Guess Who Came to Dinner?

He who's name may not be mentioned.

He who makes quiver every chef, owner, server, etc., in this industry.

He who waves his fickle wand-pen with some caprice.

He was distinguished looking.

He ordered well. Little gems, cherry tomato & bacon salad, Fresh Garbanzo Hummus, House Pita. A maker's mark manhattan, which he received in a vintage glass. Then, the halibut with corn-risotto cake, and the mixed pig platter.

They had 2 desserts--the peach galette with honey mint yogurt ice cream--(which I think is perfect), and the apricot-strawberry shortcake.

We are still quivering. We hope he gives us a rave. We need the 3 little stars.

He ran into some friends on the way out. Hugged one. We all smiled as we followed him out the door, with our collective longing for the big 3.

Craziest thing of all, I should feel this determined to please each and every guest that chooses to dine in our humble bar + kitchen.

Ya know what, I'm bringing that up tomorrow, in our pre-shift.

red, white and blue

patriotism. hmm. matriatism? love of the land...earth, soil...Venus?

oh yah, Venus.

which brings me back to...gratitude. and patriotism. just watch that John Adams mini-series.

that'll take you back.

so, 4th of July, we's a gettin ready....with the red, the white, and the blue. we love our land, we love this country, and we love to cook. and, to make good coffee. and, to make even better cocktails.

red white and blue cocktail? lemme work on that.....

REGISTER

gratitude

yes, gratitude.

after 16 (!) years of restaurant life, cheffing farm to table, and pushing the "little engine that could", I am happy to report that:

1. it is working

2. thanks to all the genuine and earnest people who chug along at my side, prepping, cooking, cleaning, polishing, checking in and checking back, communicating, and giving me valuable feedback

3. not giving up works

4. trusting in myself, and the great people I work with, pays off great dividends

5. coming in on time and on budget feels fabulous

6. following your dream, your gut, and your intuition....works

spring: a slow start

remember all that great powder? skiing on may 9th? wondering why the farmer's markets seem like they're holding back from us?

looking for peaches? nectarines? just a few more days or weeks...

golden turnips, slow roasted, pureed silky with just a knob of homemade butter, will rock your still chilly berkeley cold spring.

chop up lots of parsley, some green onion, and a little meyer lemon zest from your sister's tree.

and your golden.

golden turnips, who'da thunk?