"RWW" > wrote in message ...
> On 6/14/09 6:29 PM, in article ,
> "Christine Dabney" > wrote:
>
>> All that being said, she is in the middle of controversy now, as being
>> seen as pretentious, and out of touch with how "real" people eat.
>> Bourdain has been spouting off about this...and this issue has become
>> a hot button topic in the food world.
>
> I'd love to try a meal of her's.
>
> Unfortunately, she has hunkered down in the People's Republic
> of Berkeley. I don't drive within 40 miles of that cesspool
> on general principals.
>
> If you want world-class food, you bypass her and hit
> French Laundry a little further north. Three vs Zero
> Michelin stars.
>
> I'm actually surprised how much weight she's put
> on eating organic. I'd estimate a good 240 lbs
> underneath that full-body apron. She even had
> trouble breathing moving around in the 60 minutes
> interview if you look closely.
>
>
The People's Republic of Berkeley: simply one of the greatest places on
earth
Chez Panisse v. French Laundry: both are great; dinner for two at French
Laundry with wine and service is about $500; dinner for two at Chez Panisse
is slightly more than half that. We've been to 13 or so 3 star restaurants
in France, to Chez Panisse, and to the French Laundry. Of the California two
we'd choose "Chez Peculiar" always, particularly when you have to write a
check. At one point we were "in their book", and we could reserve upstairs.
Both are pretty expensive and beyond most of us, at least routinely.
http://chezpanisse.com/

BTW, in the SF Bay area, the "Chez Peculiar" alternative and favorite for us
has always been Michael Wild's "Bay Wolf". http://www.baywolf.com/ Michael
Wild has written a great cookbook, well worth looking at.

Bon appetite!

Ed