By Laura Stec
E-mail Laura Stec
About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and en...
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About this blog: I've been attracted to food for good and bad reasons for many years. From eating disorder to east coast culinary school, food has been my passion, profession & nemesis. I've been a sugar addict, a 17-year vegetarian, a food and environment pioneer, macrobiotic, Master Cleanser, ayurvedic, and officially-designated health-nut or party-girl (depending on the year). Professionally, I've worn many industry hats including: line cook, corporate chef, Food Coach, caterer, product developer, restaurant reviewer, culinary school teacher, corporate wellness educator, food co-op clerk, author, and even Cirque-du-Soleil lead popcorn concessioner! For years I managed an outdoor kitchen, deep in the bear-infested woods of Tahoe, and also for hospitals (the most unhealthy kitchen I ever worked in?), Singapore high-rises, mule-pack trips, Canadian catholic rectories, and more events than I could ever recall. Yet I still keep discovering. Actually, I adapt everyday by new lessons learned from teachers, customers and students. However there is one food truth I now hold sacrosanct: Eaters are motivated by pleasure. So no matter what we discuss here - recipes or restaurants, food politics or pairings, local events, food as art, or even as God, I will always come from a high-vibe, party perspective. Oh I do still long to change the world with great tasting food, but know in my heart, "If it ain't fun, it don't get done!" So - wanna come to the Food Party? By the way - it's a potluck.
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Aloha! Just got back from the Big Island. My dear friend Jungle Johnnie lives there...
why....
........
........
.........
in the jungle of course.
He took us on a tour of the 2018 Pahoa volcano eruption, a story shockingly disturbing, absolutely fascinating, and ending with a cooking tale of great note.
But first, I must catch up and pen up.
Until then, here’s a
Food Party! Tip of the Week.
A Happy Hour to Make You Happy
Just went to
Paul Martin’s happy hour yesterday and it’s fabulous. Get a burger (beef, salmon or delicious mushroom) plus cocktail, beer or wine for only $15. They all come with a good size salad or sweet potato fries. One of the best happy hours deals I’ve enjoyed since the ol’ days of Il Fornio’s $6 pizza. The bar is spacious and light at Paul’s. You can have an audible conversation with your guest, and the outdoor patio is back in season now that daylight savings has shined forth into the night.

Mushroom Burger
Paul Martin's American Grill
545 San Antonio Road
Mountain View, CA 94040
Happy hour 3 PM – 7 PM
photos by LSIC