“Why does this night differ from all other nights?” ChezHelvetica distinguished this celebration of freedom by passing over the ritual Passover Seder, yet honoring the symbols and special foods eaten on this occasion. The meal started with traditional Apple-Walnut Charoset and Horseradish on Yehuda Matzo, accompanied by roasted Mt. Lassen Trout. Steaming Manischewitz Matzo Ball Soup with fresh Dill followed. Our main course beckoned ~ Cinnamon Butter Baked Carrots surrounding Rotisserie Chicken and Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower fragrant with Onion, Garlic and Thyme.
Family embraced us from afar, albeit from another state or heaven, through their beautiful table setting gifts. All would delight in the dessert of Chocolate Decadence Flourless Cake from Jane, Noe Valley Bakery Macaroons and Strauss Family Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream.
The next day, Matzo Brei with Salmon, Dill Pickle, Fuji Apple and Medjool Dates, with a view of flowering blooms across the street at the GGNRA, solidified our Resurrection. Pesach Sameach!
Wishing J♥️Y! ChezHelvetica hosted a very special Cava75 Birthday Tea Party with dear, artful friends ~ in honor of incredible Arlene! With the cork popped on bubbling Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut, the party was off. An array of delicious Tea Sandwiches (Shrimp, Egg Salad, Boursin and Blue Cheese/Walnut/Pear) was the first course, along with a wonderful Mango Cole Slaw and an assortment of Teas.
Thankful and appreciative only begin to describe this special Thanksgiving gathering at ChezHelvetica. 
Absolutely Amazing defines the Executive Chef, Niece Rachel, who first baked delicious Pecan and Pumpkin Pies, and then incredible Baklava.
If you wait three decades, sometimes reunions can occur. Blue-eyed family traversed the country to a greeting of Sunday brunch at ChezHelvetica. 
Barefoot Contessa’s Baked 
A virtual mini-Seder with family began this holiday with discussion of the Seder Plate and symbolism of its foods. Palm fronds, commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, shared ChezHelvetica’s tabletop with symbols of the Jewish exodus from Egypt on the journey to freedom.
Matzah, or unleavened bread, first appeared in the savory, steaming Matzah Ball soup. Then in the main course with 
Inspired by the Greens Restaurant menu for Christmas and the first night of Chanukah, ChezHelvetica and dear friends created a feast for this merged holiday. Taking the challenge, a New York Times four-page recipe for 
A Port reduction sauce, flavored with Shallots, Garlic, Peppercorns and fresh Thyme from our garden, drizzled over the Wellington. NB| The Sous Chef also created the toilet paper seed menorah.
Greek inspiration|Israeli ingenuity|Italian saporoso ChezHelvetica delighted this weekend in serving 
ChezHelvetica celebrated a triptych of special occasions in a re-opening world! Bouquets to Art at the deYoung Museum, Pride Month, and a Milestone Anniversary commemorated by anything Ruby and Nasturtiums. Fortunately, Nasturtiums flourish in my back garden and Ruby candles at Safeway. 
With the table set in a rainbow of colors, 
