This was the scene last week when the Marin Institute went after The Wine Institute trade association and the “Myth of the California Family Winery.”
The protesters are boosters of AB 1019, the Assembly bill in Sacramento that would establish an Alcohol-Related Services Program paid for with a tax on alcohol.
Here’s the takefrom SFGate bidness reporter Andrew “Don’t forget the S“ Ross.
Click to expand:
More details here at ALCOHOL WATCHDOG GROUP ATTACKS WINE INSTITUTE.
Get up to speed first.
Now, here are the debut menus for Baker & Banker. Click to expand:
The neighbors, like Ashley H., seemed pleased, anyway:
“I live right around the block from Baker & Banker, and when I saw that a new restaurant was opening I was so excited to try it out, so I went for opening night, and it was great!
The inside decor is pretty nice and simple with low lighting and mirrors on the walls. To start I had a salad with goat cheese, pomegranate, persimmon, and I think pear, which was super delicious. It was a nice light way to start out the meal. For my main course, I had the scallop dish with brussel sprout leaves and sun choke puree, and it was superb! For desert I had the cheese cake apple crisp, and as a cheesecake expert, it was a great mixture of a traditional cheesecake with apple in the middle – I totally recommend it!
For me this place is a really cute neighborhood restaurant, and I definitely plan on going back. I also think it’s definitely worth a trip even if you aren’t in the neighborhood – it’s great!”
Combining our twin obsessions of food and money, it’s Baker & Banker! And they’re all set to serve up steak, cast-iron potatoes and more starting this week (probably tomorrow, December 1, 2009) at 1701 Octavia betwixt Bush and Pine.
Will our Quince replacement get along well with its NIMBY-ish neighbors in this residential hood? We Can Only Hope.
As it looked a few weeks back:
“As you’ll recall, Jeff Banker (of Home fame) and his wife Lori Baker are opening a new American, “welcoming neighborhood restaurant” there, and lo and behold, it’s coming along quite nicely. Notable designer Michael Brennan has spruced up the cozy interior with some dark leather banquettes and a dark wood bar…”
Why don’t you drop by sometime and see the results of the efforts of this cute couple? It’s already(!) rated five stars on Yelp, so that’s a good(?) sign.
The aforementioned Baker and Banker:
More details, after the jump.
Bon courage, B&B!
Well, øh my! If you have any interest in Norway and/or art, you ought to mark your calendar for 6:00 PM tomorrow, November 12th, 2009, cause that’s when you can see Norwegian Instant Art at Dow Place, aka the little alley off of Second Street between Folsom and Harrison across the street from Maya. I hear they’ll have some vin there, plus the Honorable Consul General – he’ll be there, plus maybe you can buy some art. Check it:
“Norwegian artists painting in the streets of San Francisco. Four female Norwegian artists are exploring the local art scene in an on-site art project entitled Norwegian Instant Art. Their goal is to develop and present Norwegian contemporary art in San Francisco, and to fuel future cultural exchange by donating sales proceeds to the Norwegian American Cultural Foundation.”
Presenting, straight outta Oslo, artists Kristin Romberg, Ingrid A. Tronstad, Pippip Ferner and Kristine Maudal. Do you think they’re having fun in the 415? Anyway, they were painting up a storm yesterday afternoon:
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Everybody loves Norway, right? See you there!
Nov. 2-11: EXPLORE San Francisco and the Bay Area, and TRANSFORM impressions into art. Place: In and outside 77 Dow Place
Nov. 12: PERFORM by presenting the project and artwork to the public in an exhibition at Anodyne Designs premises
November 12, 2009, Anodyne Designs, 77 Dow Place, Suite 100
6:00 pm Mingling
6:30 pm Welcome/Official opening by the Norwegian Consul, Geir Tønnessen
7:00 pm Artists’ presentation and walk through exhibition. Enjoy the art/food/drinks/good friends
10:00 pm The end
Proceeds will be donated to the Norwegian American Cultural Foundation.
Sponsors:
These four contemporary artists, Ingrid A. Tronstad, Kristine Maudal, Pippip Ferner and Kristin Romberg, are all based in the Oslo area. They explain their project as starting on blank sheets of paper with four open minds. They do not really know what the actual outcome will be. The project thus is as much about exploring the process as it is about creating a result.
These are all well established artists withinteresting backgrounds – both educational and projectwise, with several solo/project exhibitions and group exhibitis. Their permanent installations in public or corporate spaces range from Kristine Maudal’s piece in the Cave Bar in Barcelona to Kristin Romberg’s works in the Norwegian Embassy in Riga (Latvia).
This is the third issue of the Instant Art project series. For ten days the artists will explore San Francisco and the Bay area and instantly transform their impressions into art. There will be a project exhibition on November 12, hosted by the Norwegian Consulate, and opened by the Norwegian Consul Geir Tønnesen. The event will take place at Anodyne Designs premises on 77 Dow Place at 6pm-10pm.
To the general public, this project is unique in that it offers a chance to meet four individually different Norwegian artists in one show. Also, people are invited to participate in the creative process from start to finish, either through the project blog or by dropping in while they work.
The project is sponsored locally by Norway House Foundation and the Norwegian Consulate in addition to commercial investors H&H partners.
To the annoyance of famous local writer Beth Spotswood (“Spam?” Oh no!), the Secret Sherry Society is back in town again. I infiltrated their previous visit last summer, but didn’t say nothing about it due to a possible conflict with “work.” (But you know, I was probably worried over nothing, probably.)
Anywho, the takeaway I took from the Sherry Council of America is that the word Sherry comes from the name of Jerez, Spain. (Did not know that, no sir.) So that means that, in a way, Sherry is just like Champagne, with all the nitty gritty that entails. (We use semi-genericized names in America – it’s the law, ’nuff said. But that doesn’t stop producers from telling the world why their stuff is better, fair ’nuff.)
I’ll definitely say that the final round they served with dessert at the Slanted Door restaurant was Too Sweet For Me, but the other types they had were not. Do you want to get into the different styles and what goes well with what and let’s have a Sherry-themed dinner party? Well, the SSS would be delighted.
Not so secret, with the glass walls and all:
So, if you ever get invited to a Secret Sherry Society event, don’t consider it spam, consider it $95/pound Jamón ibérico. And then go and ask them what would pair well with Jamón ibérico. I’m sure they’d have an answer, they’re lovely people.
Of course you’re too young to remember, but I know about how the image of Tequila has come a looooong way the past couple of decades – perhaps this effort from the Sherry folks will serve to change the image of Sherry over the coming months and years.
Only Time Will Tell.
Now, here’s what I mean about “composting-related” – our new initiatives in San Francisco are going to take a while to get used to, and during this transition I’ve noticed a whole bunch of fruit flies that weren’t around before. Maybe this is just me, but the guy at Cole’s Hardware says the $15 cure they have just for San Francisco’s fruit flies is hard to keep in stock due to enormity of our current invasion.
But there’s Hope. It seems that fruit flies are the stupidest animals in the world, so pretty much any attempt you make to outsmart them will work like a charm. The only way to lose this game is to not try. So, why not get some apple cider vinegarand then put some cling wrap punched with toothpick holes on top, thusly?
Here’s the reverse angle – the wrap is still there, but it’s hard to see. They check in but they don’t check out!
Is this an obvious solution? Well, not to me, not ever having a problem to this extent before.
But what’s this? Toothy, toothsome CHOW Food Editor Aida Mollenkamp prefers an alternative approach? She shows us how to get rid of fruit flies here, using a bit of wine and dish soap.
So toothy:
That looks like it would work too, what with surface tension ‘n stuff. Thanks for the tip, Aida.
C’mon, you makers. Start making your fruit fly home cure today!
Napa’s in the Bay Area, right? It’s super close to San Francisco. So let’s take a look and see how the Great Recession of 2007-???? (aka the “late-2000s recession“) is affecting our Neighbor to the North.
Let’s start with the view from the St. Helena Highway, aka Route 29, aka Main Street. (It’s the main drag for the whole entire valley, you know.) Here’s the old Radio Flyer on the train tracks motif:
What happens if you can’t afford the rent and a car? What happens if you, as many in Napa and Sonoma counties have done before you, get a DUI or two and you lose your license to drive? How do you get to work or the store without a car? Let’s take a look:
Napa can’t afford sidewalks? Apparently. Of course, if you’re on a bicycle (not recommended) you would pedal along on the shoulder/breakdown lane, but if you’re on your feet, well, remember all the drunk drivers? I mean, DWI is a Way of Life up there.
I mean, bacon-rich Cincinnati has its local Hog Report so shouldn’t lush-rich Napa have a local DUI Report? Oh wait, it does!
By the way, be sure to “Avoid the 9″ policing agencies that will bust you:
“Napa County Sheriff’s Office, the Napa Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, St. Helena Police Department, Calistoga Police Department, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Napa Valley College, American Canyon Police Department and Napa County Probation.”
OMG, can you believe that bucolic Napa has (or had) 2400(!!!!) outstanding DUI arrest warrants? Mercy!
Anywho, walking in Napa is no picnic. Perhaps it makes the most sense to just amble on the old train tracks (which, of course, are the newish home of the despised (and beloved) Napa Valley Wine Train.)
But what about the wineries, how are they doing? Well, the Disneyesque Robert Mondavi Winery had no waiting for their famous 75-minute Signature Tour and Tasting on a recent balmy October Sunday. (Of course, back in the day, the place was packed to the gills, reservations required.)
And how about Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate, where they have mandatory valet service and a red carpet and where they don’t let you in without a $25 cover?
Well here it is, during Sunday primetime, it was totally wide open. A handful of cars in the lot, no valets, no $25 charge, it’s just y’all come down.
Now let’s head up to St. Helena proper, where the millionaires live and you can buy Rolexeses and high end choco all you want? Let’s check out David’s Jewelers, Since 1976:
Dave has sweet window displays (man, that Rolex fish, that’s art ready to hang, baby)…
…but no goods to sell. Uh oh.
There are Halloween decorations but that’s it. It’s closed down, apparently. Oh well.
And let’s not even think about heading Further North to the St. Helena Premium Outlets place. Cue tumbleweeds.
So, what’s worse:
Busy, crowded Napa Valley; or
Ghost town* Napa Valley?
That’s a tough choice for some people. Oh well.
But now’s your chance to get on up there and see what it was like back in the day, before Napa became a major tourist destination. COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts isn’t around anymore, but all the other places will be staffed with folks happy to see you, I’m sure.
I almost wanted to buy something, but then I remembered about the Buy Local Movement. I’m not a local, really, so I probably shouldn’t spend my hard-earned up there.
But you, you’re welcome to visit, especially before things pick up again in the Spring of 2010.
See you there!
*Be aware that the Great Recession has seemed to pass by the popular eateries, such as Mustards Grill (man, it’s tough to get in there), Taylor’s Automatic Refresher (busy, busy, but the wait isn’t too long) and Yountville’s bestarred (c’mon, it’s a word) The French Laundry (forget about it).
I’m not sure if it’s too late to get in on this, but check it out and see if there’s room for one or two more tonight at 6:00 PM, Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at the Dream Team Mixer – it’s just especially for people wishing to get married in the bay area.
(Be warned – somebody might try to make the case on how you should spend your cash in order to make your Big Day special, but isn’t that what you want anyway?)
See you there!
Movie Trailer featuring the Dream Team, from Studio MSV.
Hors d’ouevres from Spring Loaf Catering.
Wines from Franciscan Winery.
Lighting from North American Theatre Technology.
Fashion Show featuring Bella Mia Bride, Bliss Bridal Shoes, Natural Images Skincare, One World Designs, and Get Your DO Up!
Photo Booth from The Laugh Box.
Special Display from Nancy Liu Chin Designs.
Rentals from Williams Party Rentals.
Cupcakes from Freedom Bakery & Confections.
Photography from Lilia Photo.
Limo from Lone Star Limousine.
Featured Special Guests: Haute Horticulture, Balloons Equal Fun, Jon Casey Caricatures, and Blue Water Party Rentals.
Come meet the couples vying for the title of “San Francisco’s First Dreamy Couple”.
You’ll learn more about the vendors responsible for this community-driven project and how you can enter for a chance to win a $100,000.00 Dream Wedding!
We hope to find a hard-working and deserving couple who values the impact of giving back to the community around them.
Could it be YOU?
This is the scene tonight, Tuesday, September 29th, 2009, at the intersection of Sacramento and Front Streets in the Financial District – it’s a genuine pizza-making, wood-fired oven on wheels from Pizza Politana. Read all about tonight’s Hatcher Wine Tasting event at Wine Bar SF in 2 Embarcadero Center here. They’ll be there until 7:30 PM or so.
800 degrees - that’s what real pizza needs, right?
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Here’s more 411 on Yelp. Be on the lookout for this rolling oven - you can’t miss it.
Here’s the thing about the 14th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival that just finished up - there’s chocolate everywhere. And what’s nice about it is that there’s no fences or checkpoints or anything. What your $20 gets you is not admission but a cafeteria ticket with 15 checkboxes. So go around and sample what you want. You can get your fill, and if you wanted to, you could go full Augustus Gloop.
It is truly the Land of Chocolate – don’t miss the 15th Annual in 2010 next September.
Famous Chef-testant Casey Thompson lectured on the subject of chocolate waffles or something like that. Look what she has – dark chocolate, the hard stuff:
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Here’s how it works – find something that looks appealing and then line up to get a sample. They’ll check your card off and then you can move on. People could spend hours just milling around and noshing and watching the demonstrations, etc…
The whole thing looked exactly like this, from SF Weekly’s Hanna Quevedo.
Best in Show would have to be these colorful Truffle Bars from Sterling Confections. I didn’t actually taste the things, but they look to be packaged well and that’s half the battle when your shopping for a gift, right girlfriend? Sterling can pick up the slack after the recent Joseph Schmidt Confections (“The Soul is For Hire, and They’ve Sold the Heart”) sell out.
Things got a little frenetic when they started throwing gelato containers off the back of the refrigerator truck. It was Brother Against Brother:
See you next year!
(And let’s hope all the official vendors come back in 2010.)
• Chef Demonstrations in the West Plaza
SATURDAY
1pm: Mitchell Hughes, Spun Sugar
2pm: Casey Thompson, Top Chef Finalist
3pm: Kara Lind, Kara’s Cupcakes
4pm: Ghirardelli Chocolate School by Steve Genzoli
SUNDAY
1pm: Jason Etzkin, Fairmont San Francisco
2pm: Casey Thompson, Top Chef Finalist
3pm: Rebecca Lugtu, Sweet Dreams Bakery
4pm: Ghirardelli Chocolate School by Steve Genzoli
• Wine & Chocolate Pairing Seminars at Cellar360 at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30
Space is limited; 1st come, 1st served
$5 per person (refunded with bottle purchase)
• Chocolate Tea Party
Saturday at 3pm and 5pm & Sunday at 3pm Crown & Crumpet will host a tea & chocolate pairing on their patio.
Enjoy 3 types of chocolate tea paired with food items such as chocolate chip scones, tea-infused truffles and chocolate-hazelnut tea sandwiches for just $12.
Space is very limited, advanced reservations recommended. Call 415-771-4252 for reservations.
• Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contest on the Main Stage at 2pm daily! Earthquake (adults) on Saturday only. Children’s contest both days.
• Amella Caramels
• Ana Mandara
• Arlene’s Gourmet Toffee
• Bella’s Gourmet Fudge
• Boomerang Vodka Chocolate Martinis
• Bo’s Best Pancakes
• Cafe Razzi
• Ciao Bella Gelato
• CJ’s Stix & CJ’s Bitz
• Cookie Tree
• Cost Plus World Market
• Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon
• D’ Sweets
• Desserts On Us
• Embrace Sweets
• Gelateria Naia
• Ghirardelli Chocolate
• GUDFUD
• Island Breeze Macaroon
• Kara’s Cupcakes
• Kika’s Treats
• Lori’s Diner
• Mary Louise Butters Brownies
• McCormick & Kuleto’s
• Mighty Leaf Tea
• Mrs. Munchies!
• Napa Valley Fudge Company
• Organic Pastures Dairy
• Project Open Hand
• Pacific Puffs
• Pete’s Gourmet Confections
• Rock-n-Roll Gourmet
• Rustic Bakery
• Spun Sugar
• Sterling Confections
• Sugar Bowl Bakery
• Sweetface Bakery
• The Tea Room
• The Toffee Company
