photo: Christina Mitchell
After I went on the media preview tour of the new Whole Foods Market, we walked around the corner to the Berkeley Rep for a Community Dinner. It was nice to talk to the local food artisans and the meal inspired me to maybe cook with the same ingredients one day. Plus, it was nice of them to set up a TV because Game 7 of the World Series was on that night too.
photo: Christina Mitchell
We started off with this spread of cheese, charcuterie and bread. This was the first time I tasted Morell’s Bread Country Batard. It was so hearty and wonderfully sour and I’m not afraid to admit that I ate 3 slices BEFORE dinner.
photo: Christina Mitchell
All that bread made me thirsty, so I walked over to Mead Kitchen’s table. Have you ever tasted mead before? It’s made by fermenting honey, so it’s not beer or wine, but it’s in the same family. The three flavors were all refreshing and distinct, so it would be fun to have a mead pairing dinner one day.
photo: Christina Mitchell
Then we sat down for the first course: Capay Organic Arugula Salad (Fra’mani Handcrafted Foods pancetta, Cypress Grove Midnight Moon goat gouda, persimmins, hazelnuts, apple cider mustard vinaigrette.
photo: Christina Mitchell
It’s been a while since I’ve had Donkey & Goat wines, but this was so drinkable and went well with the salad.
photo: Christina Mitchell
This dish was so satisfying: Miso Black Cod (sauteed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, Local Greens micro pea shoots). They also gave us a little box of radish shoots at the end of the night, so I’m looking forward to using them at home in salads and sandwiches.
photo: Christina Mitchell
This was my favorite dish of the night: Diestel Turkey Ranch Mini Turkey Pot Pie (seasonal vegetables, puff pastry). I thought it was going to be heavy, but the pot pie was surprisingly light with a white wine sauce. Some members of the Diestel family were sitting at our table and they spoke passionately about the history of their family business and philosophy of treating the animals.
photo: Christina Mitchell
The Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Beef Braised Short Ribs were tender but a little under seasoned and the Community Grains polenta was warm, so I would love to try it again at a hotter temperature.
photo: Christina Mitchell
At this point of the meal, it was the 9th inning so we stopped what they were doing. The cooks came out of the kitchen and everyone watched in suspense. I mean, how often are the Giants playing in a Game 7 in the World Series? This was the reaction right after they won, and then people jumped up to celebrate.
photo: Christina Mitchell
Dessert was Made-in-house Apple Pie with Gelateria Naia salted caramel gelato. It was seasonal and everything, but I would like to try the gelato with hot fudge instead.
Then I met Lonnie, the wine guy. He looks just like the drawing in the store, right?
Before I left, I asked for some Morell’s Bread to go and I’ve already toasted a few slices for breakfast.
Christina Mitchell
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