New Year's Eve (aka adventures with Christine)

One of my closest friends, Christine, flew in New Year's Eve to visit those of us who are living in the Bay Area (aka, those of us who never left Stanford). For those of you who don't know, Christine and I lived in the same freshman dorm and have been close friends ever since. During undergrad, we never got a chance to live together, because I ended up being an RA (residential assistant) in the dorms for two years. Fortunately, she stayed at Stanford for an additional year to get her master's degree in Biology, and we were able to be roommates then. Anyway, back to the story...

I picked Christine up at 7pm and went back to Stanford. We were originally hoping to go to Afternoon Tea (her flight was originally supposed to arrive in at 3pm), but instead we went to dinner, as Afternoon Tea is obviously closed by 7:30pm. I had found this restaurant called Shokolaat on University Ave. It is supposed to be a modern bistro where you can sit for coffee or tea and pastries and chocolates. They describe the concept on their site as a "neighborhood Restaurant, Patisserie, Chocolatier, and Lounge serving lunch and dinner with take out pastries." It is located on University Ave right after Cowper if you are heading towards 101.

The restaurant is a fairly small restaurant with an outdoor seating area behind these canvas curtains. Inside, they had two glass cases, one for chocolates and another for desserts/pastries. The chefs cook behind the counter much like Il Fornaio. The decor was very modern yet elegant, and the restaurant was dimly lit for an "romantic atmosphere". Christine said it reminded her of the scene in the Sex and the City Movie where Miranda and Carrie go to a romantic restaurant for Valentine's Day.

They had a special New Year's Eve tasting menu which consisted of an Amuse Bouche (a single bite-sized appetizer) of Wild Mushroom and Mint Soup which was served in a small shotglass which fluted outwards.

For the Appetizer Course, we had a choice between a Heart of Romaine, Herb Vinaigrette, White Anchovy, Shaved Parmegiano-Reggiano salad or the Ahi Tuna Tartare, Grated Black Truffle, Toasted Brioche, Citrus-Vanilla Vinaigrette. Christine and I both got the Ahi Tuna Tartare, which was beautifully served on a rectangular dish with the Tartare molded in a tuna-can shape with three rectangular pieces of the Toasted Brioche artfully stacked on the other side.

For the Entree, we had a choice between the Filet Mignion, Puree of Potatoes, Confit of Shallot, Toy Box Carrots, Black Truffle Sauce or the Cinnamon Brioche Crusted Halibut, Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower, Caramelized Hazelnut or the Roasted Pumpkin Risotto, Fromager D'Affinois, White Truffle Oil. I had the Filet Mignion (medium rare) and Christine had the Halibut. Both were delicious. The Filet Mignion was cooked perfectly and the black truffle sauce was absolutely delicious. I don't really think I have a good enough palette to describe the taste. Christine's Halibut was also extremely delicious with the cinnamon providing just a hint of spice that wasn't overpowering.

For Dessert, we had a choice between the Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Bar, Raspberry Sorbet, Creme Anglaise or the Grand Marnier Souffle. Christine had the Crunch Bar and I had the Souffle. The souffle was served freshly made (Christine and I heard them beating the eggs in the background while we were eating our Entree). The waiter served the dish and opened the souffle for me and poured in half the Creme Anglaise for me. The souffle was absolutely delicious, light and airy. The Grand Marnier provided a nice touch. Christine's crunch bar tastes somewhat like a Ferrero Rocher candy. The "crunch" was a praline, and there was a hazelnut chocolate mousse-like part on top. It was served cut in two pieces and placed at one corner of a square plate. At the other corner was a scoop of raspberry sorbet.

For the Mignardise (for the table), we were served a selection of petit fours. Christine and I were so full by this point that we ended up taking them home instead. I don't even recall what we got... Overall, it was a fabulously delicious meal. Next time, I really need to take pictures.

the holiday season...

I love the holidays. As a child, Thanksgiving weekend signaled the onset of school holidays that would take us through the winter season (Thanksgiving, Winter Break, MLK Jr. Day, President's Day). It meant school ice skating parties, graham cracker houses with M&M roofs, cutting out paper snow flakes, and all around merriment. It is a time of celebration, a time when peace is encouraged, even on opposing sides. I felt like there was an unsaid agreement between everyone to just give everyone a break during the holidays.

Even now, I still love the holidays. I love the decorations in store windows and the lights on people's houses. I love the delicious food from my grandmother's sticky rice stuffed turkey to gingerbread cookies to wassail. I love planning what to get people and the massive amounts of baking. I love being able to see all my friends without worrying about work or school. I love spending time with my family watching movies and playing games. It is just such a joyful time of year.

However, as I have grown older, I am more aware of the unsavory aspects to the holidays.

Those glittered brightly colored decorations I see in the store will inevitably end up in the garbage along with all the wrapping paper and boxes used for shipping. Those twinkling Christmas lights just use more energy.

Furthermore, the culture of consumerism during the holidays further amplifies the divide between the poor and the wealthy. Especially during a recession such as this one, more and more people are unable to provide for their families let alone all the bells and whistles expected with the holiday season. There is an increasing demand for help from food banks. A decline in donations goes hand-in-hand with a recession, and InnVision, an urban ministry which provides for the homeless in the Bay Area, may have to close down programs.

A couple of days ago, the desire for a bargain has led to a temporary Walmart employee to be trampled to death on Black Friday. I can't even begin to fathom how people would be willing to run over another person just for a TV or the latest toy. It is revolting, and effectively ruined this holiday season and probably many more for his family.

This always makes me realize how extremely blessed I am to be able to live as comfortably as I do. I can enjoy delicious meals at fancy restaurants and buy new clothes and toys. And I can spend my holidays with my friends and family. Now, the holidays are a time where I am more aware of others in need (seeing how I spend most of my time in the blissful bubble of Stanford).

I now see it as a duty to help, in whatever way I can, those who are less fortunate than I am. I think throughout life one should always try to become a better person, and helping those in need around you is a great way to start.