When I first moved to Sacramento nearly six years ago, I was in need of a butcher to help me with my meat selection for a recipe I was making. After asking around, it was unanimous that I go to Corti Brothers. Friends also advised me to pick up some great wine and a delicious deli sandwich while I was there, because both were the best in the town. So when I was reading the Bee today, I was surprised to see that Corti Brothers would be closing its doors and looking for new digs beginning September 30. Selfishly, I’m hopeful the masterful Darrell Corti will keep his business in East Sacramento so that I continue to have my “go to” for great quality meats, an expansive (and reasonable!) wine selection and just plain good deli sandwiches.
As for Good Eats, a new venture from a former chief executive over at Raley’s, I’m curious as what they have to offer. Perhaps it’s a hybrid between David Berkeley and Selland’s, which wouldn’t be too bad. But will they have a butcher? Probably not. Therefore, the countdown is on for the re-opening of Corti Brothers, wherever it may land.
SushiMasters 2008
What do you get when you take six California sushi chefs and have them battle it out in a 45-minute winner-takes-all sushi brawl?
SushiMasters!
The California Rice Commission held its fourth annual SushiMaster competition last night in Sacramento and it was a battle between chefs from Fresno, Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento’s own Billy Ngo, chef/owner of Kru. A few months back, a few SacFoodies raved about Kru’s sushi (apparently the Ziggy roll reigns supreme according to SacFoodie palates), so we were definitely rooting on our hometown chef. However, his victory will come another day because this year’s SushiMaster is Chef Tomaharu Nakamura of Sanraku Four Seasons in San Francisco. I lived in San Francisco for five years, and for two of those years, walked by Sanraku Four Seasons every day, and never once went in. Foolish, foolish me.
So Sacramentans, what’s your favorite sushi joint in the Capitol city? I’d have to say mine is Nishiki. The Capitol and McHenry rolls are scrumptious!
Five Must-Do's When Visiting New Orleans
In anticipation of my culinary adventure to New Orleans, I created a checklist of foods that I must experience in my five days here. The list includes:
1. Savoring a cup of chicory coffee
2. Noshing on a hot, finger-licking beignet
3. Cracking open and eating some Cajun crawfish (bonus points for sucking the head)
4. Enjoying either gumbo or jambalaya
5. Sipping a sweet, refreshing hurricane
I’m proud to say that not only did I accomplish all my gastronomical goals, I did so with vigor. It did help that the International Association of Culinary Professionals conference’s opening night reception offered opportunities to sample most of this delicious, authentic New Orleans cuisine. And yes, I did suck the crawfish head!
After indulging in beignets with chicory coffee (as good as anticipated!), gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish, Kris and I headed over to Pat O’Brien’s to sample their world-famous hurricanes. Sitting out on the patio of this iconic institution, we recounted all the amazing foods we tried on the first day of the conference and reveled in the significance of this historic foodie city that has been through so much these past few years.
Stella, New Orleans
This week fellow SacFoodie Kris and I are down in New Orleans taking in all the food culture and knowledge we can devour at the International Association of Culinary Professionals annual conference. I will be sharing some tasty tidbits from the conference over the next few days, but as a kick-off to our Big Easy adventure, last night we had the opportunity to enjoy one of the gems of New Orleans, Stella restaurant. Stella is a labor of love for owner and Executive Chef Scott Boswell and you can definitely sense the hard word and dedication that goes into creating one of the hottest restaurants in the French Quarter. Chef Boswell created a special menu blending world flavors with traditional N’awlins cuisine for our group of more than 20 FH foodies from around the globe. All five courses were a gastronomical masterpiece and made our evening at Stella stellar.
First Course
Louisiana Jumbo Lump Crap, Gulf Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Baby Arugula, Grilled Corn and Roasted Red Pepper Salsa, 100-Year-Old Balsamic Vinegar and Sweet Corn Emulsion.
Second Course
Spring Asparagus Puree with First of the Season Morel Mushroom Custard, Louisiana Jumbo Lump Crab and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Third Course
Canadian Lobster Risotto with Maitake and Hedgehog Mushrooms, English Peas, Local Scallions and White Truffle Oil
Fourth Course
Wild Porcini-Crusted Veal Tenderloin and Caramelized Wild Burgundy Escargots with Fingerling Potato Confit, Baby Heirloom Vegetables and Calvados Veal Reduction
Fifth Course
Chocolate Cake with Hot Buttered Pink Lemonade
He’s Back!
No one was happier than me when news broke that the Food Network was bringing back Jamie Oliver. I remember when the Naked Chef left the Food Network on not the best terms, and I was relegated to following Oliver on TLC and other cable outlets as he helped improve the eating habits of England’s youth. But now he’s back and I’m giddy with excitement.
To tease his new show, “Jamie at Home,” Oliver faced off against Mario Batali on last night’s “Iron Chef America.” I won’t spoil who was victorious in “Battle: Cobia” (a fish I had never heard of until last night) in case you happen to catch a re-airing during the week, but Oliver’s take on fish and chips (naturally) looked heavenly.
Following the battle, Food Network debuted “Jamie at Home” which had a very rustic, home-grown feel. This was accentuated by Oliver’s attire of a camouflage hoodie and beanie, which I found terribly endearing. Each episode features food that’s grown on his farm and the premiere featured peppers and chillies (yes, with the double “l”, according to the program). I was in foodie heaven for all 30 minutes and can’t wait to catch the show at its regular time on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. I can’t think of a better way to kick-off the weekend!
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