Hedonia

The Eatsdropper is a pork-atarian

Is it just me, or are the stone fruit off the freaking hook this year? It is summer's greatest gift, and also one of it's greatest poignancies, as the season is all too short, and soon we'll be left with just the sweet, juicy, sticky memories. Thanks to my diligent Eatsdroppers, another ephemeral thing is forever preserved; here's a summer crop. As always, send in your most delectable overheard morsels to eatsdropper-at-seantimberlake-dot-com. Cheers!

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Cashier: "That will be $(Price of FroYo). Do you have your loyalty card?"
Customer: "Loyalty card? I'm not even loyal to my wife."
Cashier: " ... "
Customer: *Laughs* *walks out*

- Eatsdropped by Jordan at YoCup

Waspy, middle-aged woman talking to waspy, middle-aged man:
    "So there we were at this wedding and Bob Hope was there. And on the other side of the fence they were giving a naked cooking class."

- Eatsdropped by Cranky at the Marin Civic Center Farmers Market

Between two men in line:
    "Wait, so your dog is getting raw, organic meat for dinner and you're getting Domino's?"

- Eatsdropped by EB at Jeffrey's Raw Pet Foods

Woman, to her friend:
    "Tarian? Yes, I'm a tarian, a pork-atarian"

- Eatsdropped by Elise at a Michael Pollan lecture

Female tourist: "What are you going to order?"
Male tourist: "Macchiato."
Female tourist: "What's in a macchiato?"
Male tourist: "It has caramel."

-Eatsdropped by Mary at Blue Bottle Coffee

Guy at meat department: "You can use this steak for sandwiches or tacos."
Female customer: "Do I look Mexican?!"

- Eatsdropped by Alex at Whole Foods Market

Workman, remodeling a kitchen:
    "He brought his trophy wife.  And let me tell you, she wasn't winning no contests."

- Eatsdropped by Elise, in said kitchen

Woman to friend helping her move: "There's bacon-topped donuts in the dining room."
Friend: "Oh, that's ... not right."

- Eatsdropped by yours truly in Noe Valley

Clambake!

Ah, the Fourth of July, the quintessential summer holiday. For most, this day means sweltering midday sun followed by a balmy night with a spectacular fireworks display; the smell of burgers sizzling on over the coals commingled with the acrid smoke from sparklers.

But here in San Francisco, as with most things, it's different. In nearly 20 years living here, I could count the number of fog-free Fourths on one hand that has lost digits from a temperamental firecracker. I can scarcely remember the last time I actually saw fireworks on the Fourth, as opposed to eerie colorful glowing fog.

But that's okay; I like our quirky, often blustry weather, and wouldn't trade it for the oppressive heat and humidity of the other coast for all the Roman candles made in China. Still, I do find myself occasionally pining for nostalgic tastes of the Northeast. Last year, I finally sated my craving for lobster rolls. This year, on a recent visit to my mother's place in San Diego, we undertook another New England classic, the clambake. 

Wordless Wednesday: Tranquility

Hillcrest Farmers Market, San Diego

A cursory glance through the rambling list of sites in the right sidebar of this site will quickly inform you that I have a very small universe. I have a special focus on fellow Bay Area food bloggers; beyond that, I regularly monitor a handful of others around the world. But by and large, of the bloggers outside my own backyard, I am not terribly concerned with their geography.

The exception to that rule is San Diego. I began paying closer attention to food bloggers there because it's where my mother lives, and hence a place we visit with relative frequency. I became entranced with the vibrancy of the blogger community there. And on a visit down there last week, I reached out to a handful of my favorites (many of whom I had met personally before) to arrange a get-together.

Lucky me, all were available, and a plan was forged, beginning with a pass through the Hillcrest Farmers Market with Alice and Caron, after which we would connect with Kathy, Nicole and Susan for brunch at Farmhouse Café.

Wordless Wednesday: Flamingo

The Eatsdropper wants the full sugar and fat version

As I sit here putting together this quick little Eatsdropper, I am watching DPaul systematically shred an 11.5-lb pork shoulder that we slow-roasted in the oven overnight. Neeners! I'll make a deal with you: I'll consider sharing some of our well-gotten goods if you send me some delicious aural satisfaction to eatsdropper-at-seantimberlake-dot-com. Deal?

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Man 1: "Oh, that German Chocolate cake. THAT'S what I want right there."
Man 2: "It's vegan, though."
Man 1: "Oh, no! No, no, no. I don't want that vegan stuff. I want the full sugar and fat version."
Man 2: "Just because it's vegan doesn't mean it won't be full of sugar and fat."

- Eatsdropped by Genie at Whole Foods

30-something daughter to 50-something mom, as they peruse the menu:
    "You know, I think I'm brioche'd out"

- Eatsdropped by Anita at Dahlia Lounge

Woman smelling spice: "Mmmm ... jerk"

- Eatsdropped by yours truly at Penzeys Spices