###San Jose Favorites

* Falafel Drive In

* Passage to India

* In and Out

* Panda Express

* Sbarro

###Restaurant Wish List

A list of places that we heard good things about but haven’t visited.

[Scott Howard](http://www.scotthowardsf.com/): California French Cuisine

[Bills Place](http://www.billsplace.qpg.com/): Gourmet Hamburgers at a 40 year old establishment.

[Liverpool Lil’s](http://www.liverpoollils.com/): Excellent Fish and Chips in San Fracisco

[Palo Alto Creamery](http://www.paloaltocreamery.com/): Old fashioned soda and fountain.

[Frog Hollow Farm](http://www.froghollow.com/store/site/index.cfm) Best Peaches in San Francisco Ferry Building. Cow Girl Creamery is another good stop. Pork Jerky from Pigs that are fed Walnuts.

[Memphis Minnies](http://www.memphisminnies.com/): Southern Style BBQ in San Francisco. Really good.

Miller’s East Coast West Delicatessen: 1725 Polk Street, SF (415) 563-3542. Open Everyday Breakfast Lunch Dinner. Authentic New York Style Deli

[Bi Rite Creamery](http://biritecreamery.com/): Unique, organic and locally sourced ingredients for these unique ice creams

[A16 Italian](http://www.a16sf.com/Home.html): Organic, Local sourced ingredients for wood fired pizza’s

House of Prime Rib: Van Ness Ave, San Francisco

Cajun Pacific, San Francisco

[Squeeze the Cheese](http://thesqueezeinn.com/squeezesacramento.html): Featured on Diners and Dives. A crazy cheeseburger that’s a local favorite

[Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant](http://joescablecar.com/contact.html): Featured on Diners and Dives, having the best burgers in SF. Fresh ground meat.

[Joe’s Cable Car Restaurant Map](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=4320 Mission St&city=San Francisco&state=CA&zipcode=94112-1521&country=US&title;=<b class="fn org">4320 Mission St</b><br /> <span style="display:inline;margin-bottom:0px;" class="locality">San Francisco</span>, <span style="display:inline;margin-bottom:0px;" class="region">CA</span> <span style="display:inline;margin-bottom:0px;" class="postal-code">94112-1521</span>, <span style="display:inline;margin-bottom:0px;" class="country-name">US</span></span>&cid=lfmaplink2&name;=&dtype=s): Mapquest

[Taylor’s Refresher](http://www.taylorsrefresher.com/index.htm): Rated one of the best burger places in the country.

[Town Talk Diner](http://www.towntalkdiner.com/): Town Talk Diner. Get the Spicy Kraut Burger.

* 1st Place: Ed�s Millennium

* 2nd Place: Brandywine from Croatia

* 3rd Place: Black Pearl

* 4th Place: Sun Sugar

* 5th Place: Paul Robeson

I was actually able to get all of these this year from their Spring Sale. But get there early because people are in line from 7am hoping to be the first to get in there.

# Tomato Potting Mix
Tomatoes require a higher pH level than most potting mixes provide. To prevent blossom end rot, simply add 2 cups of dolomite or hydrated lime to the potting mix before planting. (Dolomite is available at all SummerWinds Nurseries) If Blossom End Rot develops during the season, mix 1/4 cup of hydrated lime to a gallon of water. Spray the mix directly on the plants or add it

# Tools

[Prohoe](http://web.inetba.com/prohoe/productCat90505.ctlg): These are hand made and supposedly the strongest garden hoes available. Used by farmers country wide.

I bought the 70G and the 70F. They are the best hoes I’ve seen around. Since getting them, I’ve been checking the ones in the stores and noticing how flimsy the store hoes are.

These are so solid that you can put your entire weight on it and only see perhaps a couple millimeters of flex. Whereas the common hardware store hoes would have noticeably more flex. I’ve also been chopping through roots with the 70F. In some cases, it does better than an axe at tearing out roots.

I’ve been chopping away at ground that has lots of little pebbles and the sharpness is still holding strong. Highly recommend.

# Books

* Golden Gate Gardening: A book specifically for California Bay Area and Coastal gardening.

# Supplies
Master Gardener Sue Bell recommended these supplies.

[Glaum Egg Ranch](http://www.glaumeggranch.com/): They have an organic chicken manure and egg shells compost that is recommended by Sue Bell. You can get #30 bags for $3.70 from the ranch. But they also sell their products through Kelloggs Garden Products @ 1-888-443-8383. [Johnson Lumber](http://www.johnson-lumber.com/) in Morgan Hill carries this stuff. It’s under the product name Garden and Bloome.

[U-Save Rockery](http://www.usaverockerysanjose.com/): They have cedar chips that are excellent for use on pathways. They are supposedly one of the few places that have walkways material like this.

God’s Little Acre Nursery: (408) 927-8868, 19810 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120

[Solvita](http://www.solvita.com/): Easy Soil test kit that tests the life of the soil instead of looking at individual nutrients.

[RainTree](http://www.raintreenursery.com/): Recommended source for strawberry plants by fellow gardener Wes who has the most healthy looking strawberries in our garden.

[Heirloom Roses](http://www.heirloomroses.com): Source for Heirloom Roses

[Peaceful Valley](http://www.groworganic.com/default.html): An organic gardening supply with seeds, etc.

[Neptune’s Harvest](http://www.neptunesharvest.com/): Some of the best Fish and Seaweed.

# Websites

[California Rare Fruit Growers](http://www.crfg.org/index.html): I haven’t read much from this site, but it seems interesting. I’m wanting to get a fruit tree for our backyard, this will perhaps help choose and care for a fruit tree.

[Worms Digest](http://www.wormdigest.org): A website which has loads of information on work composting and forums for getting help and learning more.

[Nature Technologies](http://www.nature-technologies.com/): A source of compost tea and soil ecology resources.

[California Organics](http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/): Some helpful links and information about organic gardening.

[Soil Food Web](http://www.soilfoodweb.com): The current one stop authority on the soil ecology.

# Composting

[Compost Sifter Plans](http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/public_works/compost_screens.asp): How to build a compost sifter

[Compost Sifter 2.0](http://www.nifty-stuff.com/compost-sifter-screen-sieve.php): This guy used the above plans and made some improvements.

[Compost Sifter Alternative](http://www.homeimprovementsdepot.com/how-to-build-your-own-dirt-and-stone-screen-sifterwith-wheels/): This guy sorta figured it out on his own before discovering the above methods.

[Compost Tips](http://www.urbangardencenter.com/tutorial/index.html): Some very detailed information about composting. All free.

# Garden Tips and Education

Milly’s Bug Juice Formula: Looks like and excellent and powerful formula to try.

[Corn Spiral](http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/0603/corn.html): Planting Stowell’s in Corn Spirals

### BackPacks
On a backpack search since my old one is falling apart. It lasted probably 8 years before the shoulder strap finally gave in. Here’s a few places to keep in mind for a new backpack.

[SpireUSA](http://www.spireusa.com/): Rugged and made in the USA. Their meta pack is made for heavy loads and has a comfy waist belt.

We also store a variety of Recipes that we have collected. Many of them are from other sources. We get recipes online from places like the Food Network, Martha Stewart, and Live Earth Farm.

Check out some of the Restaurants we have visited.

### Organics
Some topics and information on Organics, Sustainable practices, etc.

[CAFO Documentary](http://www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/nightmare_documentary.asp): Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are a horrible place for animals to be raised. This documentary displays the horrid details.

### Recipe Websites

[Cup Cake Blog](http://www.cupcakeblog.com/): A cool site with a bunch of cupcake recipes and amazing photos.

### Treats to Order Online

[Zozo Gelato](http://www.zozosnyc.com/icecream.php): They pack it in dry ice and ship to anywhere. The mint bownie is something that they features on the Food Network. Looks yummie.

### Products

[High Mounting Seasoning](http://shop.himtnjerky.com/online/home.php): Cures for homemade beef jerky.

[Espresso Parts](http://www.espressoparts.com): Huge variety of accessories and machines.

Scales: Ways to weight the dosage of coffee used.

[Europa Milk Pitchers](http://www.chriscoffee.com/products/home/espressoaccs/mottasteamingpitchers): Thicker and countered just right.

[Alessi Milk Pitchers](http://visionsespresso.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=7): Another top of the line milk pitcher for latte art.

[Espresso 101](http://espresso101.com/books_dvds/specials/champions): training DVD and more.

[Great Infusions](http://greatinfusions.com/): Source for cups and other things.

[Professional Barista Handbook](http://www.professionalbaristashandbook.com/index.html): One of the few books out there.

[Ceramik Cups](http://www.terrakeramik.com/): Handmade. Beautiful.

[Kilo Brewer](http://www.brasilia.it/en/industrial/kilo.htm): Super cool brewer. Brews 1 KG of coffee, making 5 liters of espresso in 30 seconds.

[Hardness Tester](https://www.hach.com): Water Hardness Test Kits 5B

[Cool Cap](http://coolcapp.com/index.htm): Frozen Drink mixes.

[Flavor Drops](http://capellaflavordrops.com/index.asp): No Calorie concentrated flavor drops.

### Roasters

[49th Parallel](http://www.49thparallelroasters.com/coffeelistEspresso.html): Espresso Blend Epic Espresso

[Caffe Fresco](http://www.caffefresco.us/): Abrosia Blend

[Intelligentsia](http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/store/coffee): Black Cat Coffee

[Blue Bottle](http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/): Berkeley. Slightly more expensive than most.

[PT’s Coffee](http://www.ptscoffee.com): Bella Vita Blend

[Barefoot Coffee Roasters](http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/): Bigfoot, Boss, Element 114, Kneebuckler

[Bay Area Coffee Shops](http://espressophile.blogspot.com/): A guys blog who reviews bay area’s coffee shops.

[Deidrich Home Roaster](http://www.diedrichroasters.com/homeroast.html): Roast beans at home.

[Weavers](http://www.weaverscoffee.com/index.html): The ex roaster of Peets coffee goes on to make his own artisan, small batch roasted blends.

### La Marzocco GS3

Coffee Parameters Parameters such as temperature, preinfusion for various coffees.

[Coffee Talk](http://www.coffeekid.com/cafetalk/11-30-2005): GS3 experience from Coffee Kid

### Learning

[Coffee Extraction Problems](http://www.home-barista.com/naked-extraction-common-problems.html): Home Barista guide to analyzing a naked extraction.

[Coffee Tamping and Dosing Techniques](http://www.home-barista.com/forums/tamp-and-dose-techniques-digest-t1841.html): A Home Barista thread detailing a variety of techniques.

[Tamper Shootout](http://espressorun.blogspot.com/2007/10/tamper-base-diameter-test.html): A bunch of different Tamper’s evaluated.

Coffee Storage: Ideas on Coffee Storage to maximize freshness.

[Exploring Extraction Space](http://www.home-barista.com/forums/how-do-you-explore-extraction-space-t784.html): A very good thread on how to explore your extraction space.

[Homemade Valved Jars](http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/one-way-valve-jars-home-made): Turn Mason Jars into reusable one way valve jars. The coffee beans are able to push out the oxygen and therefore preserve longer.

Super Jolly Maintenance: Articles related to working on the Super Jolly or Rio Normale

### Local Repair Man

jim sullivan

Business Information:

Company: espresso repair

Phone: 650-455-0693

### Smug Mug vs. Flickr
Currently, I have many photos on flickr to see. There is a flashbar link on the home page. But I found out that many photographers prefer Smugmug. So I started to check it out and see what it’s about. There are some comparison articles that I think are helpful.

[Roland Allen Comparison](http://blog.rolandallen.com/2006/02/post_2.php)

[Indepth Comparison](http://www.illiteratewithdrawal.com/2005/05/smugmug-vs-flickr/)

Smugmug has the ability to read caption data from the IPTC metadata stored in the photo file and create the caption based on this data. I don’t know if Flickr has this ability. Here’s an article discussing this feature on smugmug forums. [SmugMug Discussion](http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=35616&highlight=caption)

### Resources
[Light Impressions](http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/) : Specializes in archival photography albums

[Solux Lighting](https://www.solux.net/cgi-bin/tlistore/infopages/index.html): A less expensive solution to getting accurate lighting

### Photoshop Stuff
Photoshop Techniques: Tips and Tricks for Improving the photo

### Misc

[Time O Lite](http://www.adorama.com/TLEZC73.html): A cool timer that was seen in the Good Eats kitchen.

[Harry Ho](http://www.elitechirosports.com/): Our favorite chiropractor.

### Marvin Masada
Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8-5

Friday: 9-5

[Beam Scale](http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=651400&t=11082005): Another recommendation

[My Weigh](http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=219): It’s one of the better scales. Last a lifetime.

[Ohaus Scales](http://www.ohaus.com/default.asp): High quality scales.

[CL201 Scale](http://www.ohaus.com/products/glo/scripts/view/viewproduct.asp?LanguageCode=EN&RecNo=CL201): Ohaus model for .1 gram accuracy.

#### Ecco Reserve

* Boiler Temperature: 203.6
* Preinfusion: Off

#### Ecco Reserve (Recommended)

* Group Temperature: 201.5
* Dosage: 19 grams
* Volume: 1.75-2 oz
* Time: 25-27 seconds

### Tazzina

* Boiler Temperature: 201.8
* Preinfusion: Off

### Barefoot Coffee Roasters

#### Knee Buckler

* Displayed Temperature: 201.9
* Preinfusion: Off
* Dosage: 19 grams
* Volume: 1.75-2 oz
* Time: 28 -32 seconds
* Grind: Finer

### Preinfusion Setting

This is from Home-Barista

Total pre-infusion is set, right now, to 3.3 seconds.
0.9 seconds water on; 2.4 seconds water off; then infusion.

### Malachi Recommendations

I find the Ecco Reserve best (to my taste) at either 202.1F in a ridged double (slightly up-dosed) or 201.2F in a triple-basket (down-dosed).
Stumptown was best (to my taste again) at either 198.2F in a ridged double (up-dosed) or 197.9F in a ridged double (very updosed).
Vivace Dolce was best (again to my tastes) at 203.0F in either a triple (down-dosed) or a ridged double (straight dose).
I’ve not worked enough with the Barefoot blends to have numbers.