The Fro Fro Blog

First Takes on Flour + Water and Humphry Slocombe (San Francisco)

Despite having a reservation we were seated at community table. Diaphanous window shades let the sun glare in my eyes. So loud we could barely hear each other. Had to say everything twice. What? Had to say everything twice.

I would've tolerated all of that if the food had been better, but the asparagus salad was just ok and the pizza had me longing for Picco or Delfina. Watery sauce, barely any cheese. 

We ordered those two and said maybe we'd get pasta if still hungry, but after the first two and all the noise, all we wanted to do was get out. It was the dining equivalent of leaving the theater before the end of a movie.  

But I'll be damned if I'm not gonna get dessert. Luckily Humphry Slocombe is only a few blocks away. Secret Breakfast (bourbon & corn flakes), Blue Bottle Coffee, and Peanut Butter Curry put me in a much better mood. Amazing, creative flavors - change daily - now following them on Twitter (@humphryslocombe) for the latest so I'm sure this isn't the last of them you'll hear from me.

Morton's the Steakhouse: Anniversary Burger

Certain special occasions come around once in a blue moon.  The Jets leading the AFC East -- and showing previously undefeated Tennessee who the real titans are today -- is one.  Morton's 30th Anniversary is another.  So I decided to celebrate today's win at the Steakhouse, which is offering their very special Prime Sirloin Burger on Sundays for $19.78 (to commemorate the year of the restaurant's founding).  

While $19.78 may seem excessive for a hamburger, keep in mind that:  a) $5 per patty goes to the Make-a-Wish Foundation,  and b) the burger is amazing.  While I know all hamburgers are, technically, ground steak -- Morton's is a cut above -- from the quality of the meat itself to its texture, seasoning, preparation and generous portion.  Not to be overlooked are the toasted bun and the fries -- both of which had slightly crunchy crusts and fluffy middles.     

Don't hide, little piggy -- you deserve this!

The anniversary burger was originally slated to be available only on Sundays until the end of September, but it turns out they plan to extend the promotion through December.  Let's pray the Jets' winning streak follows suit!

Read more about the burger here.

Find your nearest Morton's the Steakhouse location and make a reservation here.

Fro Fro's FYI:  The Prime Sirloin Burger normally isn't available in Morton's restaurants that don't serve lunch, so if you don't see it on the menu, you'll have to ask for it.  And you will love it.  I guarantee it. 

Pizzeria Delfina (San Francisco)

Delfina consistently earns raves as one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, and is a perennial favorite among many of the Fro Fro faithful.  There's the main restaurant, and next door on 18th Street there's Pizzeria Delfina, which has been serving up thin-crust pies to adoring crowds for some time.  But they don't take reservations, and it's a bit of a schlep from my 'hood.  So I took a number on the excited line when I heard that they were opening an outpost on California and Fillmore.

Dena, Steve and I went to check it out last Sunday.  After waiting about an hour, constantly making sure our name hadn't been inadvertently erased and not replaced on the chalkboard waiting list, the three of us were seated at the counter.  Some people prefer tables, but I want to be as close to the action as possible.  There was one cook in particular, a young woman, who looked like a rising star.  I always thought that cooks in restaurants had defined stations, but it looked like she was doing it all -- and getting it done without losing her cool.  I started having a daydream that in the future we'll all be eating in her eponymous restaurant.  But that'll be another blog post, I guess.  

Back to present day.  Our waitress warned us that the Pane al Pomodoro with Marquita early girl tomatoes and Belfiore ricotta would only be on the menu one more week before the tomatoes went out of season.  That's what we in the sales biz call "creating a sense of urgency."  So of course, we had to have it.  Steve and I liked it a lot - the olive oil was luscious, the bread nicely toasted, the tomatoes sweet, the cheese creamy.  Dena wasn't as big a fan - for her it needed basil in order to fire on all cylinders.

Time for pie!  We ordered three:  a Margherita (Tomato, fior de latte mozzarella, basil), 

a Salsicca (Housemade fennel sausage, tomato, bell peppers, onions and mozzarella) 

and one of the evening's specials, the Funghi (Hen of the woods mushrooms, taleggio, nepitella, panna). 

 

All three were quite good, but we each had our loyalty -- Steve to Salsicca, Dena to Margherita, and yours truly to the Funghi.  I think I liked it best because of the white panna sauce instead of tomato.  The tomato sauce on the other pies was more on the sweet side, and I personally tend to prefer a heartier sauce, and more cheese.  But that's just me.  Personal preference plays a huge role at pizzerias, and I have a feeling that Pizzeria Delfina at their new location will be just as beloved as the original.   If you like a thin-crusted, wood-fired pie, head right on over. 

And when you go, don't skip dessert.  All of Pizzeria Delfina's gelati are house made daily.  Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, lemon, peach, raspberry and soy-straciatella (an Italian version of chocolate chip).  They'll even make you their version of an ice cream sandwich:  one or two flavors, in a brioche bun.

What we missed that I'll have to try next time was the fried pizza dough -- we watched it being made several times, but didn't see it on the menu -- and by the time we asked what it was, we were too full to order.  ...'til next time!

Check, please!

Pizzeria Delfina | 2406 California Street | San Francisco, CA 94115 | 415-440-1189 | pizzeriadelfina.com

also at...

Pizzeria Delfina | 3611 18th Street | San Francisco, CA 94110 | 415-437-6800

Race Report: DSE Stern Grove 4M

This race wasn't on my original schedule for this year, but I'm considering it "insurance."  I'm still doing the race-a-month routine, and staring down the prospect of a triathlon on the 27th.  I'm 99% sure I'll do it, but it's that 1% nagging at me that got me over to Stern Grove this past Sunday for the Dolphin South End Runners Stern Grove 4M (4 miles).  That and Big Bob, whom I recruited to be my chauffer, running coach and brunch buddy.

Bob's much more serious than I about the whole running thing.  He geeked out on me with talk of calibrating his race watch and getting there early to do a substantial warm up in order to increase the odds of a p.r.  I told him, "Duuuuude.  I just wanna run."   In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to Big Bob's training regimen shaving minutes off my time, but after having done a big brick training workout the day before (over two hours of swim, bike, run, bike, run) I really did just wanna run.  I was able to be convinced to do a bit of a warmup, and then shortly after 8am we were off.    

DSE races are usually as flat as pancakes.  Mmmm, pancakes.  With syrup.  Wait a minute, where was I?  Oh, right.  Flat courses.  NO, not for this one.  Surprise!  Hills -- big hills!  Steep, steep climbs, as well as descents you had to take carefully to prevent yourself from careening into a face-plant.  So much for the nine-minute mile.  I had to reset expectations and shoot for different goals: a sub-40, and having no one pass me once we got going and the pack thinned out.

For the first half of the race I was biding my time behind two guys - one obviously coaching the other.  (After some words of encouragement, my coach had taken off like the wind.)  As luck would have it, right around mile 2.25, the coach friend picked up a nearby branch and gave his buddy a friendly "crack of the whip."  It got me going too -- and I kicked it into gear to pass them and kept that pace going for the rest of the race (monster hills not included).

For most of the second half I was running behind two women -- one in a bright red top, the other in blue.  So I decided to play a little game:  Red for Republican, Blue for Barack.  The two women kept trading places with each other, and I pretended they were representing the candidates' standings in the polls. I had to keep up with them to see who would win!  Thankfully, it was blue.  Let's all pray for the same outcome in reality.

I came to the home stretch and was really feeling great.  Steep hills behind me, I was cruising!  I'd achieved my goal of "no passing," and when I spotted the time clock, the other goal was in sight.  Mission accomplished: 39:39.

After the race, Big Bob and I headed over to Presidio Social Club, which now serves brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10-2.  There were beignets to start -- the same light, fluffy ones they serve for dessert at dinner, with maple syrup for dipping.  

No fillings like my faves at Brenda's and Magic Flute, but still a great warm-up to the main event -- Rum-Soaked Challah French Toast with Bananas and a side of bacon for me, Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns for Bob.  I would have hollered for thicker challah, but what I got was still quite good.  One of my favorite bites of the meal was a crispy edge of Bob's hash browns.  

 

It's also worth noting that the service was prompt and very friendly.   So if you're looking for a new brunch option in San Francisco, join the Club!

Presidio Social Club | 563 Ruger Street, San Francisco, CA 94129 | 415.885.1888 | presidiosocialclub.com

Ubuntu (Napa)

Actually, I've been to Ubuntu two times.  First was last Sunday, on the night before a friend's Labor Day BBQ in St. Helena.  I enjoyed it so much that I decided to embrace the spirit of Ubuntu -- a Zulu word meaning "humanity toward others" -- and share its goodness with Francesca yesterday, after our girly spa day at Villagio (another place I can't seem to get enough of). 

I'd been reading that Ubuntu was one of those unexpected gems you so rarely find.  The things I'd been reading gushed so universally that I had to see for myself if the place lived up to the hype.  A vegetarian place?  Really??  One in particular was Frank Bruni's New York Times review.   (Sidebar.  Can we talk about Frank Bruni for a second?  First, go read his review.  It's fine, go.  I'll wait.  Now, does that man know how to write a restaurant review or what?  If Ubuntu is "the Angelina Jolie of restaurants," then Bruni is my Edward Norton.)

Here are a few visuals to set the stage... the striking interior, the busy open kitchen below their yoga studio above.  (Check out the top shelf above the orders.  What are they reading at Ubuntu?  For one, the new A16 cookbook.)

As you read on, note that anything in CAPS is from Ubuntu's own garden -- and as such you should not count on the menu being same when you visit because everything is fresh.  Literally and metaphorically.

For starters, the marcona almonds with LAVENDER sugar and sea salt were the gastronomic equivalent of our spa day -- nourishing, relaxing and infused with lavender.

The main meal was a series of small plates, starting with the grilled peach panzanella (bread salad) with burrata, FRENCH BEANS and pesto of BASIL & PEACH LEAF OIL.  Crunchy beans, the most creamy, dreamy burrata cheese you've ever had, sweet peaches, big buttery chunks of bread, flavorful basil.... one bite of that salad and I knew I'd be back. 

Then came the heirloom tomato salad, since it is tomato season after all.  It was actually listed on the menu as HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, picked at 4:30, ZUCCHINI "hummus," BASIL, fennel crackers, espelette.  That's right, picked only hours before. There was the option to add burrata to that dish, too.  Yup, bring it.

Last up on my first night was the local polenta finished with corn pudding, 3-day soffrito, PADRONS, smoked corn and parmesan.  It was very good, but probably my least favorite of any of the dishes -- not as flavorful and as much as I'm trying to expand my palate, I'm just not a huge roast pepper fan.

On my second visit, Frankie and I had my faves from visit 1 (almonds and panzanella) plus today's LEAVES and THINGS dressed lightly with regina olive oil, lemon & sea salt; the cauliflower in a cast iron pot - roast-puree-raw-"couscous," our vadouvan spice, brown butter toast; and the fingerling POTATOES, lightly smoked with gribiche, FICOIDE GLACIALE, black garlic, capers.  The cauliflower will unquestionably make my "Best of '08" list. (Full list to be revealed in January.  Keep reading!)  The potatoes not only looked gorgeous, they tasted amazing thanks to the tasty gribiche and the incredibly unique ficoide glaciale; those little green things literally explode in your mouth with an icy lemon liquid.

 

Back to dessert on visit 1. Although I was dining solo, two of the desserts looked so good I had to try them both.  (Yes, you've heard it before; no doubt you'll hear it again.)  The vanilla bean "cheesecake" in a jar, blueberries with VERBENA, almond-teeccino crumble was so good I have no words.  The ganache in the chocolate ganache with braised kadota figs, smoked hazelnut shortbread, coffee chicory ice cream was like buttah.  Literally, like chocolate butter.  Dare I say it?  A little too rich for my blood.  

On visit 2, our two sweet selections were the bowl of frosted feuilletine, bananas, keifer lime ice cream, warm coconut & rum milk; and the silverado trail strawberries, gently roasted, lemon cream, frozen yogurt parfait, LAVENDER meringue.  It wasn't until the former arrived that we put two and two together -- that it was meant to be a dessert version of a Frosted Flakes breakfast!  Again, both were TDF (to die for -- or my other new favorite, touchdown Favre!).

Checks, please!

So after two times, add my name to the list of Ubuntu's faithful.  (Right underneath Frank Bruni, if I may be so bold.)  Although I usually don't like to repeat restaurants since there are so many great new ones to try popping up all the time, I'm already plotting my next trip to Ubuntu.  Perhaps a Friday evening yoga class followed by dinner?

Ubuntu | 1140 Main St., Napa, CA 94559 | 707.251-5656 | ubuntunapa.com

Top Chefs Tell All + Dinner at Mission Beach Cafe

My reality television world collided with my reality once again last week, when the Commonwealth Club presented a panel of this past season's Top Chef-testants.   Jen Biesty, Zoi Antonitsas and Ryan Scott gave us some juicy tidbits thanks to expert moderating by Tablehopper's Marcia Gagliardi. 

What's the scoop you didn't see on the show?  There was lots of love for ranch dressing on pizza, not so much for Tom and Padma.  The chefs also shared their philosophies of cooking, eating out, critics and more.  (Thanks, Ryan for the blogger love!)  The full audiocast hasn't been posted yet, but keep checking the Commonwealth Club archive if you want the full meal.

Then, a lucky group including yours truly made its way over to Mission Beach Cafe, where Chef Ryan and his crew made us an outstanding dinner. 

Aperativo
Campari with fresh citrus

First: Sweet Corn Soup with Avocado, Tomato Oil and Pancetta
Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, sweet pepper syrup, cucumber, fresh lime

Second: Rocket Salad with Parmesan, Plums, Dates and White Balsamic Dressing
Skyy Infusions All-Natural Citrus, fresh citrus, organic basil, agave nectar

Third: Fusilli Pasta with Tomato Confit, Baked Ricotta and Toasted Bread Crumbs
Thyme and black peppercorn infused Jean Marc XO Vodka, fresh lemon, heirloom tomato water

Fourth: Champagne Grape Stuffed Quail with Summer Squash and Roasted Romano Beans
Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Maple-Pinot Gastrique, bay leaf, fresh lemon

Fifth: Chocolate-Hazelnut Mousse with Salted Brittle and Summer Fruit
Flor de Cana 7 Year Grand Reserve Rum, muddled bing cherries, apricot liqueur, allspice dram, Blue Bottle Brazilian chipada coffee diamantina

Everything was great, but the most memorable dishes were the fusilli (rich and hearty sauce, and I can still taste those buttery, crunchy breadcrumbs) and the dessert (the mousse was just the right consistency, and the hazelnut brittle was made with salty hazelnut butter...soooo decadent...)  

At the end of the meal, Chef Ryan introduced us to his talented and crew of recruits -- explaining that when he took over the restaurant a few months ago, the existing staff all up and left.  

The  restaurant's atmosphere was intimate, warm and lovely, and thanks to the Commonwealth Club, I met some nice new friends.  I also checked out the regular dinner menu, and I definitely plan to go back to the Beach.

NOPA (San Francisco)

It was sad -- no, pathetic -- that I hadn't been to NOPA.  The restaurant put North-of-the-Panhandle on many people's maps, gastronomic and otherwise, and has been garnering their raves for some time.  I finally got there when Francesca took me for our traditional birthday celebration dinner.  (Yes, my birthday was a month ago, but we're both busy bees.)

I loved the place from the moment we walked in.  High, high ceilings.  Tons of light.  Lots of wood.  A big communal table, and several others filled with happy diners.  Always a good sign.  The bar area filled up quickly and everyone seemed to be having fun over there, too.

Photo from NOPA's web site

We were amuse-d by apples with almond butter...

...and then moved on to Sweet Corn Soup and Warm Goat Cheese, Crostini and Marinated Cherry and Sungold Tomatoes.  The produce was bright and fresh, the goat cheese was decadent, and the crostini possessed the perfect thickness and buttery crunch.  They weren't modest, though -- hogging the spotlight in this photo.

I had my heart set on NOPA's Grass-Fed Hamburger for my main course, and the waiter earned big points by suggesting I add Cheddar and their house bacon to it.  He egged me on with "It's your birthday, right?"  Little did he know I hardly need that excuse to go hog wild.  The resulting burger was beautifully cooked and came on a puffy roll with pickled onions and fries.  The fries were cut a bit too thick for my taste, but the Genovese basil aioli that accompanied them made everything right.  Francesca had the succulent Rotisserie Herbed Chicken, Yellow Beans and Early Girl Tomatoes. 

 For dessert, we had the Stone Fruit Cobbler with "Smoke and Whisky" Ice Cream.  A nice mix of the traditional, known favorite and the unexpected -- and the ice cream really did taste like smoke and whisky.  I know it sounds bizarre, but it was definitely worth trying.  

It was my birthday, after all -- and if more and more birthdays have taught me anything, it's that life is short so don't skimp on new adventures.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation 2008

Happy summer, everyone!  I've missed you, darlings, but as you'll see from this post, I've been frolicking about, conjuring up content for you.   There's soooo much to tell, and so many photos.  So what I'll do is give you the brief overview and a few of the photos here -- then you can head over to Webshots and see the full album.  How's that?

Fourth of July Weekend
The official start of the season, and what a treat -- my cousin Dana came for a visit from Chicago for a friend's wedding.  We camped out at the Claremont, shopped in Berkeley and brunched at Bette's Oceanview Diner. (Read the full Bette's post here.)

While Dana went to the wedding, I dined on Tagliatelle with Rabbit Ragu Balsamico, Porchetta (basically pork and more pork) and not one but two desserts at Oliveto.  I've become something of an SF snob lately, so it was great to have such a delish meal over in the East Bay.  The hostess was on to me, though -- she said "I love your dress. You got that in the city, right?"  Right you are.

Martha's Vineyard
The Vineyard is one of my favorite places on Earth.  I had three goals for this trip and I'm pleased to report I achieved them all:
1) Spend quality family time with the 'rents, Uncle Robby, Helen, Ray and little John
2) Get a nice tan
3) Finally finish Calvin Trillin's The Tummy Trilogy    
The first two were easy.  The last one had been a challenge  -- I'd been reading that book for about five months or so, as you may have noticed in my Recent Reads column on this page.  Why?  Trillin chronicles his gastronomic adventures so vividly that I'd read three or four pages and have to put the book down because it made me too hungry.  I'm even seriously contemplating a trip to Kansas City just to sample some of Arthur Bryant's BBQ, especially the burned edges of the brisket.

We dined at Bleu in Mashpee Commons prior to catching the ferry at Woods Hole.  The Vineyard menu included Lobster Rolls at the Edgartown Yacht Club, Ice Cream at Mad Martha's, Murdick's Fudge (Uncle Robby's fave -- we taste-tested it ourselves in the car before anyone else could have at it), a lovely albeit long dinner at L'etoile, and a day that included both breakfast and lunch at Espresso Love.  There was also a delicious dinner at the Schapiros' place in Chilmark featuring super-fresh local fare.  Fish, salad, freshly-baked bread, and fruit pies for dessert. Then there were beautiful morning runs and tennis games to keep my caloric karma balanced.

New York, New York
Hot town, summer in the city.  Made my obligatory (yes, it's such a chore) trip to Nellie M. to make some choice additions to my wardrobe.  Did you know Citizens of Humanity makes petite-size jeans?  Oh, the humanity - no shortening!

Then Mom, Dad and LeBro James and I went to BLT Steak for my NY birthday celebration.  Best. Popovers. Ever.  We ordered so much food that they had to open the leaves of the square table to make it round so it could hold everything.  

The next day, there was a Cupcake Chowdown on the Upper West Side.  Read all about Magnolia vs. Crumbs here.

Birthday Weekend in Wine Country
In my younger years, I developed something of a reputation for throwing memorable birthday bashes.  Yes, why not celebrate me!  However, this year I decided to forgo the big production number in favor of a Napa Valley getaway.  I stayed for three days, and on Saturday Rebecca and Greg came up to spend time with the birthday girl.

The weekend included a breakfast at Bouchon Bakery, brunches at 25º Brix (the Yountville outpost of TWO's David Gingrass) and Redd, and dinners at Go Fish and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen.

I stayed at Villagio Inn & Spa, which has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation. (Thanks to Vezeo for the tip!)  I had a 90-minute wrap and sports massage, and my hypothesis that it would be wonderful was proven correct.  The resort is right on the main drag of Washington Street in Yountville.  Walking-distance neighbors include a few Thomas Keller establishments (French Laundry, ad hoc and the aforementioned Bouchon), Michael Chiarello's NapaStyle and Bistro Jeanty.

On Monday back in San Francisco, JoJo organized a birthday dinner for me at Sushi Groove South.  What a blessing to have such great friends.  Bring on the Cilantro Rolls! 

The 3-day affair turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate the big 4-1.  That's right, Dara Torres and I are gonna take on the world this year. 41 and fabulous!

Click here to see my "How I Spent My Summer Vacation 2008" photos Webshots.

Bette's Oceanview Diner (Berkeley, CA)

The inimitable actress Bette Davis once said, "I am doomed to an eternity of compulsive work. No set goal achieved satisfies. Success only breeds a new goal. The golden apple devoured has seeds. It is endless." 

While this maxim certainly applies to professional endeavors, it translates relatively easily to the pursuit of great food.  I'm always looking for better bacon, sweeter sweets and of course, brunch. In my version of heaven, they'd serve brunch all day, every day.  So I wondered if Bette's Oceanview Diner could be heaven on Earth as I entered and saw their pie in the sky.



Since there was a 45-minute wait for a table for two (always a good albeit unwelcome sign), Cousin Dana and I window-shopped down Fourth Street.  I picked up some towels on sale at Restoration Hardware, and my favorite verbena-scented soap and bubble bath at The Gardener, and before we knew it, it was time to nosh.

Dana ordered the special of the day -- poached eggs on toast with goat cheese and roasted red peppers.  I had their signature Souffle Pancake.  It's made extra fluffy with egg whites and comes in a variety of flavors; I chose Banana Rum, with a side of chicken sausage for good measure.



What did we think of this ethereal brunch?  We loved it!



If you're in the area and just want to pick up a quick coffee drink, pastry, panini or pizza slice - you can get all these items and more from Bette's shop and to-go counter next door.  (It was all I could do to restrain myself from trying a red velvet cupcake, or the chocolate espresso Twinkie.  Virtuous, I know.)  If you're not in the area and want a little taste of heaven, you can buy their pancake, waffle and scone mixes online.

Race Report: See Jane Run Half Marathon (Alameda, CA)

I know what you're saying.  "Fro Fro, I thought you weren't going to do the race-a-month thing this year."  Or perhaps, "Aren't you doing a triathlon next weekend?"  Or more simply, "Are you crazy?"  All of these are appropriate questions to ask.

This time around, my excuse is that I'd read the course was flat. At long last I might be able to achieve the personal best I'd been (literally) chasing since my 2:15:35 time in the U.S. Half over a year and a half ago. I became convinced that the U.S. Half course had been mis-measured, I had been mis-timed, or some other mistake had occurred.  If there were any time to prove that wrong, it was yesterday.  So I laced up my Asics once more and headed over the Bay Bridge to Alameda. 

Thanks to the wonder of microclimates, the East Bay is normally more than a bit warmer than the city of San Francisco.  Unfortunately, when I arrived at the starting line in Crown Memorial State Beach at 7:15 am, it was c-c-c-cold and at one point even started to drizzle a bit.  This didn't seem to dampen anyone's spirits. The all-female race was organized by See Jane Run, the athletic gear store that's all about girl power. At 7:40 there was an '80s-music dance warmup -- and before long the cold around me and inside me began to thaw a little.

At 8:02 am we were off.  As promised, the course was flat as a pancake.  It also helped that the race was well-organized and well-supported but not too well-attended.  With 1,900 participants, it felt like a big event but not so big that you got held up at water stops or had to deal with too much crowding.  

In most races I try to pace myself in order to reach the finish line at my desired time.  Unfortunately as can be the case with even the best laid plans, I just can't seem to get there when I want to.  But yesterday, even by mile 8 I was still on my desired pace.  My internal monologue shifted from, "I think I can do it" to "This could actually happen" to "Wow, I'm really gonna do this!"  Around mile 10 we hit some serious headwind that didn't let up for the final 3 miles.  But by then I knew I had this thing licked and I couldn't have been happier. 

I crossed the finish line and was handed a little bag that contained a silver-y pendant on a black silk cord. Nice, but whether or not it was a nod to the Nike, it ain't no Tiffany necklace.   The 5K finishers got more traditional-style race medals and I think some of the half-marathoners were jealous.

Great snacks 'n' schwag bags at the post-race partay.  There were the usual bagels, peanut butter and yogurt, plus Smart Water, LightFull Smoothies, CLIF Luna Bars, champagne and Schoggi imported Swiss chocolates.  It was still pretty overcast and cold, so I headed to the See Jane Run booth and bought a cute pink hoodie, just so I could stay warm while I waited for the race results to be posted. I had to see it in writing. 

I've always felt that most of your ability to achieve a goal lies in believing that you can, and yesterday, I finally did.  2:07:21.  (That's right, a birthday present a little bit early!)

UPDATE:  Received an email from the head of the company that timed the race, saying there was a technical glitch -- they'd set their timing device to GUN time, not CHIP time.  My heart sank. But I checked the updated results and lo and behold - my personal record remains in tact at 2:10:13.

True to form, and for those of you here for the food, there was a bacon cheeseburger and fries in my future later that evening at Polkers Gourmet Burgers.  Though Perry's is still my current fave, decided to stay away from the Union Street Fair mayhem.  The Polkers folks are a nice bunch, and they made a nice burger.  It was a bit more done than my requested medium rare, but the curly fries -- which came with ranch dressing on the side without having to request it -- made amends.  

UPDATE:  A few photos...