I met Ma Hazzard in San Francisco last week. It was her first time. I thought it’d be great to finally do all the touristy things that I’d never done. In addition to Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Muir Woods and the Castro I surprised the Mother unit with a chauffeured trip through Sonoma Valley wine country.

I arrived the day before on a Thursday morning, 3 hours late, to fierce winds and ridiculous rain. Mom however arrived the next morning to big blue skies and sunshine; I couldn’t have been happier…wait, that’s a lie, I would’ve been much happier had I known that where I booked her hotel was crack city central; no wonder it was so cheap. As we made our way up the subway escalator we noticed a man hugging a lamp post, it was only after we got close enough that I noticed he was falling out on heroin. Mom grabbed my arm and I told her not to make eye contact and stay indoors.

We had a great time touring the city and. It was especially nice to see this great city again through a fresh pair of eyes. My favorite part would have to be the tour through Sonoma… I am a huge fan of Pinots and we tasted some amazing ones, not having to worry about driving was especially fantastic. My only regret is that Mom left on the best day of the week; it was 70 degrees, sunny and filled with naked sunbathers in the Castro.

Anybody that knows me, knows I heart beer. And thanks to beer consumers everywhere willing to shell out some additional coin for superior brews there are craft beers cropping up all over this great beer-swilling nation of ours.

Today I thought I would feature a peek into the world of craft beer from the perspective of Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware. This is a man who loves beer almost as much as he loves making incredible varieties for his devoted client base. And with all that love going around, well, it’s hard not to love him right back. You’ll see what I mean in the video below. Bottoms up!

Thanks again Will for being so fucking rude thus enabling me to re-establish my blog.

I’ve been in NYC since the 17th and in the last few days Spring has sprung and has me longing for the seasonal bliss one encounters after a long, annoying desolate Eastern winter (had I been in the desolate Eastern winter).

Last night I had the privilege to hang out with my boys from Rufskin who were throwing a party at G Lounge in NYC’s Chelsea gay-bor-hood. It’s what these guys are about that I hope myself to be someday soon: they are unaffected, creative, successful, chill, sweet and generous. Since I’ve been away I’ve stuck to my standard meals at their standard times. This is included but not limited to:

1. Egg and cheese on an authentic NYC whole wheat bagel, an apple and Starbuck’s coffee.*
2. Tuna salad wrap and a cookie
3. protein bar
4. copious amounts of dark beer, Jack Daniels and pizza.

*There is nowhere else that I have had a bagel like the ones on NYC’s Upper West Side. They are truly unmatched in texture and density. I heart NY bagels!

Tired of the same old steamed vegetables? So am I.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the kitchen again…