So... how was that dinner? Menu? Hubby's reaction? Did he guess?

Faina - The trip isn't actually until June. I'm just one of those annoyingly anal-retentive types who likes to have things planned way too far in advance...

I'm very impressed with the creativity of some of you guys - cakes and mashed potatoes are quite impressive! I'm still collecting ideas, and may even trip to make cioppino on my own...we'll see how inspired I am!

Start quoting Rod MeKuen

crap~sorry~ My typing and previewing is non-existant tonight...along with my spelling..

Rod McKuen!

Fog!

Patrick, the latest issue of Vanity Fair (or maybe it is Esquire) has a recipe for Hangtown Fry! It actually originated in the Russian River area north of SF, according to the accompanying article.

Hey, cioppino is actually surprisingly easy to make. I have a recipe that uses Zinfandel--once you get the ingredients for the broth together you just need a good watch to time the seafood as you drop it in (you have to cook them all for precisely the right minutes). Shopping for all the stuff is harder than cooking it!

seafood? see's candies?

Give him two tickets to "Beach Blanket Babylon" under the dinner plate. It is a much more fun San Francisco institution than ANY food!

Beach Blanket Babylon is a hoot.

http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/

TravMom, aren't we all here the type you've described

And I like Fairhope's idea: make sure your dining room is very foggy!

The streets of.....


You could do a video marathon that features Carl Malden and Michael Douglas.

Of course, this may be of no value if you are under 40 or so.

Or for a more ageless video marathon:

How about some Dirty Harry?

You might consider serving Joe's Special, which I understand originated at Original Joe's in San Francisco: It's an easy-going meal of ground round or ground chuck, fried up with beaten eggs, spinach, olive oil, and garlic, in proportions depending on what you like. And rice-a-roni is fine, just pretend it's a pilaf and nobody will give you any trouble. Have fun!

a wedding cake topper with two brides or two grooms!

i want an easy cioppino recipe!
post it!
I would serve clan chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and play "i left my heart in SF" just tinking about it makes me tear up!!!!

Crab crab crab crab crab.....oh, yes, clam chowder! "Escape from Alcatraz." 49ers. (The Pancake House in my area serves "49er Pancakes," they are so yummy!) Maybe some kind of wine? Stuff from Chinatown--dim sum, tea, fortune cookies, etc.

placeu2, I'm under 40 and i remember "The Streets of San Francisco." My mom was addicted to that show and we watched it every week!

Irish coffee--invented at the Buena Vista Cafe at the foot of the cable car

The time is fast approaching where I have to actually put this thing together. I know it's cheesy, but I want to see if he can guess where we're going based on the dinner...

So far, the menu goes like this:
-Spicy seafood dip prepared with GIANT prawns (we're going to a Giants game)
-Clam chowder and crusty sourdough
-Main course??
-Rice-a-roni
-Ghirardelli milk chocolate truffle cream pie.

I just need one more idea from you guys - are there any main dishes that would work for the Yosemite portion of the trip? We'll be backpacking, and the only thing I can think of is a freeze-dried dinner or ramen (gourmet on the trail, but less-than-exciting at home).

Maybe I could just serve "Half Dome Hamburgers"? Any other ideas??

Thanks!

Actually I think the freeze dried meal would be perfect, and very funny!