Holidays are in full swing, and I am definitely loving this month’s party schedule and catching up with friends and family. Friday night kicked off in epic disco fashion with the legendary Giorgio Moroder, who was playing for the first time in San Francisco in decades, and at age 75, much respect! I couldn’t stay out toooooo late, because Saturday I scooted on down to Redwood City, picking up my dad along the way, for a fantastic Italian wine tasting and party at Donato Enoteca. Such beautiful wines! And it was such a generous spread (yay, porchetta), and I will put this annual festa on my priority list for next year, that’s for sure.
Sunday was an annual truffle lunch with my culinary fairy godmother (as I like to call her), Roberta Klugman. She always sets a marvelous holiday table, and I’m in charge of the slow-cooked and creamy eggs that she then shaves a glorious tartufo over (and you know we have some bubbles—my elf name is Champers, after all). It’s also fun to taste the year’s latest olio nuovo with her—so great to have Capezzana back this year after last year’s dismal non-harvest.
We had a special memento at the table: a pic from about 10 years ago of the two of us with Chuck Williams, the Williams of Williams-Sonoma, who just passed away at the admirable age of 100. He was such a kind man and really embodied the American dream—and we have him to thank for elevating our culinary tools in America! We had a whisk on the table in his honor. Cheers to you, Chuck!
Sunday evening was the tablehopper and Champagne Henriot banquet dinner at Great China—32 of us enjoyed a memorable meal, with some gorgeous cuvées! Take a look at the photo album here. And trust me, you’ll want to have some Henriot brut rosé with your next Great China Peking duck! That was such a fun event, thank you to Champagne Henriot and Great China’s James Yu (and his team) for taking such good care of us!
If you missed out on the fun, do know we have just eight tickets left for the upcoming tablehopper two-martini lunch at Bix on Friday December 18th! Here’s your excuse to leave your office early that day, come enjoy some holiday cheer (two SKYY Vodka or Bulldog Gin martinis, to be exact), listen to holiday music from Veronica Klaus and Tammy Hall (who are performing live for the event!), and the famous Bix burger is on the menu (of course)! #LetsHolidayy
One last thing: a lot of us are really, really fortunate with the lives we lead. There are some folks who are trying to rebuild their lives, and the holidays are an especially great time to lend a helping hand. I’d like to do a shout-out to the “Adopt-a-Student” holiday drive for students in the ECS CHEFS (Conquering Homeless Through Employment in Food Services) Program! They have requested simple items such as shoes and clothes to help them prepare for school and their internship placements. For more details, please click here to be assigned a student. You can even buy a present in honor of that friend of yours who is tough to buy for—because this present will have so much meaning! Thanks everyone!
Okay friends, enjoy the week, and we’ll see you Friday! Marcia Gagliardi
My friend Roberta’s beautiful and bountiful table for our annual truffle lunch together. This year, we toasted the life of Chuck Williams. Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Dec 8 2015
