Is it wrong to be loving this rain? I’m certainly a hell of a lot more productive when it’s raining out. (Sadly it looks like that’s all the rain we’re going to get for the next week—at least I got one nature’s free car wash.)
The weekend was a full-tilt extravaganza o’ delicious, starting with spicy cast-iron pizza, cocktails, and Terradora Taurasi wine at Capo’s (followed by a nightcap at Tony Nik’s, always a favorite). Saturday I checked out Boris Portnoy’s Satellite Republic family-style Georgian dinner at The Punchdown in Oakland (so glad I jumped on tickets for that one early). And Sunday was the blowout: Bar Tartine and State Bird Provisions held the follow-up party for their Commonwealth Club/Inforum talk earlier in the week, Craft to Table. Holy flavor country, that’s all I can say. Loved seeing chefs Nick Balla, Cortney Burns, Stuart Brioza, and Nicole Krasinski doing their voodoo together—the partnership was so symbiotic. The kitchen totally looked like the coolest culinary workshop, a feeling echoed with the Peg-Board on the walls. What a special night.
Speaking of State Bird Provisions and Bar Tartine’s Nick Balla, congrats to them both—and many many other local talents—on the list of nominations for the 2013 James Beard Awards, just released today. We’ll learn about the finalists on March 18th.
Have you been hearing about the crazy-long lines at b. Patisserie and The Mill? I know, when this town is curious, we really show up. FYI, head to b. Patisserie early since it seems to be completely selling out by 1pm, according to some frustrated posts on Twitter; and you can check out a couple of new pics of The Mill that we just added to the tablehopper post (I went by on Friday, what a gorg addition to the neighborhood, it feels so sunny and bright).
More baked goods notes: Don’t forget this Sunday February 24th, 20th Century Cafe returns to State Bird Provisions, selling an assortment of knishes, rugelach, tortes, tarts, and coffee, as well as jars of jam (you can also come by for the last pop-up on March 3rd). Hours are 11am-2pm.
Our city is out of control right now. Am I right?
Kimchi-yuba with smoked egg “bottarga” by State Bird Provisions (yeah, it rocked). Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Feb 19 2013
