Josephine in SF

Once a year Kermit Lynch Winery and Monterey Fish join forces to put on one of the best Saturday afternoons you'll ever have in Berkeley. While taking over the parking lot of the international wine store, tents and tables are set up and the only thing Tom at Monterey Fish is hoping for is some sunshine! It was a beautiful Saturday and leading up to our astronomical heat wave so it was the perfect day to enjoy wine, oysters, and get our daily dose of Vitamin D. When we got there shortly after noon, the line was long and everyone looked pretty comfortable with bottles of wine. We were just hoping to snag a seat at some point. After getting 3 dozen oysters ($10/6 oysters), grilled garlic sausage & salad ($10), and a bottle of wine (wines by the glass and bottle were available), we found some table space to enjoy the feast. What could be better than sun, vino, and oysters? That's right folks, pizza! Throwing you off a bit?  Well, even after all that food, we went to Cheeseboard and split a pie!  I will definitely be out for Oyster Bliss next year. It is a bit of a trek to the East Bay but a fun event to attend. Be sure to stop into the wine store for a special selection of imported wines.

(510) 524-1524
www.kermitlynch.com

Cheeseboard Pizza

(510) 549-3055
www.cheeseboardcollective.coop

While on my "vacation" in the good ole suburbs, my dear friend Shannon took me to one of her favorite restaurants in her home town, Boulevard Bistro. I've been to Boulevard Bistro a couple times before and have always enjoyed the welcoming owners, friendly staff, and the quality of food at affordable prices. Granted, we were in Elk Grove but this was a reputable restaurant that I wouldn't mind having back home in SF.

The table started out with Fried Shrimp Cakes with a Roasted Corn Salsa, Red Pepper Aioli and Micro Greens ($8) while I started off with the Veal Sweetbreads with Shitake Mushrooms and Red Wine Thyme Sauce ($9). I can't remember the last time I got sweetbreads for $9! This was a generous portion of the delightfully savory dish and the wine sauce was rich with flavor. The shrimp cakes were also very tasty and something we order each time.

 Boulevard Bistro offers something for everyone including vegetarian, poultry, seafood, and meat. The dishes are all pretty straightforward, nothing too elaborate in ingredients but all using quality and fresh, in-season ingredients. I got the Grilled Salmon with Fingerling Potato, Shitake Mushrooms, Asparagus and a Cauliflower Puree ($20) while Shannon got the Filet Mignon with Blue Cheese, Green Beans and Whipped Yukon Potatoes and a Cabernet Reduction ($34). The menu also included a Stuffed Chicken Breast with Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Roasted Red Peppers served with Potato Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and Morel Mushrooms ($16), Seafood Trio of pan seared sea scallops, salmon & prawns with a sweet potato risotto ($20), and Griled Duroc Pork Chop with green beans, bacon, and mashed sweet potatoes ($22).

The owners of the restaurant are very nice and warmly greet you at the door, inviting you into their cozy bar area to enjoy champagne on ice before your meal. If you find yourself in Elk Grove or the Sacramento area, I would definitely recommend Boulevard Bistro for a delicious and enjoyable meal.

(916) 685-2220

I'm excited to report the news that the folks over at District will be opening up Ironside in the Chronicle Books location due to open in the late summer. Coffee/pastries, lunch, and dinner will be served with a focus on healthy, simple, and seasonal Italian/American cuisine. They will also be offering limited wines by the glass. I'm particularly excited as this is right across the street from my work!

680 2nd Street @ Townsend

District

My co-worker just went to Jardiniere last night for the first of Monday night prix fixe dinners at Jardiniere. She was so sweet to pass along the menu because a) she knew I would totally ask the details of her whole meal and b) she thought I might want to go for one of their upcoming Monday dinners. Each Monday (see dates below), Jardiniere will be offering a 3 course prix fixe meal and the best part folks, $45 includes the alcohol pairing! Now I say "alcohol" because one of the dinners is actually whiskey themed. It could be interesting but probably not up my alley. I'm more interested in the food – anyone up for just drinking my whiskey?   Here are the details for the upcoming events:

April 27, 2009
A Taste of San Francisco Dinner

Warm Calamari Salad,
White Bean and Cucumber Salad, Cilantro and Spiced Yogurt
Paso a Paso Verdejo, La Mancha, Spain 2007

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Cioppino,
Dungeness Crab, Prawns and Tomato
Domaine des Nugues, Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy, France 2006

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Tiramisu, Featuring Local Chocolate
Badia a Coltibuono Vin Santo, Tuscany, Italy 2000

May 4th
Whiskey Dinner

Duck Confit Salad,
Candied Kumquats and Tamarind Gastrique
Eagle's Nest
Eagle Rare Bourbon, Elderflower Liquer, Benedictine, Kumquats

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Whiskey Braised Shortribs,
Barley Smoked Bacon and Ramp Greens
Kentucky Cobbler
Buffalo Tracer Red Wine, Bitters

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Maple Syrup Pudding Cake
Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

May 11th
Italian Dinner

Bruschetta of Artichoke, Shelling Beans and Sheep's Milk Ricotta
Domaine Pellehaut "Harmonie de Gascogne"
Vin des Côtes de Gascogne, France 2007

••••••••

Garganelli Pasta,
Ragu of Devil's Gulch Pork, English Peas and Parmigiano-Reggiano
Cascina Ca'Rossa, Barbera d'Alba "Mulassa" Piedmont, Italy 2005

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Vanilla Panna Cotta,
Swanson Farms Strawberries and Almond Shortbread
Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec Champagne, Reims, France NV

*Wines subject to change