Discoveries this weekend:
While Jackie was here:
San Francisco International Chocolate Salon entertaining, but not really worth while. Too many people and too much crowding around each booth; it was hard to really savor the chocolate and remember what distinguished one from another. Too much oversweetened chocolate candy (and weird novelties), not enough good quality dark chocolates — and the ones I liked were either sold out, or didn’t sell in singles, my particular favorites. (Or, in the case of Marti, I could not even get through the crowd to taste enough flavors to fill one of their $9 boxes.) I wouldn’t go to this salon again, unless they reorganized it with tables and more crowd control. I had more fun at the Friends of the SFPL Book Bay afterward!
Cafe Soleil‘s breakfast redeemed the forgettable lunch we had there a couple of weeks ago. The food isn’t superb, but it’s very comforting — like homemade, family-owned Denny’s, really! We also like their big library-like tables. And any place that has side orders of gravy suits me just fine.
We had a really lovely dinner at Pomegranate with Precious and Carlo, who are getting in a quick vacation before Lakan is due in May! It amazes me how many Berkeley restaurants we have still to explore, even after a voracious four years of eating (five, with Erik and me combined) during our undergrad years. Pomegranate was quiet, even on a Saturday night, and perfect for conversation — which we had in plenty. Their vegetarian sabzi (a spinach and kidney bean stew) was delicious, and I’m now obsessed with saffron rice and plan to make some later this week.
Now Bright is here:
Three-week-old Alphonse Berber Gallery a wonderful addition to Bancroft Way in Berkeley. I liked nearly everything, from Reuben Margolin’s mesmerizing kinetic sculptures to Justin Margitich’s mythical-looking graphite landscapes. Nearly all the art was rather expensive, but there was jewelry that wasn’t, which is exciting, and a nice way to make the commercial aspect of the gallery accessible to a wider audience. I put myself on their mailing list and would like to spend more time there. I enjoyed this gallery infinitely more than any of the ones I saw at the downtown LA ArtWalk a couple of months ago.
At Moe’s Books last night, I bought two songbooks: folk songs, and some Beatles songs from the 60s. I am so excited to have some new songs to sing; I’ve exhausted all the ones I already know the lyrics to. We recently figured out that I’m a true alto — not a soprano as so many women are — so it’s harder for me to sing a lot of popular songs. Folk songs and the Beatles work well for me! I also got the piano music for the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack, so I’ve been filling the house with romantic melodies. 😉 And this brings the number of books I’ve acquired since we moved in, to… nearly thirty?!
Sala Thai is very close to our house and has yummy Thai food and very cute decor. It’s no Red Corner Asia (sigh), but it’s good to have found a casual Thai place that we like, in our area.
satsumabug.com | Lisa Hsia 
