Twenty years ago, I made a three-day appearance on the Wheel of Fortune. Through the wonders of the Internet and my brother Ben, I present the Shirley’s Wheel of Fortune highlight reel.
Not too many years ago, the culinary highlight of a Hawaiian vacation was a boring version of the ubiquitous “surf and turf.”
Hotels and restaurants in the Hawaiian Islands were convinced that mainland travelers wanted to try something totally un-threatening from the ocean, but only as long as they could back it up with some heavy beef.
Those days are, thankfully, gone with the Pacific trade winds.
Because of its fresh and sundry seafood, Hawaii is now the epicenter of the fusion-cooking world.
Its fish have a celebrity status with many of the best chefs in Asia and America. They also have the endorsement of environmentalists and hopeless romantics like my honeybear and traveling companion, Wroburlto, aka “Wro,” seen above. (Read on …)
A number of Bay Area restaurants are celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Boar. People who are born in the Year of the Boar are said to be brave and chivalrous and treat their loved ones with great kindness. They are usually known for their honesty, tremendous inner strength, and patience. They appear well informed on the surface, but upon further investigation reveal rather limited knowledge. They prefer to solve all their problems alone rather than seek help.
E & O Trading Company, San Francisco
314 Sutter Street
415.693.0303
This restaurant, in keeping with its tradition of serving Southeast Asian cuisine, is celebrating from February 17 through March 3 by adding attractively priced holiday inspired a la carte offerings to the menu. Among the special appetizers are Sea Scallop Pot Stickers and Hot & Sour Soup. Entrees include Long Life Noodles with Pork, Firecracker Chicken, and Crispy Whole Tai Snapper. Hours of operation vary depending on the location. Call for details.
Scott Howard, San Francisco
500 Jackson Street
415.956.7040
Chef Scott Howard deliciously demonstrates his affinity for Asian cuisine with a holiday three-course prix fix menu for $47.05 (on the lunar calendar, the Year of the Boar is 4705) that will showcase dishes prepared from recipes written by Howard’s good friend Cecilia Chiang. These dishes, originally served at the culinarily historic Mandarin Restaurant, include Mandarin Minced Chicken, Pork Meatballs (Lions Head), and Steamed Tai Snapper. The holiday menu, available in addition the restaurant’s regular a la carte offerings, will be served from February 26 through March 3.