fête à fête

Here are a few more film reviews for the upcoming San Francisco International Film Festival, which starts tomorrow through May 8:

Solitary Fragments (Spain) is a close examination of family dynamics within the circle of human relations. Director Jaime Rosales weaves a natural and unbiased study of people struggling with everyday challenges while Yasuhiro Ozu's creative use of the split screen pieces the intersecting stories together.

Single mother Adela (Sonia Almarcha) leaves her provincial town in search of a better life in Madrid with her infant son. Struggling with a bland job, she moves in with Carlos (Lluís Villanueva) and Inés (Miriam Correa). The roommates become friends and open up to each other about their personal lives over shared meals. Inés’s mother Antonia (Petra Martínez) soon becomes an indirect acquaintance. A widow with three daughters, Antonia is literally the rock in the family. Dealing with one daughter's cancer prognosis and manipulated by another to help supplement her selfish ambitions, the normalcy of daily life unexpectedly ends for these these women when tragic events occur. The survivors have to find the strength to carry on, and the viewer is strongly drawn to the well-being of each character. I liked how certain silent scenes reflected the inner strength of the main characters. Lonliness, grief, and isolation surround them like an invisible wall yet they manage to maintain their dignity as life goes on, with or without them.

Click here to watch the trailer (Click on "Watch" link on the lower right corner of the movie still).

Secret (Taiwan) is a beautifully shot teen romance. Taiwanese pop artist Jay Chou built some acting chops in Zhang Yimou’s "Curse of the Golden Flower" and he refined his skill with "Secret." Directing his own script, Chou plays Yeh Hsiang-Lun, an extremely gifted music student entering a prestigious academy. Innocent flirtations abound amongst students and the days are filled with lectures, sports, hi-jinks, and “piano battles”.

One day in an old music room, Lun encounters Lu Hsiao-Yu (Kwai Lun-mei) playing an alluring tune. This melody and the coquettish Yu begin to haunt Lun day and night. Eventually Lun discovers a photograph of Yu with his father (the matchless Anthony Wong), and the plot rises to a very dramatic and supernatural turn. Delicate and sweetly mysterious, Yu is the film’s emotional center as she and Lun performs their magical symphony for all time.

Click here to watch the trailer (Click on "Watch" link on the lower right corner of the movie still).

Just Like Home (Denmark) is a wry comedy about trust and community within a small Danish town. Filled with eccentrics, the characters share their angst and loneliness, including a woman on the lam (Ann Eleanora Jørgensen), an angry pill-popper dealing with his childhood (Peter Gantzler), a stuffy poet (Peter Hesse Overgaard), and an optimistic civil servant (Bodil Jørgensen) with a shaky hold on her job.

Director Lone Scherfig does a fine job of painting a tableau of a conservative society as the residents struggle with the rumor of a male streaker in their midst. A local pharmacist opens up an anonymous hotline to find the culprit and calamity ensues as the townsfolk use it to air their grievances. Despite their initial misgivings, the hotline volunteers learn to find their voice, help each other, and heal the community. If you've seen "Italian for Beginners," you will want to check this out.

For tickets and information: go to www.sffs.org or call 925.866.9559

See you at the film fest!

Tami

Tagged as: celebrity, film, Film Festival, Film Stars, movie, San Francisco, San Francisco event

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Film lovers will have a lot of wonderful screenings to explore at the upcoming 51st San Francisco International Film Festival. The 15-day extravaganza will not only present nearly 200 films from 49 countries, but it will also feature the work of 39 women directors. Opening on April 24 with Catherine Breillat's "The Last Mistress," the festival will close May 8 with the West Coast premiere of "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson." Award honorees include Maria Bello of "The Yellow Handkerchief" (Peter J. Owens Award), Jason Lee, and Rose McGowan (both for Midnight Awards).

Here are a few select reviews from the festival:

"Shadows in the Palace" (Korea) is part lavish historical drama, part murder mystery set during Korea’s Chosun era. Totally entertaining with non-stop plot twists (for the squeamish folks, there will be a few gory torture scenes), the film is a solid rendition of Korean palace intrigue and the complex power struggles amongst the court maids, imperial concubine and the empress.

The smell of constant fear permeates the palace in everyone's effort to win the emperor's favor. Rigid court rules strip off the spirit of the maids as they work within the thick confines of the palace. After one of the maids is found dead, female court doctor Chun-ryung suspects foul play and decides to expose the murderer. Risking her position and her life, she soon digs up an ugly mess of deception as the battle for ultimate power unfolds. The acting is well done, as well as the costume research and set design, but the special effects are a bit too dramatic for Western viewers.

"In the City of Sylvia" (Spain) presents the idea of possible romance as a young romantic (Xavier Lafitte) searches for Sylvia, the would-be lover he met from several years before. Beautifully set in Strasbourg with gorgeous-looking stars, Lafitte resembles a version of Gael Garcia Bernal, while gamine Pilar López de Ayala steals the limelight. The film is a simple pleasure to gaze at. Director José Luis Guerín encourages the viewer to engage themselves to sound and light, paring down the dialogue significantly. The sense of city life is heightened, with the everyday sound of locals strolling, students chatting, and the sound of a tram ambling around the winding streets.

"Glasses" (Japan) is a zen jewel of a story, about an uptight teacher visiting an idyllic island retreat. Upon arrival at the Hamada Inn, Taeko (Satomo Kobayashi) is subjected to the peculiar business habits of the owner (Ken Mitsuishi) because he doesn't want too many guests. Fellow guest Sakura (Masako Motai) leads the townspeople through daily “merci exercises” and all the guests practice 'twilighting' in the evenings.

Through the seemingly strange practices of the local inhabitants, Taeko learns to let go literally and figuratively, changing in small degrees with each passing day at the beach. Western audiences might not be used to the quiet pace of Naoko Ogigami's direction, but this is a great example of how in slowing down one's life, one might actually see the gems within.

More film reviews to come - stay tuned!

For tickets and information: go to www.sffs.org or call 925.866.9559

See you at the film fest!

Tami

Tagged as: celebrity, Film, Film Festival, Film Stars, international, movie, San Francisco, San Francisco event

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In celebrating Earth Day this week, here's a yummy 'green' cocktail from Elixir of San Francisco. This refreshing and pretty drink is really versatile (you can use whatever fruit is in season) and fun to make.

Country Thyme

1 ½ oz. Square One Organic Vodka

10-15 Fresh organic blueberries (can also be made with other fresh berries like black berries or huckleberries but may need more sweetener. Use whatever is in season and fresh)

1/2 of an organic lemon, in pieces

¼ oz. organic agave nectar

Place blueberries and lemon pieces in a mixing cup and muddle to juice both. Add agave nectar and vodka, and then top with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds. Place one small sprig of Thyme in the palm of your hand and slap it to release the oils. Twist it and place at the bottom of a 10 oz glass (highball or old fashioned bucket) and fill with ice. Strain the drink over the ice. Take a nice big, pretty sprig of Thyme and slap it again before sticking it into the drink as a garnish.

www.elixirsf.com

-Tami

Tagged as: cocktail, cocktail recipe, drinks, organic, organic ingredients, seasonal

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bay Area chocolatier Coco-luxe recently launched their new HOT cocoa mix, and it's a sizzler. Inspired by memories of childhood days in the snow, founder Stephanie Marcon was inspired to create the perfect hot cocoa. The mix only needs hot water to make this warm and delicious treat, and is packaged in an adorable pink-striped tin. I love the white chocolate pieces in the mix - it lends a nice sweetness to the flavor.

www.coco-luxe.com

-Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolatier, drinks, San Francisco

Posted by Tami Yu at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Choco Alert!

Cacao fanatics all over the Bay Area are excited about the upcoming 2nd Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon, and we know why. Chocolate tastings, demos and presentations will be presented all day long. As if that isn't enough decadent indulging, there will also be wine tastings to pair with your sweet treats.

Some of the notable artisan participants include: NEWTREE Gourmet Belgian Chocolate, Coco-luxe Confections, Guittard, San Francisco Toffee Company, Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate, Poco Dolce, Charles Chocolates, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Chuao Chocolatier, Schoggi, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Silver Stone Wines, Sol Rouge Winery, and XOX Truffles.

April 13, 2008
10:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday
Fort Mason Conference Center
San Francisco

www.SFChocolateSalon.com

See you at the choco salon!

Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolatier, confection, dessert, food & drink, Gourmet and Gourmand, San Francisco, San Francisco event, wine

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Sunday morning breakfasts suddenly got way easier with the Batter Blaster pancake and waffle batter. The ready-to-use organic mix is packaged into an aerosol can, so you can spray and cook in minutes. No more messy prep work- just aim the nozzle at the griddle and you're a-cookin'. Made with USDA Certified Organic ingredients, the batter uses certified humane, cafe-free eggs. I feel so healthy already. The propellant contains no CFCs and the cans are made of recyclable steel.

Available at Whole Foods, Mollie Stones, Lunardi’s, Andronico’s, Draeger’s, Smart & Final, Raleys/Nob Hill Foods, independent retailers, Costco’s, and Lucky/Save Mart stores.

www.batterblaster.com

See ya in the kitchen!

Tami

Tagged as: breakfast, cooking, food, organic, organic ingredients

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love Italian cuisine. When Farina opened up in SF, I was excited to try the Ligurian menu. Unlike other places where they do a California-Italian twist, this is the real deal. With a chef from Genoa taking the helm, the result is an impressive feast any formidable Italian grandmother will approve.

The Parma prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella focaccia made my taste buds tingle. The heat from the lightly fried bread contrasted nicely with the fresh and cool cheese. They specialize in focaccia so definitely make a point of ordering one. The butterfish and black cod crudo was refreshingly simple with just a splash of citrus.

The pastas are just amazing. Handmade at the marble counter, this is some of the best and most authentic I've had in a while. I feel like I'm in Italy when I ate the airy Pansotti al Sugo di Noci (tortelli filled with ricotta and borage). The delicate walnut cream sauce complemented perfectly with the velvety ricotta. The Tortelli con castelmagno al burro e tartufo nero (torteli filled with castelmagno cheese, butter, and black truffle) was to die for. The pasta was so thin it melted right onto my tongue, exploding into a cheese lover's bliss.

For dessert, get the Latte dolce fritto (sweet milk fritters with citrus salad and blood orange vanilla sauce) and the almond semifreddo with orange caramel and creme anglais. The gelati and panna cotta looked good too, but we didn't have any more room to try another bite. Try their Tai Snapper recipe below - the easy seafood dish will transport you to a quaint Italian seaside town...

Farina
Focaccia & Cucina Italiana
3560 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 565-0360
www.farinafoods.com

Dentice alla Ligure con patate

Ingredients:

2 pounds of fresh Tai Snapper
2 large potato tournet, halved and cooked in boiling water
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons of Italian pine nuts
15 black Ligurian taggiasche olives, pitted
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove
Parsley, chopped
Sea salt
1 cup of Pigato wine ( Ligurian white wine)
1 cup fish stock

Preparation:

Clean and fillet the Tai Snapper in 4 filets leaving the skin intact.

Pan sear the Tai Snapper skin side first with 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When the skin becomes crisp, turn the filet and discard the oil. Next add the cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, taggiasche olives, potato tournet, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and one cup of wine.

When the wine has evaporated add the fish stock, garlic, and chopped parsley, and cook in a 500 degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes. When the fish is cooked, plate the potatoes and reduce the stock to a sauce like consistency. Plate the fish and finish with the pan sauce, tomatoes, olives, and pine nuts. Serves 4.

Recipe by Chef Paolo Laboa

-Tami

Tagged as: chef, cooking, food, food & drink, recipe, restaurants, San Francisco

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Take advantage of the great Easter sale at Williams-Sonoma! Check out the darling Mini Iced Easter Sugar Cookies - once you munch on one, you can't stop! These tiny buttery cookies are baked in cute Easter shapes (bunny, egg, carrot, flower). They're so adorable that you don't want to eat them, but I still managed to attack a few. Prepared by a small family-owned Canadian bakery, these are made with real butter, fresh eggs, and are hand decorated with royal icing.

For a spectacular Spring centerpiece, the Moss & Strawflower Easter Basket with Chocolate Carrots will spark conversation at the table. The wire and sphagnum moss basket comes filled with six Guittard milk chocolate carrots wrapped in orange-and-green foil. The basket’s rim is also interwoven with marjoram and lavender stems and accented with sunny yellow strawflowers.

If you want to bake your own Easter goodies, the Williams-Sonoma Nonstick Goldtouch™ Insulated Cookie Sheet totally rocks. This baking sheet boasts a durable nonstick Goldtouch™ coating to resist scratches and peeling, while the insulated constriction ensures even browning. The two tin-free steel layers increases heat circulation, so cookies bake evenly throughout and emerge with a light golden crust. It won't rust or warp either. What a wonder baking tool.

www.williams-sonoma.com

Happy Easter!

Tami

Tagged as: baking, baking tools, confection, cookies, dessert, entertaining, food, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Roxanne’s Fine Cuisine, the new brainchild of raw food innovator Roxanne Klein, is a gourmet line of raw food products. Made with fresh organic ingredients, the food is free of diary, eggs, gluten or refined sugars. The flavorful 'living' food line has over 30 products to peruse from, including snacks, prepared foods and ice creams.

I like the Salted Sprouted Almonds and Berry Bliss Trail Mix. I already feel healthier snacking on these, as the active enzymes and micronutrients work their magic on me. The Tu-nut Pinwheel Sandwich and Rox Kremes look tasty.

Currently available at Whole Foods (wholefoodsmarket.com) and other gourmet markets in the Bay Area. For more information: www.roxannes.com

-Tami

Tagged as: breakfast, dessert, dinner, food, Gourmet and Gourmand, healing foods, health, healthy snacks, lunch, organic, organic ingredients

Posted by Tami Yu at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Learn how to make the famous Chocolate Orbit Cake with John Scharffenberger (co-founder of Scharffen Berger) at the free Williams-Sonoma chocolate demo. John will also be signing copies of his cookbook, The Essence of Chocolate during the baking demo. It's a great book - I love the recipes in it, so grab a copy and try it out for yourself!

Wednesday, February 13
4pm
Williams-Sonoma
Union Square
340 Post Street
San Francisco, CA
415-362-9450

-Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolate cake, cookbook, food, food demos, San Francisco, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Rather than go through the usual motions of flowers and chocolate, here's a far more sexier and adventurous approach to woo your valentine. Jimmyjane has a great line of luxury gifts, from their coveted LITTLE SOMETHING vibrators (in 24K gold, platinum or steel) to their silky and flirty WINK blindfolds. For the ultimate indulgence there are the new gorgeous ETERNITY vibrators adorned with diamonds!

I love the EMBER candles - they do double duty as both scent diffuser and massage oil. Not only does it get you in the mood, the natural cosmetic-grade waxes and plant extracts will make your skin feel like butter. It has a low melting point so you won't burn yourself (well, you might be setting off your own fireworks in the process). The GINGER + DATE is warm and sensual, while the HABANERO + GRAPEFRUIT stimulates your libido.

www.jimmyjane.com

-Tami

Tagged as: fragrance, gifts, holiday, Luxury, scents, seasonal, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Renowned chocolate artisan Recchiuti Confections has some of the most divine treats in the world, and there's no better way to shower your valentine with such love. The new Valentine Heart Motif Box is a flirty way of enjoying the signature Burnt Caramel flavor, while the Champagne Truffles are an elegant mix of rich, creamy dark chocolate and 2001 Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs.

For a more traditional route, there is also the Valentine’s Day Large Box, filled with an exotic assortment of flavors such as Cardamom Nougat, Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn, Lavender Vanilla, Spring Jasmine Tea, Sesame Nougat, Rose Caramel, and Fleur de Sel Caramel.

www.recchiuti.com

-Tami

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, chocolate truffles, chocolatier, dessert, food, food & drink, gifts, Gourmet and Gourmand, holiday

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Local lovebirds in SF can celebrate Valentine's Day with the “Spin the Bottle” event at the XYZ Bar at W San Francisco. Co-hosted by Jimmyjane, the flirty event will let participants play the exclusive W Hotels + Jimmyjane SPIN ME game, which includes many provocative and racy adventure games.

Spin the Bottle Event
XYZ Bar at W San Francisco
181 Third Street
Thursday, February 14, 2008
6pm - 8pm

Guests will also be able to enjoy Valentine cocktails, such as the ones below:

ROSE PETAL

1 ½ oz Finlandia Cranberry vodka
¾ oz Cointreau Liqueur
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Float of Champagne
Method: shaken and served up. Finished with a champagne float
Garnish: sugared rim

RASPBERY TRUFFLE

1½ oz Stolichnaya Razberi Vodka
¾ oz DeKuyper light Crème de Cacao
½ oz Chambord Liqueur
Method: shake Vodka and Crème de Cacao and serve up. Float Chambord
Garnish: a cocoa rim

See you at the XYZ!

Tami

Tagged as: cocktail recipe, cocktails, holiday, recipe, San Francisco, San Francisco event, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

San Franciscan chocophiles will be eager to check out the Culinary Muse's informative and fun chocolate tasting at the Scharffen Berger store (SF Ferry Building) during the fifth annual “FOOD FROM THE HEART” Slow Food benefit on Friday, Febrauary 8. From 5:00-8:00 p.m. the public will be able to peruse through many tasty hors d’oeuvres ($2 - $4 per taste) and wine tastings ($6 per glass). This is a great chance to load up on the Valentine's gifts. There will also be music and tango dancing! That will sure get your heart fired up for some amour!

For more info, check out www.culinarymuse.com/2008/01/food-from-the-h.html

-Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, events, food, gifts, Holiday, San Francisco, San Francisco event, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cultivated for thousands of years in the Mediterranean, olive oil is long considered to be a sacred commodity in many cultures. In a loving tribute to this liquid gold, Peggy Knickerbocker's Olive Oil - From Tree to Table explores the history, cultivation, and harvest of the wonderful and versatile fruit.

The book includes tips on selecting the right grade of oil, along with usage and storage instructions. Filled with numerous tasty recipes, readers will be drooling over the easy-to-make Spaghetti with Lemony Seared Scallops, Celery Root Rémoulade, Beef Filets Sauteed with Balsamic Vinegar, and the Orange Ginger Cake.

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Something magic happens to vegetables when they are roasted. Their flavors sweeten and intensify. This method takes about the same time as steaming, but it is easier and the results are tastier.

1 pound slender to medium asparagus, tough ends broken off.

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat an oven to 500 degrees F.

In a glass baking dish, arrange the asparagus in a single layer. Drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 10 minutes. Test 1 spear; if it is not tender, roast for a minute or two longer. If it is tender, dribble the vinegar into the dish and shake the dish so that all the asparagus are coated with both the oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Using tongs so that most of the oil drips off, transfer the asparagus to a platter. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Serves 4

Photo Credit: Laurie Smith

www.chroniclebooks.com

See you in the kitchen!

Tami

Tagged as: appetizer, book, cookbooks, cooking, cooking techniques, entree, recipes

Posted by Tami Yu at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Get a wake up call with Blue Lotus, the newest addition of Lotus Vodka. Enhanced with Guarana, Taurine and Caffeine, it has a nice spicy kick. Drink it straight, or use it as a great addition for a bloody mary at brunch.

Packaged in eco-friendly materials, the brand also donates a portion of sales proceeds to local and national charities (Project Ahimsa, Pathways for Kids and the Dalai Lama Foundation). So go out there and rack up your karma points with Blue Lotus!

For more info, visit: www.lotusvodka.com

See you at the bar,

Tami

Tagged as: cocktail recipe, cocktails, liquor, San Francisco, spirits

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Special Beauty Event Alert!!

Come meet Gina Brooke, Artistic Director of shu uemura at this special Atelier Artist event! As a sought-after celebrity makeup artist to the stars (Madonna, Gisele Bundchen, Eva Longoria, Cindy Crawford), Gina will be at the SF boutique for one day only to create a new custom look for you.

This is truly a rare opportunity to learn a few industry makeup tricks from the very best authority in beauty and skin care. You can also check out her great Muse holiday collection for more inspiring holiday looks!

Schedule your appointment today by calling 415-395-0953.

Friday, December 28
11am - 7pm
shu uemura SF boutique
1971 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

www.shuuemura-usa.com

-Tami

Tagged as: blush, cosmetics, events, eyeshadow, false eyelashes, lip color, lip gloss, lipstick, makeup, Northern California, San Francisco, San Francisco event, skin care, special events

Posted by Tami Yu at 7:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm usually a staunch bake-it-from-scratch kinda gal, but the new Williams-Sonoma holiday baking mixes have convinced me to bend the rules a bit. They are so well blended that no one will really know (unless they're the secret baking police) that you didn't really make it from scratch. Best of all, they are also easy to use. It's like fun baking, minus a few tedious steps!

The buttery Classic Sugar Cookie Mix is a great standard mix. No holiday party would be complete without a plate of these treats, whether they're decorated or simply sprinkled with colored sugar. Created by the award-winning Dancing Deer bakery , this all-natural mix is easy to prep – just add butter and eggs. It yields a lot of cookies (about five dozen), so you can decorate them to your heart's content. They can also be stored in the cute old-fashioned decorative tin.

Inspired by the traditional holiday drink, the Eggnog Poundcake Mix has a nice eggnoggy taste, but it's not too rich at all. In fact, you'll be eating more than one slice. Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, ground cinnamon and nutmeg are added for an extra holiday oomph. Just add water and butter, and voila! Instant elegant dessert. Great by itself, with hot cocoa, or tea. Or, you can slather on a thick layer of fudgy choco sauce for an ultimate indulgence. Go ahead, you've been nice all year, treat yourself...

www.williams-sonoma.com

See you in the kitchen!

Tami

Tagged as: baker, baking, baking mixes, cake, dessert, entertaining, food, holiday, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I love rocky road and was lucky enough to discover the latest local artisan confection Droga from Good Addiction. Founder Michelle Bordin has refined her 25-year-old family recipe so perfectly that these hand-made chocolate treasures are flying off the shelves in gourmet shops.

Definitely not your average rocky road - it has fresh dry-roasted and salted peanuts wrapped in rich milk or dark chocolate. With that lovely salty/sweet flavor combo, you're gonna float on cloud nine with each bite. Yum! They also feature single-serving mini boxes for party/wedding favors or corporate events.

Available at Whole Foods (Northern CA), specialty gourmet shops (see www.goodaddiction.com/instores.html) and online: www.goodaddiction.com

Photo credit: Aya Brackett

-Tami

Tagged as: artisan, chocolate, confection, dessert, food, gifts, Gourmet and Gourmand, holiday, Northern California

Posted by Tami Yu at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seductive and provocative, Kismet is the latest creation by celebrated San Franciscan perfumer Yosh Han. A gorgeous melange of narcissus, Roman chamomile, osmanthus and boronia, it contains layers of cedar and frankincense. Hay, dill, tumeric and ylang ylang dance throughout, teasing the senses. Truly a twist of fate with the natural world and its hidden mysteries...

Available exclusively at Barneys New York (New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and San Francisco).

www.eaudeyosh.com

-Tami

Tagged as: artisan, beauty, essential oil, fragrance, gifts, perfume, San Francisco, shopping

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

San Franciscan spa addicts are always raving about the stellar services from BellaPelle Skin Studio, and it's no surprise why. Owner Shelley Costantini's vision is to provide superior skin & wax care by using the latest skin care technology. Their very own line of skin care is amazing, and so are the brow waxes. Check out their December Beauty Break promo - 15% off their Cherry Antioxidant Peel!

To combat dry winter skin, the Limoncello Body Smoothing Lotion is wonderfully hydrating, sloughing off layers of dead skin cells. It has a nice, luxurious feel...plus you smell like a lemon drop!

www.bellapelle.com

-Tami

Tagged as: beauty, beauty product, lotion, San Francisco, skin, skin care product, spa

Posted by Tami Yu at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The holidays just got sweeter with the new 2007 Holiday Truffle Collection from Joseph Schmidt Confections. Beautifully decorated, the new exotic flavors include the yummy Sea Salt Caramel (organic caramel with a hint of sea salt), Mexican Chocolate, Mandarin Zest, Vanilla Cognac, Meyer Lemon, and Pomegranate. The tart citrus flavors are refreshing, balancing out the rich ganache. A great stocking stuffer for sure!

Available online: www.jsc.com

-Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolate truffles, chocolatier, confection, gifts, holiday, Northern California, San Francisco

Posted by Tami Yu at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Another reason to indulge for the holidays - Coco-luxe's holiday truffle assortment has the seasonal favorites to get you in the winter wonderland mood: pure dark chocolate, holiday cake, peppermint, hot cocoa, gingerbread and dreamy orange. I'm normally not a big fan of white chocolate, but the dreamy orange just pops with a nice citrus zing.

If that's not enough, the classic pink box assortment will also make your taste buds tingle. The cute designs on each piece will make it easy to select your favorite flavors: angel food, gingerbread, dreamy orange, malted milk, banana split, german chocolate, devil’s food, after dinner mint and double cherry. The malted milk and banana split totally rocked.

Also check out the new chocolate bars (I like Monkey'in Around - milk choco with banana chips, cocoa nibs and a hint of sea salt) and the dragée Block Party Almonds. Absolute chocolate heaven!

www.coco-luxe.com

See you at the candy store,

Tami

Tagged as: chocolate, chocolate bar, chocolate truffles, confection, gifts, Holiday, Northern California, product review

Posted by Tami Yu at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fans of classic cocktails will appreciate the book release of Wings of Cherubs. Written by Guillermo Toro-Lira, the historical narrative reveals the secrets of the Pisco Punch, the popular concoction (made with Peruvian Pisco brandy) that originated in early 1900s San Francisco. History buffs will enjoy the rare historical anecdotes of SF, which ultimately features the famous drink recipe.

Cantina Bar
580 Sutter Street at Mason (next to Hotel Rex)
Monday December 3, @ 7 p.m.

Free and open to the public; complimentary appetizers and Pisco Punch will be served.
The author will read from his new book, with a Q&A to follow. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

www.piscopunch.com

-Tami

Tagged as: Books, cocktail, drinks, history, liquor, local events, recipes, San Francisco, San Francisco event,