E pluribus unum is Latin for "Out of one, many" and it is the motto requested to be placed on the Seal of the United States by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere...whoever that is!? It's one of those sayings that can be taken however the reader chooses to take it. We are a nation divided. I am America and on and on. The only reason I bring it up here on Tuesdays with Pookie is because we found ourselves in posession of two brand spanking new, shiny pennies that have been updated for 2010. At first, we were elated by how pretty they were. Although, that quickly turned into being perplexed as to the new design and why our government would spend money to redesign an almost forgotten form of currency. One that is rarely spent and happily disposed of at cash registers across this wonderful Nation of ours. Although, we hoarded our new and shiny pennies..not at all unlike Gollum and his precious ring.
This is Tuesdays with Pookie!
Andy had taken the next step in becoming a fit fella and opted for a street run with a friend on Monday and come Tuesday, he woke with an ache unlike anything he'd ever felt. This Pookie was seriously walking like the Scarecrow from "Wizard of Oz" and I couldn't help but ask myself.."If only I had a brain". Since I could barely walk, I wanted to hold TwP in the morning so that I could use the remainder of the day to relax and stretch. As with every Tuesday with Pookie, I texted Leslie my idea....BREAKFAST!
Since we're both addicted to all things pastry, Leslie suggested we hit San Francisco's famous bakery cum hipster hangout, Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero, SF, CA. 415.487.2600). This bakery is a haven for the foodies of this town. Buttery croisants and morning buns are de rigueur for those on their way into the office in the morning and at 5 p.m. sharp, everyday they roll out their fresh baked breads for those returning from the daily grind. Since we were in the mood to sit down and catch up, we opted for a greasy spoon to outdo all other greasy spoons. We ended up at St. Francis Fountain & Diner, http://www.stfrancisfountainsf.com/ , which touts itself as San Francisco's oldest Ice Cream Parlor. This throwback to diners definitely hit the spot and some. Leslie tends to be a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast while I tend to go out on a limb and St. Francis definitely had options for both of us. Leslie with her two eggs, over easy with a side of bacon and fluffy biscuits while I went with the heaping pile of freshly carved corned beef hash with two eggs. Not ones to miss any opportunity, we also ordered a hotcake to share. This was about as solid of a breakfast as you're going to get in San Francisco. Longevity tends to be a sign of good things and St. Francis certaintly didn't let us down!
This breakfast was more about catching up since we'd last seen each other the previous Tuesday and since Leslie had her big unveiling at the Underground Farmer's Market..and for those that care..She did awesome and sold out of everything..Yes...EVERYTHING! We're all so proud of her...but enough of that..this is about Pookie!
The one thing that caught my eye, other than the window art telling us to have a "Happy 4th of July" was the candy case sitting just inside the door which was stocked to the gills with Topps trading cards from days of yore..No. not baseball trading cards, but anything and everything from the 80's. Dark Crystal cards? Yep. got 'em. What about Garbage Pail Kids? You better believe it and so many more. We were literally two kids in a candy store. I believe we spent more on our retro candies than we did on our breakfast, combined. C'mon. This is Tuesdays with Pookie and we get stuff that we really don't need...or something like that!
Prior to starting this TwP, we made a pact to be back in our respective homes by Noon since we both had busy schedules. Me with my laundry and stuff to do with my "real" work and her with her baking and packing for a beach vacation, but of course the sun finally came out after a 2-week hiatus in San Francisco and you'd better believe that our pact was soon washed away by thoughts of soaking up Vitamin D. We started on Leslie's patio soaking up sun which soon turned into a beer which quickly turned into Margaritas on my patio with our gal pal, Shanni and a gaggle of dogs. This is why we love Tuesdays with Pookie so much! We only plan on one specific place and/or theme for the day and let everything else fall into place. These days always turn into playing catch up, laughing and falling in love with each other every time.
I do need to thank Leslie for introducing me to Omnivore Books in Noe Valley, http://www.omnivorebooks.com/. This is a bookstore for anyone who loves to eat, talk or read about food. The shelves are packed with new, old and antique tomes ranging from all things meat to how to cook like a hotel chef. I could have easily spent the better part of the day within these hallowed walls perusing each and every shelf..and plan on doing so soon. From the antique cocktail books which were inscribed with the previous owners musings of wine pairings and perfect temps to the delightful section dedicated to children, I was in love. I picked up a world cooking book for my niece. I plan on giving it to her when she comes to visit so that we can enjoy each other's company in the kitchen whipping up something exotic. So..thank you Pookie for the introduction. I'm now hooked!
POOKIE'S LOO REVIEW FOR ST. FRANCIS
From as early as I can remember, we went out to dinner every Friday night as a family....me, mom, dad and my older sister. The venue could be anything from the local Chinese place on the corner to fine dining with white table clothes and us trying escargot for the first time. Even as me and my sister became teenagers and would rather be somewhere else, we knew Friday nights were a mandatory family outing and one we knew that there was no use trying to get out of attending. Somewhere along the line, my estimation is around 6 or 7 years old, I became quite interested (obsessed) with the condition of the restrooms in each restaurant we visited. I would always find time during the meal and politely excuse myself. Not always to relieve myself, but for the sole purpose of "checking it out". My little excursions became my family's inside joke. One that was funny to everyone with the exception of myself. I took these trips to various loo's quite seriously. So much so that I began keeping a journal of my ratings that I would fill out as soon as I got home from each Friday night dinner...God. I so wish I still had that book! One review that has always stuck with me is of a small restaurant in our hometown that had a restroom which I labeled as a "glorified outhouse". It was a freestanding building in the back parking lot of the restaurant. I, as you can imagine, was appalled! "What must the kitchen look like?" I thought to myself. After returning to my family seated at the table with my serious face on, I stated. "I don't think we should eat here any more!" Clearly, my parents did not take me seriously because, much to my dismay, we ended up eating there many more times...I guess I turned out okay, but you'd better believe that I never went back into that restroom!
So, here's my newest edition of my restroom journal..Pookie's Loo Reviews! I can finally see the humor in it and I hope that it entertains you, as well!
My rating will be on a scale of flushes. 1 through 5 with 5 being the best! Restrooms will be rated on cleaniness, decor and continuity with the restaurant itself.
This week's rating for St. Francis Fountain & Diner:
Rating= 4 flushes
The restroom fit with the overall theme of the restaurant...retro and simple. Most importantly. It was clean! Why not five flushes, you ask? They could have done something to really push it over the edge..Free fruit stripe gum or maybe a can of Aqua Net on the counter!
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