san francisco gem: the ferry building

I love it when friends show up in town unannounced and beg to spend a day with you.  I really mean it, I do love it, even though it throws me pleasantly off schedule (If that makes sense).

Anyway, I got the word my friends were in town at ten in the morning and asked them to meet me at the end of Market Street at noon for lunch.  When I asked, what they wanted to eat, they mentioned Sandwich shops and fast food and I basically rolled my eyes.

I pointed to the Ferry Building and asked if they had been there and they both shook their heads NO and so we ventured into one of our proudest conversion of a historic building into an amazing waterfront hangout.

presentation is everything while playing host

I love playing host and will do it every chance I get, so it’s no wonder I search for inspiration to create my very own event presentation

fashion trend: ode to valentine’s day

Valentine’s Day, of course, is around the corner and here are some of my favorite fun or sexy dresses to wear  from here for the occasion.

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rooftop wonder from hotel raphael in roma, italy

The best thing about walking everywhere, while on vacation, is accidentally stumbling upon a gem of a place that you just know you must discover. That’s what happened to me with Day 4 in Rome. I happen to be walking about Piazza Navona, when I noticed an insignificant  small street and decided to take it because I wanted to see what was past the main plaza.

About 50 meters in, I came across what was labelled as  Hotel Raphael, a five-star luxury property, hidden behind a wall of leaves. I walked towards the main entrance and was immediately greeted by a bellman, who so kindly waved me inside, even though I am sure he knew I didn’t belong there. He escorted me to a small elevator leading to their roof garden and suggested I have  a drink while I rest my weary feet from all the walking.  Of course I wasn’t going to argue, I simply followed his instructions and rode the elevator to the fifth floor and exited towards a small set of steps leading to the roof garden.

As I stepped unto the last step going up, I couldn’t take my eyes off of the most wonderful and breath taking views of Rome. I didn’t know whether to take a seat or circle the grounds  so that I could take a hundred photographs of every nook and krany visible through my camera lens.  As you can imagine, especially those who know me, I quickly dropped my backpack on a chair and ran around like a little girl taking a hundred or more photographs before enjoying my champagne and cavier (yes cavier!).

Please enjoy and remember the photographs are the property of http://www.rawsilkandsafron.wordpress.com.

miette – a san francisco treat

It is becoming almost impossible to stay cheery and upbeat with the weather we are having in San Francisco (as usual) this Summer. Getting bundled up is really not my favorite part of our Summers here and because of it I am always looking for ways to escape the gray and the cold.

Miette came to mind on friday as a pick me up, when I stepped out to lunch from my job. So  I walked over to the Ferry Building at the Market Street and treated myself to my favorite chocolate wafers (pictured above) with a cup of hot coco. Yes, hot coco in the middle of Summer. I must say, even if it was only for thirty minutes in the middle of the day, I felt really warm and fuzzy inside.

What I love is the fact I discovered they actually have a recipe book here and guess what, I am now a proud owner of a copy from Barnes and Nobles.

So, while you are visiting our wonderful city by the bay, step into the Ferry Building and look for this wonderful gem of a place and by all means do indulge.

 

healthy eating: eggs and asparagus

Image: ForTheLoveOfCooking

I love fine cuisine, I don’t deny it, but once in a while I truly appreciate finding a recipe online that is not only healthy but has my favorite ingredients in it.

Now the interesting thing for me about eggs and asparagus is that I  often made a frittata with them with a touch of parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, but the recipe here is a much simpler way of incorporating the two together and I have to tell you,  it was amazing!  I loved it and I know you will too. But I am always curious about what your take is on the recipes I provide, so please let me know how it turned out for you?

Parmesan Roasted Asparagus Topped with a Poached Egg:

Recipe and photos by For the Love of Cooking.net

• Olive oil cooking spray
• 5 spears of asparagus
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese, shaved or shredded
• 1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray then add the asparagus. Spray the asparagus with a touch of olive oil cooking spray then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the top of the asparagus with Parmesan cheese then place into the oven and roast for 5-7 minutes or until fork tender. Remove from the oven and place onto a serving plate.

While the asparagus is roasting, add water to a pan, filling it two thirds full; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Coat a poaching cup (or custard cup) with cooking spray then place in the water. Break the egg into the cup then cover the pan with a lid and cook for 6-8 minutes or until the whites are firm but the yolk is soft.

Place the poached egg on top of the Parmesan roasted asparagus then season the egg with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

***For a more detailed information about the recipe, please visit  http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/ ***

suggested classic films: paris in springtime

Every Spring I make a point to watch some of my favorite classics which revolve around Paris in the Springtime – especially on a rainy Saturday afternoon (Or some may refer to as Spring showers).  I usually pair this event with a bottle of champagne, some fresh strawberries and hot fudge and don’t ask why, but a bouquet of colorful tulips to set the mood.  I call this escape much needed mental therapy. Of course getting rid of the family for the afternoon also helps the situation.

Happy Weekend!

healthy eating: chicken au champagne

Oh my, how can this get any better. A chicken dish with my favorite alcoholic beverage – champagne from my favorite site here for me to share with my readers. Let me know how it turns out for you?

INGREDIENTS

4 chicken breasts (with skin and bone)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Chervil, tarragon, or thyme (optional)
1 shallot, quartered
1 cup Champagne (Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut recommended) 

Yield: 4 Servings

RECIPE

Place the chicken breasts in a roasting pan, and season them. Pour 1/2 cup of the Champagne over breasts. Make a slit in each breast and insert a piece of shallot. 

Place the pan under the broiler, skin-side up, for 3 minutes, until the skin is nicely browned. Turn and broil the other side for 5 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the broiler, baste with the pan juices, and add the remaining 1/2 cup of Champagne. Adjust the oven temperature to 475 degrees and bake the chicken for 30 minutes, basting once or twice.

Serve over brown rice. Sautéed mushrooms add a special touch and go beautifully with Champagne. (In a warm frying pan with a touch of olive oil, add clean, roughly chopped mushrooms, and cook for a few minutes. Add a few drops of lemon juice, freshly chopped sage, seasoning to taste and 1 tablespoon of butter.) Pour the cooking juices from the chicken over the meat and rice. Serve the remainder of the bottle of Champagne (about 6 glasses) with the meal.

boutique hotel pick – hotel balzac – paris, france

Need I say more. I mean I can spend the entire year picking hotels throughout Paris and all of France to recommend on this blog and believe me I am having a heck of a time controlling myself. But, once in a while I will let one slip by.

Here is another one of my favorite places to stay while in Paris, Hotel Balzac which is located just off the Champs-Elysses and close to the Arc de Triomphe.

The reason I love this property, besides it’s romantic ambiance, is the fact some of the rooms have skyline views of the Eiffel Tower (You must request this and it’s also based on availability).  This is the hotel I can honestly spend weeks in, while writing my novel.

Anyway, I will stop writing and let the photos do the walking. Have a great weekend everyone!

inspiration: cafe de flore – paris, france

After a long week, I needed some inspirational photos to help escape “mentally” at least from the every day norms. My favorite place to hang out - Cafe De Flore in Paris (of course), France.

I have a strange appreciation for cafe photos and here are some of my favorites Cafe de Flore to share with you. Have a great weekend and remember think happy thoughts no matter how hard life can be.

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{photos: courtesy google search cafe de flore – various artists}