Food condiment question. I am looking at a recipe to make next week that s for "fleur de sel", which I had to Google, and found out it is a special sea salt. So I am wondering if any of you have tried fleur de sel and is it superior in taste to regular sea salt?

I like plain old kosher salt Haven't tried the fancypants stuff, but The Splendid Table has ...

There's an herb store here where you can get small quantities of different kinds of sea salt in bulk - fancy but cheap - maybe there's something like that in your area?

Penzeys Spices is a great place for purchasing spices and getting info. there web site shows a location in portland and one in Torrance Ca. or you can shop on line.

Dude, threading..... But procurement wasn't the question so much. I am more interested in tasting experiences with different salts.

i purchased some spices from one of their stores. I had an indepth discussion on what a particular spice would do in combo with another strong spice. their knowledge was very helpful. i used on half of one spice and it came out great.

Oh, cool, thanks. If I can't find it in SF I will look at that. Btw, did you get the wine for your nephew? What did you decide on and from which establishment?

wine question for you Can you recommend a nice white wine that would go well with beef? I like sparkling wines with a crisp fruity taste.

That is exacty what I am pairing for my dinner. Sparkling and Filet Mignon. Since there will be only two of us I wanted to open just one bottle to take us through all four courses. So I chose a brut sparkling wine. It pairs wonderfully with beef. You have access to many more French wines than I do. But a brut champagne from France would be wonderful. As I am not a big fan of paying just for a name I'd ask at the local wine merchant. You seem to know what you are looking for. Or you can e-mail me for more specifics, I am always happy to help.

i went to a totally different state to buy my wine. they were very nice and helpful. it was a pleasure this time, I selected for him the Babbiano chianti classico and for the girlfriend i got the fat cat red label. for myself, i got red truck. i take this opportunity to thank you gals for all your help. you gals are the best. cheers!!!!

I use it Truthfully, I bought it because it was pink and it seemed like an inexpensive way to add another flavor dimension to my eating life. I continue to buy it because I think the flavor is more subtle and less sharp & obvious than regular salt. Don't get me wrong, it is saltier than regular salt, but the taste is less flat. Oh, dear I sound like a foodie ding-bat. Anyway, you can get it at Rainbow.

oh, is that the pink stuff that comes in blocks? i think i have seen that at the Nugget (kind of a local Whole Foods). as i re, it seemed horrendously expensive for salt.

I get it in the bulk section (at Rainbow) It is one of the more expensive salts, but I don't use a lot of salt when I cook or eat so it ends up being a cheap gastonomic thrill.

Oh, it is Pink? Now I must have it, you have made my day. Actually a special dinner two weeks from now, but that's ok. And pink is the color them for the evening.

yes, it is a dusty pink

You've picked up the pink leather, the pink wine and the pink salt.... sounds like a pretty pink evening is planned. ;-) Have fun!! ARRRR!

her guest is very lucky.

Ummm, nope. The pink leather was someone else's inquiry, not mine. And...just say no to pink champagne, make mine a sparkling brut.

i still believe your guest is lucky. pink leather or no pink leather. YE HAW!!!!!!!!!!!!

Noted.

I know that you aren't looking for acquistion strategy but Kukje in Daly City has an aisle of salt that almost made me faint when I discovered it. Good seafood too.

Thanks, I go through Daly City a couple of times a week to go to work. Sounds like it is worth a stop and 'look see'. Have you purchased any interesting flavored salts?

Bacon Salt??? Did anyone ever buy this and try it? All this talk of salk made me think of it.