Civility isn't something you associate with food truck events, but are you really looking for "wholesome" among the carts? Part of the fun is the mass of humanity, the snaking lines, the comparing of food tips with strangers, and the discovery we have more room in our stomachs than we previously thought. Food trucking is the culinary equivalent of music festivals: you do it for the communal social experience as much as for the performances.
Showcasing a more refined side to the trucks are two events: Off the Grid Presidio Picnic (with full drink menu!) and Fiveten Burgers making a pop-up appearance (get a taste of what the future brick and mortar location may bring) at Trace.
See also: Food Truck Bite of the Week: Hoofing Burgers at Fins on the Hoof
Food Truck Bite of the Week: Porchetta Nachos at The Whole Beast
Food Truck Bite of the Week: Fiveten Deep in Burgers
Off the Grid: Presidio Picnic
Where: Presidio Parade Grounds, near Main Post and Walt Disney Museum
When: Sun., Apr. 21st, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Starting this Sunday and going until October 27th, the weekly brunch picnic returns for a full season this time. Hosting a fresh produce farmers market and retail vendors, along with 18 food vendors. The food runs the spectrum from food truck favorites like Fins on the Hoof and the Whole Beast to pop-ups of beloved brick and mortar spots like Nopalito and Rosamunde Sausage Grill. Find the full weekly line-up here.
But what's a picnic in the park without relaxing beverage? Best Beverage Catering has you covered with a roaming bar to slake your thirst.
BAR MENU
Traditional Mimosa or Cucumber Honey Mimosa - $9 (9-oz)
Fresh squeezed Orange Juice or Cucumber & Honey w/Cava Sparkling Wine
Mr. Pickles Bloody Mary - $9 (12-oz)
Our magical Bloody Mary mix, Skyy Vodka & pickled cherry pepper juice served with a seasonal selection of local pickled veggies & peppers!!
Mr. Pickles Bloody Mary Mason Jar Kit - $45
Serves 5-7 people. Comes with a mason jar of Bloody Marys, a boat of mixed pickles, and enough ice and cups to make your blanket the envy of the picnic!
Presidio Mule - $9 (12-oz)
SF Vodka, MIXI's True Fermentation Ginger Beer, lime juice & Peychaud's Bitters
Beers (buckets: buy 4 get 1 FREE)
Selections TBD
Spike Your Coffee
"Add a shot of Jameson & Bailey's infused Whipped Cream - $5
Mimosas
(both Mimosas served on ice, in buckets with pint of fresh juice)
Basic Mimosa Kit - $38
Bottle of sparkling plus fresh squeezed orange juice and cucumber-honey juice
Prosecco Mimosa Kit - $50
Bottle of Prosecco plus fresh squeezed orange juice and cucumber-honey juice
Kidz Only Punch - $4
Fresh seasonal farmers punch, rotates weekly. Seriously, kids only.
Non-Alcoholic
Waiwera Liter (Still or Sparkling) - $6
Purity Coconut Water - $5
Izze Sparkling Juice - $4
Water Refill Station - $1pp, on the honor system, at the bar stations
"Local Motion" dinner at Trace: Fiveten Burger
Where: Trace, 181 Third St.(at Howard), 817-7836
When: Tues., Apr. 23rd, 7 p.m.
Cost: $40 for dinner, additional $25 for paired cocktails; buy tickets online
Roland Robles of Fiveten Burger gets back in the kitchen and joins Trace chef Paul Piscopo for a culinary collaboration that takes the best of mobile food and brings it inside. This dinner is part of Chef Piscopo's "Local Motion" series that takes food truck favorites and their food inside and in the kitchen to expand on their cuisine
Expect Robles' signature burgers, but also a few other surprises like black truffle tater tots. That's exactly what we said.
Cocktail pairings are optional, but with mezcal Old Fashioneds and Whiskey Smashes (the drink and possibly you) coming to the table, it might be too hard to resist.
The full menu:
Cocktail reception: Fingerling Potatoes with Crisp Pork Belly and Fiscalini Cheddar; Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Sabayon and Prosciutto Chip; Wagyu Tartar with Whole Grain Mustard and Fried Caper; and Chicken Liver Mousse, Breaded and Deep Fried; paired with the Mezcal Old Fashioned
Starters: Cult Classic Tots with Black Truffle; Beer Batter Onion Rings with Pimentón Sauce; House-cured Fiveten Pickles made with Mixed Veggies and Chiles; and Corn Dogs made with Lamb Sausage and Cornbread Batter.
Mains: Black Bass Sandwich with Basil Mayo and Spicy Tomato Jam; Eel River Grass-fed Sliders with Lettuce, Tomato and Onion; and Taylor's BBQ Sausage with Hot Slaw, Cabbage, Nantes Carrot, and Super Spice Mustard, paired with the Whiskey Smash
Sweets: Rhubarb Strawberry Pop Tart with Sprinkles, paired with the R&R.
Follow @LouAtLarge