Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I love Eat Real! I had the Prather Ranch slider from Gather. I'd had the burger at the restaurant, so went to ER with the slider on the top of my list. Best burger ever!! The Liba falafel and sauces - yum, yum, yum. A scotch egg from... ? A beef empanada from El Porteno - delish. Mac n cheese from Homeroom - good, but confirms mac n cheese is not my thing.

I was very disappointed with the dessert selection. Lots of sorbet/gelato/ice cream choices (snore), but limited otherwise. Last year was much better in that area, from what I recall. Was hoping for Gobba Gobba Hey, but they weren't there Sunday.

I look forward to next year.

Moroccan or Afghani.

@ jude10536 & macknitter: Yes, Ghirardelli changed the Double Chocolate chips to the 60%. But not just the name changed, I'm pretty sure the formula changed, too. The 60% are much more waxy and less chocolatey (a friend of mine who loved the chips remarked on the flavor change not even realizing the name had changed, so it was not just me who noticed!).

I was very sad when they did that. Haven't found a comparable replacement since, but the E. Guittard line is good. If only the chips were twice the size!

Plum pie from my favorite bakery - Crixa. Soooo amazing! Rhubarb, apricot, peach also delicious.

The SMAP members always have done just about anything! I was amused to identify Shingo, as well. We called him Sporty SMAP. And I admit to a soft spot for him.

My Japanese is rusty, the gist is bananas are sweet and yummy. Eat lots.

David Lebovitz's chocolate cherry fruitcake (chocolate, cherries and booze - what's not to love?). Or his dulce de leche brownies. Or his jam tart - made it last night. Or his candied nuts (ahem - peanuts, almonds, etc). I adore DL!!! I have all of his other books and am itching to get this one!!!

I've only baked 3 or 4 loaves and they were all using his technique! The best one had green olives in it. I'd love to try pizza dough, though.

Crixa Cakes in Berkeley, CA. Just amazing and delicious.

I live near Bette's Oceanview Diner in Berkeley. That's pretty awesome. But my favorite eatery of all time is a bakery in Berkeley - Crixa.

Going home for Thanksgiving for the first time in many years because some of my Australian friends were staying with my parents while traveling around the US. They were looking forward to a traditional American T-day. But then my grandmother ended up in the hospital (later recovered), and my mom who was planning everything, had to leave. It was awkward and stressful, and still makes me chuckle.

It took me several more years to get home for T-day again - and this time because my mom was in the hospital (she's fine). I'm staying put this year.

Hah! I just had a slice of the Mondrian cake this weekend! It was quite tasty.

And I would vote for the Tomboy cake from Miette Patisserie as prettiest - funny that it turns out to be the same baker (I had no idea until I followed the link).

Yesterday I was picking through a bin of cherries at Berkeley Bowl, being bumped and prodded repeatedly by passing customers. As I was thinking how much I love/hate Berk Bowl another customer started up a convo with an employee about the new location. The employee was saying it is practically empty (of customers). Boy was I kicking myself!

The new one is even closer to my home!! Can't wait to visit. If it is better than the current Berk Bowl, it may actually be heaven.