Spruce

A couple nights ago, I met a childhood friend for dinner and a glass at Spruce.  For a Tuesday night, the place was packed and we were lucky to get seats at the bar.  Once seated, however, we hadn't a care in the world as we checked out the artwork, chatted with the bartender, and caught up on the last few months of each others' lives. 

I knew coming in that I was compelled to order the burger, having heard it lauded as one of San Francisco's finest.  Despite that, I read every word on the menu (multiple times) and tried to subtlely influence Ryan to order something I was interested in tasting!  He ended up with butter poached lobster served with braised lettuces and gnocchi, and I, with the Spruce burger and fries. 

The burger, which I ordered with gruyere, was served with all sorts of amazing house made accoutrements: pickles, pickled onions, and a tangy remoulade.  After one bite of the burger, on its buttery brioche bun, I chose to eat the rest in unadulterated fashion and save the condiments for my next visit.   The fries were the only element of mild disappointment, of the perfect size to deliver a crispy exterior but a soft interior, but perhaps a little over-fried.  I rarely can leave a fry untouched but I suppose there's a first time for everything. 

I will also say that the wine list alone is a good reason to return.  With over 1300 selections it formed a mighty tome on its own... Would have been good bedside reading! I ended up with a 2007 Willakenzie Pinot that I enjoyed.  And, they have a Tokaji by the glass ... something else to look forward to!

Spruce pleased on every dimension, with impeccable service, memorable food and presentation, and an artfully chic environment that happened to make a great backdrop to our conversations about home decor and design inspiration. 

Farm Box #3

As if my day wasn't already amazing, I just received my farm box filled with Capay Farms treats.  I screamed with delight and my whole team came running over to take a look, and help me artfully arrange the produce for a portrait.

The onion is frankly the biggest I have ever seen - the size of a small child's head - and I am not sure what I will do with it.  Anyone up for enchiladas?  I am really excited about the sweet corn, the broccoli, and the apricots. 

And the strawberries ... were delicious.

OC Ski Team

Most of you know about my ski obsession.  I spent just about every winter weekend up in Tahoe (except for the weekend I was skiing in Vail with my brother).  I'm not sure, however, if I have mentioned that this winter I raced in my first slalom event for the OC.  I had my rookie race at Squaw out on Exhibition and had so much fun dodging gates and pretending to be Julia Mancuso. 

It was a pretty decent day on the course for a rookie ... I placed into 7s, finished in first place, and have plenty of opportunity to strike next season and work my way up.  Does that mean I earned a tiara?

See if you can find me in the above pic.  Hint:  unlike Waldo in stripes, this kid is in plaid (Um, and still wearing my helmet?). 

Can't wait for next winter already and a season on the new sticks!

B2B Madness

Bay to Breakers hardly requires any commentary.  Yesterday we camped out for a while on the panhandle, near a rowdy lifeguard team (complete with an oversized lifeguard chair they had constructed on the corner of Oak and Cole, and carried across to Fell St).  Their whistles and bullhorn antics attracted a lot of B2B's finest, including this guy dressed like ... well, I'm not sure really.

We walked a couple miles into the Park to check out the overpass, headed back to Shrader/Fell to a friend's party, and late afternoon somehow found us out at Buckshot Tavern playing skee ball, drinking Tecates, and eating prolific amounts of onion rings. 

As dusk fell, I was back on my couch hanging out with Anne, waiting for Thai food from Ploy II (which always tastes amazing after such marathon days), and watching Almost Famous.   I awoke today rested up for the week ahead... well, almost.