The Los Angeles List

Thanks again Janine for these suggestions. Now we have to go!

• AOC (West LA)
• Lucques (West Hollywood)
• Bestia (Downtown)
• Gjelina (Venice)
• Shunji Sushi
• Kiriko Sushi
• Lukshon 
• Superba Snack Bar (Venice)
• Jitlada: Thai
• Night & Market: Thai
• Jar: brunch

The PCH List

More suggestions from Janine's cousin. Sounds fabulous.

• Mattei's Taverm (Los Olivos/Santa Barbara)
• The Hungry Cat (SB): seafood
• The Lark (SB): new American
• Les Marchands (SB): wine bar with snacks
• Olio e Limone (SB): Italian
• Pizzeria Limone (SB): pizzeria
• Marinus at the Bernadus Lodge (Carmel): upscale
• Big Sur Bakery (Big Sur): casual bakery with wood-fired pizzas, meats, sandwiches

The Napa & Sonoma List

Another list from Janine's cousin. Good stuff, thanks.

• Ad Hoc (Napa): prix fixe casual American serving l'os a moelle.
• Hog Island Oyster (Napa): oysters at the Oxbow Public Market
• Redd (Napa)
• Terra (Napa)
• Bouchon Bakery (Yountville)
• Gott's Roadside-Burgers (Napa)

  

The San Francisco List

A superb list of places to go from Janine's cousin who works in the CA food business. Thanks a lot!

• A16
• Tartine
• Slanted Door
• Perbacco
• Barbacco
• State Bird Provisions
• Quince
• Camino
• Flour & Water
• Boulevard: an old reliable

Austrian Reds

Jancis Robinson's picks of favorite Austrian reds. These fit nicely into the category of high altitude reds that I love so much, particularly from around the alps. Below happen to be pinot noirs but there are many indigenous grapes that form a vast repertoire of local wines.

• Ebner-Ebenauer, Black Edition, Niederosterreich
• Fred Loimer, Langenlois Ried Dechant,  Niederosterreich
• Gerhard Markowitsch, Reserve
• Wieninger, Grand Select, Vienna

Michelle's Fruit Salad 2

And they just keep getting better. I could eat this every morning.

pomegranate seeds
blueberries
rasberries
plain yoghurt
manuka honey
milled flax seeds
flaked quinoa

1. get the fruit and yoghurt real cold
2. mix everything, making sure that pomegranate seeds are the dominant quantity
3. put just enough yoghurt to coat the fruit
4. honey to taste

Sean's Potatoes

From the chef at Sean's Panorama in Bondi, truly one of my favorite places in Sydney to which I return repeatedly. There was a crispy-soft texture to these potatoes which I'd love to eat regularly. It struck me when talking to the chef that this place has so much in common with the Anchor & Hope in London, where people's interest and love for food is written on their sleeve.

baby waxy potatoes, preferably the longer ones
EVOO
maldon sea salt
ground black pepper
garlic and herbs optional

1. cut potatoes in half lengthways
2. put in salted water and bring to a boil
3. let boil 5 minutes, drain and let cook
4. drag a fork through the flesh a couple of times
5. oil a baking pan, place potatoes face down and season
6. roast for half hour depending on size, etc of potatoes
7. when done, remove potatoes from stove and let cool to room temperature
8. return to oven and roast another 10-15 minutes or until golden