My first post!  Daunting.  Hi.  [must find a picture of me waving awkwardly] I’m Shane’s big sis, of sorts.  Food adoration is in the blood.

After nearly missing my [eternal] flight from MDW to SFO (I hold Denny and Paul partially responsible), sleeping through BOTH snack/drink services in-flight, and feeling generally gross (unshowered=NFC), seeing my friend Stephanie at the arrivals terminal ignited a feeling akin to the last scene in Home Alone when Kevin’s mom finally made it home.  Cue orchestra.

My half-delirious conversation on the ride back to the FuMa’s Western Addition penthouse -

Steph: So what do you want to do while you’re here?  Do you have a list? [Steph's a kindred spirit - she lists almost more than I do]

Denise: …I ‘unno…eat?

Steph: [I swear, with a glimmer of a tear in her eye] I’ve missed you so much.

I tried my best to hold off for a while and write a Master Entry of San Francisco Food Highlights, but my current food journal is getting a little out of control.  Yesterday was full of Dirty Girl Scouts, guava mimosas, lamb pita, tours of the Jelly Belly and Budweiser Factories in Fairfield, capping the day off at Ducca - think Northern Italy meets California - where my good friend and Ducca cook Yonas gave us the treatment - a custom menu, complimentary Prosecco, antipasti treats, this incredible cinnamon-savory soup with Manila clams and rock shrimp, the works.  Another day, another entry.

This morning I decided you guys NEED to know about Dynamo Donuts.  Staying true to the root of our friendship - donuts form the foundation of our love - this morning Steph, Robert, and I hit up this walk-up kiosk in the Castro for some breakfast delights. Our spread (after much deliberation): 1 bacon apple maple donut, 1 Meyer Lemon huckleberry donut, 1 vanilla bean donut, 1 hot cross bun (stuffed with vanilla pastry cream).  One murky, burly coffee.  Two perfectly sated ladies.  And Robert.

Tonight, I’m meeting up with SF pals Josh and JoEllen and Chicago pal Ian, and my sweet boys at La Folie are planning a dinner extravaganza to remember for us - 4-5 courses + wine pairings.  Stay tuned for more San Francisco culinary adventures, mixing my penchant for pretentious dining with my affinity for ghetto gourmet.

One last shameless plug.