A Few Fantastic Tastes along the Way: L.A. and S.F.

More notes from the road.  I ate my way around the West Coast, in between book appearances. Some nights I had no time to grab a meal, and simply went sneaking off for snacks at random moments. These are some of the flavors I most enjoyed:

Uni pasta, sitting at the bar at Osteria Mozza. A completely delicious surprise - as was the fact that the stranger sitting next to me turned out to be a friend. The joy of serendipity.

Suckling pig ravioli in fonduta, at the bar at Cotogna. Soft sweet meat in a gentle puddle of melted cheese. So fine.

A medley of gorgeous spring vegetables, from the Quince kitchen.

Chef Michael Tusk with fresh pasta at Cotogna.  And then the result....

This is pasta as it should be: toothsome, with real integrity.

Another night, another restaurant.  This time Boulevard, where everything was wonderful but this fried soft shell crab was served with bacon slaw that continues to haunt me. Hands down the best coleslaw I've ever tasted.

This too from Boulevard: a soft pool of melting Burata paired with tomatoes so fresh they tasted as if they'd just been pulled from the earth. On the side, a counterpoint of crunchy little croutons wrapped in crisped pancetta. 

Afterward we went on to eat even more at Kin Khao. How could we possibly continue eating? It was 2 a.m. - the restaurant's open late - and there's always room for khao man gai!

Especially when it's served with real Sriracha:

The next day, in Santa Rosa, Spinster Sisters served up the sweetest, most concentrated carrot soup I've ever encountered.  Topped with harissa oil and cilantro cream, it was truly memorable.

Then it was on to Vancouver - another fantastic food city. I ate so much. And so well. Stay tuned.