consumable Joy

Also known as “the claws come out.” Miami Detour As soon as I saw that Michelle Bernstein was going to be the guest judge on this episode of Top Chef, I knew there could be some tension since both Michelle and Andrea are chefs in Miami. Andrea starts the day in a “good place” but as soon as she sees Michelle she gets super tense and kind of bitter. Andrea says she’s not so sure if you sat down at Michelle’s restaurant and hers that one would be so much better than the other. I’m sorry to say, Andrea, that…

I’m back from my technology hiatus and have now watched each of the three episodes I haven’t recapped at least two times each. I guess that’s what happens when I deprive myself… I go overboard to catch up (just ask my weight which knows what happens when I skip meals or diet — DOH!). But since there is a new episode coming tomorrow, no full recaps of the progress in Top Chef — just a couple of impressions from each. Capitol Grill And the quickfire is… Desserts! And all I can think is, if you know you are going on…

I am so happy right now. Really. I just ate dinner at Ippuku for the first time, and I am so happy that a true yakitori restaurant has landed right here in my town. Ippuku feels like a little piece of Japan transplanted into Berkeley. Everything from the entryway to the seating (in-floor recessed seating on one side, booths on the other) feels authentic. And pretty much everyone in the front of the house speaks Japanese, so you’re greeted in Japanese, the menu is in both Japanese and English, and the drinks have a real Japanese feel. The concept of…