Lark Creek Steak, San Francisco

This has been a busy and rough week for me at the Chron. I've been slaving in the cellar over all the wines to unbox and log-in, I've been researching tons of information to print in the next few editions and I cooked (the bright side) today most of the morning. Tomorrow its back to the dungeon to tackle the wines again for the next upcoming tastings.

As a treat for my hard (and volunteer) given effort I decided to dine here tonight to give myself a little pat on the back for making all this happen. I ate alone and had the best service from a waiter who was over-the-top great. A waiter can make or break your evening in places like this when you're dining alone. He was James, a vivacious and genuinely friendly fellow but not overbearing like some can be. He knew everything he was talking about, especially the wines and pairings. He did everything right that I can think of that a good waiter should do when trying to assist the kitchen and serve the customer at the same time. He gently pushed the Sirloin Tartare, which you need to when its on the menu and there is a small crowd. Its not like it'll be good for too long. I guess that's why they have a nice truffled burger on the menu too. Use up that tartare.

He was really at his best when I was on my cell and my main dish was coming. He didn't want to interrupt so he just brought 2 little swallows of red wine in each glass for me to try that would go with my meal before I even ordered any wine. I thought that was the most thoughtful effort I'd ever experienced in a restaurant. Never did anyone try to be so helpful and non interruptive. When I got off the call, we discussed the wines and ordered one. My hats off to that man for his class and style.

I wanted to have a good meal in my home town before I leave the city at the end of the month and I did. I even had better service than I ever had anywhere and I'm glad it was here in San Francisco.

If you're ever around Westfield Mall at 5th and Market, stop into Lark Creek Steak, I know you'll enjoy the steaks that cut like butta and the double fried steak fries but more importantly the great service. It was well worth it.

Chef Deb Needs a LoJack!

I've been MIA for 5 whole days. Wow! Time sure flies. I'll have to blame it on the weather. San Francisco has seen some of the most beautiful days lately that are hard to ignore. The mornings are simple poetic. The sun shines on all green things and the skies are so clear and blue it begs all birds to fly, then there's the air which has a mix of a bay marine dried aroma that sends your salt buds flushing. The morning is so still and yet so alive with the birds singing in au masse dotted along the roadways. I like to think that the birds have actual "talk and visit trees" where they gather together and begin their morning just like we do at our coffee houses and cafes.

I got lost in all this natural glory and then indulged myself over the weekend at the Families Home visiting and mingling. Papa John (I love that name, reminds me of someone famous) wanted to take us out to dinner Saturday night for pasta and maybe some Linguini and Clams and I suddenly blanched and said that I couldn't possible enjoy someone else's dissmal plate of same and enjoy it knowing that I can cook that dish To Die For! Oddly, I got my way and cooked up a mouth watering, garlicky, butterey dish of fine pasta and clams (I'll make that pasta myself when I get a pasta machine of my own!)

It was served up with a Ceasar Salad, fresh french bread and butter, and a Killer bottle of Raymond Burr Cabernet Savignon vintage 2000. It was PERFECTLY aged, the tannins were smoothe and the flavor of currants, coffee, a dash of tobacco and dried cherries was memorable. Thanks to Papa John for that excellent addition to the dinner! I woke the next morning immediately recalling that wine. Now THAT'S what a good wine is supposed to do to you!

We started a new class today: The Foods of the Americas. Today we cooked Argentinian foods. Very tasty but its too hot out for stews. I was so warm in class that I took off my neckerchief and ran it under cold water and reapplied it. Wow. That was the right thing to do. I was tempered for the rest of the class. Afterall, we had the grill going, the stovetops, the ovens, and the music. Even with the fans running the room was toasty. I heard some of the YOUNGER gals saying they thought they were getting Hot Flashes early! Yeah, right. Just you wait chickees, you'll toast like no tomorrow in a decade or two.

We were assigned our Projects for the end of class today and I somehow lucked out with the Yucatan Peninsula!!! YES. I think the cooking gods were assigning absolution for the Southern Germany botchup. I've been to Cancun and to Costa Maya in the Yucatan. They have great Tequila! (isn't the worm a food? Appetizer?) I can't quite recall the other stuff. The view was nice and the weather was, well, like today. The tequila was good though....

Have a good evening! See you around the haciendas!