Holidays, in full swing

You know 'tis the season when your supervisor suggests conducting your (mandatory) midterm externship review in the wine bar.

About New York, we swooped in and out without any delays, weather-caused or otherwise, and let me just say this: "Warm Pecorino Fondue with Acacia Honey, Hazelnuts and Pepperoncini" (craftbar); Bobolink cave-aged cheddar, purchased at the Union Square Greenmarket; "Steamed Buns - pork belly, hoisin, cucumber, scallions" (Momofuku), and the "pre-dessert" (tapioca, cilantro syrup, coconut cookie, passion fruit sorbet) at Gramercy Tavern.

Today's Ferry Building market was under cover of the eaves and therefore practically hidden, due to the rain, but San Franciscans were out in force, shopping. I picked up some leeks, apples, arugula, potatoes, smoked salmon, and Asian pears, and did quite a bit of food shopping inside the building as well, preparing for the season's festivities. We've got a big b'day dinner at our house tonight, and I had a great time "foraging" for ingredients that will hopefully keep the birthday boy in good spirits.

Today's work (in addition to the lengthy evaluation as mentioned above) included more chef scheduling and a review of the Ten Speed Press new cookbook releases guide. Sarah asked me to page through it and make a "wish list" of chefs who'd be good guests in the CUESA kitchen. Talk about a kid in a candy store...