W ell, you can say this: At least we have food. The election was grueling for everyone but it is over and while we process it we can distract ourselves with fantasizing about Thanksgiving. Take a moment and do a quick kitchen inventory. Remember last year? What was it that you only realized at the last minute that you didn't have?
What about a carving board that's big enough to fit a turkey—and has a channel to catch the juices? The one in the photo above is only $40 from Sur La Table.
Serving platter. If you don't have a family heirloom then it's too late to find one so don't overthink it. Here's a big white platter for $20 at Target. Get 'er done.
Gravy strainer. You only use it a few times a year but it helps you separate the turkey juices from the fat. I gave up my $10 Oxo model for a $15 glass version but I'm not at all persuaded the more expensive one is better. Plus it seems very fragile.
Stemless wine glasses. I love these for everyday swilling but also for occasions when there is just too much stuff on the table that has your one treasured tablecloth on it. Minimize the risk of spillage with a box of 12 stemless glasses from Cost Plus. They're $2 each. I used to have the Riedel version but they cost $12 each and they broke when I looked at them too hard.
Oh! And remember I was talking about Joel Robuchon's mashed potatoes? Today I discovered the secret: a tamis. It's a superfine sieve and as I suspected, Robuchon operates a sweatshop in which his minions press, press, press potatoes (boiled with skins on, then peeled hot) through the tamis. I will not be doing this for Thanksgiving—but you should. Especially if there are just two of you. Here's a sturdy-looking one for $40.
In restaurant news, Arroyo Vino has started up a series of "family meal" nights with a three-course set menu for $39 per person. Wine pairings are available for an extra fee, but the restaurant's usual menu won't be available on these three Thursday nights: Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and Dec. 15. The menu for the first family dinner (last week) included salade lyonnaise, pâté de champagne, escargots al a Bourguignonne, steak frites and profiteroles. The next menus aren't set. Call for information and reservations. This is a pretty good way to check out Arroyo Vino without spending too much money!
Judge Michael Vigil (who on Tuesday lost his campaign for the Supreme Court) told SFR during one of our election-related conversations that he's a big fan of the snack bar in the Bataan Building. Have you ever checked that out? Let us know if you like it and what you get! The Fork is a big fan of the coffee shop at the Roundhouse and we are always on the lookout for cheap eats downtown.
Last week in The Fork I mentioned Milad Persian Bistro on Canyon Road, and in this week's paper I wrote about chef Joel Coleman's new ice cream shop La Lecheria. But what didn't make it into either story was the fact that Coleman is making custom ice cream flavors for restaurants around town. He happened to mention that he's working on a saffron-rosewater ice cream for Milad. Does that sound amazing or what?
Also: Dr. Field Goods is now open for breakfast Wednesdays-Sundays 8-10:30 am. Check it out for things like breakfast bread pudding with onions, jalapeños and cheese, smothered with chile.
What news do you want to see in this newsletter? We want to hear from you! Let us know! Email thefork@sfreporter.com
