A Touch of France in Yountville, California

In 2017, my family and I took a day trip to the charming town of Yountville in Napa Valley 🍇

Specialty’s Café & Bakery Closes After 33 Years

I’ve been going to Specialty’s Café & Bakery for work lunches for over 15 years. So when I learned that the San Francisco Bay Area-based chain would be permanently closing their doors after today, May 19, 2020, I was shocked! The reason for the closure? The pandemic. Their website explains that “Current market conditions attributed … Continue reading Specialty’s Café & Bakery Closes After 33 Years →

I Tried to Make a French Lemon Tart

How do you say "baking fail" in French?

Visiting Berlin: Where to Eat

When your belly grumbles in Berlin, you can easily find beer, pretzels, and currywurst to satisfy your hunger! But what if you've got a hankering for something different? My dear friend introduced me to a few good restaurants

January 30 is National Croissant Day in the United States

Let’s celebrate the flaky, buttery French pastry

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I want to share a few of my favorite things that I discovered this year that bring me joy (This post is not sponsored)

6 Creative Ways to Get Your Vietnamese-Style Coffee Fix

I don't go to Vietnamese restaurants often and I don't have a phin (the special metal coffee filter used to brew Vietnamese coffee), so I've learned to get creative when the craving strikes

I Made an Apple Cranberry Flaugnarde with Crème Fraîche

It’s like a Clafoutis, but instead of traditional cherries, I used apples and cranberries (to give it a touch of autumn, my favorite season)

Picnic By the Pond at Marin French Cheese in Petaluma

The Marin French Cheese Company is located on a dairy farm in Hicks Valley, near the city of Petaluma, California, about 40 miles/ 64 km north of San Francisco. Since they have been at this location since 1865, Marin French Cheese has earned the distinction of being the "longest continually operating cheese company in America." … Continue reading Picnic By the Pond at Marin French Cheese in Petaluma →

Two French Bakeries and the Blue House in San Francisco

In my blog post, "If You're Going to San Francisco, Be Sure to Watch These Videos Filmed There," I described how a blue house in San Francisco inspired Maxime Le Forestier to write a French song entitled, "San Francisco." I recently got the chance to see the house on 18th Street made famous by the … Continue reading Two French Bakeries and the Blue House in San Francisco →

Oui Oui! Macaron

Yes, yes! I found another macaron shop in the San Francisco Bay Area

Tous les Jours: French-Korean bakery in Dublin

I visited a Tous les Jours French-Korean bakery for the first time ever

Visiting Seattle: Where to Eat

Starving in Seattle? I recommend you grab a bite at the following places for burgers, phở, and mac and cheese. They’ve got good eggs and pancakes, too...with warm maple syrup, everything for you

Visiting Seattle: Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Only 35 minutes away from Seattle by ferry, the island and city of Bainbridge Island is a charming place to visit. Take a leisurely stroll through the historic downtown area and check out these shops and restaurants along Winslow Way and Madrone Lane

Visiting Seattle: Original Starbucks

Did you know there are two originals in town? One is the first store that opened in 1971 and the other is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery that opened in 2014. I like one more than the other

How Jewel Made Me Think of Breakfast

I heard Jewel’s 1996 hit song, “You Were Meant For Me” recently and its food lyrics made me think of my favorite meal of the day. Here are some pictures of breakfast foods I love

You Need to Try These Black Raspberry Cocktail Recipes I Found

Hat tip to Carolyn of Hawkfeather Stories for inspiring this post! (I enjoy her blog and I'm sure you will, too. Check it out: Hawkfeather Stories) This week's Wednesday Postcard was from the commune of Chambord, France. It had not occurred to me that Chambord could be related to the black raspberry liqueur of the … Continue reading You Need to Try These Black Raspberry Cocktail Recipes I Found →

Sunday Brunch at La Note Restaurant Provençal in Berkeley, California

You don’t need to wait long for my review of brunch at La Note, the popular French restaurant in Berkeley. It’s ready to read now

Leave the Gum, Take the Cannoli

First of all, I mean no disrespect to all of you diehard fans of "The Godfather" movies. I know the true quote is: "Leave the gun, take the cannoli." But it's a bit too violent, wouldn't you agree? So just for fun, I changed gun to gum! I took this picture at a Whole Foods … Continue reading Leave the Gum, Take the Cannoli →

Taking a Load Off at Laundré in San Francisco

When I spotted Laundré in the Mission District in San Francisco, I was intrigued by the accent aigu (é) in its name. A closer look at the large blue building located on the corner of 20th and Mission Streets revealed that Laundré is a portmanteau, or a made-up word using the combination of the words, … Continue reading Taking a Load Off at Laundré in San Francisco →