There's been a lot of press lately around food and its connection to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). With nearly 1 in 10 children affected by the disorder it's no wonder research studies would begin popping up. One popular question around the subject is whether or not ADHD should be considered a medical condition treated with prescription drugs. It's tough to say when so many factors (ie: genetics, age, gender) contribute to making each case so different than the next. Not to mention symptoms of ADHD such as hyperactivity, fidgeting, impulsivity and difficulty in performing tasks can easily be attributed... Continue reading

You may have noticed more and more restaurants are serving up local farm ingredients, but have you noticed more and more farms are serving up dinner? That's the idea behind Outstanding in the Farms and Dinners at the Farm, two organizations hosting series of dinners across the country celebrating local farms, food and community! Meals comprised of produce and protein grown inches away from the table is a unique opportunity I can't wait to try. Unfortunately, tickets don't come cheap. At about $150 a pop this event will have to be one of those special occassions I gift myself! I... Continue reading

One thing I always look forward to when going home to Miami is starting each morning out with my mom's freshly made carrot juice. It's one of the best things out there. So refreshingly sweet and healthy, it's the perfect start to any morning. Ingredients: Bunch of carrots 2 small apples 1 small orange (peeled) Directions: Dump all ingredients in a juicer and juice Serve over ice Drink to your health! Living out on the west coast so far away from home, I've wanted to recreate this juice, but a juicer was one of those kitchen gadgets I never cared... Continue reading

Coachella is a popular 3 day music festival in Palm Springs consisting of 100 degree weather and an endless amount of walking, dancing and boozing, leaving your body in dire need of hydration. So how did I survive this year's Coachella extraveganza you ask? Coconut water! Did you know? Coconut water is loaded with pure and natural electrolytes making it a healthier option when compared to sports drinks, which are loaded with sugar and artificial colors. Think cracking a fresh coconut is too much trouble? You can now get coconut water in cans and small cartons at grocery stores, but... Continue reading

Sometimes you wish for something so much that you can't believe it when your wish comes true. That's how I feel about the Lindy and Grundy Butcher Shop that just opened in West Hollywood. This place makes me happy...VERY happy! Here are a few reasons why: It's owned by two female butchers (awesome)... Who were just legally married in Conneticut (yea!!) They only sell local, pastured and organic products (you know I love that!) They are former vegetarians (2 down, many more to go!) They plan on hosting butchering classes (sign me up!) They have experience working at Fleisher's and... Continue reading

If you haven't had the pleasure of trying this European power breakfast, I encourage you to drop everything you're doing and jump on a flight to Switzerland right now. Or, if you're like me, you can just follow the recipe below and enjoy this deliciously creamy breakfast in the comfort of your own home. What makes this dish different than your standard morning oatmeal is the step of soaking the oats overnight in milk and serving the muesli cold with fruits and honey. Filled with nutritional value like fiber and essential vitamins (I know, I know - I' sound like... Continue reading

Nothing makes me happier than a new cookbook, especially one with lots of pictures and little text! It's not that I don't enjoy reading, I just prefer letting the pictures inspire me. Sometimes it's nice not knowing exactly what goes into a recipe and improvising to create something all your own. The cover of this book is a good example, it's absolutely beautiful with mouthwatering shots of what appears to be a take on a tomato and cheese sandwich. I ran with that idea and decided to make a traditional caprese salad using fresh burrata (hmmmm). Later, after reading the... Continue reading

Moving to a new city for me meant starting from scratch on the restaurant scene. One of the first things I did when I moved to LA a few months back was start a list of all the fun restaurants that the locals had recommended. On that list was good ol' Father's Office. Everyone I've met out here raves about this place and their amazing burger. Fast forward to a lazy (read: hungover) Saturday afternoon and I finally made the trek out to Culver City to try this infamous dish. Little did I know this so called burger joint turned... Continue reading

This recipe was originally concepted as seared cod over a pea pesto puree, but when shopping for the ingredients I found the cod's market price to be a bit out of my weeknight dinner price range. So just like that, cod was out and the much more affordable tilapia was in. Tilapia is a nice mild, white fish that can easily stand up to being fried, grilled or baked. I chose to lightly coat the fish with corn meal for texture and prepared a creamy polenta to add contrast. Last I drizzled a roasted red pepper sauce around the polenta... Continue reading

There's nothing I love more than fresh produce from the farmers market on a Sunday morning. These red peppers I found last weekend were particularly beautiful that I had to take them home with me. Then I burned them. Well, okay I didn't burn the peppers, but I did roast them till they charred. This was the perfect base for my easy red pepper sauce. It's a real simple sauce that packs a whole lot of flavor. Try it at home some time. Suggestion - Serve along side Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia and Creamy Parmesan Polenta Red Pepper Sauce: Ingredients 2... Continue reading

Polenta is a nice alternative to your everyday side dish of, say, rice or potatoes. It's comforting and rich in flavor, yet so easy to make. This recipe in particular is a basic version that calls for just a few quality ingredients like cream and Parmesan. Feel free to switch out or add in new ingredients to create an exciting version of your own! Suggestion - serve along side Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Polenta Ingredients: 1 cup polenta or yellow cornmeal 1 cup water 1/4 cup cream 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tbs butter Salt... Continue reading

It's true, I left my heart in San Francisco to start a new life in LA. I may not have the Golden Gate bridge and trolley cars anymore, but now I have plenty of sun, beaches and frozen yogurt! In just about a months time, I found myself with a new car, new job, new apartment and hundreds of new restaurants to try! I will admit, I never expected to like LA this much. You hear the horror stories of bumper-to-bumper traffic, starving artists, and plastic surgery, but so far LA's been nothing but gorgeous weather, amazing farmers markets and... Continue reading

Most people know I have an addiction to 7x7's SF 100 Things to Try Before You Die list. For a long time I made it my mission to eat only items showcased on this list and I'm proud to say I've completed 90% of it! But just when I come close to conquering all 100 items, 7x7 comes up with another list leaving me intrigued and hungry all over again! I'm happy to present 7x7's 2010 Eat+Drink Reader's Choice Awards My favorites off the list: Zuni Cafe Nopalito Waterbar Beretta Kasa Kokkari Estiatorio Slanted Door Epic Roasthouse Pizzeria Delfina I'm... Continue reading

Who: Locals interested in reading and sharing their views on all things food What: Drinks, food, and fun discussions with other foodies like you and me Where: Private residence* When: Thursday, July 29 - 6:30pm Why: Live vicariously through Bill Buford's adventures working in a first-class New York restaurant and repeated journeys to Italy to apprentice with the country's best chefs. Cost: Club is Free! Book can be purchased at a 15% discount at Books Inc. (Chestnut St.) with the mention of this book club * More location details for participating book club members Bill Buford Continue reading

Who: LADIES! Just kidding, this Sausage Fest is definitely guy-friendly. What: CUESA's 3rd Annual Grill Fest Where: CUESA Kitchen under the North Arcade of the Ferry Building, SF When: June 24th, 2010 / 5:30-7:30p Why: Sausages from seven local chefs (ie: Chris Constentino from Boccalone) and beers paired by members of the SF Brewers Guild (ie: Thirsty Bear, Beach Chalet, 21st Amendment). Cost: $30 ticket buys you mini sausage and beer tastings from each chef. Proceeds go to the CUESA Farmer Scholarship Fund to help promote food sustainability. Web/Tickets: CUESA , tablehopper , EventBrite Continue reading

I have a love-hate relationship with Zazie. While I love their eggs benedict and cozy garden patio, I hate that they're ridiculously popular. Because it's impossible to go there for brunch on a weekend without a long wait, I love sneaking away on a weekday to enjoy all that is this beautiful French bistro! Homey Kitchen Just as a good bistro should be, Zazie is located in the heart of a big city neighborhood, in this case Cole Valley, and is always buzzing with energy. A cozy interior and friendly wait staff helps you feel like you're in a rustic... Continue reading

Who: Locals interested in reading and sharing their views on all things food What: Drinks, food, and fun discussions with other foodies like you and me Where: Private residence* When: Monday, June 21 - 6:30pm Why: Join the eccentric Novella Carpenter on her adventures farming in Oakland's city "ghetto" Cost: Club is Free! Book can be purchased at a 20% discount at Books Inc. (Chestnut St.) with the mention of this book club * More location details for participating book club members Novella Carpenter at Ghost Town Farm Continue reading

I love steak. Put steak on anything and I'll eat that too...that's the magic of this dish! Throw a bunch of delicious, fresh veggies to make a salad and top with a red juicy steak and you've got a very happy meal. Ingredients: Rib-eye steak Salt/Pepper Romaine lettuce Tomatoes Red onions Bell peppers (red, yellow and/or green) Avocados Pecorino Romano cheese (in small chunks) For Dressing: 1/2 shallot, chopped fine 1 garlic clove, chopped fine 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tblsp red wine vinegar 1 tsp dijon mustard About a 1/4 cup olive oil pinch of sugar Directions: Season steak liberally... Continue reading

I've never been to Louisiana, but dining at Brenda's feels like a one-way ticket to the French Quarter. This small haven is like nothing I've experienced in the city of San Francisco. Located in the heart of the somewhat seedy Tenderloin neighborhood I didn't expect the crowd of excited locals awaiting a table, but after just one taste I began to understand the craze!! Hint: If you want to avoid the wait try and sneak in on a week day, you may even score the window seat. And soon Brenda's will be expanding and taking over the spot next door.... Continue reading

Who: San Francisco locals interested in an alternative "market" experience. What: SF Underground Market. A market and a live show, all rolled into one. Think a farmers market, but at night, with food and drinks! Where: SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan St. (btwn 8th and 9th St) map it When: Friday, April 16th 2010, 5-11pm Why: Purchase the likes of jams, sauces, wines and produce made by local purveyors. Enjoy live music by Debbie Neigher. Attend live demos on bread making, seed saving, and home brewing. Cost: Free (just sign up online at foragesf.com). Bring cash for purchases. BYOB! Additional... Continue reading

Who: Locals interested in reading and sharing their views on all things food. What: 2nd book club meeting Where: Private residence, Nob Hill * When: Wednesday, April 28th - 6:30pm Why: Learn the story of Chez Panisse, Berkeley's famed restaurant, through the eyes of founder, proprietor, and sometime chef, Alice Waters. Cost: Club is Free! Book can be purchased at a 15% discount at Books Inc. (Chestnut St.) with the mention of this book club. Alice Waters and Chez Panisse You can't tell the story of Chez Panisse, Berkeley's famed restaurant, without relating that of its diminutive founder, proprietor, and... Continue reading

Lamb chops are not only a tender, flavorful cut of meat, but also make an elegant dish worthy of any special occasion. When properly prepared, the meat should fall of its bone and melt in your mouth like butter. Best of all, it's a cinch to make. Paired with a simple marinade of fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil, this lamb will make your taste buds sing! Giada de Laurentiis's minimalist approach of using just a few quality ingredients really shines through in this recipe. I paired these chops with classic Mediterranean flavors including a mint pesto and classic tabbouleh... Continue reading

San Franciscans love their brunch, but it's hard to find that one restaurant you can call home. Some times you fall in love with a local brunch spot...and it leaves you for another city like Oakland. Fortunate for me (after many therapy sessions), my favorite brunch spot is BACK! Back by popular demand, Red Door Cafe is serving up delicious bites at a new location - right off of Bush St. at Franklin. Chef and owner, Ahmed, is the heart and soul of this quaint, vibrant eatery. You know when you build a relationship with your favorite hair stylist, and... Continue reading