M Magazine 2023 June Almaden

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Celebrating 60 years

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TRAV E L

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Part II

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO SEE IN

TOKYO (AND BEYOND)

By CINDY CRUZ

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here is a lot to do in Tokyo. More accurately, there are a lot of touristy things to do in Tokyo. And on this first trip we did mostly touristy stuff. But I can’t wait to come back and do all of the other stuff that there is to do or not do – like simply strolling around all of the side streets in the different neighborhoods and visiting all the places where everyday life is happening.

Yeah, that’s my fantasy – come back for months and just live here and explore the mundane. Having said that, I absolutely enjoyed all of the things that we did do.

THE TEMPLES

First of all, while in Japan, you must visit a temple. The first temple we visited was a small shrine in the middle of a quiet neighborhood in Roppongi Hills that we just happened upon as we explored the area on foot. It was run by a monk who lived there with his family, no tourists, no vendors, just a temple in the midst of a beautiful neighborhood. The monk and his young son welcomed us warmly and let us explore the small room filled with books and musical instruments. If you get an opportunity to visit a smaller temple, do it. You can appreciate the peace and serenity without a ton of people, and it was a truly authentic moment.

Of course, we made it a point to visit some of the must-see temples in Tokyo. On our second day, we took the train to the Shibuya City area and walked to the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

The walk along the path shaded by beautiful trees is lovely.

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The Meiji Jingu Shrine sits in the center of a vast forest of several thousands of trees, creating a lush green oasis in the middle of a bustling city. On-site there is a museum and, adjacent to the shrine, Yoyogi Park with its lovely ponds, fountains, and plum and Sakura trees. Walk the grounds, listen to the birds sing, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

On another day, we visited Sensoji in Asakusa. Once you enter the outer gate, there is a 200-meter walkway lined on both sides with shops selling souvenirs and traditional snacks. There are so many shops along the way that it may take you a while to reach the second gate to the main temple, the shrine, and the stunning 5-story pagoda. This temple is the best for people-watching, and we saw many young ladies dressed as geisha.

THE MUSEUMS THE MORI ART MUSEUM

The Mori Art Museum is housed in the Roppongi Towers in the swanky Roppongi Hills neighborhood. The museum features contemporary art in a variety of genres including paintings, photography, sculpture, film, technology, language, science, and more. My favorite exhibits were the Sushi of the Future exhibit and the empty room with a pile of light bulbs in one corner, a single light bulb from above, and a spectacular view of the city through a wall of windows. For the most spectacular views of the Tokyo skyline, visit the Observation Deck on the 52nd floor or the Rooftop Sky Deck.

TEAMLAB PLANETS TOKYO

One of my favorite things we did was to visit the teamLab Planets TOKYO, an immersive museum experience featuring large scale installations involving water, light, and technology.

It’s hard to fully describe the experience – you will be barefoot, walking through water, through flowers, through light – it is amazing. We spent at least 20 minutes just sitting in the Universe of Floating Flowers. The Infinite Crystal Universe consists of millions of LED lights, twinkling, flashing all around you – it’s magical! If you go to Tokyo, this is a must-see. Book your tickets ahead of time – it does sell out.

PET CAFÉS

Let me preface this by saying that I did not enjoy my pet café experience. I learned that I am wholeheartedly against holding animals hostage for the amusement of tourists. We went to a hedgehog café to pet some adorable hedgehogs and guinea pigs. They were cute. But there was also a ferret in residence, and to be honest, the little fellow looked miserable, chained in place by his little ankles.

It just wasn’t fun for me after seeing that. Next, the Harry Potter nerds in our party wanted to go to the Owl Café, so we went. I am pretty sure Hedwig would be pissed if he were chained to a branch while ignorant tourists cooed over him. The ladies at the counter said we could pet them if we wanted to, but none of them – zero owls– wanted to be touched. And the reaction was violent and accompanied by deathly serious side-eye. We were lucky we walked out of there with our eyeballs intact. My son, separately, went to an otter café and he had the same bad feeling.

Otters should be swimming free.

I would say skip this experience altogether and avoid supporting cruelty to animals.

KYOTO

A trip on the bullet train, or Shinkansen is a must, so we decided to take the bullet train out of town to Kyoto which is about 320 miles from Tokyo and a two-and-a-half-hour ride on the Shinkansen. The trip by train is already an adventure, departing from busy Tokyo Station, shopping for tasty treats to eat on the train, and then feasting on the goodies as the view outside zips past you. And then before you know it, you’ve arrived in Kyoto! Our first stop was the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This is an easy 2-mile stroll beneath towering bamboo boughs. It’s quite lovely, but also, a bit overrated. I’m glad I saw it. I only need to see it once. Once we finished at the Bamboo Grove, we took a cab to Gion, the famous geisha district, and walked through the ancient alley ways where, once upon a time, geisha must have dashed from tea house to tea house. We found a cute ramen shop and enjoyed a delicious meal, then spent the rest of the time shopping for souvenirs. I think I would spend a few days in Kyoto the next time I come back to Japan. There are a lot of things to see and do here, I feel like I rushed through it. Kyoto, I’ll be back!

SHOPPING

Shopping in Japan is awesome. We spent most of our time shopping at Don Quijote, the biggest discount store in Japan and the Kit-Kat capital of the world – they have every flavor of Kit-Kat candy bars – peach, melon, cheesecake, chestnut, green apple, and on and on. I’m ashamed to say that I bought

almost every flavor and was unable to close my suitcase. I left behind two sweaters to make room for candy bars.

Anyway, shopping in Japan is awesome – from clothing, chopsticks, Kimmidoll, Japanese blue jeans, Gucci and Louis Vuitton bags – it’s kind of a steal considering the dollar vs. the yen, plus it’s duty-free! Yes, we shopped ‘til we dropped. Our favorite shopping areas were the Harajuku district and Shibuya for shoes, bags, and clothing, and Akihabara for electronic gadgets, pokeman cards and manja and anime action figures. We also found a lot of cute gifts at the gift shops at the museums and temples we visited. Tip: bring an empty suitcase for your purchases!

Needless to say, there’s just so much to see and do in Tokyo and beyond. There just isn’t enough time to do it all in a week.

I can’t wait to go back and spend a little more time doing the things I’ve already done, as well as the things I didn’t get a chance to do. I’m already planning my next trip!᯽

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The Tokyo Tower Challenge

By R B R

UI UI

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hile wandering Roppongi and the neighboring areas I was always able to get my bearings by looking up at that colossal orange beacon, the Tokyo Tower.

I made it a point to make my way to the landmark to check it out up close and personal. Inside the ground floor of the tower is a mini-mall complete with a food court, sweet shops, and various souvenir shops with all sorts of tower-themed items, from 3D puzzles to tower shaped water bottles. I walked into the lobby and, although the place was lively, there was no line to purchase my ticket to the top. They handed me my ticket and a map and informed me that there were two ways to the top – the elevator or the 600-stair challenge. In the spirit of adventure, I took the latter option – challenge accepted!

When I approached the bottom of the stairs I noticed a Tokyo Tower photo prop along with a camera stand to make sure everything is framed just right. Once again there was no line (What? No takers on the stair challenge?) so I took my time taking the perfect selfie. I then e changed my ticket for a Tokyo Tower Challenge certificate and started to make my way up. I found that it only took around twenty-five steps for me to begin to feel a bit winded but I pressed on, after all there were only 575 steps left to go. Along the way there are posters with cute chibi characters doing silly stair-related stu . I cannot read Japanese but I liked to imagine they were saying something profound and inspirational, cheering me on as I made my way to the top.

After what seemed like a very, very, very…very long time, I had finally reached the observatory where there was another photo station, so I took some very sweaty post-climb selfies. The view of the city from the observatory was incredible! The city sprawled into the distant fog and beyond, ending at the base of the mountains. The skyline was a backdrop of skyscrapers – in the foreground were ancient temples and cemeteries alongside neon billboards and glittering lights. I took my time photographing the view before scurrying tentatively across the glass bottom floor and heading back down the stairs.

After climbing up and down all those stairs I had worked up a bit of an appetite. I had been on a pretty consistent diet of ramen or raw fish thus far so I decided to go with a bit of good ol’ American comfort food at … McDonalds, of course.

When I got there I noticed all the di erent menu items that I couldn't get back home. Being the curious sucker I am, I ordered one of each of the Japanese-style burgers. There was a Samurai burger, a teriyaki burger, and a sweet shrimp burger. The hamburgers were basically the same as burgers we get in America with the addition of a soy-based sauce.

The shrimp burger was like a fried shrimp cake with sweet and spicy sauce, tartar sauce and lettuce in a bun – not great, but I’m glad I tried it. In fact, I ate them all. In the end, I left McDonald’s feeling a bit gross as I suppose anyone who had just eaten three large fast-food burgers in one sitting would. But then again, I earned it!

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T H IN G S TO DO

june & july calendar

June 22nd – September 9th A Chorus Line

4th – 30th The Road to Mecca

Z Below, San Francisco Set in a small South African town, The Road to Mecca follows eccentric aging widow who fills her house and overgrown garden with life-sized sculptures and statues that represent a fantasy pilgrimage to Mecca. Spurned by neighbors who think her crazy, the artist is compelled to keep at her solitary work, which not only transforms her world into a magical paradise but creates a testament to artistic freedom in the midst of repression and political turbulence. A struggle ensues as a young schoolteacher advocates for the aging artist, while a conservative pastor friend insists that she is declining and should be moved away from her beloved refuge. Tickets and information at zspace.org.

June 7th – July 2th Steel Magnolias

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts Head on over to Truvy’s Beauty Salon, where the curlers are hot and the 12

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gossip is hotter! Nestled in smalltown Louisiana, it’s the place to go for the best ‘dos, the best advice (whether you asked for it or not) and the best friends you’ll ever meet.

Join Truvy, the irascible Ouiser, protective M’Lynn and her soon-tobe-wed daughter Shelby and a host of other memorable women as they banter, bicker and bond through the years, forging a sisterhood strong enough to carry them through all of life’s triumphs and tragedies. Ticket Office: 650-903-6000 | mvcpa.com.

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Kristi Yamaguchi Family Literacy Festival

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose A jam-packed day of celebrity and author readings, hands-on activities and art projects, and family-friendly entertainment will be at the museum to promote literacy and family fun.

Olympian gold medalist and New York Times bestselling children's author Kristi Yamaguchi and silver medalist Polina Edmunds, author and illustrator Tim McCanna, New York

Times bestselling children's author Jennifer Fosberry and musical groups Alphabet Rockers, and Andy Z. will be at the museum creating a magical experience for all.

10th – 11th

The Artichoke Festival

Monterey County Fair & Event Center This year’s 63rd annual festival will return to the Monterey County Fair & Event Center in Monterey with the theme “Thistle be Fun: Artichoke Festival 2023.” Enjoy artichokes, chef demos, live music, family fun, wine tasting and more! This year is a Saturday night-only standup show, featuring the Thistle Be Funny Comedy Show. Get your tickets at www.artichokefestival.org today!

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils: 7 Flights with Wild Geese Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts A mischievous prankster Nils is turned into a gnome for his cruelty to the weak and vulnerable. An

unexpected journey with wild geese in the North changes him completely and he becomes a considerate, loyal friend. Based on the beloved novel by Selma Lagerlöf. Performed entirely in Russian. Ticket Office: 650-9036000 | mvcpa.com.

15th – 18th

48th Annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival

Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley Set amongst the scenic Sierra Foothills, this year’s festival features a lineup of the top national, regional, and local bluegrass performers on three stages over the course of four days. To further enhance the festival experience, the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival also o ers free workshops, camping, non-stop jam sessions by musicplaying fans, informal square dances, an acclaimed Youth Program, a widerange of food and beverage vendors, and more. Single day tickets ($20–$80) and full festival passes ($65–$195) are available now by visiting www. fathersdayfestival.com.

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Papapalooza

Bruns Amphitheater, Orinda This summer on the day before Father’s Day, celebrate your pops, papas, and grandads during Papapalooza at the spectacular Bruns Amphitheater. In its fourth year, the event will offer an eclectic mix of music ranging from the 60’s to the 2020’s from 5 amazing and talented local bands: The Ripplers, Sixteen Scandals, Delta Deuce,

July 12th – August 6th Alice Bliss Ancestral Water and Chupacabra.

Plus, solo appearances from Chelsea Ames and Abby Hallett. Food and beverages include Classic Catering, Craft Beer from Canyon Club Brewery.

Fun for all ages with a game zone and kiddie activities. Proceeds benefit Notes4Hope and The Diamant Foundation. Tickets: $20 and up To purchase, visit notes4hope.org/ papapalooza

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Juneteenth Community Celebration

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose Discover the vast richness of the African Diaspora through a mix of short films created for children by seasoned and emerging filmmakers that will run throughout the day. Drummer Pope Flyne, a Ghanaian-born performer, composer, and educator, will lead a drumming workshop and invite you to try your hand at some traditional African drums. Then top off the day by making your own percussion instrument!

June 22nd – September 9th A Chorus Line

San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco Continuing their long-standing history of collaboration, Ragazzi Boys Chorus will join forces with the Peninsula Girls Chorus for their sixth Siblings in Song, a rousing concert celebrating the dynamic performance skills of both groups. This concert will showcase Ragazzi’s Young Men’s Ensemble and Peninsula Girls Chorus’ Ensemble choir, concluding with an exciting finale featuring the combined voices. $30 General Admission; $20 Students/ Seniors. Free admission to current choristers wearing a Peninsula Girls Chorus or Ragazzi logo shirt when accompanied by an adult with a general admission purchase. For information or to order tickets, the public may visit Ragazzi.org or call (650) 362-4425.

July 12th – August 6th

Alice Bliss

June 10th Kristi Yamaguchi Family Literacy Festival

Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will close its 52nd season with the World Premiere musical Alice Bliss. This vibrant new work is an intimate and stunning tale of losing everything and living anyway; of a girl who hits rock bottom, finds her mom there, and begins to grow up. Full of humor, hope, grief, and sheer teenage joy, this brilliant new musical is based on Laura Harrington’s acclaimed novel in which young Alice and her family navigate life after her father is deployed to Iraq and reported missing in action.

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TRANSFORM

your home

Client Driven Design One might not e pect to find a glimpse of France in the heart of Silicon Valley, but with an opportunity to build her dream home this homeowner combines her love of classic French glam and elegant anti ue accents.

Through our e tensive design planning, inspired by the clients’ chosen elements and handpicked products, we entirely reconstructed and customi ed every aspect of this whole home remodel. Transforming this once dated builder grade home into a stunning contemporary design with a generous open floor plan and sun-soaked panoramic views.

Improved Function

To ma imi e the e isting first floor, we devised a plan to take down a wall and bo y staircase separating the kitchen from the living room and entry, drastically forming the open concept living space the client long sought after. By removing a third unused patio door and adding a wall ad acent to the dining room, gained a new kitchen layout, allowing for an oversi ed center island, and an additional 14 feet of storage and counterspace, all visible from the front door. Board and batten trim work, classic iron stair railing, and astoral wood herringbone floors add definition and character to the grand vaulted ceilings and arched entry way.

Layers of interest

The light filled kitchen sets the stage for this e uisite well-designed home.

Gilded cabinet knobs lay flawlessly on the custom painted maple cabinets

an apron-front sink, and lavish marble island countertop create a sophisticated setting for cooking and socializing alike. Rich in texture and depth, the perimeter walls are lined with an intricate soapstone backsplash, as the distinctive hand wrapped plaster hood sits proud above the handsome dual la flange range and creatively convenient pot filler. The original solid oak front doors were re-stained, resi ed and purposely re-used as the statement making pantry doors. pair of hand carved limestone cast fireplaces, warm brass fi tures and an abundance of natural stone touch on modern day living and shabby chic styling.

Timeless Guest Bathroom

Though we were able to enhance the first floor with-in the same sq footage, the existing home lacked the interior space for a grand master suite. With adding only s feet, this now dreamy master suite is as beautiful as it is functional. private patio only accessible from the bedroom engulfs the space in natural light as a pair of custom french doors lead into the massive walk-in closet and lu urious heated floor. romantic chrome tub and the floor to ceiling marble shower adds an undeniable dose of sophistication to this master sanctuary.

Larger primary bathrooms might have ample opportunities for remodeling but make no mistake the marble drenched hall bathroom sets the tone for classic beauty. The combination of

Typically, when you talk to people who have gone through a renovation, you hear nothing but horror stories with projects going over budget, well over schedule, and not delivering on their promises. Rarely do you hear people say we love our contractor, but we are here to say we love our contractor. The May Team met and exceeded our goals for our whole home remodel while still staying on schedule, on budget, and providing professional and courteous service throughout the entire process.

Jennifer and Andrew M.

vintage and contemporary aesthetics was the secret to this bathroom’s signature look. n e isting unused linen closet was removed to enlarge the shower and include a built-in shower bench, clear Starphire glass showcases the light and airy marble shower walls and brass fi tures. gold open shelved vanity topped with a custom cut marble countertop, sits below a uni ue weathered anti ue mirror and drywall covered medicine cabinet. Mixed patterns of Calacatta Gold marble with its gorgeous white stone and prominent gold streaks cover the floor in arabes ue and chevron polished shaped tile that beautifully complement one another for a soft touch of elegant in this timeless guest bathroom.

Outdoor Views

This may be a French inspired whole home remodel, but this modern deck captivates the California dream of indooroutdoor living. This family wanted a space that would function as an outdoor dining area, lounge, and entertainment space. rompting this transformation, we completely tore down the

e isting aged sundeck, e panded both the backyard and new deck to increase the overall footprint for their outdoor living space. Custom steel and aluminum railing frames the patio, while the new Tre composite decking runs proudly parallel, adding a low maintenance element to the large e panse of this dreamy outdoor makeover and o ers pictures ue views all from the comfort of their own backyard.

Dream Building

our dream home remodel can be one of your biggest financial and creative investments and each phase requires personalized attention and considerable advance planning to ensure your dream is built to last a lifetime. Through our extensive experience and attention to detail, we have developed a process to help our clients navigate the complex series of decisions home design and construction re uires. We are goal-oriented and driven by creating perfection through each step in your pro ect, helping you design and create the home you ve always dreamed of and deserve.᯽

Budget analysis and project development by: May Construction, Inc. Interior design developed collaboratively between: Client and May Construction design team.

For more information visit us at www.MayConstructionInc.com or call us at (408) 294-6763 email: Debbie@MayConstructionInc.com M

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L I S T

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Naturium’s Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% I ust started using this serum and I can already see a di erence. The serum brightens and helps to fade dark spots and smooths and refines te ture. The serum contains a potent level of sustained-release retinaldehyde at . . Whatever their secret formula is, it’s working! nd it’s kind of a bargain at $32! Available at Naturium.com.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Body Cream When I want to pamper myself, I treat my skin to this agic Body Cream. I love the Charlotte Tilbury agic Cream oisturi er for my face – why not treat my body to the same indulgent and lu uriously rich and creamy formula The body cream is infused with firming Ca eine and Hyaluronic cid. Their research has shown that it helps with reducing cellulite and stretch marks! I love it because it hydrates like no other and I’m holding out hope that it’s keeping the cellulite away. $80 at CharlotteTilbury.com.

summer

SKINCARE

Get your skin ready for the sun! Protect, hydrate, and level up your anti-aging skincare game. We’ve tried a variety of beauty products and these are our favorites for the summer season.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing and Polishing Powder-Cleanser

Beauty Pie Youthbomb Double-Retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum I’m a big fan of retinol skin products and I love this skin serum from Beauty ie.

It’s perfect for those (like me) who are already using retinol in their beauty routine and are ready to kick their anti-aging skincare up a notch. The formula contains Microencapsulated Retinol and Granactive etinoid 2 , plus iacinamide, Lactic Acid, Liquid Ceramides, Hyaluronic cid, and Fi-Veta – all potent antiaging ingredients! at Beautypie.com.

This cleanser is great for oily skin. ade with White Clay and lpha-Hydro y cid, the cleansing powder gently e foliates skin, while drawing out impurities from hardto-reach pores. Skin looks brighter and smoother with noticeable reduction of oil and shine. E pect immediate results! $38 at Kiehls.com.

Naked Sundays I love the Naked Sundays line of skincare products because they are pure and e ective. I especially adore their Clear Glow Radiant Sun Serum with SPF 50; it’s clear and colorless – totally invisible – and is loaded with antio idants. It comes in a compact tube and can be applied over make-up, so you can reapply it as needed. $36 at us.nakedsundays.com.

Kiehl's Super Fluid Daily UV Defense Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ I’m a big fan of Kiehl’s and this sunscreen is always on my list. It’s super lightweight, has an invisible matte finish, and is formulated to fight aging and defend against free radicals. erfect for everyday use and for every season. $46 at Sephora.

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FOOD

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THE TOP DISH Have you even gone out to eat and just didn’t know what to order? Or have you ever wanted a sandwich or a donut, but not know where to go to get the absolute best to beat that craving?

Well, check out TheTopDish.com and get the skinny on where to find the best dish at the Bay Area’s top foodie hot spots.

by Jeff Saxxon

TOP PHO IN SAN JOSE Cowboy Pho Pho San Jose

1174 N Capitol Ave. San Jose (408) 618-8860 • phosanjose.com You have to drive all the way out to North San Jose to get this bowl of magic. Purists may cry but these folks elevated pho. It starts with a great broth with onions and scallions that is a bit richer and a tad saltier than most. But it’s the tender smoked brisket and a lot of pepper that makes this pho ama ing. t first I thought the meat was rare because the smoke ring is so red. The pepper and smokey brisket infuse the broth with a depth of flavor that I never thought possible in pho. I didn’t even think about grabbing the hoisin sauce. You will never think of pho the same again. Call ahead – this dish is so popular, they tend to run out.

TOP BANH MI IN SAN JOSE Steak Banh Mi Duc Huong

1020 Story Rd. #C San Jose (408) 993-8001 • (4 San Jose Locations) Get ready to wait in line. Duc Huong has become a legend. Any order will yield happiness, but my go-to is the Grilled Beef. Order like a local and get the veggies on the side so when you get home you can give the meat and bread a quick toast and then add the fresh veggies. The Grilled Beef has an ama ing flavor and the bread is always fresh, light, and crispy. The grilled or BBQ pork won’t let you down either. Buy 4 and get the 5th free.

TOP DONUT IN SILICON VALLEY Lilikoi Mochi Donut MoDo Hawaii

2000 El Camino Real Ste 11, Santa Clara (408) 320-2075 • modohawaii.com If you have not tried a Mochi donut, get on it. They have a unique light but chewy texture. But they are not all equal. MoDo only serves fresh hot mochi donuts made to order. That’s huge. But their toppings are next level too. Lilikoi (Passion fruit) is my favorite but strawberry is a close second. (Only available some days). The fruit toppings are clearly made from real fruit and have a bright acidity that makes them really shine. This is light years from a Winchell’s donut with the pink frosting. They have many other uni ue flavors like black sesame, andan, atcha, and more. Thank God it’s a 20-minute drive or I’d be buying bigger clothes every other week.

TOP BBQ BEEF BRISKET IN SAN JOSE BBQ Beef Brisket Smoking Pig BBQ

1144 N 4th St. San Jose (408) 380-4784 • smokingpigbbq.net Tech engineer turned BBQ entrepreneur Paul Reddick is building up a BBQ empire. Now 4 locations strong include two in San Jose and one in Fremont. (And a new one in Las Vegas) There are many reasons to visit and this will not be the last top dish for Smoking Pig. Brisket is one of the toughest meats to master but aul has it dialed it with ama ing flavor, tenderness, and it’s oh so juicy. Order it half lean and half fatty. The fatty side is like BBQ foi gras. Wash it down with one of many craft beers on tap. Save room for dessert but more on that later.

TOP APPETIZER IN SARATOGA Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffle with Uni & Dungeness Crab Fondue Plumed Horse

14555 Big Basin Way Saratoga (408) 867-4711 • plumedhorse.com If This signature dish is so ama ing they took it o the tasting menu and made it an add on…because you would have to be crazy to make the trip and not pay extra for this Top Dish. Here’s a secret: Go to the bar and order 2 with a glass of bubbly. They had me at “black Pepper and Parmesan” but it gets so much better. They bring the Uni and crab fondue in a separate terrine then pour it into the airy sou e. The contrast between the light sou e and the rich cheesy sauce is sublime.

Do you agree? Is there another Top Dish we should consider?

Share your comments at TheTopDish.com ᯽

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A Weekend at HARVEST INN

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photo by Andy Berry

Napa Valley’s Hidden Gem

f you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, surely Napa has popped up at the top of your list. Just a short drive from the bustling Bay Area, Napa Valley, with its picturesque rolling hills and vineyards, world-renowned wineries, exceptional restaurants, and a wide variety of activities to choose from, the beautiful valley has everything you need to immerse yourself in all the pleasures of life.

where to stay During our last visit, we stayed at the Harvest Inn, a luxury boutique hotel in St. Helena. Tudor-style in architecture and landscaped with beautiful roses, lawns, terraces, brick archways and bridges, all nestled in a grove of ancient redwood trees and bordered by an expansive vineyard – walking through the property is a little like strolling through an English garden. So hidden is this little gem that you may bypass it as you drive along the busy street. So, although

brick wood-burning fireplace with plenty of wood to burn on cool nights. On this trip, we traveled with our dogs, and the hotel provided comfy beds and treats for our pups – so don’t stress if your dog-sitter isn’t available, bring the dogs with you because they will be warmly welcomed.

the hotel is located on the main highway, you’d never know it; the location actually makes the hotel convenient as it is just minutes from some of Napa Valley’s most popular wineries and attractions.

Our Vineyard View Suite offered an expansive view of the vineyard and guests can sit outside on the balcony with a glass of wine and watch the sun set splendidly behind the vines.

The rooms are spacious with a big

The hotel has all of the amenities you would expect from a full-fledged resort: two swimming pools – including one adults-only pool – a hot tub, fitness center, a full-service spa, and their excellent on-site restaurant, Harvest Table which offers farm-to-table cuisine. You could easily spend your entire getaway without ever having to leave the hotel grounds where you will be well-fed and have plenty of things to do.

where to eat One of the best things about the Harvest Inn is their on-site restaurant, Harvest Table, an intimate dining space anchored

by a big fireplace inside the cozy dining room, and outside, a covered patio with views of the garden.

Executive Chef Jeff Libunao is in the kitchen cooking up a menu crafted around what is fresh and in season. For dinner one night he prepared an array of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including an impressive mezze platter laden with garlic hummus and creamy labneh served with fresh vegetables and grilled naan, followed by tender meatballs of veal, lamb, and pork swimming in a savory tomato sauce, grilled artichoke hearts flavored with lemon and garlic, pasta with the freshest asparagus and baby peas, and a juicy pork chop brined in a flavorful applecitrus marinade.

There are so many well-regarded restaurants in Napa, but we were very content to dine at Harvest Inn.

what to do There are many activities to do in the Napa Valley: biking or hiking along some of the area’s beautiful trails, wine tasting at the many beautiful wineries, or being pampered with a spa treatment. If you decide that the most relaxing thing to do is nothing, well, that might be hard to do.

Even if you stay on the hotel’s grounds, it

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may be hard to resist the goings-on at the Harvest Inn. The Harvest Inn has events that are held regularly including their everpopular One Main Cigar Dinners held every third Thursday from March to November (check the website for the specific dates). These cigar dinners offer an evening filled with live music, gourmet food, fine wine, and cigars. This event is very popular, especially with the locals, so get your tickets ahead of time!

The hotel also offers a Yoga and Mindful Meditation event on Saturday mornings from May to November which is complimentary for hotel guests. There is also an All-day Wellness Retreat which integrates yoga, meditation, and journaling and includes delicious food prepared by Harvest Table and then culminates with wine tasting.

The upcoming wellness retreat is scheduled for September 10th.

Again, check online for upcoming dates for this quarterly event.

The most unique and rather exclusive event held by the Harvest Inn is the annual Napa Valley 750, cleverly

named for the 750ml of wine held in a single wine bottle, as well as the number of miles covered during the event. This 4-day road rally includes accommodations at the Harvest Inn, plus gourmet meals and fabulous wines from some of the best restaurants and wineries in the area. The specially curated routes are carefully mapped out months ahead of time to ensure that the most beautiful vistas can best be enjoyed by the participants as they drive the routes in their beautiful vintage automobiles. One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to the St. Helena Hospital Foundation and the event has raised over $200,000 over the four years that the event has been held. Though the Napa Valley 750 is quite exclusive, if you have a vintage car that you’d like to drive through the scenic valley, enjoy amazing food and wine, and meet some of the most down-to-earth, fun-loving people you might ever meet (including a famous racecar driver), all while giving generously to the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, you can call the hotel and make an inquiry.

As always, Napa never disappoints. It’s the perfect destination for a getaway and the Harvest Inn is the perfect place to stay.z

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FOOD

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CHEF LIBUNAO’S

BRAISED PORK BELLY

This succulent dish is a specialty of Chef Jeff Libunao’s at the Harvest Table in St. Helena. The tender pork belly and crisp cucumbers get a fiery kick from the spicy gochujang sauce – it’s one perfect bite after another!

photo by Mike Larson

SOJU BRAISED PORK BELLY Yield: 15-18 6 oz. portions

Ingredients:

Up to 5 lb. ork Belly - Skin O 175 ml Soju ½ Cup Miso Paste 2 each Star Anise 3 each Bay Leaf 1 Cup Water - Add more as needed Salt and Pepper as needed

Directions:

1 Prep the Pork Belly by laying pressing on the meat flat. Trim all e cess fat around the belly and cut into desired portion si e. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

2 i So u, iso aste and Water till well diluted.

3 Convection Oven ethod Set oven temp to 5 F, ut prepped trimmed pork belly in a pan and add so u solution with bay leaf and star anise.

Make pork belly is fully submerged in the solution for about 2 over. dd more water if needed.

Cook for 2 hours or till tender.

4 Sous Vide ethod Set water bath to 2.2C, ut each pork belly in a appropriate si ed bag, add

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about o of so u solution into the bag and add each star anise and bay leaf. Seal the bag properly in the vacuum machine. nd Set ork belly in the water bath.

Temperature will drop as the pork belly is cold. Wait till the water temperature goes back up to 2.2C then start timer for 2 hours.

6 Gently take pork belly out of pan, or bag if you are doing sous vide. Set in a pan. ress the pork belly with something heavy on top to get that nice shape. Set in the fridge for 5 hours or overnight.

7 To Serve, it can either be deep fried or pan seared and finish in the oven to warm through.

"KIMCHI" CUCUMBERS Yield: 1 Quart

Ingredients:

8-9 each ersian Cucumbers, Cut in a bias 5 Tbl inced Garlic 1 each Small ed Onion, Julienned 2 bunches Green Onion Chopped 3 Tbl Gochu aru Korean epper Flakes 3 Tsp Sugar 1 Cup ice Vinegar 1 Cup Sesame Oil s eeded Kosher Salt

Directions:

1 Wash and cut ersian cucumbers and rub generously with salt.

Set aside.

2 rep the rest of the ingredients and place in a mi ing bowl.

3 inse off all the salt from the cucumbers and mi them with the rest of the ingredients in the bowl and mi everything well till cucumbers have been well coated with all the other spices.

4 Transfer to a storage container and chill. Cucumbers will be ready in about an hour.

OCHUJAN SAUCE Yield: 2 Quarts

Ingredients:

3 Cups ellow Onions, Diced

3 Cups ears, eeled, Seeded and Diced 3 Tbl Gochu ang 3 Tbl Gochu aru Korean epper Flakes ⅓ Cup Mirin ⅓ Cup Soy Sauce Tamari ⅓ Cup Sesame Oil ¼ Cup White Sugar 3 Tbl Garlic, inced ¾ Tbl Ginger, inced ¾ Tbl Ground Black epper

Directions:

1 Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth.

2 Season to taste if needed.᯽

ABOUT CHEF JEFF LIBUNAO native of anila, hilippines, Chef Je Libunao grew up with a fondness for street food. He learned how to cook family recipes from his grandparents, including adobo and sinigang sour soup. He fondly remembers his grandparents treating him to pan de sal and other Filipino desserts when he helped in the kitchen. These early memories of learning recipes and cooking together have served as his inspiration for success, as they connect him to his family, his main motivator in life.

Chef Libunao collaborates with his team at Harvest Table to incorporate their respective heritage into the cuisine. He focuses on dishes that not only guests will en oy, but food he would choose to eat for any meal. He is also passionate about working with local growers and producers to source fresh ingredients that highlight the bounty of the region. Incorporating uality products sourced locally not only help Harvest Inn and Harvest Table grow as reputable culinary establishments, but also benefit the entire community, putting apa Valley on the map for food-focused travelers looking to discover the best destinations to dine.

summer days

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ML IST

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Kids at Play b y Ch r i s t i n a Ho w e l l

Somehow half of the year has flown by and summer is upon us! As we get ready to face warmer, longer days, this list of activities from art and water play, to biking and healthy snacks should keep the little ones busy and engaged for the next few months.

Whoa Dough Cookie Dough Bars Whoa Dough’s plant-based cookie dough bars are made with real ingredients and have the smooth texture of cookie dough! With an assortment of yummy cookie flavors, like chocolate chip, sugar sprinkle, peanut butter and brownie batter, what’s not to love They are dairy-free, gluten-free, nonG O, soy-free, egg-free, vegan and kosher – phew!

– so snack time is a win across the board. www. amazon.com or www.walmart.com, $14.99

World of Eric Carle x Creativity for Kids My Book Tote We are loving all of the art kits by children’s book author Eric Carle and the team of arts & crafts experts at Creativity for Kids. There’s a eady to Grown Garden, Craft lay ictures, Fun Felt lay and Story uppets.

We tried the DIY “My Book Tote” kit; everything you need is included: fabric stickers to design the front and back of your bag and an adorable name tag. eady to tote books and take trips to the library! o glue, no mess, a ma or win. www.amazon. com, $19.99

woom bike Seamlessly designed with high-quality components and child-specific geometry, woom bikes are lighter than conventional children’s bikes to give children the perfect introduction to riding a bike and spark a lifelong passion for cycling. The woom product line spans from toddler to teen si es, ensuring an appropriate and comfortable fit plus lots of fun colors and accessories at every age. www.woom.com, starting at $259

Little Partners Contempo Art Easel

Connetix Tiles

Manners Mania & The Extremely Messy Room Challenge Spend the summer working on life skills with these fun games by Solid oots based o The Berenstain Bears, which promote fun and a bit of friendly competition for mundane chores! The Messy Room Challenge has cards with prompts such as pick up anything that looks like an animal” or “pick up anything that starts with the letter . anners Mania helps little ones earn points and learn good restaurant manners for each positive behavior they complete at the table! They’ll put their napkin in their lap, thank the server, order their own food, and much more (3 sets worth) while earning a varying number of points for each. www.amazon.com, $9.99

These magnetic tiles are a life saver wherever you are – home, restaurants, airplanes, cars, etc. t home, kids (and adults!) can build elaborate structures and incorporate other toys, balls, etc. On the go, they are just small enough to bring along but not so small that the parts go missing easily. Conneti tiles are nonto ic and have a uni ue beveled design, plus lots of color choices, which allow them to be strong while creating beautiful clear refractions. a or fan of these! www.amazon.com, starting at $35.00

Scentco Spring Smencils These are a great as a set or given out in goodie bags. Each 2 pencil is made from recycled newspapers, labeled with its own fruity scent, and comes in its own freshness tube with a fun and colorful cap. I was surprised that outside of the drawing function, the kids made up games with the characters on the caps. Double the fun! www.amazon.com, $8.99

If this is not already a staple in your home, put it at the top of your list. It’s easy to put together, easy to move around, and has a huge drawing space – chalkboard on one side, dry erase on the other. It’s height-ad ustable, has containers for paint (or markers , plus a ledge for more writing utensils and a magnet to hold paper. The erasing alone keeps my kids busy for long periods of time! www.amazon.com, $89.99