Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I use a Shun Chef's knife for most things, but my favorite knife in the world is my dad's custom made Japanese knife. We went and had it made when we were in Tokyo. Great memory, great sharp knife.

completely on its own. I always try to serve it with something and end up eating it first.

Nata's pastries in Studio City, CA. Or Pierre Herme. One's homey, one's Pierre Herme.

The French Laundry in 2008. I went with my dad to celebrate both of our birthdays. Probably about 800 for the two of us (With a TON of wine.) And so good. Sometimes it's as much about the company as the food.

I totally understand not being open to making substitutions, but not being allowed an omission really irks me.

There's a restaurant with two locations in the Los Angeles area that makes a burger that consistently winds up on best burger lists. I've been dying to try it. But I can't eat cheese, due to a very real, very frustrating allergy. The restaurant in question refuses substitutions to the point where they won't leave the cheese of my burger due to an allergy. I don't ask for any other changes, just for them to leave the cheese (which is on top of the patty, not mixed in) off, because of an allergy. They won't do it. Not only have I never had the burger, I haven't been back. One of their branches is walking distance from my house. It is a good place to meet friends. It has a great beer selection and very good fries. But they've lost my business.

I've had truffles a few times, including the truffle menu at Valentino in LA. But really, truffles in scrambled eggs are the best.

stuffed into figs, wrapped in pastry, and deep fried.

I make jam.

I also freeze fruit that i want on hand for pies in the middle of the winter. Oh, and I freeze pesto (though not with the fruit)

good single malt scotch. i use it in hard sauce and, most important, in a butterscotch sauce that is all but legendary (in my mind)

goat cheese stuffed bacon wrapped figs.

cherry pie with sour cherry ice cream

lemon bars, peanut butter brownies, or my chocolate cupcakes with orange jack daniels frosting