Organizer Mark Brett told SFoodie the market will sprawl over two rooms on the ground floor along the Metreon's
In fact, Brett may feel more at home with nonfood vendors - he's never actually run a farmers' market, but has managed mall kiosks as well as road and trade shows. We get the feeling the folks at CUESA (organizers of the Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market), aren't exactly worried about the looming competition.
| Ana Mandara |
Those in search of a slightly more civilized freebie than the lines reported at KFCs around the country thanks to Oprah might saunter over to their nearest Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (773 Market at 4th St.; 2201 Fillmore at Sacramento; Four Embarcadero Center) between 4 and 8 p.m. today. Sure, there will probably also be some sort of wait since the company is offering a free 12 oz. iced coffee during those hours, but it's likely to move more swiftly than that of the Colonel's. The promotion is meant to generate awareness of the non-profit organization Big Sunday, the largest regional community service/volunteer event in the country.
Erin Evans, spokesperson for San Rafael-based In Defense of Animals (IDA), said 10 to 15 protestors showed up at Jardiniere, armed with signs and a roving video monitor showing secret footage of alleged abuse at a California foie gras facility. According to Evans, IDA targeted Jardiniere because chef-owner Traci des Jardins once expressed sympathy for the plight of foie gras ducks, and even temporarily removed the luxe item from the restaurant's menu. "She was actually an outspoken person and she kind of turned around," Evans said. In March, SF supervisors passed a symbolic resolution commending city eateries that pass on foie gras. A statewide ban takes effect in 2012.
Des Jardins was unavailable for comment. But Jardiniere manager Rowen told SFoodie that IDA and an affiliate group - San Diego-based Animal Protection & Rescue League - had been in contact with him for weeks, threatening to stage a protest unless he nixed foie gras. Rowen said he counted nine protestors at Saturday's demo. "They were all very nice," he said, though their efforts were apparently kind of a flop. "We sold more foie gras that night," he said, describing a party of eight who made their way through the protestors, sat down, and ordered eight foie gras terrines as appetizers.
Exploring the intersection between "art, craft, education, and performance," Oakland's Rock Paper Scissors Collective hosts a multitude of classes and activities ranging from sewing and jewelry making to Pilates and 'zine crafting. But this Saturday, May 9, RPSC jumps on the cupcake craze with its 1st Annual Cupcake Bakeoff, which takes place from 2-4 p.m. at 2278 Telegraph (at 23rd St., in Oakland). Admission is $4 and includes a taste of the 10 competing cupcakes and an opportunity to help declare the winning bite. There will also be a cookbook with recipes from all the contestants for sale. Proceeds will benefit the Community Collaborations Donation Campaign, RPSC's outreach program promoting creativity and resourcefulness in underserved communities in Oakland.
Crammed with silk flowers, spangly garlands, and enough shiny surfaces to induce epilepsy, the place is more jeepney than cable car. Owner Joe Obegi has a flair for shameless self-promotion, from signs that scream JOE GRINDS HIS OWN FRESH CHUCK DAILY, to the monitor running an endless loop of a visit by Food Network loudmouth Guy Fieri. Behind the noise, Joe's Cable Burger ($13.45 for the six ouncer) has a quiescent heart. The meat is fabulous: kibble-coarse, loosely packed, and tender, with an astonishing pure-beef quality that'd feel right at home at Zuni. The rest is disappointingly old school, from the flattop griddle that cooked it (charcoal roolz) to the Wonder-fluffy bun. Still, if you've got the cash, Joe's is a taste of Mad Men-era flash.
