Archives for February, 2013
Posted on Feb 24, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco |
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
We started with the Black & Basil, a signature cocktail with vodka, black pepper, basil, lime and gin. Tasty and spicy.
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
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
bouillabaisse
steak frites
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.
Posted on Feb 21, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco |
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
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.
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
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
chocolate cake
Anzu is located in the Nikko Hotel at 222 Mason Street, reservations can be made at 415/394-1100.
Posted on Feb 21, 2013 under Archives, San Francisco |
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
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
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
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
scallops and risotto
Our desserts included a nice bread pudding and a chocolate hazelnut mousse with salted caramel ice cream.
bread pudding
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.
Posted on Feb 12, 2013 under Archives |
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
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
Muscovy duck wraps
Pork eggs benedict
shrimp and grits
crab cakes
bread pudding
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
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.
