by Christina Waters | Oct 4, 2009 | Home |
Dining as Social Construction
Since the deep pockets at Oakland’s hot Camino restaurant won’t be fazed by any criticisms I make — the place was packed last Friday night — I’m going to remove the gloves.
A box, even a box with a high, pressed-tin ceiling, a full bar in front and an exhibition kitchen in back, isn’t necessarily a restaurant. Nor is eating at long (30’) wooden tables, communitas-style, necessarily “dining.†(Could this be the result of an entire generation eating in shopping mall food courts and thinking it was “dining out?”)
Three entrees, a few appetizers, no décor unless you count a huge wall of brick, and a kitchen so overwhelmed that dinner arrived an hour late — this is what now passes for dining in the age of recession. And believe me, I (partly) see the point.
No linens, no plants, no candles — these are all cost-saving strategies. Only three entrees means the kitchen, presumably, is cooking in earnest and without waste. Great. I’m down with that. But here’s what we actually experienced for our $100.
Simple, simple cooking. (Read between those two “simples†— what I mean is I could do this myself.) Okay, but still (more…)
by Christina Waters | Oct 3, 2009 | Home, Wine |
As always, providing crucial melodious background for the Alfaro Tasting room festivities during Corralitos Wine Trail weekend, was attorney Joe Haselton, whose operatic pipes regaled the pinot-samplers with the entire oeuvre of Elton John, with sprinklings of The Beatles and Phil Collins to boot.
The metaphorical presence of vintner Richard Alfaro kept watch over the proceedings, even though the physical Alfaro was out in the 100 degree heat working the parking lot logistics.
by Christina Waters | Oct 2, 2009 | Holidays, Home |
As a Celtic-American, I like to research my ancestral roots, passions and rituals.
What a terrific find! Samhain, aka Halloween, is actually a pre-Christian, distinctly pagan, AND Celtic celebration of the change of the seasons. During this astronomical moment between summer and winter, the spirits of the dead are most likely — according to the hyperactive imaginations of my wild Celtic predecessors – to walk the earth.
Not only ghosts, but all of those other fanciful spirits beloved of the Celts — demons, fairies, goblins, sprits and all the Little People. Whether the Druid priests who led the Samhain rites actually carved pumpkins is a matter of speculation, but they did build bonfires to ward off evil spirits, and worshipped trees as powerful spirits of the forest. Which of course they are.
Remember all those Celtic priestesses when you dress up as a witch and practice some “tricks†on October 31 – Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve.
by Christina Waters | Sep 30, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Like many inquiring wine-lovers, I found myself in the gorgeous back country of Corralitos last Saturday, tasting wine at a quartet of impossibly scenic wineries. Yes it was hot! At Pleasant Valley Vineyards, the grapes were within hours (HOURS) of being harvested, and at Alfaro Family Vineyards the grapes were coming in even during the afternoon festivities.
Seriously, you need to make sure you join next year’s Corralitos Wine Trail harvest taste-trek. Lots of music, good vibes, delightful finger food, and terrific new releases being poured. A delightful Syrah at Pleasant Valley, several notable Pinots at Alfaro, and a remarkable new release (more…)
by Christina Waters | Sep 23, 2009 | Food, Home |
Back by popular demand – the Westside’s largest block party will happen once again in the parking lot of Kelly’s (Swift & Ingalls). You know the deal. Local restaurants, farmers and purveyors will set up food stations. You bring all of your plates, stemware and table settings. Then you wander around, purchase your meal, add some wine, beer or whatever, and join everybody and her cousin sitting down at the long, long tables for a terrific early evening meal.
Details as they unfold.
