The Ahwahnee Lodge, Yosemite

Classic digs for world travelers. The Awhawanee offers

a true American lodge experience shadowed by Yosemite National

Parks' grand Dame the  Half Dome. I'm not a climber but loved the

hiking and my 1/2 day at Badger pass on a snowshoe tour with

Ranger Dick, a 25 year veteran of the Yosemite Park Ranger team.



The Ahwannee has a unique  design that's worth exploring if you visit,

built in the 20's the lodge has a magical grace in every room, especially

the public gathering rooms including the main dining room which seats 300.

The kitchen provides well rounded menus featuring a variety of wild game

and organic ingredients from the California farms just outside the parks gate.


On one occasion i enjoyed a pasta with braised boar, broccoli rabe and salsify.

They also offer a month long program called "Chef Holidays" which hosts

visiting chefs from all over the country,  This promotion is designed to show off

The Ahwahnee Lodges' fine culinary team under the daily direction of a variety

of talented chefs.  On this visit, I was here to present a breakfast menu, followed

by a gnocci recipe from Menlo Parks talented chef Jessie Cool of the Flea st. Cafe

and a main, 5 course Italian inspired dinner from Michael Tusk of Quince in

San Francisco.


If your looking for a well rounded adventure to one of Americas great National Parks.

A visit to the Ahwahnee should be high on the list.

Oasis, biscuts & gravy

Driving from Oakland to Yosemite offers Americana views.
First you see foot hills covered with windmills, huge windmills
laid across the landscape like rows of corn. Then, 100 miles
to the east you see forests of nut trees, again planted in rows for
organized production.

Not a great deal of options for breakfast. I saw a few spots but
drove on looking for something unique. Finally, as I entered the
foothills it seemed the choices had run out. The Oasis came into view
as I drove round the bend so I grabbed the chance for breakfast
at the counter. The world needs places like this. With nice ladies,
happy to cook for the regular from the dirt road cabin off 140,
or the odd traveler like me, interested in seeing whats inside.

It was like stepping into 1965 when I entered the door at The Oasis.
The counter to the right, a plastic display case ready to show off
4 slices of pie sat empty at the end. The room was occupied by
me and one other man at a table in the corner, busy reading
a pile of papers through a strange set of magnifying glasses.
 I ordered a cup of coffee and 2 over easy with what the menu
called 1/4 order biscuts and gravy. It was the biscuts I'll remember,
I'm sure she made them this morning. The gravy was standard, heavy
and filling, as it should be. The coffee was hot, that's about it.

The experience, priceless.

Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica

The perfect answer to the age old question "What to do on New Years?".
Three nights at Shutters On The Beach in Santa Monica.
My favorite meal was around the Corner at Cafe Cora. The tiny
spot is fast, clean and efficent in the LA way, cool and contemperary.
Fresh citrus juice, good hot coffee and ranch eggs. 12 seats inside
and another 30 under a tent.

We also enjoyed a few dinners at Coastal in the Shutters complex.
Best dish here was a Rigatoni Ragout. The space is well designed
for the ample crowd that rolls through it, just off the beach. They also
offer a wonderful vegetable breakfast skillet in a spicy tomato sauce
with eggplant, topped with eggs and an herbed goat cheese crouton.

Finally, the lemonade at Dog Stick, just off the Santa Monica peir.
Pass on the dog but refresh w. the Lemonade, really darn good.