Global Grazing. Friday night I met Sachiko at Pres a Vi in the Presido. She was quite excited to introduce me to this new place having happened upon it as a cool find of her own and wanting to share with another appreciative foodie. I went anticipating a convivial evening of catching up with someone I hadn't seen in awhile, so didn't bring my camera. Photo above is courtesy of the Pres a Vi website. So I will just have to describe our meal as quite over the top. The menu is truly global as you can see from our small plate choices:

ahi tartare -
hawaiian tuna blended with kukui nuts, meyer lemon zest, sesame oil, and soy topped with wasabi tobiko and accompanied with taro chips

fresh lumpia -
another version of a filipino classic. cilantro scented crepes filled with rock shrimp, seasoned vegetables and served with spicy peanut dressing

seafood paella -
saffron infused rice with scallops, shrimp, and edamame

popcorn shrimp -
tempura battered rock shrimp tossed in nuoc cham, bean sprouts, romaine and crispy noodles

‘duck buns’ -
shredded peking duck confit with hoisin, watercress and cilantro

dessert tasting -

cookies, candies, chocolates for two

white chocolate blueberry
coconut macaroons
ginger fudge
fruit and nut rocher
sablee
truffles
amoretti
cheesecake
bites

By all means GO if you have the chance. The room is also designed well for acoustics, so although busy it is not overly noisy and you can enjoy a good conversation with your dining companions. The parking is easy too, just under the building at One Letterman Dr. (SF).

Over the top tapas. Jo-Ann and I visited Avance near San Rafael's Civic Center before attending an event at the JCC where Michael Krasny interviewed Dr. Helen Caldicott. (A very informative discussion, details on my other blog.) It's getting darker earlier as you may have been noticing, which makes it difficult for me to get good outside shots for dinner blogging, so today we start with the appetizer, Pan con Ajo y Jamon Serrano -- Serrano ham, garlic toasted baguettes, with herb tomatoes. We started tucking in before I took the photo, realized in the middle so hastily rearranged the remaining pieces! It was perfectly arranged upon presentation to us.



Then out came the perfectly done Paella Jerez -- Fire-roasted artichokes & sauteed garlic prawns over Saffron rice with Jerez sherry.



After consulting us, the waiter gave us some time to savor the paella before bringing out the next tapa, Porto Bello Mushroom -- Lightly breaded, topped with sauteed vegetables, roasted pepper sauce.



Our final dish followed not far behind, the Pinchitos Morunos -- Grilled skewered pork kabobs in a Moorish cayenne B.B.Q glaze. Great meal!

I thought I was going on for a gentle Sunday sail from Berkeley marina and nearby, but my phone jingled a bit ago from Daniel, who dissuades me from any such notion the night before the sail. I need what? Neophrene?, and I might fall in the water? Can I swim? Footstraps? I've never been in a boat with FOOTSTRAPS before. Suddenly I see myself with sunglasses askew thrashing around in the water as sharks circle. Up comes the 'skin' I bought with the scuba mask and study guides for scuba diving. Never thought I'd be using these for sailing!

Tonight I enjoyed a mini-reunion with friends Gary & Linda in Sonoma at Cafe Andalusia. Now Cafe Andalusia is a cool find! The back patio garden couldn't be lovlier, with the rose garden and sounds of the fountain in the background. The tapas are original and tasty.

If I survive the 'sailing' trip, Daniel & I will meet up with old friends Mark & Denise for dinner at Cha-Am Thai in Berkeley's Gourmet Getto. Cha-Am is also a cool find. The restaurant furnishings are a bit tired, but it serves some of the best Thai food in the entire bay area.