I am sure you will say things like kefir leaf, or something exotic but the Number One ingredient in Thai Food is actually sugar. HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS CHEF? Well, when I traveled the world for three years, I stayed 40 days in Bangkok. And during that time I spent half a day at … Read more
The Nominations for The James Beard Awards are in. And I have to say about San Diego that I am completely disappointed. San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles all filled categories like Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Chef, Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Pastry Chef, and so on. We had ONE RESTAURANT in the entire city of San Diego nominated. For … Read more
Do you think you know General Mills? Well, trust me. You don’t. The latest and greatest large companies are buying up smaller companies, and leaving the brand, without hooking that train to their wagon. You don’t know that Annies is owned by General Mills, right? RIGHT CHEF! One of the emails I just received (and yes, … Read more
Happy ‘after’ Valentine’s Day! And now all the sugar is gone…. desserts shaped in little hearts, heart candies, chocolate…. BUT WAIT CHEF! I DIDN’T DO ANY OF THAT! Let me start again….. after all the pasta is gone, all the wine that accompanied the pasta is gone… Yes. That is a problem. Bread, Pasta, Wine…. … Read more
I always think, when I go in to review Jake’s Del Mar, which I do once a year as a reviewer, that it will be good as it was last time. And then regularly I am surprised about how much better the staff is trained, and how they have created new, unexpected flavor profiles. Jake’s … Read more
America is the worlds’ Biggest Importer of Wine. Not China. Not Thailand. Not Brussels. Not Russia. This just out from the CIA. Not the feds. The Culinary Institute of America. Here’s what they say: “The U.S. is the world’s biggest consumer of still and sparkling wine by both volume and value – and it is set to … Read more
Two years ago this month, I reviewed Native Foods in Encinitas on ChefMarian.com and Yelp. I thought I would run an update for you. I have spent a lifetime trying to help, not hurt chefs. So while I still do restaurant reviews, my goal is to bring you ‘the best’. Rarely in all my years of blogging … Read more
As we head into the weekend, I say “Let’s get ready for Meatless Monday”! Remember: it helps your budget, it helps your body and it helps the planet. WHY CHEF? Well, if you take a look at the land a cow is housed on to feed one family, you can take that same land and … Read more
There’s a Restaurant I’ve passed by over and over again and thought: “Geez. I ought to try that”. It’s called Lobster West, Encinitas on South Coast Hwy 101 in Encinitas. Just a very small place with an nice extended front and side porch seating. It’s either part of the lumberyard or right next to the lumberyard. You … Read more
It seems that I have been hitting a string of exceptional Fusion and Sushi places lately. Last review was Roy’s in La Jolla. Incredibly good. Worth the money spent. And now here’s a second recommendation in the world of sushi: Next time you are in Del Mar and not sure where to go to eat? … Read more
