Neumanali is one of Hayward’s few fine dining restaurants. Bijou, just a few blocks up B Street, is the only other one that immediately comes to mind. Neumanali is tucked away by the downtown Hayward BART station in a beautiful Victorian that most people don’t even realize is a restaurant as they walk past. I’ve
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Last week, I stumbled across this old familiar Christmas friend at the Trader Joe’s checkout line. And it reminded me that I’d made a prize-winning cocktail inspired by the chocolate orange just two holiday seasons ago. That was me enjoying the spoils of my victory. Frankly, I’m sure anyone could have won with this as
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What’s about an inch in diameter, full of gumdrop memories, and free of all animal products? If you answered Goody Good Stuff jelly candies then you answered correctly! But chances are you haven’t heard of these tasty discs as yet. That’s right, I have another product review for you, something sweet for stuffing those stockings
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Poggia Basso Grappa del Piemonte Ghemme, Italy 40% ABV This is my first grappa. Well, unless you count that one time I drank it while waitressing at Vinny Testa’s in Boston’s Back Bay. I assure you, you should not count that. But I think it was better than this? The grappa has a nutty smell,
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What’s that? I’m writing a product review that isn’t about food? In fact, I’m writing two of them, just in time to tickle on your Christmas gift-buying toes. Obligatory disclaimer: I received all of these items for free as samples from the companies. It’s up to you to decide if that makes me biased or
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The next stop on my Burger Joints of Hayward tour is Cecil’s Famous Burgers, found due to its Yelp rivalry with Val’s Burgers, the most iconic Hayward burger joint I can think of. Being as I’m not that enthused with Val’s (still planning a return visit for a review), I was rather intrigued by this
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For my sixth Mac and Cheese Night, the husband and I went a little upscale, heading to Paragon right outside AT&T Park. That picture reminds me that I wish we’d sat outside, but I had suspected it would get chilly so outside seemed the less desirable option. But it never did get chilly, and inside,
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When four, count ’em four, friends contacted me this week to make sure I was aware of this event, I realized I’d made a bit of a mac-and-cheese-tasting reputation for myself. This throwdown comes your way through the combined efforts of the SoMa StrEat Food Park and FunCheapSF, both great organizations with a goal of
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It’s been a while since I’ve shared a bragging post. This one is courtesy of my being quoted in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article on the origins and staying power of RumChata.  You may recall that I reviewed RumChata back in 2012, and you can read that review by clicking on the picture. What did I
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I have another product review for you guys this week! One thing most foodies have in common is a love of variety. Love With Food is a company that offers just that for organic and/or all-natural snack foods with a changing selection of goodies delivered every month. Love With Food gave me a tasting box
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