Today, for some reason has been a bit busier than normal traffic-wise on my site, aGreatChef.com. I dunno what it is, all that I can assume is that the weather is warming and folks are wanting to cook. Anyway I just thought I would post this image of my traffic sources for today (partial) and will be back in a day or so with another new recipe…cheers!

Tags: analytics, visitors to aGreatChef.com blog

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Tea…I always think about tea when I’m not feeling well, and today is one of those days. It was a long week at the restaurant, writing menu’s and working on getting a new logo, the bar built and making sure that the ansul system is being installed properly. I did take the time to go to a Rational demonstration and got to sample some pretty great food. For those who are not in the know, a Rational oven is this crazy oven from Germany that can do 8 things at once…really. Check it out here. It does seem to take some of the fun out of cooking, if you ask me…Now back to the tea.

While I was living in Vietnam we had some guests at the resort that were from south Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh to be exact. After their group had finished dinner I was lucky enough to have some time to chat with them. It’s always interesting to meet diplomats oversees. After the 20 questions on how and why I ended up in central Vietnam we got to talking about tea. There are 2 teas that I really enjoy, Jasmine and Guava.

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Tags: saffron, tea

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OK,

So an exhaust hood might not get a normal person exited. Chefs are, by any stretch of the vocabulary not normal so this get me excited!!!

It means that we are one day closer to opening, one day closer to doing what I love to do and one day closer to turning on my hometown to the foods I have experienced in the last 15 years of traveling and cooking around the country and the world.

So, without further ado…the hood!

and another view of the view…

chefRob

Tags: kitchen exhaust hood, porto vista hotel

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The dinner, with the talents of Kellie Flynn as my sous chef went off without a hitch. That is, if you do not count the 7 different stores I had to go to to get everything I needed :).

Since we were a bit busy, I could not snap any photo’s of the dinner itself, but I did manage to get a couple of the breakfast the next morning….compliments of Kellie.

the Buffet…

my plate…

mmm…tasty!

chefRob

Tags: a chefs breakfast, Kellie Flynn

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Every other year the Sarcoma Alliance of Orange County (CA) holds a benefit auction to raise money for the families and those afflicted with this horrible form of cancer. Sarcoma is a soft tissue cancer that afflicts many of us, our friends and our family members every year. In support of this great and worth wild cause I offer a in-home dinner for 10 at this auction and it gets snapped up every year.

Well tonight is the night for this years lucky bidder and since the menu is Thai, I thought it would be fun to post the menu that I am doing this evening up in Newport Beach.

Sarcoma Alliance Auction Dinner 2008

• Miang Som - Miang of lime, pomelo & prawns.
• Kobe beef and chicken satays with peanut and sweet chile dipping sauces
• Steamed Black mussels, basil, coconut & lime
• Marinated Scallops (raw), lemongrass, lime and mint
• Petite filet(s), potatoes, roasted carrots, massaman curry sauce

If you would like to learn more about Sarcoma cancer of the Sarcoma Alliance please follow the following links;

Soft Tissue Sarcoma - National Cancer Institute

Sarcoma Alliance - National site

I’ll post some more recipes beginning tomorrow, I have been a bit backlogged with the restaurant opening.

Best,

chefRob

Tags: sarcoma alliance auction dinner

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OK,

So I began the process of opening another new restaurant today…day 1…ground zero…whatever you want to call it. As glamorous as it sounds, I worked with Drevan on the menu’s (dinner, banquet, catering) and went over the equipment list, which I will have to go over in detail very soon. Out of all of this grandeur, I did find time to snap some pictures (4) with my iPhone. I know this thing would come in handy one day.

This is the status of the Glass Door restaurant as of 17 March 2008.

Restaurant - the kitchen,

the bar, from the kitchen,

the Glass Door bar close up,

and finally the view (and what a view it is!)

More photo’s when I get my DSLR in house and work some magik!

chefRob

Tags: glass door restaurant, little italy san diego, porto vista hotel

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Yes…that is right, but not your regular type of restaurant. Let me explain a bit…

This restaurant is attached to a new, boutique hotel here in San Diego’s Little Italy and is unlike anything the city has to currently offer. Wi-Fi, and all the amenities one would expect from a 4-star hotel just without the pricing structure. The rooms, for their location are, in my mind inexpensive…but more about the hotel later.

The restaurant is called the Glass Door and boasts a commanding view of San Diego Bay (which no other restaurant has in Little Italy), a great bar and a menu that is going to bury the other restaurants in the city. The cuisine is New American, the decor is modern lounge and your invited to experience this all with me.

I will be posting, starting Monday my journal 3 times a week chronicling the build out of the restaurant. So stay tuned and I hope you all enjoy the ride!

chefRob

Tags: glass door restaurant, Porto Vista hotel San Diego

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