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Reisetagebuch: Finding Slow Food in the Bay AreaVeröffentlicht am 22:39 21.02.2008 von ogiovetti |
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1. Kapitel: Slow Food in San Francisco |
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There is a lot of buzz about the Slow Food movement going on right now, particularly in the States and especially in the San Francisco Bay area. If you're a foodie looking for a truly authentic experience on the West Coast, run--don't walk--to Northern California and bring your appetite. Slow food is a little over 20 years old and has been thriving since the 80s in San Fran thanks to chefs such as Alice Waters. It's a very European concept with a very American organizational structure. Fast food has lead to a fast life and the idea of Slow Food is to bring us back to basics: loving food, preserving gastronomic culture, and protecting some traditional foods in danger of going extinct. This story will give you a rundown of this Californian's favourite spots after a week of exploring with my stomach. Tags zu diesem Kapitel: slowfood northerncalifornia sanfrancisco oakland berkeley alicewaters preservation foodandwine |
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2. Kapitel: Chez Panisse, Berkeley |
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Chez Panisse is not only one of the most famous restaurants in the Slow Foods movement, it is also one of the most famous restaurants in California and the United States. Alice Water's flagship restaurant for what has become a dynasty opened in the late 1970s in Berkeley and is a great excuse to take BART out of San Francisco proper and into what is otherwise a hippified college town. If you're in the mood to splurge, go downstairs for the restaurant, with offers a prix-fixe menu that rotates daily. If you can, go on a Monday when the three or four-course meal is only $55. Tuesday through Thursday is $65, and weekends (Friday through Sunday) are $85. This doesn't include drinks, a 17% gratuity, or 8.75% tax. Dinner is served in two shifts (6 to 6:30 pm and 8:30 to 9:30 pm) and you must have a reservation. You can, however, save a considerable amount of money and eat just as well--and as casually and long as you want--by heading to the cafe upstairs. This is my preferred choice; their pizzetta appetizer combined with the entree of sole is amazing. Top it off with the apple currant tart for an unforgettable evening. Tags zu diesem Kapitel: alicewaters chezpanisse restaurant cafe prixfixe reservationsrequired |
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3. Kapitel: Gregoire, Berkeley and Oakland |
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Don't let the poorly designed website fool you; Gregoire is a rather chic restaurant that's easy on the eyes if not on the wallet. With locations in both Oakland and Berkeley, you also have options in case one is booked up. However, my advice with Gregoire is to go for lunch. You'll not only have an excellent shot for a table, you'll also find less-expensive entrees with the same flair of organic and local ingredients. With spring creeping up on the Bay Area, it's also a great spot to get a salad (try the mixed green salad with garlic and cilantro dressing and seared tuna) or some amazing seafood (the olive oil poached English sole with avocado & tomato salad on toasted white deli bread). Finish up with a chocolate bread pudding and pear coulis, and you'll wonder why you didn't leave San Francisco sooner to explore the Bay area bites. Tags zu diesem Kapitel: frenchfood slowfood chocolatebreadpudding seafood salads organic greens berkeley cheaperatlunch |
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4. Kapitel: Cafe Rouge, Berkeley |
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When it comes to Cafe Rouge, eat at the bar. A mainstay at 1782 4th Street, Cafe Rouge has amazing food and amazing atmosphere (think one of those French bistros that does all of its shopping at local farmer's markets or in Les Halles), however it often takes the French attitude too much to heart . I remember someone else describing the wait staff as "aloof," and I think that's the perfect word for it. If that's your thing (and for most Europeans, it is), then you're fine. At the bar, however, you'll find much more attentive service--which is good if you only have an hour or so to eat. But if you have such little time, you may want to save Rouge for a more leisurely evening (remember, the theme here is "slow" food). You'll want to take time to savor the oysters, the meats, the wines, and--bien sur--the desserts. If you want a quick fix, you can also visit their adjacent meat market to stock up on chacuterie, cheeses, and artisanal cooking supplies. Tags zu diesem Kapitel: frenchcuisine oysters meats wine foodanddrink caferouge slowfood berkeley |
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5. Kapitel: Eccolo, Berkeley |
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Eccolo is like a Tuscan estate nestled on Berkeley's bustling Fourth Street (1820 Fourth, to be exact, just down the street from Cafe Rouge). Its warm ochre/yellow interior with light pouring in and white-washed terrazzo with dining al fresco underneath the shade of an umbrella is a soothing urban oasis. And there's some great Italian food to boot. If you're lucky enough to be there when it's a special on the menu, dive for the warm Marin French brie sandwich with fig preserves, walnuts and mâche. At $14.00, it may seem a little overpriced, but it's heaven between two pieces of bread. Their entree salads are light yet filling with only the best fruits and vegetables from the local area. Or, go for one of their mouth-watering burgers with a side of Tuscan fries and Roman-style greens with garlic, lemon and new olive oil. There is also a kid's menu, an impressive wine list, and some great desserts. This is definitely a splurge, but one that you'll remember twenty years down the road. Tags zu diesem Kapitel: tobeexact |
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6. Kapitel: Rivoli, Berkeley |
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The similarities between Rivoli (1539 Solano Ave) and Eccolo (1820 Fourth Street) are pretty striking: both feature light, warm yellows, garden settings, Italian cuisine, and high prices. Were their menus not vastly different, I would even venture a guess that they at one point shared the same staff members (chefs, managers, designers, even a waiter or bartender). The food is decidedly more Italian and a bit heavier than Eccolo, however, and if you're looking for that (perfect on a winter night), then Rivoli is a good stop. The grilled chicken breasts with prosciutto and sage, roast new potatoes with rosemary and garlic, baby spinach , marsala jus and truffle oil or wild mushroom cannelloni with rainbow chard, ricotta, rouille, roast shiitake mushrooms, fonduta, salsa verde and toasted breadcrumbs are proof that Rivoli still supports its local growers. And after you've eaten all of your vegetables, what better way to reward yourself than with a warm brown butter and pear tart with whipped crème fraîche and balsamic syrup or a warm chocolate truffle torte with vanilla ice cream and chocolate and caramel sauces? Tags zu diesem Kapitel: italian rustic tuscan gardensetting rivoli eccolo slowfood sustainablefarmers berkeley |
