One Market Magic--Chefs Dinner

Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey continued at One Market for their magical 7 course Chefs Dinner. General Manager Larry Bouchard and Chef Mark Dommen have created a special "Foodie" experience in the kitchen of the elegant award winning One Market Restaurant.

The table is designed for 6 people and overlooks the famous "Foodie" Ferry Building while watching the kitchen staff perform their food magic in the open and modern kitchen.

The dinner happens every night for 6 lucky people and reservations are a must as this experience is very popular among the sophisticated San Francisco palates.  Our server Matthew was very attentive and kept our glasses full of the grape carefully selected from each of our wine cellars.

The dinner can also be named and we called ours The Mc Colgan "Foodie Friends" Christmas Feast.  The name is printed on each menu as well as a description of each item to be served.

At each serving, Chef Dommen also explains in detail each dish. If you don't bring your own wine, you can have the food paired with their recommendations. After the 5th entree, you are given a tour of the restaurant which allows you to stretch your legs and see the various private party rooms and wine cellar.

Our meal began with Chestnut soup with smoked squab and truffle which was  very soothing on a chilly San Francisco night. Next we had thinly sliced lamb tongue over lambs lettuce, Asian pear, and puffed quinoa that was delicate and seasoned perfectly.

The third entree was lightly smoked Tasmanian ocean trout "Mi Cuit" on potato rosti, herb vinaigrette and a pastured quail egg that was heavenly.  Next we had pan-seared day boat scallop with artichokes, olive oil mashed potatoes and lobster emulsion that was sensational.

Roasted liberty farms duck breast with duck leg crepinette, cilantro, sweet potato, and chocolate was the next entree that graced our plates with an elegant presentation.

Before the final entry, we all took a break for a tour of the restaurant and to stretch our legs.

 The grand finally was grilled N.Y. Steak and braised beef cheeks with red flint polenta and black kale that was a buttery and beautiful presentation of passion.

Pastry Chef Patti Dellamonica-Bauier then selected 2 volunteers to put on chef coats and help her create some interesting and flavorful sugar sensations.

We ended this "Foodie" Feast with some expresso and Irish coffees.

The night was truly magical and a "Foodie" experience that we would highly recommend. Voted best new restaurant in San Francisco in 1993, the excellence continues in 2012 with spectacular service and Michelin Star Dining.

For more information and to make reservations go to:

Click here: One Market Restaurant | Michelin Star Dining at the San Francisco Embarcadero

Dr. Sue's "A Christmas Carol" Costume Ball

A Great Time was had by all to celebrate Dr. Sue Acquisto's PhD Graduation Party.

The costumes were fabulous and the party was beyond anyone's expectations with wine tasting, falling snow a fantastic band, photo booth, cigars and fabulous chocolate covered strawberries.  The best part of the party was the wonderful Family and Friends who had such an enjoyable evening together.  Enjoy the pictures!

The House- "North Beach Foodie Favorite"




Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey recently took them to The House restaurant in the famous section of San Francisco food heaven North Beach.  

The place is very small so reservations are a must. Lunch is served every day but Sunday and dinner served every day starting at 5:30.

The food is reasonably priced and Chef Michael prepares it with lots of love and attention to detail. There is also a variety of wines by the glass and exotic beers.

We started our lunch out with two house favorites classic fried calamari and deep fried salmon roll with Chinese hot mustard. The calamari rates high on our list of favorites and is served with cole slaw, dipping sauce and fresh lemon. The salmon roll was presented picture perfect and the zesty sauce was a nice touch.

For the entrees, we both ordered the warm wasabi noodles. Linda added salmon to her dish and I added the grilled pork. Linda said that this was the "best salmon" she had ever eaten. The noodles were very fresh and seasoned perfectly.

For dessert there was a variety of sugar sensations to choose. We shared the Coconut Crème Brule and passion fruit puree that was sensational. There is also a nice selection of desert wines and Chinese tea.

For more information and to make reservations go to:

Click here: The House Restaurant

"Hakkasan Arrives In San Francisco"

Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey took them to the newest arrival in the "City By The Bay" Hakkasan San Francisco. With restaurants in New York and Miami, Hakkasan San Francisco is a great new foodie treat located at One Kearney.

You enter Hakkasan on the first floor and are greeted by friendly staff that direct you to the elevator and restaurant that is located on the second floor. As you enter this upscale, elegant and electric eatery you are drawn to the modern soothing blue bar that serves a variety of local beers and spirits.

If you want, you can sit at the bar and enjoy lunch or dinner. We had a drink at the bar and then were directed to our table. Reservations are recommended as word is spreading fast about this latest arrival to the San Francisco food scene.

The wine list is extensive and the servers are very helpful in selecting from the interesting variety of menu and dim sum treats.

General Manager Amad Wahba started off our Hakkasan experience with their house specialty of Pipa duck that was tender and seasoned perfectly.  I also tried their sweet and sour chicken soup that was very good.

For lunch, we decided to try the taste of Hakkasan that included three entrees and dessert for $29.00. We started out with the steamed dim sum selection that included scallop shumani, har gau, prawn and Chinese chive dumplings that were fabulous. Next we got the Fried dim sum selection that included roasted duck and pumpkin puff, crispy prawn dumplings and xo scallop puffs that were delicate and very tasty.

For the main dish, Linda ordered the Spicy prawn with lily bulb and almond. There were 6 large prawns and the sauce was heavenly.  I ordered the four-style vegetable stir fry in Szechuan sauce that was very light and presented perfectly. Each dish is also served with pak choi, steamed or egg fried rice.

For dessert we enjoyed a colorful selection of macaroons on a bed of chocolate coconut nips that were a great ending to a very lavish lunch. There is also a private dining room available for parties and business events in the rear of the restaurant.

For more information and to make reservations go to:

Click here: Home | San Francisco

Old Ship Saloon--"Where Everyone Knows Your Name"

Linda and Mike L. Mc Colgan's culinary journey recently continued at "The Old Ship Saloon" that has a rich history going back to 1851. This neighborhood like Cheers bar and saloon offers great food, friendly service and reasonable prices.

Located in the financial district at Pacific and Battery, this place was originally an old ship named Arkansas that crashed and hit land. It was towed to this location and an enterprising guy named Joseph Anthony cut a hole in the side of the ship and turned it into a saloon. It has been earthquake retrofitted and remodeled owned by Bill Duffy since 1992.

It is a simple place with a vibrant feeling full of business people at lunch time. Happy hour like drink prices are all day every day with a great list of craft beers and wines displayed on a chalk board in the bar area. Water is served in a wine bottle and gives you a warm feeling as you decide what to order. Fresh soup and gumbo is also made each day.

 They do not take reservations unless you have 5 or more so get there right when they open as the place fills up fast.  The large circular bar takes up a large proportion of the restaurant.  You can also eat at the bar and watch your favorite sporting event on one of their multiple flat screen TVs.

We tried one their house favorite hush puppy’s that were very tasty and served with a spicy dipping sauce. For the entree we split their "Make your own Burger" that is grass fed meat and comes with a choice of the soup of the day, french fries or cole slaw.

The burger is $9.00 and for $2.00 more you can order their famous buttermilk onion rings. We tried the rings and they lived up to all their hype and the burger was also very good.  We also sampled the home made cole slaw that was very fresh and fun to eat. Their salads are also served in a large bowl and very good for only $7.00.

So if you are looking for great reasonably priced food and drinks in the"City By The Bay," this is an intimate place that you could frequent and like the famous neighborhood bar Cheers "everyone will soon know your name."

For more information and to make reservations go to: Click here: The Old Ship Saloon

Orignal Joes--"Classic San Francisco Comfort Food Since 1937"

 

San Francisco has lots of famous Joe's. Joe Montana, Joe DiMaggio and Original Joe's.

Original Joe's is a classic Italian restaurant serving comfort food since 1937. Known for its red leather booths and Godfather like atmosphere, this eatery is a 'must do' in San Francisco.

Reservations are recommended as this a vibrant place located in the heart of North Beach. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, it is always a treat to start out your meal with a Joe's Manhattan made with Cyrus Noble Bourbon, Punt E Mes and Angostura bitters. The clam chowder is also a favorite and the Joe's Hamburger with fries or Original Joe's Ravioli are always great choices.   The spinach mushrooms and jack is also a house favorite and Joe's Famous Corned Beef and Hash is served Friday thru Sunday.

For desert the Italian classic Spumoni is a great ending to a fun, foodie experience.

It is House Blend of Pistachio, Vanilla and Chocolate Gelato with Dried Cherries, Brandy Soaked Raisins, and almonds.

From the web site, "Original Joe’s is the quintessential, classic San Francisco dining experience. A fabric of the City for 75 years, it is located in the heart of the historic and majestic North Beach, a Mecca for natives, tourists, and culinary aficionados alike.

Lumbering out of the darkness of the great depression, Original Joe’s opened its doors in 1937. The restaurant was opened by Tony Rodin, whose legendary work ethic and love for his restaurant grew Original Joe’s from a 14-stool counter, to one of San Francisco’s culinary landmarks. Three generations later and counting, Tony’s family ensures that classic Italian-American cooking with healthy portions and reasonable prices are prepared behind its iconic counter, exhibition style, for all to see.

Original Joe’s is the oldest of all existing Joe’s restaurants in the country and is the innovator of what is now nationally known as the “Joe’s Concept”. With its signature red leather booths, legendary smooth cocktails, and renowned Italian American menu, Joe’s has come to signify its own Northern Californian category of food and symbolizes classic Italian American comfort food at its finest."

For more information or to make reservations go to:

Click here: - Original Joes

Il Fornaio-Casual Elegance

The culinary journey of Linda and Mike L. McColgan continues at Il Fornaio in San Francisco. Located next to the headquarters of blue jean giant Levi Strauss, Il Fornaio offers casual authentic Italian food in an elegant setting.

Reservations are recommended and private rooms are available for parties or special business events. The patio is a great place to have lunch or dinner and is a soothing place next to the cascading Levi Plaza waterfalls.

Linda and I highly recommend the happy hour from 4-6 every day. For $5.00 you can enjoy the wood-fired pizzas and drinks in the intimate bar area. If you are still hungry, you can order one the many fresh made pastas, bread and meats cooked in the open modern kitchen.

From the web site, "Our menus are developed collectively by the company's two-dozen Italian chef-partners and are based on authentic Italian recipes. Emphasis is placed on simple, fresh ingredients and Italian cooking methods. Rotisseries are used for variety of preparations. Pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven. Fresh pastas are made in-house daily and our dried pastas are imported from Italy. All meals are complemented by a selection of hand-made breads baked according to traditional methods.

Served at every Il Fornaio restaurant, the core lunch and dinner menus include a selection of antipasti, soups, salads, wood-fired pizza, house made pastas, grilled and rotisserie roasted meats and a wide variety of desserts." 

For more information or to make reservations go to:

Click here: Il Fornaio Restaurants and Bakeries

Golf Today Publication-Sea Island by Mike L.McColgan

Here is the link to the Golf Today Magazine where the article I wrote about Sea Island is featured.
Enjoy!

http://read.uberflip.com/i/96479