Pie! We’ve got some very prolific blackberry bushes in Santa Cruz, and a friend and I made two beautiful pies last week. Mmm.

Zander’s House has received quite a bit of attention in the short time it has been open. Teresa Gubbins was the first to write about it http://tgubbins.blogspot.com/2006/03/zanders-house.html ; people have commented about...

For good pierogis, would you consider a Polish place? Then try Teresa's, 1st Av. betw. 6th & 7th. Persian is hard to find in Manhattan. If you find a good one, PLEASE post about it! I’m assuming that a “mom and...

, but especially since Teresa's (a good Polish/diner-type restaurant) closed its East Village branch, I’m glad it’s here. At Ukrainian East Village, I recommend the kasha varnishkes with mushroom gravy. The soups...

How can you forget Santa Maria style barbecue, specifically trip tip?

(aka banh mi) 6) El Gallo Giro (Santa Ana) tortilleria that makes killer tortas with bolillo rolls baked on premises. 7) El Toro Bravo (Costa Mesa). Mexican food by Mexicans for Mexicans. Simply the best meat-only tacos, and the...

I feel your pain. I moved from the Sacramento/Roseville area 3 years ago, only to see the Nugget Market open in Roseville. As for Nob Hill here in the Bay area (San Jose) no thank you, at least to the one in Santa Teresa. The...

is always on and Teresa and Lydia remember you and treat you like family. Bono’s and Bonellos are good. I still can’t bring myself to eat sushi in San Pedro after so many bad experiences at sushi 21, Senfuku, and the...

Kitano is, but my local Polish restaurant, Teresa's, on 1st Av. between 6th and 7th Sts., has a diner-like ambiance and serves brunch every day (though with some extra items on weekends). You can get good pancakes, for example....

and the Sideways effect on Santa Barbara specifically, there are true gems in less discovered areas of northern Sonoma and Sierra Foothills. If you know what you are looking for, and what you like, then you can target those...

is pinot from the Loire) A good reliable Chardonnay is Meridian Santa Barbara.Drink Barberra or Rosso di Montalcino in Italian restaurants if you want good quality reds at reasonable prices.