By David Landis–
It’s time once again to celebrate love. In our LGBTQ+ community, isn’t that the message we preach every day? But on Valentine’s Day, it’s time to celebrate with that special someone. As I like to say, that might be a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or a theyfriend. The Gay Gourmet has a multitude of Valentine’s recommendations, so stay tuned for more on that later.
First, I’d like to regale my loyal readers with an unrivaled experience in which I participated this past month. I was invited to take a cooking class with James Beard Award-winning TV chef Martin Yan at the Culinary Artistas cooking school in Ghirardelli Square. His big news? He’ll be reopening his restaurant in San Francisco, hopefully soon in Chinatown. I have to be honest. Leading up to the cooking session, I was a nervous wreck. Why? Because The Gay Gourmet is great at making reservations, but a lousy cook. The class helmed by Chef Yan celebrated the Year of the Dragon in an innovative partnership with the American Pistachio Growers. You might ask, what do pistachios have to do with Chinese cooking? Well, as it turns out, a lot. Chef Yan promulgated the health benefits of pistachios to us. They have more antioxidants, and they’re a complete plant protein as well. Chef then showed us how to cook and decorate with them to make a traditional Chinese meal, including his signature Firecracker Kung Bao Chicken and Five-Flavored Long-Life Noodles. First, he cut an entire chicken in an astounding 50 seconds. (Editor’s Note: Watch for video of this soon at the San Francisco Bay Times website!) Further intimidation ensued. Then he demonstrated how to julienne vegetables, so they’re paper thin. Worrying that I’d be commandeered for that task, I decided to volunteer for the one role I could master: namely, noodle chef. I’m quite pleased to say that even Chef Yan thought I cooked the noodles to perfection. (Did you know that in Chinese cooking, unlike Italian cooking, you want to cook the noodles all the way through instead of al dente?). Sadly, I had to leave before enjoying our meal. Luckily, Chef Yan was kind enough to give me an advance copy of his new book, Best of Yan Can Cook, which is now available pre-order to the public directly from the Chef’s own website.
Valentine’s Day
So, where to go and what to do on Valentine’s Day? The Gay Gourmet has some ideas.
From February 8–18, Eataly Silicon Valley’s La Pizza & La Pasta is preparing a heart-shaped Pizza Cupido (slow cooked cherry tomato, mozzarella di bufala DOP, burrata, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil). A special Lettera D’Amore dessert will be available at both La Pizza & La Pasta and Eataly’s rooftop restaurant and lounge, Terra, from February 10–14. This flourless chocolate cake will have a customizable edible “letter” for your Valentine, along with semisweet chocolate mousse, apricot gelee, chantilly cream rice biscuit, and chocolate glaze.
The folks at SPIN SF, SOMA’s ping pong social club/restaurant, tell me, “To ensure that sparks fly, SPIN SF is hosting Love Pong onSaturday, February 10, from 8 pm–close. [The event features] a ping pong show, heart-fluttering tarot card readings, heart-shaped pizzas, cocktails that sip like love potions, live tunes, and red mood lighting to set the electric atmosphere … . Additionally, from Friday, February 9, to Saturday, February 17, SPIN SF will offer love-laced party packages, specialty cocktails, and themed bites for groups and dates to celebrate Valentine’s Day on their own schedule.”
How about some crafty Valentine’s drinks to put you in the mood? Try Dirty Habit’s “Dirty Affair”cocktail, and PLS on Post’s “Why Can’t This Be Love?”decadent, over-the-top milkshake. The Dirty Affair is a smoked Old Fashioned crafted with Dirty Habit’s exclusive Savage and Cooke Burning Chair bourbon, with a touch of ginger syrup, tobacco bitters, and smoked with barrel-aged wood chips. Lead Bartender Steven Marshall says, “With a unique blend of bourbon, spices, and smoke, the Dirty Affair is pure seductive temptation.” PLS on Post’s decadent, over-the-top Valentine milkshake Why Can’t This Be Love? is a strawberry, chocolate brownie shake with French macarons, cream puff, rolled cookies, chocolate sauce, and Valentine sprinkles topped with a cherry. It is available throughout the month of February.
At Mattina, Chef Matthew Accarrino’s casual Italian bistro on Bush Street, walk-ins are welcome on Valentine’s Day. Instead of those over-priced, extensive, fixed price tasting menus, he’s serving lasagna, brasato, filetto, fritelle, crespelle, and pie, all à la carte.
Tired of going to the same restaurant every year for Valentine’s Day? For those looking to shake things up and try something new this year, The Story of Ramen,located in the heart of the Mission, is a cooking experience that teaches you how to make noodles from scratch, and artfully assemble the perfect bowl of ramen. At the end of the class, you get to enjoy your homemade ramen. This is perfect for the couple who loves to cook, or is always looking for an interactive, hands-on experience to bring them closer together. The class is two hours and costs $70 per person.
What could be more romantic than a city escape under the stars? City Experiences is offering a Valentine’s Premier Dinner Cruise. This evening on the water includes dancing, delicious cocktails, chef-designed menus, and San Francisco’s most stunning views. The three-hour excursion starts at $160 per person. This is perfect for the couple who is looking for an elegant and romantic evening away from the city, or for the San Francisco natives who’ve never cruised around the bay.
For locals looking for an intimate, yet elevated, setting for a romantic evening of indulgence and luxury, why not cross the bridge? You can have a complete date night with a stroll down the Tiburon waterfront, and dinner at The Caviar Company Champagne and Caviar Lounge. Executive Chef Sharon Li has crafted a menu that highlights five distinct caviars that will take dates on an unforgettable culinary journey. To impress loved ones, guests can also elevate their dining experience with champagne pairings curated from special club grower producers, exclusive houses, and sought-after vintages.
Graton Resort & Casino has a great Valentine’s Day cocktail, courtesy of Jessica Christensen, mixologist for Graton’s lounges and bars (Sky Lounge, G Bar, Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, 8 Bar and 630 Park Bar). You can make it yourself, or even better, go visit the casino in person. The Lovers Lane cocktail consists of Charbay vodka (3/4 oz), Mozart chocolate liqueur (3/4 oz), Chambord (1/4 oz), heavy cream (3/4 oz), and 4–5 fresh raspberries. In a shaker tin, add your raspberries, and muddle. Then add all other ingredients, ice, and shake. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with dried rose petals. Then, don’t forget to kiss your partner!
Culinary-first brand Appellation (co-founded by Healdsburg locals Chef Charlie Palmer and former Four Seasons President Christopher Hunsberger) just announced its winter/spring 2024 calendar of Crafted at Appellation classes for Sonoma County locals and visitors to experience. Valentine’s Cookie Decorating takes place February 10, 2024. Set inside the stunning Vintner’s Room at Bacchus Landing, this class offers a unique blend of culinary art, and social enjoyment. Amy Hunsberger, renowned for her skillful and artistic approach to baking, will guide you through the fun, as well as the intricate process of decorating Valentine-themed cookies. From elegant icing techniques to whimsical designs, you will learn how to transform simple cookies into edible art.
You can indulge the Mediterranean way at Estiatorio Ornos this Valentine’s Day. The MINA Group restaurant invites guests to go on a culinary journey through the Greek Isles with a tasting menu featuring dishes like ahi tuna crudo, spicy lamb hummus, seafood manta, and a choice of spiced quail, pink snapper plaki, or surf & turffeaturing rib eye and carabineros shrimp. Dessert honors the Greek God of Love with the “Heart of Eros,“featuring white chocolate, passionfruit, and gold leaf. The fixed price is $149 per person, with an additional $95 wine pairing.
Chef Martin Yan: https://yancancook.com/home/
American Pistachio Growers: https://americanpistachios.org/
Eataly Silicon Valley: http://tinyurl.com/mpf6aj9p
La Pizza & La Pasta: http://tinyurl.com/yeybpcam
Terra: http://tinyurl.com/5n7c7633
SPIN SF: http://tinyurl.com/mrxwf4xt
Dirty Habit: http://tinyurl.com/4ym9cwfr
PLS on Post: http://tinyurl.com/2ccuxp2b
Mattina: https://www.mattinasf.com/
The Story of Ramen: https://www.ramenpartysf.com/
City Experiences’ Valentine’s Premier Dinner Cruise: http://tinyurl.com/ycx7z8mn
The Caviar Company Champagne and Caviar Lounge: https://thecaviarco.com/pages/tiburo
Graton Resort & Casino: https://www.gratonresortcasino.com/
Crafted at Appellation: https://appellationhotels.com/crafted
Bacchus Landing: https://www.bacchuslanding.com/
Estiatorio Ornos: http://tinyurl.com/3p4h4vkc
David Landis, aka “The Gay Gourmet,” is a foodie, a freelance writer, and a retired PR maven. Follow him on Instagram @GayGourmetSF or email him at: davidlandissf@gmail.com Or visit him online at: www.gaygourmetsf.com
The Gay Gourmet
Published on February 8, 2024
Recent Comments