Dinner at home with the Grandparents, who we are staying with until we save enough money to get a place of our own. My fiancé and I moved to Los Angeles about a month ago for her job.

Meals here are from scratch, unpretentious and delicious. Tonight, penne tossed with fresh mozzarella, basil and sautéd cherry tomatoes.

I think we’re getting spoiled.

(via ‘Trenchant’)

The Father’s Day plate

At my brother’s house the ham is always the highlight and everything else revolves around it. Cooked on the BBQ. Simple, salty, delicious.

Orzo salad with feta and shrimp, green salad with raisins, sunflower seeds and a citrus dressing with BBQ’d garlic bread.

Who got summer on my plate?

Poached egg on toast

…à la Danielle. It’s all in the swirl.

I saw two people plaster these on the bulk bins at my local Whole Foods. Food politics is alive and well in the bulk aisle.

Update… I knew, when I saw the people place this sticker onto the bulk bin at my local Whole Foods and read what it had to say, that I had some feeling towards it. I just didn’t know what that feeling was. But now I’ve had a little time to process.

I have no problem with “defacement” (as I am sure it would be considered at the Whole Foods level) but I do have a problem with the sarcastic tone. It’s disrespectful towards the people one is attempting to reach. Instead of being content simply presenting a persuasive argument, it’s calling out people that have bought quinoa before, people that might (until the very moment they see this sticker) have never been aware of the socio-political ramifications of their purchasing decision. It’s a big “fk you” to everyone who sees it. I think a common response might be “fk you too”. At the very least, I think one might walk away conflicted and just as likely to keep buying quinoa as to stop. And I don’t think that’s what the people who placed this sticker onto the bulk bin wanted.

It doesn’t pay to demonize the very people whose behavior you are attempting to affect.

It’s been a long time since I called Sonoma County home and even longer since I’ve had the opportunity to sit and sip a brew from Bear Republic.

It’s been so long, in fact, that I’d forgotten how good Racer 5 was. Next to Anderson Valley’s beautifully floral and citrusy IPA, this is my next favorite example of the India Pale Ale form. And that, for me, is saying a lot.

Despite it’s popularity, I’m not, as a rule, a devoted fan of the IPA. Overdone. Long ago overdone. At the expense of some other, wholly worthy styles (thank [insert your spiritual force of choice] for the Belgian counterpoint).

Balanced. Sweet and bitter. Pine and honey and peaches. Racer 5. Yum.

Finally, the Old Fashioned from Slanted Door. Ronald on the Road has been pushing the glory that is this gum syrup-ed wonder for some time now. And Gum syrup does make the difference. The texture is amazing. The drink hangs on the tongue. It’s a little like velvet. A hand cut slab of ice. Two kinds of bitters. Buffalo Trace bourbon.

It’s not better than my favorite at Flora. It is it’s equal, but unique sibling from across the bay. So, when in San Francisco…

‘American Trilogy’

‘Whiskey Fizz’

A note: @dkclay is getting mighty good at the “Whiskey Fizz”.

‘American Trilogy’ as made by @dkclay:

• “Old Overholt” rye
• Applejack
• brown sugar
• Stir…

‘Whiskey Fizz’ as made by @dkclay:

• “Early Times” Kentucky whiskey
• One egg
• 1oz. simple syrup
• 1oz. lemon juice
• Shake…

Sloe Gin fizz from Flora, Oakland, CA

iPhone 4, Camera+, “Diana” filter

Forbidden Island. Alameda, CA, with a couple of my fellow Alchodemics™.