The Cook and Her Farmer

Today marked another brilliant day in Old Oakland: the soft opening of the long awaited 'The Cook and Her Farmer' oyster bar in Swan's Market.  Swan's is a historic marketplace, sometimes called the Housewive's Market-- and used to serve all of Oakland and neighboring towns with the best local produce, meats, poultry, fish, and housewares.  For many years after it's peak, the area sat dormant and asleep.

Three years ago, neighbor Cosecha opened in the market with intensely beautiful tacos and simple Mexican fare (I eat there at least 4 times a week, they are directly across from me and the shop, and I seriously can never get enough).  Soon after, Ms. Ollie's, Periscope Cellars and Rosamunde joined Cosecha and the historic Sincere Seafood and Taylor Sausage counters, rounding out the space with more fresh places to eat or pick up ingredients for a home-cooked meal.

But now I have another amazing reason to cross the street, as so do you.  Romney Steele (of Nepenthe fame) and her oyster aficionado partner Steve opened an incredible counter to gulp down the freshest oysters, all while sitting al fresco in a bustling marketplace.  

I was chomping at the bit all day to get over there, the minute the clock struck six I met up with my Dad, his wife, Marion and Rose's Workshop owner Kerri, and Tamarindo owner Alfonso.  We all chatted, drank beer and prosecco, and wolfed down oyster after oyster.  Then I had an incredible peach, kumquat and avocado salad from Cosecha while I tasted a little nibble of a super crispy grilled cheese from The Cook.  

As if you needed another reason to relax all day in Old Oakland, later this summer B-DAMA, notable Japanese restaurant, will be opening a noodle bar within the same marketplace.  

Oakland is about to have it's heyday, where you at?

The noisy and bustling view from my studio bench

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Upcoming Events // First Friday

This First Friday join us for our exhibition with Creative Growth artist, Veronica Rojas with special guest performances by Halo Between, plus the usual wine, food and good company.  See More >>>

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

OAKLAND DISH // Cosecha

COSECHA is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in Oakland.  I eat here usually 2-4 times a week, no joke. They are right down the street from Crown Nine and pretty much rule my world.  They are located in the open air of Swan's Market on the corner of 9th and Washington, sharing the floor with Sincere Seafood, Taylor's Sausage, and Periscope Cellars.  Why do I love this place so much?

1 // Best chicken tacos ever.
2 // Best pozole verde ever.
3 // One of my favorite salads, a mixture of chopped buttery lettuce with jicama, firm sweet mango slices, roasted pepitas, and a kumquat dressing that will have you lingering over your last bite
4//  El Yucateco Habanero Verde salsa on the table, which is my all-time favorite hot sauce
5 // Great beer and wine selection, including local favorites like Trumer and 21st Amendment alongside Periscope Cellars chilled dry Rose
6 // Unfussy preparations and service
7 // Flakey fruit tarts + yeasted waffles
8 // Handmade tortillas, thick and crispy chips with fresh pico de gallo salsa
9 // Killer brunch menu including Chilaquiles, Huevos Cuauhtemoc, and a zesty Michaelada to wash it down

If you are in the neighborhood, this is a must stop spot.  Say hello to owner/chef Dominca, who is counted among the alumni from Chez Panisse, Eccolo and Restaurant Soleil in Mexico City.  She is exceptionally welcoming and rarely not there working in the kitchen.  Buen provecho.

Crispy fish tacos on the happy hour menu Wednesday and Thursday

Dominca and staff 

The flakiest, yummiest guava tart you'll ever taste

Blood orange mimosa on the brunch menu

Chilaquiles verdes with pinto beans and avocado

Thick cut chips + salsa

Mango, mint, jicama...

L O V E + M E T A L 

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

GO FAR // Indian Springs

This is my place.  When I have just come off a grueling project, accomplished a monumental goal, or am celebrating a significant day, this is my place to go.  Just about a two hour drive on the scenic roads of the Napa Valley, Indian Springs Spa and Resort is just a skip away, but once you're there you feel like you just jet-set your way to heaven.  I went with my cousin Sarah, owner of The I Do Studio, to celebrate finishing a 14 week business class at Renaissance Center in SF and completing a business plan.  

The biggest draw for me is the pool.  Filled with natural sulfur hot spring water, the pool is a warm, therapeutic, relaxing sanctuary.  In order to get access to the pool you must either be a hotel guest or get a spa treatment.  I usually get either a volcanic ash mudbath served up the traditional way by the sweet women who work in the mudbath room.  You get in naked, get covered with heaping, heavy mounds of warm mud, and then you just get to lay there, sort of hovering in a weightless/ weighty otherworldly meditation.  It's weird, relaxing, and great for your skin.  Otherwise I just book a massage, like I did on this trip.

What I love most about Indian Springs, besides the pool, is that every little detail of the place is intentional, cared for, beautiful.  It is so rare to enter a space so carefully and lovingly designed, it really does make you feel appreciative, cared for, and engulfed in beauty.  Such a lovely reminder for me to take care of the small things in my life, to love and care for my space and objects.  It really does increase your sense of well-being.

 

After our incredibly relaxing and massages and day in the pool, we took off to head home.  I really didn't want to leave, I felt like I could just bliss out for a few more days and then I would feel refreshed and ready to hit the grindstone again.  So instead of rushing home we decided to stop at Farmstead south of downtown St. Helena on our way home.  There we enjoyed an incredible dinner outside by the fireplace, sipping on regional wine and toasting to our bountiful day. 

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

The Trail // Armstrong Redwoods

 I love running.  Ever since I was a kid it was something that made me feel freer, stronger, happier.  A few years ago I found a super fun group to run with, Pacific Coast Trail Runs.  They host monthly races ranging from 9k to 100 mile ultra-marathons.  My sweet spot is in the 5-15 mile range, and I love having a group to go run with.  They are "serious fun", a friendly but competitive group of people who love running in the beautiful open spaces of coastal California.

This past weekend I ran a 17k in Armstrong Redwoods in Guerneville.  The park was only recently opened to the public and this was the first race in its history.  The trail was gorgeous, starting in the misty redwoods and climbing into the dry high grasslands.  

 

 I wasn't planning on taking any photos during the race, but the 2 mile second climb was brutal and unrelenting.  All the dudes I was running with started walking, and then passing me as I was sluggishly "running" uphill, at which point I decided that I too would walk up the rest of the hill.  Here I am trailing them as we all huff and puff at about 6 or 7 miles into the race.

The results of the race:  I came in 1st place female in my age group, 4th place female, and 14th place overall.  It was a tough run, and it has me totally inspired to run the next race on June 2nd at Mt. Diablo.

//

Funny enough, my good friend Eva Kolenko has just taken a family get-away to Guerneville and posted all about her trip on her blog, so after the race I parked on a side street near downtown and meandered through town to The Big Bottom Cafe where I thoroughly enjoyed a big lunch on her recommedation.  I love Guerneville, it has the same sort of sidewalk-less streets, strange residents, and interesting artifacts as my hometown, Forest Knolls.  Here are some of my favorite sights in town....

 L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E