When I find myself still obsessed with a dessert I was served over six months ago, I figure it is worth mentioning to as many people as possible. In June of 2008 I had the pleasure of dining at David Burke Fromagerie in Rumson, New Jersey. The entire meal was incredible. The pretzel crusted crabcake and the zucchini blossoms were followed by the soy honey duck and braised short ribs. But it is the desserts that wander in my dreams. Our table received a wave of desserts, including an apple galette, Tahitian vanilla bean creme brulee, warm chocolate lava cake, and the cheesecake pops pictured above. It was  beyond food. It was a culinary experience. If you are anywhere near Rumson, New Jersey, you should go!

http://www.fromagerierestaurant.com/

For dining in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ratcliffe on the Green provides an excellent choice for those dedicated to the local and organic food movements. Head chef Mark Hibbs strives to food that is “As local as we can get it and as organic as we can get it,” he said in a recent interview. In fact, Hibbs works so hard to obtain local food that he grows some of it on his own property at home. The menu at the restaurant changes every three to four days with the freshest food available. “We try to get everything we possibly can from North Carolina,” said Hibbs. “Everything is within 150-200 miles.” The restaurant opened January 17, 2007 and quickly gained a solid following and became an institution in Charlotte. Since the Johnson & Wales University Culinary School set up shop in Charlotte a few years ago, the culinary scene in Charlotte exploded. “In five years, Charlotte will be the culinary capital of the South,” said Hibbs.

This restaurant is well worth a visit. In fact, it is worth taking a trip to Charlotte!

www.ratcliffeonthegreen.com

While I was away on a press trip, at dinner with a long table full of writers, I received the following message from the editors at Red Coyote Press:

Wildseed Farms caught me by surprise.  Anyone with an ounce of nostalgia will find the drive through the Hill Country near Fredericksburg, Texas to the farm a thing of beauty. The long fields of flowers appear to call for people to come and play in them. As the largest working wildseed farm in the United States, Wildseed Farms is 200 acres of 88 varieties of flowers. With such gorgeous fields to dream in, over 350,000 people stop by to gaze at the fields and take photographs. The company developed a visitor center to welcome people with walking trails through the fields, and pick-your-own bouquet fields.  A Market Center provides a place to buy seed packets and garden tools. The Brewbonnet Biergarten provides a place to have a bite to eat and some liquid refreshment. It has now become a destination in it’s own right, rather than a stop along the way to somewhere else. But for me, the real delight was the Butterfly Haus. A 3,000 square-foot screed in structure provides a magical habitat for thousands of native butterflies and the plants that they like the best. An educational center provides a place to watch as eggs are laid, caterpillars spin into chrysalises, and then become beautiful butterflies. A trip to Wildseed Farms is worth the drive. In the end, Wildseed Farms was the big bloomer.

www.wildseedfarms.com

http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/

JSix Restaurant at the Hotel Solamar in the Gaslamp District of San Diego provides an outstanding dining experience. San Francisco trained Chef Christian Graves oversees everything on the menu from the baking of the bread to the in-house curing of the meats. He even makes his own vinegar and dabbles in cheesemaking. “We find a cool ingredient and find a way to make it approachable,” he said. The tomatoes in the Farmer’s Market Tomato Salad tasted like they could have been picked that afternoon, with flavor I remember tomatoes having when I was growing up in the midwest. It matched perfectly with the housemade salami and cured meats from the Charcuterie Plate. I have since enjoyed pleasant dreams about the olive tray, with a variety of olives drizzled with olive oil, salt, and lemon peel. The smoked Rouge River blue cheese paired perfectly with the Grilled Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak. JSix is a terrific stop for anyone near the San Diego area, perfectly located near the Convention Center, the baseball stadium, and the entertainment of the Gaslamp District. The Solamar Hotel is an excellent location to stay as well.

http://www.jsixsandiego.com/

http://www.hotelsolamar.com/

Everyone who travels to Door County, Wisconsin should enjoy the unique experience of a fish boil. This dramatic method of preparation delights visitors. The surprise when they hear the “whumph” of the fireball can be seen in the wide eyes and open mouths of onlookers.

The fish boil tradition began as an inexpensive way to feed large numbers of lumberjacks. A large kettle of salted water is heated over an open fire. Potatoes and onions are added to the pot. After they are cooked, fresh whitefish steaks are added on top of the vegetables. Then, when the pot comes back to a boil, kerosene is thrown on the flames, causing the “boilover” which causes the fish oils on top of the water to roll off the surface, leaving a complete fish and vegetable dinner to serve a crowd.

There are many places to experience a Fish Boil in Door County. Most of them will even take the bones out of the fish for you. Fish Boils usually take place on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check out The White Gull Inn, The Square Rigger Galley,  or The Viking Grill.  Washington Island even holds a special fly-in fish boil where small craft fly in from all over to attend the spectacle. Even if you don’t enjoy fish, you will enjoy the fish boil experience.

http://www.explorewisconsin.com/PelletiersRestaurantFishBoil/fb-boilover.jpg

http://whitegullinn.com/fishboil.html

http://www.thevikinggrill.com/

http://www.squareriggerlodge.com/index.php?type=fishboils

The Santa Catalina Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Tucson, Arizona. With 45 holes of championship golf on three courses, 31 lighted tennis courts, five exceptional restaurants, a water park, and the Elements Spa, finding a reason to leave is challenging. However, nearby destinations include the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, Old Tucson Studios, Kartchner Caverns, and the Pima Air & Space Museum. Did I mention the saguaros? Not one, but two Saguaro National Parks showcase the incredible long-armed cactus associated with the Southwest. Go - stay - and enjoy the beauty of the desert.

http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com/

http://www.sabinocanyon.com/

http://www.oldtucson.com/

http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/kartchner.html

http://www.pimaair.org/

I love a good piece of pie. Peach, blueberry, apple, ginger pear… I love them all. Sitting back with a good piece of pie and a cup of coffee is a treat to be savored. A great place to take part in this tasty tradition is at Mission Pie in the Mission District of San Francisco. Staying true to the San Francisco Food culture, the delights found at Mission Pie are all part of a grass roots collaborative effort between local farmers, educational programs, and community. The ingredients grow at the non-profit Pie Ranch, one hour south of San Francisco. The ranch is farmed by urban teenagers inspired to learn about the relationshsip between the land and developing healthy local food systems. They plant wheat for pie crusts, harvest berries, raise chickens for eggs, and raise bees for honey. The ranch inspired the Pie Shop, which opened in January, 2007. Their success was so great that they expanded in the summer of 2008. When you are in San Francisco, Mission Pie is worth the detour for a piece (or two) of pie made from local, fresh ingredients. Mission Pie is located at 2901 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Go ahead…go eat your pie!

http://missionpie.com/

http://www.pieranch.org/

At FireSky Resort and Spa in Scottsdale they love pets so much that they actually have one on staff. Bosco, a black cocker spaniel, is Director of Pet Services. When I first arrived I noticed a bowl of dog biscuits on the check-in counter. A bowl of water on the floor was tucked into the corner. The staff at this very trendy luxury hotel strives to provide a strong sense of home, from comfortable gathering areas throughout the resort to encouraging guests to bring their pets. Pets are not only welcome, they are celebrated. Bosco attends company meetings and events around the property. Kids love him and grownups usually give him a pat when he walks by. Bosco even has his own brew, called Bowser Beer, a non-alcoholic, no hops, low-calorie beverage made with malt and beef broth. Humans don’t like it much, but dogs love it. Pet owners are expected to be responsible for their pets, and there are one or two places at the resort where pets can not roam. Pets are not allowed to be disruptive to other guests, and all rooms are steam-cleaned after a pet stay. But overall, the pets can feel just as at home as the owners. Those traveling with pets can check in to patio accomodations and be presented with a leash, a doggie bed, and a chew toy. In addition, pet owners can choose a DVD movie to watch with their pet, including Lady and the Tramp, Babe, and Dr. Doolittle. If guests arrive without a pet, the staff at FireSky will make certain they feel included by providing them with a pet goldfish in their room.

http://www.fireskyresort.com/

Wine grapes grow nearly everywhere, but they don’t all produce great wines. At the 4 JG’s Vineyards in Colts Neck, New Jersey (yes, you read it right - New Jersey) they are making wines that are competing successfully against California wines. While their wines consistently won awards in New Jersey Wine competitions, they also won in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Vino Challenge International Wine Competition, the American Wine Society National Competition, and the Los Angeles County Fair World of Wines Competition. Besides offering wines for sale, the winery also provides seminars and tastings. Offerings include Chamboursin Riserva, Cabernet Franc, Vignole, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Monmouth Blush, Seyval Blanc and Big Brook White. Appointments for tastings can be made by calling 908-930-8066.

http://www.4jgswinery.com/