Discovery Weekends: Inspirations

I’ve been looking through my iPhone photos (all 1,895 of them) and have realized that I have been remiss in some of my discovery adventures. In this post, I am going to focus on my inspirations for my future projects from Bay Area restaurants.

From Lazy Dog Restarant, Concord: Delicious Sticky Hawaiian Ribs, Unami Fries and Asian Slaw. I got to learn how to make ribs - maybe via the slow-cooker.

From Bocanova, Jack London Square, Oakland: Short-rib Empanadas - got to make empanadas before the weather gets warmer. It has been my goal. These were delicious and inspiring.

Also from Bocanova, Yucca Cheese Fritters. I've never worked with yucca before so this may be a good starter.

From Rustic Tavern, Lafayette, a delicious cod sandwich and truffle fries. The cod was very light and the fries... well, they got me at "truffle." In the background is my new vice... Ginger Beer.

Also from Rustic Tavern, Fettucine Carbonara - Did you see those chunks of bacon? Portions were really huge (We also shared a delicious salad to start). Unfortunately, we did not save room for their famous Mason Jar cheesecake. Got to return (and just share an entrée)!!!

From DJ's Bistro in Concord: Don't let the name fool you - this place is a really good German restaurant. I ordered the Jaegerschintzel because I had a craving and I have never made it before. 'Should attempt to make it with some spaetzle for my German-American husband.

From Fiore Italian Restaurant in Concord: Gnocchi Marsala - seems to be a good Marsala sauce starter recipe... and my husband loves Marsala. I still think of Fiore as Mediterranean cuisine - they have delicious tagines.

Also from Fiore, a not-so-traditional paella, half-order. I do like the presentation.

And their desserts look fantastic! I think this was a Berry Tartlet. Look at the wonderful design... I think this clearly shows their Mediterranean roots.

Speaking of desserts, From La Sen French Bistro in Concord, Apple tartlets. Reminds me of a portable apple pie... or empanada. Their food is delicious; we shared the French Onion Soup, Lamb Shank, and the tartlet for a sweet ending. The other pictures just came out too dark.

Sigh, too many recipes, too little time. To add to the clichés, "it has been a year since I started my blog". I have been posting almost every week. Because of this, I really have not had enough time to play with new ingredients, transform or develop recipes, and write. It has been a frantic schedule, and as you can see I have a backlog. So for Year Two, I will start posting twice a month to give me time to experiment, play, and most importantly, eat...err, discover.

Until next post...in about two weeks or so.