I'm off to California

[Chris__M]

On the principle of letting people know what makes me tick. Nothing to do with BBQ, as such, but what the heck.

As I just mentioned in another topic. I am an amateur musician. I sing, and my main instrument is acoustic guitar, although I also play some piano and drums.

I am also a science fiction fan, and attend conventions

Why do these things come together? There is a sizable community where these interests connect, and for some time now we have been holding our own conventions, focussed on music - folk music, rock music, sometimes (but not always) science-fiction themed music; with performance and guitar workshops and stuff like that. Every year we raise money to bring an American guest to our British convention. And similarly the American conventions raise money to invite Brits out to them.

Which is why I am flying off on Tuesday to San Franscisco. In exchange for my giving a Saturday night concert, and hanging out with people all weekend (such hard work!), the convention is paying for my airfare and the weekend's accomodation. However, I am extending the trip on my own dime, and will be out there for about 3 weeks, starting off in Newark/Fremont, where the convention is, driving down to Los Angeles with friends and staying there for a few days, then flying back to stay in San Francisco/Fisherman's Wharf for a week.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to it, and although I don't believe California is necessarily viewed as a traditional centre of American BBQ, I am sure I can discover something out there a bit more authentic than what I will find in Peterborough!

So I'll see you guys again in 3 weeks (although what's the betting that I will post something else before I go?)

[Steve]

Sounds like an interesting trip, hope you enjoy it, have some great experiences and meet some interesting characters.

[LM600]

Awesome!

I got lost driving round Newark!

[Chris__M]

Thanks for the info. I had heard mixed things about LA and Hollywood, with some friends saying they were deeply disappointed. I was wondering whether to go down there - I am a bit of a film nut, but know that LA isn't Tinsel Town any more.

What swung it for me was the offer of a lift down there by a couple who are attending the same convention as me. After an overnight stay with them (they are about an hour north of LA), I have a hotel booked for two nights in Burbank, allowing me to do the Warner Brother's Studio Tour, and perhaps Universal, although I am not too worried about that. My understanding is that Universal is a glorified theme park, whereas Warners is a working studio (I've plumped for the expensive all day tour, that gets you into editing suites and more technical stuff).

After that, I am staying with other friends for 4-5 days, who live out by LAX, who are going to show me around. I'm leaving the itinerary largely with them, as they know what my interests are.

After I fly back to San Francisco, I am then mostly on my own for a week, in a bayside hotel. However, from what I have gathered, SF is more my kind of city, with stuff to do, particularly Fisherman's Wharf, where I will be staying. I've got a trip to Alcatraz already booked, and after being with people for a week, I'll probably enjoy some solo exploring, meeting up with some locals in the evening. So yes, the low down on anything interesting in the BBQ front would be great.

The whole wine/Napa Valley thing interested me, and if I hadn't decided to go down to LA, I was considering hiring a car for a week, and just driving around, staying here and there. However, with LA back in the picture, I was in danger of spreading myself too thinly, so I am putting that off for another trip, when I can do it properly.

[clairbare]

Have a great trip xx

[Chris__M]

Hi all

I am now back from my travels, and a great time was had. Started off with the sf/music convention in Fremont, California, drove down to Los Angeles with friends, where I did the tourist thing, including a tour of Warner Studios. I then flew back and spent a week in San Francisco itself - exploring on my own most days, but usually meeting up with local friends for dinner in the evening.

I enjoyed LA, but found it a bit too spread out for my liking - I was totally dependent on my friends to get about. San Francisco was a city I could totally understand, and I loved it - will definitely go back again.

On the food front, word got round that I was interested in BBQ, so I got quite a few offers. During the convention, someone came in via Everett and Jones, in Oakland, and brought me a takeout of BBQ Sausage Links, sauce and corn-bread. The portion was huge, and I started off by asking if anyone wanted some. Then I got the taste, and protected the rest of it with my life! Later, I was taken to a Korean BBQ Restaurant, which was also great, although somewhat different from the other places I was taken for lunches.

While in San Francisco, I had dinner in The Pub, at Ghiradelli Square - pulled pork, with candied yams and cheese-topped grits. The pork was nice, but not particularly smokey, but the sides were excellent. Later, I had lunch there, and tried their brisket tacos, which were brilliant.

I had planned to also try Memphis Minnie's, in Haight, which had come with a recommendation from a friend. However, the day I intended to lunch there, the rain was peeing down, and I never made it. Another time, perhaps.

In addition to the above, a heck of a lot of sushi was eaten (yum!), and I was also taken to a Peruvian restaurant, which was superb.

Now I am back, I hope to get my garden sorted, and a permanent home for my BBQ worked out.

[Chris__M]

Finally getting the stuff from my trip abroad sorted out and put away, and I came across this. As I mentioned, my trip started with an sf/music convention, where I was performing. From a couple of conversations early on, it became known to folk that I was into BBQ, and that became a popular topic thereafter, with people going out of their way to introduce me to new things.

So one evening, on a whim, I wrote this silly number, for fun. I performed it at the convention, and it went down really well.

I bought myself a smoker
For I love barbecue
The kind, you know
Cooked long and slow
With a hit of spice to make you blow
And set your tastebuds all aglow
As the very best foods do.

And though I'm just a novice
You know I'm gonna risk it
Gonna go for broke and make some smoke
To cook the perfect brisket

The first time that I lit her up
I very quickly found
From beneath the hood
Came a smell so good
That quickly filled the neighbourhood
And the people came as fast they could
From miles and miles around

To marvel at my smoker
And learn how to use this kit
To help me baste and have a taste
Of this, the perfect brisket

Now nearly every weekend
My neighbours come on down
I start the heat
They bring the meat
Together we make it good to eat
And make a feast that's hard to beat
For everyone in town

So come on by and try some
With gravy and some biscuits
If you're in the mood for homecooked food
It's lovely grub with a coffee rub
And a sauce that's hot and hits the spot
It's quite the perfect brisket!

[All Weather Griller]

Love it. BBBQS's own Poet Laureate.