Talkin' Shop

Ode to La Mamma

Looking for some baking inspiration? Mr. Espresso’s Marie Di Ruocco shares her beloved grandmother’s Chocolate Baked Cream recipe with us.

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I am quite embarrassed to admit for the past year I have lived a short 0.8 miles from Nopa and up until two weeks ago I had never experienced a meal there. Let me tell you, this neighborhood institution lived up to all the hype! My favorite part about my dinner was how simple yet delicious each dish was. We ordered way too much and ate it all. Some of my highlights were the wood baked butter beans with feta, oregano pesto and breadcrumbs which I’ve tried to recreate but will never taste as good in my own kitchen and the full flavored little fried fish with dill, aioli and lemon. If you haven’t had the chance to eat at this San Francisco classic yet, I highly recommend you schedule a visit!

Over the past weekend, I was lucky enough to experience one of the most talked about restaurant openings of 2017, Single Thread. Located in downtown Healdsburg, Single Thread offers a Japanese inspired eleven-course tasting menu.

The restaurant is stunningly beautiful and every detail has been meticulously thought-out. From the Japanese hand-crafted plates, bowls, and cups to the wine list, it’s obvious Kyle and Katina Connaughton left no thimble underturned when creating their dream restaurant.

Although the space was breathtaking, the food was the real show stopper of the evening. One of our favorite experiences was when we first sat at our table. After enjoying some bites and bubbles on the rooftop terrace, also used to grow herbs and produce for the restaurant, we were welcomed to our table where an elaborate wood block covered in moss featuring a handful of bite-sized appetizers awaited us. And it didn’t stop there as the appetizers kept coming!

A few other highlights from our meal included the Mt. Lassen Trout “Ibushi-Gin” with Shio Koji Vinaigrette, Trout Roe and Myoga and the Chamomile Ice Cream with Brown Butter, Popped Sorghum, and Apricot Compote.

Overall, the experience at Single Thread is one I will never forget.