Hi, Ruth. I don't believe we ever met, but we do know a lot of the same people. I was the first
co-editor of the Zagat Surveys for Los Angeles for 17 years. I also taught cooking at 2 different
cooking schools i ran for many years. Les Dames, IACP, AIWF involvement, etc.
I want to thank you for "all the memories." Attending UC Berkeley in the 60's (Alice Waters went to my high school, but i am a bit older!) I remember most of the restaurants you've written in La Briffe
and appreciate all the wonderful food and restaurant nostalgia. I''m curious about Steve wallace.
I think he moved up to Napa somewhere; if you are still in touch, please let him know that his old digs on Westwood Boulevard, which have been shuttered for years, show signs of reincarnating.
I'm fairly sure he will remember me and my husband, Michael. Please keep up with all you are doing. I look forward to your posting. Karen Berk. kjberkla@gmail.com
Ruth's article is fun and informative as usual. My favorite thing though is a small detail on the Darell Corti/Steve Wallace 150 year combined birthday printed menu. On the menu, they represented the 150 years as 75² which represents 75 squared or 75 x 75 or 5625 years. I've seen both of these guys lately and I thought they looked pretty good. Certainly not a day over 1000. What's the real story? Are they really 2812.5 years old each and have discovered the Fountain of Youth? If so, why is Darell Corti not selling this water in his newsletter? He hasn't even mentioned it. Why isn't Steve Wallace calling himself Ponce de LeRhône? With all the intellectual firepower preparing and attending this lunch, did no one notice? Is this a failing of our educational system? Did they realize and just employ artistic license? I'd like to believe that but I hope foreign enemies of the United States don't see this as a sign of weakness and plan an attack.
That 1983 Inglenook Reunion jeroboam is a historically significant wine even though maybe not the best year for wine in Napa. In the 40's through the 60's, Inglenook cabernets were made from a blend of three vineyards. In 1983, Inglenook purchased grapes from two of the original vineyards that had since been sold and combined them with their Home vineyard for the first time since 1964. That jeroboam was a big bottle. It is the equal of 1⁴ regular bottles=1 big bottle of wine.
The review took me right back to ess-eff of my youth. The Chron at Fifth and Mish, as Herb Caen called it, had that specific typeset look, and the review was always in the Pink Section. Alfred's located on the side of the Broadway Tunnel. How San Francisco has changed! And the food scene too.
I always enjoy it when you mention Darrell Corti. Born, raised and still living in Sacramento I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have Corti Bros market in my backyard. You can't go wrong with anything in that store. Decades ago my uncle worked there and I have wonderful memories of being rolled around in a shopping cart when I was super young and being taken in the staff area for breadsticks and any leftover deli food that couldn't be sold. That menu sounds delicious-thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the article about Alfred’s. As a recent college graduate, NY transplant and young professional new to SF in the mid-80s, Alfred’s was my boss’ favorite restaurant. I have fond memories of walking into that cozy space on a foggy evening, anticipating a great meal, feeling cosseted and immediately like a real San Franciscan.
As a fourth gen San Franciscan, growing up in the 60's, it was TV's(Trader Vic's) or Alfred's as my parents' "go to" for special occasions. Although, they seemed to frequent Vic's every Sat night:)))
Today, when it seems that there is only bad and sad news, Ruth, you always brighten the day and bring a bit of peace. Thank you.
That menu is amazing! Who designed and printed it? I’m sad to never have experienced or known about Alfred’s, especially as a native San Franciscan.
What a wonderful trip you take us on each time. Thank you!
I love this review of Alfred's and the concept of a restaurant being like an old friend. And wow, pigs feet as part of the antipasto!
Just saw the Chihuly glass in Seattle last week. Unforgettable.
Hi, Ruth. I don't believe we ever met, but we do know a lot of the same people. I was the first
co-editor of the Zagat Surveys for Los Angeles for 17 years. I also taught cooking at 2 different
cooking schools i ran for many years. Les Dames, IACP, AIWF involvement, etc.
I want to thank you for "all the memories." Attending UC Berkeley in the 60's (Alice Waters went to my high school, but i am a bit older!) I remember most of the restaurants you've written in La Briffe
and appreciate all the wonderful food and restaurant nostalgia. I''m curious about Steve wallace.
I think he moved up to Napa somewhere; if you are still in touch, please let him know that his old digs on Westwood Boulevard, which have been shuttered for years, show signs of reincarnating.
I'm fairly sure he will remember me and my husband, Michael. Please keep up with all you are doing. I look forward to your posting. Karen Berk. kjberkla@gmail.com
Ruth's article is fun and informative as usual. My favorite thing though is a small detail on the Darell Corti/Steve Wallace 150 year combined birthday printed menu. On the menu, they represented the 150 years as 75² which represents 75 squared or 75 x 75 or 5625 years. I've seen both of these guys lately and I thought they looked pretty good. Certainly not a day over 1000. What's the real story? Are they really 2812.5 years old each and have discovered the Fountain of Youth? If so, why is Darell Corti not selling this water in his newsletter? He hasn't even mentioned it. Why isn't Steve Wallace calling himself Ponce de LeRhône? With all the intellectual firepower preparing and attending this lunch, did no one notice? Is this a failing of our educational system? Did they realize and just employ artistic license? I'd like to believe that but I hope foreign enemies of the United States don't see this as a sign of weakness and plan an attack.
That 1983 Inglenook Reunion jeroboam is a historically significant wine even though maybe not the best year for wine in Napa. In the 40's through the 60's, Inglenook cabernets were made from a blend of three vineyards. In 1983, Inglenook purchased grapes from two of the original vineyards that had since been sold and combined them with their Home vineyard for the first time since 1964. That jeroboam was a big bottle. It is the equal of 1⁴ regular bottles=1 big bottle of wine.
The review took me right back to ess-eff of my youth. The Chron at Fifth and Mish, as Herb Caen called it, had that specific typeset look, and the review was always in the Pink Section. Alfred's located on the side of the Broadway Tunnel. How San Francisco has changed! And the food scene too.
Went to Sarashina Horii for dinner on the 27th. (We are on our bi-annual trip to NYC.) It was just as delicious as you described!
We did not opt for the special tasting menu but ordered numerous items from the menu.
THANK YOU AGAIN RUTH!
When you stopped reviewing I lost interest in reading restaurant reviews.
I always enjoy it when you mention Darrell Corti. Born, raised and still living in Sacramento I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have Corti Bros market in my backyard. You can't go wrong with anything in that store. Decades ago my uncle worked there and I have wonderful memories of being rolled around in a shopping cart when I was super young and being taken in the staff area for breadsticks and any leftover deli food that couldn't be sold. That menu sounds delicious-thank you for sharing.
You describe Sarashina Horii very well, but fail to tell us WHERE it is located.
::Here’s a picture of me cooking dinner on molten glass the artists shoveled out of the kiln.::
Wow, I'm impressed. I thought molten glass was so hot nobody would dare cook on it.
Thanks Ruth! Another “grand-slam homer”!
Thank you for the article about Alfred’s. As a recent college graduate, NY transplant and young professional new to SF in the mid-80s, Alfred’s was my boss’ favorite restaurant. I have fond memories of walking into that cozy space on a foggy evening, anticipating a great meal, feeling cosseted and immediately like a real San Franciscan.
As a fourth gen San Franciscan, growing up in the 60's, it was TV's(Trader Vic's) or Alfred's as my parents' "go to" for special occasions. Although, they seemed to frequent Vic's every Sat night:)))