VinDivine - Living it Up John & Janine Style

Update October 2007: Jack Falstaff's - South Beach

We've blogged about Jack Falstaff's in January of 06! Too long ago, time for an update! An entire life of a restaurant can change in 2 years people. That's why we'll always have jobs as food bloggies. Wait, do we get paid for this? Oh right. HELL NO. We do it for you VdVers, our followers.

This place has it changed for the "even betta". I mean it was good before, but now, they've cranked it up a notch. And even though it's part of the pretentious and snooty Plumpjack group, we are in love with it. The seasonal menu changes rock (although they go a bit veerd for jp's taste, bone marrow, fois grois, you know icky slimy stuff, but hey, no sushi for me either, so what the hell do I know?)

Classics you ask? You cannot go wrong with the chicken caesar (not your boring old CS, and even better, not fishy). What can you say about chicken right? I mean it's chicken! But this stuff is always dripping moist with flavor that's OTH & sprinkled with garlic chips. Hang on, I think I just drooled. You want more? Burgahh, raro. You can get it anytime btw.  Their soups are crazy good, if they have the pumpkin soup, order it, John won't shut up about it. But seriously, chef Jonnatan Leiva is the man for ANYTHING LAMB. I'll have the lamb ragu over pasta, a side of lamb meatballs, with an appy of lamb chops, please.

Being part of the all-uberly pretentious Plumpjack group (have I mentioned that?), they do have a great wine list, by the glass changes a lot though. They have a nice Gruner Veltliner which goes with all of the above.

Dessert you ask? No kidding...homemade doughnuts with dipping sauce. Someone get me some Lipitor.

Friendly bartenders? You bet! Shamsey, Jay, Joe, Roberto, they are the best and a few are even NYG fan. Jaime is always there and always smilin and say hi to Oscar! Tell 'em John and Janine sent ya!

2003 Bella Big River Ranch Syrah

Yeah, I've given Bella Vineyards big props before, for their Hillside Cuvee in fact. I like these guys. Nope, never met 'em but they seem like they'd be a kick to hang with. And whatever, I DIG the wines.

The latest? A syrah of all crackhead crazy things. I swear to the lord I have tasted dozens of Syrahs and I haven't been a fan. Robo-Tussin is what my main takeaway is. And I only like 'tussin when my momma is given it to me. Nevermind. Anyhoo, what that means, is cough-syrupy, kinda hot, over extracted. Not enjoyable when you need a chaser with your Syrah. 'Nuff said.

So, on with the review - I'll tell ya, this is a big  ballsy wine. They shoulda called it the Big Balls Ranch Syrah. The nose? Well, since you asked so politely, it has a nose I believe that pinhead Robert Parker (junior) would describe as '...a nose hair burner...' I mean, this stuff jumps outta the bottle, grabs a wad o' those curlies and sets fire to 'em. Whew. Which worried me a little 'cuz I figured, here's another of those hotter than satan's bbq Syrahs. (Like how I so eloquently wove in references to both the lord jesus and satan all in one post? Are there awards for this stuff?).

Enough with the nose, ya don't get drunk snorting this stuff. It tastes great! Earthy notes, but not vegetative. Dark very ripe blackberry fruit, moving on to  a subtle chocolate flavor melding into a nice spicy white pepper finish. That's right! Next up, I just tasted a great Syrah from Trouchard, look for the post! Two good Syrahs in a row, WTF is going on?!

The Bella site is sold out :(, check for it on WineZap, VinQuire or somewhere else. Or try a different vintage, you'll still love it.

Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
9711 West Dry Creek Road
Healdsburg, CA 95448
866.572.3552

The best F'ing Steak Salad in all of SF!

Hey happy people! OK, I won't even pretend we haven't treated you like that skeedgy tramp Britney treats those two spawn of hers the past few weeks. What can I say? Nothing malicious here - JP's birthday bash, 1 week l8r our 12th Anny, 1 week after that my bday. Whew! It's not like we didn't eat. And drink. And drink. I just don't think we were fit to blog!

So who cares, anyway? If we get a flashback, we'll post it. Let's move on. Not dwell on the past. So first off we're sick of this sunny weather. No, we're not goth. We just WANT A SEASON. Is that too much to ask?! Anyway, we had a relatively meeting-free day today, which almost never-ever happens. I mean, with me {COMMERCIAL BREAK HERE} launching my new technology company, Andiamo Systems, which provides real-time, actionable, intuitive, affordable word of mouth measurement and brand monitoring, with a 14-day FREE TRIAL go check it out!! {end of shameless self promotion, that is so tacky} and Janine's company winning award upon award we got caught up in the moment. Yup, full full full of ourselves. LOL.

But we're back, as your humble Sherpas of all things wining and dining. And a little travel to boot. So without further adeiu:

Lark Creek Steak in the Westfield mall or whatever it's called, y'know that thing they worked on 4ever. Bloomingdales, Hugo Boss, all that. They have a Steak & Spinach Panzanella Salad that I would poke my best friend's eyes out for. I mean this is custom-made, FILET salad. Not some acky sirloin crap. And rare, if you have been reading. Why's it so lip-smackin' good?

Well, after being in the trenches, walking into this semi-boring atmosphere place is still, kinda, civil. Second, they have a good wine list - get the Provenence Suavignon Blanc! Thirdly, and the reason we've come outta hiding, is that goddamn steak salad is epic.  Order the steak as you want, made to order; loaded with beets, feta cheese, persimmon (ok, I had to refer back to the menu for that tidbit) radishes, steak, and oh yeah, some salad-stuff. Spinach I think. This salad is TOPS in SF. Go get it, it's even healthy! It does make for a $100 lunch if you go as a couple, embibe with 3 glasses o' vino (not for each of us, suckas, shared) and a coupla espressos and tip like a human, but WTF, treat y'selves right!

Then go get your nooner shopping groove on!

Lark Creek Steak
845 Market Street
(415) 593-4100

Cook-Off at Jack Falstaff's - Janine Guest Judges!

Was I lucky or what? Ok not "lucky" but it's what cash can buy ya. Jack Falstaff's hosted a cook-off to benefit the Afterschool Alliance and boy did we have a blast. They auctioned off a few chairs on the judging panel and John was not about to lose. So a cool $450 later, (it's for the kids people) there I was sitting with the great chefs of SF. That's me looking up at Johnny.

First competition? Guy chefs against the chick chefs. Guys side? Ame and Zuppa. Girls side? Cave Wine Bar and Citizen Cake. The judging panel? Gary Danko was a judge! I was clearly in the presence of greatness. Tyler Florence went at it in a cook-off with Joey Altman. He's the chef on KRON's Bay Cafe. On top of it all, Leslie Sbrocco was the emcee, not only has she won the James Beard award an an Emmy for Check Please! but she's also wrote the book Wine for Women, wow!

Greatness? Yes. It gets better.

So the first 3 course menu is a lamb menu. Sorry to all of the vegans in the house but J&J love their lamb.

1st course? Rack of Lamb. Both dishes were wonderful, the chicks had it a bit more moist and the spices were amazing. Topped with mushrooms, they had it. The guys did an great job (beat the girls on time fyi, but isn't that to be expected?) but there was little contest.

2nd Course? Lamb meatballs. Now they have to beat the amazing Jonnatan Leiva's meatballs which we loooove at Jack Falstaff's, and they both did a great job. (Or came close at least.) The girls eeked it out with a med-rare ball with lots of spices, morracan style. Sorry dudes. Both were truly amazing.

3rd course? The guys did a dessert that rocked my world. Marscapone over peaches that was absolutely amazing. They won that course IMO. HOWEVER, the girls did a sweet lamb dish (for dessert?), with ground lamb, chantarrels, and you'll never guess in a million years...POP ROCKS. I'm not kidding. It was amazing. I think I was caught on camera saying "Pop rocks are awesome!" Overall the girls had it in my book 2-1 (and not just because I'm a chick).

The mixology contest was judged by a team of pros that included a friend of ours Greg, who owns Romolo, Rye and Rosewood bars and whose wife Shelly owns A16 (not too shabby huh?). The winner was Ronaldo from Americano who mixed up a mean margarita with chiles! Wow.

Finally Joey and Tyler duked it out at the end. Congrats to all and we had a REALLY great time. The staff at Falstaff's donated their time and I think a bunch of cash was raised for the Afterschool Alliance.

John, Aarti and Sandip watch the frantic judging process! -->