Retro Friday & My Birthday

I think I have shown this picture on here before, but it was a while back, and I really think it fits with my time line and the fact that it was my birthday yesterday. In this photo, I think I'm either eleven or twelve. I can't really remember for sure. My sister looks to be around four in this picture, so I think I would be most likely twelve. My mom made this cute cake, and it looks as if I'm trying to hold back my sisters hands so she won't touch it. So funny for me to look at this picture and see how we almost don't look like we are from the same family! Love her cute chocolate eyes in this picture.   Don't you love my mom's groovy curtains in this photo? So seventies and bright, but I guess it was funky groovy 1974.  

Yesterday we went to Chez Panisse for my birthday dinner. I think this is one of the prettiest shots I have taken of the inside. It is really hard to take photos in there, mainly because of the rosy glow of all of the copper, but this one really shows off the feel of the restaurant I think. I love coming here not only for the food of course, but for the ambience of the restaurant in the fall months.  I just wish that I could capture more of the details better, but I always feel a bit awkward snapping too many photos instead of just having a good time.

 This is the entrance to the kitchen. I love that old cabinet, and they always do a gorgeous display like the one you see of the grapes and egg plants to the left.

We got a really great spot this time.

 Since I turned a whopping 50 years old yesterday, I think it deserves a nice glass of champagne! This particular one was ever so tasty. If you follow me on "Instagram" (gossamerwings) I took a shot of the bottle we drank. Very nice small vintner in France.

 Squash blossoms with anchovies. Anchovies like nothing you have tasted before. Not salty, and not fishy. They just tasted like the sea and quite delicate. I can't ever say enough about how amazing these people dress their greens. I know it looks simple, but I can't really describe how magical the dressing on those leaves taste. You will just have to come someday and taste them for yourself!

 Around this time of year, Chez Panisse loves to serve quail. We always joke that most likely for my birthday, we will be eating quail. Well, yes indeed this is a quail dish. I have to say I was sad to hear they were serving it on my birthday again, but once the plate is in front of you and you taste the creation, you are then mad at yourself from doubting how amazing it ends up being! This one had figs, polenta, tiny grapes and the best sauce covering it. This little guy was quite meaty for being so little.

 This folks, made my whole night! Alice Waters herself was there!! In all the years that I have been going, I have never seen her at the restaurant.

 She is talking to the maitre'd. We watched her in the kitchen, talking and eating her dinner, while standing. She looked to be having such a nice time and was so kind to the staff. I saw her tell them that her dinner was very good and thanked them. She then continued to snack on more food and sip from a tumbler shaped glass filled with rose wine.  I met her once at a book signing at Williams Sonoma, and she is really soft spoken and very petite.

 Caitlin tried some cheese that she wasn't so fond of. Ha ha.

This was a pavlova with passion fruit ice cream, and alpine strawberries. All the flavors were wonderful together, even though pavlova really isn't my very favorite.


I had a super duper fun birthday yesterday, and in my next post I'll share my goodies, because I got some really beautiful things :)

Happy weekend everyone!