Legion of Honor

Rachel aka spacegirl1, Dr. LeCover PhD

Celebration time ~ Niece Rachel turns 33! Between rainstorms and flash flooding, the sun shined on this remarkable day at ChezHelvetica. Sunday brunch called for the proverbial Lox, Cream Cheese and Everything Bagels with Dill Pickles and an assortment of sweet Organic Berries. Crustless Quiche , oozing with Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, Carmelized Onions, Sautéed Broccoli and Italian Sausage, added a savory touch.

Then, a walk through the natural beauty of the GGNRA to the Legion of Honor to see the exquisite Mary Cassatt exhibition and amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco and Ocean Beach. Now it was time for Birthday Cake and Champagne!

Meet beautiful birthday girl Rachel and boyfriend Jordan! Black Magic Cake, Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream and sparkling Korbel Champagne filled the room with Happiest of Birthday Wishes!!!

From OSU to SFO

ChezHelvetica regaled a dear friend from college with a Welcome Dinner amidst hugs, kisses and conversation that picked up where we left off years earlier. Our first course: Heartwarming Broccoli Cauliflower Soup accented with freshly picked Oregano, Thyme, Basil and Sage, plus a kick of Cayenne, accompanied by Delallo Jumbo Kalamata Olives and Pepperidge Farm Goldfish. Then the fest! Mouthwatering Crab Cakes composed of Dungeness Crab (one from the Seafood Center in San Francisco and another from Bolinas) and delicious Boudin Sourdough Bread, served on inner leaves of Romaine and dressed with Lemon Vinaigrette, along with Sweet Potato Fries. Jordan Russian River Chardonnay was the perfect pairing, both because of its creamy taste and its name, that of Nina’s son. For dessert we delighted in Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream and World’s Finest Chocolate Mint Meltaways while discussing next days plans to see Gustav Klimt at the Legion, Teotihuacan at the deYoung and hear U.K. band Stereophonics at The Fillmore and Seal at Davies Symphony Hall. Excitement reigned!

A Fabulous Fête

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.

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 Cinnamon Baked French Toast (made with Sour Bâtard) and savory thick cut Bacon – further elevated by pairing with elegant Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre. 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!