DINING IN THE NEW YEAR 2020
DINING IN THE NEW YEAR 2020
By Gerrye Wong January 8, 2020
Happy New Year and what better way to bring in a new year’s beginning than to dine at two of native San Franciscans favorite restaurants. San Francisco’s cuisine is a meld of the many cultures that thrive in this city’s welcoming atmosphere. One would never have to leave the city limits and be able to taste culinary fare from all over the world without leaving its 25 miles radius around town. It’s easy to judge a restaurant’s success by the throngs lined up waiting to have the privilege to enter, and the Hayes Valley trendy popular a mano is no exception. Not only does this no-reservation restaurant draw line-ups each evening, but its lunch crowds line up in anticipation of the 11:30 am opening too.
Caption: a mano General Manager Amanda Boyer and Chef Freedom Rains welcome all to their open kitchen at this Hayes Street San Francisco Restaurant.
Why, you ask? After visiting it and meeting its affable manager Amanda Boyer, I would say first off that everyone wants to be in a happy bustling dining place where service is friendly, and everyone from young to old seem to be having a good time being there and eating favorite Italian food that is reasonably priced and best quality. A mano on fashionable Hayes Street is spacious, sun-filled and a relaxing spot inside or outdoors to people-watch the fashionable who walk by. The restaurant’s moniker, a mano, means ‘by hand” in Italian, Amanda told me, as Chef Freedom Rains makes sure all pastas are made in house. It was fun to sit next to the open kitchen and watch one of the chefs man the pasta machine and then roll, squeeze or cut the pasta pieces in different shapes.
Caption: a mano Chef Freedom Rains shows the Yamaguchis and Gerrye Wong his popular bar area.
Chef Freedom Rains has truly crafted a menu of hand-made pastas and other traditional Italian dishes, having worked with many of the finest San Francisco chefs, namely Boulevard’s noted chef Nancy Oakes. I had what Manager Boyer said is one of the most popular of the pastas, the hollowed out pasta bucatini all ‘amatriciana, pancetta, pecorino. Dining partners tried the pizza, choosing one with guanciale, broccoli di cicco, leeks and chili flakes, relishing the thin crust with admiring glazes.
The menu changes frequently and uses fresh produce from local growers. Chef Rains told Jim and Carole Yamaguchi and us they have very close relationships with the fine Manquita Farm and Tenbunk Farms and strive to serve the best and freshest of all their ingredients. I have to mention that I could see people love to linger over the large antipasti offerings, as did we. Try to imagine our happy faces and satisfied stomachs as we savored the focaccia bread with olive tapenade, fontina arancini and honey squash, duck liver mousse with persimmon mostarda, Monterey squid served with pickled fresno chilies and butter beans, and castelvetrano olives with roman-esco. Don’t linger any longer reading my experience and licking your lips! Hop over to Hayes Street’s a mano to taste for yourself why locals line up daily to this popular San Francisco scene at 450 Hayes Street.
Caption: Enjoying a mano pizza were Jim Yamaguchi and Calvin Wong
LE COLONIAL VIETNAMESE FOODS
If one is in a dining mood either pre-theatre show or post-show time, Le Colonial will be serving through January 31 a $37 timely three-course pre or post theater dinner menu with choices available on request from 5:30-6:00pm and 8:30 to closing. This old time favorite among San Franciscans has exemplified why we call San Francisco a world-class destination dining city.
Caption: Le Colonial Dining Room Manager Nur Zayed welcomes Gerrye Wong
Local patrons enjoy the Vietnamese cuisine and dishes with a French flair as prepared by Chef Tuan Phan, a transplant native from Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam. I took my family to Le Colonial during the recent holidays and they were impressed with the atmosphere that tries to evoke the elegance of Vietnam in the 1920s. One feels transported to an old time Vietnam when one looks around and sees the mosaic tile flooring, the vaulted pressed-in ceiling, the plush rattan furniture and the tropical plants complemented by the flickering of candlelight. Interesting vintage black and white photos of life at the turn of the century adorn the walls, while ceiling fans gently stir the air.
Caption: The Calvin and Gerrye Wong family enjoying holiday dinner at Le Colonial
The 721Lounge upstairs bar there provided an additional relaxing salon ambiance with its faded oriental rugs, decorative bamboo bird cages, low wooden tables and comfortable couches as the Kelly and Gary Matsuura enjoyed cocktails after a hard day of battling shopping crowds. Many diners go there for a nice quiet hour for tea, cocktails, appetizers or casual dining. What did we enjoy sampling of the theatre menu? Our first course was a choice of three special dishes. Calvin and I chose a delectable tasty Chick Soup Pho Ga featuring rice noodles, scallion, cilantro, chili and lime. Granddaughter Melissa Matsuura chose a Chicken Salad Goi Ga while brother Todd Matsuura preferred Crispy Rolls Cha Gio Tom Che made of Dungeness Crab, shrimp, chicken, vermicelli noodles, taro, and wood ear mushroom.
Again we were given three mind-boggling choices for the Second Course. Family members Mike and Dee Wong chose Lemongrass Chicken Ga Chien Xa with roasted breast and sautéed thigh meat, asparagus and Coconut Cream Chicken Jua while sons Garrett and Braden Wong chose the Clay Pot Salmon Ca Kho To, with its bamboo shoots, cherry tomatoes, scallions and a caramel sauce. An attractive third choice was the vegetarian specialty of Vietnamese curry with coconut curry, eggplant, mushroom, bell peppers, mango , potato, onion, taro and basil.
Caption: Admiring decor at 721Lounge were Garrett and DeeDee Wong and Melissa Matsuura
Although it was a rainy night when we were there, the covered esplanade that one can enter the restaurant from the back parking lot immediately evoked an atmosphere of old city Saigon. We departed through this walkway to meet an Uber driver in the parking lot who whisked us through all kinds of traffic to our theater engagement at the Golden Gate Theatre over a mile away. If you would like to sample fare with a different French and Vietnamese combined flavor, call to reserve a spot for a special occasion in San Francisco’s nostalgic restaurant Le Colonial. www.lecolonialsf.com.
MUSIC IN THE AIR
Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco was a bustling scene during the holidays with Christmas themed shows in Louise B. Davies and San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker at the War Memorial Opera House across the street from one another. San Francisco’s stately City Hall was emblazoned in green and red lights , thrilling visitors to another piece of the City’s beautiful edifices.
Caption: Dr. Franklin and Sandra Yee with Calvin Wongs admiring Christmas tree decorations at SFS concert.
Davies Hall was decorated with eleven stately Christmas tees, all decorated by children and members of local non profit agencies. With a backdrop of the colorful city hall and the lobby Christmas trees, it was easy to catch a memorable photo with our iphones. I particularly liked the Year of the Rat decorative tree fashioned by SF Symphony Board members Margaret Liu Collins and Goretti Liu. Great work, ladies, with all the little mice ornaments.
Caption: Ralph Gins and Calvin Wongs at Louise B. Davies Hall to see Charlie Brown Christmas show.
Congratulations to San Francisco Symphony leaders who catered to all ages and tastes of their audience members by selecting shows each one different from the other. One night it might be a concert featuring members of the Gay community, another featuring black artists, another having someone read the children’s story book, another having the orchestra accompanying an age old favorite movie Love, Actually, and a children as well as adult favorite, Charlie Brown’s Christmas.
Caption: Two Wong families admire City Hall lights
Enjoying the San Francisco Symphony Holiday Concerts this year with me were Ira and Eleanor Wong, Ralph and Julie Gin, Aaron and Maelene Wong and Franklin and Sandra Yee. Upcoming in February is the SFS Chinese New Years celebration with a Chinese concert and Imperial Dinner. Lively music and appearance of the stately Lion dancers is usually there to start off the festivities with a big bang of the firecrackers. www.sfsymphony.org.
Caption: Carole Yamaguchi and Gerrye Wong admire Nutcracker display at Louise B. Davies Hall
CHINESE NEW YEAR FIRECRACKER REVUE
Looking for a little more excitement than the same old Chinese banquet with a few boring speeches to celebrate the Year of the Rat. Then come to San Francisco Clarion Performing Arts Center in the middle of Chinatown on #2 Waverly Place and enjoy burlesque performances by noted Asian American performers February 1-2.
Be entertained by seeing close up in the Clarion’s intimate setting Miss Exotic World 2019 Frankie Fictitious, Legend Coby Yee, Crocodile Lightning, Agent Wednesday, Calamity Chang, Sophie Rose Bisou, Phoenix A’Blaze, and the Grant Avenue Follies and Gumting the Poet. Sound like something worth coming to San Francisco for – you betcha so fire up those firecrackers for a rip roaring TIME!
MUSIC IN THE SOUTH BAY
For a more sedate evening of performances, a new musical SHE LOVES ME opens in the Saratoga Civic Theater February 25-February 15. This is a warm romantic comedy, and widely touted as a perfect musical as it’s charming, romantic and something the whole family can enjoy as love triumphs over animosity. Presented by South Bay Musical Theatre, this show has enjoyed two successful Broadway revivals, the most recent in 2016.
South Bay Musical Theatre was founded in 1963 and is now in its 57th year of entertaining Bay Area audiences as a non-profit organization, so it’s fun to go out and support local theatre while having a great evening of musical entertainment besides.
Champagne will flow post performance for first nighters of February 25 so go online to get your tickets now. www.SouthBayMT.com
A SURPRISE AWAITS…..
Our favorite local California State Assemblyman EVAN LOW is sending out an enticing invitation to join him at his annual Lunar New Year Dinner come February 7 at the San Jose Dynasty Restaurant. In previous years, he has attracted a crowded room full of solid supporters who are pleased with the work he has done in the State Assembly for his district, our area, and the state. This 2020 he is promising a special celebrity guest to appear at the dinner – so be on the lookout — who is it, Evan???? – J Lo or Celine or Brad Pitt? He just says it will be a “big name” at this “presidential-esque” event! Oh oh – whoever, presidential, past, present or future will be a special surprise so for curiosity’s sake, don’t miss out!! For insider info try : evanfor assembly@gmail.com and tell us if you find out the secret guest.
HOLIDAY FLASHBACKS…..
The holidays came and went before I could even report on some of the events happening then.
Caption: Nathan Louie in his Beijing Opera Wardrobe welcomes all to his home
So looking back, former San Franciscan Nathan Louie’s annual party goes on rain or shine as he outfits his garage and adjoining covered patio with heaters and lights for the some 75 guests he welcomed to his Victorian home in inner San Jose.
Caption: Calvin Wong shows Party Host Nathan his winning prize before someone stole it away from him.
The Gods looked kindly down as rain halted while Nathan and sister Madelene welcome all with a hearty meal, and a fast and furious open and steal the present game with fun for all. Everyone recognizes Nathan for his elaborate Beijing Opera costumes he dons to welcome everyone at all of the Asian Film Festivals in the area.
Caption: Nathan Louie with sister Madeline Shaw
CHCP HOLIDAY END OF YEAR DINNER
CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT celebrated the end of the year with a chef cooking special dinner at San Jose’s Genji Restaurant. Seated at one table with their own private chef preparing food for their table were Liz Chew, Anita and Yucaipa Kwock, Frances and Steve Quon, Judy Wong, President Dave Yick, and Erwin Wong.
Caption: CHCP Directors and Advisory Board Nominees meet
Admiring the culinary expertise of their personal chef at other tables were CHCP directors Bozena Teo, Shirley Wong, Al Low, Ginger Lai, Edith Wong, Brenda Wong, Tom Stutzman, Peter Young and David Wu.
Caption: Genji chef entertains CHCP diners
An occasion of holiday fun and food was enjoyed by all of the hard working volunteer Directors who serve diligently to keep the CHCP’s Museum of Chinese American History in Santa Clara Valley alive and well since it opened in 1991. Kudos to CHCP volunteer Board. Anyone interested in joining this dedicated group who say they receive many wonderful experiences working with other Asian Americans wanting to present, promote and preserve our Chinese American culture and history. The upcoming 2020 Membership meeting is January 13, Monday at the China Stix Restaurant in Santa Clara. If interested in attending and joining, I, as co founder welcome you all . Call 408 507 1042 or www.chcp.org
Caption: Enjoying CHCP Xmas dinner
