Paying homage.

Tartine with tapenade, creme fraiche, sun dried tomatoes, salad and prosciutto -- Nice, France

On my "life's best" list, food is number one, hands down. It's then probably followed by music and traveling. Nothing else comes remotely close. Traveling probably gets a credit boost for being so closely tied to food.

Lemon butter sole crepe -- St. Malo, Normandy

Prosciutto, thyme and lemon pasta -- Rome

Indian/Pakistani food -- New Tayyabs, London

I can't remember when I came to grasp my unadulterated love for food and all things related. It probably had to be sometime in college, when I really got into cooking and slowly gained some means to check out restaurants that I wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford in high school. Not to mention that I had a body image issue in high school which resulted in my capping my caloric intake to 600-800 a day for a while.

Definitely 600+ calories (French toast -- Universal Cafe, SF)

I'm going to try my best to explain my complete devotion to food the best way I can, because I just don't think some people understand, and I don't even know if I'm capable of doing it justice.



I eat a lot.

Korean BBQ -- Brothers, SF

I'm known amongst all my friends to eat a lot. My nickname while studying abroad in Paris was "Jaba." My regular nickname is a food item. Despite the fact that my work pays for all my meals Monday through Friday and I don't ever buy groceries, I still manage to spend hundreds of dollars a month on food. This isn't just some hormonal or chemical tragedy.

1 pizza each -- Rome, Italy

Brodard Chateau, Orange County

I love the sensory aspects -- visuals, the smells, the textures, the amazing spectrum of taste.

I love the science and the art behind the creation, the manipulation of ingredients and the innovation in cooking methods and styles.

Thanksgiving in London = Skype video session with mom in Chicago for step-by-step guide to making the perfect turkey

I love the social implications behind food. It's a form of identity, homely comfort, and social/cultural interaction.



Perhaps one of the best things about food is sharing. It does something to us that I can't quite explain. Food is a labor of love.

Lamb chops with balsamic reduction and glazed onions -- home made!

Think of the last time you really craved something specific -- whether it's a regional cuisine, something from your grandma, or whatever other gastronomic void you needed to fill. Maybe you were hung over, sick, or simply starving. Think of when you satisfied that thirst. That moment is fucking amazing.

Steak frites -- Bistro de Beaubourg, Paris

House burger -- Father's Office, Santa Monica

Raspberry and cream waffle -- Amsterdam

Gyro avec frites - Paris

The first few months that I moved to San Francisco, I tried the whole pescatarian thing, considering there are tons of vegetarian options at work and the city is so vegetarian friendly. I did well for a couple of months, eating out often at vegetarian or vegan restaurants.

Guacamole and vegan ensalada caesar -- Gracias Madre, SF

I've since given up, for the most part. I've now admitted to being an "aspiring pescatarian" that consumes meat when I deem appropriate. And by appropriate, I mean "special occasions" that involve eating at particular restaurants and/or certain dishes outside of my normal routine.

Chacuteries = special occasion (Fernandez and Wells, London)

How the fuck are you going to eat Asian food without eating meat. I mean.. I am in San Francisco. A gastronomical heaven.

I've concluded that I'm just not willing to give it up.

I'm not willing to give up yakitori.

Yakitori Totto, NYC

I'm not willing to give up lu rou fan (滷肉飯).
I'm not willing to give up Taiwanese sausages or In-n-Out.

Patties: two thumbs up. Grilled cheese: two thumbs down.

I'm not willing to give up duck confit or peiking duck.
I'm not willing to give up chorizo.

Tapas and beer - Barcelona

Fuck giving up dimsum too.


If you've seen my face when I take the first bite of something that hits the spot (my food o-face), maybe you'll get a hint of what I'm trying to communicate.


You'll never see me happier.