Tag Archives: Romney Steele
Plum Gorgeous: Celebrating the deliciousness of fruit
Romney Steele’s new book, “Plum Gorgeous: Recipes and Memories from the Orchard”, showcases the romance and beauty of fruit.
Steele, an occasional contributor to Berkeleyside, is a writer, cook, artist and food stylist. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Lolly Fassett, creators of Nepenthe Restaurant at Big Sur, the subject of Steele’s previous book, “My Nepenthe”. She lives in Oakland with her two children, Trevor and Nicoya.
Steele will be reading from “Plum Gorgeous” at Mrs Dalloway’s book store at 2904 College Avenue in Berkeley on Friday July 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Berkeleyside: What inspired you to write the book?
I lived in a particularly prolific orchard more than a dozen years ago, and was fishing around for a new book idea when I came across an old notebook from that time. It was basically a blueprint to this book – with my drawings, recipes, and the idea pretty much in print. I hadn’t remembered that I wanted to do this so long ago. Interesting how dreams come true when you put them down on paper, and you create the space to allow them to happen. … Continue reading »
Meet Romney Steele today at My Nepenthe signing
Berkeleyside contributing writer Romney Steele will be signing her book “My Nepenthe” today from noon to 3pm at Nathan & Co on Piedmont Avenue.
In “My Nepenthe”, Romney chronicles the colorful back story of Nepenthe, the celebrated Big Sur restaurant which her family owned, including the unorthodox life they lived and the eclectic community they cultivated.
Sunset Magazine called “My Nepenthe” a valentine to one of the most beautiful places to eat in the world … Continue reading »
Market Report: Rhubarb
Rhubarb, often referred to as a pie plant — and really a vegetable — is just beginning to appear around town and in the farmers’ market. Long cultivated as a medicinal plant in Asia (thought to cure fevers and other ailments), the garden or culinary variety is probably best known for its use as a pie filling, sweet and savory, and as a classic pairing with strawberries. High in acid with a tart, bright flavor profile, think … Continue reading »
Market Report: Strawberries
A strawberry day: California is the leading grower of strawberries nationwide and, according to the California Strawberry Commission, they grow year round in our sunny state. Certainly they do, but if you’re looking for locally grown, organic or unsprayed strawberries (which I recommend), the season is right about now. In fact, a news report points to the fact they are a little late in their arrival, due to the recent spate of storms. … Continue reading »
Market Report: Asparagus
Springtime is no longer around the corner, it is here. With longer days and a shift in weather, it’s hard not to want to fling off the boots and start wearing your flip-flops on a regular basis.
Drive by Berkeley High, and you might think it’s summer with all the short wearing and airy clothing. But, you really know it’s spring when you see the first bundle of bright green asparagus at your local farmers … Continue reading »
Market Report: A prelude to spring
Today, we are delighted to welcome Romney Steele into the Berkeleyside fold. Romney will be writing a regular report for us all on what’s fresh, in season, and available at our local farmers’ markets and grocers — she will also throw in some suggestions on what we might want to do with it.
Early March teases with the heralds of spring — artichokes, mâche, and rhubarb, some of my favorites — and yet remains a notoriously in-between … Continue reading »
Big Sur author brings Bohemian tales to Berkeley
It’s always tricky to write about a pal’s book, you don’t want to come off sounding like a fawning friend, frankly.
So, in the case of My Nepenthe by Romney “Nani” Steele, I’m going to let others hand out the praise. Sunset describes Steele’s cookbook-cum-memoir as “a valentine to one of the most beautiful places to eat in the world.” Michael Pollan calls it “a very special book about a very special place.” And epicurious just named it … Continue reading »
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