God, I feel old…and I had been feeling like such a young’en just a few weeks ago when I attended a fascinating dinner event put on by the Northern California chapter of the Explorers Club. The Club’s members include leaders (usually very well-published) in polar exploration, diving, aerospace exploration, archaeology, zoology, physics, oceanography, astronomy, ecology, geology, paleontology, conservation mountaineering, and speleology.
Not surprisingly, these well-traveled scientific explorers are not what one would call a youthful bunch. As a matter of fact, I think I was the second youngest person there. The youngest person, at least 25 years my junior, was Colby Gewalt, a darling college student who was finishing up her MBA after getting a degree in architecture. She was filling in for her parents who couldn’t make the event.
When she found out I was a food and travel writer, she exclaimed, “You are sooooo lucky. That’s exactly what I want to do.” (Yeah, I bet her parents will be thrilled to hear this!)
She then peppered me with questions about who, what, where and how could she get started. I told her that I was going to check out Trademark, a new restaurant on Belden Lane. I invited her to come along and write a review and if it was any good, I’d publish it here.
Well she would, and she did, and I think she did a great job.
Oh, the reason I’m feeling so old was that after spending two hours chitchatting over dinner, feeling like we were getting to be great buds, she wrote me a lovely thank -you card (even sent it by snail-mail) which started it with “Dear Ms. Nieder”.
Here’s Colby’s review:
Trademark definitely left its mark on this Southern girl
Growing up in Louisiana has its perks — you get to know what tickles the taste buds, and what doesn’t. Well, I’d have to say that the Trademark American Grill and Bar in San Francisco brings it all back for me. From the moment I turned onto the quaint alley of Belden Place, I knew I was in for a treat.
Looking past the open outdoor dining area, complete with overhead heaters, passers-by are drawn in by the oversized window on the façade, with views of happy hour socialites and friends sitting at the pristine bar. With bowls of brightly colored citrus fruits against old-fashioned light fixtures illuminating the bar-top, one can hardly resist becoming part of the crowd.
First piece of advice- come hungry. There are so many items on the menu to excite your palate, you’ll want to try them all. As you take your seat, place an order for their special light and flakey biscuits. Request honey on the side and these “Original Meetinghouse” biscuits will absolutely melt in your mouth.
As you peruse the menu (which is updated monthly), order an appetizer, or three! Your choices include the meaty Dungeness crab cakes with a kick, or perfectly steamed mussels with a light and smoky broth. The beautifully presented tuna tartar and Caesar salad with balsamic onions are also fantastic choices. Go with friends or a date and share a few — you won’t be disappointed!
Have a glass of Veuve Clicquot, or one of their specialty cocktails, and prepare to surrender your menu. If you are a bar-b-que meat lover, try the Niman Ranch pork ribs. As the meat literally falls off the bone, the tangy coleslaw and flavorful black beans round out the plate nicely. As a southerner, I’m a big fan of cornbread, but this wedge didn’t top my charts. Stick to the biscuits you’ve already had and save a few carbohydrate points. Order the half smoked chicken, and savor the juicy bursts of flavor. Served with surprisingly delightful garlic bread pudding and perfectly cooked collard greens, this dish takes you right into the heart of the French Quarter.
While you may think you couldn’t possibly have another bite of anything, take a glimpse at the dessert menu. The hot apple crisp is perfection, but request it with the caramel balsamic gelato instead of the cinnamon. You’ve earned a sweet and tangy end to your night of indulgence. If you’re like me and save room for dessert no matter what, order the banana bread pudding as well. This not-so-typical version is served with butter pecan gelato, and takes you right back to your childhood.
With a menu as diverse as it is indulgent, no one leaves here hungry. After all, great food like this should not be taken for granted, and you deserve it!
When to go: Happy Hour from 2:30 to 6, Monday thru Friday. Oysters are $1 each, appetizer and drink specials as well.
Lunch is served 11 to 2:30 Monday thru Friday.
Dinner is offered 5 to 10 Monday thru Thursday, and until 10:30 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dress: Business casual, but all are welcome.
Atmosphere: Inviting, fantastic use of color and texture, and the lighting was complementary, not glaring. Large mirror behind the bar, useful for slyly scoping out the crowd. Cozy bar area, right among the dining tables.
Colby A. Gewalt
P.S. Janice here. My two -cents worth: Just want to emphasize that theirs is one of the best Happy Hour’s around…with those $1.00 oysters, various drink specials and a roster of tasty bar bites such as Elite Cafe Garlic Chicken Wings $5.
Also, I want to give a shout out to Trademark’s manager, Chris, a true professional who exemplifies customer service. Tell them I said you deserve a big raise!
Other than that, as American Idol’s Simon Cowell would say, Colby’s review is “spot on.”
Yippee, finally a no-brainer restaurant opens in the Marina. Looking for tasty salads for lunch with the girls? Jonesin’ for a perfectly crisped Roman-styled pizza? Date night? Only have time to grab a brew and some apps before the movie, or wine and dessert after?
Chestnut street’s newest hot spot, Delarosa, is your go-to place for all of the above, plus the food is really good! The latest offering from the Baretta and Starbelly restaurateurs, this causal Italian eatery is open daily from 11:30 a.m. – 1 a.m. They only have one menu but it’s a doozy, with an extensive selection of antipasti, salads, pizza, pasta, sandwiches, spiedini (grilled skewers) and desserts. Your choice of libations also runs the gamut, from a drinker’s dozen of perfectly hand-crafted cocktails to about 30 artisanal beers and an Italian-centric wine list. They also offer complimentary sparkling or filtered still water with your meal-how civilized.
Standouts from our tasting dinner included my new fave salad of the year, an artistically plated carpaccio of gold and red beets with goat ricotta, perfectly anointed with a splash of truffle oil…yummers! I could have killed for some bread to sop of the leftover spicy marinara sauce from the meatballs (the meatballs were only ok,but that sauce was something special.) The winter chicories with cauliflower and roasted hazelnuts was another styling way to make sure you get your five-a-day.
Just to test their listening skills, we made a couple substitutes on a pizza, changing the cheese, adding an egg just on one side and requesting it very well crisped and they scored an A+.
About the only dish that didn’t work for me was their signature black olive gnocchi with rock shrimp–too bland and not al dente enough for me. But hey, the couple next to me scarfed down every last bite.
Our charming and ever so helpful server, Jacqueline, insisted that the bomboloni caldi (hot homemade donut holes sided with three dipping sauces) were well worth every calories and I’m so glad we heeded her advice. I wouldn’t kick the coppa mocha (coffee gelato topped with choco sauce, bourbon, and crunch almonds and meringue) out of bed either.
One caveat, with its elbow2elbow mostly communal seating, Delarosa would not make a good pick for a quiet, romantic dinner for two but other than that, all I can say is, “Welcome to the nabe. I’ll definitely be back.”
Come de-stress while helping those in distress. Healing Arts for Haiti will be held on February 12th at the Grand Hyatt, NYC where caring citizens can receive services from the healing arts community with donations to help Haiti. This brilliant idea was hatched by none other than Oasis Day Spa’s Bruce Schoenberg who generously organized this fundraiser to help the victims of Haiti’s recent earthquake.
Every dollar raised will be donated to UNICEF, directly helping rescue and relief efforts in Haiti. To make a donation to UNICEF now, click here.
No appointments needed, just come by and de-stress for a great cause.
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Noon – 8pm
Grand Hyatt – The Grand Ballroom
109 E. 42nd St
at Grand Central Station
SERVICES & ACTIVITIES AT HEALING ARTS FOR HAITI:
Massage
Reflexology
Mini-manicures
Make-up Makeovers
Acupuncture
Yoga
Pilates
Aerobics
Chiropractics
Tarot Card Readers
Henna Tattoos
Retail Store- unbelievable deals on beauty, gift and wellness products
Raffles for spa services, restaurants, events and more
Silent Auction- destination resorts, Las Vegas, sports memorabilia and more
Music with great artists from the Haitian community
Surprise guest appearances
I spent the holidays in NYC this year (you can read my reviews here)returning mid-January to mounds of mail which I only recently finished opening. I know, it’s a feeb excuse for not telling you about this fantastic, party-throwing guide, Simple Stunning Parties At Home, in time for your Christmas/New Year’s get-togethers. But it will still provide indispensable help for upcoming gatherings such as Valentine’s Day, Mother/Father’s Day, a birthday, poker night, a hen-do, etc. Heck, you can even get a head start on planning your 2011 New Year’s gala.
New York- based event planner, Karen Bussen has written five books in the “Simple Stunning” series so she really knows her party ABC’s. The best part is that she can show you how to throw an A-list party on a B-list budget! Karen’s “less waste/more taste” strategy can help you plan an elegant (yet surprisingly easy and affordable) party in the comfort of your own home.
An example of her creative, inexpensive and mostly idiot-proof tips (that have inspired me to at least entertain the thought of entertaining at home) are:
-Dining alfresco almost guarantees thayour guests will have fun. For decorations, trim the table umbrella with icicle lights or plant some tiki torches in the lawn.
Since booze can really break the budget, Karen suggests filling old wine bottles with pre-mixed Sangria, Margaritas or lemonade, slapping on fun labels and storing in ice buckets.
PS. Her easy recipe for Manchego Jalapeno Cornbread alone is well worth the price of the book!
Check out Karen’s website for more tips.
You just have to love Berkeley resident, Jane Juska, for having the “balls” to have placed the following personal ad in, The New York Review of Books: >”Before I turn 67, next March, I would like to have a lot of sex with a man I like…”
After receiving over 60 responses, Jane wrote, A Round-Heeled Woman; My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance, a real-life, tell-all best-seller, (and I do mean tell ALL) about her ensuing amorous adventures.
As soon as actress Sharon Gless (known for playing equally ballsy rolls in Cagney and Lacey and Queer As Folk) read the book, she optioned it and knew she wanted to play the starring roll. It was a long, arduous task to bring it to stage, but you can now see the world premier of this hysterically raunchy, painfully introspective, thought-provoking play at San Francisco’s Z-Space, through February 7, 2010.
Sharon is sheer perfection playing the role of a woman “of a certain age” who bravely decides to go after what she wants. Gather up a gaggle of girlfriends and go see A Round-Heeled Woman. Be sure and save time for drinks somewhere after, because you’ll have lots to discuss.
Although this is a three day event, I’m leaving town tomorrow so I only had one day to power-taste my way through 80,000 specialty food and drink products. I started at 10:00 am and waddled out seven hours later with my stomach as full as Nadya Suleman’s right before she gave birth to octuplets.
Some general trends this year are: gluten-free products were on the rise (the most delicious example was the line of The No Bake Cookies that were loaded with chewy oats, peanut butter and chocolaty chew,) superb cheeses from everywhere– but the USA is now holding its own with the best of them. Bacon is the new culinary black, with the flavor popping up in popcorn, mayonnaise, and dessert (Vosage Chocolates highlight the piggy not only in its Applewood bacon + milk chocolate candy bar but also in its Bacon-toffee ice cream.) Superfoods are just getting super-er, with antioxidants, probiotics and larger amounts of vitamins and minerals added to all sorts of nonsensical products.
Here are some standouts from todays marathon:
* Hot Lips Soda -made from freshly picked fruits and berries. All the flavor and pulp without the seeds. Tastes like berry pie in a bottle.
* Activate Drinks The patented cap on top of this line of vitamin and energy drinks keeps the vitamins “hid in the lid”. For full potency, simply twist, shake and activate.
*One “don’t knock it till you try it” newbie came from charcuterie king, Fabrique Delices, who introduced us to the latest rage in Europe: Savoury Macarons–sweet almond confectionery shells that are filled with either goat cheese, porcini or truffles.
* There’s never a shortage of chili condiments on show but one standout was Chili Colonial’s unique Chili Crunch Condiment loaded with crunchy garlic, onion and the slightly smoky heat of chile de arbol.
*Salts were sprinkled throughout the show but the most exciting ones were offered by Secret Stash Sea Salts. Developed by Chef Joseph Conrad, this one-of-a-kind line includes flavorful infusions such as Almond Cardamom, Coconut Garam Masala and an intense Chorizo salt.
*Winner for the “Why didn’t I think of it” award goes to Northern California’s, The Smoked Olive ’s naturally wood-smoked extra-virgin olive oils. These versatile oils would dress up grilled veggies, steak, or even a plebeian deviled egg.
Other tasty treats from the Bay Area were:
* Twisted Vine Gourmet may be a brand new wine-country company but they’re already producing a line of classics with their wine-based marinades and sauces. The Chardonnay Chipotle Lime Marinade will magically turn you into a grill-master guru.
* Did you know that fava beans aren’t really beans? They actually belong to the pea family. And under the guidance of a new San Francisco company, Fava, they also make a deliciously healthy line of hummus and hearty dips. Try the Kalamata Olive Hummus on a baked potato or for making quicky bruschetta.
* California introduced “happy cows” to the rest of the world but local newbie,the Happy Goat Caramel company might have something to add. They proudly point out that “using only premium goat dairy and organic sugar give their caramels the incredibly unique and “udderly” irresistible flavor that makes Happy Goat stand out from the crowd.” and after happily chewing on a handful of them, who am I to quibble?
How many times have you wished you were ten pounds thinner, four inches taller, for an aisle seat in the emergency row or that the Louboutin stillettos are available in size 9?
Some things are out of your control, but there are some wishes you can make come true–and that is helping to grant a wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Back in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more 144,000 wishes in the United States.
So for a truly fantastic evening filled with incredible food and wine ( and a chance to meet many of the Bay Area’s top chefs) get your tickets to this worthwhile event.
What:
Focusing on the best talents the culinary world has to offer while celebrating and supporting the powerful impact that a magical wish has on a child, the event is located in the dramatic and unique setting of Treasure Island. Wine and Wishes highlights extraordinary chefs and winemakers, and provides culinary enthusiasts with an exceptional experience. This has become the hottest ticket with the Bay Area culinary set.
Highlights:
The evening is divided into two events:
Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting 5:00 – 7:30 pm, with over 60 tasting stations featuring Michelin chefs and coveted wineries.
Winemaker Dinner 8:00 – 11:00 pm, an elegant dinner with each course masterfully prepared by two different award-winning executive chefs.
2010 Executive Chefs:
1st course: Chef Charles Phan – The Slanted Door
Chef Roland Passot – La Folie Restaurant
2nd course: Chef Staffan Terje – Perbacco
Chef Laurence Jossel – NOPA
3rd course: Chef Dominique Crenn – Luce Wine Restauarant
Chef Richard Reddington- REDD
Dessert: Chef Emily Luchetti – Waterbar
Chef Patti Dellamonica-Bauler – One Market Restaurant
Fees:
Tasting tickets: $150 per person
Winemaker Dinner: $350 per person or $6,500/table of 20
VIP Privately Hosted Table: $1,000 per person or $10,000 for a table of ten. Includes limo, opportunity to select which wish to “adopt”, premium seating, etc.
Must be 21 years or older to attend.
It’s just about that time again…when zinfandel takes over the town of San Francisco for four days of fantastic food and wine. The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting is the not-to-be-missed ‘grand finale’ of four events making up the 19th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Festival January 28-30, 2010, in San Francisco.
The ZAP Grand Tasting takes place on January 30 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Festival and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Tickets for non-ZAP members are $59; for ZAP members, $49. Over 200 wineries are expected to pour their wines along side some might tasty food bites. There will be a silent auction based at the Festival Pavilion from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., benefiting ZAP’s Heritage Projects.
The Festival will ‘headline’ Chef Beverly Gannon, one of the founders of ‘HAWAI`I regional cuisine.’ Chef Gannon is the proprietor of Maui’s world famous Hali`imaile General Store and possibly the most well-known chef in Hawaii. She will develop the “HAWAI`I regional cuisine” menu for Dinner With The Winemakers as well as prepare a signature Hawaiian dish for Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing; she will also be visible throughout the three days of the Festival and her new cookbook, Home Style Meals at The Hali`imaile General Store, will be for sale. To order tickets by phone, call 530/274-4900; tickets can be purchased online
The ZAP Festival will include more than 200 Zinfandel-specialist wineries from all across California pouring their barrel samples and new releases for over 10,000 enthusiasts during three days at four separate events. There will be silent auctions during three events – Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing, The Grand Zinfandel Tasting, and Evening with the Winemakers; proceeds support ZAP’s Heritage Vineyard projects.
Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing takes place on January 28, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Fort Mason Center (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Approximately 50 restaurants will pair with wineries. Tickets for non-ZAP members are $125. for ZAP members, $95.
Flights: A Showcase of Zinfandels, a seated tasting with in-depth seminars focusing on limited-production Zinfandels, takes place on January 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., at The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel’s Peacock Court (1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, 94108, 415/392-3434). Topics will include the role of blending and regional variation in the world of Zinfandel. Tickets for non-ZAP members are $80; for ZAP members, $65. .
Evening With The Winemakers: A Benefit Live Auction & Dinner, takes place on January 29 beginning with a reception-tasting at 5:00 p.m., at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco (1 Nob Hill, San Francisco 94108, 415/392-3434). Tickets are $260 for non-members and $210 for ZAP members, available only in advance and not at the door.
The reception will include the opportunity to taste, for the first time, the 2008 Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel (made from ZAP’s experimental vineyard by Tom Mackey of St. Francis Vineyards & Winery). Guests will then enjoy a feast prepared by ZAP’s celebrity chef, Beverly Gannon; guests are seated with a winemaker host at their table. Proceeds from the silent and live auctions benefit ZAP’s Heritage Projects, preserving the historical and viticultural significance of America’s heritage wine.
Continuing updates on events as well as ticket purchasing for all the events can be found at Zap website.
Visions of sugarplums danced in my head while lunching at Jardiniere today (and this had nothing to do with the fact that for three Fridays this month Jardiniere is serving a special pre-Nutcracker matinee meal) since just seconds after I was handed the menu I had already decided to indulge in their Bonne Bouche Dessert Platter, which offered darling fingernail-sized portions of their opera cake, tarts, cookies, truffles, etc.
On a cold, gray, drizzly afternoon there is no better place to come in out of the rain than Jardiniere’s warm, welcoming and ever so glamorous upstairs dining room. Soft lighting, cordial unhurried service with a menu that offers sophisticated twists to hearty winter lunch favorites (case in point: the tender Liberty Farms duck pastrami sandwich with whole grain mustard aioli and crunchy savoy cabbage slaw) had us so relaxed that we couldn’t believe that somehow our one hour lunch had mysteriously morphed into two.
Both of our starters, a gorgeous Chioggia Beet Salad with potatoes, wild arugula topped with a lightly cooked egg and a generous Duck Confit, Kumquat, endive and honey walnut salad were almost too pretty to eat and could have made a satisfying lunch on their own. But then you would miss out on the unbelievable light-as-a ballerina rabbit sausage, served alongside some slow-braised kale and creamy polenta–simply scrumptious!
Friday, 12/18, is the last lunch for the year, so pirouette right over for a delightful holiday meal even if you don’t have tickets for Nutcracker… I won’t tell.
Jardiniere Restaurant
(415) 861-5555
300 Grove St, San Francisco, CA
For reservations call(415) 861-5555 or book on OpenTable.
The best travel items are those that prove themselves to be “carry-on space-worthy” by serving double duty. Letau Designs’ has created two new versatile scarves that both merit a corner…and twice the compliments.
The first is a reversible Hooded scarf can be worn up or down with either side of the fabric showing for four completely different looks. Chic and practical.
The second style is so unique it’s even patented: a Drawstring scarf with a toggle. Can be worn cinched tight for a pretty, ruffled neck-muff or loosened to use as a belt or shoulder wrap.
Both styles come in a variety of gorgeous colors and fabrics ranging from tweedy herringbone to luxurious satins. Prices start at $66.00. Purchase on line or check the locations for a store near you.
The Shoul
Everyone is freezing to death on the plane which doesn’t have a single *&^$@# blanket available. Everyone except you. Because a smart girl like you just pulls out her Shoul, AKA “the smart shoulder wrap” to cozy up with. Not your grandmother’s shawl, it’s unique neckline design means it stays in place without bunching up (unlike those pesky pashminas) keeping you warm and toasty.
Available in two lightweight washable knits: acrylic ($42) or a luxe cashmere blend ($59) in multiple colors. See website for ordering.
That’s a wrap.
You just have to love Berkeley resident, Jane Juska, for having the “balls” to have placed the following personal ad in, The New York Review of Books: >”Before I turn 67, next March, I would like to have a lot of sex with a man I like…”
Although this is a three day event, I’m leaving town tomorrow so I only had one day to power-taste my way through 80,000 specialty food and drink products. I started at 10:00 am and waddled out seven hours later with my stomach as full as Nadya Suleman’s right before she gave birth to octuplets. 
It’s just about that time again…when zinfandel takes over the town of San Francisco for four days of fantastic food and wine. The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting is the not-to-be-missed ‘grand finale’ of four events making up the 19th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Festival January 28-30, 2010, in San Francisco.
