A Taste of Northern California

During two recent trips out to Nortern California, Catersource experienced all te area had to offer: the California cuisine of wine country, the family favorites of San Francisco's Chinatown and North Beach, and everything else in between. Here's a quick look at what we experienced. 

Wine Country 

The Nappa Valley Winie Train currently offers a Tasting on the Rails experiences where passengers enjoy a multi-course tasting menu (paired with wines) while they travel through Napa Valley's beautiful countryside. Here's a look! 

Endive/Boursin Herb Cheese/Sliced Grapes/Milk Crumb. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Freshly made brioche rolls served with orange honey butter. Photo couresy Amber Kispert

(Left) Frisse Arugula Salad (Skyhill Chevre, heirloom beets, orange vinaigrette, and pistachios); (Right) tomato basil soup. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

(Left) Beef tenderloin/potatoes au gratin/black garlic mushroom puree/bordelaise; (Right) herb garlic prawns/polenta/ramp chimichurri/crispy prosciutto/confit tomatoes/watercress. Photo couretsy Amber Kispert

(Left) Valley Ford Estero Gold/Point Reyes Bay Blue/house-made blackberrylavender jam/sourdough crostini/dried apricots; (Right) Choco Bar (cremeux/hazelnut praline/flourless cake/sea salt caramel/milk chocolate chantilly). Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

San Francisco

San Francisco continues to be a foodie destination for many. Here's a look. 

SFO Airport 

The in-flight meal consisted of braised short rib, mashed potatoes, carrots, and pickled onions. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Fisherman's Wharf 

Boudin Bakery in Fisherman's Wharf is famous for its New Englan clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls. Photo couretsy Amber Kispert

A unique offering at Boudin Baker are its sourdough critters. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Chinatown 

Egg white tart from Yummy Bakery. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

At Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (considered by some to be the originator of the fortune cookie), fortune cookies are made fresh and hand-rolled daily. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

In addition to traditional fortune cookiese, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory also sells flavored cookies such as green tea, chocolate, and strawberry, as well as frosted and decorated varieties. Photo couresy Amber Kispert

Chicken drumettes from New Golden Daisy. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Pork sui mai Dim Sum from Good Mon Kok Bakery. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

North Beach 

Pepperoni pizza from Golden Boy Pizza. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Crab ciopppino from Sotto Mare. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Livermore 

Catersoyrce was invited to attend an event from Blossom Catering called M(eat) Carnival, which was a pop up event that quite literally encouraged guests to eat with their hands. Upon arrival to the event, each guest received a wine glass and a towel and then they preceded to visit the various chef-attended stations where various dishes (primarily meat) were being prepared onsite. Guests would then grab (with their hands) the prepared bite. We'll have more on M(Eat) Carnival in a future issue of Catersource when we look at pop up events, but for now here's a sneak peak!  

Beef pita with minit and basil. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Shakshuka. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

A "carcas of tuna" with pomegranate, molasses, coconut, wassabi, and soy sauce. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Smoked duck tacos with a pineapple barbecue. Photo courtesy Amber Kispert

Guest were quite literally encourages to get their hands dirty during the event. Shown: hallibut. Photo courtesy Bryan Ngo

During the even, chefs were cooking live onsite with smokers, live fire, and grills. Photo courtesy Bryan Ngo

Blossom Catering has developed a vegan foi gras made from cashews. Photo courtesy Bryan Ngo