Thread: The Koko and Christine Road Show

Christine Dabney wrote:

> Should we save up money for a great meal at Hawkes???? I am wondering
> about that.. You both have talked about it so much....

Hawks is not "crazy" expensive, but you sure get a lot of bang for the
buck. Depending upon what night we arrive, the menu and pricing can
vary. For instance, on Sundays they do an "ad hoc" family style dinner
in the range of $35-$40 per person and it includes dessert. They also
have a $75 Chef Tasting Menu (always amazing, but not to be confused
with the Chef's Table which is uber $$$ but if we had the right amount
of people it could be done, as they have a variety of special rooms for
private dining). Then there's the regular menu. Appetizers run $6-$20 --
the more expensive being the Foie Gras Terrine. Entrees are $12 (the
Hawks Burger) up to $38 for a Creekstone Filet Mignon. The entrees do
include a side or two. The desserts are to die for.

There's also a lounge menu that ain't shabby.

http://www.hawksrestaurant.com/

Most of all I want to say that that Molly, Michael, Kevin and Kim make
you feel like family. (Yes, first name basis with these new rock stars
of the restaurant world). They are real in every sense of the word.

> And, can we get Bob to play hookey one night, or two???? Have any
> sick time, Bob??? ) Can you change you schedule or trade with
> anyone???

September is a really tough month for him. I think he posted the days he
is available and I'm not sure how much of that he can change. His
country needs him after all! ;-) But me, I won't let you down regardless
of the day of the week.

> Shall we plan a trip to Berkeley?? With Tammy in tow??? Even if she
> comes kicking and screaming.... I think she won't, but who knows...

[Tammy. Tammy Beuller] I'll sign her sick note so she can get out of school.

> And...a meetup with other bay area residents... Maybe
> Charlotte...Serene (who I personally want to meet) and maybe even
> Ranger..if we can get his sorry butt north of San Jose....
> Of course..we had better be on the lookout if Tammy is in tow, if
> Ranger shows up.... Not sure what fireworks would ensue....

This will so rock if we can all meet!

> Oh, and JL!!! I so want to meet him!!! If he wants, we could pick
> him up...and cart him about in our adventures.... JL???

Joseph ... don't let me down, bud!

> Sf..we will have to figure out will can divide this time. I personally
> would love to stay with you for a few days... Mainly, I want to enjoy
> your kitchen...LOL. We could cook and eat for days.. And I want to go
> to that kitchen place we have talked about. I can see Koko and I
> spending LOTS of money.... AND..I want to take Koko to a few places,
> including Alemany market..

I'd like to take Koko to Napa/Sonoma. I've got some ideas that involve
the Bouchon Bakery, cheese, and a champagne/wine tasting at Domaine Chandon:

http://www.chandon.com/web/index.cfm

They have a GORGEOUS park for us to enjoy our treats of the day. Sure,
everyone goes there -- but if you haven't been before you'll see why
it's a must stop destination. The other favorite winery of ours there is
Grgich.

http://www.grgich.com/blog/

> A trip to Penzeys, for interested bay area folks??? Including Lin,
> of course. She is an honorary bay area person...

Honorary. I like that! ;-)

> And in Sacramento..for all you laggards..we have to go to Corti
> Bros...

I'm telling you all ... Sacramento DOES NOT SUCK! So many wonderful
restaurants and places to shop. Tammy turned us on to a great place for
tapas called "Aioli."

http://www.aiolibodega.info/

Then there's the Delta. I have a couple dives along the river that I
enjoy. My favorite thing is to dress down, wear the flip flops and enjoy
rock and roll, with a side of barbecue on the water.

> Christine, planning. Koko HAS to experience some of this..LOL. Not
> to mention that I want GOODIES.

Bring the van empty so you can load up!

> Oh, and I can bring goodies from NM. Koko just told me how to bring
> Hatch chiles into CA.....fresh ones....

I'd like a few of those if you can sneak them passed the Border Patrol.
(Christine ... I didn't finish the story about my friend trying to
follow her husband ....)

--Lin

Christine wrote:

> Should we save up money for a great meal at Hawkes???? I am wondering
> about that.. You both have talked about it so much....

Depends on YOU. Lin has somewhat answered about the cost of dinner at Hawks,
but if this is going to be a whirlwind trip for you, maybe your time would
be better spent letting us cook for you at our home. Did you not see the
menus you made me think up?

Boom! Here's another one: jícama with powdered chile and lime; chiles
rellenos stuffed with picadillo; "margarita" marinated grilled sea bass on a
bed of spiced parched corn and garbanzos; and tamarind-lime cream pie


> And, can we get Bob to play hookey one night, or two???? Have any
> sick time, Bob??? ) Can you change you schedule or trade with
> anyone???

We're going to be extremely short on personnel during the month of
September, so it's very unlikely. Furthermore, I had to take time off due to
illness just a few weeks ago, so the amount of PTO I have available is down
to 3.5 hours. Won't you be able to be here during the four-day bloc of
September 20-23?


> Shall we plan a trip to Berkeley?? With Tammy in tow??? Even if she
> comes kicking and screaming.... I think she won't, but who knows...

I think we'll have to play that by ear. In all likelihood, Lin would like to
go while I stay home and baby-sit the dog.


> Oh, and I can bring goodies from NM. Koko just told me how to bring
> Hatch chiles into CA.....fresh ones....

Oh? How do you get them past the border guards?

BTW, my NSP is dropping posts like crazy; I wouldn't have seen this thread
if Lin hadn't answered. Then I had to delete all my posts, reset my account
on the server, and download everything again. So if you ask something and I
fail to answer, it's probably because I never saw it.

Bob

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:32:49 -0700, "Bob Terwilliger"
<virtualgoth@die_spammer.biz> wrote:

>Christine wrote:

>Depends on YOU. Lin has somewhat answered about the cost of dinner at Hawks,
>but if this is going to be a whirlwind trip for you, maybe your time would
>be better spent letting us cook for you at our home. Did you not see the
>menus you made me think up?
>
Depends on Koko... We both will be funds limited.. Me because of my
medical leave..and her for whatever reason she has.... But I am
wondering if we can swing just one really great meal of the trip,
somewhere... Maybe we could save for it???

I personally would love to cook and invent and eat at home..but that
is my choice.. Now that Koko might join me..I have to let her speak.
She loves to cook too, and might enjoy a foodies paradise..with all of
us buying foodstufs and inventing at home.. Dunno..
I know what I would love...


>> And, can we get Bob to play hookey one night, or two???? Have any
>> sick time, Bob??? ) Can you change you schedule or trade with
>> anyone???
>
>We're going to be extremely short on personnel during the month of
>September, so it's very unlikely. Furthermore, I had to take time off due to
>illness just a few weeks ago, so the amount of PTO I have available is down
>to 3.5 hours. Won't you be able to be here during the four-day bloc of
>September 20-23?
I dunno. depends on my healing and what my doctor says,. If I can..and
if Koko can..we will....

I have to be here for September 17..that is the all day class for my
neonatal recertication. I have to be here..no excuses... If I can't
do this..I cannot work when I go back to work..period. It is a
requirement of my work...

After that, I think I can take off...but it depends on what my doctor
has planned....I don't know any of that yet...

If we can, we will be there..for that bloc.. Is that when you are
off??? If so..lets plan for some memorable stuff. Just be
aware..that BOTH Koko and I will be blogging..and we will be taking
pictures....LOLOLOLL I would personally love for that time to be
spend on not eating out..but shopping and cookign at home.. And making
wonderful dinners.. And inviting that Tammy person...

>Oh? How do you get them past the border guards?

Lin told me how...LOL If not, I can bring them up fresh roasted....in
a cooler...

Christine
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

Christine wrote:

> I personally would love to cook and invent and eat at home..but that
> is my choice.. Now that Koko might join me..I have to let her speak.

WELL???? Speak up, koko!


> She loves to cook too, and might enjoy a foodies paradise..with all of
> us buying foodstufs and inventing at home.. Dunno..
> I know what I would love...

Don't forget that we'll be getting our weekly CSA box every Tuesday, and we
have at least two very-good farmers' markets every week!


>> Won't you be able to be here during the four-day bloc of September 20-23?
>
> I dunno. depends on my healing and what my doctor says,. If I can..and
> if Koko can..we will....
>
> I have to be here for September 17..that is the all day class for my
> neonatal recertication. I have to be here..no excuses... If I can't
> do this..I cannot work when I go back to work..period. It is a
> requirement of my work...

Yeah, that's why I didn't mention my earlier bloc of September days off in
this latest discussion; I knew you wouldn't be able to be here during that
time.


> If we can, we will be there..for that bloc.. Is that when you are
> off???

Yes, I'm off for four days in a row -- but ONLY for those four days. After
that, I'm working nonstop until the end of September.


> If so..lets plan for some memorable stuff. Just be aware..that BOTH Koko
> and I will be blogging..and we will be taking pictures....LOLOLOLL I
> would personally love for that time to be spend on not eating out..but
> shopping and cookign at home.. And making wonderful dinners.. And inviting
> that Tammy person...

So we're talking a free-for-all with four hard-drinking women and me? With
great food, and pictures suitable for blackmail?

Bob, just wanting to be clear

On Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:47:21 -0700, "Bob Terwilliger"
<virtualgoth@die_spammer.biz> wrote:



>So we're talking a free-for-all with four hard-drinking women and me? With
>great food, and pictures suitable for blackmail?
>
>Bob, just wanting to be clear

Yes.. Are you frightened yet???

And..what will you do to blackmail us??

And whatever..will there be great food involved???

If there is time...and we can help..can we make extra memorable food
with you in charge????

Not to mention whatever we do....

But I do know this..if you can find me squash blossoms, I will love
you forever..Lin not withstanding... I can then make the incredible
squash blossom dish from Lulu Peyraud, courtesy of Richard Olney. It
is magnificent, and a wonder... Wonderful with a very dry white wine
to drink along side of it...

Koko will remember this. .She disliked that I wanted dry white
wine...and disdained her vermouth. But only white wine would
suffice... Julia be damned...

Christine, who could probably find a lot of blackmail material....
--
http://nightstirrings.blogspot.com

Christine wrote:

> And..what will you do to blackmail us??

I'm more worried about you blackmailing *me*!


> And whatever..will there be great food involved???

I'm gonna say yes. And if it turns out not to be the case, I'll just ply you
all with booze and *tell* you that the food was great.


> If there is time...and we can help..can we make extra memorable food
> with you in charge????

Oh, like THAT would fly! "Okay, ladies! I'm in charge here!"
Like Alexander Haig after Reagan was shot....


> But I do know this..if you can find me squash blossoms, I will love
> you forever..Lin not withstanding... I can then make the incredible
> squash blossom dish from Lulu Peyraud, courtesy of Richard Olney. It
> is magnificent, and a wonder... Wonderful with a very dry white wine
> to drink along side of it...

I can *try*. I've asked the farmers about them before and came up empty;
that's why we tried to grow a squash plant last year. But I'll ask again.


> Koko will remember this. .She disliked that I wanted dry white
> wine...and disdained her vermouth. But only white wine would
> suffice... Julia be damned...

Now that you mention it, I'm not sure we have any dry white wine in the
house. Oh wait, maybe we do; we got our wine club bottles a couple weeks
ago, and I don't remember what they were.

Bob