs.  Walking, new things, each other and some cute pups: perfect combination for a little date.

 

   

Afterward, we strolled through the neighborhood and stopped in a cute cheese shop to pick up some necessities (Gruyere swiss and Nutella for crepes tomorrow morning).  We even have plans to go back for a dinner date sometime.  Great discovery!

Blueberry Grunt.

It’s kind of like a cobbler, but not.  It definitely isn’t a pie either.  It’s a berry-filled, biscuit-topped glorious, easy-as-can-be summertime dessert. 

It looks beautiful and is easy to share.  It’s also a good way to use up berries that are just past their prime.  I’ve made it with just blueberries, but it’s also nice to add strawberries, raspberries or blackberries.

Perfect for potlucks this summer, since it can be served at room temperature and travels well (in the same dish in which it cooks).  I should also mention that it is eye-poppingly delicious served hot with ice cream.  I got the recipe from Vegan Yum Yum (so it’s even better, since I can share it with my vegan buddies).

I made this last weekend for my sweetie, and the results were unanimously satisfactory.  But I kind of forgot to take pictures until we'd eaten the whole thing.  Next time, I promise.

Apple Tart.

One of my favorite recipies is apple tart, from Barefoot Contessa (this one can be found in Back to Basics, my copy of which is sticky and spattered from repeated use).  It is beyond easy, especially if you use the pre-made puff pastry.  Everyone will be impressed.  Sometime Sunday morning calls for staying in.  Some coffee and a few buttery slices of this, and it’s breakfast.

Just out of the oven.

With the apricot glaze.

My tart never comes out as pretty as the photographs in her book, but even when I make the full recipe, two of us usually polish the whole thing off.  I’ve never seen it last twenty-four hours.

Zucchini.

Northern California always has fantastic produce, but summertime is by far my favorite season for farmer's market-ing and trying new recipes with unusual or new finds from the market.  These globe zucchini from the Ferry Building market are delicious, a little sweet, and were delicious both roasted with balsamic vinegar and in zucchini pancakes (you can find a good recipe for that in Barefoot Contessa at Home).

 

Look how cute it is!