How brown rice puffs are made...

Birthday cake at Alfred's Steakhouse in San Francisco

Sometimes chocolate cake is really the best way to finish a meal.  Alfred's Steakhouse in San Francisco is famous for it's steaks and lamb chops, but save some space for dessert.  Right now they have a super deal with the Deficit Busting Dinner at $38.  Choice of Salad, Filet, New York cut, Ribeye or Rack of New Zealand Lamb and of course dessert.  Great staff as well.  I started with the delicious Macaroni & Cheese.  The sides include Creamed Spinach, French Fries, Onion rings and more.  Enjoy, we did.

Chinese banquets are fun for everyone.

Many Chinese Restaurants offer a good price option in the banquet dinner.  You can usually get it for three all the way up to ten.   It is best to bring a crowd or leave with doggie bags for all you can’t finish.  Next to pizza what is better the next day, then Chinese food.   There were two more fish dishes that went a long with what you see.  Come hungry and enjoy.  It is great to have the turn table so you can feast and no bother anyone else as they eat..  Next to dim sum, I can’t think of a better use of chopsticks.

Seaweed helps you lose weight too...never realized it.

I got this from Real Age but I was right to promote seaweed. Who realized this but I eat it everyday. “This crispy Japanese munchie — made of thin sheets of seaweed that have been roasted or toasted and lightly salted — could help your body block fat calories. In a new study, a special fiber found in seaweed appeared to inhibit fat absorption by over 75 percent!”

Qtonic water is a great option for ice

Qtonic water is a great option for quality tonic water…what you mix it with is your choice….but I like it over ice.

Naia Gelato is a real treat....

Naia Gelateria is one the treats found in Northern California. The first time I ever had gelato was in Florence. I have loved it ever since and without going through customs Naia is the best options. They are nice people on top of it. They have Gelato, Sorbetto, and Soy Gelato.

Gary West beef Jerky is GRRREAT

Gary West Smoked Meats were one of the stars at the 2011 Fancy Food Show. If you love jerky and smoked meats they have a delicious selection. They were so kind to me at the show, letting me take home some samples to enjoy and I would say I chewed up every last piece. If you like to sample some try their bull in a box sampler
They use top quality certified meats and it shows up in your mouth. They also have smoked turkeys which are all available for shipping as well. Don’t just stop there, they also have some great options in the wonderful world of ham. They all look good to me, so go ahead, make a pig of yourself and get some of the Gary West Ham choices.
So you say you don’t want to ham it up, then go for the buffalo and elk jerk. Who needs buffalo wings when you can get buffalo and elk jerky? Actually I have had buffalo wings at the original restaurant in Buffalo where they started, so get both. The chicken wings in buffalo were good, but it is much easier to have Gary West ship you the buffalo jerky. Go visit Gary West’s online catalog and see what you like.

Santa Cruz wineries offer great options for California wine

People think of Napa county as the center of California’s wine world. Not to be forgotten are some wonderful wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. One of my favorites is MJA Vineyards . At the latest wine tasting I got to enjoy their 2007 Sauvigon Blanc, which had a wonderful oak quality.
Another good winery in the area is the Heart O The Mountain winery. Located on land once owned by Alfred Hitchcock they now offer a delicious 2007 and 2008 Estate Pinot Noir. This is a darker style Pinot with fruit driven aromas. Due to the fog and affects of the Santa Cruz Mountains you always end up with unique wines. Other wineries in the region include Kathryn Kennedy Winery , Mount Eden Vineyards and many more.
Do yourself a favorite and discover yet another great wine region of California.

Wine soda everyone will love

Wine Country Soda is a surprising discovery. It has the fine tastes that come out of a wine bottom but the refreshing quality of soda. Who says you have to only have root beer, when you can savior the delicious flavor of wine country soda.

Real salt is just that and great tasting as well

They say salt isn’t good for you but you need a little in your diet, so why not get the best tasting salt you can find. I have found it. Redmond Real Salt has so much favor you don’t need to put on too much and still have the delicious touch of salt. Great on everything. Redmond Real Salt is the place to go. Their sea salt includes 50+ trace minerals, natural iodine and no anti-caking or dextrose.

The greatest treat there ever was, Tom Clark's pop corn...

Tom Clark Confections Is the best treat you can get.  I discovered them when Trader Joe's carried them...more on this later.  Everything they make is perfect.  Great quality, great taste, great value, wonderful.
They used to sell a mixed nuts jar that was the favorite at all my Super Bowl Parties .  Sadly Trader Joe's stopped carrying their products.  I ask everyone to go to Trader Joe's comment page and please ask them to start carrying this wonderful product.  You will thank me when you taste these tasty treats.

My personal favorite is fruitcake...

Here are some of the fabulous cakes including fruitcake from Yahoo Baking Company mentioned in my other blog.  If you need a delicious fruitcake look no further, go online and order the best.

Here is my latest post from my other blog.

The San Francisco Fancy Food Show 2011 offered so many fabulous ideas for corporate gift baskets, holiday gifts, logo branding products, trade show give away and more I will just talk about a few in this article and add more later.

• One of my favorites for quality, taste, freshness, creativity and impact has to be Waggoner Chocolates.  They even have customized selections that include Chocolate Business Cards.  What better way to make an impact at a crowded trade show then personalized gifts with your companies business logo covering the finest chocolate available?  The selections I tasted at the show were pure delight.  I was so impressed I ended up speaking with Mr. Cedric “Joel” Waggoner, who is the president and a wonderful person as well.  He explained to me why they use only the best ingredients and how you taste it in the chocolate on every bite.  You can see some great photos of this amazing chocolate at my food blog.  Besides chocolate, they have carmel corn, roasted and frosted nuts, pretzels, sugar free and Chocolate Buckeyes, which are milk chocolate  and peanut butter.  Yes they are based in Ohio.  You can call them at 330-433-1834 to learn more or just order online.

• When you want more then chocolate to eat, why not turn to the age old joy, the famous fruitcake.  This is not just any fruitcake but one of the world’s most famous fruitcake.  Not to be confused with the search engine, the Yahoo Baking Company has one of the most famous fruitcakes in the world.  While you are there this week be sure to check out their stollen, which for a limited time comes with free shipping.  They also offer Liquor Cake and Layer Cakes, Coffee Cakes, Chocolate, Cheesecakes and cookies, and  nuts, snacks and gift baskets.  Their website makes ordering online quick and easy.  They have special pricing that is tailored to the corporate customers to best serve your needs.  Isn’t that sweet?  I had to put that in this article somewhere.

• There is one location whose focus is gift basket supplies and this is JDW Gift Basket Supplies.  They are a portal for everything gift baskets.  They have dried fruits, cookies and wafers, crackers, biscotti, candy, sausage, salsa, pop corn, pretzels, salmon and caviar and more.  If you need a general location for ordering and sending gift baskets filled with anything this is a good website.

On my next blog I will introduce you to some of the other discoveries from this year’s Fancy Food show.

Waggoner Chocolates a treat of delicious proportions

One of my favorites for quality, taste, freshness, creativity and impact has to be Waggoner Chocolates. Located in Ohio, and if Cleveland Rocks, then you have to say this chocolate melts in your mouth with the freshest ingredients and total delight our country has to offer.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words and this time it is true.  I was luckily enough to meet Cedric Waggoner the President of Waggoner Chocolates and he is a great fellow.  Definitely order some chocolate for yourself or anyone and then enjoy.

 

Josuma Coffee Company makes fantastic Espressos

This is a great coffee company located in Menlo Park, Josuma Coffee Company.  There expresso is like no other I have ever tasted.  Individual connoisseurs may order the Malabar Gold Supreme espresso for $9.48  /lb with a 5-lb minimum order.   Malabar Gold is unique for expresso blends.  For your first orders call 650-366-5453 and future orders can be placed via e-mail.  If you are serious about coffee, this is the place.  They are nice people as well so you will be well taken care of by everyone Josuma Coffee.

Great recipes from De Medici Imports

There products include flavored oils, nut oils, vinegars, extra virgin olive oil, spices and more.  The recipe page offers everything from deviled eggs with Espelette pepper dressing to great salad ideas.  Tell me who doesn't smile when you see a plate of deviled eggs at a party?

A delicious form of Seaweed that is addictively tasty, Seasnax

Here is a wonderful twist on seaweed.  Strangely additive but wonderfully delicious.  You can order from their online store or go to the website to find a local grocery store at the link where to buy .  The great taste comes in the unique preparation of being lightly roasted with olive oil and a pinch of sea salt.  My neighbor gave me my first box and I ate it in one night.  They were at the fancy food shop as well.  Great snack, nice people and healthy, a win win.

If there is something I love it is the pretezel roll and related buns

In my older days I have come to love the pretzel roll, bun and related bread buddies.  Here is a west coast based bakery supplier that makes wonderful breads and desserts but my favorite are the pretzel breads shown above.  Explore their website and see what else can put a smile on your face. It is nice to see quality shops making good food for all to enjoy.  Here is a photo of their display at the fancy food show.

Lovely shortbreads from Botanical Bakery in Napa County California

If you love shortbread and can taste the quality of organic ingredients then click on their website prepare to enjoy yourself.  Located in Napa county, but available for shipping across America, Botanical Bakery will charm your mouth with flavor never before found in a shortbread.

You can visit Moo Cow at the fancy food show, enjoying cheese and fun on my youtube channel as well as here...life is fun

http://www.youtube.com/user/deanbook

Here are some of my first corporate gift baskets ideas from the Fancy Food show. More detailed videos and photos to follow.

This Sunday the San Francisco Fancy food show arrives in town  for three days of the largest specialty food and beverage showcase on the West Coast.    Attendance includes 40,000 people from 80 countries.  Located in San Francisco’s Moscone Center the show will provide over 260,000 innovative specialty food products, such as confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more.

What makes this show so special is the concentration of so many diverse food specialty providers in one location.  You are able to speak with the reps and make contacts for future business.    Whether you are purchasing for marketing efforts to potential clients or gifts for current customers and employees, the show provides a unique opportunity to cover a lot of ground effectively.

• Here are some of the exhibitors who provide some wonderful corporate gifts.  In the area of specialized popcorn I recommend 479Corn.

• Another great supplier of quality gift baskets is Alaskasmokehouse They provide a wonderful and varied selection of gift baskets including a salmon sampler, granola, almonds, barbecue sauces, spicy snacks, candy, cookies and cocoa, chocolate, exotic salts, flavor baskets like Lemon, Cranberry, Strawberry and more .

• For the meat lovers here is a unique option Gary West .  They provide smoked meats of all kinds like Buffalo and Elk, Ham, Turkey, Jerky and artisan meats like sausage and smoked bacon.

• For gourmet chocolates one good option is Hauser Chocolates.  Besides providing great chocolate treats, they provide and easy pop up window to enable shipping to other addresses.

• Here is a link for a delight of gourmet foods including caviar, olives, sausages try Mille Lacs

• For a great selection of mustards, spreads and preserves, sauces and rubs, and sweet toppings a good option is Robert Rothschild Farm.  They also have an option of gift cards which work well if you have company presentations and want to have a raffle with evaluation sheets or collected business cards.

• For holiday gift boxes the company that excels in this space has to be Candy Basket Inc.  They do everything from peppermint delights baskets to tea party baskets, cocoa party gift baskets, snowman box gift sets, candy cane gift boxes, crunchy and chewy favorites known as the beaver delight boat basket and even golden caramel gift boxes.

Dale Carnegie has taught us a simple act of recognition and kindly placed gifts can help you communicate the appreciation you have for your customers and employees better then hours of meetings.  Here are some wonderful options.

In honor of MLK day here is a lesson for us all.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/jasmine.asp

Moo Cow gets happy but no Mad Cow Disease here...just having some more fun

Some fun at the fancy food show...more clips and adventures to follow.

MooCow at Fancy Food show

Cupcakes are everywhere

Here is a small business that sells cupcakes in the North Beach section of San Francisco on 544 Union Street by Grant Avenue.  They looked good but I didn't want to spoil my dinner so I showed restrain.

I mentioned fresh fish markets in prior blogs...here are some videos are how they get there.

The first video is of a fish store in Chinatown in San Francisco, the second is of the delivery men from Sacramento and the last is the live fish about to be taken to the shop.  These are fresh water fish from up North grown in a fish farm by the hot springs, where they live in 85 degree water.

My posting on business gifts options at the Fancy Food Show on my biz cloud network blog

http://bizcloudnetwork.com/2011/enjoy-my-fancy-food-blog/
A great business site on Green Solutions, Cloud computers and more.  Here is my comments on customer gift ideas from exhibitors at this weekend's fancy food shop in San Francisco.  

The Fancy Food show is finally here and you can follow it on my facebook site for fancyfood.

http://www.facebook.com/fancyfoodshows?v=wall#!/pages/Fancyfoodtastingblogspotcom/179173675456593?v=wall

This has to be my favorite lunch restaurant on Long Island

http://www.robkescountryinn.com/
If you are ever driving on RT 25A near Northport on Long Island you must treat yourself to a great lunch.  Everything they make here is a treat, as you can see.

Even a blog on fancy foods needs to support of the local artists.

It is almost time for spring training.  On Columbus Avenue in North Beach two artists added their talents for our local heroes.  OK I am biased but you got to love these guys.  Sadly the food at the stadium is not so good.  This year I will be adding blogs about ball park food.  GO GIANTS.

When you face the dessert table, it is not the time to say no, but instead oh....

There comes a time in your life and in my life about once a week so far this year, where you will face the dessert table.  This is not the time think of the word no...life is really very short, so enjoy.  Taste what looks good and then pick the favorites and finish off with them for the encore.  This is why walking everywhere is good, because in a world with so much good, you need to make sure the biggest part of you is your love of tasting fancy food.

Sometimes playing with your food can be fun.  This time creativity wins out.  Next dinner party food characters in the beans just might be the best part of the meal.

If you can, it is always best to go to the local fish market.

If you are luckily enough to be in a part of town that has a local fish market, it is always good to get your fish fresh.  Here is a market in Pittsburgh.

Panda Bear taking American jobs...no it is the fancy food show

Is it time once again for another fancy food show.  When a Panda offers you a snack, it means it is.  Next week the annual fancy food show hits San Francisco.  What will be the new treats for 2011?  I will tell you all next week.  If there is anything you want me to find out please leave a comment.  I believe organic foods will be big this year.  Take care and more news and photos when I get them.