Skip Heads North

This past weekend, RTT and I decided to escape the Winter torment by heading, er, north.

While it was quite obviously not warmer, Woodstock, VT was a quaint and quiet retreat for us busy Bostonians. Frequented by the wealthy financier and municipally magnanimous, Laurance Rockefeller, the town is known for being the "quintessential New England village" complete with an impressive inn, well preserved Georgian and Federal homes, and a marvelously manicured green. Indeed, RTT and I were duly delighted by the sweetness of the place.

We happened to stay in South Woodstock at the lovely Kedron Valley Inn (featured in a Budweiser/Clydesdale commercial) largely because l'il Piglet was in attendance and our first hotel of choice was anti-puppy. Not to worry though, this being cute central, the Kedron Valley Inn was divine and we ate substantially at their morning breakfast buffet. (Eggnog french toast? Homemade buttermilk bread with jam? Almond coffee cake? Fresh squeezed orange juice? Yes, please.) We also were able to enjoy multiple fine meals at the Woodstock Inn (the aforementioned first hotel of choice) in their Red Rooster restaurant. And, shockingly, the eating continued during the day...we sampled LOTS of cheese at Sugarbush Farms, drooled over the glassware at Simon Pearce, and cooed at all the picturesque country stores (and supplied her highness with endless homemade Vermont Animal Cookies).

While we want to return to Vermont, it will require a significant diet detox period before we can go back.

The South Woodstock Country Store

Glass blowing at Simon Pearce

One view from the Woodstock Green

RTT at the Red Rooster restaurant

Our room at the Kedron Valley Inn

Cows for cheese

Rigby waiting in the front seat...

The Shepard Fairey Opening

Last night, my ever-cool friend, India, and I attended the members-only opening night of the Shepard Fairey exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston. (Like us, I'm sure many of you have not heard the name Shepard Fairey, but I assure you that his work is nearly ubiquitous. He famously created the Obama Hope posters that have plastered billboards, scaffolding, and magazine covers. This kind of graphic propagandist street art is Shepard's signature.)

We arrived at the impressive ICA to find that the Obama enthusiasm extended to the artistic interpretations of his ideals. Despite a required advance RSVP, there was a line! There was NO red wine left when we arrived midway through the opening! Needless to say, India and I, mistresses of malcontent, were not pleased.

However, as a result of waiting in line for almost 40 minutes, we arrived in the gallery to find that Shepard Fairey himself (all 5'6" of his youthful, hipster spirit) was roaming the space giving a kind of ad-hoc commentary on his work.

What luck! Thank goodness for Bostonian inefficency and lack of planning!

The Shepard Fairey exhibit is going on now through August.

Skip Loves Portland (Maine)

Rather belatedly, RTT and I decided to whip up to Portland, Maine (I specify 'Maine' because my Mummy was slightly confused thinking we were jetting to Portland, Oregon instead) for the 4th of July weekend. Failing to plan a trip to the Cape or Nantucket in advance, Portland seemed like an adequate, WASP-y Americana hang out that we could handle at the last minute (it's only 90 minutes away).

We stayed at the lovely and comfortable Portland Harbor Hotel and spent the day perusing the shops and galleries around the downtown district. Rather typically, we also enjoyed a fried fish lunch on the water where RTT insisted on dining 'collars up.'

For our Happy Birthday, America dinner we celebrated at the amazing Fore Street bistro. Oh my! It had a rustic, Zuni-esque interior complete with copper detailing throughout and a hearth oven (be still, my beating heart). Naturally, my concerns were the bread (warm, delicious and the butter was like a drug) and the bathrooms (top-notch) but mostly, the food was divine! I am still dreaming about the Mussels and Tim's pasta appetizer...RTT raved about the wine list as well in which I happily partook. We left more than 3 hours later in shock and awe of our culinary discovery.

For brunch the next day we went to the local Mim's, lured in by the candy-colored sun umbrellas and beach-y decor. After a short wait and some (two) Bloody Mary's, RTT and I enjoyed our Eggs Benny, of course, in the summer-y morning sun on the upstairs deck. And, while their bathrooms left something (ok, a lot) to be desired, the meal was yummy and somehow calming.

Needless to say, we did not hit all our hot spot required stops so we will be back to Portland as soon as we can manage!

Perhaps for another Happy Birthday, America dinner...?

Skip Goes to Heaven

This past week(end), RTT and I jaunted off to Blackberry Farm in the Smokey Mountains for Tennesee for his new company's annual retreat. This place was divine. You are so jealous.

Whatever our whim was ours' for the asking (taking). Feel like some port by the fire in the cottage? No problem. Fancy some s'mores by the campfire? Coming right up. Like a special kind of expensive whiskey? Here you are, 'on the rocks,' just like you want it. It was literally like we had died and gone to heaven. To boot, everything was totally, 100% paid for. We had massages in the spa, enjoyed facials and body wraps, went white water rafting, rode bikes, played golf and dined like kings (or many kings, I'm pretty sure I gained 10 pounds while there). I even fell in love with a brownie recipe in one of our gourmet packed lunches for which they promptly sent me the recipe (see below).

I cannot wait until next year's event. RTT is lobbying for the South of France.

Blackberry Farm's

WHITE CHOCOLATE LEMON BLUEBERRY BAR

yield: ½ sheet pan

Melt:
1c. butter
1c. white chocolate

Add:
3 ½ c. brown sugar

Whisk in:
4 ea. Eggs
1T vanilla

In another bowl, mix together:
2 c. Flour
4t baking powder
2t salt
Zest of 2 lemons

Whisk with wet ingredients and fold in:
2c. fresh blueberries
1 ½ c. white chocolate, chopped

Spread in a foil lined ½ sheet pan (***Fold foil up or there may be oozing***).

Bake at 325 for approximately 35 minutes or until springs back in center.

The Long Winter

Ok, so it's not Winter, but the title felt appropriate since so much has happened since I last wrote.

First, RTT and I got engaged at the Hotel Healdsburg on April 19th and then proceeded to consume the most fantastically delicious and divine meal I have ever in my life eaten (sorry, West) at Cyrus in Healdsburg.

Then, RTT and I drove across the western United States over the course of 3 days in order to arrive in Chicago in time to catch a flight to a wedding in Orlando, FL. A few things to note, Reno is very lunar, Wyoming is the most boring state in the union, french fries for 3 meals a day for 3 days will make your arteries hurt, and Utah is extremely windy. Also, travelling with cats is NOT FUN. I do not recommend it for 36 hours of travel time.

This past weekend, RTT and I, along with my parents, went to the Florida wedding of my gorgeous friend, Miranda. It was such a good time! I am now looking forward to mine....if for no other reason than to stand up the challenge of "Most Fun Wedding."

And, now, RTT and I are lazing about Chicago waiting to embark on the final phase of our drive across the country and slowly forming a plan for our own wedding, tentatively scheduled for May 9th, 2008. For my fair readers, you can stay up to date on all the insanely fun (um, kind of) plans for the wedding here.

Hopefully when I have world wide web access in Boston, I can write about more fun things. Stay tuned!

Skip Goes to Canada

This past weekend, RTT and I spent a cloudy three days (love it, no, really, I love depressing weather) in Vancouver, BC. I have a few observations and then I will let my Annie Leibovitz photography speak for itself;

(1) Canadians are extremely friendly and bizarrely fascinated by San Franciscans, as demonstrated by our movie-star treatment at Parkside.

(2) Vancouver is brand new, completely dominated by high-rise glass condominiums, though the city is built on a fault-line. Apparently this does not concern the people of Vancouver as they are building even more!

(3) West is the best restaurant in Canada. No doubt about it.

(4) Sometimes, it is better to ask other people to take a picture for you. This is difficult in Vancouver though because the city appears mostly empty.

(5) RTT and I are moving there because it's beautiful and cloudy, practically devoid of other people, and all the new buildings certainly have big kitchens.

More pictures at Ofoto.

Skip Breaks with Tradition

I'm not certain breaking the habit of an annual New Year's cocktail party that has only happened twice can be truly considered a break from tradition, but I am still going to do it.

This coming New Year's (December 31, 2006, for those of you who can't think that far ahead) I will be celebrating the first blush of 2007 in my most very favorite of cities, London. The tickets have been purchased and I have already begun my pursuit of parties abroad for that twinkling eve...though frankly, worse comes to worst, my fellow travellers and I will simply have to recreate New Year's SF in London. This will not be all that difficult since the last two New Year's in San Francisco have been blustery and rainy. London will feel exactly like home...and not just because I have a flat there.

I'm providing some propaganda links below in an effort to recruit additional party-goers.

This is London
DailyCandy London
Visit London
London Town
TimeOut London

Further event-specific details and schedules to come.

Skip Goes to Sonoma

My Memorial Day weekend was spent, appropriately, with members of the military; my lovely and bestest friend Kristin and the General. As seems standard when the four of us are together, we decided a trip to Wine Country was in order. It started at the delicious Barndiva for a quickie brunch and then we embarked on a vineyard marathon, 6 wineries in 4 hours. (For those of you seeking wine recommendations from my incredibly sophisticated palate, I suggest Chateau Souvereign and Christopher Creek.)

Thankfully for all our wits, Monday was spent at a more leisurely pace. We hit up St. Francis and Blackstone and capped it off at the inimitable Chateau St. Jean. It was most divine!

All in all, not a bad way to spend a weekend.

The Spots Skip Hits; Part II

And the fun never ends!

*The Knitting Factory; the most gloriously depressing concert ever with The Damnwells and Augustana.
*Sheraton Chelsea; who needs the uppity Soho Grand? This is my new, cheap home away from home and I didn't even have to move.
*City Bakery; one morning (or lunch-time) I will get sick of this place, but not yet...
*MZ Wallace
*Calypso
*One Little West 12th; wow, that's a lot of meat.
*AMC Theatre; Broadway and 19th. Just don't try to confuse the staff by ordering something other than popcorn and soda.
*Le Pain Quotidien
*Balthazar
*Whole Foods; again, I'm now stalking Bradley Cooper nightly.
*Spring Street Natural; one of my New York favorites, I don't care what anyone says.
*Mesa Grill; I heart Bobby Flay. A lot.

The Spots Skip Hits; Part I

In an ill-disguised effort to make my fair readers jealous, I'm promising to keep my blog up-to-date as I skip about New York (for business and pleasure). The only problem is that due to my hectic itinerary (I'm very popular and important), I can only provide Zagat-like commentary on my travels rather than expound on each experience individually.

Don't worry though, the regularly-scheduled blog entries will return shortly.

*Bistro Les Amis; the best bread I have ever carb-loaded.
*HK; there is nothing like club music to wake you up in the morning.
*Hell's Kitchen Antique Market; I am reminded why 'I prefer new things.'
*Saks Fifth Avenue; gotta love 'the original.'
*Bloomie Nails
*Bergdorf's; also known as 'heaven.'
*Tabla; our waitress was 'in it to win it.'
*Libation; I am way, way too old for this.
*Chez Fabs; the hostess with the most-ess.
*Chelsea Market; Eleni's, Hale & Hearty Soup, French Oven, oh my!
*Murray's Bagels; the 'best bagels in New York.'
*Starbucks; and more Starbucks.
*Poleci
*Tracy Reese
*Diane Von Furstenberg; seriously, close the curtain, I'm naked in here!
*C.O. Bigelow
*Cosi
*Whole Foods; across from my hotel, which is very dangerous.

Until next time, over and out.

Skip Over the Touristy Stuff

I must say that I get a wee bit frustrated with all the tourists clogging up my city, aimlessly wandering in packs, wearing shorts and Chinatown fleeces and speaking extremely loudly. I empathize with their plight as there truly is no definitive un-tourist guide for San Francisco; thus, they continue their migration through the streets towards Chinatown, Powell Street (Hello, I need to get into Sephora!!!) and North Beach asking for directions to Fisherman's Wharf and pouring into my cabs and busses outside Embarcadero 4.

I shall help those so inclined to seek out the real finds in the City by the Bay. The Shoppping Directory will come later...

Sights; Seriously, Fisherman's Wharf is not cool.
*San Francisco MOMA; even if you don't get modern art, go here
*Museum of Cartoon Art
*The Ferry Building & Saturday Farmer's Market
*SBC Park; Giant entertainment
*Cable Cars; for once, please try the California line rather than Powell-Mason
*Musee Mecanique; weird and weird

Restaurants; Please stay away from 'The Stinking Rose.'
*Zuni; original California cuisine
*Luna Park; comfort food
*Town Hall
*Mario's Bohemian Cigar Bar; amazing panini
*House; um, just go
*Foreign Cinema
*Pluto's; cafeteria style-setting with un-cafeteria tastes
*Home Restaurant
*Ella's; brunch only
*Boulevard; save your pennies
*Slanted Door
*Oola
*Le Colonial; ambience extraordinaire
*Osha Thai
*EOS Restaurant
*Q; tater tot heaven
*Sushi Rock

Venues; Do yourself a favor and take advantage of the amazing music scene.
*Cafe du Nord
*The Independent
*The Fillmore
*The Warfield
*12 Galaxies
*Slim's

Bars; Avoid the hotel bar, after all, cheap suits are ugly.
*Fly Bar
*Mission Bar; dive in
*The Red Room
*Bruno's; on Tuesdays
*Bix; for the mix
*The Phoenix
*Laszlo
*Vesuvio Cafe; a literary drink
*Hemlock; hipster bar
*Mr. Smith's; dance up a storm
*Jade Bar; no better Happy Hour in town
*Columbus Cafe; ok, maybe this one