Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I Said: "What About Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

I love the classic Southern California / Northern California dichotomy. Los Angeles has drop-dead gorgeous Hollywood celebrities and is the epicenter for glitz, fashion, glamour, and anorexia. Meanwhile, San Francisco epitomizes political and sexual open-mindness, progressive thinking, and musty, unshaven armpits.

But, not all is day and night between these two sister cities. San Francisco has its own celebs, or what we think is a close enough equivalent: the Board of Supervisors and the city's Mayor,
Mayor Gavin Newsom. These people have attained celeb status here in the Bay Area--god knows why. Well, it is not hard to see why Gavin Newsom is a superstar + rock god. Men and women alike idolize his dreamy good looks.

A friend of mine (who is now a Angeleno, but originally was a SF native in its truest form) came up to visit with me this past weekend, and we gossiped and ranted about San Francisco city politics and about Mayor Newsom's love life.

We gossiped in the only place that you can gossip openly in the city: the beautiful
Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean and nestled at the western most end of Golden Gate Park.

Had we been dining just a few blocks away, we would have had to hush our voices to an undetectable murmur, to prevent from being overheard. However, clanking of the silverware against the generous plates, and the clamorous discussions at each table drowned out our conversation. With the hustle and bustle of the restaurant patrons enjoying their weekend brunch, our voices were sufficiently obscured.

"Did you hear that Gavin's ex-wife is now engaged?"

"I thought she was dating that anchor from CNN! Well, Gavin broke up with Sophia Milos, the girl from CSI: Miami!"

At Beach Chalet, the gossip is great, but the visual scenery is even better. The breakfast foods are worthy of a hungry diner, but diners come for the California ambiance and the stunning view of the beach on a clear day. Just like Mayor Gavin Newsom is the poster child for San Francisco, the Beach Chalet is the poster restaurant the "best" of San Francisco. As you sit and bask in the warm sunlight streaming in from the ceiling-high windows, it is hard not to be entranced by the expansive beach view of the aqua-blue Pacific Ocean and the frothy ocean waves foaming onto the sand and sweeping back into the sea.


The breakfasts are satisfying. My recommendations: order the eggs with runny yolk insides, so that you can put the crusty slices of sourdough bread (a San Francisco invention) to use, sponging up the sunny and creamy yolk gravy, so that the yolks soak into and soften the bread. Also, instead of choosing breakfast meats like sausage or bacon, ask for the fresh fruit dish. That way, you will be able to taste the freshness, flavorfulness, and richness of California grown produce. Say it with me now in an Arnold Schwarzenegger-accent, "Support Caleefornyuh!"

Downstairs, visitors to the Beach Chalet can peruse the area that earned Beach Chalet its designation as a "historical landmark." Classic California murals elegantly grace the plaster walls and exert a breathtaking influence on the historical building. The murals portray the typical American lives of The Great Gatsby-1920s-era citizens of San Francisco, and the chocolate and cream colors employed are very Diego Rivera-esque. The visually stunning artwork is not limited to the elaborate murals, but also include detailed wood carvings, and polished glass display cases full of historical ornaments and newspaper clippings.

After and before brunch, don't forget to enjoy the flower gardens in Golden Gate park, gardens that closely cradle Beach Chalet and its outdoor restaurant component, Park Chalet, where upscale wines and sizzling barbequed ribs are served with a gourmet California-flair. When my friend and I casually strolled through the surrounding park area, we were fortunate to chance upon the seasonal flowers, including gargantuan purple blossoms that perfumed the air with their sweet fragrance. Also, whether you are a visitor or a resident of San Francisco, don't forget to admire the rustic and weathered windmill that sits at the end of the park nearby. A walk in the adjacent Golden Gate Park will help to burn up the calories, and work up an appetite for your next meal.

The sheer beauty of the Beach Chalet should be enough to compel you to visit them. Undoubtedly, the Beach Chalet (and Mayor Newsom) typify all that is good in San Francisco--they are the real "San Francisco treats."

15 comments:

  1. Hi PE - You sure know how to eat your eggs! Let them yolks run, then sop them up. Just had dinner, but maybe some easy over eggs for dessert........

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  2. You're thinking like how I think Kirk! Eggs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! (I hope both the Boyz and the Missus would approve!)

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  3. Yum Yum double YUM! Great photos once again PE...you never disappoint!

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  4. You beat me to the punch Rachel! I was just in the process of leaving you a comment, but I took a break to pick up the laundry! Thanks again! And congrats on the graduation!

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  5. San Francisco is my kind of city. Temps never climb above 75 (at least I've heard), it's food centric, urban but clean, and beautiful. And that breakfast you had is my kind of breakfast! You do Mayor Newsom proud, Passionate Eater!

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  6. PE, let's go here too. Seriously, i am coming up end of june/early july. You know how to order eggs the good way, overeasy and runny inside. Good girl! So this place, the orgasmic pizza... and what else???

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  7. Thank you Elmo Monster! I agree with the "food-centric, urban but clean, and beautiful" take on San Francisco... But San Francisco as temperate? Too much chill can make one into a frigid witch (like me)! I need me some heat, and because of that, Southern California our kind of ideal locale too! ;)

    You'd better back up your claims with actions soon Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, you were supposed to come up here long ago! I think that the Beach Chalet actually is a great place to take you. Not so sure about Pizza Orgasmica, but we'll go there too.

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  8. p.e.

    is Beach Chalet close to your work?? maybe we can go there, just as long as the waitresses don't apply the unshaven armpits rule... ;p

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  9. Unfortunately, it is not close to work, for Beach Chalet is on the other side of San Francisco Rick James. I am thinking that you and I can go to the Ferry Building and grab either Italian sandwiches, crusty bread and organic cheese, or some fancy Mexican fast food, and eat with a view of the incoming ferries and the Bay. Let me know what you think!

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  10. Whull, whar'd the meat come from? It could have been ranched and charcuted in California. Maybe just around the corner. MmmmMm, bacon.
    Maybe not. I had to say my peace.

    Tootles

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  11. p.e.

    the view!!! yes, the view!!

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  12. Sorry that I had to choose fruit over meat Dr. Biggles. And you are right. If I had ordered the sausage, bacon, or ham, the meat would have also been from California! Believe me, I smell the after-effects (the manure) when I am driving through Coalinga, and that means that the meat is good! California meat is unrivaled, as I am sure that you can attest.

    That settles it Rick James, we'll meat at the Ferry Building!

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  13. Hi PE - Ever since I read this I can't get that darn song by Deep Blue something out of my head......

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  14. PE - if you would like an evite to food bloggers event we are having please can you send me your email to becks dot posh at gmail dot com.
    Cheers

    Sam

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  15. Hi Kirk! Sorry it took me so long to reply, I've been out of town. I saw Diet Chili Cheese Fries (or Rick James)! He's really sweet and funny. And I love that song!

    Thank you Sam! I got your email today, I can't wait to meet you in person and hear more about your meals in New York City!

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