RIC'S BACKYARD INVITATIONAL

 

Ric Gilbert is a respected bbq promoter, competitor, guru, Grateful Dead loving, bbq judge, zen master and friend. He also throws hell of a party once a year under the guise of a bbq competition at his house. We have been invited for years and finally were able to attend. This was the bomb diggitty bomb of a party and or competition. I hope these pictures share the fun.

 

BUON TEMPO

 

Did you know that 20 dollars can buy you a three course meal with wine included? Twice a month a dinner is sponsored by the Buon Tempo Italian Club. The cost to members is 20 dollars. I scratch my head in amazement how they are able to pull this off. The kitchen and wait staff is all volunteer. The dinner starts with anti-pasta.

 

Bread and butter is included as well as sodas and carafes of wine.  The salad is next to be followed by a pasta dish. This is served family style and you help yourself. They will bring you refills of any plate if it is available. The main course comes out and this usually is a protein with vegetables. If you still have room; coffee and an ice cream novelty will be your dessert. Wow! It is wonderful to still go out to dinner and not have to mortgage the house.

TADICH GRILL

 

We are in San Francisco visiting Tadich Grill. Tadish has been around since 1849 and I can attest they are doing things right. This establishment is old school elegance. The waiters are professional, the place is historic & just plain cool and the food is excellent. My waiter had an Andy Warhol vibe that just added to the fun of this San Francisco landmark.

   Parking Karma was not needed today. We took the Ferry across the Bay. It is kind of fun playing tourist in you own backyard.                                                                                                                               

 

                                                                                                                     

McClendon's Meats

 

Last month coming home from the Oregon knife show, I stopped at McClendon's Meats in Roseburg. This was the most fantastic meat shop. This was a one-stop shop for meat lover's and almost  put this Mad Meat Genius to tears. They had bacon, sausage, in-house smoked meats, jerky, cold cuts, fish, condiments and even a tiny pit of produce for garnish of your meat purchase. I bought this 3.5 pd USDA prime for almost half the price I would pay in the Bay Area. The people in Roseburg are very lucky to have such a meat palace.

BOY SCOUT FISH FRY

  The local Boy Scouts have a fish fry every year and we attend. It is a fun event and the whole town shows up. They have a nice club house with a great out door seating area. It is all you can eat and I am no stranger to over indulgence.

   On a sad note we have found out the local Catholic Church is on the list for closure  decreed by the Vatican. This was another venue for several great dinners a year. We attend their fish fry and polenta dinner every year. It would be sad to see them go.

CUPCAKE

 

I do like pie............with a few cupcakes now and again.

CINCO COOK-OFF

 

We were in Dixon Ca. for a Cinco Cook-Off to prepare for Cinco-de-Mayo. The categories were ribs and Wild card shrimp. This was a small contest held in the parking lot of a Mexican Supermarket; Super La Favorita. This market has a fantastic meat market and I would love to be a frequent shopper but I live an hour away. Here are a few shots of the shrimp entries. This was another tasty bbq judging day.