Archives for February, 2013

Dinner at Garcon, San Francisco

Posted on Feb 24, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco | No Comment
Fries

Fries

During my trip to Northern California for Dine California month, I visited a fabulous French restaurant  in the heart of San Francisco.  Garcon has all the elements of a classic bistro – French posters, mirrored walls, cozy tables and a long bar centering the space.  My friend Chris and I enjoyed one of our best meals of the trip at Garcon, here is what we sampled.

Black and basil

Black and basil

We started with the Black & Basil, a signature cocktail with vodka, black pepper, basil, lime and gin.  Tasty and spicy.

duck liver pate

duck liver pate

Chef Arthur Wall then sent out a beautiful duck liver pate with poached pear, walnuts, parsley, blackberries, croutons and a riesling pear gelee.  This dish was outstanding.

beet salad

beet salad

Next came the refreshing beet salade with belgium endive, blue cheese fondue, arugula, shallot vinaigrette and mandarin oranges.

Our main dishes were the shellfish bouillabaisse, scallops, mussels, manilla clams, shrimp and fregola pasta and a classic steak frites – marinated grilled hanger steak with truffle butter and crispy fries.  The bouillabaisse also came with nice crunchy bread to soak up the sauce.

bread

bread

bouillabaisse

bouillabaisse

steak frites

steak frites

fries

fries

Dessert was a rich creme brulee.  For unique cocktails, delicious traditional French food and an intimate bistro atmosphere be sure to visit Garcon next time you are in San Francisco.  Located at 1101 Valencia Street, reservations recommended at 415/401-8959.

Dinner at Anzu, Nikko Hotel, San Francisco

Posted on Feb 21, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco | No Comment
Tuna Appetizer, Anzu

Tuna Appetizer, Anzu

Celebrating the best of land and sea, Anzu (Japanese for apricot) is located on the second level of the Hotel Nikko.   My friend Chris and I dined at Anzu during San Francisco Dine Week and were surprised that a hotel restaurant delivered such great dishes.  Located at the back of the Nikko and up a big marble staircase, Anzu is roomy and comfortable.  There is a long 10 seat sushi bar as well as a main dining room with both tables and booths.

We started with a seared ahi tuna salad with frissee, avocado and fennel with a passion fruit vinaigrette and a creamy butternut squash soup.  The chef also sent us a nice amuse of tomato and cucumber.

cucumber appetizer

cucumber appetizer

squash soup

squash soup

Our main courses included the oven roasted king salmon with scallion gnocchi, Japanese eggplant, pickled turnips and kaiyaki sauce and anice grilled hanger steak with mushroom ravioli, garlic broccolini and a port wine reduction.

salmon2

hanger steak

hanger steak

The chef also sent us a little sample of the kabocha pumpkin risotto with winter vegetables, micro basil and a mushroom broth.  We loved this dish.

pumpkin risotto

pumpkin risotto

Desserts came next and included the chocolate indulgent cake with grand marnier creme anglaise sauce and a pomegranate creme brulee with a macaroon cookie.

creme brulee

creme brulee

chocolate cake

chocolate cake

Anzu is located in the Nikko Hotel at 222 Mason Street, reservations can be made at 415/394-1100.

Dinner at Burritt Tavern, Mystic Hotel, San Francisco

Posted on Feb 21, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco | No Comment
Mystic Hotel

Mystic Hotel

Located in the heart of San Francisco, The Mystic Hotel offers a modern and comfortable boutique experience in a historic location close to Union Square, Chinatown and the Financial District.  Formally the Crescent Hotel, The Mystic houses 81 guest rooms and suites.  I stayed in one of the hotel’s studio suite’s recently and was impressed with the large queen bed, luxury linens, open floor plan including a nice lounge space, and flat screen TV.

Mystic Hotel

Mystic Hotel

Above the lobby is the Burritt Tavern and Room, inspired by Burritt Alley from a scene in The Maltese Falcon.  Chef Charlie Palmer’s lounge offers handcrafted cocktails and the 100 seat restaurant serves up tasty contemporary American cuisine.  I dined there as part of Dine San Francisco week.  My friend Chris and I were seated in one of six velvet curtained booths with nice views of the exposed brick wall and chandeliers.  Here is what we tasted:

caesar

caesar

We started with a nice Caesar salad and a bowl of granny smith apple and fennel soup with dungeness crab and preserved meyer lemon.

apple and fennel soup

apple and fennel soup

Our main courses were a nice grilled marinated skirt steak steak  with a roasted wine forest mushroom salad, and pickeled sunchoke puree and the cinnamon dusted sea of cortez scallops with a wine forest chanterelle risotto, duck prosciutto and smoked pistachios.

steak salad

steak salad

scallops and risotto

scallops and risotto

Our desserts included a nice bread pudding and a chocolate hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream.

bread pudding

bread pudding

chocolate hazelnut mousse

chocolate hazelnut mousse

The Mystic Hotel offers a peaceful, modern and affordable retreat in the heart of San Francisco as well as a great lounge and restaurant.  For reservations call 415/400-0500.  Located at 417 Stockton Street.

Only in Louisiana Pre-Grammy Brunch

Posted on Feb 12, 2013 under Archives | No Comment
bread pudding

bread pudding

On Saturday February 9, Grammy nominees and music industry execs came together to dine at the 6th annual Only in Louisiana pre-Grammy brunch at LA’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Hosted by Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Grammy winner Kix Brooks, the expansive brunch was prepared by renowned Louisiana chef and “Chopped” champion Cory Bahr.

Chef Bahr

Chef Bahr

Guests feasted on southern comfort food including deviled farm eggs, Muscovy duck wraps with a spiced honey glaze, blue crab cakes with Creole mustard aioli, North Delta shrimp and grits, braised pork shoulder eggs benedict, cornmeal dusted catfish court bouillon, vegetarian jambalaya and bananas foster bread pudding.

deviled eggs

deviled eggs

duck wrapped

Muscovy duck wraps

Pork eggs benedict

Pork eggs benedict

shrimp and grits

shrimp and grits

crab cakes

crab cakes

bread pudding

bread pudding

my plate

my plate

“I’m so proud to be honoring all the nominees from Louisiana and serve as an ambassador of my state at this annual brunch,” said Chef Bahr, who opened his own restaurant, Cotton, last year in Monroe Louisiana.  “My motivation for cooking for this great event is to share some of the wonderful Louisiana cuisine and showcase our abundant variety of seafood.”

Kix Brooks

Kix Brooks

Lt. Governor Dardenne welcomed the crowd and host Kix Brooks introduced the musical entertainment which included Grammy nominees Wayne Toups and Corey Ledet as well as fiddler Joel Savoy.  Absent from the brunch but competing for a Grammy Sunday night were Louisiana natives Frank Ocean, Ellen Degeneres, Hunter Hayes, Lil’ Wayne, Dr. John and Ledesi.

-->