FOOD: soup dumpling heaven- Din Tai Fung

It's nothing new, but just the best:

Soup dumplings, or Xiao Long Bao (food blogger world calls them XLB) are some of the most satisfying things to eat. They're steamed dumplings formed with broth aspic jelly in them that liquefies when they steam, so each bite is a little sealed package of soup and dumpling in one.

My first experience with soup dumplings was at New York's landmark Joe's Shanghai, about 7-8 years ago. I can't wait to get myself back there some time- yes, they were that good. I had never had anything like it before, and I was smitten.

There aren't too many places that I crave as much as Joe's here on the west coast-and there are pages and pages of debate on the web regarding the "best" place. (just google it and see what happens!) Din Tai Fung is so far the closest thing I have found that fulfills my soup dumpling craving. There's even a north-south divide between SF & LA regarding dumplings...but I haven't yet had any that were blog-worthy in the bay. Any suggestions?

Here's a last look at my recent drive from LA back to SF. The grapevine was closed the previous day- no wonder! The mountains were covered in snow!

STATE OF THE UNION: real life on display

At it again at Anthropologie. Stopped in to check out the new goods...and was impressed with the display. Slightly creepy, with the influence being dead fish- and it had a very two-sided kind of appeal. A sort of "vintage," sunbleached I-don't-care-thrift-store kind of vibe to it.

 But it also appealed to me as a statement piece, with the piles of dead anchovies recently found in Redondo Beach. (check out this ABC news clip here if you don't know what I'm talking about). Have you ever been to the Salton Sea? TOTALLY looks like this, with dead rotting fish bones everywhere.

 always love their details. the fish "bones" are made of zip ties!

Recently I read The Gospel According to Coco Chanel. It was kind of funny, reading about her beginnings with straw boaters, fishermen, and menswear inspirations- then walking into H&M and seeing a textbook translation of these items onto the salesfloor. It was a pretty good read (and fast too); if you're into Chanel, it's worth a quick read.

I love how this emulates a fishing net. such texture!

FOOD: Not-So-Simple Simplicity- Chez Panisse

Happy long birthday weekend to me! The Long Day Of Eating commenced with an amazing pizza from Pizzetta211. I mistakenly thought they had just opened, but apparently they've been around for 20 years. Where have I been? I guess under the same rock where I realized I didn't know about Rachel Zoe's pregnancy till she had her kid.

I had a San Marzano tomato pizza with mascarpone and arugula. LOVE arugula on pizza. The tomato sauce was zippy from a slight chili kick, a good balance for the peppery greens.

 

After digesting a few hours, was off to dinner at Chez Panisse. What a lesson on simplicity- so clean, but so deceivingly complex. Everything was perfectly balanced. The salad was dressed in a simple lemon-oil vinaigrette, but was so balanced it became complex.

 smoked salmon and black cod salad with steelhead caviar. probably my fave

spring vegetable ragout with coriander. started eating before taking a pretty picture

grilled Sonoma Liberty duck breast with kumquat, pommes dauphines, and young spinach. perfect!!

mint tisane

yay! bittersweet chocolate fondant with caramel ice cream and candied pecans

dressed up dates and apricots

After the meal we got a kitchen tour from chef Jean-Pierre.

 duck, over a coal fire

So clean, beautiful, and homey. And...so clean. Even the protein walk-ins smelled appetizing...and I'm not usually one to find the smell of raw meat appetizing. The veggie walk-ins smelled so fresh. Amazing... *inhale*.....aaaaaahhhhhhh

Chef Jean-Pierre having fun with us

Chef Jean-Pierre showing us his potato choux for pommes dauphines

 

I also learned something new. In 39 years of service, Chez Panisse has never repeated a menu. Ever. Now that's some on-your-toes creativity.

last look: my "perfect bite" obsession