The patrons of Montalvo Arts Center turned out in force Sept. 8 to support the Saratoga venue’s largest fundraiser of the year. The Art Of Food & Wine event sold out before most people even knew it was happening.
Montalvo’s executive director Angela McConnell addressed representatives of the 50 different restaurants and wineries who came to share their wares, thanking the huge pool of volunteers and committee members who help make this event a success every year.
“We are celebrating our 19th year, but it may as well be 20,” said McConnell. “We lost a year to COVID, but I feel like it gets better every time.”
The event was a Who’s Who of the local dining scene, with everyone you’d expect, including executive chefs Scott Cooper of Le Papillon, Peter Armelino of the Plumed Horse, Nico Maheris of Evia Estiatorio, Jonathan Toste of Flowers, Julian Silvera of the Tasting House, Ryan Mendoza of NOBU Palo Alto, Pratik Mungre of The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse and Katie Reicher of Greens Restaurant in San Francisco.
Also serving up tasty bites were ASA Los Gatos, The Bywater, Chez Philippe, Hero Ranch Kitchen, Hurrica, Meyhouse, Puesto, Roja, Rollati, Rooh and Sekoya. New this year were Yvonne Khananis of Polenteria, Vaibhav Sawant of Fitoor, Sam Gimlewicz of Rollati, Nadiv Geiger of Bistro 107 at Testarossa Winery and chef Aubrey Arndt of Broma, helmed by chef/owner Jarad Gallagher.
Among the local wineries keeping attendees cool with their selection of white wines and rosés where Cooper-Garrod, Gali Vineyards, House Family, J. Lohr, Kathryn Kennedy, Kings Mountain, Mount Eden, Perrucci Family, Ridge, Roberts Ranch Vineyards, Saison, Thomas Fogarty and Testarossa. There were cocktails and sake to be imbibed as well, and Cypress Grove put out fabulous cheese spread, including their legendary Humboldt Fog, while Chocolatiere, Emma Martens of Emma’s Delights, sated sweet tooths.
McConnell, recently engaged, said Montalvo is such a popular venue that even she is finding it difficult to book wedding space.
A Greek-Anatolian restaurant is taking over the space in downtown Los Gatos formerly occupied by Sidecar Modern Tavern. Kurdish chef Coskun Abic will bring his multi-ethnic food from San Francisco-based restaurants like Lark, Blind Butcher SF, Dunya Bistro and Moka Coffee SF. The cuisine will draw inspiration and ingredients from Italy, Greece, Turkey and Lebanon.
San Jose’s Suspiro, the Santana Row restaurant headed by executive chef Yerika Muñoz Rodríguez, is now serving weekend brunch, with Tosta de Escalivada y Huevo (eggplant, brioche, red pepper and fried egg), and Crabcake con Espinaca y Huacatay (poached egg, spinach and huacatay sauce). We recently tried three of the new brunch dishes, including the Coco Quinoa y Frutas Rojos, a Peruvian riff on Muesli, with coconut milk, berries and almonds, and the outstanding Hamburguesa de Chicharron, a crunchy pork belly burger with sweet potato, onion and rocoto sauce.
We also found a new lunch menu addition, the Bikini Trufado—essentially grilled cheese with mozzarella and Iberian ham and truffle oil—to be quite satisfying. They also make one with Manchego cheese and rocotto mayo. Our server, Julian, steered us toward the Pollo a La Brasa, a wonderfully seasoned and perfectly roasted chicken breast with potatoes and tomatoes, accompanied by a jalapeno Huancaina sauce, to be a serious share plate.
The Shoreline location of Shashi Hotel was due to cut the ribbon on Broma, the latest venture from Michelin-starred chef Jarad Gallagher, on Thursday, Sept. 19. Shashi Hotel Mountain View offers three food and beverage concepts: Broma, The Emerald Hour and Carte Blanche, all at 1625 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View.