Culinary Muse

More East Bay Wanderings

The Muse found herself in the East Bay a few times last week. Here is a recent discovery.

I love a heavy (ok, hearty) Mexican breakfast.  Who needs wimpy eggs benedict with that silly thin slice of Canadian bacon when you can enjoy Machaca con Huevos at Francisco’s in San Leandro?  Described as ‘shredded beef and eggs’ this hearty dish is prepared with shreds of well-seasoned cooked chuck roast, sautéed with green bell peppers and eggs.  How about Chilaquiles o Carne Asada? Tortilla chips are sautéed with eggs, topped with cheese and green or red chili sauce and strips of marinated flank steak.  Both dishes are served with rice, refried beans and your choice of corn or flour tortilla.  $5.95. FRANCISCO’S, 599 DUTTON AVENUE (AT BANCROFT), SAN LEANDRO, 94577, (510)-777-9590.

A Wake at the Top of the Mark

My friend Jane died a few Fridays ago. She went peacefully as two of her sons, Jim, David and I sat with her. After such a momentous event is over it is hard to know what to do next. It seemed odd to just say good-bye to each other and to go our separate ways. We had witnessed a life passing. It seemed appropriate to find a way to celebrate her life in a way that she would have enjoyed.  It was David who suggested the Top of the Mark. Of course.  Very San Francisco. Very Nob Hill.  Cocktails with a view.  I could almost hear Jane’s husky laugh at the thought of it.

The Personal Watermelon and the Cavaillon

Have you ever stood in the produce section of your local grocery store or at the weekly farmer's market and tried to work out a cost/benefit analysis of purchasing a watermelon?
Costs:  59 cents per pound, energy used to lug said watermelon up three flights of stairs to your apartment, leftovers that are wasted because how much watermelon can one or two people eat?  Benefits: so sweet and delicious, the very essence of summer.  This is where the new 'personal watermelon' comes in.   Easy to carry home, easy to eat in one day.  The Muse has been taste testing these little lovelies all over town for the past few weeks.  Hands down the best has been from Dulcinea growers, purchased at Whole Foods.  How to test ripeness?  The watermelon should feel especially heavy for its size.  Lightly tap the melon.  Hear a dull thud?  It's ready.