Category Archives: Reviews (music, film, more…)

My first trip to The French Laundry

As posted to Yelp:

I was actually joking about if people would actually look at Yelp to consider eating at The French Laundry, but I’m mostly writing this review so I don’t have to explain my experience to everyone over and over and twitter isn’t the right place for it…

Anyhow, I went with Andrei Z., Melanie N. and Scott McV last night and it was definitely as good as expected.  It’s hard not to have expectations but they were all met.

On to the blow by blow…

Our first amuse bouche looked to me like an ice cream cone scarecrow and one of the servers said it was inspired by Baskin Robbins of all places.  I forgot what it was called but like everything would be this evening, it packed flavor and texture and taste all in one tiny cone.

Course 1 “OYSTERS AND PEARLS”
“Sabayon” of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and White Sturgeon Caviar – wow this was tiny, was my first thought to myself, but upon spooning in the first micro-spoonful into my mouth, I realized why – it’s amazingly rich and flavorful!  The tapioca was so rich and the flavors all balanced so well.  A good start for sure!

Next up we all had selected the foie gras which was paired with Von Strasser 2010 Grüner Veltliner.

MOULARD DUCK “FOIE GRAS EN TERRINE”  – “Gésiers de Canard,” Poached Cherries, Pearl Onions, Watercress and “Sauce Hydromel”

What can you say?  It was so rich and paired with some crazy salts and decadent bread from Bouchon (the Jurrasic salt we absconded with a pinch for our friend Tim V).  Just eat this! (before July 1st, 2012)

SAUTÉED FILLET OF GULF COAST RED SNAPPER:  Monterey Bay Squid, San Marzano Tomato, Fennel, Garlic, Castelvetrano Olives and Basil

This was light in texture, but nicely complimented by the garlic slice and was quickly consumed 🙂

SWEET  BUTTER-POACHED MAINE LOBSTER TAIL: Globe Artichokes, Broccolini, Spanish Capers, Parsley Shoots and Burnt Orange
– gotta say that I was really excited about this one since I love lobster.  However I’d say this was the least amazing dish of the night.  It wasn’t necessarily bad but the lobster by itself was just OK.  With the burnt orange sauce it was more enjoyable but it didn’t blow me away…

WOLFE RANCH WHITE QUAIL: “Hoe Cake,” Pickled Green Tomato, Tokyo Turnips and “Thousand Island Dressing”
– gotta say this might have been my favorite.  I mean you gotta like “hoe cake!” but really it was just so perfectly prepared.  The skin was perfectly crunchy, while the quail meat was tender and juicy.  Love this!

SNAKE RIVER FARMS “CALOTTE DE BŒUF GRILLÉE”   – Braised Brisket, “Pommes à la Florentine,” Nantes Carrots, Arrowleaf Spinach and “Sauce Bordelaise”
– I loved that our server told us this would be prepared medium rare without any other discussion.  When it came out I saw the lovely red and upon slicing in saw that it was prepared just right.  So delicious, juicy and flavor packed.  I think I ate this the slowest just to savor every bite!

The next few dishes were coming and I was getting pretty damn full.  First up was:
MEADOW CREEK DAIRY “GRAYSON” – Hobbs’ Bacon, “Lavash,” Granny Smith Apple, Savoy Cabbage and Whole Grain Mustard
followed by

RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT SORBET – Moscato “Gelée” and Verbena “Nuage”

The sorbet was awesome and super tart which I loved but it was almost too much so.  This was a dish that you definitely had to mix up the ingredients and get a bit of each in every bite to balance it out.  I love tart and sour food so this was a nice prep for the final dessert dish…

I opted for the ” MARJOLAINE”  – Praline Mousse, “Dacquoise” and Roasted Banana Sherbet

The mousse portion was so rich and I was barely able to finish, but powered through knowing that we had ‘donuts and coffee’ coming to wrap things up.  The ‘coffee’ was more a mousse style that was incredibly rich and you could dip the ‘donuts’ in which arrived warm and doughy.  If I wasn’t so full at this point I wouldn’t have left the one extra but damn I was stuffed.

An amazing meal and experience! Aomething I’ll always remember and I definitely would love to return with my sister who would so appreciate it (not that anyone else wouldn’t).

Fri Dec 31, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #52 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Fri Dec 31, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #52 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

My final meal of 2010 was, of course, In-n-Out Burger.  I had been planning this meal since I was flying into SFO after visiting the family in Auburn and knew I’d be starving.  Since I had to grab a cab anyways (because of me being on crutches), it totally made sense to take a lil’ detour to exit 420 and hit up the Millbrae In-N-Out Burger.  Since I was in the cab, I had to eat it in the dark cab, which was interesting to do when you can’t really see what you are doing but it didn’t really matter since I was famished and it tasted damn good! Goodbye 2010!  The final stats were 52 burgers eaten – so an average of one per week – not bad!  Now to get my cholesterol checked!

Continue reading Fri Dec 31, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #52 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Tue Dec 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #51 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Tue Dec 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #51 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Being on the crutches from my accident has been a limiting factor in getting to In-n-Out since I can’t rent cars to drive and mostly I need to be with someone who can carry my food/drinks/etc., but I’ve learned some tricks on the crutches and since I was going to be in the neighborhood, I couldn’t resist a trip!

I knew that I was going to a Holiday Ales party after so a little insulation was perfect – yum!

Continue reading Tue Dec 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #51 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Mon Dec 13, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #50 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Mon Dec 13, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #50 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Oh In-n-Out, how long has it been?  Too long!

After shooting down at the Sofitel, Zoe and I were driving back up to SF and I knew we’d be stopping at In-n-Out Burger from the day I accepted the assignment.  Since I’ve been hobbled on crutches even making it to the In-n-Out at Fisherman’s Wharf is a huge pain in the ass so I hadn’t had my fix for a while.

Luckily since it was off hours there was no line and plenty of seating so we even got to sit at the handicap table and take advantage of my crippled-ness.

Continue reading Mon Dec 13, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #50 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA
Ah, the Wharf – on a crisp, clear Sunday morning!

I arrived just after opening at 10:32am and somehow was already the seventh ticket.   I only saw one other couple seated but did see an empty trash tray too, so that’s at least two other tickets most likely.   Anyhow, I just knew that I needed some In-n-Out since my internal clock let me know that I was overdue.

It was an unusual trip, since there was no rental car, hangover, or other reason – it was just that In-n-Out Urge… I was thinking that I will probably get right about 50 burger excursions to In-n-Out in in 2010.  Maybe I’ll make a push to make it 52 for the evenness of it, but who knows.  I guess the good news is that I still love In-n-Out Burgers so that’s gotta say something good about them right?

We even suggested In-n-Out to some mentees who loved McDonald’s, suggesting that if they have to have fast food that In-n-Out is a good option.

Continue reading Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

So I had to shoot a wedding down in Monterey and missed the Giants game this night (which we lost) so I needed an In-n-Out fix to help with the sorrow.  This one was burned on the top of the bottom bun too much though so was a bit too crispy but it still was good.  I dunno if it was b/c it was sorta Halloween and everyone wasn’t as focused on the food prep, but luckily the ingredients are always so good that I was satiated nonetheless. Continue reading Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

As you can see from the photo, this one wasn’t made right with the pickles right sandwiched between the tomato and onions.  Oh well, I didn’t mind digging them out, although I was slightly rushed, but my hatred of eating and driving prevented me from doing so since I had just dropped off a model from a shoot out there in Vegas.  It was the Olympia Weekend, and I was out there to cover the show and photograph athletes.  Many bodybuilders love In-n-Out like me, but I ate this one solo since I really just needed a lil’ down time to chill (a rarity in Vegas, of course!).

Continue reading Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

It seems like it’s been quite a while since my last In-n-Out excursion so of course the culprit was a rental car again, this time for a wedding shoot.  I debated getting it “Zack style” but instead went with my own “genex style” and was definitely satisfied and ready to shoot on a hot day.  I’ve started using Foodspotting a lot of late too so have documented my burgers moving forward there on my profile. Continue reading Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Impossible Project Fade to Black film personal project

Well I finally got a Polaroid SX-70 and could use the awesome Fade to Black film I had bought in NYC when I visited the newly opened Impossible Project space.

I decided to enjoy the beautifully sunny, warm day (Thursday, Sept 2, 2010) by working on this personal project and using the film by walking around my neighborhood, the Mission, and finding random folks to take portraits of at some of my favorite spots.  I also asked them to write down one word that they could relate to currently. Here’s what I got!

genex 2010: FadetoBlack 1: Breegan
Photo 1: Breegan (pronounced BRE’-gun) – “adventure” – taken on Guerrero Street between 18th and 17th Continue reading Impossible Project Fade to Black film personal project

Fri Sep 3, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #43 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Redwood City, CA

09.03.10_innout

So I walked into this busy In-n-Out Burger in Redwood City that I hadn’t seen before.  It was more packed than I would have expected but then again it was a Friday at dinner time so I shouldn’t have been surprised.  Anyhow there were a ton of associates working since it apparently had just opened up the previous Thursday.  I thought it kind of looked funny to see so many of them behind there.

I ordered a “genex style” double double this time instead of my current crush – the Zack style… I had to wolf it down since I was working an rehearsal dinner so it totally hit the spot!

So I walked into this busy In-n-Out Burger in Redwood City that I hadn’t seen before.  It was more packed than I would have expected but then again it was a Friday at dinner time so I shouldn’t have been surprised.  Anyhow there were a ton of associates working since it apparently had just opened up the previous Thursday.  I thought it kind of looked funny to see so many of them behind there.

I ordered a “genex style” double double this time instead of my current crush – the Zack style… I had to wolf it down since I was working an rehearsal dinner so it totally hit the spot!

Fri Sep 3, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #43 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Redwood  City, CA Continue reading Fri Sep 3, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #43 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Redwood City, CA