How Pregnant Foodies Can Still Have Fun at Restaurants

My blogging took the back burner during my pregnancy and first 6 months of motherhood, so I will be playing a lot of catch up in the next few posts…

I never wanted my pregnancy to prevent us from enjoying one of our favorite activities: going out for dinner. But I quickly learned that most menus don’t cater to pregnant women (especially farm-to-fork). 

Here are some tips and tricks for ordering at restaurants while preggo:

  • Ask for a mocktail, even if it’s not on the menu; most bartenders will happily create something special, and seasonally inspired, for you

  
 

  • If they carry soft cheeses, ask if they’re pasteurized because in many cases they are (Humboldt Fog is one of my favorites for this reason!)

 

  • If you see a dish that’s normally served raw or rare, ask if they can cook it thoroughly or leave it out (like scrambled eggs instead of runny) 

 

  • At the deli, ask if they can heat up the sandwich (this was one of my biggest cravings, along with fruit) 

  • At the end of a meal when everyone else is a couple of wine glasses deep, treat yourself to dessert 😉 


Soon enough you will toggle between barely having time to get a full meal in and ordering takeout after baby’s bedtime, so enjoy the extra leisurely meals and pampering. Bon appetit!

When Craft Beer and Volcanoes Collide

By some twist of fate, both the TBEX Europe and SATW conferences landed in volcanic destinations this year. Fortunately, that’s given me the opportunity to sample some of the most interesting craft beers I’ve tasted.

Case in point: Iceland’s Olvisholt Brugghus Lava Imperial Stout (which coincidentally, is carried at Compton’s Market in Sacramento) and Volkan’s Santorini Black (which I picked up at an unassuming market on the main drag of Oia).

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Lava rock isn’t just good for beer, but makes the soil extra fertile too. That’s why Santorini has such delicious tomatoes, and why Maui lavender and Molokai purple potatoes are all over gourmet menus in Hawaii.

Special thanks to Our Tasty Travels for the heads up on Santorini’s craft beer scene, and Lee Abbamonte for suggesting I blog about my (brown and darker) craft beer obsession (currently documented on Instagram).

Where else have you experienced volcano-related travel destinations, beer or food?

Gimme S’more

I knew these heart-shaped marshmallow s’mores would be cute, but I was pleasantly surprised by what a crowd pleaser they were. Don’t let a lack of a campfire prevent you from indulging, either.

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The prep was super easy too. Simply stack chocolate bars on a graham cracker, top with one heart-shaped marshmallow (ordered on Amazon) and broil in the oven until melted and golden.

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A special thanks to TheCakeBlog.com for sharing the idea on Pinterest!

A Little Pizza My Heart

I embraced cheesiness on Valentine’s Day with a homemade, heart-shaped pizza for two. Shape the pepperoni into hearts by cutting a small triangle at the edge (easier to do in a stack), and cut the two opposite sides on a diagonal. For the bell peppers, cut narrow slices and make sure to leave the curvy ends at the top of the pepper. Then cut the slices in half and shape into a heart.

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Most Memorable Dining Experiences of 2012

How apropos that this is my 200th post. We’ve come a long way baby! Here’s what my taste buds remember from the past year…

Pigging out at Hog & Rocks, Atlas Cafe, Stable and Salumeria in the Mission

Ham Tasting Plate @ Hog & Rocks

Mortadella Sandwich @ Salumeria

Fig Goat Cheese Panini @ Stable Cafe

The food trucks and general deliciousness at SXSW

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Hanging out in Alice Waters’ craftsman, aka Chez Panisse

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Avocado And Beet Salad @ Chez Panisse

Life-changing popovers, lobster and last call for California foie gras at Wayfare Tavern

Chilled Maine Lobster @ wayfare tavern

Breakfast, lunch and after-dinner coffee and madeleines on the beach at Baoase in Curacao

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Looking forward to seeing what lands on my plate in 2013! What were your most memorable meals of the year?

Around the World in 11 Plates

To say I’ve lived a nomadic lifestyle over the past 2 months would be an understatement. But the silver lining of traveling more than I’ve been at home is the plethora of amazing dishes that inspire future kitchen endeavors. Here’s my world tour, also captured on FoodSpotting for fellow foodie paparazzi.

Chapter 1 – I Left My Sandwich in San Francisco

Mortadella Sandwich @ Salumeria

Mortadella Sandwich at Salumeria in San Francisco’s Mission District. Love the seasonal menu and “urban rustic” salvaged wood tables and decor. They also have locally produced bread, cured meats and gourmet goodies for purchase.

Turkey Sandwich With Bacon, Cheddar, Sundried Tomatoes And Dijon @ Chevron

No joke, this Turkey Sandwich With Bacon, Cheddar, Sundried Tomatoes and Dijon comes from a gas station! Tower Car Wash on the corner of Mission and Van Ness in San Francisco.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich @ Local: Mission Eatery

My last San Francisco sandwich comes from Local Mission Eatery. While the grilled cheese was delightful, I can’t say enough about the intimate environment with a laser focus on local, curated by a very thoughtful executive chef and pastry chef 😉

Pub Reuben @ Squaters Pub
Last but not least, if you ever find yourself in the Salt Lake City airport craving a beer, have no fear. Squatter’s Pub will take care of you. Paired with a Chasing Tail Golden Ale, this Pub Reuben was delightful during my long layover.

Chapter 2 – J’aime Paris

Saute Seau De Marengo Tagliatelle @ Bouillon Racine

It’s no secret that I love shredded meat on pasta. But I was pleasantly surprised to find such a combination in an Art Nouveau original, Bouillon Racine. The Saute Seau de Marengo Tagliatelle… je meurs!

Chicken @ Atelier Maître Albert

I wasn’t expecting to taste Thanksgiving while abroad, but that was the collective sense when we feasted on this lovely chicken at Atelier Maitre Albert. And along with Bouillon Racine, it helped seal St. Germain as my new favorite neighborhood in Paris.

Couscous Monaco @ Exki Cafe Terminal 2E

Leave it to the Parisians to serve delightful food at the airport. This Couscous Monaco from the Exki Cafe featured smoked salmon, cucumbers, raisins and dill. Ideal for easing into a long transcontinental flight home.

Chapter 3 – Seafood in the Desert

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If you blink you might miss Adele’s while driving through downtown Carson City. But once inside, you’re greeted by a cozy fireplace and Victorian decor. The menu doesn’t disappoint, and everything’s made from scratch using local, sustainable, organic ingredients. I enjoyed the House Dry Smoked Salmon Crepe with Chèvre and Fresh Dill.

Whole Wheat Pomodoro @ The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

When you’re on the road and in meetings all day, there’s nothing better than room service while you rest your feet. Even better if it doesn’t taste like a plate of pure sodium. Such was the case at Scottsdale’s Westin Kierland Resort, where I dined on this hearty Whole Wheat Pomodoro with Shrimp.

Smoked Salmon Bruschetta @ The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

This generous serving of Smoked Salmon Bruschetta at the Westin’s Rim Lobby Lounge helped me prepare for a long night of networking over cocktails.

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It doesn’t get better than being served delicious Fish Tacos poolside at the Hotel Viceroy in Palm Springs. Unless you count the sliders and mini mac & cheese served at Karie & Joe’s wedding reception. Devoured too fast for a photo!

And now, lots of Sacramento foodie adventures await…

Keystone is for Meat Lovers

Last weekend I had the pleasure of sampling some of Keystone Resort‘s finest cuisine. The anticipation built as we rode two gondolas up 11,000 feet, not without a glass of champagne and a cookie. (The very same cookies are provided to guests at check-in.)

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Pictured above: me in hog heaven

While a variety of meat-centric dishes were on display, the dessert tent ultimately stole the show. What kind of dessert requires a special tent, you ask? Why meat-shaped dessert, of course.

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Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, anyone? The magical confections above were created by Executive Chef David Scott and Executive Pastry Chef Ned Archibald.

Despite the tempting placement of the dessert tent at the entrance, we did begin our evening with more appropriate food groups.

For starters, Beano’s Cabin knocked my socks off with their “Suckling Berkshire Pig Ragout with House Made Pappardelle Pasta and Peach Preserves.” Unbelievable. You could have stopped at house made pappardelle, but every other ingredient was equally delicious.

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And yes, I did make sure “Beano” had nothing to do with the over-the-counter variation (it was a merely a nickname for the owner).

Also noteworthy, “Cider and Molasses Braised Wild Boar Shoulder, Creamy Parmesan White Polenta, Forest Mushrooms and Sauce Naturel from the uber cool named Alpenglow Stube.

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Brownie points for serving in style goes to The 10th for their “House Cured Pastrami, Onion Jam and Fennel Brioche” and “Spicy Rosen Lamb Chili with Anasazi Beans, Smoked Green Chilies and Local Goats Cheese.”

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Vegetarian respite was provided by Sevens, with their “Roma Tomato Confit, Asparagus Tofu Custard, and Red Pepper Romesco.”

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But the true chest-thumping, meat-loving, throw-caution-to-the-wind carnivores would appreciate “Duck Confit Stuffed Tenderloin of Beef, Foie Gras Torchon and Red Currant Demi Glace” from The Bighorn Steakhouse. I can hear Anthony Bourdain now, “oh yeah.”

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LA Food Scene

It’s about time I raved about the LA gems where we gorged ourselves over President’s Day weekend. I’ll admit, the Bay Area has turned me into a local, seasonal, sustainable food snob. But our southern neighbors are staying up to snuff.

I was most blown away by breakfast at M.B. Post in Manhattan Beach. I mean get a load of these sticky buns, honestly! Also pictured: eggs Benedict, bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits (severely addictive), and Frittata.

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Eggs Benedict @ Manhattan Beach Post Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple Butter @ Manhattan Beach Post Fritatta @ Manhattan Beach Post

For a piece of New York in Downtown LA, I highly recommend Artisan House. With the adjoining gourmet market, I felt like I had stepped back into Eataly. But with a Prohibition-era twist. My favorite part of the meal was the table-side cocktail service, where we could choose from multiple Champagnes and liqueurs like Cassis and Elderflower, and the drinks were concocted right there.

Speaking of speakeasies, we snuck in for an after dinner drink next door at The Association. Hipster mixologists work hard shaking, chopping and peeling their way to refreshing, retro and dainty cocktails. Another NYC deja vu.

And if you find yourself on an afternoon beer crawl in Venice Beach, you can soak up those suds with a Bavarian pretzel at On the Waterfront Cafe, or a fireside pizza at Larry’s (where they have an endless beer menu – there’s literally something for everyone).

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For an incredible view, I highly recommend a drink on the bluff at Nelson’s at the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. Oh and I can’t forget my girlfriends turned me on to a truffle salami from Bristol Farms. I could eat an entire log – thinly sliced, of course.

Ode to San Carlos

I’m loving San Carlos, which is the closest “downtown” to us and actually has some decent restaurants. Last night we kicked off our evening at Bair Island Tap & Eatery, which serves craft brew and food sourced from within 100 miles (think 4505 Meats).The philosophy reminds me a lot of Local Mission Eatery, but it has more of a mini brewery vibe, serving up sausages and sandwiches mostly.

We also bellied up to the bar at Cask Wine & Cheese Bar, for some Cava, beer on tap, Marcona almonds and Mediterranean-style green olives. Come to find out, they serve dinner off Spasso‘s menu, and will literally cross the street to bring you the goods. I enjoyed my Capellini, and David’s mushroom burger went down easy.

Cappellini @ the cask wine & cheese bar Mushroom burger @ the cask wine & cheese bar

But the biggest surprise to date were the “donuts to die for” at Piacere a few weeks ago. Made to order and filled with apricot deliciousness. More cream puff than donut, but who’s counting?

Jelly Doughnuts Made To Order @ Piacere Ristorante

The salmon crepe was also delicious, with a light butter and wine sauce.
Salmon crepes @ Piacere Ristorante

We’ve also become fans of Friday night deliveries from the San Carlos location of New York Pizza. But the real dining adventures await on Laurel Street.

Speaking of Heirloom Tomatoes: Tasting this weekend!

Last year we attended a charming heirloom tomato tasting in the oak tree-shaded garden of a picturesque farmhouse at Picchetti Winery in Cupertino. It was a picture-perfect Indian summer afternoon, with the added bonus of tasting a rainbow of delicious, organic heirloom tomatoes, olive oil and inspired appetizers.

TomatoBash is back this Saturday, September 24 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. – registration details here.

It doesn’t hurt that you can pick up a bottle of wine in the tasting room and bring it over to the garden – just keep an eye out for wandering peacocks on the property!