Toque of San Francisco November 2012
By Carol & Joe Davis
Dining Detectives

SF CHEFS Food, Wine & Spirits 2012 – Better than Ever!!

Chef Alan Fairhurst (Scoma’s)	Chef Robbie Lewis (Bon Appetit)	Chef Gaston Alfaro (Half Moon Bay Brewing Co.)

The tent was up in Union Square and the Chefs had prepared fabulous tastes. The Wine was being poured and this year the Cocktails were flowing. For the fourth year in a row San Francisco shined! As advertised there was Tasting, Pairing, Mixing, and Engaging as thousands celebrated local flair & regional flavor in the epicenter of culinary innovation in San Francisco. We enjoyed meeting and chatting with culinary personalities like Joanne Weir and Martin Yan, watching cooking demonstrations and of course tasting the culinary delights and libations.  We attended the Grand Tasting Tent on Sunday and had a very enjoyable time. We found that the tastes were delicious and that there was plenty to eat. We enjoyed the offerings of Chef Martin Yan (M.Y China), Chef Adam Jones (Palomino), Chef Alan Fairhurst (Scoma’s), Chef Justin Everett (Murray Circle), Chef Austin Perkins (Nick’s Cove), Chef Gustavo Romero (Credo), Chef Robbie Lewis (Bon Appetite), Chef Diego Oka (La Mar), Chef Jason Berthold (RN74), Chef Gaston Alfaro (Half moon Bay Brewing Co.) and Chef Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster Harlem). We also enjoyed the tastes from Columbus Salami, Driscoll’s fruit and Illy coffee.

Martin Yan	Columbus Salame

There was a focus on Spirits this year with mixologists offering excellent cocktails using Pisco Porton, Compari and Four Roses Bourbon. There were over 100,000 cocktails poured which suited the younger attendees. Beer flowed as well, with excellent selections from Anchor Brewing, SF Brewers Guild and Stella Artois. Wine and champagne drinkers could enjoy Stags leap and Domaine Chandon as well as wines from Amador County, the Livermore Valley and Portugal.

Tastes	Cocktails

We really enjoyed SF CHEFS Food, Wine & Spirits 2012 which truly celebrated the San Francisco Bay Area’s love of food and plan to attend again next year. Go to http://sfchefsfoodwine.com to stay informed about the upcoming competitions, cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, special dinners and events which will start in Spring 2013.

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Piperade – Fabulous West Coast Basque Cuisine in San Francisco

There is a consensus among food lovers that Basque cuisine is some of the best in the world and that Piperade is one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Piperade is owned by acclaimed Restaurateur/Executive Chef Gerald Hirigoyen. He was named one of the ten best chefs in America, co-owns a vineyard called Arrels in the Priorat region of Cataluya, Spain and the Clos Pissarra Winery and has authored books including The Basque Kitchen and Pintxos: Small Plates in the Basque Tradition.

Haricots Vert with Figs	Roasted Rack of Lamb	Restaurateur/Executive Chef Gerald Hirigoyen

Even the best restaurants in The City know that they have to expand or change to stay on top. Piperade which just celebrated their 10th anniversary wanted to accommodate the needs of their customers, as well as experiment with new menu items. They have expanded by opening a lovely banquet / special function room called Lauburu named after the Basque cross which symbolizes spirit and life. We were fortunate to attend a recent Luncheon which showcased Basque cuisine served traditional family style.

The starters included  Piquillo Peppers with  goat cheese, pistachios and golden raisins, fantastic Haricots Vert with figs, perfect blondes, walnut vinaigrette, delicious tender Calamari “a la Plancha” with  fennel, olive, caper, coriander and lemon and exceptional tangy Warm Sheep’s Milk Cheese & Ham Terrine with Aged Sherry. The 2009 Txomin Etxaniz, Getariako Txakolina Gipuzkoa paired perfectly.  The main dishes were fabulous as well. The Whole Sea Bass with fried garlic vinaigrette was fresh and delicate. The 2009 Allende Viura, Rioja wine paired perfectly. The meat course was a beautiful presentation of succulent Roasted Rack of Lamb with Merguez, fennel and Cumin-Date Relish.  We enjoyed the 2007 Herri Mina, Cabernet Franc Trouleguy with this course.  Next, we were served the perfect portion of a Selection of Cheeses from the Pyrenees, paired with a 2006 Arrels de Clos Pissarra, Garnatxa. The Desserts included Orange Blossom Beignets, Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut “Biarritz Rocher” and the traditional Basque dessert Gateau Basque, Cherry Preserves. What can we say, they were all spectacular! The 2009 Clos Uroulat, Jurancon was an excellent finish to our excellent Basque luncheon.We loved every course that the Chef prepared for the 10th Anniversary Luncheon and concur that Basque Cuisine at Piperade is some of the best in the world. Restaurateur/Executive ChefGerald Hirigoyen told us that he is thrilled to have added the new stylish private dining room and looks forward to hosting both private events, as well as Winemaker Dinners.

Piperade
1015 Battery Street (at Green)
San Francisco, CA. 94111
415-391-2555
www.Piperade.com

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Copita Taquileria Y Comida- Excellent Mexican Cuisine in Sausalito

We love Sausalito and always enjoy taking the Golden Gate Ferry from the City especially on a beautiful sunny summer day. Our destination was Restaurateur-Executive Chef Joanne Weir’s www.JoanneWeir.com new Mexican restaurant called Copita Taquileria Y Comida which is right in the middle of town on Bridgeway. Joanne has extensive culinary credentials as a T.V.Celebrity Chef, author and leader of culinary tours. She is also a James Beard Cooking Class teacher, Julia Child Cooking Teacher Award winner and oh yes spent 5 years cooking with Alice Waters at Chez Panise.

Executive Chef Joanne Weir	Halibut & Blueberry Cerviche

The festively decorated restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, a rotisserie oven, a well stocked premium tequila bar, exudes a fun vibe and was very busy on the afternoon that we dined. Joanne who told us that she was thrilled to have her own restaurant loves to experiment and had created a special three course Blueberry Fiesta Lunch which featured blueberries. A Blueberry Margarita made with Herradura tequila blanco, muddled blueberries, lime and agave nectar was a perfect way to begin. Our first course was a delicious and healthy Halibut & Blueberry Cerviche with lime, spicy chile Serrano, cilantro and tortilla chips. The main course was fabulous California Kobe Steak Tacos with hand made tortillas, house made chile chipolte and blueberry salsa. We loved the medium rare steak and the fresh blueberries. A glass of Rose Wine and Blueberry Sangria paired perfectly. The Requeson Quesadilla with Mexican cinnamon and anejo tequila spiked blueberry nectarine compote dessert was also light and refreshing.

Kobe Steak Tacos	Requeson Quesadilla Dessert

We truly enjoyed our lunch and are pleased to report that Copita Taquileria Y Comida is a worthy culinary destination in Sausalito. We look forward to returning soon for dinner and another Blueberry Margarita.

Copita Taquileria Y Comida
739 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA. 94965
415.331.7400
www.copitarestaurant.com

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Urban Tavern San Francisco - Let’s do Brunch!!

Happy Fourth Birthday to Urban Tavern in San Francisco!! We’ve been there many times to dine and for cocktails and were pleased to hear that they had just added a weekend Brunch Menu which is available from 11:30 A.M. until 2:30 P.M. on Saturdays and Sundays. The “Gastropub” as it is known serves California Cuisine using seasonal, fresh and local ingredients and has been very popular with both locals and tourists for breakfast, lunch, dinner and after work cocktails. “Urban” their full sized Horse Sculpture mascot is still the beautiful centerpiece of the restaurant and we were glad to see that he hadn’t aged at all. The décor is upscale with a marble bar and communal tables which are great places to enjoy food and cocktails and the main dining room has both tables and comfortable booths.

Brunch always gets started best with cocktails. We loved the refreshing Sparkling Watermelon which is made with Grey Goose Pear Vodka, St. Germain Elder Flower liqueur, fresh watermelon and sparkling wine. We also ordered the Blood Orange Taverihna made with leblon cachaca, honey syrup, blood orange, lime and Serrano chili which was spicy and really fantastic! You may not know that Cachaca is the most popular distilled alcoholic beverage in Brazil and that it is made from fermented sugarcane. We can’t wait to have the Blood Orange Tavernihna again!

“Urban” Horse Sculpture	Chicken & Waffles Benedict	Lemon Griddle Cake Cannoli

The Brunch menu features reasonably priced options and we noticed that they also offer a lunch menu with Sandwiches, Salads and Soups, so there is something for everyone. We were intrigued by the Chicken & Waffles Benedict made with cheddar Serrano waffle, fried chicken paillard, poached eggs and topped with a light hollandaise sauce. This was really excellent and much lighter than we had expected, just wonderful! We also enjoyed the Fried Egg Sandwich which was a BLT with cheddar cheese, smoked aioli served on a soft ciabatta roll. It came with a lightly dressed little green salad. The Lemon Griddle Cake Cannoli which was filled with Bellwether ricotta and pistachios, topped with blueberries and served with maple syrup and a side dish of fresh fruit had a lovely lemon flavor and was perfect for those who like something sweeter. We ordered Illy espressos and perused the dessert menu. However, since we were comfortably full, our best choice was to order their Variety 4 pack to go. This included a Red Velvet Swiss Roll, a Ho Ho, a Lemon Poppy Seed Whoopee Pie and a Coconut Custard Snowball. This worked out perfectly, as we had some great small desserts for later that day and with coffee the following morning. Next time, we need to try the Butterbourbon Pudding and the Urban Tavern Peanut Butter Cup which were quite popular with our neighboring diners.

Urban Tavern is still one of our favorites for Downtown San Francisco Eating, Meeting and Drinking as it is close to shopping and the Theater District and has 5 hour free validated parking while dining. The menu has something for all tastes and the service is friendly and professional. The Wine list features over 100 local California Wines with many available by the glass. We are pleased to report that Executive Chef ColinDuggan’s new Brunch Menu has some excellent choices and their specialty cocktails are excellent as well.

Urban Tavern
333 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA. 94102
415-923-4400
www.UrbanTavernSF.com

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Hawk’s Tavern- Mill Valley-Soars to new Heights!

Hawk’s Tavern in Mill Valley is quickly approaching their one year anniversary. They started out with a small plate menu but found that their clientele preferred the traditional Starter Entrée Dessert format and recently hired a new Executive Chef Safir Rezzoug to make the change. Don’t let the name Tavern fool you, as this not a Bar but actually a very comfortable and inviting Restaurant with a local neighborhood feel. As you enter, you see that there are three rooms. In the middle is the Bar and Counter Seating with an exhibition kitchen view. There is a Private Dining Room which seats 16 to the right. And the charming main Dining Room is to the left with booths and tables which are nicely space. There is also an intimate heated porch in the front for both dining and drinks. The pleasing décor feature rustic barn wood walls, a two sided fireplace, banquettes, brushed brass lamps, vintage framed maps and faux hawks. The new cuisine created by ultra-talented Chef Safir Rezzoug, a native of France who trained and worked at Michelin Star Restaurants in Paris, features seasonally inspired dishes using locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients. He told us how much he enjoys going to the local farmers markets and dealing with local purveyors and having the opportunity to add his flair to the menu.

Pretzel	Marinated Kurobuta Pork Ribs	Lavender Crème Brulee

We were seated in the main dining room and soon had sparkling water and were enjoying their Signature Pretzel with house ground mustard. Our first course was the Vegan Soup of the Day which was a delicious Broccoli Puree with truffle oil topped with micro greens and cornbread sticks. This delicious soup with a glass of wine could be a meal by itself! The Starters that we had were both magnificent! The Summer Bruschetta made with tomato chutney, burrata, oven baked sweet cherry tomatoes and salsa verde on top of garlic bread was the best and unlike any we have ever had. The texture of the burratta was perfect and the sweetness of both the caramelized and roasted tomatoes was just luscious! The Warm Mushroom Salad with watercress poached egg, salsa verde and crispy potatoes was unique and delicious as well. The poached egg provided the dressing for the salad and the flavors all melded together with perfection! We were already full.... but knew we had more tasting to do. The Entrees were very generous portions. The Marinated Kurobuta Pork Ribs with smashed potatoes and caramelized apples and fabulous smoked balsamic reduction fell off the bone and had an excellent taste. The Bistro Filet Steak with pommes frites, truffle shallot puree, fresh herb jus and watercress was sliced and prepared medium rare, just as ordered. We couldn’t finish them, so we had them boxed up and were pleased that they held up quite well for lunch the next day. We were glad that we also had a Side Dish of “Fire Roasted” Shisito Peppers with lemon, chili, smoked olive oil, buttermilk aioli. Hawk’s Tavern features locally crafted lagers and ales on tap and this week’s special was the Red Seal North Coast Brewing Ft. Bragg Cask Ale. The Wine List is mostly California with bottles starting at $20.00 and 20 wines by the glass. We enjoyed the lively and fruity 2011 Long Meadow Ranch Napa Sauvignon Blanc with our starters and the rich and bold 2009 Fisticuffs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with our entrees.

We ordered espressos and were ready for Desserts. We loved both the Lavender Crème Brulee and the Sticky Ginger Cake topped with dates. We were very impressed with the excellent reasonably priced cuisine, the comfortable inclusive atmosphere and the friendly professional staff. Hawk's Tavern has created a welcoming destination restaurant where you can meet friends or bring the family and enjoy both hearty and unique cuisine. The Private Dining Room hosts special Tastings and Wine Maker Dinners regularly and would be perfect for your Holiday dinner or party. Hawk’s Tavern is Open Daily 11:30 AM-10:00 PM, has Happy Hour 3-6 weekdays and has Free Valet Parking on Fri & Sat nights

We look forward to returning for lunch!

Hawk’s Tavern
507 Miller Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
415-388-3474
www.HawksTavern.com

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LB Steak- Menlo Park- Excellent Steaks

We were pleased to hear that Restaurateur Roland Passot had recently opened LB Steak MenloPark to serve the Peninsula, as we had enjoyed many fabulous meals at his LB Steak SantanaRow in San Jose. Opening a restaurant these days is generally considered risky business. Even the best business people know that they must be on their game with the right location, menu, execution and chef to be successful. The LB Steak winning concept is casual elegant modern Steakhouse with something for every budget from Burgers to Wagyu Steaks .The new LB Steak in Menlo Park has a comfortable feeling with both booth and table seating and a separate inviting bar area where they feature contemporary and classic cocktails, craft beers and wines by the glass. The lighting is dramatic and there are large windows which add to the openness.

Chef De Cuisine Ryan Ellison	Pork Belly

We ordered a bottle of Saint Geron French Sparkling Water and cocktails while we studied the focused menu. Our Cosmopolitan with Grey Goose Vodka was quite refreshing as was the spicy Bloody Caesar Cocktail made with Belvedere Vodka, clamato, lemon and Tabasco. The Starters were very enticing, so we asked our server for recommendations. We loved the Maple Glazed Pork Belly with leak and brioche pudding, fried egg and wild arugula. The presentation was beautiful and it had an excellent texture, was perfectly portioned and was not overly rich. The Seared Dayboat Scallops with corn pudding, compressed nectarine and bok choy was a great combination and we liked the sweetness of the nectarine paired with the hot chili sauce. Next, we had the Baby Iceberg Wedge Salad BLT with bacon, tomatoes, egg and Point Reyes blue cheese dressing. We have ordered this Salad before on Santa Row and it is wonderful!

Tomahawk Chop	Butter Poached Lobster Tail

The main attractions at LB Steak are the USDA Prime Steaks and the most stunning is their signature “Tomahawk Chop” which is a 32 oz. Rib Eye Steak on a large bone. We were chatting as it arrived at our table, then we noticed that everyone around us was in awe of this huge steak! It was prepared Medium Rare as ordered with a cool pink center and was just delicious! It is meant to be shared unless you are really hungry or want some to take home. The other entrée that we enjoyed was the Butter Poached Lobster Tail with grilled corn and vanilla bean sauce. The presentation was stunning. You must try the Sides as the Creamed Spinach and the decadent Potato Gratin with sour cream, bacon and cheddar were both fabulous!

The Wine List is extensive with selections that run from reasonable to luxury. We enjoyed the 2010 Kathryn Kennedy Sauvignon Blanc with our starters then weren’t sure what to pair with our entrees. We could have gone with quite a few Reds by the glass to pair with the “Tomahawk Chop” so we opted to create our own flight. Flights were not on the menu but they were very accommodating and brought three 3oz. pours. We enjoyed the 2010 Textbook, Fin de Journee Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2009 Freja Wilamette Valley Pinot Noir and our favorite of the three the 2007 Wellington, England Crest Vineyard, Sonoma Syrah.

For the Grand Finale we ordered espresso and desserts. The Frog Hollow Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream was served hot and had a delicious crust. We also loved the lighter than normal Beignets which were filled with red currant jelly and had whipped cream on the side. LBSteak in Menlo Park is a winner! Chef De Cuisine Ryan Ellison’s execution was superb. The steaks were spectacular, the starters and desserts were excellent, and the service was polished and friendly. We look forward to returning soon to try their Sunday Night Prime Rib Dinner Special.

LB Steak- Menlo Park
898 Santa Cruz Avenue
Menlo Park, CA. 94025
650-321-8980
www.lbsteak.com

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Goose & Gander Restaurant– Wine Country Dining in St. Helena

It was a beautiful summer day and we decided to enjoy a drive to the Napa Valley. The views of the hills and vineyards were “postcard perfect” and the weather was cooler than normal which was fine with us. We were headed for St. Helena which is one of our favorite historic towns on Highway 29 where we love to shop and dine. Our destination was a new restaurant called Goose & Gander which is located in a 90 year old craftsman-style bungalow with two 100 year old Deodar Cedar Trees at the entrance. Previously, it was The Martini House named after a former owner Walter Martini who was a bootlegger back in the days of prohibition. We enjoyed seeing the new design of the interior of the restaurant and that the Gardens and Patio were as nice as ever. The main dining room which has an exhibition kitchen and “Duck Club” feeling seats 75 and has cozy leather booths and hand crafted wooden tables made from reclaimed old growth redwood. There is also a private dining room that seats 14 where other diners were enjoying the décor and semi-private dining, an outdoor lovely Garden area with Koi Pond with seating for 66 where we opted to sit this evening and there is also a new Basement Bar which seats 34. The Cuisine created by Executive Chef Kelly McCown is called Rustic American and features local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients from the bounty of the Napa Valley wine country.

Executive Chef Kelly McCown	Scallops	Lemon Buttermilk Pudding Cake Dessert

We started out with a bottle of sparkling water and a very refreshing Scarlett Gander Cocktail made with Hanger One Buddha’s Hand Vodka, lemon, mint, shiso, ginger, and galangal cherries. This seasonal specialty cocktail was created by Scott Beattie who is the Bar Manager and also the author of the popular book “Artisinal Cocktails”

There are quite a few interesting Appetizers on the menu. We enjoyed the sweet and spicy Pan Seared Padron Peppers with olive oil, Sea Salt and Fennel pollen. We loved the Braised Meatballs with crème fraiche, candied garlic, wild and tame mushrooms and crushed bread crumbs. Made with both beef and pork these unique meatballs were totally outstanding! The Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops with fried green tomatoes, jalapeno cilantro sauce, avocado and crispy pancetta was also an excellent choice and the presentation was quite colorful. We relaxed and enjoyed the perfect weather then had the fresh Salad of Little Gem Lettuces made with shaved fennel, parmesan vinaigrette, English peas, apples, candied hazelnuts, Gorgonzola and mint. This salad was really refreshing and an excellent choice between courses.

The Entrees were both exceptional and well-priced. We loved the Roasted Berkshire Pork T-Bone Chop which was topped with golden chanterelles, fresh chick peas, wine stewed onions, crispy sage and sat atop creamy polenta. It was especially juicy and tender as it was slow braised and cooked en su in a cast iron skillet. This was quite a hearty meal and great comfort food. The Seared California Halibut with parmesan cream, shaved artichoke salad, lemon confit and braised artichoke hearts was a much lighter entree, flavorful and healthy.  We also recommend the delicious Sautéed Bloomsdale Spinach side. The Wine List has something for everyone including wine aficionados. There are boutique California Wines, International Wines and a Reserve List featuring wines like Napa Valley’s Opus One. We enjoyed the 2010 Elizabeth Rose Yountville Pinot Noir which paired perfectly with our Pork Chop.

We decided to linger and ordered Napa Valley Coffee Roasters Goose & Gander coffee which was served in a lovely French Press for added richness. The Desserts that we enjoyed were the light Lemon Buttermilk Pudding Cake with huckleberry compote and crème fraiche and the decadent Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart with coffee ice cream and vanilla sauce. You could feel the love that went into the preparation of these beautiful desserts. We had a very enjoyable dining experience at the Goose & Gander which is open daily for lunch, dinner or just drinks and a snack. Sitting outdoors in their private garden, we truly felt like we were on vacation.  The staff is very professional and friendly so we look forward to returning soon to try their new seasonal offerings and their very popular G & G Burger and Charcuterie.

Goose & Gander Restaurant
1245 Spring Street
St. Helena, CA 94574
707-967-8779
www.GooseGander.com

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Machka Restaurant- San Francisco-Excellent TurkishCuisine

We’ve always enjoyed Turkish cuisine and when we heard that Machka had just opened in San Francisco’s Financial District we knew we had to try it. Located directly across the street from the Transamerica Pyramid Center, the new restaurant exudes an active lively “after work” friendly business vibe. The Décor features an exposed brick wall lined with high top tables, a beautiful chandelier, interesting suspended spot lighting, a communal table, vintage Turkish photographs, and sidewalk seating. There was also a fun media wall playing classic Turkish movies. A single orchid blossom on each table added a lovely touch of elegance. The main focus of this cozy 32 seat restaurant is the Bar/Exhibition Kitchen where you can drink, dine and watch Chef de Cuisine Reynol Martinez create Turkish-Mediterranean dishes using mostly organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Duo of Hummus	Chef de Cuisine Reynol Martinez	Grilled Marinated Lamb Rack

We were seated at a table by the window where we could see the entire restaurant and the active street. We started with a few Mezes (small plates). Our favorite was salad with Fava beans, English peas, snap peas, cilantro, fresh mint, sumac, lemon and smoked paprika vinaigrette. It was absolutely amazing! All the ingredients were so fresh and the vivid color of the green peas and beans was just beautiful. We also enjoyed the Duo of Hummus which came with excellent warm pita bread. We found both the Classic Hummus and the Spicy Chipotle & Red Bell Pepper Hummus to be outstanding. Another excellent small plate choice is the Grilled Octopus served in a salad with chick peas, celery, lemon and olive oil. Next, we had a bowl of their “Soup of the Day” which was a luscious Roasted Tomato with pureed chickpeas and Argon oil. Thinly fried garlic slices topped this perfect soup! We also loved the Imported Turkish Feta which was quite pungent and firmer than we’ve had in the past and really delicious. It was perfect with the grilled walnut bread and fabulous imported olives.

The Grilled Marinated Lamb Rack served with sautéed spinach, feta potatoes gratin and whole grain mustard sauce was an outstanding entree! It was a large portion and was prepared medium rare just like we love it. Another great entrée choice is their Skewer Kebobs. We loved the Machka smoked paprika marinated beef kebob which had luscious grilled onions, grilled bell peppers, cilantro and was served over rice pilaf. This is a great option for a lighter entree.

The Wine List is well thought out and features some excellent California and International options. We were impressed at how focused and reasonably priced the selections were. We also appreciated that the wines by the glass are offered in both 5 oz. and 8 oz. pours. We enjoyed the crisp and fruity 2011 Ned Pinot Gris from Waihopai New Zealand with our starters and the spicy pinot like 2011 Kavaklidere “Yakut” Okuzgozu from Ankara Turkey with our entrees.

We saved room for dessert and enjoyed the Orange Blossom Panna Cotta with raspberry and strawberry coulis and candied orange strips, as well as a traditional Turkish dessert Kunefe. It is made with very thinly shredded filo dough, soft white cheese then fried and soaked in rose water syrup topped with pistachios and served with tasty maple ice cream. A Broadbent Reserve Port and a piping hot double Espresso were the perfect finish to our fabulous dinner. Machka is San Francisco’s new must go to restaurant and will be for years to come. The cuisine was excellent, the service was outstanding and the fun vibe makes you want to come back! We really enjoyed our dinner and look forward to returning soon.

Machka Restaurant
584 Washington Street
San Francisco, CA. 94111
415-391-8228
www.584washington.com

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Chez Maman West- French & Mexican Cuisine in San Francisco

The Dining Scene in Hayes Valley is heating up as Restaurateur Jocelyn Bulow has just opened Chez Maman West. The small cozy bistro’s décor features whimsical French Art Posters, hanging spot lighting, a large mirror, Copper Topped Counter with seating for 8 and table seating. We love the neighborhood and knew we had to check it out when we heard that Chef Russell Cab has the unique challenge of preparing both French bistrot cuisine from their Chef Papa menu and his favorite Mexican cuisine from their Papito menu. It was very active on the Thursday night we dined and it was quite fun just being there! We ordered sparkling water and proceeded to check out the menu.

Chef Russell Cab	Beef Tartare	Tacos

We started out with the Escargot de Bourgogne made with parsley, butter, shallots and wine. This was perfect. We also really loved the Beef Tartare made with Dijon mustard, capers, shallots, quail egg and served with toast points. It was exquisitely seasoned and just the right portion for two. We were about to order the mussels when our server reminded us that there were excellent Mexican appetizers as well. We ordered and loved the Ceviche Papito made with lime marinated shrimp, leche de Tigre, mango and pico de gallo. This might be our very favorite Ceviche! Next, we had Les Moules Mariner, Mussels steamed with garlic, white wine, lemon juice and parsley which were delicious. Be sure to have the crispy French fries with the mussels. We noticed that the Tacos looked good and ordered the Pollo Empanizado Taco made with fried chicken, chipotle remoulade and salsa roja and the Shrimp Taco made with tempura shrimp, chipotle remoulade and purple cabbage slaw. The La Palma organic corn tortillas and sour cream on top made the tacos delicious. It was lots of fun to have the flexibility of both French and Mexican cuisine. We learned that the dual menu is also a favorite with locals and tourists alike.

Crepes are served all day and there are some interesting choices on the menu. This evening we felt like having the classic spinach and cheese which we asked for and found that they were very accommodating. It was delicious and was served with a good sized side salad with a lovely vinaigrette dressing. At this point, we could only try one entrée and asked our knowledgeable server. He gave us some reasons for quite a few then we decided on the Pork Chop with Brussels sprouts in an apple cider mustard sauce. It was just the right thickness and so juicy....just fabulous!! The Wine List is always changing with many reasonably priced bottles as well as 20 wines by the glass including French and California selections. We enjoyed the fruity and lively 2010 Beaucanon Napa Sauvignon Blanc and a full bodied French Cotes du Rhone. 

Small bistros are fun, as we always tend to chat with neighbors and ask them about what they are having. We spoke with a sweet mother and daughter from Sonora at the next table who were in The City to attend the Symphony.  They were impressed with their choices of the authentic French Onion Soup and a Chicken Panini which they said had excellent roasted peppers. The dessert that we highly recommend is the Cinnamon Pain Perdu with marinated fresh berries, apple syrup and Chantilly. We enjoyed Illy Espressos which was the proper finish to our excellent dining experience.

Chez Maman West offers something for everyone with excellent French Bistrot Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Crepes, Burgers and tempting brunch items that are served until 4:00 PM on weekends. We enjoyed the friendly lively atmosphere and reasonable prices. We look forward to returning soon! The restaurant only seats 25 so they don’t take reservations. They also have sidewalk seating weather permitting.

Chez Maman West
401 Gough Street (at Hayes St.)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-355-9067
www.chezmamansf.com

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31st Union Restaurant- San Mateo- Great Neighborhood Restaurant

We always enjoy dining on the Peninsula and normally go to Redwood City, Palo Alto or Half Moon Bay. We learned that a new restaurant, 31st Union, had just opened in San Mateo which featured ingredients and wines from California.It is a stylish cozy restaurant in Downtown San Mateo which celebrates the bounty of California, the 31st State in the Union. The interior features high ceilings, walls covered with rustic barn wood, large windows, country furniture, and a semi exhibition kitchen. They also feature a huge California Flag on one wall. There is indoor and outdoor dining, counter seating, as well as a communal table. The Comfort Food Menu created by Executive ChefPaul Burzlaff features small very shareable plates made with seasonal ingredients from California. The wines and beer are from California, as well.

Executive Chef Paul Burzlaff	Lamb Meatball Sliders	Desserts

Our first treat was the Trio of Deviled Eggs. The Smoked Paprika was our favorite but the Avocado and Tomato topped eggs were also quite tasty. We were told that the kitchen was flexible and that if you prefer, you can order all 3 of any of your favorite egg, which was good to know. Our next starter was a plate of delicious Golden State Spicy Chicken Wings in a delicious Asian style sauce. We were impressed by these wings as they were just slightly sweet and nice and messy. You must also have the Charcuterie which was thinly sliced and served with pickled onion, spicy tomato ketchup and toast points. We enjoyed the Salame Toscano which was mild and the Salametto Piccante, chorizo which was spicier. Next, we had a small lightly dressed Little Gem Salad with Applewood Bacon which was perfect between courses. Feel free to ask for additional dressing if you like. The Taft Street Sauvignon Blanc from Sebastopol was vibrant and fruity and paired really well with the starters.

The Small Plates are actually quite generous portions. We loved the Lamb Meatball Sliders with Romanesco Sauce and Arugula which were beautifully plated. Our other choice was the Grilled Hanger Steak which was prepared rare as ordered with Salsa Verde, Quinoa and Grilled Endive. The Hanger Steak with Quinoa was amazing because of the quality of the meat and the paring with the Quinoa. We can’t wait to go back and order it again!! We enjoyed a Red Flight of Wines that included three 3 ounce pours with our small plates. We chose the Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir which was our favorite. It was “On Tap” and served at the perfect temperature the winemaker recommends, which was cooler than normal. We also enjoyed the Yardstick, Ruth’s Vineyard Red and the Novy Napa Valley Syrah. We appreciated that each wine had a marker so we could easily see what we could compare and contrast and know what we were drinking.

The Desserts were right sized, delicious and definitely worthy of the calories! We loved both the House made Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich and the Strawberry Fruit Tart. In fact, we have been craving the Ice cream Sandwich ever since, so this is a must! We had a very enjoyable dinner at 31st Union Restaurant. The cuisine was delicious and you could tell that the ingredients were of the highest quality. The service was exceptional especially since they had only been open for a few weeks. They were quite busy and off to a very successful start. Currently they serve local Artisan Craft Beers, California wines including Keg Wines on Tap but by Labor Day, if not sooner, they will start to feature specialty Contemporary and Classic Cocktails when they roll out their Full Bar with premium liquors. 31st Union is open until midnight and has a Late Night Happy Hour which is great for those that want to stop in after the movies.

31st Union Restaurant
5 South Ellsworth Avenue
San Mateo, CA. 9
650.458.0049
www.31stunion.com

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Maguire’s Irish Pub- Petaluma

Maguire’s Irish Pub which recently re-opened on Kentucky Street in Downtown Petaluma is a perfect example of the classic Irish Pub. The décor has a lot of character and is pure Pub featuring a long mahogany wood bar, high tables with bar stools with tables nicely spaced downstairs for dining, as well as upstairs. The walls are filled with all types of Irish Memorabilia including classic framed beer posters of Guinness, Beamish Irish Stout and John Courage Amber. Over the Bar there were banners congratulating the Petaluma Nationals who had an excellent run at the 2012 Little League World Series! We were seated downstairs near the front where we could enjoy the breeze from the fully open front windows on this warm evening. We started out with pints of Guinness and Great White and chatted with new owner Joe Pelleriti who is Irish on his mother’s side. Joe shared with us how well he’s been received since he moved to Petaluma and opened this Spring. He was also proud to tell us that he had decided to upgrade the menu by using fresh, local and sustainable ingredients including excellent breads from Penngrove’s Full Circle Baking and Niman Ranch All Natural Meats.

Maguire’s Delight Won Tons	West Coast Niman Ranch Burger	Shepherd’s Pie

The Starters were all lighter than expected and tasted healthier than standard “Pub Food” without sacrificing flavor. We enjoyed the Calamari which was lightly breaded, fried and served with both tarter and house cocktail sauce. The Potato Skins with cheese, bacon bits, green onions and sour cream are also a good choice and not too large. The most unique starter was Maguire’s Delight which were tasty Won Tons stuffed with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese served with Thousand Island dressing. These were quite a treat! Next, we enjoyed a cup of Clam Chowder which came with hot buns. We ordered Kendall Jackson Sauvignon Blanc and relaxed as we awaited our main courses.

The West Coast Niman Ranch Burger with pepper jack cheese, avocado, mushrooms, garlic aioli and Onion Rings was well priced , tasty and quite a hearty meal. We also enjoyed some Pub Favorites. The classic Shepherd’s Pie made with ground beef, root vegetables, gravy and topped with mashed potatoes and cheese was also a huge portion beautifully presented. The Fish and Chips made with beer battered flaky white cod was served with cole slaw, sweet potato fries and tartar sauce. The fish was tasty, especially fresh and the sweet potato fries were light and delicious. We were also very pleased with the Niman Ranch Rib Eye 12 oz. Steak which was cooked medium rare as ordered and was just fabulous. It was served with mushroom peppercorn sauce which we recommend on the side, fresh sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes. A better steak would be hard to find! The dessert offerings are limited but we did enjoy their Bread Pudding, as we sipped Irish Coffees made with Jamison Irish Whiskey. We enjoyed our food and fun evening at Maguire’s Irish Pub and look forward to returning soon!

Maguire’s Irish Pub
145 Kentucky Street
Petaluma, CA. 94952
707-762-9800
www.maguirespub.net

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The French Poodle-Restaurant Francais in Carmel by the Sea

We are very fortunate to live in the Bay Area and be able to easily visit Carmel by the Sea as it is only about a two hour drive. The upscale town is great for Shopping and Dining and the views of the Pacific Ocean are fantastic. We like to try new restaurants but every so often need to go back to old favorites like The French Poodle which has been serving classic French cuisine for over 50 years.

Pate Maison	Dungeness Crab Legs	Floating Island

We started with Les Escargots de Bourgogne. We loved the classic presentation and excellent taste of these imported French Snails with homemade garlic butter and shallots. Next, we enjoyed delicious Pate Maison which was the Chef’s house-made chicken and duck liver mousse with truffles. Another fabulous dish was the Les Pattes de Crabes Dungeness Sauce Champagne which was Fresh Dungeness Crab Legs with Champagne, saffron and caviar. Their classic Salade is made with tossed butter leaf lettuce from the Salinas Valley and is served with The French Poodle Vinaigrette French dressing made from an 1870 Cote d’Azur recipe. One of our favorite entrees is the Magret de Canard au Vieux Porto which is a delicious grilled sliced breast of duck in aged port wine sauce.

Les Entremets de Douceur (desserts) is a must. We always have the classic and very popular French dessert Floating Island. It consists of meringue floating on top of creme anglaise and it is only served for “two”. We found it to be as delicious as ever!  The Wine List features French Wines so be sure to ask the knowledgeable staff to help you pair wines. We were quite pleased with the Sommelier’s choices.

We had a great dinner and are pleased to report that Restaurateur Richard Zoellin’sThe French Poodle continues to be an excellent destination for classic French Cuisine in Carmel by The Sea.

The French Poodle
Junipero and 5th
Carmel by the Sea, CA. 93921
831-624-8643
www.TheFrenchPoodleCarmel.com

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Shabuway- Hot Pot Japanese Cuisine in San Francisco

We have dined at many Japanese restaurants over the years but had never experienced Shabu Shabu style. We knew that it was becoming quite popular when we heard that Restaurateur Eiichi Mochizuki had just opened his sixth Bay Area Shabuway location on Geary Boulevard. Shabu Shabu Japanese Hot Pot style allows the diner to flash cook thinly sliced premium meats and vegetables in broths heated on in-table induction cook tops at their table. Shabu Shabu actually means swish swish which is all you have to do using your chop sticks to dip and flash cook the cuisine.

Sliced Meats	Combination Dinner	Ice Cream

We ordered a House Hot Sake and a Shirakabe Premium Cold Sake then chose combination dinners, a broth and got ready to swish!! Combinations include meats or just vegetables, white rice, a vegetable plate, Udon noodles and ice cream for dessert. The thinly sliced meats which we enjoyed included marbled American Kobe Beef , savory Niman Ranch Lamb and our favorite the marbled 100% Berkshire Kurobuta Pork! All of meats were tender, juicy and flavorful and tasted quite healthy, as they are all free of growth hormones and antibiotics. The seasonal Vegetable Plate included fresh and delicious Nappa Cabbage, spinach, carrots, seasonal vegetables, Enoki Mushrooms and tofu. We enjoyed the different flavors from cooking in the Half and Half Hot Pot of Basic Traditional Seaweed Umami Broth and the Original Spicy Miso Broth made with miso, spices and vegetables. We swished our meats and vegetables then dipped them in sweet Gomadare sesame sauce and a tangy Ponzu citrus soy sauce which we added hot sauce to for a little more fire. The Udon Noodles also get cooked by swishing them in the broth. They can be challenging as they begin to slip off your chopstick, adding humor to your dining experience, but once you get the knack of it they are just terrific!

The Black Sesame and Green Tea Ice Cream was the perfect finish to our delicious dinner. Shabuway is a healthy, fun and reasonably priced dining experience and we look forward to returning soon.

Shabuway
5120 Geary Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94118
415-668-6080
www.Shabuway.com

 

Dr. BBQ at Bay Area BBQ Championship	Pardita Tequila Cocktails at Jaspers in San Francisco	Crab Salad at The Dead Fish
Tolay Chef Danny Mai at Taste Of Petaluma	Taste at  Taste Of Petaluma	Chef-Owner Tanya Holland at B-Side BBQ Oakland

 

Until we eat again…….

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