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Napa

Model Bakery English Muffins

Gracing the front cover of the Model Bakery cookbook are the Napa bakery’s famous English muffins. I’ve made muffins before but they look authentically like store-bought ones versus these golden puffy pillows that sell out every morning at the downtown St Helena shop.

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When I tasted my first Model Bakery muffin it was unlike anything I’ve ever had – this is how it’s supposed to taste? – I thought. The muffin had been in the freezer for about a week and I placed in a toaster oven to re-crisp. It was so flaky, crisp and buttery. Thank goodness for the book, because I had to have them, at any time I wanted. Lucky for me, shortly after my experiment I got to meet the owners of the bakery so I could see firsthand how the muffins were made and get some tips in the process. So here we go, my muffin adventure!

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Sift Cupcakes Comes to SF

Cupcake couture has come to San Francisco. Classy with a bit of attitude. Making their way over the Golden Gate Bridge from the Sonoma/Napa area, cupcake and dessert bar Sift Cupcakes opened today on the corner of trendy Fillmore and California Street. As long as chefs continue to create interesting flavor combinations I am all for the continuing cupcake craze and Sift Cupcakes does not disappoint. If you are not in the area, not to worry as they now ship nationwide. Here is a look at my visit on grand opening day.

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My Take: Tyler Florence’s Rotisserie & Wine

Update 7/7/12: Sadly, Tyler decided to close Rotisserie & Wine to concentrate on the other restaurants. You can still get your fix at the San Francisco Airport’s Terminal 2.

It was off to Napa’s riverfront or what I call “restaurant row” as more eateries pop up including, Rotisserie & Wine. If I waited any longer to visit, Tyler Florence probably would have a chain of restaurants at the rate he’s going. R&W is one of three, including Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco and El Paseo Steakhouse in Marin County, that he has opened in the past year. Busy chef/entrepreneur.

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Summer at Bouchon Bakery, Napa

Beautiful sunny day in late July, perfect for a foodie trip to Napa and as per tradition, the first stop was Bouchon Bakery.  I made my way over to the 10-person deep line and inhaled the aroma of fresh bread coming from the window.  It was worth the wait.

Inside the bustling shop

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My Take: Pica Pica Maize Kitchen

I finally had a chance to visit the Oxbow Public Market in Napa.  I’ve heard it was similar to the Ferry Building in SF so I decided to see what it was all about.  Of course I had to scope out the sweet spots first.  While the Ferry Building has Miette Cakes, Oxbow has Kara’s Cupcakes, both equally good bakeries.  The organic ice cream from Three Twins caught my eye but it was lunch time so I saved the creatively-named Land of Milk & Honey as my after-meal palette cleanser.  First up…Venezuelan food from Pica Pica Maize Kitchen.

The trio of sweet plantains were tender on the inside and perfectly crunchy on the outside.  They were topped with queso, pork, avocado and sour cream.

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