Wednesday, May 12, 2010

chapeau and cassis

happy birthday

BF's birthday last week was full of food, wine, more food, more wine, and three straight days of bloated happiness. I initially didn't intend to blog about this since I prefer natural day lighting and take terrible shots at night but you know what? Forget it, why not? So here you are, two great meals at two superb restaurants in San Francisco to celebrate Brent's being born 25 years ago. Wow, that's such a bizarre number.

scallop and pesto risotto with lobster bisque
duck
filet mignon
chocolate cake
(click through or hover over photos to see what we got)

Four course prix fixe meal at Chapeau for two. Keep in mind I am not including photos of at least three items (fried tiger prawns, creme brulee, etc.) and that all of this food was consumed by TWO people. This was our special night together on the night of his birthday! Of course, Brenty brought the wine but we started off with two kir royales while we waited for our table. Chef Philippe was so adorable and always checked up on us although it was a fairly busy night (on a Tuesday, wow). BF were both surprised to see that we paid so little (well, by fine dining standards) for such spectacular food... for the quality meal we experienced there I'm sure you'd easily pay double for it elsewhere (the atmosphere is so much less pretentious, too). If anyone was wondering, BF got the duck dish while I went with the filet mignon. We had originally intended to just get the three course meal but when our waiter described the tasting fish of the night, a scallop perched on top of a pesto risotto and drizzled with a lobster bisque, we knew we couldn't say no. Overall, it was a memorable meal. I think we may go back this summer for their early bird menu.

Actually, I have a funny story that goes along with this. By the end of the meal, I was so full that I asked BF to zip down my dress in the cab; however, I was wearing my FAVORITE silk shirt underneath and I was so bloated that the zipper got caught and would not budge. Well, when we got home, after a couple pulls and tugs, the zipper came off COMPLETELY and took off a large chunk of my top. If that is not a sign of a successful dinner, I don't know what is.

escargots
shrimp and scallops
salmon
cassoulet
(click through or hover over photos to see what we got)

The next big meal came less than 24 hours later but this time we were in a bigger party of friends. Cassis was a lot less crowded (well, we were actually the only other party in there) but it was ideal for our large rowdy group. Most of us passed on the prix fixe by ordering a la carte and shared appetizers which included two pizzas (marguerite and campagnarde), escargots, and foie gras. Don't ask me about the wine, I just remember that there were two hefty magnums involved which were demolished by the end of the night. Most of the people in our party were persuaded by our waiter's description of the duck cassoulet (which no one was able to completely finish) but I had scallops and shrimp a second time in a row. Why not? Live large, it's not every day you can do this.

And well, now it's back to the reality of instant ramen noodles and ham sandwiches. One day I'll have a steady job and will treat myself to amazing meals on a weekly basis (hah) but until then, these trips will be sparse. While I do enjoy reliable hole-in-the-wall joints, it's fun to go out once in a while and let loose. Even if your favorite clothes end up ruined...

44 comments:

Natalie (NJ in L.A.) said...

I would buy your food guide to San Francisco. These photos now have me yearning for frisee aux lardons and it is 11pm. Love your food post as always.

Esther said...

i agree about sucky night shots :( i can never get night shots right. yumm i wish i could have seen those tiger prawns i love prawns <3 glad you had fun & hope your bf had a great 25th! [he's reached a quarter to a hundred! :)]

Anonymous said...

Wow great photos! Happy birthday to your boyfriend.

Ula said...

What a great dinner! I would eat everything what's on the pictures...mmm....

FlashFash said...

OMG, the food look amazing! Oh, and happy belated birthday to your boyfriend :D


http://flashfashfash.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Good god all that food looks amazing! ck :) x

LUU H. said...

omg, the food porn <3 what a eyeorgasm

Anonymous said...

We drank 04 1er cru Mersuslt. Kind of a big deal.

Annabel said...

SHUT UP GREG

i speak mojito said...

Annabel...you make me want to spend all my money on food and take pictures of it while i am eating it ...what have you done..
:)

ispeakmojito.blogspot.com

Bench Jeans said...

Wow these look amazing!

Jenny Cindy said...

Oh wow all that food look sooo good!!

Anonymous said...

what a lovely meal.. drool...

xo

justyna

Anonymous said...

ah, i love San Francisco! Looks like you had a great time celebrating.

www.teenvegetariansoul.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a gorgeous meal! I really want to go to a dinner like this...

Melanie@Unravelled Threads

JessS said...

What an amazing birthday celebration! Looks scrumptious!

The Book of Right-On said...

This food looks amazing! looks like you and your bf had a two brilliant nights!
my boyfriend and i always end up spending money in restaurants even when we dont have any to spend!! we can;t resist good food!

Margaux

L. said...

oh, no fair! I'm so hungry now. Happy Birthday Brent!

Betty Noir

Tiffany said...

"If that is not a sign of a successful dinner, I don't know what is." Haha, brilliant!
I need to upgrade my eating out choice more often. I've been in SF for over a year and only ate out once.

Annabel said...

birthdays are great excuses to gorge! what's the price range?

Revital said...

everything looks sooooo delicious! simply mouthwatering!!

http://revi-pinkillusions.blogspot.com/

Marina Siero said...

mmm! this post makes me hungry!
x

Jocy said...

Yum. Sounds like a great time. Keep these food posts coming!

Nomad. said...

ah. your blog makes me hungry :) its so well balaced :)
x
charlotte

www.awkward-situations.blogspot.com

connie said...

Great photos!! Looks all delish! (Also, I love how you have Big Bang in your "currently Loving"section. they're my favorite!! too cute to handle!)

Hope you can stop by my blog!

http://the-ensemble-project.blogspot.com/

Alicia Lund said...

yum, everything looks delicious! :)

Elina said...

I really love your blog, but this is the second time when I leave a comment. Your photos are so good and your outfits so adorable.
And you're a very cute girl :-)

mel said...

happy brithday to him:) ohh all this food looks so amazing i feel hungry! gorgeous i love your blog
xx

Is This Real Life? said...

These shots are beautiful and the food looks a-mazing!
Sounds like you both had fun times!

Anonymous said...

Ruined clothes are nothing when compared with a scrumptious meal like the one you described. This looks delicious. Nothing like a good meal to make you feel happy. Your photography skills are great! xxx

Birgitte said...

Love the outfit with the stripes!
The foood lookes delicious!!!

Xoxo birgitte

http://fashionaccordingtobirgitte.blogspot.com

fashion_nerd said...

That food looks AMAZING. Thanks for posting the restaurant's link, I have it bookmarked and when I make my way up to SF I am absolutely going to check it out!

Happy belated birthday to your BF! :)


fashion nerdom :: locatingmyself.wordpress.com

this free bird said...

is it wrong that it's 9 in the morning and i basically want to eat all the food on this post?

i'm joining your flock. now.

http://thisfreebird.blogspot.com/

Pretty Little Funker said...

Hey there! I really love your blog and I am for sure a follower. I wondered if you'd maybe take a peek at mine and offer some advice, I am new to blogland. Also if you like please follow :D:D

Much love Kimberley xxx

www.kimbox9.blogspot.com

Tea Joeli said...

Love your blog!

I love taking pictures of food as well.

Amazing pictures btw:)

http://thebrunetteworld.blogspot.com/

xxx

Zoë said...

oh my god, the first desert is one of the most adorable things i've seen, i'm just accustomed to a pathetic candle stuck in the desert!

Aron said...

That place looks good! We just got back from the bay area; next time we go, I'll have to check out your blog first!

If you ever come to NY, we've got some spots on our blog you may enjoy!

The Sweet Paprika said...

That salmon looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

You are so slim but you eat so much, how are you doing ?
Sorry for my englis, love from France ;)

Karlarhrr said...

當一個人內心能容納兩樣相互衝突的東西,這個人便開始變得有價值了。 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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