'Becks and Posh' is modern cockney for 'nosh'. Follow English-Girl-Abroad, Sam Breach, on her culinary travels, mainly in the San Francisco Bay Area, but also further afield, whilst she plays at being amateur restaurant critic, wine taster, food photographer, cocktail connoisseur, party planner, good food forager and practising home cook, with trusted French advisor, Fred, by her side.

Who are Sam & Fred?
Why "Becks & Posh"?
Why Food?
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Making Money
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Restaurant Reviews
Transparency
Your Questions
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My Recipes
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Dining Out Alphabetically in:
(Click on Letter to Open/Close Index)
A16 (2006)
Absinthe (2002)
Acme Chop House (April 2007)
The Alembic Bar (2006)
Alive
Ame (Dec 2007)
Americano, Hotel Vitale (2006)
Aziza (2005)
A16 (2006)
Absinthe (2002)
Acme Chop House (April 2007)
The Alembic Bar (2006)
Ame (Dec 2007)
Americano, Hotel Vitale (2006)
Aziza (2005)
Bacar (Sep 2006)
Baraka (2006)
Bar Bambino (June 2007)
Bar Crudo (Dec 2007)
Bar Jules (Jan 2008)
Beard Papa Cream Puffs (2006)
Blowfish, Sushi to Die For (2004)
Bocadillo (December 2007)
Blue Plate, The (Jan 2007)
Boulevard (2004)
Buca Di Beppo (2006)
Burma Superstar (2005)
Bacar (Sep 2006)
Baraka (2006)
Bar Bambino (June 2007)
Bar Crudo (Dec 2007)
Bar Jules (Jan 2008)
Beard Papa Cream Puffs (2006)
Blowfish, Sushi to Die For (2004)
Bocadillo (December 2007)
Blue Plate, The (Jan 2007)
Boulevard (2004)
Buca Di Beppo (2006)
Burma Superstar (2005)
Cafe Bastille (Regulars)
Cafe Claude (2006)
Cafe de la Presse (Sep 2007)
Cafe Majestic (2007)
Campton Place (2007)
Canteen (2006)
Cassis (August 2007)
Cav Wine Bar (October 2007)
Chaat Cafe (2005)
Chaya (2004)
Chez Maman (May 2007)
Chez Papa (October 2007)
Chez Spencer (January 2008)
Chouquet's (2005)
Cocina Primavera (2007)
Cortez (2006)
Couleur Cafe (October 2007)
Citizen Cake (2005)
Citizen Cupcake (2006)
Coco500 Take 1 (January 2008)
Coco500 Take 2 (2007)
NOW CLOSED Crepuscule
Cafe Bastille (Regulars)
Cafe Claude (2006)
Cafe de la Presse (Sep 2007)
Cafe Majestic (2007)
Campton Place (2007)
Canteen (2006)
Cassis (August 2007)
Cav Wine Bar (October 2007)
Chaat Cafe (2005)
Chaya (2004)
Chez Maman (May 2007)
Chez Papa (October 2007)
Chez Spencer (January 2008)
Chouquet's (2005)
Cocina Primavera (2007)
Cortez (2006)
Couleur Cafe (October 2007)
Citizen Cake (2005)
Citizen Cupcake (2006)
Coco500 Take 1 (January 2008)
Coco500 Take 2 (2007)
Darbar (2006)
Delfina (2007)
Delfina Pizzeria (2007)
NOW CLOSED Desiree (2005)
Destino (2005)
Dosa (May 2007)
Darbar (2006)
Delfina (2007)
Delfina Pizzeria (2007)
Destino (2005)
Dosa (May 2007)
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack (2005)
Edinburgh Castle (2007)
Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe (2006)
Emmy's Spaghetti Shack (2005)
Edinburgh Castle (2007)
Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe (2006)
1550 Hyde (2006)
Farmer Brown (August 2007)
Firefly (2005)
Fish & Farm (Jan 2008)
Flytrap (2005)
Foreign Cinema (November 2007)
Fringale (May 2007)
Frisson (2005)
Front Porch (2006)
1550 Hyde (2006)
Farmer Brown (August 2007)
Firefly (2005)
Fish & Farm (Jan 2008)
Flytrap (2005)
Foreign Cinema (November 2007)
Fringale (May 2007)
Frisson (2005)
Front Porch (2006)
Garcon (2007)
Gary Danko (2006)
Gratitude, Cafe (2005)
Garcon (2007)
Gary Danko (2006)
Gratitude, Cafe (2005)
Hayes Street Grill (2004)
Helmand (2006)
Imperial Tea Court (2005)
Ideale (2006)
Incanto (2007)
India Chaat and Sweets (2004)
Imperial Tea Court (2005)
Ideale (2006)
Incanto (2007)
India Chaat and Sweets (2004)
Just For You (2007)
Jack Falstaff (2007)
Just For You (2007)
Jack Falstaff (2007)NOW CLOSED La Suite
Le Petit Robert (2006)
Les Amis (2006)
Lettus (2005)
Levende Lounge (2007)
Liberty Cafe (2006)
Limon (2005)
Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant (Dec 2007)
L'Osteria del Forno
Le Petit Robert (2006)
Les Amis (2006)
Lettus (2005)
Levende Lounge (2007)
Liberty Cafe (2006)
Limon (2005)
Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant (Dec 2007)
L'Osteria del Forno
Mad Dog in the Fog (2006)
Majestic (May 2007)
Mama's (2006)
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store (2006)
Maverick (July 2007)
Medjool (2005)
Medicine Eatstation (2006)
Le Metro Cafe (2006)
Mi Lindo Peru (2006)
Monte Cristo Cafe (2005)
Moshi Moshi Sushi (2008)
Myth (2007)
Myth Cafe (2006)
Mission Taco Crawl (2004)
Mad Dog in the Fog (2006)
Majestic (May 2007)
Mama's (2006)
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store (2006)
Maverick (July 2007)
Medjool (2005)
Medicine Eatstation (2006)
Le Metro Cafe (2006)
Mi Lindo Peru (2006)
Monte Cristo Cafe (2005)
Moshi Moshi Sushi (2008)
Myth (2007)
Myth Cafe (2006)
Naan & Chutney (2006)
Naan & Curry (2006)
Nihon (2006)
Nook (2005)
Naan & Chutney (2006)
Naan & Curry (2006)
Nihon (2006)
Nook (2005)
Olive (2006)
Oola (2007)
Opera Plaza Sushi (2005)
Orson (2008)
Out The Door (2007)
Olive (2006)
Oola (2007)
Opera Plaza Sushi (2005)
Orson (2008)
Out The Door (2007)
Palmetto (August 2007)
Park Chalet (Oct 2005)
Perbacco (May 2007)
Piccino (2008)
Piperade (Feb 2008)
Pizzetta 211 (Mar 2005)
Plouf (Jan 2007)
La Provence (Nov 2005)
Palmetto (August 2007)
Park Chalet (Oct 2005)
Perbacco (May 2007)
Piccino (2008)
Piperade (Feb 2008)
Pizzetta 211 (Mar 2005)
Plouf (Jan 2007)
La Provence (Nov 2005)
Quince
Q (2005)
Quince
Q (2005)
Ramp,The (2007)
Range (2007)
Roe (2004)
Rosamunde's Sausage Grill (2006)
Rose's Cafe (2006)
Rotunda at Nieman Marcus (2006)
Rubicon (2008)
Ramp,The (2007)
Range (2007)
Roe (2004)
Rosamunde's Sausage Grill (2006)
Rose's Cafe (2006)
Rotunda at Nieman Marcus (2006)
Rubicon (2008)
Saha (2006)
Salthouse, The (July 2007)
Scala's (2005)
Scott Howard (Nov 2007)
Sebo (August 2007)
Sens (October 2007)
Serpentine (2008)
Shalimar (2005)
The Slanted Door (2007)
The Slow Club (2008)
South Park Cafe (2007)
Spork (Jan 2008)
SPQR (2008)
Suppenkuche (2007)
Sushi Groove (2004)
Saha (2006)
Salthouse, The (July 2007)
Scala's (2005)
Scott Howard (Nov 2007)
Sebo (August 2007)
Sens (October 2007)
Serpentine (2008)
Shalimar (2005)
The Slanted Door (2007)
The Slow Club (2008)
South Park Cafe (2007)
Spork (Jan 2008)
SPQR (2008)
Suppenkuche (2007)
Sushi Groove (2004)
Tartine (2006)
Taylor's Automatic Refresher (2005)
Ti Couz (2006)
Town Hall (2008)
Tryptich (2006)
21st Amendment (2005)
Tartine (2006)
Taylor's Automatic Refresher (2005)
Ti Couz (2006)
Town Hall (2008)
Tryptich (2006)
21st Amendment (2005)
Vino E Cucina (2004)
Vino E Cucina (2004)
Warming Hut, The (2006)
Washington Square Bar & Grill (2007)
NOW CLOSED Watercress
Warming Hut, The (2006)
Washington Square Bar & Grill (2007)
XYZ (2006)
XYZ (2006)
Zuni Cafe (2007)
Zuppa (August 2007)
Zuni Cafe (2007)
Zuppa (August 2007)What the Symbols Mean:
= 1 visit
= 2 visits
= 3 + visits
= Currently really love this place
= Currently no intention to return
SF Visitor Guide 1
SF Visitor Guide 2 
Eating Out Around the Bay
(Click to Open/Close each Index)
(Note: The majority of these Marin Reviews were written pre August 2005)
San Rafael Reviews
Amici's
Bahn Mi
Flat Iron Grill
Foodles, San Rafael
Il Davide
Lighthouse Diner
Maria Manso World Cuisine
Muffin Mania
Royal Frank
Seafood and Pasta Kitchen
Tomoe
Corte Madera Reviews
Dennys
Mr Ribs Real Deal BBQ
Greenbrae Reviews
Giorgio's
Larkspur Reviews
Noonan's
Picco Pizzeria
Tabla
Mill Valley Reviews
Piatti Locali
Small Shed Flatbreads
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Corte Madera Reviews
Dennys
Mr Ribs Real Deal BBQ
Greenbrae Reviews
Giorgio's
Larkspur Reviews
Noonan's
Picco Pizzeria
Tabla
Mill Valley Reviews
Piatti Locali
Small Shed Flatbreads
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Greenbrae Reviews
Giorgio's
Larkspur Reviews
Noonan's
Picco Pizzeria
Tabla
Mill Valley Reviews
Piatti Locali
Small Shed Flatbreads
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Larkspur Reviews
Noonan's
Picco Pizzeria
Tabla
Mill Valley Reviews
Piatti Locali
Small Shed Flatbreads
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Mill Valley Reviews
Piatti Locali
Small Shed Flatbreads
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Stinson Reviews
Stinson Beach Grill
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Marin Retrospectives
Pronto Pasta
Tapeo, San Rafael
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Marin Musings
Heart Failure, Valentines 2005
Cafe Rouge (2006)
Chez Panisse - berkeley
Curry Corner - Hayward
India Chaat and Sweets
Luka's Tap Room - Oakland
Cafe Rouge
Chez Panisse - berkeley
Curry Corner - Hayward
India Chaat and Sweets
Luka's Tap Room - OaklandBay Purvey
(Click to Open/Close each Index)
SF Favourite Food Things
Acme Brioche
Acme Schiacciata con l'uva
Best Donuts in America?
Boulette's Chocolate Tart
Clairesquares
Mystiepies
Petite Patisserie
Alfieri Chocolate Marzipan
Boulette's Chocolate Tart
Charles Chocolates
E. Guittard/Fog City News
E. Guittard Milk Chocolate Chips
Poco Dolce
XOX Truffles
Michael Recchiuti
Michael Recchiuti's S'mores
ScharffenBerger 62%
Adante Goat Crottin
Cow Girl Creamery
Cow Girl Panir
English Butter in America
Marin Sun Farms
Serena Cheese
St Benoit Yoghurt
St Benoit Lemon Yoghurt
Three Sisters Farmstead
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants
Hangar One Vodka
Hangar One Kitten
Hangar One Raspberry 2006 Release
Hangar One Open House Party
K & L Wine Merchants
Mt. Meenao
Vino Venue
Yield
Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants
Hangar One Vodka
Hangar One Kitten
Hangar One Raspberry 2006 Release
Hangar One Open House Party
K & L Wine Merchants
Mt. Meenao
Vino Venue
Yield
Markets
Alemany Farmers Market
Berkeley Farmers Market
Ferry Building Farmers Market
Farmers
'The Apple Farm' Bramley Cooking Apples
Brokaw/Wills Avocados
'Mariquita' Puntarelle
Miserable Madison Growers
Pineapple Guava from Brokaw
'Small Potatoes' Heirloom Garlics
'Small Potatoes' Shut Shop
Tierra Chipotle Chile Jam
Artisans
Happy Girl Kitchen Pickled Carrots
June Taylor Tomato Ketchup
Clairesquares
Mystiepies
Alemany Farmers Market
Berkeley Farmers Market
Ferry Building Farmers Market
Farmers
'The Apple Farm' Bramley Cooking Apples
Brokaw/Wills Avocados
'Mariquita' Puntarelle
Miserable Madison Growers
Pineapple Guava from Brokaw
'Small Potatoes' Heirloom Garlics
'Small Potatoes' Shut Shop
Tierra Chipotle Chile Jam
Artisans
Happy Girl Kitchen Pickled Carrots
June Taylor Tomato Ketchup
Clairesquares
Mystiepies
Farmers
'The Apple Farm' Bramley Cooking Apples
Brokaw/Wills Avocados
'Mariquita' Puntarelle
Miserable Madison Growers
Pineapple Guava from Brokaw
'Small Potatoes' Heirloom Garlics
'Small Potatoes' Shut Shop
Tierra Chipotle Chile Jam
Artisans
Happy Girl Kitchen Pickled Carrots
June Taylor Tomato Ketchup
Clairesquares
Mystiepies
Artisans
Happy Girl Kitchen Pickled Carrots
June Taylor Tomato Ketchup
Clairesquares
Mystiepies
Eating Around America
(Click to Open & Close each Index)
(New York Visit June 2006)
Joe's Pizza
Is NY Better than SF?
Magnolia Bakery
Balthazar
Norma's, Le Parker Meridien
New York Food Blogger Meet Up
MoMa: Food, Wine, Art & Design
WD50
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, MGM (June 07)
Barbary Coast (Nov 06)
Breakfast, The Palms (Nov 04)
Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, Caesar's Palace (Nov 04)
Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, Visit # 2 (Apr 06)
Bouchon, The Venetian (Apr 06)
The Ghost Bar, The Palms (Nov 04)
Lotus of Siam (Nov 04)
Mix (Nov 06)
Mon Ami Gabi (June 07)
Osteria del Circo, Bellagio (Nov 04)
Rain, The Palms (Nov 04)
Sensi, The Bellagio (Apr 06)
'Wichcraft, MGM Grand
(Visits Summer 2004 & 2005)
The Coffee Table, Silverlake
Encounters, LAX
Figaro, Loz Feliz
Fred '62, Loz Feliz
(Visit Spring 2005)
Cafe Bassam
Cafe 222
Chive
The Living Room & Beach at the W
Rice at the W Hotel
Soleil @ K
Tartine
Eating Around The World
(Click to Open & Close each Index)
(Visits 2004, 2005)
London Dining Reviews
Gopals, Soho, London
Gordon's Wine Bar, London
The Ivy, London
Maharani, Soho, London
Monmouth Coffee Company, London
West Country Dining Reviews
Bath Arms Hotel, Cheddar
Fifteen - Watergate Bay - Cornwall
The Old Passage Inn, Arlingham
The Pump Room, Bath
The Plough at Pilning
Thornbury Castle, Glos.
Riverstation, Bristol
Rucola, Bristol
English Markets
The Better Food Company, Bristol
Bristol Farmer's Market
Westbury on Trym Local Produce Market
English Purveyor
Cheddar & Cheesemaking
The Cheddar Sweet Shop
Cooking Locally, Bristol England
English Food, Best in World
Hot Cross Buns
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
London Dining Reviews
Gopals, Soho, London
Gordon's Wine Bar, London
The Ivy, London
Maharani, Soho, London
Monmouth Coffee Company, London
West Country Dining Reviews
Bath Arms Hotel, Cheddar
Fifteen - Watergate Bay - Cornwall
The Old Passage Inn, Arlingham
The Pump Room, Bath
The Plough at Pilning
Thornbury Castle, Glos.
Riverstation, Bristol
Rucola, Bristol
English Markets
The Better Food Company, Bristol
Bristol Farmer's Market
Westbury on Trym Local Produce Market
English Purveyor
Cheddar & Cheesemaking
The Cheddar Sweet Shop
Cooking Locally, Bristol England
English Food, Best in World
Hot Cross Buns
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
West Country Dining Reviews
Bath Arms Hotel, Cheddar
Fifteen - Watergate Bay - Cornwall
The Old Passage Inn, Arlingham
The Pump Room, Bath
The Plough at Pilning
Thornbury Castle, Glos.
Riverstation, Bristol
Rucola, Bristol
English Markets
The Better Food Company, Bristol
Bristol Farmer's Market
Westbury on Trym Local Produce Market
English Purveyor
Cheddar & Cheesemaking
The Cheddar Sweet Shop
Cooking Locally, Bristol England
English Food, Best in World
Hot Cross Buns
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
English Markets
The Better Food Company, Bristol
Bristol Farmer's Market
Westbury on Trym Local Produce Market
English Purveyor
Cheddar & Cheesemaking
The Cheddar Sweet Shop
Cooking Locally, Bristol England
English Food, Best in World
Hot Cross Buns
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
English Purveyor
Cheddar & Cheesemaking
The Cheddar Sweet Shop
Cooking Locally, Bristol England
English Food, Best in World
Hot Cross Buns
Dorset Blue Vinny Cheese
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
Flight of (very) Fancy
Secrets from the Concorde Trolley
(Visits 2005 & 2007)
Best Mojito in the World?
Catch of the Day
Coconut Buns
Deep Fried Coconut
Exotic Fruits
Fijian Indian Food - Savusavu
Fiji Bitter
Forbidden Food
Fresh Coconut Juice
I Hunt Fish With A Spear
Kava Drinking Ceremony
Kokoda
Lovo
Nama Sea Grapes
Nature's Communal Oven
Pit Stop - On the Road
The Sweetest Girl
(Visits Summer 2004 & Fall 2005)
Paris Restaurant Reviews
Le Cafe du Commerce, Paris
La Galere des Rois, Paris
Pizza La Gioconda, Paris
Le Bistro Henri, Paris
Laduree, Paris
Pierre Hermé, Paris
Saint Cirgues, Paris
Le Sancerre, Paris
Le Sept Quinze, Paris
La Tete de Goinfre, Paris
Tse, Paris
Paris Suburbs Restaurant Reviews
Chez Pierrot, Meudon
Le Relais des Gardes, Meudon
Paris Restaurant Reviews
Le Cafe du Commerce, Paris
La Galere des Rois, Paris
Pizza La Gioconda, Paris
Le Bistro Henri, Paris
Laduree, Paris
Pierre Hermé, Paris
Saint Cirgues, Paris
Le Sancerre, Paris
Le Sept Quinze, Paris
La Tete de Goinfre, Paris
Tse, Paris
Paris Suburbs Restaurant Reviews
Chez Pierrot, Meudon
Le Relais des Gardes, Meudon
Paris Suburbs Restaurant Reviews
Chez Pierrot, Meudon
Le Relais des Gardes, Meudon
(Visits 2004 & 2005)
Avoca at Powers Court
My Home Cooking Collection
(Click to Open & Close each Index)

marin
east bay
wine country
davis
tahoe
baked
chocolate
dairy/eggs
drinks
markets
meat
new york
las vegas
los angeles
san diego
england
fiji
france
ireland
nibbles
staples
salads
sarnies
vegetables
5 Comments:
At 14/2/08 06:51,
Jerry said…
Funny, that's exactly why I always cook by the seat of my pants, and I'm rarely disappointed with the results. (O.K., it's not all perfect, last night's dinner wasn't stellar, but it was palatable.)
Go, Cook! Have fun with it and your food will reward you!
At 14/2/08 11:57,
Anita said…
I think there's a happy medium: Use recipes for inspiration and guidance. but understand your ingredients and equipment well enough to adjust when necessary. And most of that just comes from practice...
And for goodness' sake, why would anyone keep trying the same recipe over and over if it fails? it's either badly done, or the cook is unable to interpret it correctly for some reason.
At 15/2/08 07:12,
Ed said…
Great article. I thought of starting a blog "cookbook mistakes". Most of my cooking is by instinct nowadays having given up onNigella and gordon (although jamie ain't bad).
At 17/2/08 14:27,
Anthony Silverbrow said…
So, this bloke burnt his books (interesting move) in order to write a book about how one should ignore the books he's just torched. Clever stuff.
At 20/2/08 21:37,
Robyn said…
A well-written piece and an amusing read, but pretty silly. Especially this line:
'These days, the media's cooking coverage has polarised into two camps: the megalomaniacal Michelin-starred chefs with their impossible-to-recreate recipes that we admire from afar with fearful awe; and the super-simple, "on the table in seconds" TV cooks with their recipes based...on McCain Crispy Bites, instant mash and Sainsbury's cheese sauce.'
I don't know what bookstores he's shopping at but none of my too many cookbooks falls into either of those categories.
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