Salty Lemons

vegetable ash "rocks" from my 2011 archive (the one and only photo from the experience since the hostess [who literally ran over] requested "no flash please")

January 31, 2011

vegetable ash and rocks (?)

On a recent visit to California, an old friend invited The Swede and I to "Oakland's First And Only Restaurant To Garnish The Prestigious Award Michelin Guide 2011."

Apparently, the celebrated Chez Panisse in neighboring Berkeley lost their one and only star entirely this year which I found surprising (and a little shocking). Alice Waters, what is going on?

Regardless, she and her beloved are still legendary. I had the fortune (and a bit of misfortune because I not in tip-top shape that day) to experience dinner at Chez Panisse last year. I had to make the reservation exactly one month in advance (no sooner because it is not permitted and no later because I would not have been able to get a table). I also had to put down a deposit. Yes, a deposit. I had never done that before.

Back to the topic of vegetable ash and "rocks." The first course served to us was (something, something) "with vegetable ash," (something, something) "Parmesan," (something, something) and "chervil." Unfortunately, I was messing about with my camera and did not remember the waiter's exact description. But the words vegetable ash and Paremesan stood out, and I distinctly remember the description ending with a punctuated CHERVIL. Since there were three of us dining, it made sense to me that there were three "rocks" served and topped (or in restaurant speak, finished) with chervil.

Still messing about with my camera, I heard different mumblings and The Swede say something to the effect of, "I don't...that is...real..." then I heard my old friend say, "I think..." I looked up in time to see my friend across the table with a REAL rock in her fingers, lowering it from her mouth. The REAL rock was damp (pause for effect).

We started laughing in disbelief (including her) and we realized my friend was--let us say confused. She had not understood there were three vegetable ash "rocks" lying on a bed of REAL rocks. She had actually bitten into it twice...we could not stop laughing (which I am sure the Michelin rated restaurant loved) at the situation and it made the night. The meal could only get better from there.

What do Commis and Chez Panisse have in common you may ask? The answer is locally sourced, in-season ingredients and dinnerware from Heath Ceramics.

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