tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post113504118500865745..comments2023-10-12T07:26:45.479-07:00Comments on I'm Mad and I Eat: Christmas Shoppingcookiecrumbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135275863246469142005-12-22T10:24:00.000-08:002005-12-22T10:24:00.000-08:00Janet Reno!Yeah, the Marin restaurant is very pret...Janet Reno!<BR/>Yeah, the Marin restaurant is very pretty, yet casual. (Don't tell anyone: They let people bring in well-behaved, tiny dogs in closed carrying cases. And if you sit on the patio, your doggie can come out and sit on a chair.)cookiecrumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135241146770977642005-12-22T00:45:00.000-08:002005-12-22T00:45:00.000-08:00I've never been to Il Fornaio up here, but the one...I've never been to Il Fornaio up here, but the one in San Jose and the one in Palo Alto were pretty darn good. <BR/><BR/>The thing I liked best about them is that they are open to substitutions or additions, one of my chronic bad habits. <BR/><BR/>They're regional Italian stuff is good, and their bread likewise. The waitstaff seems to be excellent, too, which is important to the overall experience.<BR/><BR/>Tons better than Olive Garden. Not even in the same ballpark, so to speak. \:+) Could be the difference is the clientele. I imagine Marin County is a lot more laid back that the wheeler dealers in Palo Alto and San Jose.<BR/><BR/>Once when I was having dinner there, Janet Reno came in with a platoon of buff Secret Service men. I wished I could join her table. \;+)ZaZahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12612336460423701718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135184097022723912005-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:002005-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:00Ilva: I did see that you had written "hand-made" b...Ilva: I did see that you had written "hand-made" but I'm afraid I assumed the best of your baking skills. :)<BR/>I'm sure you could do a good one.cookiecrumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135154962485844142005-12-21T00:49:00.000-08:002005-12-21T00:49:00.000-08:00Would like to point out that I said Hand-made not ...Would like to point out that I said Hand-made not Home-made! I don't dare to make a Panettone on my own so we order it from a pastry place nearby! I see my own limits...Ilvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06917489033091463791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135148242184542992005-12-20T22:57:00.000-08:002005-12-20T22:57:00.000-08:00Vanessa: Chocolate? Wow.Vanessa: Chocolate? Wow.cookiecrumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135142608636351732005-12-20T21:23:00.000-08:002005-12-20T21:23:00.000-08:00i'm a sucker for panettone. and yeah, it's totally...i'm a sucker for panettone. and yeah, it's totally fruitcake. but with an italian accent. one market here sells two killer varieties—one with balsamic soaked raisins and one with dried figs and chunks of dark chocolate. i really meant to give them as gifts. but i figured in the end, if i'm celebrating myself, all the better. i'll be in a better mood for everyone else. <BR/><BR/>french toast with italian fruitcake? go for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135118918716959342005-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:002005-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:00Hi Lisa: Thanks for dropping in, and I already kne...Hi Lisa: Thanks for dropping in, and I already knew you were planning on unblogging for a little while. :D<BR/>Il Fornaio is def better than Olive Garden, but it's just not really way up there on my list. Try brunch or lunch first, so you can make up your mind without blowing a whole dinner.<BR/>I'm sending my brother to Esco, in my stead! It's his turn.<BR/>Merry Christmas. (There, I said it! Even if I made a mistake.)cookiecrumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135118440333150612005-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:002005-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00CC--Now, why does "fruitcake" sound god-awful, but...CC--Now, why does "fruitcake" sound god-awful, but "panettone" sound great? I think I'm a bit biased towards the Italians. Cuisine-wise, those folks can do no wrong!<BR/><BR/>Do you receommend Il Fornaio? I've been wanting to go--we have some down here too. Definitely better than Olive Garden, right? <BR/>Happy Holidays...I'm going to be offline for a week or so, so didn't want you to think I was ignoring you...Don't suppose you're coming to Esco for Xmas?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135109385496647462005-12-20T12:09:00.000-08:002005-12-20T12:09:00.000-08:00I like the bread pudding idea! Maybe we'll buy a c...I like the bread pudding idea! Maybe we'll buy a couple of backups. ('Course, it would be better homemade, eh, Ilva?)cookiecrumbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741894180391507513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135100569767572792005-12-20T09:42:00.000-08:002005-12-20T09:42:00.000-08:00Made bread and butter pudding with it once it goes...Made bread and butter pudding with it once it goes a bit stale!Monkey Glandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03062906660436109229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135065832048374842005-12-20T00:03:00.000-08:002005-12-20T00:03:00.000-08:00We're also having a nice, hand-made Panettone for ...We're also having a nice, hand-made Panettone for christmas! I'll be thinking about you!Ilvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06917489033091463791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12774302.post-1135046408892316382005-12-19T18:40:00.000-08:002005-12-19T18:40:00.000-08:00Cookiecrumb: Not afraid to call a fruitcake a frui...Cookiecrumb: Not afraid to call a fruitcake a fruitcake. :-)<BR/><BR/>(It looks awesome!)Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03304958139383108809noreply@blogger.com