June 30, 2009
Slow Food and Wine at its Best
Below are a few interviews and takes from last week's Golden Glass Slow Food event in San Francisco.
Also check out my blog post from the event, which is full of photos of the best in slow food and wine, and includes entertaining sommeliers and chefs, largely from northern California.
June 30, 2009 in America The Free, Events, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 21, 2009
Golden Glass Slow Food Event at SF's Fort Mason
I attended this year's Golden Glass event at San Francisco's Fort Mason. The event celebrates the efforts of over 100 international wine producers who strive to protect, nurture, and revive the indigenous and classic varieties of their regions. In other words, think slow food thinking: organic, local, fresh and authentic.
The MyFarm folks were there whose goal is to increase local food production, so they can create a secure and sustainable food system.
The wineries were clustered in designated, regional areas throughout the pavilion, starting with the deeper, fuller bodied reds at the entrance, then moving into the Pinot Noirs, lighter sauvignon blancs and champagnes as you made your way to the back. Here sat bread sticks, prosciutto (ham, pork and turkey (with pistachio, pepper and fennel) and cheese, which sadly I couldn't touch.
All under one roof, there were so many authentic small family stories, you could easily sit at each table for hours listening to their starts, stops, wins and losses, each one of them proud of their own blends.
For example, one of my favorites was the Prunetto Mompertone 2006, which apparently won a silver award at the event. Emanuele Baldi, their marketing head told me that it was the only wine they had that was a mixed blend.
I can't say that I don't have a practiced palate of international food and wine, having lived in over ten countries and traveled to nearly 70. Then again, how practiced can it be when the only solos I'm comfy with once cork leaves the bottle are California Chardonnays and Cabernets.
That said, I'm open to them all, even the Syrahs they announce with a starter like: "people either love this one or hate it," or "this isn't your typical Syrah so it's an acquired taste." What are they saying? I don't have that acquired taste therefore think again unless I've popped at least a dozen corks with their sommeliers.
I'm still relatively new to learning the nuances of Italian reds. Every time I've gone to Italy, my friends pour Chiantis down my throat from decanters without labels.
It wasn't until my Italian restaurant and wine store owner friend from NY's West Village introduced me to Perbacco's Mauro Cirilli that I learned about Barolos and Barbarescos. Mauro is a pro; more than a pro - he makes learning about wine not just fun but irresistable.
A sample of their salame below: Nostrao, Piccante and Sanguinato Dolce. Which one I asked Mauro? Which one he asks back as if to say what kind of question has the word one in it? When he wasn't looking, I went for the Nostrano because frankly by that stage of the day, my poor stomach couldn't have handled a taste of all three.
That brings me to food. Slow food. Each booth is a gastronomic and educational experience. One of my favorites was from entertaining chef Suzette Gresham of Acquerello in San Francisco. She made sure I got the delicacy right, particularly when I came back for thirds. Below is a glimpse of her oil leached swordfish with candied silicon olives and almond and parsley pesto.
A few more fun tastes below:
Fromage at its Best
Causa Casera Potato Causa with Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado and Tomato Confit with Basil Cilantro Oil - La Mar Restaurant
Bruleed Mission Figs Burrata and Sliced Prosciutto
Decadent Chocolate Baby before during and after each taste (okay, maybe in my twenties)
There was a delicious looking Strawberry Gazpacho I never managed to try but people were raving about.
Group shot in the middle of the full bodied reds and the Pinots
To the left Laura Gallino, Sales Manager with Filippo Gallino wines
Bodego Del Sur Winery owner Victor Reyes Umana and Renee Blodgett (I loved both his Tempranillo and his Sangiovese (the 2006). Worth a try.
Below shot from Slow Food SF photo pool
Poggio Trattoria's chef Peter McNee
It's so much more fun and interactive covering food and wine than technology. And frankly, is there not far more interesting choices? I've seen reporter pal's offices and homes piled with hardware and software boxes, but its a far cry from the wine and food writer's cube at USA Today during a visit in the last year. How do you get through it all I was thinking as I passed the mile high stack of samples.
And there's so much to learn, particularly when you take a deeper dive into the diversity of each wine from regions around the world. I learned about Scacciadiavoli for the first time. Unusual taste I thought. What is it?
It is one of the most ancient wine production estates of the Montefalco zone. The name Scacciadiavoli (Devil banisher) derives from the exorcism carried out in the XVII century, as described by Johannes du Rupescissa in a treatise on quintessence.
If you haven't been to a slow food event before, I'd recommend it. If you don't know much about slow food in general, then dive in and learn more.
June 21, 2009 in America The Free, Events, On Food & Wine, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 10, 2009
First Round Capital's Annual West Coast Bash
First Round Capital held their annual west coast bash in San Francisco last night at the Great American Music Hall.
The venue was perfect for a shindig: great flow for networking traffic, food in all the right places and an on-stage spectacle from Fliptography who were shooting 7 second videos of people which resulted in individual flipbook leave behinds for attendees.
Did I mention the complimentary valet and the fact that a boat load of A-listers showed up to partake in an evening of schmooze and cocktails.
Below is a sample of shots I took in relatively poor light so sadly, some of them are grainy. Thanks to Josh and team for hosting a fabulous event.
First Round Capital's partners: Howard Morgan, Chris Fralic, Josh Kopelman and Rob Hayes
Harilaos Loukos, Mike Copeland and Nicholas Goubert
Joe Hurd, Paul Martino and Chris Law
Daniel Rudick and Filip Tack
Renee Blodgett, Susan Bratton, Mary Hodder (taken by Susan)
Ted Rheingold and Jason Shellen
Thor and Amy Muller, Oren Michels
Ron Conway
Eric Tilenius and Dan Arkind
Nat Goldhaber, Mary Hodder and Janice Fraser
Alexander Mouldovan, David Ellington and Karl Simmons
Mike Copeland
The Zynga team and Robert Goldberg
Barak Berkowitz
Renee Blodgett, Christine Herron
Toktumi's Peter Sisson
The First Round Capital Team
June 10, 2009 in Events, On Technology, San Francisco, Social Gigs & Parties, Web 2.0 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 24, 2009
SF's Memorial Day Carnival Parade in Action
I can see San Francisco's Memorial Day Carnival Parade along Mission Street from a 3 story house rooftop.
It's cold for late May in the same way that Mark Twain's infamous quote that he never really said, reminds me of the reality of San Francisco summer every year. I want to grab a parka, but realizing that notion is ridiculous, I merely think about San Diego where I'll be for a chunk of this week.
A very human but colorful shot by Alaskan Dude taken at a previous parade which will you a flavor of an event I have chosen not to shoot this weekend.
May 24, 2009 in America The Free, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 29, 2009
Who is the Real Wizard?
Have you ever wondered, either as a child or an adult, who is the wizard? The real wizard? Evan Schwartz who did a three minute talk at TED in February, just released the book Finding Oz, which you can now purchase on Amazon among other places.
Here is a creative and fun YouTube movie with a bit of tease. You can also join the growing in popularity Facebook Group.
Finding Oz tells the remarkable tale behind one of the world's most enduring and best-loved stories: Wizard of Oz. Offering profound new insights into the true origins and meaning behind L. Frank Baum's 1900 masterwork, it delves into the personal turmoil and spiritual transformation that fueled Baum's fantastical parable of the American Dream.
Before becoming an impresario of children's adventure tales—the JK Rowling of his age—Baum failed at a series of careers and nearly lost his soul before setting off on a journey of discovery that would lead to the Land of Oz. Drawing on original research, Evan I. Schwartz debunks once and for all popular misconceptions and reveals how the people, places and events in Baum's life gave birth to the unforgettable images and characters, from the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to the dual view of witches--as both good and wicked--that reflected the life of Baum's mother-in-law, the radical women's rights leader Matilda Joslyn Gage.
Finding OZ reveals how failure and heartbreak can sometimes lead to redemption and bliss, and how one individual can ignite the imagination of the entire world.
If you are in the Bay Area, be sure not to miss the uncut version of Wizard of Oz at San Francisco's Roxie Theatre on April 9 (evening) and April 11 (matinee). After Evan's introduction and insights, you will see the Wizard of Oz in a brand new light.
To order tickets in advance (which they encourage in case they sell out), you can order through Ticketweb or through Roxie's website.
“While just about everyone knows and loves this movie,” says Bill Banning, program director at the Roxie, “very few people have seen this spectacular film the way it was originally intended, on the big screen, with no commercials and no cuts to make room for commercials.”
March 29, 2009 in Books, Entertainment/Media, Events, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 24, 2009
Shifting Your Paradigm: Redefining Art Valuation
Bay Area Gallery Wants to Shift Your Paradigm. San Francisco's Gallery 560 is hosting an exhibition that redefines art valuation
"Shifting Paradigms" is a presentation of extraordinary talent that changes the very concept of how art is valued and acquired. They'll be introducing a new pricing method and showcasing a wide spectrum of accomplished artists. As an art fan that spans a broad range of styles and talent, I can't help but be curious by a new model of art valuation.
The system combines the excitement of major auctions with the personal attention of galleries. The exhibition will feature renowned artists such as Laila Carlsen, Kelley Defayette and Jeff Neugebauer and will culminate with a reception on March 28, 2009 from 6:00 pm until midnight. During this window, collectors and art lovers are invited to stop by, enjoy the art and actively participate in determining its value. Bids are final at 9:00 pm.
To learn more about this new pricing system, people are encouraged to come to the gallery any day before the reception and speak with the gallery team at 420 Sutter Street on the upper level in San Francisco.
Above Photo from Gallery 560
March 24, 2009 in Arts & Creative Stuff, Events, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 23, 2009
SF Chocolate Salon
Man, am I sorry that I missed this event in San Francisco this past weekend.
March 23, 2009 in Events, On Food & Wine, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 18, 2009
Imagining India: The Ideas of a Nation Renewed
Lakshmi's Lounge with Commonwealth Club presents an evening with Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder of Infosys Technologies Limited Author of Imagining India: The Ideas of A Nation Renewed on March 30, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Cabana in Palo Alto, CA.
India's recent emergence as an economic giant has triggered tremendous social, political, and cultural changes. Visionary entrepreneur, Nilekani will offer insights to the evolution and future of India as well as the reforms that need to be made in all sectors of public life - infrastructure, education, and the environment that will help keep India on top.
Click here for tickets and more information or call 800-847-7730.
March 18, 2009 in Events, On India, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 14, 2008
A Perfect First Opera
The San Francisco Opera is presenting L'elisir d'amore by the 19th century Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti this fall. If you want spring to come early go see it.
It's an ideal choice to introduce yourself or someone else to opera. Relatively short, at two hours and 40 with a single intermission, the tunes follow one after the other, most of the humor still works 176 years later, there's romance and intrigue, love and money, and it presents a sufficient range of human behavior and motivation without being heavy on message.
The opera is written in aria and recitative, alternating between songs and a semi-spoken patter. It's similar to a Broadway musical in that the speaking moves the plot along and the songs present the characters' thoughts and feelings.
There is something about recitative that stilts opera for many people, particularly with the harpsichord as instrumental accompaniment. I hardly noticed the transitions between speaking and singing in this score. What did register often were the duets, trios and quartets, all of them lovely with harmonies that showed Mozart's broad influence on Donizetti as well as his Italian compatriots Rossini and Bellini.
Operas and musicals are best when everything comes together, particularly the singing and acting. It's always a disappointment when a character who is supposed to bound across the stage or collapse into a chair labors to do so. It jerks you from that sweet spot where opera is most compelling, when you have the faintest awareness that lighting and direction and orchestra and voice and movement and text are stewing to transport you from your seat to a place of pure pleasure (as with this opera) or transcendent meaning, as with Wagner's marathons.
Each of the four major performers knew how to act and how to move their bodies while singing. They projected mood and tone with more than just their voices. The lead, tenor Ramon Vargas, was particularly natural and likeable.
The opera also plays to the strengths of the SF Opera company and hall. According to Opera America it's one of the twenty most-performed operas in the country, and only Puccini, Mozart and Verdi have more operas than Donizetti in this list. I've seen most of the repertoire but not this one, and it goes alongside Carmen and the most successful operas of Mozart and Puccini as perfect introductions to the form.
The Chronicle has a full review if you're interested. There are five more performances. Go get happy.
November 14, 2008 in Music, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 17, 2008
San Francisco Art Benefit On October 23rd
On Thursday, October 23rd, art from all over the world will descend into San Francisco for an evening at Varnish Art Gallery on Natoma Street. Proceeds from ticket sales and auctions of art will benefit the charity Partners in Reading and their work with adult literacy.
October 17, 2008 in Arts & Creative Stuff, Events, San Francisco | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack





