I love my new neighborhood in the inner richmond. It’s full of restaurants, shops and plenty of produce stands. There is also a crepe shop — Genki Crepes & Mini Mart. They offer everything from Nutella crepes (above) to beef and cheese crepes. I’m afraid this might become a habit, they are quite tasty, though crisper than the crepes you’d find on the streets of Paris. Besides the crepes there are also two aisles of mostly Japanese candy. Now if only I craved bok choy as much as chocolate I might not develop a weight problem!

Dinner at the Cherokee restaurant and trading post in Clinton, Oklahoma. A little too much breading for my taste.

Finished my breakfast with a giant cup of English Breakfast tea I as packed the last of the studio.

Btw, the posts will be sporadic until I’m settled on the west coast.

Took a walk out to the Ferry Building this afternoon and had a salame and cornichon sandwich on crusty bread smeared with French butter from Acme Bread.

Btw, it’s official, I’m moving to San Francisco in less than a month! We now have a place to live but have to sell the house in Rhode Island. Wish us luck!

I made up a quick pot of tomato sauce with garlic and basil and some turkey meatballs. I cooked the pasta even longer than suggested and it was still quite chewy. After letting it sit in the fridge for a day in the tomato sauce it softened a bit, but still a slightly chewier consistency (and slightly different flavor - hints of artichoke as well as a subtle nutty flavor) than the typical pasta. And I’ve been eating whole wheat pasta for a while now. Overall, I like the fact that it has 23 grams of protein, but would suggest you make it a day ahead and let is ‘marinade’ in you sauce of choice before serving.

I’m going to try it again, but this time toss it with roasted vegetables and a little Parmesan, as I think that might make a better flavor pairing.

Prosecco, Dom Bertiol. It’s official - I’m moving to San Francisco next month and the booze makes the packing go quicker.

I add 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to boxed chocolate cake mix and prepare as usual.

Chocolate frosting:
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cream

In mixer: cream butter, sugar and cocoa until blended. Add cream and vanilla and whip until smooth.
Piped with an 823 star pastry tip

I haven’t seen any in Providence, then again I haven’t been looking. I’ll have to try Russo’s in Watertown, as it’s not too far from the office.

If anyone in New England has spotted this treat, drop me a line!

The chocolate treat was my mid-morning snack. I’ve heard good things about Jo’s candy but found the overall flavor of the peanut butter lacking. The chocolate quality was good, smooth and melty, but again, was a weak tasting milk chocolate. Overall it was ok, but really lacked much flavor.