Mother’s Day delights; plus, La Posta’s assist and Discretion advised
Art, chocolate, and Mother’s Day weekend—a concept made in heaven. OK, promotional heaven. Nonetheless, what mother doesn’t love chocolate? Mine would throw me under the bus for anything containing cacao. So you might want to treat your mom to a delightful walkabout in the Live Oak and Pleasure Point district this Mother’s Day weekend, May 10 & 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Art & Chocolate Open Studios Art Tour. A dozen artists have opened up their studios for tours and sales. And yes, there will be chocolate to nibble as your eyes graze across painted works, ceramic pieces, craft woodwork, and photography. Find out who’s open and where to visit at the Art & Chocolate website. Yes, your mother would love artwork as a Mother’s Day gift.
Kitchen Switches
Congratulations to La Posta chef Katherine Stern, the new mother of twins Eli and Mena. Stern’s now juggling babies rather than panna cotta and shaved fennel, and in the meantime the wildly popular Seabright kitchen is being expertly handled by Mark Denham, who restaurateur Patrice Boyle praises as having “deep knowledge about how to make great food happen.” Denham is a Bay Area kitchen veteran, with credentials from Manresa, Laiola, Bix and Chez Panisse. A passionate practitioner of “nose to tail” cooking, Denham can butcher whole carcasses down to “every single smallest part,” according to a justifiably proud Boyle.
Which brings me to another key change in the local cooking landscape. In two weeks, Chef Santos Majano will be exiting the building—Soif—to start up The Kitchen at Discretion. Discretion Brewing is the organic craft beer mecca on 41st Avenue owned by Kathleen Genco, with Michael Demers in charge of brewing the house signature line of award-winning beers. And this signature food with craft beer alliance really is a big deal. In collaboration with his wife Laura, Majano plans to create a menu of beer-focused foods at the brewery using locally sourced organic ingredients, and all of the delicious ideas we’ve come to know and love during his five years at Soif. Genco told us she envisions “small plates to mix, match, and share—because that’s the way I like to eat.” We can also expect the continued alliance between Discretion and Fogline Farms—exactly the sort of alliance we enjoy watching grow and flourish! Stay tuned.
O’mei’s Electrifying Noodles
Ants Climbing a Tree? You bet, especially if that colorful title is translated by O’mei chef Karl Cook into an addictive dish of cellophane noodles laced with scallions, minced pork and pungent Szechuan peppercorns. Add another outstanding noodle entree—San Xian chow mein, succulent with noodles, shrimp, chicken and matchstick pork, wok’d with infant bok choy in a garlic and chive sauce—and you have our new go-to dinner at the 35-year-old dining landmark. NB: always begin with an appetizer of the colossal Red Oil Dumplings.
Blissful Burgers @ Assembly
We began with a cleverly deconstructed Caesar Salad, made of Little Gem lettuces dusted with crunchy garlic bread “dust,” Parmesan and a lemony vinaigrette. We opted not to add anchovies for two dollars more. Didn’t miss them a bit. A truly vivacious starter. While I enjoyed a bowl of the house braised beef, my companion scored what might be the best burger in town. For $12 this perfectly grilled bit of plump Angus beef arrived with classic frites and a side of peppery infant arugula salad. Great presentation and a surefire idea for when you crave 1) a burger, and 2) a light, inexpensive dinner in a stylish setting.
