Culinary Muse

TALL SHIP DINING

What do the sailors eat for dinner on Tall Ships these days? Roast pork, mashed garlic potatoes and spinach. No dessert. At least that was last Wednesday night's menu for the crew aboard the Lynx, a Square Topsail Schooner. A replica of a War of 1812 privateer, she is a living history museum used to teach early American history.  She is fitted with cannons and flags and her crew operates the ship 'in the maritime traditions of 19th Century America'.  Which is probably why I couldn't find a deck chair.

We went for the sunset sail. It was only my third time on SF Bay but I remembered the warnings of my sailing friends: dress warmly. I thought that four layers would be enough. And a knit cap. And gloves. Three days later and I am still cold. About 30 minutes into the ride I would have given anything for a deck chair, a lap robe and a hot cup of tea/bourbon. Despite my frozen fingers I had a great time.  Watching the sails being set on a Tall Ship is an indescribable thrill.   

Visit their website to find out about two more cruises on San Francisco Bay.  They will be part of the 'Opening Day Parade' on San Francisco Bay on Sunday, April 29, 2007.  Cost is $95.00 per person which includes continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments.  Dress warmly.

SOLD OUT SUCCESS

What annual event sells out before the invitations are mailed? BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE'S 15^th Annual Narsai Toast at THE RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL in San Francisco on Friday, April 20, 2007. Started in 1993 as the Narsai Roast, an event in honor of one of its founding board members, NARSAI DAVID, the event hopes to raise over $450,000.00 to support Berkeley Rep’s educational programs and productions.

It seems slightly cruel to talk about an event that you can’t get a ticket to but, hey, maybe next year.

Kirsten Berzon, Special Events Manager, shared the event’s format with us:

5:30 - 7:30: Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction

7:30 - 10:30: Four-course celebrity chef dinner (AQUA, MICHAEL MINA, ACQUERELLO, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and MR. CHOCOLATE himself, Jacques Torres!), entertainment, Live Auction

Silent Auction features unique hard to find wines, fine dining experiences, art outings, and escape packages in the Bay Area, Wine Country and beyond:

Sample Live Auction lots include (subject to change):

A Gastronomic Experience for 10

at the home of Narsai and Venus David including wine selections from Narsai’s personal cellar

A 7-night stay for up to 10

at L’Ancienne Poste, a magnificent 5,000 square-foot luxury property in the heart of Menerbes, Provence

An Exclusive Celebrity Chef Dinner for 10

prepared by JAN BIRNBAUM at the beautiful Stony Hill Vineyards estate with hosts Willinda and Peter McCrea

Well, I know what I would bid on....Chef Birnbaum is one of our favorites and we still miss his Catahoula Restaurant where we spent many Thanksgivings...

SCOOP: LOTTA'S BAKERY COMING TO TOWN

Before there was a Starbucks in every San Francisco neighborhood selling scones that weigh two pounds there was the full service bakery. Never heard of a full service bakery? This was the neighborhood place that your parents could drop by in the morning for a fresh Danish and a cup of coffee (no espresso drinks). Or your mom could buy a loaf of freshly baked bread and a cake for dinner’s dessert. Or you would stop by after school and buy a chocolate chip cookie. There is good news for those of us who live near Polk Street. G. Earl Darny is opening up ‘Lotta’s Bakery" in mid April. Earl was the pastry chef at Bay Wolf, Sweet Adeline Bake Shop in Berkeley and he assisted Emily Luchetti in writing Four Star Desserts.

His press release reads as follows: ‘Lotta’s will bring a full service bakery to the neighborhood. All of our products will be created on site, baked fresh. Lotta’s will offer a full line of breads, cookies, cakes, and morning pastries as well as savory treats for your mid day snack. As a full service bakery Lotta’s will offer birthday cakes, special celebration cakes and wedding cakes. With enough notice, if you can dream of it we can probably produce it for you.

I am looking forward to opening my bakery and serving this neighborhood. For 17 years it has been my dream to have a bakery that was like the bakeries that once populated the neighborhoods of San Francisco and now I have that chance." G. Earl Darny.’

We look forward to having a place that reminds us of the great SF bakeries of the past like Blum’s and Fantasia. Good luck, Earl!  1720 Polk Street (between Clay and Washington St.) 415.359.9039