Pizza, Chalamet, Costco, Pledge Drive Events

A lot covered in this week's Eat Drink Cook. I plant my Best Pizza flag, got Costco wine picks and invite you to Eat Drink Cook events in February.

Jan 29, 2025

OK, Trump has upset the apple cart. We knew it, we expected it, and many naively thought “it wasn’t go to be this bad.” It is. Eat Drink Cook is a respite from the news, not a political pulpit nor a forum. But. This is a personal Substack, so if you’re spending time with it, I want you to know how I feel about 47 and his plans. I feel lousy about it. And if there’s an event coming up to learn, to debate, to rally, to help, I will tell you about it and hope to see you there.

Thanks to everyone who has signed up or allowed me to sign you up for Eat Drink Cook. And a big, hearty CHEERS to you who have pledged a paid subscription. Substack newsletters are for everyone while paid subscribers get the invites to barrel tastings and foody events with super-small wineries and craftspeople. You know: tastemakers. Love that word. In February I’m hosting EDC events and everyone is invited. Call them pledge drives. They’re in the Events section below with RSVPs requested in the comments section.

Eatin’

Favorite pizza, or best pizza if you’re food-opinionated like me, is as subjective as picking a wine. My choice for best pizza is from Kitchen Door in Downtown Napa. “What the?” you ask? I’d ask too if not for the raging-good I had there a couple of years’ ago. New York style, folds like a napkin, all the flavors in proportion.
I just went back to Kitchen Door last week for confirmation. It was a beautiful afternoon - perfect to sit outside with Talia and Moxie the pooch. We got the sausage with peppers and onions, it was fantastic, and confirmed my flag-planting here for Best Pizza in Napa. Try it if you haven’t already, and tell me where it stacks up on your pizza list.
It’s not the best value unfortunately. $26-$28 a pop! You pay for excellence. Kitchen door takes $5 off during their 4 to 5:30 weekday Happy Hour. That’ll cover your tip, which is nice.

Drinkin’ / Steppin’ Out

The wild and crazy Dawson family made last Friday Costco night. Somebody hold us back! Besides trying to buy frozen burritos (nope), Rocky Chicken Tenders (no again) and a Cowboy Hat (negativo…I thought they had everything?), I cruised their wine section while the fam debated the merits of buying 48 Drumsticks®. Donning my wine smock to recommend from the Napa Costco, in stock as of Jan 24:
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage “Les Trois Chenes” 2020 $25
Perfumed Syrah, eau de kalamata and leather purse.
Sociando-Mallet Haut-Medoc 2020 $35
Wait, what? $35 for a strong vintage of Sociando Mallet?
Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone 2022 $13
Happy goodness from Southern France for a song.
Marietta “Christo” Red Blend “Estate” McDowell Valley 2021 $19
Bold-ish, satisfying red blend from perennial under-the-radar winery.
Y. Rousseau “Son Of A Butcher” Red Blend, California 2021 $17
A little meaty, a little fruity, a little spicy. It eloped with a hamburger.

A Show

Check Back To The Future off the must-see movies with Talia list.
Who remembers that Huey Lewis had a cameo role?
And who knew that Crispin Glover (George McFly) looks exactly like a young William McKinley? Substack’s Joel Stein taught me that one!

Events

Pledge Drive Tastings. Open to all readers of Eat Drink Cook. Have a “taste” of what paid subscribers will enjoy at future events. No cost, no loyalty oaths, no bouncers, no tasers. No Brown Eyed Girl (inside joke).

MONDAY BUBBLES at Outer Space Wines in Downtown Napa.
This Monday, February 3, 4 to 6 PM.
Pouring Roederer Estate Sparkling and
Allimant Laugner Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose out of Magnums.
Featuring Dan’s Air Fryer Catering

Eat Drink Cook Road Trip #1 to PEZZATO
Saturday, February 22, 2 PM (Location TBD)
Michael and Andrea Savaiano make miniscule amounts of Pezzato Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon while raising a family and working their day jobs. I love their 2022 Cabernet, an unapologetically rich, spicy, layered Cabernet. We’ll taste the ‘22 along with barrel samples and back-vintage wines too. I’ll bring the nibbles. You bring the joy!

Wines available to purchase at both events. Leave your RSVPs for both events in the comments section below.

Bein’ A Dad

Talia has a school dance this Friday afternoon. Under no circumstances am I allowed to attend. That’s OK. Last I checked the dances are mostly girls group dancing and boys on the outskirts.

An Artist

The Timothée Chalamet craze has hit this house. “Chalamet Chalamet Chalamet” says Talia, along with “I’m hungry.” I must admit I can’t walk away from the TV when he’s on. His SNL host job on Saturday was solid. The 29 year old Chalamet has many many movies in front of him and we’re looking forward to watching them all.
Did you know?: “Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008) inspired Chalamet to pursue a career in acting.”

Sport

Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara, 19, spun around a record 6 1/2 times in the men’s Big Air snowboard event at the X Games in Aspen CO. That’s 2340 degrees of rotation. Watch it on X.

Country

In case you missed it (I sure did) in December 2023 the United States announced its sovereign rights over an additional million square kilometers of extended continental shelf. While 200 miles beyond the coast falls under a country’s jurisdiction, discovering “shelf” beyond the 200 miles allows a country to make its claim, per The Law Of The Sea adopted in 1982. But, interestingly, the U.S. did not ratify The Law, so even though it followed the rules of discovery, it/we don’t pay a thing to this international body. The U.S. does, however, collect royalties from anyone utilizing this newfound wealth. The U.S. spent 20 years mapping the shelf and discovering these extensions: an investment not every country can make. Gee I wonder what will be done with this newfound treasure.

Grievance

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade, right? Literally? One family can’t drink that much lemonade, or consume lemons for that matter. Our main lemon tree is a Meyer lemon, and it’s prolific. I preserved a few jars worth of lemons one year. Threw them out a year later. Unless you’re a Moroccan restaurant how many preserved lemons do you really need? I juiced and froze a bunch lemon cubes one year. Threw them out two years later. I’m up for ideas. And takers.

Finally

Room left at my Pinot Noir class at Outer Space Wines next Thursday February 6, 6 PM. 7 AVAs, 2022 vintage, start you off with some killer bubbles. I’ve assembled a great line-up to discuss and pour. $50/person. Buy tickets.

You made it: the end of this week’s Eat Drink Cook: a life-journal from a Napa Valley dad, wine expert and enthusiastic cook. Up to twelve subjects, often intertwined, with an emphasis on food, wine, cooking, being a dad and just a guy enjoying these crazy times the best I can. Read me for food & wine tips, recipes, and stuff I come across that you may find interesting too.