GraceAnn Walden's Blog (7)

Masaharu Morimoto, who has restaurants in New York City, Philadelphia and now Napa, was born in Hiroshima in 1955. He is one of the reigning Iron Chefs from the original cult-hit Japanese television show and was the original executive chef at Nobu when it opened in New York.

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There were the usual glitches you expect in a new restaurant like Brick and Bottle in Corte Madera. Bar prices off; wrong dishes put down. But the biscuits with chef’s housemade cheddar and pimento cheese spread were beyond perfection. I am spoiled by Tony's pizzas (in North Beach); so his mushroom with green garlic was nice, but I prefer Tony's.

The spaghetti with crab was tasty, if a little on the watery side. The steak was spot on and the scalloped potatoes and creamed spinach floate… Continue

Baker & Banker

In France, many small restaurants are a Mom and Pop operation. The… Continue

Here are a couple of reviews of places that I just loved. Enjoy!

NAME Boca Pizzeria & Wine Bar

ADDRESS 454 Ignacio Blvd., Novato

PHONE NUMBER (415) 883-2302

HOURS Dinner seven nights; lunch coming soon.

WEBSITE www.bocapizza.com

DÉCOR Spectacular and dramatic interior from designer, Michael Brennan (think Marinitas,Revival). Reclaimed wood, industrial fixtures and warmcolors.

PRICE RANGE moderate

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NAME Bistro Central Parc

ADDRESS 560 Central Avenue, SF

PHONE NUMBER (415) 931-7272

HOURS: Wed-Fri dinner; Sat -Sun brunch and dinner

WEBSITE: none

Decor: Mellow green walls, some photographs. Nothing eye-catching.

PRICE RANGE: Appetizers $8.50-14; Mussels $12.50; Entrees $11.50-19.50

REVIEW: From the warm greeting of Jacques' wife, Claude Belliot, to the hunky runner, Adan Stok, to the straightforward French food, this… Continue

Earlier this year, Merle Ellis, butcher, cookbook author and broadcaster, passed away at the age of 76, in Tiburon. I learned more about butchering from Merle's book Cutting Up in the Kitchen than I did in cooking school.

In his honor, here is one of his recipes:

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Remember the good ole days, when San Francisco had a pack of family-style Basque restaurants? I remember dining at Des Alpes on Broadway and the Basque Hotel up Romolo Alley in North Beach.

These days the Basque Cultural Center, in South City, is about the only place where you can get a hearty Basque meal. (

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