– by Neil White (on my Kindle) – a really, really interesting book. It’s a memoir about the year the author spent in prison in Louisiana. About his sanctimonious attitude when he arrived there (he was convicted of kiting checks trying to keep his publishing business afloat) and what he learns during his year. But as much as it’s about his life as a prisoner, it’s more about the other residents of the prison – the last remaining lepers (Hansen’s Disease) who are provided for in the facility. Neil White is quite a character and I wondered more than once if he was ever going to “get it,” that he was greedy and egotistical. The book wasn’t published for about 10 years after his release, so at least he didn’t profit immediately by telling tales. The epilogue was so sad – listing the deaths of many of the leprosy patients and some of the inmates he came to call friends. One person at amazon commented that it was not worth reading because the author profited from his incarceration, and that he didn’t appear to have redeemed himself. I disagree – I think he did. If he didn’t, then he knows how to spin a good yarn. I choose to believe he learned a whole lot about himself and where his life took a (wrong) left turn, and that he’s trying to atone for his failings by publishing the book. You decide.
- by P.D. James (on my Kindle) – if I hadn’t read about this book in the Los Angeles Times a week or so ago I’d never have pursued this book. It’s nothing even close to her wealth of books of the mystery genre. But yes, it IS a mystery (not something I normally read) but it takes place about 5 years after Pride and Prejudice leaves off. That was the hook for me. An entertaining read and a way to keep in touch with all the lovable (and not-so) characters from Jane Austen’s classic. It’s not a page-turner in the true mystery-murder style, but it’s fun to read.
– by Judith Ryan Hendricks – I picked up this book at a lending library I use now and then. I have to laugh, though – the collection of books (probably numbering about 350 or so) is divided by paperback and hardback. And then by color. COLOR? I find that so ludicrous. But anyway, the title caught my eye. It’s definitely a novel, about a youngish woman who’s been a baker and a chef, but who is suddenly single. It’s about her struggle to find herself, to find a new rhythm of life. In the telling of the journey some recipes are included (baked goods, including bread-bread), which are available on the 
– by Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) – most everyone who reads blogs knows about Ree – the Pioneer Woman, from Pawhuska, Oklahoma. She’s always entertaining, whimsical and enjoyable to read. A couple of years ago she wrote a memoir of her romance with Ladd, her now husband. I can’t count how many times, as I was reading this, that I was LOLing (Laughing Out Loud). She is such a witty writer and knows how to tell a story. Even though I know she married Ladd and has since had 4 children, I was caught up in her story from the first page. I wrote it up in more detail on
– (on my Kindle) Michael Tucker (from L.A. Law some years ago) and his wife, on a whim almost, buy a home in Umbria. An old, old, old house with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, I think, and a nice terrace (where a lot of living goes on in Italian homes and families). It’s the story of the purchase itself, the friends they meet, the neighbors, how Michael finds the best butcher(s), bakers and candlestick makers. It made me long for another trip to Italy, actually. They enlarge the home, although they’re not there for most of the construction. It’s a similar tale to Frances Mayes’ books and Peter Mayle’s books too, but it’s different. Tucker is a TV star; his wife’s a stage actress. They live on some higher plane than I do, for sure, with lots of friends with connections. But it’s a cute story and I enjoyed it clear to the end.
(Stacy Schiff); 
; and 
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The second night in San Diego – Jayne’s Gastropub
Of the other six restaurants on my list of restaurants to try in San Diego, all looked good. But for whatever reason, I chose Jayne’s Gastropub. It’s in an area called University Heights, just off the I-805 at Adams. I made reservations there too (it was a Friday night, after all), and we were fortunate to be able to sit outside in their back patio that evening. Not much of a breeze, but it was perfectly comfortable. I’d read something about their Crostini at Alice’s Q. Foodie’s blog (I think) so we knew we’d order that if possible. Once we were seated, and menus presented, Jeremy, the sommelier approached and asked if we’d like a sparkling wine to start. He suggested three: a Friuli prosecco (Italian), a New Mexican sparkling wine (bone dry) and a sparkling Lambrusco (Italian). He and Dave had lively conversations about wine throughout our evening when he wasn’t busy assisting other tables with their wine selections. He’s a connoisseur of all wines Italian and French (he’s a wine-related writer by day – - if you’re interested, he has his own wine/food/music website: www.DoBianchi.com ). He’s exceedingly knowledgeable about wine in general. Dave ordered the New Mexico sparkler and I had the prosecco. I really loved the prosecco. Dave not so much the other one (no depth, he said, but I don’t know that a sparkling white should have a whole lots of character depth anyway). I nursed my glass all through dinner since I was driving home. Dave also ordered a very nice Cabernet to go with dinner, recommended by Jeremy. And at the end Jeremy was kind enough to bring us a tiny little nip of the Lambrusco. It was delicious. If they have it I’ll order it next time we go, after I have a glass of the prosecco.
The menu is lovely – includes a bit of everything from gazpacho, carpaccio, Caesar, fish, chicken, beef, pork. It’s a small menu (probably about 6 starters and 8-10 entrées altogether) but covers every type of food you might want. Dave chose the crostini with white bean dip and sweet peppers.
Well, I have to tell a story about the dish because this plate of food (pictured) was just fabulous. The chef had perfectly grilled the bread – grill marks and all, and the bread was still soft inside), and it was served with two bowls, one at each end of the plate – one contained the white bean dip, the other these remarkable, delicious, succulent, piquant piquante South African pickled peppers. Dave gave me one bite of this appetizer and I was hooked on those peppers. The owner, Jayne, very graciously brought me a card with information about them – she buys them wholesale, but on occasion her wholesaler can’t get them, so she usually finds them at Whole Foods, at the olive bar. Ah hah! I’ll have to check that out. The brand is Peppadew, and they’re also available by mail order through Gourmet Food Mall. Martha, Gourmet, Good Morning America and Sara Moulton all discovered these peppers back in 2003. They’re slightly warm (spicy), but tempered by the pickling done by Peppadew – they’re sweet and addictive. I simply MUST find these. Dave liked them so much he asked for more. [I found them at the olive bar at Whole Foods. The store doesn't carry them in a jar or can, but only at the olive bar, so you buy what you need. Whooray. Thank you, Whole Foods.]
My Caesar salad was good, although not memorable. I usually prefer salads that are tossed – this was a small, whole head of Romaine with dressing drizzled over it and sprinkled with Parmesan and croutons. It was obviously a good dressing and it wasn’t over-dressed, which is a common occurrence at other restaurants, and the croutons were house made. But you have to cut it up. I ate every bite, though, so what does that tell you?
For dinner Dave ordered the Niman Ranch Porterhouse Pork chop. It was absolutely outstanding – I can attest – since I got a couple of bites at the end. I’ve written up blog posts about Niman Ranch meats that I’ve had shipped to us (sign up for their email and you’ll know when they put varied meats on special), so Dave knew it would be good. I ordered the vegetarian dinner – grilled vegetables with grilled polenta triangles (pictured). It also had some melted mozzarella inside the mound, and some kind of zesty, sharp (good, sharp) sauce drizzled around the plate edges. The polenta was perfectly done – still just slightly soft in the center, and the vegetables were well cooked with a great variety, including okra, which I like very much, and certainly isn’t common in many West Coast restaurants. This was an outstanding meal. Dave was still talking about it the next day, suggesting we need to return to the boat soon so we can go back.
Jayne’s Gastropub
4677 30th Street at Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
619.563.1011
Jeremy Parzen
said on August 13th, 2008:
Thank you for the kind words. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your experience at Jaynes. I just wanted to follow up on something in your post. The Prosecco you drank is indeed from Friuli (Northeast Italy). Most Prosecco comes from the townships of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano in the Veneto (another region in the northeast). Prosecco is both a grape name and an appellation name. In the case of Fantinel’s Prosecco, the designation refers to the grape rather than the appellation. Just wanted to clarify…
Thanks again and hoping to see you soon.
Carolyn
said on August 14th, 2008:
Thanks, Jeremy, for the added info about Prosecco. I don’t like all proseccos out there, but this particular one I enjoyed very much. and we’ll definitely be back to visit the restaurant.