this is hardly the post i should be writing as i have more pictures of pitaya, some pictures of baby G, a great night at inaka seafood with chef niki’s chef’s table, and a great story about a road trip from sunny lalaland to chilly napa valley; however, after one full day here in napa valley, what i want (need?) to write about is pork. i have eaten pork in the last 3 meals. and i’ve only had 3 meals in napa valley so far. we aren’t talking about a little pork. we are talking about *a lot* of pork. everything here in napa valley right now has pork in it. now, i love me some pork, but it’s amazing how much bacon is added to the dish.

last night, at bistro jeanty, m’s cassoulet had a lovely slice of bacon in the bottom of the clay bowl. i had pork shoulder (yes, i purposely had pork). i was looking for something light and delicate but the waiter sold me on the pork shoulder description and my pork-loving other half declared that last night’s pork shoulder (prepared french brasserie style) was the best pork she has ever had. wow. that’s an impressive declaration. i loved the dish, too, and it not only came with brussels sprouts but, wait for it, bacon.

this morning, we had complimentary breakfast at bardessono and there was a ham charcuterie selection in the continental breakfast and my eggs came with 2 slices of nueske’s.

this evening, at tra vigne, m’s rigatoni carbonara had bacon in it. lots of bacon in it. i tried to get away from a heavy, rich dish but couldn’t resist ordering papardelle with rabbit.

we have another day and a half here and i can’t find anything that’s not rich and, furthermore, that is pork-free. but, really, why would i want to? long live the pork!

update: here’s the chicharones and saveur at patio filipino in san bruno. talk about a trip with pork-y bookends: