Performing Arts at a Discount

There are many opportunities to enjoy the artistic offerings that San Francisco has to offer. But how can anyone afford them on a student budget? Here is a list of the top five ways to save money on the arts. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a great place to start. Rather than include full details, only cursory descriptions, Web sites, phone numbers and names of programs of interest are included for the sake of brevity. Therefore, I was not able to include fees for special services in some programs (ticket exchange, telephone transactions, etc). So do your due diligence and read the information on the Web sites and/or brochures thoroughly or call the box office if you have questions. See you at the theater!

5. Group discounts – Berkeley Rep is one of the country’s best professional resident theatre companies. They have won many accolades in the past including a Tony for Best Regional Theatre, and their 40th birthday year should be no different. The Rep has a program called Entourage: Gather 15 of your closest friends to watch a show at $15/student (except Friday and Saturday). You can all go to the same performance or go to different performances if your schedules don’t mesh. It’s simple to set up, and the organizer has the opportunity to earn a free ticket. For more info, go to www.berkeleyrep.org/entourage/index.asp.

SHN, which is responsible for bringing Broadway hits to San Francisco, often offers group discounts through UCSF organizations. For instance, Arts and Events has $25 tickets for the Sept. 13 showing of Mamma Mia! Occasionally, the School of Pharmacy will organize deals as well. Their latest was an outing for Avenue Q, winner of the 2004 Tony for Best Musical. Keep your eyes peeled for PLUS announcements e-mailed weekly by Maureen Conway for opportunities throughout the year.

4. Tickets sold the day of the performance – Different organizations have different offerings, but what it all boils down to is discounted tickets (usually two per student ID) on a first come, first served basis depending on availability the day of that show. Usually, you have to call the day of the show (sometimes the day prior to) and then line up at a given time on the day of the show.

3. Select 3rd party discount ticket agents – Although you have to register for this site, you can buy tickets for half off (excluding a per ticket service charge on a sliding scale) for shows that week at www.goldstarevents.com. Not only do they have offerings from impressive institutions, they also have discounts on treatments from a variety of spas. If you frequent the site often enough, you’ll see free tickets offered once in a while.

TIX Bay Area (TBA) has a kiosk located in Union Square that sells half price tickets to shows on the day of the performance. The shows are posted at 11 a.m. at www.theatrebayarea.org/tix/tix_halfprice.jsp. Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. and can be bought with cash only. It should also be noted that TBA will once again organize the local offering of Free Night of Theater, a national program put on by Theater Communications Group. Last year featured over 150 free performances in the Bay Area by over 100 companies. This year’s Free Night will fall around October 18. For more info, go to www.theatrebayarea.org/programs/FNOT.jsp.

2. Subscriptions – While all the previous options are based on availability (excluding #5), this is an especially important option if you want to check out some of the hotter shows with a limited number of performances. San Francisco Symphony concerts featuring Itzhak Perlman and almost any of the ones conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas are likely to sell out well in advance. But if you get a half-price student subscription, you can be guaranteed a seat for as little as $15 a performance. A pre-concert talk is included with your ticket. There are several 6-concert options plus an option to create your own series from a list of performances. For information, look for brochures on campus or call Ticket Services at (415)864-6000. Even if a series has already started, you can buy pro-rated subscriptions.

The San Francisco Opera’s hot tickets are Philip Glass’ world premiere of Appomattox, and Das Rheingold, the first in Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle. 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-opera series are available, giving students and teachers half off the regular price. Brochures with application forms can be sent if you contact Kyle Minor at kminor@sfopera.com.

1. Culture Card – Since 2002, San Francisco Performances has been offering the Culture Card, a program in which students can view any number of pre-selected performances from the list found at www.performances.org/cclist.asp.

Past years have included the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet to name a few. This year’s highlights are sure to please: jazz vocalist Luciana Souza; legendary composer Philip Glass on piano with Wendy Sutter on cello; and international award-winning Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang among others. This year, the Culture Card will sell for $25. Holders will have the option of bringing a guest for half-off the regular ticketed price. If you go to 20 or more shows, that’s close to a dollar to see shows with regular ticket prices of $40 and up. These aren’t nosebleed seats where you have to squint just to see the action. Just show up at the box office with a valid UCSF Student ID one hour before the performance starts to claim your ticket. Christine Lim, the Artistic Director of Education/Artistic Administration, will answer questions and sell Culture Cards at a date to be determined (mid to late September). Another way to purchase a Culture Card is by calling (415)398-6449 or downloading the order form from www.performances.org/sfpculturecard.asp.

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2007/Aug/30/culturepearls.html

Restaurant Review: Underdog- The Organic Sausage Joint

While my wife Lucky was pregnant, she didn’t have any major cravings. However, there were certain foods she avoided because of the possible effects that it could have on the developing fetus. Sushi was taboo. Coffee was crossed off the list. Hot dogs were a no-no. It seemed like all the good stuff was off limits. So when our baby was finally born, Lucky hit up all her favorite places. There was only one problem — we didn’t really have a favorite hot dog place. That came to an end when we discovered Underdog, a little hot dog shop on Irving Street that is great for take out, though they do have a few seats indoors.

Billed as an organic sausage joint, I was a bit hesitant about what their offerings would taste like. Would this be just as unsatisfying as sugar-free candy, fat-free bacon or alcohol-free beer? I mean, come on, isn’t it usually the bad stuff that makes something taste so delicious? But the menu’s interesting assortment of sausages, coupled with our curiosity as to what organic hot dogs tasted like, won out. The menu offers organic meat sausages as well as a smaller assortment of vegetarian sausages. There is a mix of traditional favorites: Bratwurst, a German pork sausage; their eponymous Underdog, a simple grass-fed beef hotdog; and Chicken-Apple, a chicken sausage made slightly sweet by the addition of apple pieces. There are also a handful of vegetarian sausages made from tofu, including a Veggie Beer Bratwurst made with Full Sail Amber Ale; and veggie versions of a classic hot dog, an Italian, and a Kielbasa.

Lucky and I opted for a few of the less conventional ones. Lucky’s first choice was the Roasted Garlic and Herb. Because the garlic was roasted, it was potent but not overpowering, giving just the right kick to the pork sausage. Her second dog was a Spinach-Feta, a chicken and turkey sausage made with fresh spinach and feta cheese. Feta is typically a strong cheese whose flavor has a tendency to overpower. But here the flavor and texture of the spinach was distinct while the feta cheese was surprisingly muted. I went with a few choices with bolder tastes. I decided on the Andouille, a spicy chicken and turkey sausage seasoned with Cajun spices. I also tried the Sweet Italian, a zesty Italian sausage brimming with delicious spices like fennel and basil. We also shared a basket of Tater-Tots, a delicious baked treat made from organic Russet potatoes. Don’t forget the tater-tots. That would be like getting a burger without fries!

But what does a claim of being organic mean? I sat down with Max Leung, co-owner with Rizza Punvalan, to ask him what it meant for their food to be organic. All animals used in the sausages are from small family-run certified organic farms which never feed their animals antibiotics or hormones. All herbs and seasonings used in the sausages are organic. And of course, the buns, either wheat or white, are organic as well. In addition to the sausages, none of the restaurant’s products contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), nitrates, or any artificial preservatives, sweeteners, or flavors.

I asked him how can the consumer be assured that the pieces of meat used are quality cuts and not left-over scraps. His response was that the sausages came from reputable sources that use quality meat. He could not guarantee that each sausage was from USDA prime pieces, but was not worried about the quality coming from these conscientious farms. He then brought up a good point: “I’m Asian, and in our culture we eat pretty much all parts of the animal. Besides, I feel more comfortable eating any part of an organically raised animal than I would be about eating those other hot dogs with all those fillers, chemicals, and preservatives, you know what I’m saying?”

The proof is in the dog. You can taste the difference between these sausages and “the rest.” These are firm, somewhat dense sausages with a minimal amount of grease, unlike the gritty or rubbery texture of those made with fillers. You can actually tell you’re eating meat. The flavor of the meat is hearty and the spices used are robust. They were so delicious on their own that I was hesitant to top them with the organic condiments available — stoneground mustard, horseradish mustard, relish, sauerkraut, ketchup and habañero hot sauce.

We then talked about the price of eating organic. $3.89 for a hot dog may not seem cheap, but he raised another important point: Some people pay big dollars for fancy cars and stylish clothes. But what’s more important than eating healthy foods? Sure organics are more expensive, but it’s worth it to put in the best prepared foods into your body. Isn’t your health more important than the material things in life? Leung practices what he preaches, apparent in his modest attire — wearing old converse shoes, sweat pants and a simple T-shirt.

This way of eating is in tune with the restaurant’s aim to make the least negative impact on the planet possible. All packaging, supplies and disposable wares are made from recycled paper and/or biodegradable products made from renewable and sustainable resources, according to the signs on the wall. Very little garbage is produced, as most of the products are compostable or recyclable.

A green restaurant serving organic food at reasonable prices, it really is a perfect mix. On top of that, Punvalan and Leung are extremely friendly people who will take time to chat with you while between bites of hot dogs and tater tots. I’ll definitely be back to try their other hot dogs as well as their other organic offerings.

Underdog- The Organic Sausage Joint
1634 Irving St.
415- 665-8881
Open 7 days a week, 11:30a to 9p

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/05/31/underdog.html

Rediscovering Discovery Kingdom

While my wife Lucky was interning out in Vallejo a couple summers ago, she would pass by Six Flags Marine World Africa USA on her commute to work. Being a fan of amusement parks, she had wanted to check it out but never had the time. When we finally made some time to go, we found out that it was no longer there — sort of. After some re-organization, the addition of a few shows, and a renewed focus, it was re-born February 24 as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (DK).

Because DK is part amusement park, part zoo, it offers something for family members of all ages. This dual identity also allows DK to educate its guests as well as entertain them. Although the park is now split into three kingdoms — Land, Sea and Sky — the kingdoms idea is somewhat cosmetic, as attractions of one kingdom can be found in different far-flung areas of the huge park. Instead, I would classify the attractions into three categories: thrill rides, animal exhibits, animal-themed shows.

No new roller coasters have been added, but DK still sports the best rides in Northern California. Kong, the ten-story suspended ride complete with multiple loops, and Medusa, billed as the longest, fastest, tallest and most technologically advanced roller coaster in Northern California, will appeal to the thrill-seekers. If you've been to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, these monsters are of the same ilk. Unfortunately Lucky couldn't experience the stomach-churning rides, but I did. Let's just say the adrenaline was rushing after those two.

Not all the rides are as wild, though. We went with a family with kids; 12-year-old Randy had a blast on the twisting mini-roller coaster Cobra and the dizzying Tazmanian Devil ride that rotates as it swings back and forth on a pendulum. 10-year old Jasmine, however, opted for the attractions that did not leave the ground. The Wii experience, which exhibits several of the games available for the Wii game platform, caught her attention. The 4-D Wilderness Adventure, a movie/motion simulator in which the audience "becomes" different animals — alternately soaring through the air, climbing trees, and roaming the grasslands — was another attraction to her liking.

Though the park's thematic presentation is not its strong suit, it does make up for it by the sheer number of attractions offered, including a number of animal shows. New to the park is The Spirit of Shouka, a show highlighting their killer whale. Its purpose is two-fold: to entertain and to educate. Unfortunately, because of a faulty microphone, we could not hear what the emcee was saying. One would have thought the equipment would be working considering it was a new show. Still, watching Shouka leap out of the water to get air was impressive when you take into account how large the animal is. But it was rather slow in comparison to the dolphin show Merlin's Island Party. The trainers and the animals seemed to be having so much fun, it was infectious. There were several other shows, one including tigers, another including birds, and yet another featuring sea lions. But because they only have two performances per day for each show, it's impossible to see them all unless you decided to forego the roller coasters and other attractions.

Throughout the park are areas where you can observe and/or have close encounters with a variety of animals. There are 15 "Discovery" areas that include walruses, cougars, lions and birds. Some of them are just holding areas, like Alligator Isle, where you view them from a safe distance. Others bring you closer to the action. Lorikeet Aviary allows you to walk through the area as birds fly around you. Shark Experience is a walk-through tunnel aquarium featuring guess what? Yup, sharks! For those willing to pony-up the extra $19.99, a Seafari Pass can be purchased, giving you an opportunity to feed dolphins, giraffes, and sea lions.

The one area where DK needs oiling is its customer service. Getting lunch at the park was an ordeal that lasted over 30 minutes, longer than a wait for any of the rides. Seeing how ill prepared the servers were, Jasmine astutely remarked that it seemed as though they just hired anyone off the streets. Randy added that it would have been faster had we made the food and served ourselves. When we finally got our food, we were sorely disappointed. For such an expensive meal, one would have expected the cheese on the pizza to at least have been melted; or for there to have been some dipping sauces that went along with the chicken nuggets.

In spite of the terrible food service, DK was enjoyable for the whole family. If you plan on going to DK, go before it gets too hot in the summer and the lines get crazy. Also, consider purchasing a season pass, which is currently priced at $69.99. Considering that a day pass is $49.99 and that it is nearly impossible to see the whole park in one day, especially since the hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on its longest day (even in the summer), this option offers the best bang for your buck.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
1001 Fairgrounds Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94589
General Admission: $49.99 (buy online for $39.99 at www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom)
Children under 48Ó: $29.99

Restaurant Review: farmerbrown- Southern Comfort Food

farmerbrown is somewhat of a dichotomous restaurant in several senses. One simple example is the name. One might expect a countryside setting with a rustic theme consistent with cows, acres of grassland and tractors. Instead what you get is a chic restaurant far from the countryside in the Tenderloin district. Something of an oasis in a dirty concrete desert, its fashionable interior consists of walls covered in corrugated tin and copper tables.

Another contrast is its location. The Tenderloin is not exactly known for having wealthy locals. Yet the prices of the entrees easily range from $15 to $25. I almost felt guilty eating here when dozens of people in and around the place were begging for spare change.

But despite the disparity, there is a decent reason for the incongruity. According to chef-owner Jay Foster, farmerbrown supports local African-American farmers through an organization called Mo’ Better Food. As a result, much of meat and produce used is organic, biodynamic and sustainably raised foods whenever possible.

farmerbrown focuses on southern comfort foods like chicken and dumplings ($14.50), crispy cornmeal catfish ($16.50) and Po’ Boys (price varies- the day we went it was $16.50) with sides such as sautéed collards, candied yams and angel biscuits. Food for the masses, these offerings are something that any Joe-off-the-street would enjoy. Without much time needed to decide, my wife Lucky chose the Fulton Valley Fried Chicken ($16.50) and I went with the Gumbo ($11). Within minutes, we were served four complimentary bite-sized jalapeno muffins with sweet butter. These tasty little morsels had a hint of spiciness without overpowering the inherent sweetness. Slathered with butter, we polished them off without delay. Fortunately the service was quick and our meals quickly followed. Perhaps this was because we ate dinner at 5:30, before the crowds began to really build.

Lucky’s plate had three pieces of chicken — a breast, a wing and a thigh — with a side of macaroni and cheese and southern greens. The fried chicken was perhaps the best we have had in San Francisco. A paper thin coating of batter gave the pieces a delicious crunch without being overly heavy or greasy; the meat underneath, by contrast, was tender and juicy. When dipped in the tangy Louisiana style homemade hot sauce at the table, it was what most fried chicken aspired to be. The mac and cheese was somewhat different from most — not only was the macaroni bathed in a cheese sauce, it was also topped with shredded Tillamook cheese which gave it an added sharpness. With so many strong flavors on the plate, the subtle southern greens were a welcome side dish.

My gumbo, on the other hand, was quite decent, but it did not reach the heights of the fried chicken. Larger and more expensive than an appetizer but smaller and less expensive than an entrée, it fell into a grey zone that would have left me hungry had I not devoured half of Lucky’s plate. The gumbo was generously dotted with Andouille sausage and chicken, but halfway through I began to get tired of it as the depth of flavors were not as complex or interesting as I would have expected. I tried to rescue it with a little of the homemade hot sauce. In the end, I think part of my disinterest was a result of the fried chicken’s overshadowing the gumbo.

farmerbrown is a restaurant worth a repeat visit, if not for another serving of fried chicken, then perhaps to sample some of the other dishes they offer. They also have an extensive bar offering interesting cocktails like mango margarita, red pear sidecar (pear infused brandy, triple sec and lemon juice) and ginger rum punch. While the prices are more expensive than similar fare at other restaurants, I’m comforted by the idea that local farmers do benefit.

farmerbrown
25 Mason St. @ Market
Monday through Sunday 5pm to 12am
(415) 409-FARM
www.farmerbrownsf.com

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/04/12/farmerbrown.html

Pink Martini: Around the World in 45 Minutes

Pack your bags and get ready for a musical journey that will bring you to the four corners of the earth. Hey Eugene! is the 3^rd and latest album by the 12-membered “little orchestra” hailing from Portland, Oregon. Like their previous releases Sympathique and Hang on Little Tomato, Hey Eugene! is a multilingual album that features songs that transcend time and musical styles.

For the uninitiated, Pink Martini’s music is a melodic melting pot. Their album can sometimes be found in the Rock/Pop music section though it reached number 2 on Billboard’s top Jazz albums. Yet iTunes automatically labels the songs under the genre of Easy Listening. To make classification even more difficult, many of the songs are sung in languages other than English. Assembled by classically trained pianist Thomas Lauderdale and fronted by lead vocalist China Forbes, the ensemble is heavy on the strings (violins, cellos, guitar, bass and harp), but is balanced by percussion (congas, drums, and cavanquinho), and brass (trumpet and trombone). On the same album, one can find a rumba fit for a Cuban dance party followed by a track originally from a Japanese movie soundtrack. The fact that they have a cult following around the world is quite impressive. But what makes it even more amazing is that they have become this popular without the help of a big record label. You’ve probably never heard them on the radio and still they’ve gone platinum in their past two outings.

The album starts out with Everywhere, a tune reminiscent of the grand, dreamy love songs sung by the likes of Doris Day and Dinah Shore. An original by Lauderdale and Forbes, it sets the tone for the rest of the album: classy, grand, and fondly nostalgic. Yet the song is in the minority as it is one of the few sung in English. From here, the musical journey heads to South America with Tempo Perdido, a sultry Brazilian samba by legend Ataulfo Alves. Pink Martini is accompanied by the gospel choir of Jefferson High, a local Portland high school. How cool must it be for those choir members to be on a CD? We then make a side trip to Peru with Mar Desconocido, a piece written by Peruvian percussion member Martin Zarzar which integrates an excerpt of Chopin’s Waltz in C#-minor without blinking an eye.

The journey then takes us to Japan with Taya Tan, With minimal accompaniment, it manages to be soothing and pleasing with a haunting air of mystery. Our international travels take us to Egypt with an Arabic- language song Bukra Wba’ Do. Somehow, Pink Martini is able to infuse a bit of Broadway show tune into it, making it a memorable and catchy little piece. Heading north to Europe, Pink Martini hits its stride with a few French language songs- Ojala and Syracuse. The former has an airy playful feel to it, which is contrary to the melancholic lyrics of loss and regret. Then there is Dosvedanya Mio Bambino, a quirky piece that integrates Russian beats with Italian influences.

Though the whole album is thoroughly pleasing, peppered throughout are pieces that are exceptional. One of my favorites is Canto e Dance, a melodic and flowing piece done in Portuguese. The vocals of China Forbes and Timothy Mishimoto melt into the mellifluous guitar work of Phil Baker, who also wrote the song. What sets it apart from the other songs is its subdued, quiet gentleness. Another standout track is the title song Hey Eugene! The inspiration for the song come from a real life experience in which Forbes danced and made out with a guy named Eugene at a party in New York. He said he would call her the next day and when she never heard from him again, she wrote a song about it. The result is a comical ditty addressed to Eugene.

Hey Eugene! is the perfect anytime album, whether you just want some background music or something to sing along to (the lyrics in foreign languages are included in the liner notes, along with English translations). If you’re looking for an album with a wide variety of musical styles, all done well, this one is definitely a trip you won’t want to pass up.

Restaurant Review: La Playa Taqueria- In Search of Fish Tacos

Every summer, the school load diminishes and my idle brain begins to reminisce about the ‘golden days’ when I lived in San Diego. Mostly, I think about the gorgeous weather and Baja-style fish tacos. Those crunchy golden fried fillets of white fish crowned with red cabbage and wrapped in a soft corn tortilla. Unfortunately, they are as rare here in San Francisco as the sun on a summer day in the Sunset. Everyone knows that if you want a butt-kickin’ burrito, you truck on over to the Mission. But I have yet to find a decent fish taco in the City. There’s always the drive down to the Half Moon Bay, where I had the closest thing to a San Diego flashback at Flying Fish Grill. But it just doesn’t seem a reasonable option even though I still say those are the best fish tacos in Northern California. It seemed logical at the time (but now seems kinda silly) that fish tacos and other seafood related delectables should be found near the beach, right? Sure enough, I stumbled upon La Playa Taqueria in the Outer Sunset. Would this be the answer to my prayers or a disappointment?

The place was hopping with people as I waited in line to place my order. To my delight, many of the people sitting at the small two-person tables were feasting on fish tacos. From the cursory glances I stole, the tacos looked like the real deal. I scanned the menu and not only did they offer Baja-style fish tacos, but mahi-mahi tacos as well. But I was on a mission and I needed to quell this annual jonesing for Baja style fish tacos. As I approached the register, an impatient man took my order. I ordered the tacos and my wife Lucky ordered a wet super burrito filled with chicken. And just to add a few points to our cholesterol count, we ordered the super nachos.

As we waited for our order, I watched the workers prepare the food. I was particularly impressed with the fact that the tortilla chips were hand made and fried on the spot so they would be hot and fresh. I wasn’t so impressed with the fact that the guy that took my money was using his bare hands to put the chips into the deep fryer. My thoughts took me back to last year’s Therapeutics class as I tried to remember what drugs to take for Hepatitis A. As my mind drew a blank, I consoled myself by thinking, “Hey, it’s going in the deep fryer. Any virus that can survive heat like, I’d be proud to call my own.” It also didn’t quite impress me to see them using a microwave on our order. Sigh… at least they hadn’t screwed up the fish tacos yet.

For some reason, call it false hope, I still expected the Baja style fish tacos ($4.95) to be decent. Well, they were just that- decent. Although the fish was fried to a perfect golden brown and the batter used was light enough to keep it crunchy yet well balanced by the cabbage and tortilla, there was still something missing. It didn’t have the delicious taste I was used to. Well, it didn’t have much taste at all. The special Pancho sauce- something between thousand island and tartar sauce, only thinner- did make it better. But it couldn’t fill the void. Overall, it was a taco I might consider to quell the pangs of addiction in the future, but only if I am in dire straits.

Lucky’s Wet Super burrito was only slightly better. It was one of those gigantic more-than-a-pound two-hander burritos. For $4.25, you get a “Regular” with your choice of meat, rice, beans, and fresh salsa. An extra $1 makes it “Super,” adding cheese, guacamole and sour cream. Add another $1 and it’s majade or wet, which means it’s covered with sauce and melted cheese. Unfortunately the bland red sauce poured over her burrito made it a bit soggy but didn’t add any flavor. The extra $1 for the “Super” is worth it because they are quite generous with the ingredients. The chicken was quite tender and surprisingly flavorful contrasting the rest of the burrito. In comparison to other burritos, I would say it falls short of La Fonda’s burritos, but is superior to Gordo Taqueria’s.

Call me an optimist, but after two disappointments, I was hoping that the Supreme Nachos ($4.25) would at least save the day. The result, though, was somewhat mixed. I would have given it a thumbs up except for the fact that some of the chips were crispy and some were chewy and underdone. Although they fry up the chips fresh, their chips are not necessarily cooked uniformly. One batch may be undercooked while another overcooked, depending on if they are paying attention to how long it’s in the fryer. I assume they are a victim of their own success- since the cashier does double duty, both taking orders and frying the chips, something’s gotta give when you have a steady stream of customers.

And so, my quest for Baja-style fish tacos continues. As for La Playa Taqueria, there are better options available, though it is conveniently located near the beach. At the very least, the service is quick and the food is inexpensive. But for above average Mexican food, you would do best to look elsewhere.

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/07/18/laplayataqueria.html

Dinner Theatre Review: Teatro ZinZanni- Showing Off at Zany ZinZanni

Chimeric, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, means "created by, or as if by, a wildly fanciful imagination." I can find no adjective more perfectly befitting of Teatro ZinZanni, a surreal world of vaudeville, French cabaret, acrobatics and comedy underneath a huge antique Belgian spiegeltent (of which there are only eight left in the world) decorated to look like a huge carousel. Boasting an impressive cast of stars renowned in their respective fields, Teatro ZinZanni (TZ) is great for a special occasion or just for a truly unique experience.

Located on the Embarcadero at Pier 29, TZ has been wowing audiences for more than six years. The cast changes every three to four months, allowing new talent to add differing elements to the show. Nevertheless, each group has consisted of an amazing wealth of talent. Looking at this season's assembly, it seems it would be hard to beat in turns of ability and accomplishment, though.

The characters are a motley crew of restaurant workers, including a bumbling waiter, a chef with a flamboyant secret, a womanizing maitre d', a ditzy aspiring dishwasher and a "professional entertainer" who seems to be no more than a professional annoyance.

As the night progresses, their amazing talents unfold: each of the performers is impressive, whether they are performing high above the crowd on trapeze; or contorting and balancing on one hand; or foot-juggling beds, wheels and people. The gathering of talented performers includes a medal winning gymnast, a soprano from San Francisco Opera's Adler Fellowship, performers who have been a part of Cirque du Soleil and Tony award winner Lillian Montevecchi as Madame ZinZanni, a charismatic diva with panache and style. And yet, Cookie, the hilarious chef played Kevin Kent, steals the show. Kent's amazing improvisational ability and rapport with the audience make him a crowd favorite. As he pulls participants from the audience, it seems he is having as much fun being entertained as he is entertaining. Unfortunately, Kent will only be around for the rest of this season, but he will undoubtedly return for future seasons. All through the night, a five-piece band provides live music to accent the shenanigans that literally may occur around you.

What makes chimeric the perfect adjective is the fact that it is also defined as "of, related to, or being a chimera, a substance created from two different species." The two species involved here are the aforementioned show and the gourmet five-course meal that accompanies the show. When you first enter the tent and are seated at your table, which may or may not be shared with another party, a plate of appetizers including smoked salmon mousse, herb crostini and various vegetables is there to greet you. As the show rolls on, the food comes out at a constant pace. A carrot soup and a Caesar salad are served by dancing waitresses before the main entrée is brought out. Choices include orange braised beef short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled chicken breast with a mustard tarragon sauce, as well as swiss chard and goat cheese ravioli for vegetarians and Himalayan red rice paupiettes with tomato ginger coulis for vegans. For dessert, double lemon cheesecake with fresh strawberries is served. While the meal was filling, both my wife Lucky and I felt that the $110 ticket ($135 on Fridays and Saturdays) was a reflection of the performance rather than the meal. Despite an average meal, the night was exceedingly enjoyable.

The tent comes to life Wednesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. Reservations are taken up to six weeks in advance and are advised for weekend shows. In addition to the ticket, there is a dining room service charge of $10 per person charge and drinks are not included.

Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos And Dinner
Pier 29 on the Embarcadero
438-2668
www.zinzanni.org

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2006/05/25/zin.html

Alcatraz Island: Rock-solid Entertainment

Thanks to its illustrious past as a federal penitentiary from 1859 to 1934, Alcatraz has become an iconic San Francisco institution that has been capturing the imagination of all, residents and visitors alike, for decades. Romanticized in films such as The Rock, Escape from Alcatraz, and even So I Married an Axe Murderer, it has housed the likes of criminals such as Al Capone and Richard “Birdman” Stroud. But to get a better appreciation of the appeal and horror of the island, a trip to The Rock is in order.

Wandering the cell house with inmates and security guards recounting tales in crisp digital audio provided by MP3 players was often an eerie experience. With a little imagination, I was transported back in time and into the psyches of those who lived on Alcatraz. The solitude of the isolation cells on D-Block sent a chill up my spine as I stepped into the same cramped cells that held the worst offenders. The harrowing tales of the attempted breakouts by inmates is yet another part of the audio tour which I found engrossing. As the narrator recounts the events that transpired, the listener is guided through the different parts of the cell house where they actually took place. The audio tour is a significant part, but it is only one of several portions of the Alcatraz experience.

“We Hold the Rock” is another portion of the tour to check out. This video exhibit focuses on the lesser known but equally important occupation of Alcatraz by American Indians. Alcatraz’s role in American Indian history is a dichotomy: Its role as a military prison between 1859 and 1934 was a symbol of captivity; but its occupation by American Indian from 1969 -1971 was demonstrative of independence. Indian graffiti, for lack of a better term, and other reminders can be found throughout the island.

The stunning views of the San Francisco skyline afforded by Alcatraz is just icing on the cake. But to the incarcerated, it was salt in their wounds- a daily reminder of how close, yet how far away they were from civilization. Although it was closed at the time of my visit, the Agave Trail is said to offer a walk “along rocky cliffs, past colonies of western gull nests, and through areas overgrown with exotic flowers and trees.” It opens between October and February only; it is closed the rest of the year to protect nesting birds.

Those who have been to Alcatraz years ago may be interested in re-visiting since the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, which helps to maintain the island, injected $3.7 million in renovations which were finalized earlier this year. Besides structural support, new interior exhibits and furnishings were added to recreate an atmosphere more akin to what the prisoners experienced. The new museum store is also improved- in addition to selling all types of memorabilia, there are also interpretive displays which house shivs (makeshift knives), weapons used by the guards and even the tools used by inmates in their escape scheme . Perhaps the most interesting part of the store, though, is the opportunity to speak with someone whose history is intertwined with the island. An ex-convict, a security guard or a family member who lived on the island is always on hand to tell a story or to answer any questions.

The trip all begins on Pier 33, where ferries headed for Alcatraz leave every 30 minutes starting at 9:00am. Service is provided through Alcatraz Cruises, the only authorized concessioner to the island (www.alcatraztours.com). Day tours start at $24.50, though there is an option to take the tour without the audio portion for $16.50. But I would not recommend the latter. There is also an interesting night tour for $31.50 that includes a guided tour, but you are not free to roam the grounds at your leisure. It is recommended to buy your tickets a few days in advance, as tickets may be hard to come by, particularly on the weekends.

Theatre Review: ACT- Sweeney Todd Is Razor Sharp

American Conservatory Theater (ACT) opened its 41^st season with the re-envisioned interpretation of Steven Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Straight from Broadway to San Francisco before launching a national tour, many of the original actors reprise their roles in the John Doyle production that garnered rave reviews and 2 Tony Awards. Bay Area theatergoers are given the chance to enjoy Sweeney Todd until October 14^th, an extension of 16 performances past its initially planned run.

The protagonist is an innocent barber who was sent to an overseas prison in Australia by corrupt Judge Turpin and his crooked magistrate Beadle, intent on taking advantage of the barber’s wife. The story picks up after years of wrongful imprisonment, as the barber returns to London with the new identity of Sweeney Todd. Instead of a happy reunion with the wife and daughter he left behind, Todd is informed by Mrs. Lovett, the owner of the shop that sells the worst meat pies in London, that his wife went insane and committed suicide, leaving his daughter to be a ward of the judge. Taking pity on the barber, Mrs. Lovett takes him in and restores the razors that served him in his previous life. Before long, he and the pie shop owner are serving up mysterious meat pies with a side of vigilante justice.

It is a strange tale, indeed, especially for the likes of a musical. But if the audience can relate to the issues dealt with- love, hate, revenge- on a visceral level, they will embrace the characters and the story. This production succeeds in making that connection, even as a musical thriller, thanks to some fine performances and a unique staging that allows us to focus on the music and the performers. In fact, it succeeds with enough humor to keep the audience from realizing that murder really isn’t a laughing matter…at least until a twisted turn of events sheds blood-red light on the debilitating hold that vengeance has on the heart and mind.

David Hess portrayed Todd with such despair and seething anger that the audience sympathized with the character almost immediately. Once he won us over, his terrible wrath and maniacal vengeance seemed justified as he carries out his plans. It was almost vindicating to see the good guy behaving badly- even if the good guy was a serial killer. With every bloodied neck and its accompanying bucket of blood, he fell further from salvation, yet came closer to redemption. Equally enjoyable was Judy Kaye as Mrs. Lovett. Her part can be described as comic relief, if dark humor is to your liking. I often found myself laughing, perhaps at what would be considered inappropriate times by civilized people, at gallows humor. Referring to the stuffing of the pies in a tongue-in-cheek number titled “A Little Priest,” she jokes with Todd, “This might be a little bit stringy, but then of course it's... fiddle player!” The supporting cast, who also played the same roles on Broadway, are equally strong for the most part. One of the outstanding numbers is Johanna, sung with heartfelt emotion by as Antony, the love interest of Todd’s daughter for whom the song is titled.

What made the staging unique was that the actors also played their own instruments on stage. With a single setting and all actors on the stage at all time, the audience is forced to focus on the music and the performers, creating a more intimate setting in which they were always present. While it was probably a logistic nightmare in terms of staging and orchestrating, these professionals pull it off extremely well. Kaye not only sings and acts, but plays the tuba and percussion. Others play the cello, violin, keyboard, and clarinet. The instruments never interfered with the storytelling. Rather, they become instruments of storytelling themselves. For instance, the chords played on the clarinet by Diana DiMarzio as the Beggar Woman, are reflective of her psychological demeanor- shrill, startling, and discordant.

Sweeney Todd is one of the best offerings I have seen at ACT in the last couple of years. Hopefully this is indicative of the rest of the season, which include pieces by noted playwrights such as David Mamet (Speed-the-Plow), Athol Fugard (The Blood Knot) and Sam Shepard (Curse of the Starving Class).

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2007/Sep/27/sweeney.html

Restaurant Review: Yummy Yummy- Pho King

One of the benefits of living in the Sunset is that Asian food is convenient, ubiquitous and inexpensive. Vietnamese food is no exception; I can think of half a dozen Vietnamese restaurants on Irving alone. But the place that I go back to time after time is Yummy Yummy. Whether you're in the mood for a steaming bowl of pho (beef noodle soup), a rice plate topped with delicious charbroiled meat, or beef hot pot (think fondue), you're sure to get your fix from one of the 127 items offered here.

At Yummy Yummy, pho is king. Though seemingly simple, there are several qualities that make theirs stand out. First off, their clear beef broth is flavorful without overpowering the other ingredients with too much salt or grease. It must also be hot enough to cook the rare sliced beef (if that's what you've ordered). Another important ingredient is the noodles. If the rice noodles are cooked too long, their mushy texture can ruin a good bowl. Add too much and it disrupts the balance of soup. As far as other ingredients, quality is key. The meat must be fresh, particularly to avoid getting sick when eating the rare sliced beef. Plus, I'm sure you'd be less likely to add the basil and bean sprouts if it looked nasty and wilted. For the pho veterans or the adventurous, choose the house special (No. 1- $6.50; $6.95 for the extra large No. 2) complete with rare steak, well done flank, tendon, tripe and beef balls. Those demanding something simpler can opt for varieties with seafood, vegetables and tofu, or beef stew ($5.95 to $6.75).

For those not into pho, one can choose one of the bun (rice noodles) or rice plates ($6.25 to $7.95). Both offer similar options — charbroiled pork, beef, shrimp, or five spice chicken. The charbroiled meats are deliciously smoky and flavorful. The five spice chicken (No. 25) is my wife Lucky's favorite option — a spicy yet slightly sweet light glaze yields a lightly crunchy skin over chicken seasoned with cinnamon, anise, cloves and ginger. When faced between the choice of bun or rice, I usually choose the bun, which is served with a mixture of fried peanut and onions, and douse it in nuoc cham, a fish sauce that is sweet, sour, spicy and salty all at the same time. Don't expect to find many vegetables in these dishes, though; the only ones you'll find are a slice of tomato and cucumber used more as a garnish than anything else.

For those who choose to visit the restaurant with a large group, go for the House Special Combo Grill (No. 76), which offers all of the charbroiled meats for $17.95. Another popular option is the Sliced Beef Hot Pot. Thinly sliced strips of raw beef are brought to you table. You determine how long you want to cook them by dipping them into a pot of boiling broth (No. 81- $11.50)

If you're looking for vegetables, they do offer salads consisting of cabbage, mint leaves, and peanuts topped with beef, chicken, shrimp or squid or a combination ($6.25 to $7.50). There are also a few vegetarian dishes, but to be honest, this really isn't the place for vegetarians. If, however, you are looking for seafood, they do have a rather extensive list. Fish, clams, shrimp and crab are available in a variety of preparations ($11.95 to $15.95). You can't go wrong with the Vietnamese style crab, though (No. 104-seasonal price). Just make sure you like your food spicy and garlicky before decide to order it. If you want seafood a little less ordinary, try their selection of frog and eel. I have to admit that I have not tried the Curry Frog (No. 116- $12.95) or any of the seasonally priced eel dishes.

Yummy Yummy's cuisine may not be ground-breaking or award-winning, but it is consistently good, well priced and the portions are satisfyingly sufficient — very important characteristics, particularly if you're on a student budget. If I were to name the restaurant according to the food, I would call it Pretty Yummy.

Yummy Yummy

1015 Irving St.

(415) 566-4722

Open Wed thru Mon, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/05/03/yummy.html

Restaurant Review: Coco 500- Cuckoo For Coco 500

It all started several weeks ago when my friend Bling text-messaged me with an urgent request: "Need to know of a nice restaurant for a friend." Apparently, Bling's friend was coming from out of town. This friend wanted to take his girlfriend out to a nice restaurant. And so, when I asked my pal Lucky if she had any suggestions, her eyes lit up, "Are we going somewhere special?" Oops… I know Bling didn't mean to get me into trouble. Soon I was looking for restaurants for not only Bling's friend, but for Lucky and myself. During my recent search, I stumbled upon Coco 500, one of the hottest new restaurants to open in 2005. Was it still a shining star, or was it a supernova that had already burnt out?

If there is a correlation between "hot" factor and difficulty in getting a reservation for two on a Wednesday evening, then this place is still blazing. When I called for reservations that day at 3 p.m., I was told they were booked until 8:30, unless I could eat before 5:30 and finish before 7. Fortunately, Lucky and I were headed for a flight out that night, so the 5:30 reservation worked perfectly. However, when we got there, I was admittedly underwhelmed by the fact that there were only two other patrons. I was growing skeptical of how deserving it was of the rave reviews I had heard. I prepared myself for an over-hyped dining experience. What we got, though, was one of the most delicious, reasonably priced meals Lucky and I have shared so far.

The menu is divided into six sections. From the small starts section, we opted for two selections, the first being the four pieces of silky, thinly sliced coriander crusted seared ahi ($8). The tiny slivers of lemon rind atop the ahi added a tartness whose presence was powerful enough to be noticed but subtle enough not to overwhelm the fish. The coriander seed crust added a contrasting crunchy texture and an earthy taste that highlighted the fish.

The second appetizer we ordered was the duck liver terrine ($6). When I suggested the terrine to Lucky, she gave me a quizzical look, as I am not a big fan of liver. In fact, I have only enjoyed liver one time in my life (foie gras from a French restaurant). But the chef's preparation actually allowed me to enjoy liver for the second time ever. A dense piece — aptly described by Lucky as "meatloafy" — was served with a side of mustard and accompanied by pickled vegetables (red onions, carrot, pepper, pickles) and crostini. The terrine, which could either be spread over crostini or eaten with pickled vegetables, was not in the least bit chalky like most preparations. Instead, it was smooth with a lightly smoky flavor. There was still the distinct hint of liver aftertaste that disappeared when eaten with the sour accompaniments — either mustard or vegetables.

From the leaf section, we ordered the rocket and manila mango ($14). Velvety mango was served alongside creamy avocado and topped with minutely diced ginger, whole toasted hazelnuts and oil. The ginger added a slightly spicy undertone while the hazelnuts gave it a nice crunch. On either side was a tangle of arugula topped with shrimp. The bitter arugula, usually my last choice for leafs in a lettuce, complemented the sweet fruits perfectly. The shrimp was firm and tender, adding a nicely contrasting texture to the mango and avocado. Unfortunately, it was difficult salad to eat together. But when you are able to get a little of each ingredient in each bite, it is a pleasure for the tongue, both in taste and texture.

Afraid that we would be ordering too much food, we skipped the a la plancha section, from which the calamari with sweet szegedi chilies and spring garlic ($10) came, instead opting for the beef cheek ($15) from the wood oven section. For the second time that evening, Lucky shot me a "are you kidding?" look when I ordered it, but it turned out to be our favorite dish of the night. A braised piece of cheek about the size of a fist was rolled in mustard and coated with a cornmeal crust before being roasted in the oven. The result was a tender cut that melts in the mouth. The whipped horseradish, whose creamy consistency allowed for control over the amount used, was not overly spicy. The side of watercress was light and refreshing, perfectly balancing the cheek.

The last section from which we ordered, not including dessert, was California dirt. We had trouble deciding between the potato gratin ($5), made with Yukon gold potatoes and gruyere cheese; and calzotes ($5). The waiter said that they were spring onions caramelized in the same fashion as that found at festivals in Spain. This side dish was a little too soft and mushy with not much taste, the only disappointment of the evening.

After five dishes, we were pleasantly satisfied without being overly stuffed. It wasn't that the portions were stingy; rather, the meal was light and satisfying. Well presented and expertly prepared, these elegant yet simple dishes made the evening thoroughly enjoyable. The vacherin ($8.50) from the dessert menu made the evening unbelievable: a scoop of coffee ice cream served over a crunchy Swiss meringue and topped with candied almonds and swimming in crème anglaise and bittersweet chocolate sauce. Delicious without being overly sweet, this surprisingly light dessert was the crowning moment of the evening.

By 6 p.m., every seat in the place was taken. If you want to try some of the freshest new food in San Francisco, make an advanced reservation or have an early dinner.

Coco 500
500 Brannan St.
543-2222

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2006/04/13/500.html

Restaurant Review: On the Bridge- Eating in Engrish

I tried to find the word engrish in the dictionary (actually, it was www.dictionary.com) but, not surprisingly, was unable to. So I went to www.urbandictionary.com and found the following definition: "A form of English characterized by (often word-by-word) translations from a foreign language." An example of engrish can often be found on the paper wrappers of disposable chopsticks used in Asian restaurants: "Please to try your Nice Chinese Food With Chopsticks the traditional and typical of Chinese glorious history and cultural." You get the general idea of the message being conveyed, but it is not really English. It is engrish.

Yoshoku style Japanese food is the culinary equivalent to engrish. Developed in the Meiji era over a hundred years ago, its literal translation means Western food. Having experienced and enjoyed Western food, the chefs of Japan tried to emulate it, resulting in Western food with a Japanese slant. Imagine that — the first attempts at fusion cuisine took place over 100 years ago. Restaurants specializing in yoshoku are quite trendy in Tokyo; quite a few eateries have popped up in Los Angeles and Orange County; though there are far fewer in the Bay Area, one quirky place with a contemporary setting is On The Bridge, aptly named for its location on the pedestrian bridge between the Kinetsu and Kinokuniya buildings in Japantown.

My friend Lucky and I met up with our pals Chofies, Mouse, and Huachai there for dinner. I had heard about the au gratin rice plates with cheese and was curious about it. I mean, how many Asian dishes have cheese in them? We were quickly seated by the hostess at a table situated alongside a wall, the upper half covered with windows and the lower half filled from end to end entirely with Japanese manga (comic books). Across from us anime (Japanese cartoons) was playing on the television placed next to the lucky cats, the ones with the paws in the air waving for good luck. Behind us hung large oversized posters of another popular anime, Neon Genesis. The dŽcor was unique and funky like our waitress Miss Chatterly, who couldn't have been older than 16. For a young kid, she sure had a lot to say. She was like Cliff Claven from Cheers, with all kinds of tidbits and trivia. It was almost as if Miss Chatterly were a standing participant joining us for dinner. But we were getting hungry, and soon we were asking Miss Chatterly about the menu.

It was interesting to find a hamburger-sandwich ($7.85) and fresh jumbo french fries ($2.95) offered at a Japanese restaurant. Come to think of it, I've never seen clam chowder ($2.25) from Japan either. Feeling like something with a hint of Japanese flair, then order the hamburger steak Japanese style ($10.95) served with garlic, daikon radish, mushrooms and teriyaki sauce.

Perusing the other offerings on the extensive menu, they claimed to have over 38 curry dishes and over 42 types of pasta. How the heck can you have that many types of curry? It is a little deceiving: the set-up is kind of like a pizza with the option to add different toppings. Available additions to your curry include, but are not limited to seafood, scallops, shrimp, beef, chicken as well as items such as broccoli, eggplant, tofu, etc. What was impressive, however, is they claim to be the first curry house in San Francisco, when they set up shop in 1992.

The variety of pasta dishes was truly extensive, though. They were grouped into three categories. The first group was Light Pasta ($6.75), spaghetti noodles prepared in a soy sauce and garlic based Japanese sauce and topped with items such as cod fish roe (Mentai Ko Spaghetti), fermented soybeans (Natto), and seasonal Japanese wild vegetables (Sansai). The second category, Japanese Pasta, used a base similar to the first pasta, but had hardier additions like Calamari and Kimchee Spaghetti ($9.25) or Ume and Shiso Spaghetti ($7.95 for Japanese pickled plums, fragrant leaves, and chicken). European pastas filled out the third category, which had your typical white sauce and red sauce spaghetti plates (ranging from 7.50 to 10.50).

But we were there for the sinfully cheesy rice gratin dishes ($7.95 to 9.45), consisting of rice pilaf and bŽchamel sauce, a choice of fillings, and topped with three kinds of cheese baked to a golden brown. Huachai, a ravenous carnivore, was persuaded to get the chicken au gratin. Chofies and Mouse, on the other hand, felt that a vegetable au gratin would suit them better. Lucky decided on the Japanese wild vegetables and chicken au gratin, which is what I would have chosen had she not. Since I knew that I'd be able to sample some of hers, I chose the mushroom au gratin. It was hardy and cheesy. I don't know how I was able to finish the plate, but afterwards I think it stuck in my stomach for three or four days. I was not hungry until the next evening. I think Huachai was somewhat disappointed at the amount of chicken in the plate after Miss Chatterly talked it up. But then again, Huachai is a mean carnivore, and probably even half a chicken wouldn't have been enough for her.

On the Bridge is a kooky place with a style all its own. It is a nice place for a quickie (denoted on the menu) or a pre-movie meal (the AMC Kabuki is just a short walk away). If you don't feel like sushi but want to try some traditional non-traditional Japanese food, meet On the Bridge.

On the Bridge
1581 Webster St.
931-2743

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/rest/onthebridge.html

Sausalito: The Sunny Side of the Bay

The fog permeated the city as we made our way through the Inner Sunset. The previous day was just as hazy, today looked like it would be no different. But I was in good spirits because I knew that there was sunshine and fine art where we were headed.

“I don’t know. Even the Golden Gate Bridge is fogged over,” my wife Lucky commented. Sure enough- as soon as we crossed over to the Marin County side of the bridge, the sunshine welcomed us to Sausalito and its annual Art Festival.

For 55 years, the festival has grown in stature and quality, winning accolades from artists and collectors alike. It is now regarded by many as America’s leading outdoor fine art festival. This is no hollow title, considering this year’s festival boasted over 250 participants, from a competitive pool of 1000 applicants, selected by a panel of past festival winners. Local, national (hailing from 35 states) and international (numbering 15) artists are given the opportunity to exhibit and sell their crafts, not to mention compete for cash awards for “Best in Show” as judged by an independent panel of art professionals.

Wandering the expansive grounds of Marinship Park, live music from one of two stages set a happy tone as we saw impressive displays in a variety of media from plein air paintings to watercolored photographs, wood sculptures to fine jewelry. There were even displays that do not fit neatly in a category, including 10 foot tall “kinetic sculptures” made of brass and colored glass. Fronted by the bay on one side and framed by trees and mountains on the others, the festival’s setting was almost as beautiful as the displays. Plenty of amazing pieces would have made a beautiful addition to any home, but most were beyond the financial reach of mere students. Some were insanely priced- we found small postcard sized paintings priced at two fifty…not $2.50, but $250.00- but others would have been snatched up had we owned our own house and had discretionary funds at our disposal. Despite leaving the festival without purchases, we did not leave empty-handed. Seeing such an impressive display of talent and creativity made our “window shopping” experience thoroughly enjoyable. The best part was knowing that all proceeds went directly to local non-profit organizations. The festival spanned the three day Labor Day weekend, which afforded observers the opportunity to view over 20,000 original works of art. One could spend multiple days there and still not have a chance to see everything.

On weekends when the Art Festival isn’t being hosted, Sausalito is brimming with art galleries along Bridgeway, the city’s main strip. A leisurely stroll down Bridgeway took us past at least 8 different galleries interspersed among the boutiques and restaurants- all within a few blocks. As with the festival, the pieces in most of the galleries were priced well above our means. But there is a particularly interesting artist who does his work on the rocks across the street from the Venice Gourmet Deli. Bill Dan, also known as the Rockman, creates delicately balanced rock towers that seem to defy gravity. While you cannot purchase them (transporting them would be impossible), one can watch Dan in action as he creates these transient works on most weekends.

The Sausalito Art Festival is held annually every Labor Day weekend. While you will have to wait a year for the next one to roll around, the city itself is filled with opportunities to buy or just peruse the many offerings by local artists. And of course, the sunshine and rock art are always free!

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2007/Sep/13/sausalito.html

Restaurant Review: Tart to Tart- Do They Know the Muffinman?

I finally walked into Tart to Tart for the first time since they remodeled this past winter. They were initially to be closed for a month or two, which dragged on to several months. “We’ll be open in December,” I recall one of the signs promising. But the dust didn’t settle until some time in mid-January. After taking a look at the changes, I honestly don’t think they should have been closed that long – a few new lights, some new flooring, nothing that spectacular. Perhaps they should have hired the contractors that worked on the MacArthur Maze overpass.

The offerings seemed to be the same, too. The tarts, which I find to be edible but not good enough or bad enough to write home about (or review, for that matter), were still the same. Yawn… what took them so long to re-open if everything was the same?

And more importantly, why am I writing about this?

One day, my wife Lucky came back from rotations with a look of excitement in her eyes. Strange, I thought, she often comes home so drained I can barely see her eyes. She thrust a half-eaten muffin at me, its white insides spilling out. “Here, you have to try this. It’s the best muffin I’ve ever had,” she exclaimed. I look at her worriedly. Maybe she was running a fever or was delirious from the day’s workload. Very seldom does she ever proclaim anything “the best I’ve ever had.” But she declined my attempts to get her to sit down and relax. I sighed and took a bite of the muffin. Despite being most-of-the-day old, she was right. It was the best muffin I’ve ever had, too. I tried to get another bite in but she had already pulled it away from me and was finishing it off herself.

Apparently her office is always full of goodies that people bring in. Her preceptor, bless her soul, had brought it in that morning – the muffin’s outside still a bit crispy warm and the insides, fluffy and fabulous. When I asked her where they were from, her face blanched. In all the excitement and enjoyment, she had forgotten the name of the place. Tart something. It must be Tartine Bakery. That’s the only bakery that starts with Tart that can actually have something worthy of Lucky’s “the best I’ve ever had” award. So we looked up the menu online (http://sanfrancisco.menupages.com/ - isn’t the internet wonderful?) but could find no mention of the muffins. Perhaps it was a special occasional item. We decided to be safe – Lucky should just ask her preceptor the next day.

“What?!? No way!” I responded when she told me that the origin of this delicious little morsel was the Tart to Tart on Irving. I was dumbfounded, flabbergasted. How could a place that mediocre have something so heavenly hidden in there? I wouldn’t believe it until I actually ate one that I knew came from there. And knowing meant that I would have to buy it myself. Sure enough, behind the glass counter sitting in the corner was the little chocolate muffin with his friends vanilla muffin and lemon muffin. We decided to get a couple of each – if the chocolate one was that good, the others must be too, right?

Well, the chocolate muffin was just as good as the first one I tasted. A white wavy swirl of meringue consistency was the only decoration on top of the dark muffin. The swirl, and the white filling that resides in the bottom half of the muffin below the popped up part are a delicious cream cheese-based filling that adds just a hint of tangy sweetness. The muffin itself is dense enough to stick to your ribs, but fluffy enough that it doesn’t sicken you to eat the whole thing in one sitting. It had the density of poundcake with the airiness of angel food cake, if you can imagine that. The cream cheese is just delightful, though it would be better if it was spread throughout the muffin rather than residing in the bottom half only.

Unfortunately, the vanilla muffin and lemon muffins were not as impressive as the chocolate muffin. Both muffins had the consistency of the chocolate muffin, but the fillings detracted from them. The vanilla muffin had a pudding-custardy filling that was not very smooth. On top of that, it seemed to have deflated, leaving pockets of air in places. The lemon filling would have been better had they not injected so much of it into the bottom. Halfway through it, I had to scoop some of it out because it was so sweet. I felt like I was eating lemon jam with a small piece of cake.

I still think that Tart to Tart is mediocre at best, save for that delicious little muffin they have hiding in the corner. Perhaps it would be to their advantage to close shop for a few months to remodel their sign and call the place Chocolate Muffin to Chocolate Muffin. For $1.75 a muffin, it’s quite a steal for the “best I’ve ever had.”

Tart to Tart
641 Irving St.
504-7068

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/07/18/tart2tart.html

Restaurant Review: Q- Comfort Food for the Soul

t was a much needed respite from the countless hours spent at the library poring over my notes and textbooks thinking of the various ways PV=nRT could be manipulated, or what would happen to ka if tmax were increased. Granted, school had started less than three weeks ago, but already I was feeling overwhelmed by the workload and anxious about the first two midterms of the year. And as if the one-two punch of Physical Chemistry and Biopharmaceutics wasn't enough, the windy, foggy evening was a stark reminder that I wasn't in Southern California anymore.

A visit from a friend from San Diego and a dinner of comfort foods at the restaurant Q was just what the pharmacist prescribed. Located in the Richmond district amidst a slew of restaurants, Q almost disappears from sight because of its nondescript front: the single letter Q on the window and two sidewalk tables in front of it. But during the weekend, you won't be able to miss the countless people waiting outside with their drinks. Expect an easy 30-minute wait, but you'll agree that it was worth it. However, since we went on a Thursday, we were able to get a seat within seconds of walking through the door. The first thing you'll notice as you walk through the door will depend on the direction in which you happen to be looking — perhaps it's the big chalkboard on the right with the specials and desserts written for all to see. Look to the left and you'll see local works of art (currently "My Spiritual Life" by John Held and Mike Dickau) displayed above the funky tables with triangular backrest cushions, but below what I think looks like a big cheese moon. But the majority of people will first see the long bar stocked with countless bottles of wine. We were seated underneath "the moon" at a table near the door. Each table has a glass top with different theme or scene displayed underneath. Ours had a coloring book drawing of Mr.. T (sans hair) with metal shavings scattered around. Already the tension was slowly draining from my shoulders as I used the magnet-pen to fashion Mr.. T's metal mohawk. While the entrees are sizable enough to satisfy large appetites, we were too curious about the appetizers to pass them up. Q offers a variety of familiar favorites with an eclectic panache.

One would probably yawn at a grilled corn on the cob offering. But the corn at Q comes with a tantalizing jalepeno-lime butter ($3.50). Baja fish tacos or grilled wings sound a bit boring? Not when one's dressed up with a papaya salsa and the other with tropical fruit-habanero dipping sauce ($6 and $6.50, respectively). Some of their signature Down Home Favorites' dishes are their Beer Battered Catfish, Southern Fried Chicken, and Meatloaf. Q's generous portion of catfish is topped with a corn relish served on a bed of garlic french fries ($9.75). If you're not a big fan of relish, or if you're a "sauce on the side" type, order it just like that. The fried chicken is done to a golden brown and served with a side of mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables like squash and zucchini ($11.50). If you're feeling extra sinful, they have a Macaroni and Cheesy dish served with golden fried Tater Tots ($8). 'Nuff said. If you're in the mood for steak, you'll love the grilled strip steak topped by a scoop of garlic butter with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. This and Smilin' Andy's BBQ Pork Spareribs are a few of their daily specials that, while not on the regular menu, have been available on the several occasions I've been here. Q, which according to the bartender is short for barbeque, knows ribs! I was not disappointed with the tender slab slathered in smoky homemade BBQ sauce.

For those who are not as hungry, there are a variety of salads available like a caesar salad with asiago cheese ($6.25) that can be served as is or topped with grilled chicken or salmon (add $3.25). Also available is a spinach salad served with apples and caramelized walnuts ($7.75). If you do not know how to pair wines with your meal, you will be happy to know that chef-owner Andrew Gillen has listed in the menu his suggestions of which wines suit which dishes. This comes in extremely handy as the wine list spanned 11 pages. It's extensive if not daunting (until you read Chris Nguyen's ongoing series on wines in Synapse). By the time dinner was done, I was thoroughly happy and content.

But as stuffed as we were, we couldn't pass up dessert. Fortunately we had some extra room in our dessert stomachs, which is separate from the dinner stomach. With each spoonful, I forgot about the worries of the week and just focused on what was immediately ahead of me — an amazing chocolate mousse that was so rich, yet so light. Ahhhh, there's nothing like the comforts of good company and good food.

Q, 225 Clement St. (between 3rd and 4th Avenues), 752-2298

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/rest/q.html

Restaurant Review: El Valenciano- Serving Up Confused Cuisine

Call me ignorant, but the last time I had Spanish food, it was pretty different from that of Mexico. Then I thought, maybe it was because I've only been to the Andalucia region of Spain and El Valenciano supposedly served up food from the region of Valencia. But I am almost completely positive that taquitos, enchiladas, and burritos are NOT Spanish fare anywhere in Spain. Maybe I waived my right to complain because I didn't get up, even after realizing this information, but we were already seated and I didn't want to make a big scene. Not like the three other people in the restaurant would have noticed. To their credit, they did have offerings that were Spanish in origin. I'm an optimist, and I wanted to believe that my expectations would be blown away, so I ordered away.

The restaurant was quite expansive, but the bar seemed to be where the regulars where hanging out and chatting. Despite a huge painted map of Spain on one face and a wall of wine bottles facing it, it still lacked character and personality. It could easily have been an Italian restaurant, or a Mexican restaurant, or a French restaurant. But being the optimist I was, I overlooked the lack of decor and tried to enjoy the bread that was served before our meal. At least the company was great, and soon the dull surroundings faded away.
Though they were few and far between, there were several items of Spanish origin in the Tapas section. We opted for the patatas bravas and the gambas al ajillo. Patatas bravas is usually a delicious dish of diced baked potatoes covered in a spicy, tangy sauce with the consistency of mayonnaise. This offering left a bit more than a little to be desired. The potatoes could easily have been of variety found in the frozen food section next to the other Ore-Ida potato products. The sauce, while edible, was lacking the requisite zing found in most dishes of the same name.

Still being the optimist, I hoped that the gambas al ajillo would more than make up for the shortcomings of the former tapa. I mean, come on, how can you mess up garlic sauteed shrimp? The dish was colorful, with 6 shrimp laying out on dish with the garlic sauce in the middle. OK, it seemed promising. My friend Lucky took her first bite. I waited, hoping that she would not suffer any adverse reaction. But there was no reaction, which was demonstrative of the dish. While they didn't "mess it up," it fell far short of what it should have been. It tasted more like shrimp. And garlic sauce.

But still hoping for the best, we stuck it out and waited for the Paella Valenciana, a saucy rice dish made with a variety of seafood, meats, and vegetables. It was a huge entree chock full of mussels, shrimp, scallops, pieces of chicken, and sausage. What usually distinguishes a good paella from a decent paella is the type of rice used and the amount of saffron used. While they used the right Spanish rice, it seemed as though they used more salt to make up for the lack of saffron. It, like the rest of the meal, was a shadow of what it should have been.

El Valenciano Bar and Restaurant
1153 Valencia St.
826-9561

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/rest/valenciano.html