August 30, 2018

Berkeley: Homemade Cafe; restaurant review

80 North

Homemade Cafe  

2454 Sacramento St./Dwight Way, (510) 845-1940.  B-L daily.

exterior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
exterior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


exterior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
exterior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


Located on busy corner, this small, cozy, usually crowded neighborhood cafe has been around since 1979.  Seating at Homemade Cafe includes a bank of wood booths that gets the cheery morning sun straight on, a small sea of tables and chairs, and a counter with swivel stools in the back where you can watch the kitchen action.  The work of local artists decorates the walls, and all are for sale should you grow attached.

interior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
interior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


interior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
interior of Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


counter seating at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
counter seating at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


The specialty is breakfast, which is available all day.  You know things are serious here when you glimpse the tattoos on owner Collin’s arms--“eggs” on one arm and “bacon,” added more recently, on the other.  Uncle Eddie’s cage free eggs and dairy products from Berkeley Farms keep things politically correct.  Choose from a large selection of egg items--including omelettes and scrambles (the LEO made with lox, eggs, and onion and served with a Baron’s organic bagel and cream cheese is a personal favorite)--and from a large selection of specialties—a whole-wheat waffle, blueberry pancakes, cinnamon-swirl French toast, housemade granola, and cheese blintzes with a seasonal fruit sauce.  For a pittance, toast can be upgraded to coffee cake or a muffin.  All the la-de-da coffeehouse-style drinks are available, too, including one I particularly like and got by special request--a dirty hot chocolate (hot chocolate is made here with milk and made ”dirty” with a shot of espresso).  The unimpressed can opt for a sandwich after noon.

dirty hot chocolate at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
dirty hot chocolate at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


LEO at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
LEO at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


sausage and eggs at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
sausage and eggs at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


cheese blintz with pluot sauce at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
cheese blintz with pluot sauce at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


Recently, a monthly pop-up dinner series was added to your options.  A special four-course, prix fixe menu is offered once each month and runs $85 (tax and gratuity are included; vegetarian option available by advance request) and an optional wine pairing runs $24 more.  At the end of August, I attended the night’s first seating at 6 p.m. for a dinner dubbed “A Late-Summer Night’s Dream.”

menu for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
menu for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


this table is having the wine pairing for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
this table is having the wine pairing for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe
in Berkeley, California


Several late couples straggled in through the first course, which was “Titania’s Tidbit”--a delicate pureed sweet corn soup topped with a fried basil leaf and served with heirloom tomato jam on crostini.  It was paired with a light French white wine from Vouvray winery.  The atmosphere slowly grew more festive.  Some people knew each other from the neighborhood, and others, like us, slowly got pulled in.

sweet corn soup for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
sweet corn soup for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


Next came “Puck’s Plate”--a stack of fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and basil dressed with avocado vinaigrette and topped with a very big coconut-horseradish shrimp.  This was paired with a dry red Grenache blend from a Corsica winery--Domaine Petroni.

heirloom tomatoes and coconut shrimp for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
heirloom tomatoes and coconut shrimp for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe
in Berkeley, California


The main course was “Hippolyta’s Hungry”--a generous portion of flavorful butcher’s steak with salsa verde and sides of bacon-corn-cheddar mashed potatoes and fried green tomatoes.  We had enough left over for lunch the next day.  The tasty wine paired with this was a full-bodied Zinfandel from Seghesio Family Vineyards in Healdsburg.

butcher's steak for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
butcher's steak for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California


Finally, as things became looser, “Bottom’s Up” arrived--a semolina-olive oil cake topped with sweet mascarpone cheese, flavorful and bright-red strawberries, and a fig-balsamic reduction.  A dry Chenin Blanc dessert wine from the French Jasnieres winery was the perfect pairing.

strawberries with olive-oil cake for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
strawberries with olive-oil cake for monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe
in Berkeley, California


Congenial chef Collin Doran visited the dining room throughout the meal, checking on diners and preparing us for the next course with interesting comments.  And it seemed obvious he was having a great time himself, spreading his wings from the restrictions of a breakfast and lunch menu.  In fact, the entire staff was in large part his own family, including his young son whose job it was to keep the water glasses filled and which he took quite seriously.  I wonder what this talented chef will think up next?

chef Collin Doran describes next course at monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, California
chef Collin Doran describes next course at monthly dinner at Homemade Cafe
in Berkeley, California

 


Way more things to do in Berkeley.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 28, 2018

Best Labor Day weekend events in San Francisco Bay Area; things to do

Bay Area Labor Day Events

What are your plans for this Labor Day weekend?  Need some ideas?  

horse-pulled train car at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont
horse-pulled train car at Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont


annual Kings Mountain Art Fair  In Woodside, California
annual Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside



August 24, 2018

Tiburon: Blackie’s Pasture; things to do

101 North

Blackie’s Pasture  

On Greenwood Beach Rd., off Tiburon Blvd.

Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California
Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California


Blackie was a legendary local horse that grazed here from 1938 to 1966.  Swayback and all, he was beloved by children in the area, who fed him goodies from their lunch bags on the way to school.  His former pasture is paved over now and is a parking lot.  His charming gravesite surrounded by a white picket fence is also gone, but a metal statue of his likeness made in 1995 now stands here waiting for children to climb aboard.

child astride statue in Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California
child astride statue in Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California


West of the statue, Harvey's Garden is filled with more than 2,500 native plants, many with labels.  It is tended by volunteers.

Harvey's Garden adjacent to  Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California
Harvey's Garden adjacent to  Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California


penstemon "garnet" in Harvey's Garden adjacent to Blackie's Pasture in Tiburon, California
penstemon "garnet" in Harvey's Garden adjacent to Blackie's Pasture
in Tiburon, California


East of the statue and a short walk away is McKegney Green, an expanse of grass overlooking the bay that is perfect for picnicking and kite-flying.  The paved 2-mile Old Rail Trail, formerly a railroad grade, starts at Strawberry Point and continues into town.



More things to do in Tiburon.

More information about Tiburon.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 21, 2018

Oakland: Belotti Ristorante e Bottega; restaurant review

880 South

Belotti Ristorante e Bottega


Ristorante  5403 College Ave./Hudson St., Rockridge, (510) 788-7890.  L-D M-Sat; $$$.  Reservations advised.

Bottega  4001B Piedmont Ave., Rockridge, (510) 350-7619.  M-Sat 11am-8pm.

interior of Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California
interior of Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California


Situated in a small, contemporary space, this simple spot’s big draw is the housemade pasta.  It is yolk-heavy and served with a choice of six sauces and fillings.  Kitchen action at Belotti Ristorante can be observed through a glass wall behind the bar in back.  Though overall very Italian in feel, some of the ristorante also has a kind of cranky, stereotypical French demeanor that I experienced when I was greeted.  In addition to bruschetta and a mixed antipasto platter, several salads make nice starters.  The living butter lettuce is particularly lovely, served dramatically in the center of an oversize plate that is sprinkled with flowers.

living butter lettuce at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California
living butter lettuce at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California


In fact, all the serving plates are oversized, to the point that my casoncelli--a family recipe from Lombardy featuring small oval pasta pillows stuffed with a beef-prosciutto-pork shoulder mix--were barely visible as they arrived, waiting until they were right in front of me to be seen.  Though it initially looked small, this delicious dish (with a sauce of sage and brown butter plus small cubes of salty pancetta) was just the right amount for me to leave an empty bowl.  Agnolotti di Lidia is another stuffed pasta, this a rectangular one from Piedmont and filled with a meat mix escarole and spinach.  The dish I plan to try next time is simple spaghetti tossed with a San Marzano tomato sauce topped with burrata and basil.  Usually one of my favorite pastas, the tagliatelle with a wild boar sugo disappointed me (I only tried a sample from the plate of my dining companion).

tagliatelle with wild boar sugo at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California
tagliatelle with wild boar sugo at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California


Several larger plates are also available--duck breast, snapper, and sometimes slow-cooked suckling pig.  Complimentary bread with delicious Seka Hills olive oil is served by request. 

bread with olive oil at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California
bread with olive oil at Belotti Ristorante in Oakland, California


The wine list is mostly Italian, and the dessert list is a simple choice of panna cotta or tiramisu.

 


Way more things to do in Oakland.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 16, 2018

San Francisco: The David Ireland House; things to do

San Francisco

The David Ireland House  

500 Capp St./20th St., 1 blk. E of Mission St., Mission District, (415) 986-1571.  Guided tour:  W-F at 11am, 2pm, & 4pm, also on last Thur at 7pm (features live art activation; $20, seniors+students $15; reservations advised.  Self-tour:  Sat 12-5pm; $12.50/$10.  Free admission to The Garage on Sat.

exterior of The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
exterior of The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


American conceptual artist David Ireland lived in this two-story, grey 1886 Italianate-style Victorian from 1975 to 2005.  (The original gas lamps from 1886 still work.)  As he worked at maintaining the house, he became interested in its history and began treating the structure as an art project.  He removed layers of old wallpaper and paint, left junctions visible, then polyurethaned much of it to a multi-layered, shiny finish that is seen on the walls and floors throughout.

living room at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
living room at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


hallway at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
hallway at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


naked light bulb at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
naked light bulb at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


Untitled (Accordion) by Los Jaichackers at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
Untitled (Accordion) by Los Jaichackers at The David Ireland House
in San Francisco, California


He bottled some of the resultant dirt, wallpaper remnants, and wire into small collections.  Ireland is famous for saying (regarding marketable art), “You can’t make art by making art.”  In exploring the complex questions of the role of the artist and the meaning of art, he centered in on his home.  He began putting on small exhibitions here.  He embedded art, turned everyday things into art, and he also created more traditional pieces of art.

ceramic geisha in cement at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
ceramic geisha in cement at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


bowl of potatoes or turds at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
bowl of potatoes or turds at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


Ireland died in 2009, and his house opened as a private museum in 2016.  His art pieces number in the thousands and are rotated in and out of The David Ireland House for viewing.  A favorite part of this tour for me was sitting down in the unchanged dining room--it is left as it was--at the narrow dining table Ireland made from recycled wide floor boards and imagining what it might have been like to enjoy a dinner party here.  The dining room is decorated with artifacts left from the 1960s, when Ireland owned the Hunter Africa shop in the Marina.

dining room at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
dining room at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


still life with photo of David Ireland in dining room at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
still life with photo of David Ireland in dining room at The David Ireland House
in San Francisco, California


The entrance for this unusual museum is through an obscure door in the side of the house on 20th Street.  There is no signage, but if you look down you’ll see a tiny plaque in the sidewalk there that quotes Ireland:  “Art lets us make observations of things that were always there.”  Tours of this non-profit private museum begin in what was formerly Ireland’s studio, where splashes of paint remain on the concrete floor.  The studio is also where a former owner of the home made accordions.  Tours are led by artists and last 90 minutes.  Special programs are sometimes scheduled.  For more background on David Ireland, view this interview with him that appeared on KQED.

A new show opens June 22.  “I hope all is well…” features the work of artist Tony Matelli and runs through October 13, 2018.

exterior of garage gallery at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
exterior of garage gallery at The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California


Alioto Mini Park

Just across the street in sweet Alioto Mini Park you’ll find  blooming flowers and a fenced off vegetable garden.  This small corner park attracts passers-by to pause for a few minutes of respite.

Alioto Mini Park as seen from The David Ireland House in San Francisco, California
Alioto Mini Park as seen from The David Ireland House
in San Francisco, California


The David Ireland House as seen from Alioto Mini Park in San Francisco, California
The David Ireland House as seen from Alioto Mini Park
in San Francisco, California


When I visited on a weekday afternoon, most of the benches were in use.  My husband commented that what he needed to have the perfect experience here was a sombrero to protect him from the sunshine while he took a siesta.  However, the park also manages to be city gritty with sounds of the area’s drills and hammers busy in construction.  Facilities include a small playground and grassy area.

entrance gate to Alioto Mini Park in San Francisco, California
entrance gate to Alioto Mini Park in San Francisco, California


playground at Alioto Mini Park in San Francisco, California
playground at Alioto Mini Park in San Francisco, California


Continue east down 20th Street to visit these additional art venues:

Kadist  

3295 20th St./Folsom St., 3 blks. E, (415) 738-8668.  

This gallery with a branch in Paris exhibits works by international contemporary artists and hosts residencies.

Southern Exposure  

3030 20th St,, 6 blks. E, (415) 863-2141. 

This not-for-profit arts organization and alternative art space was founded in 1974.




August 14, 2018

San Francisco: San Jalisco; restaurant review

San Francisco

San Jalisco  

901 S. Van Ness Ave./20th St., 2 blks. E of Mission St., in Mission District, (415) 648-8383.  B-L-D daily; $.

exterior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
exterior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


The cheerfully decorated San Jalisco Mexican restaurant features lacy cutout papers hanging from the ceiling, miscellaneous decorative items on the walls, and colorful tables and chairs hand-painted with animals.

interior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
interior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


interior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
interior of San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


skeleton lady decor at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
skeleton lady decor at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


Service begins with housemade chips and salsa.  Breakfast is popular here and available through lunch.  Favorite items include four kinds of chilaquiles (the Veronica with chorizo and nopales (prickly pear cactus) is very good), nopales con huevos, and huevos rancheros.  Lunch specials weigh in at $10.95 and come with rice and beans.

chips and salsa at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
chips and salsa at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


lunch specials menu at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
lunch specials menu at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


I ordered the crispy flautas topped with guacamole and sour cream, while my dining partner chose the enchiladas.  We were both pleased.  More items that sound particularly interesting include rolled tacos, enchiladas mole, sopes, shrimp items, and burritos in various sizes--poquito, grande, mucho.  Pozole--a hearty soup of pork and hominy for which the restaurant is well known--is available on Fridays and Saturdays.  Birria en caldo--a goat stew with a tangy tomato base for which they are also well known--is available on the weekends.  Micheladas (spiced Mexican beer) served in large frozen glass mugs are yet another item patrons rave about, and sangria is also an option.  In general, this place is usually full to the brim because the prices are low, the chips are plentiful, and the drinks are strong.  Solo diners will welcome the congenial bar seating.

flautas at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
flautas at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District


enchiladas at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District
enchiladas at San Jalisco in San Francisco's Mission District




More places to visit in the Mission District.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

August 8, 2018

Oakland: Copper Spoon; restaurant review

880 South

Copper Spoon  

4031 Broadway/41st St., (510) 897-7061.  L M-F, SunBr, D daily. 

It’s all about the bar here, though the food service is good and enhances the drinks.  The pleasant sleek-yet-cozy interior of Copper Spoon features high ceilings, a stained concrete floor, and natural light from oversize front windows.  Seating is available at a long bar as well as in an adjacent, more private section that has small tables and booths and is closed off by a partition.  There is additionally a remote area in the back.  On my visit, I sat in the quieter private section and found myself wanting to see what was going on in the very lively bar area, but I was unable to see over the partition without standing up.  Next time I will secure a bar seat.

bar at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
bar at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


dining room at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
dining room at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


From a selection of classic, contemporary, and original cocktails I chose the whimsically named, “healthy” Down The Rabbit Hole made with mezcal and some other earthy ingredients.  It was quite carrot-orange, served in a cute little glass, and topped with a red dot and a tiny marigold flower (think India).  Next time I plan to try the Don't Mind If I Do . . . (mezcal, passion fruit, and lime with a Santo Domingo float).  My companion was also pleased with his Golden Triangle (Tequila, Cappelletti, vermouth, and lime).

Down the Rabbit Hole cocktail at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
Down the Rabbit Hole cocktail at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


Though main dishes are available--I’ve heard good things about the chickpea cakes and roasted chicken--we decided to order from the appetizer section and share everything.  We started with the soup (we ordered two), which this day was a refined, delicate cold coconut milk combine with fresh corn puree.  It was followed by Breads & Spreads consisting of small slices of toasted sourdough baguette and four colorful pureed spreads:  green Blue Lake beans and celery; orange red pepper hummus; red beets and goat cheese (our favorite); red tomato and bacon jam.

coconut milk-corn puree soup at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
coconut milk-corn puree soup at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


Breads & Spreads at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
Breads & Spreads at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


Then came deviled eggs that consisted of four halves topped with a teeny, tiny bit of pickled mustard seed and a teeny, tiny fried broccoli flower.  Our final dish was a delicate fried rock fish with house-made chips.

deviled eggs at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
deviled eggs at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


fried rock fish at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
fried rock fish at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California


Desserts were a choice of carrot cake, chocolate mousse, panna cotta, and a nectarine bread pudding (our choice, but it was more a dense cake than pudding).  The use of mix-matched plates and flatware added to my aesthetic enjoyment (one of the plates was from the same pattern as some in my own eclectic collection at home).  Note that a 3% service charge is added to the check for the kitchen staff.

nectarine bread pudding at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California
nectarine bread pudding at Copper Spoon in Oakland, California



Way more things to do in Oakland.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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