Happy short week (well, for some of us lucky ones). Right now, the city is full of busy bakers and makers getting ready for the Thanksgiving crush. I have been posting in my Instagram highlights where you can enjoy (or take out) a Thanksgiving meal, pick up sides, and pies… I’ll be posting any additional last-minute updates over the next couple days! Please be patient, kind, and tip big—folks in the industry are dealing with a LOT right now, from supply chain issues to limited staffing.
For my first time, I’m doing Friendsgiving, since our family meal was pushed to Saturday (sis is traveling right now). My dear friend and I are going to see House of Gucci (ha-ha, yesssss!) and then we’re picking up the over-the-top Thanksgiving feast from Lily to enjoy with lots of bubbles at home with Fortuna. So much to be grateful for, truly. We will also be acknowledging my apartment is located on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. This holiday offers a lot for us to think about and hold in our hearts.
It’s downright amazing that Hanukkah is coming up so quickly, so I’ll be adding more updates to my Instagram highlight tomorrow! Don’t want you to miss out on any sufganiyot!
I just had such a fun overnight getaway to Calistoga on Friday night to check out the new Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa. It was originally a 1940s roadside motel, and AvroKO recently gave it a playful, mid-century upgrade. I’ll be posting all about it on @tablehopper/Facebook later tonight, but for now, let me tell you, their mineral pools, fab spa treatments, and a tasty dinner at their on-site restaurant Fleetwood will do a lot to restore you in 24 hours. I also can’t believe we managed to snag a poolside sunbath in 70-degree weather on Saturday, what a dream. California living at its finest.
I wanted to mention how much I enjoyed a screener of the newly released Julia from filmmakers Julie Cohen and Betsy West (RBG). This intimate portrait of the trailblazing Julia Child, her inspiring relationship with Paul Child, and the many ways she changed the course of American cuisine, cooking, cookbooks, and presenting food on television is so fascinating. Even if you feel like you have read or seen or learned everything about Julia Child already, you haven’t—don’t miss it! Out now at Landmark’s Embarcadero Center Cinema.
I hope you enjoy today’s column. I included a hopper holiday gift guide, since I’d like to encourage some creative gifting that helps support many local makers. Question for you: if I did a repeat (but all-new) version of the Hopper Holiday Gift Bag, full of tasty goodies from local makers, would you be interested? It’s a lot of work, but I loved being able to feature (and support) so many local businesses. Hit reply and let me know if you’d be excited for it, and I will be able to assess whether there’s enough interest for me to take it on! Thanks for the initial input!
I am so grateful for all your support and readership, always. Best wishes for the holiday: be happy, stay healthy (and keep others safe), relax, and enjoy yourself!
XO ~Marcia
The return of Roberta and Marcia’s annual white truffle brunch (with caviar, olio nuovo, and fresh cheese!). We spent hours together on Sunday, what a treat. Photo: © tablehopper.com.View tablehopper Newsletter from Tuesday, Nov 23 2021
