(Dolen Perkins-Valdez, hardback). From the title you might think this is a book about the s-x word. It’s not. By a long shot. But the story, set in about 1852, is about a black slave woman, and her somewhat misguided “love” for her master. About the children she bore him, under the eagle eye of the master’s wife. But it’s all tied together with a yearly journey made to a place called Tawawa House, a rural inn of sorts in southern Ohio (a free State), that for some years allowed white slave owners to stay at the resort in rustic cottages with their black slaves, as couples. This place existed, according to the author’s afterword, and finally closed because some of the regulars (white couples who stayed in the main house) didn’t fancy this concubine business going on out in the woods. It’s about Lizzie’s relationships with the other slave women, about their desire to run to safety through the local underground, about them secretly meeting some free blacks, finding out more about abolition, and about the hardships all these black mistresses endured, and how little their lives were valued. A real stunning book. (I was sent this book as a perk from Harper Collins – because I had mentioned The Help. No strings attached – I could choose to mention this book, or not, here on my blog. I’m glad to because it’s a very good read.)
(Jamie Ford, on my Kindle). A poignant story about a Chinese-American, growing up in Seattle at the beginning of World War II. Henry falls in love with a young Japanese girl before her family is interned in a relocation camp. It a very secretive relationship because his parents would highly disapprove. The story goes back to the 40’s and forward to the 1980’s when Henry is in his 50’s and his wife (not the Japanese woman) has just died of cancer. The story pulls you in from the first page, especially when some artifacts are found in the basement of an old hotel which contain personal belongings from several Japanese families who were suddenly taken away back in 1942. You can see where it’s going, can’t you? I heard criticism of this book that it was just a little bit contrived. Halfway through I’m enjoying it very much.
(Kathryn Stockett on my Kindle, an excellent read); 
by Jetta Carleton (Kindle edition, eh); 
by Susan Richards (Kindle edition, good book); 
by Sally Gunning (Kindle edition, very good read)
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(Mario Batali & Gweneth Paltrow); 
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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.