We started out at the bar waiting for a table and polished off a few bloody marries complete with little delicious chunks of horseradish.  We were seated after about an hour of waiting and ordered our STEAK BURGERS.  Now, something you should know, steak burgers are the cheapest thing on the menu, weighing in at around 15 dollars with cheese and a quarter pound strip of bacon.

The first half went really well.  By the time I started in on the second half I was sweating.  The meat sweats are common and I’m not embarrassed about getting them.  Incredible burger, I could have split it but it was worth being in pain for the next two days.  Peter Luger, weekend brunch, try it.

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This is one of my favorites.  You can see her hand holding the cardboard collage of the bridge.  It’s kind of whimsical.

Courtesy of www.reallygoodfood.org

We started with the classic Beef Marrow & Oxtail Marmalade and the Grilled Sardines.  Both were delicious.  The marrow was so flavorful and the marmalade was perfectly done, slightly sweet and tangy.  The Sardines were served with an anchovy puree that was actually one of the most amazing things I’ve ever tasted.  I felt a little awkward dipping the sardine in his friend’s puree but you do what you gotta do.

The Bar

Next we shared the Sauteed Calamari and the Fried Oysters.  Both of these were perfectly prepared as well.  The calamari was sauteed just the right amount and done with a delicious lemony sauce.  The oysters were also perfect, served on top of some kind of pickled or sauteed collard greens (I think).  Increible!

Finally we shared the special entree, a Braised Pork Shoulder.  Wow.  Definitely up there with the best braises I’ve ever tasted.

Prosecco Valdobbiadene: very reasonable, about 45 for a bottle.  Espresso: also very good.

This video makes me so curious about Oakland.

Next we walked up to Bouchon for some Macarons.  They are a lot larger than the ones I had in Paris and I have to say, they were very hard and actually… not great.  So sad because I really miss macarons and I thought Bouchon would not fail me.

After Bouchon we walked up to The French Laundry for lunch number two.  Just kidding.  One day maybe.  We walked through the garden, which was incredible, and sat and dreamed about what the inside of the French Laundry looked like.

Next, we went to Quixote winery in the Stags Leap district of Napa.  It was my friends’ first time in Napa and they loved it.  We shared a tasting and really had some incredible wine.  The winery is also really cool and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.  During the week you have to make a reservation, so beware, or go on the weekend.

We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge on the way home so the boys could see it and the view.

We made pizzas for dinner and Scott experimented with quail eggs on his.  Of course, all good.  I also made a little olive mix with navel orange slices…. try it: green olives, washed, olive oil, navel orange slices and pepper.