ChezHelvetica wove interlacing culinary patterns into a warm hug for visiting family.
Grilled White Peaches from the VA Farmers Market with choice of (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon, Maple Syrup or Haagen Dazs Carmel Cone Ice Cream) toppings was Friday night’s arrival dessert. Saturday’s dinner Soiree’ delighted guests as fresh Pine Nut Pesto doused frilly ‘Gigli’ Pasta, 
accompanied by grilled Zucchini and Aidell’s Italian Style Chicken Sausage, warm Baguette and Greek Olive Medley. La Crema Chardonnay from Sonoma’s North Coast added bright Citrus, Apricot and Honeydew scents. Finally, Trader Joe’s Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies completed the heartwarming meal. A classic Sunday Brunch featuring Lox and ‘Everything’ Bagels from the House of Bagels, Deviled Eggs, Early Girl Tomatoes and Red Onion ended this reunion with Big Dreams for the next!
ChezHelvetica’s birthday tribute to a Father who loved Lemon Meringue Pie turned out to be homemade Lemon Curd, thanks to a gift of beautiful, fragrant Meyer Lemons picked in Tamalpais Valley and the perfect easy 
Dollops of the curd frosted Trader Joe’s Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert on The Day. Then the sweet, tangy Meyer Lemon curd transformed a breakfast of Open Nature Maple Pecan Granola, Fage Yogurt and Organic Blueberries the next morning. It’s all about zest, be it the deep love for a wonderful Dad or a meal with delicious Lemon Curd!
A portmanteau is a linguistic blend of words in which parts are combined to form a new word, like panzanella – the Italian words for pane (bread) and zanella (deep plate). This fine evening, ChezHelvetica served a Peach Panzanella Salad, blending words and the freshest of this season’s 
bounty. From the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Tory Farms Peaches, Acme Bread New York Rye, Zucchini and Celery macerated in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Champagne Vinegar, then accented with Basil Chiffonade. Our first course was a creamy 
Delicious “Grandma Harvey’s Cherry Cobbler”, a recipe from Gotelli & Sons Farm at the VA Farmers Market, burst with the sweetest Bing and Ranier Cherries served warm a lá Mode. A truly wonderful celebration for visiting family! 
ChezHelvetica hosted an astonishing 88th Birthday Celebration for our incredible Mother (Beverly). Sister 
Abby, traveling through Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Thailand and Indonesia with family, flew in from Bali to surprise our Mom. Was it a mirage?! She was speechless, overjoyed! Ina Garten‘s luscious recipe for 
Noodles, Garlic and fresh Oregano simply delighted the party. A delicious 
Then the fest! Mouthwatering 
While my mother might describe her two daughters as Little Gems, ChezHelvetica’s definition this evening focused on the vibrant green leaves with a sweet, buttery taste known by this name. But first, 
. Our centerpiece salad combined the delicious sweet and savory tastes of Little Gems, 
A day of Degas, Impressionism, the Paris Millinery Trade and ChezHelvetica! French accents inspired a delightful gathering of 
very creative, dear friends known as the Cava Five. With namesake sparkling Cava Mimosas (or pure Segura Viudas Brut Cava) in hand, the party of delectable food and wine unfolded. The sweetest of Berries with red Grapefruit and Mint accompanied our entrée of 
An incredible array of French Cheeses (Florette Goat, Belletoire Cow, Oussau Iraty Sheep, Gres Champenois Cow, and Camembert Cow) followed with the finest of French Chocolates and Macarons. Exquisite Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay accompanied this final course. Then, off to the Legion of Honor to see the beautiful art exhibition – a French Kiss indeed!
Congratulations Parents of the Grad! ChezHelvetica welcomed Sister and Brother-In-Law with a celebratory dinner before the weekend ceremonies at UC Berkeley. Martha Stewart Living’s Everyday Food pullout (stained with olive oil after four years of continuous use) delivered the commencement meal of Pasta, Tuna, Capers and Tomatoes. It was like confetti in a bowl! Onions and sweet Cherry Tomatoes, sautéed in Olive Oil, and a creamy Parmesan Cheese Sauce created a fragrant bath for the Penne, Capers and oil-packed Tuna while Lemon zest and juice 
heightened the flavors of this mouth-watering dish. Avocado Dip with Sweet Potato Multi-Grain Chips and Kalamata Olives accompanied our entrée. The bouquet of ripe tropical and citrus fruits in Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s famed Marlborough region paired perfectly, offering a hint of the international travel on the horizon for our Grad. Finally, a towering, multi-layer Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry Cream-frosted Cake crowned this Cal celebration!
Biblical tales converged at ChezHelvetica this Sunday as palm fronds cradled the Seder Plate (holding its symbols of 
Passover) and gilded envelope of Matzot. The incredible story of Exodus unfolded, yet this gathering broke with tradition as it was a day early and the menu featured brunch rather than dinner. Lemons with glitter glue initials showed guests (with Cava-sparkling Mimosas in hand) where to sit. Paula Shoyer’s 
Red Onion and Dill accompanied the savory Frittata. The Muffins had a scrumptious Streusel topping with a soft cakey interior containing potato starch, making them Kosher for Passover. Velvety Rancho Sisquoc Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County filled our cups, as well as Elijah’s. While my niece searched for the Afikomen, we devoured heavenly Noe Valley Bakery Coconut Macaroons and Chocolate Meringue Cookies along with San Francisco Bay French Roast Coffee. May this commemoration of the release of our ancestors from bondage be heard throughout the world today!