Savor the Sweet. Embrace the Bitter.

By Edible East Bay | February 5, 2015

Of course, it’s mostly those sweets and sweet sentiments we want to share on February 14, but sophisticated foodies and those looking at health properties of foods are learning to appreciate the bitter, as this week’s book review points out.

In This Newsletter:

● Sweet Notecards: The Affection Collection

● For the Love of Chocolate – Feb 7

● Valentine’s Wine Walk for School Gardens – Feb 11

● Get the Scoop from Food Policy Council Leaders – Feb 18

● Valentine’s Bites from Fentons Creamery

● Book Review: Bitter

● Recipe: Panch Phoron Brussels Sprouts from Alembique Apothecary

Cozy Cards from Kassenhoff Growers

Artist and gardener Helen Krayenhoff serves up the Affection Collection, her latest series of watercolor notecards. Vibrant images of fruits and veggies accompany sweet messages perfect for a food-loving friend or honey. Set available at goodeggs.com. Singles available on Krayenhoff’s Etsy store and locally at Grand Lake Kitchen, Grand Lake Ace Garden Center, Mrs. Dalloway’s, and Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. Info: Kassenhoffgrowers.com

Photo courtesy of Market Hall

Chocolate Lovers’ Paradise

The Pasta Shop can always be counted on to put on a delicious holiday show-and-tell, and this time, it’s all about chocolate. Delight in samples from Bay Area chocolatiers like Charles Chocolates, Coco Délice, and Dandelion Chocolate, then make your way over to the cheese counter, where you can try the chocolate butter and goat cheese drizzled with chocolate sauce on housemade croissants. Enjoy live demos of Valentine’s Day brunch and dinner dishes and discounts on culinary gift sets, fondue kits, and all things chocolate. The Valentine’s Menu is available at the Oakland and Berkeley stores on Thursday February 12 through Sunday February 15. No charge except for purchases. Info: pastashop.netSixth Annual For the Love of Chocolate
Saturday February 7, 1–4pm
The Pasta Shop Fourth Street
1786 Fourth St, Berkeley

Alegio Chocolate, in the Epicurious Garden Food Court, samples chocolate from their selection of artisanal varieties and hosts Spice Vines Winery, creator of a spice-infused red wine.
Photo courtesy of the North Shattuck Association.

Sip, Stroll, & Savor: Valentine’s Wine Walk in the Gourmet Ghetto

Sample local wines and enjoy small bites in North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto to benefit the Berkeley Public School Gardening and Cooking Program. Participating wineries include Berkeley’s own Edmunds St. John, Urbano Cellars, Lusu Cellars, and The Mead Kitchen, along with Spicy Vines, Handley Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Two Mile Wines, Fat Grape Winery, Heartfelt Wines, Navarro Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Fenestra Winery, and Chouinard Vineyards. Each winery is paired with a participating neighborhood shop, and hosting businesses offer special tastings and sales—think chocolate, gelato, honey, oysters, soups, cheese, and pizza. Cost: $30 advance, $40 at the door. Tickets: bit.ly/BerkWineWalk. Info: hereWine Walk for School Gardens
Wednesday February 11, 4–8 pm
Shattuck Ave & Vine St, Berkeley

Food Talk

Meet the leaders of your local food policy councils and learn about their achievements and goals. Councils bring together food activists, community members, urban planners, plus municipal and state governments. Meet council members from Berkeley, Richmond, Oakland, and the statewide California Food Policy Council. Food First Executive Director Eric Holt-Giménez is moderator. Bring your ideas and questions about building food justice. This event is part of Food First’s Third Wednesdays Event Series at La Peña. Free. Info: foodfirst.org or lapena.orgPanel Discussion with Local Food Policy Councils
Wednesday, February 18, 6:30–8:30pm
La Peña Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley

The Valentine’s menu at Fentons features a scrumptious sundae for two.
Photo courtesy of Fentons Creamery.

A Sweet Deal From Fentons

Fentons Creamery is a tempting spot for a Valentine’s rendezvous. Dip into a Sweetheart Sundae for two, a soulmate sandwich (crab salad on sourdough plus two sides), chocolate-dipped strawberries, and Cupid’s Cups. Cost: $34.95. Info: fentonscreamery.com

Book Review

Bitter: A Taste of the World’s
Most Dangerous Flavor, with Recipes
by Jennifer McLagan
(Ten Speed Press, 2014)

Review by Kristina Sepetys

Read the review

Photo Courtesy of Roshni Kavate

Panch Phoron Brussels Sprouts

This recipe comes from nurse, nutritionist, cook, and world traveler Roshni Kavate and Alembique Apothecaryowner Babak Nahid. It features panch phoron, a bittersweet and aromatic five-spice whole-seed spice blend used in Bangladesh, Eastern India, and Southern Nepal.

Posted in Blog