SF Magazine's Fallfest This Saturday

San Francisco Magazine’s FallFest
this Saturday, October 11 from 12noon to 4pm.
San Francisco magazine’s celebrates the arrival of fall with their fifth annual epicurean event, which supports one of the City’s most respected nonprofit organizations—Meals On Wheels of San Francisco and is hosted by San Francisco magazine Food Editor Jan Newberry and Miss Pearl’s Jam House consulting chef and Bay Café host Joey Altman.  Leading local restaurateurs, winemakers and artisans join together for an inspiring day of premier food and wine tasting, chef demonstrations, live music and panel discussions that celebrate eating and living local.  It all takes place outdoors at Justin Herman Plaza, which is transformed for the day into a European-style marketplace, taking full advantage of the season’s gorgeous weather and the waterfront’s beautiful views.

FallFest 2008 will focus on the “Eat Local” initiative and ask participants to showcase items that use ingredients grown or produced within three hours of their final destination.

WHO 1,500 food and wine enthusiasts
WHAT San Francisco magazine’s Fallfest 2008
WHEN Saturday, October 11, noon to 4 p.m. (rain or shine)
WHERE Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero Center
San Francisco’s Waterfront District
WHY Proceeds benefit Meals On Wheels of San Francisco

HOW Get tickets now!   Click here.
Pay only $85 with the OpenTable discount!

Just use the dicount code: OPNTBLFF
PLEASE NOTE: Offer good until October 8.
If you are unable to attend, you can purchase raffle tickets or donate to the cause.
Visa Signature® cardholders receive special savings and benefits.

Celebrate fall with the food and wine event of the season!

SF Food Maven Food & Wine Events for the Week of September 29, 2008

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Saks Fifth Avenue & The Guardsmen present GIVING IN STYLE 2008 

2nd Annual Fashion Show & Party

What: A memorable evening of Giving In Style at the Second Annual Fashion Show & Party.
Who: The Bay Area's most fashionable and finest young professionals.
When: Thursday, October 02, 2008, 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Where: The Galleria at the SF Design Center, 101 Henry Adams Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Why: A fundraiser for The Guardsmen, a service organization of Bay Area professional men that has devoted its efforts to providing disadvantaged youth an opportunity to participate in camping, educational and other culturally enriching opportunities that they otherwise would not be afforded.
TICKETS: $84.99 - $150.
Purchase tickets: http://www.thealist.org/

MORE:The event will feature a runway show for men and women, VIP seating, top City restaurants, premium cocktails, and a lively hosted After-Party with DJ Solomon.
Event Schedule:

7 PM VIP access for premium food & drink
8 PM General admission
9 PM Fashion show
9:30 PM - 1 AM Dancing and merriment

Friday, October 3rd, 2008



What: 12th Annual Art for AIDS Auction
When: Friday, October 3rd, 2008 5:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Herbst International Gallery Presidio - Building #385

Support one of the nation's leading AIDS service organizations at the Art for AIDS Auction. Join 500 art patrons at a juried live and silent auction of more than 125 modern and contemporary works from well-known and emerging artists including Jock Sturges, Rex Ray and Deborah Oropallo. Enjoy gourmet food, wine and spirits donated by the Bay Area’s finest restaurants and wineries. This program benefits the UCSF AIDS Health Project.

Art for AIDS is an event benefiting the UCSF AIDS Health Project.
It is a juried live and silent auction, with gourmet food and libations provided by
some of the Bay Areas finest restaurants and wineries. KetelOne pours free Cosmos for all.

Bringing together a creative community of artists, galleries, art donors and art patrons, sponsors and media, the Art for AIDS event connects the art world, a community deeply aware of the epidemic’s toll, with one of the nation’s leading AIDS prevention and care organizations.

Sunday, October 5th, 2008



What: CUESA's Sixth Annual Sunday Supper
When: Sunday, October 05, 2008 6:00 PM Until 9:30 PM
Where: San Franciscos Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111

Info Line
415-291-3276 x 103
Website
http://www.cuesa.org/

6:00 pm - Reception in the Ferry Building Marketplace

7:30 pm - Supper, served family style in the Ferry Building Grand Hall
Reception only (see reception menu here), $60

Reception & Four Course Supper, $200

Year of Dining Out raffle tickets (see the participating restaurants here), $10
BUY TICKETS HERE

Parking is available at the lot on the corner of Washington & Embarcadero

Description
CUESA's sixth annual Sunday Supper fundraiser showcases the abundance of delicious produce offered at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and the supreme culinary talent of the San Francisco Bay Area. During our reception in the Ferry Building Marketplace, 20 Bay Area chefs will prepare sumptuous Hors D'oeuvres, farmers' market cocktails will be created by both Hangar One Vodka & Square One Vodka, four wineries will offer their local libations and Bison Brewery will pour organic beer.At 7:30, guests who are staying for Supper will ascend the stairs into the Ferry Building's Grand Hall and be surprised by the meal served to them! Chefs from 30 restaurants have collaborated in teams of three to provide a unique first-course, entree, cheese course and dessert for each long table of guests. This means you will be dining on a different delicious meal than your neighboring table. We'll also be drawing the names of the four winners of our Year of Dining out Raffle, auctioning a few fabulous prizes (details TBD), and hearing from a few farmers about what the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has meant to them.


The Month of October




October is Eat Local Month in SF
WHEN: The month of October.

Fresh. Local. Sustainable. Those are 3 words to best describe Eat Local Month in San Francisco.
All October long some of the city’s best restaurants will showcase daily specials using ingredients and products from local ranches and farms. Isn’t it great to live in the Bay Area?
Check out participating restaurants.

San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger

Last week, a very special gourmet food & wine event called San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger, was held at Ferry Plaza to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. The SF Food Bank sources, collects and repackages nearly 100,000 pounds of food per day, which comes from supermarket chains, large manufacturers & wholesalers, restaurant suppliers, the USDA and food drives for seniors nutrition programs and low-income families. The food that the SFFB collects supplies over 600 vital food programs, such as senior centers, after-school programs, neighborhood pantry networks and soup kitchens.  As I said in an earlier post, the SF Food Bank has been having a tough year, because food prices are skyrocketing and rents have increased 12% in the last year, resulting in more families on SFFB to supply basic needs and demands continue to increase. To compound the situation, the amount of the food that the USDA had been providing has been cut by 60% in the last 5 years alone.

Due to this predicament, the member restaurants of San Francisco Private Dining Venues and Estate Groups/Sonoma Cutrer sponsored the San Francisco Unites to End Hunger event to help provide some aid, as well as allowing food lovers to help contribute as well.

The event was held at the World Trade Club at the Ferry Plaza, which made for a beautiful setting with sweeping views of the Bay and the Bay Bridge as its backdrop. The San Francisco Event Music ensemble, another sponsor for the event played lively tunes, as people mingled and indulged in delectable hors d'oeuvres from participating restaurants.

Some of these gourmet samples included House-Cured Anchovies prepared 3 different ways by Palio D'Asti. They were paired with either Roasted Peppers, earthy Beets or a flavorful Eggplant Caponata. Acme Chophouse was serving up Roasted Figs topped with Goat Cheese wrapped in a cured Duck Prosciutto. Kuleto's dish was a Tuna Conserva served on a Toasted Baguette slice with a Roasted Pepper Mission Olive Tapenade and a Parsley Aioli.

Harris' provided a Prime Rib station, sliced up the way you like it, and Chaya Brasserie represented with colorful displays of Sushi Rolls.

My personal favorites for their inventiveness and perfect flavor combinations were by Absinthe Brasserie with its Marinated Lamb Loin sliced thin atop a Vaudovan (Indian spiced) Carrot Puree with a Cucumber Yogurt Sauce and Toasted Almonds, which added great texture, and the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company's Melon Gazpacho, prepared with Heirloom Melons and a Coconut Sorbet and Mint, which provided a unique & delicious palate cleanser amidst all of the savory dishes.

The SF Food Bank had a great turnout for this event, as philanthropists and food lovers alike showed up to consume delicious creations, imbibe good wine and give back to their community.

SF FOOD MAVEN Food & Wine Events for the Week of September 22nd...

Monday, September 22nd













Feeling Feisty? Then you must go to A Food Affaire!

What: A Food Affaire
Where: Ruby Skye Nightclub
When: Monday, September 22nd at 6:30pm

Yes, this event is today! For complete details click here.


Wednesday, September 24th

What: Vino Iberico: The Wines of Spain & Portugal
When: September 24th at 6pm
Where: Vessel San Francisco - 85 Campton Street off Stockton

The Dramatic Setting
Uncorked Events will be introducing wines of distinct history, value and quality at the beautiful and sexy Vessel SF nightclub, providing the perfect backdrop. This stunning venue is conveniently located on the edge of Financial District so you can quickly end a days work with over 85 of the very best wines from Spain and Portugal.

The Wine
On the Spanish front, you will taste the hearty reds of the Priorat and Ribera del Duero, the classics from Rioja, bubbly from Penedès , as well as wines from up and coming regions like Jumilla, Toro, Rías Baixas and La Mancha। You will taste lots of Tempranillo (the great grape of Spain), along with Cabernet, Garnacha, Albariño, Cava, Viura and many more. When it comes to Portugal, you all have likely had their port - and you will try many on this evening. What you may be less familiar with are the great non-dessert wines of Portugal. How about a little Alentejo or Bairrada, or perhaps a little Vinho Verde? Come experience some of these little known gems that are often in the shadow of this Port empire.

The Extras
Artisinal Spanish cheeses, olives and cured meats will be provided from A.G. Ferrari and DJ Sol spinning flamenco-inspirded lounge grooves.The Bottom LineWhen a wine is extraordinary, Spainards say “Beber este vino es como hablar con Dios” — “Tasting this wine is like talking with God”. You may just might concur by night’s end.


Thursday, September 25th

What: SF Weekly's Dish - an event featuring sampling from local restaurants, a hosted bar, and live music.
Where: Under the Dome - Westfield San Francisco Centre 845 Market Street
When: Thursday, September 25 6pm-9pm

Featured restaurants to include: O Izakaya, Zazil Mexican Cuisine, LarkCreekSteak, Straits, Papalote, Frisee, Clementine, Roots, New Delhi, Buena Vista Café Irish Coffees, and more to be announced.

Proceeds will benefit Project Open Hand.
Space is limited. Click here to purchase your tickets.

Sponsors: Miller Brewing Company, Crunch Fitness, SF Chocolates, SF Explore Card, Yak Pak, Sake2me, and The Art Institute.

What: California Wine Classic
Where: Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, 600 Stockton St.
When: Thursday, Sept. 25 (6 p.m.)

http://www.californiawineclassic.org/

Sip and support. The California Wine Classic benefits the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Enjoy over twenty California wines, fine cuisine from the Ritz-Carlton, a silent and live auction and live music at this special event. This is an evening with one important goal - to find a cure for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative ColitisEnjoy over twenty California wines, fine cuisine, a silent and live auction and live music.All event proceeds are dedicated to medical research and support programs.This year, they are committed to funding a total of $18 million towards critical research, which includes funding local researchers at UCSF, Stanford and Kaiser Permanente.

A Food Affaire, next Monday, September 22nd...

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) is hosting a sensual gourmet food & wine event called - A Food Affaire. The event is this upcoming Monday, September 22nd at the renowned Ruby Skye nightclub on 420 Mason Street in downtown San Francisco. Over twenty top San Francisco chefs will serve aphrodisiac-inspired dishes that incorporate mood-enhancing ingredients. Whether it's decadent oysters being sucked right out of the shell, lavish caviar pearls bursting between your teeth or foie gras melting like butter on the tongue, you can experience all of the sexiness that these foods have to offer. It is anticipated to be a memorable evening in which you can indulge in seductive food and entertainment.

The event was formerly called Toast of the Town. With participating chefs and restaurants such as Mark Gordon, Terzo; Joey Altman, Miss Pearl's Jam House; Bruce Hill, Bix; Massimo Caporale, Gelato Paradiso; Tammy Huynh, Bong Su; Pablo Estrada, Rose Pistola; Ruggero Gadaldi, Beretta; Paul Piscopo, XYZ; Ranjan Dey, New Delhi; Damon Hall, MoMo's and Pete's Tavern; Dan Scherotter, Palio d'Asti; Joseph Manzare, Tres Agaves; Gary Rulli, Emporio Rulli; Ben Hetzel, Uva Enoteca; Tim Luym, Poleng Lounge.

There will also be exotic dancers, henna tattoo artists, and fortunetellers. SKYY Spirits is the exclusive beverage sponsor for the event and will be creating a list of specialty cocktails for the evening. Proceeds raised from A Food Affaire will benefit the GGRA's Scholarship Foundation, which provides talented students with scholarships to help fund their tuition towards careers in restaurants and hospitality.

The ticket price is $150 VIP or $100 for general admission, per person. VIP Event Begins at 6pm, general admission to open at 6:30pm.
Rivera Public Relations is offering a discount to fellow industry professionals and food-lovers alike: When buying tickets, use the promo code "RPR" (all uppercase) and you will receive a $20 discount. Or for those couples that want to attend, use the promo code "RPR2" and receive two tickets for the price of one (a $50 value).

Click here to purchase your discounted tickets and get ready to go behind the scenes with participating San Francisco chefs to experience their take on aphrodisiac-inspired cuisine at this year's "A Food Affaire"...

The event will tantalize your tastebuds and satisfy all of your senses, from touch to sight.
I am very excited to attend this delicious event and will be sure to report back...

SF FOOD MAVEN FOOD & WINE EVENTS for the Week of September 15th...

There are so many great Food & Wine events in San Francisco. And I thought it would be a great idea to do Sunday posts which tell you What, Where & When these events are. If there are any events that you may be interested in attending, then please feel free to contact me and maybe we can meet there or go together.

So, What's in Store for This Week?
Well, here it goes...

SF FOOD MAVEN FOOD & WINE EVENTS

This Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Sexy Nirvino Event at Sens Restaurant at 4EC - Show Me Your Cachaca

WHAT: Show Me Your Cachaca
WHERE: Sens Restaurant
WHEN: Tuesday Sep 16th, 2008
From 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Cost: FREE for Nirvino members so join now!

Nirvino, a Beer, Wine & Cocktail social domain, where one can connect with other such enthusiasts, is hosting a Mixology Event featuring Brasilian-style cocktails in a beautiful setting, at Sens restaurant in Embarcadero Center 4. They will host a crew of master mixologists to create some fantastic Cabana Cachaca-based drinks.

Event highlights:
• Mixology Contest - Five of San Francisco's hottest bartenders
• Mobile Judging - Bring your iPhone, Treo, or Blackberry. We'll be reviewing the drinks live at the event to select the winner of the mixology contest
• Limited Space - This is a private event exclusively for our active Nirvino members
• Your Mission - Rate each of the cocktails from your mobile phone and choose the best drink of the evening.

VIP Early birds can come promptly at 6:30 for a special, super-secret cocktail. The early bird special will be made by Cabana's in-house mixologist, Alex Metzroth, and complemented by Glace Luxury Ice.

According to an interview with Nirvino, Cabana Cachaça was launched in 2006 by Matti C. Anttila, a twenty-something New York investment banker turned spirits entrepreneur who first discovered cachaca while experiencing the heady nightlife of Rio de Janeiro. Anttila explains, "This new campaign helps to communicate the authentic essence of Cabana, and distinguish it from the other mass cachacas starting to come into the US market. It is the first truly super-premium cachaça, worthy of sitting alongside Grey Goose, Patron and other ultra-premium and luxury category leaders."

Sounds like a sexy, fun event. Who's in?




Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

WHAT: San Francisco Culinary History with GraceAnn Walden and Pablo Estrada

WHERE: Macy's Union Square - 170 O'Farrell St - San Francisco, CA
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17th at 6pm

Local food writer GraceAnn Walden takes you on a culinary tour of San Francisco at Macy's Union Square in The Cellar! During this 4-part series she'll be visiting with local chefs.

Enjoy a taste of the featured recipes, a glass of wine compliments of the Jug Shop, and neighborhood history from GraceAnn. GraceAnn also offers tours of the city; you can find out about more here.

This series is on Traditional North Beach with Pablo Estrada, chef de cuisine of Rose Pistola

Explore this vibrant neighborhood with food maven-history buff GraceAnn Walden and enjoy a Ligurian dish by Pablo Estrada, chef de cuisine of Rose Pistola restaurant. The cuisine of Rose Pistola captures the authentic flavors, brought here by the Italian immigration of the 19th century.



Thursday, September 18th, 2008

WHAT: San Francisco Restaurants Unite to End Hunger
WHERE: One Ferry Plaza, San Francisco, CA
WHEN: This Thursday, Sep. 18th from 5:30pm–7:30pm
Cost: Tickets are $40 and are available at the door at One Ferry Plaza, directly behind the Ferry Building

This is a special Gourmet Food & Wine event, that has been organized to benefit the San Francisco Food Bank. The SF Food Bank has been having a tough year and they are hoping to get a great turnout for this event. This is a great way for Food Lovers to give back to their community. The $40 ticket price includes live entertainment, drinks, and savory hors d'oeuvres from 30 San Francisco restaurants.  Guests may also enter a raffle to win $100 gift certificates to the participating restaurants, listed here:

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
Acme Chophouse
Bistro Boudin
Chaya Brasserie
The City Club
Cosmopolitan
E&O Trading Company
Epic Roasthouse
Fifth Floor
Fior D' Italia
Foreign Cinema
Grand Café
Harris’
Il Fornaio
Jillian’s at the Metreon
Joe DiMaggio’s Italian Chophouse
Kuleto’s
Le Colonial
McCormick and Kuleto’s
One Market
Orson
Palio D'Asti
Paragon
Perbacco
Plumpjack
Postrio
Shanghai 1930
Spruce
Thirsty Bear Brewing Company
Tres Agaves

Yoshi’s

This event is sponsored by San Francisco Private Dining Venues and their member restaurants, Estate Groups/Sonoma Cutrer and San Francisco Event Music.

Saturday, September 20th, 2008

A Taste of South Beach/Mission Bay Street Fair

WHAT: “A Taste of South Beach/Mission Bay” Street Fair

WHERE: Historic South Park
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20th. 11am-6pm.
Cost: Free


This Saturday will be the first annual “A Taste of South Beach and Mission Bay” Street Fair. The goal of the fair is to bring attention to this rapidly expanding area of San Francisco by inviting the community of South Beach and Mission Bay as well as neighboring SF Bay Area communities to participate in a quality celebration of local cuisine.
This all-day block party will feature tasty treats from some of your favorite South Beach & surrounding restaurants and bars, including: Tres Agaves, 21st Amendment, Anchor Brewing Co., District, Local Kitchen and Wine Merchant, MoMo’s, O’Neill’s Irish Pub, Paragon, Pete’s Tavern, and more...


The focus of the fair in its first year will be on the many excellent Restaurants and Bars in the South Beach and Mission Bay Area. Local restaurant’s signature dishes and drinks will be available for purchase at a moderate cost. There will also be two stages featuring terrific, live entertainment.


Admission is Free and proceeds from the event will benefit the South Beach/Mission Bay Merchant Association and the South Park Improvement Association.


Well.. There you have it. This weeks notable Food & Wine events in San Francisco.

Looking forward to it and hope to see you at one of these events!

Yours in Food,

SF Food Maven

C.E.O. Women International Cook-Off at La Cocina in the Mission

C.E.O. Women, a non-profit whose name stands for Creating Economic Opportunities for Women, sponsored its first International Iron Chef Cook-Off at La Cocina in San Francisco's Mission District.  If you are unfamiliar with this non-profit, C.E.O. Women's mission is to help create economic opportunities for low-income immigrant and refugee women by educating them in English, Communications and Entrepreneurship.  The cook-off was a part of C.E.O. Women's program called Shine Your Brilliance, which celebrates the strengths and talents of these women and this particular event was held in support of women wanting to start their own businesses in the food industry, such as catering, restaurants and the like.  The four cook-off chefs featured were graduates of C.E.O Women  from these countries - Ethiopia, Japan, Mexico and Peru.

Yours truly was one of the judging panelists, representing, SF Food Maven & SF Bay Style along with three others - Caleb Zigas, La Cocina's Program Director, Donnalyn Murphy, Director of Educational Services at Golden Gate Restaurant Association and Thy Tran, Founder of the Wandering Spoon and the Asian Culinary Forum.  Chef Thomas Weibull of Plouf on Belden and the former Les Amis was the Master of Ceremonies and what a spendid job he did.

The first Chef contestant was Aster Andyhun of Ethiopia, who has been working with C.E.O. Women to start her own food catering business and plans to open her own Ethiopian restaurant and market, called Bole mini d'Afrique.  Her signature dish was Linton Sew, which is a popular everyday dish in her country.  Linton Sew is a mixture of yellow lentils, olive oil, ginger, garbanzo beans and garlic and it was spread on traditional Ethiopian bread, called Injera and served with a side of collard greens.  Injera is a spongy, sour flatbread that is also used as a utensil.  The spicy flavors of the Linton Sew went very well with the Injera and the side of collard greens added extra flavor and texture to make for a healthy and tasty vegetarian dish.

The next contestant was Dilsa Lugo from Cuernavaca , Mexico.  Her dish was Rajas con Crema (literally 'slices with cream'), which is a dish her mother taught her to make growing up.  The 'slices' in this dish were Poblano peppers, which added a little heat and were a nice smoky contrast to the cream sauce.  It was served with a flavorful roasted chicken and a side of cilantro & red cabbage chiffonade, which added beautiful color and contrast in flavor and texture.  Dilsa runs her own catering company called Los Cilantros, which she opened using the entrepreneurial skills that she learned at C.E.O. Women and with the help of a Venture Fund grant from them as well.

The third contestant was Rosario Cabrera, also known as Charo by friends and family.  Charo was born in Chiclayo, Peru along the northern Peruvian coastline and she immigrated with her husband in 1996.  Her signature dish was called Jalea, which is an example of 'plato criollo', or local dish.  Jalea is a mix of deep fried shrimp, lobster, shellfish and yucca, and it is served with onion, lemon and chili sauce, known as aji.  Charo is working on the design and name of her catering business and hopes to make the Jalea a signature dish.

And last, but certainly not least, we had Meiko Raymer from Japan.  Meiko has lived in Panama and New Zealand as well and her cuisine is said to reflect her diverse experiences.  She made a Soba Salad, which is traditionally served cold or in a soy-based soup.  Her recipe includes watercress, cucumbers, green onions and pine nuts and it is mixed with a miso-based peanut dressing.  The unexpected combination of flavors made for a light and refreshing dish.  This dish will be the signature dish of her upcoming catering business called Hana Special Occasions.

According to C.E.O. Women, this was not a competition for just one person, but a means to showcase and celebrate these women's talents.  The four women are graduates of C.E.O. Women and this summer cook-off was an excellent way to get valuable feedback from everyday people and experts in the food industry.  There was no individual winner, because in the end they were all winners for all of their hard work and endeavors in starting their own food businesses.  And if their flavorful, well-executed signatures dishes are anything to go by, each of them are sure to be a success in whatever they aspire to do.

My Meal at Bix - In Honor of Heirloom Tomato Week...

Speaking of heirloom tomatoes, and also in keeping with this week's theme, I had the most extraordinary experience with the Summer Tomato Cart at Bix that I just had to share with you.  It truly blew me away...

I had been wanting to try Bix for quite some time now on several recommendations from trusted Foodie friends and various write-ups by fellow food writers.  The Menu alone is rather extensive, featuring many different Dishes prepared with seasonal items, which is sure to suit anyone's palate.  Not to mention, the warm, stylish Deco-esque decor along with the nightly live jazz, serves as a perfect backdrop to make your dining experience even more special.  The restaurant is both elegant and lively, and reminiscent of the glamour of the glorious Jazz Era of the 30's and 40's.  Tucked in an alley in San Francisco's Financial District, Bix describes itself as a world class supperclub and I am inclined to agree.

So in case you haven't been out in the dining scene lately, the latest trend literally 'going around' in restaurants these days is the Heirloom Tomato Cart.  We've seen cheese carts at places like Gary Danko and prime rib carts at the House of Prime Rib, but the current fad is this Tomato Cart.  To be honest, I was a little skeptical at first, but as I sat down to dine at Bix, I was compelled to try it and see what the excitement was all about.

As my dining companion and I sat down for dinner and we were given a nice little surprise to accompany the Veuve Clicquot that we were drinking.  The server presented us with one of Bix's signature dishes, that went perfectly with the Veuve - the Potato Pillows with Creme Fraiche and American Sturgeon Caviar.  I could not have described it better, because Potato Pillows they certainly were.  Light and fluffy little bundles topped with just the right amount of Creme Fraiche and Caviar that together with Champagne, make quite the convivial cameraderie.  A perfect start...

Our next foray was into the world of Roasted Bone Marrow.  I like to think of Marrow as 'Meat Butter'.  I know that may sound a little strange, if not outright bizarre for those that have never tried it.  I know that it is not for everyone, but for yours truly, carnivorous Raptor and Food Maven that I am, it is just as heavenly as a perfectly pan-seared Foie Gras that just melts in your mouth.  I had read that their Marrow was exceptional, and I will tell you that it certainly lived up to that expectation.  On the menu it was called Marrow Bones “St. John” and it was served with a Parsley, Caper and Shallot Salad and slices of Grilled Durum Bread.  A great second course, and at this point, I have to say that I was not expecting it to get better.  But better it surely became...

We then decided to try Bix's Summer Tomato Cart which was brought over to our table and prepared tableside.  As I mentioned earlier, I was a bit skeptical.  I mean, only San Francisco would even attempt to showcase Heirloom Tomatoes as if they were fine, aged Cheese... 
But to my astonishment, once I tasted these perfectly ripe Heirloom Tomatoes and paired with the deliciously, creamy House-Pulled Mozzarella and Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Basil, I was made to believe.  The Tomatoes were so perfectly ripe and delicious that I had one of my SF Food Maven 'experiences'...  I just never knew that Tomatoes could even taste that good!
All I can say is, 'Amen!'...

And now on to the Entrees...

Classic Dishes, Reinterpreted and Refined. 

 

My companion opted for the Fish of the day special, which was Pan-Seared Scallops on top of Tuscan Black Bean Puree and Padron Peppers (alliteration unintended) and finished with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  It was accompanied by a trio of Mariquita Farms cauliflower sauteed with Pancetta.  A beautiful Dish...

I went for the American Kobe “Bavette” Steak with Pommes Puree, Roasted Cipollini Onions and Natural Jus which was pure 'Meat Buttery' perfection. 

The Meal at Bix was one of the best meals that I have had in quite some time where the Service was refined, the Food exceptional and consistently good throughout the entire meal and the Atmosphere enchanting...

Cannot wait to go back...

Happy Heirloom Tomato Week!

Yes, you heard right, and if you're a real Foodie living in SF, then you probably already know about it.
If you haven't then, here it goes...

Tis the season of Heirloom Tomatoes and a collective of SF chefs and restaurants have joined forces to offer the Bay Area an unprecedented esculent endeavor called San Francisco Chefs. Food. Wine.  This is a year long event planned by a community of San Francisco chefs and restaurants, which is kicking off three seasonal promotions in the city within the next year.  The first event is Heirloom Tomato Week, which will be kicking off this Thursday, August 14th and running through August 24th and is in support of local tomota farmers.  The promotion features over 50 notable and popular Bay Area restaurants that have banded together to showcase local grown heirloom tomatoes in either tasting menus or signature dishes.  Some of the participating restaurants are Antica Trattoria, Bix, Fleur De Lys, Grand Cafe, La Folie, Piperade and Poleng Lounge.  You can make reservations for participating restaurants on OpenTable.com and if you use a Visa Signature Card, you will get a free commemorative book of heirloom tomato recipes, stories and all things tomato.

The next promotional events to follow will be a Dungeness Crab Week in January '09 and a Strawberry Week in April '09.  The year in celebration of seasonal food will then culminate with the event mentioned above called, San Francisco Chefs. Food. Wine.  A Weekend Affair. which will take place next year with a grand Tasting Tent at Union Square and will also include surrounding restaurants and venues holding additional events from August 7th through the 9th of 2009.

Sounds like a delicious line up if you ask me, so mark your calendars...  I've got it all in my calender already, you can count on that!

Haute Couture Meets Haute Cuisine at the Prada Flagship Grand Opening

July 22, 2008
This Tuesday, Prada celebrated the grand opening of its new San Francisco flagship store at
201 Post Street, with a spectacular gala event catered by none other than award-winning Chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry & Per Se acclaim.

The Italian luxury fashion house that is Prada had been planning to open a flagship store or Epicenter as they like to call it, in the City by the Bay for well over 10 years now. And according to Joanne Ramey of Women’s Wear Daily, the original plan was to open a 10-story steel-sheathed Prada Epicenter which was to be designed by the influential Dutch architect, Rem Koolhaas (designer of the Los Angeles Prada Epicenter) across the street from what is now the new flagship space. This was to rival the ones in Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo, but over the course of the decade, this plan fell through for various reasons, strategic and economic. The current Post Street space housing the new flagship was acquired 6 years prior to its opening and was left uninhabited in spite of the high rent market of San Francisco to allow for flexibility for the opening. This location on the corner of Grant Avenue and Post Street is extremely ideal considering it is in the midst of other luxury high fashion houses such as Armani, Dior and Versace.

And so this brings us back to the much anticipated day of the opening. The event began promptly at 6pm with a crowd of people – city elite, fashion divas and gastronomes alike, standing in line outside of the building within a black velvet-roped, black carpeted sidewalk that was even flanked by a line of men dressed in all black standing guard side-by-side on the corner of Post & Grant. It was quite a spectacle as you can imagine, with droves of tourists, business folk and city dwellers passing by and wondering what the commotion was all about.

Upon entering the store from the Grant Street entrance, one walks onto pristine white carpet flanked by black and white marble flooring, and is struck by the sophisticated interiors. It is meant to be a modern take on the original store in Milan which opened back in 1913. The walls are swathed in signature Prada pale green linen providing a perfect backdrop to showcase the gleaming black & mirrored wall casings and oversized steamer trunks displaying the glamorous Prada collection of handbags, shoes, accessories and clothing.

Alison Speer and her steadfast PR team are at the entrance greeting guests, as the flashes of photographers and the hip sounds of DJ Jeffrey Tonneson from Brooklyn, New York pervades the room. Walking around, the store is teeming with smartly clad servers laying in wait with silver trays of white wine & champagne (note: no red wine, although there was a rose) and white serving dishes of savory hors d’oeuvres prepared by chefs from Thomas Keller’s entourage. These delicious gems ran the gamut from Keller’s signature salmon cornets to delectable cheese-filled gougeres (cheese puffs), mini spoonfuls of caviar and rich, creamy foie gras mousse. The menu also included Liberty Farms smoked duck poised atop gleaming silver forks as well as miniature summer heirloom tomato salads served in little ceramic spoons. One worth mentioning, and indicative of Keller’s whimsical take on food, was TK’s take on the classic ‘BLT’ which was prepared with Korobuta pork, pureed garden lettuce and black truffle. If food could be considered ‘haute’, Thomas Keller is the one to pull it off.

Prada’s new flagship is in a prime location that lies amongst fellow couture houses in the heart of San Francisco’s fashion hub - Union Square. The building in itself is stylish and unique with ten lofty storefront windows along a shiny black exterior and three entrances on Grant Avenue, Post Street and Maiden Lane – a veritable showcase for Prada designs. This Prada fashion house is their 11th US location and is sure to put San Francisco even more so on the map in the world of luxury high fashion.

The event proved to be an extravaganza where couture and cuisine collided, with San Francisco’s fashion-clad elite showing up by the masses, including the likes of former Mayor Willie Brown and current Mayor Gavin Newsome, to see and be seen. It was quite the spectacular affair with very chic people intermingling and eating very chic fare.

 

To see the original article I wrote on SFBayStyle click here.