San Francisco’s Fillmore Street

Wine & Food Festival’s Elite Cafe’s Lunch

You may have seen a few weeks ago me share on my blog how excited I was anticipating The Fillmore Street Wine & Food Festival’s upcoming arrival. Well it’s come and gone and last week I was lucky enough to attend a fabulous Lunch hosted by Elite Cafe with Wine’s generously donated by Ousterhout, Landmark Vineyards, R & B, & Hook & Ladder.  The proceeds benefited the Ronald McDonald House. What’s better than great food and wine benefiting a fabulous cause!!  Speaking of good wine, what a small world. Upon seeing the wine pairings I realized I had already met and enjoyed a few of the wines served at the luncheon. Hook & Ladder is a great winery I stumbled upon in the Russian River Valley which I loved for its charm, history (the wine maker is a former San Francisco Fire Fighter as is my Brother-In-Law so I feel like family with Firemen) and the  delicious wine!  Ousterhout Wine is also a local California Winery, whose owner is a fellow neighbor/PAC Heights resident!  I discovered Ousterhout Wine at the last Fillmore Street’s Wine & Food Festival and loved their wines and their friendly team; Jack & Cortney (not only in the Wine Industry but she’s also a fabulous blogger and author).

The lunch was great, not only because of the delicious food and wine pairings but also the company. My table consisted of a few locals, most memorable of the locals that I connected with were two ladies, Di and Carole. They were on one side of me and on the other was Emma of Art & Entertain Me (another blogger) and her husband, and Author Cortney Roudebush (also a blogger) and her boyfriend. Could I have gotten any more lucky!  I quickly saw that we had a guest of honor Liam Mayclem of CBS’s Eye On The Bay. He did a great welcome introduction. What’s not to love about a nice, charming foodie with a great accent!

Below you’ll see the amazing food we enjoyed along with some of the wine pairings. I’m not usually a dessert person, especially if it’s not chocolate but the Asian Pear Crumble was to die for. I ate every bite, finishing wanting even more…. What a treat!! I had been to Elite Cafe for brunch, however not for lunch (since they don’t serve lunch during the week) and I have to say that may be a big mistake…. Chef James London did a great job with the menu including amazing dishes that paired perfectly with the Wine options. See below for more details.

Lastly, a special thanks to Theresa Rodriquez the Marketing Director for the Fillmore Street Wine & Food Festival for bringing together all of these amazing people and delicious food & wine for such a fabulous cause.  Kudos Theresa! I’m looking forward to future Fillmore Street Wine & Food Festival’s to come!!

Theresa Rodriquez the Event Organizer and Director of Marketing for the Fillmore Street Wine & Food Festival

My new fellow “Foodie” Pal Liam Mayclem of CBS’s Eye on The Bay. Not only a foodie, also a very active Philanthropist. What a guy!

The Wine served as pairings

First course: A raw Hamachi with thinly sliced apple and small jalapeños with a light olive oil and citrus dressing. This was paired with 2013 Ousterhout Wood’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose & 2013 Hook and Ladder Early Harvest Gewürztraminer. I enjoyed both wines which was surprising since typically I find Gewürztraminer’s too sweet.

Second course: A Black Bass with Celery Puree. Delicious. I’m not usually a fish girl, remember I’m from the Midwest so crave Meat & Potatoes but this fish was delicious and sat on a  bed of Rich Tasty Pureed Potatoes. Wow!!  This was paired with The 2012 Hook and Ladder “Third Alarm” Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir.

Third Course: Finally the meat! We had a delicious Bacon-Wrapped Steak which paired amazing with the 2011 Ousterhout Nance’s Vineyard Estate Zinfandel and the 2011 R & B Saxy Syrah.  You know someone did perfect pairs when you have a hard time which you prefer with the dish. Kudos to the Chef & the Sommelier who created the perfect lunch menu along with perfect wine pairings!!

My assortment of Wines mid meal. Pretty great way to spend the afternoon!

Last but not least was dessert – This was my FAVORITE item on the menu, surprisingly since normally I pass on dessert and opt for another glass of wine. It was an Asian Pear Crumble with fresh Cream. It was utter perfection and I can’t wait to visit Elite Cafe again and hope they have this on the menu. If not I’ll be sure to ask the chef when I can return for this slice of heaven!! 

DISCLOSURE: The Jetsetting Fashionista enjoyed a complimentary meal during this visit. However, The J.S.F. was not paid to write this post. The J.S.F. only write posts or features about food, hotels, products or destinations that she personally enjoys and proudly endorses and wants to share with my friends, family and readers. All opinions expressed are her own.