CHOW Down

Taste and presentation wise, the biggest surprise was a simple fig dish. Our surprise came from the fig’s size, which were smaller and more delicate than the Black Mission and Brown Turkey varieties we are used to seeing and eating. We like CHOW and Chef Hill's idea of serving the figs immediately after grilling, and wrapping with pancetta and Manodori Balsamico. While this may not be a new taste combo to some, it was a modern catering classic done right. Each fig was small enough to eat in one bite, which is an important factor for passed hors' douvres. It made for a mouthful of sweet, warm decadence, with smoky and salty elements.

CHOW continues to evolve as a multimedia presence, and has a lot of food and beverage content including recipes, podcasts, and video. At their party, they had some good food porn going on an overhead screen, with lots of neato red CHOW banners everywhere. Jane Goldman, you have good taste. We were not (BO)RED
at all. Mayor (non-attendance) alert Mayor Gavin "Grampa" Newsom was invited to attend, but had festivities elsewhere. We are not entirely shocked that he opted to spend his birthday night away from all the foodie (there’s that dreaded term ) /media hum and noise.

Our experience planning events and parties brought up thoughts about the inevitable cost for such a lavish production. Yes, some of the products may have been donated. But hello, CNet's got some dough, at least for the parties! We wondered if their contributors get a decent wage (we hear from several sources that they’re a little on the cheap side), or a combo of cash with the potential offer of backdated options.

That breaking business scandal seemed to be put on hold, if only for one night. It was a cheery event, and the CHOW staff and guests were all in fully social mode. "See and be seen" may be a puke-worthy term, but it adequately explains the vibe of the night. Our fellow food bloggers (Sam Breach, Amy Sherman, Jen Maiser, Tea and Cookies, Chez Pim, Table Hopper, Stephanie Lucianovic) were mashed in with media types (Jeanne Carstensen, Jodie Chase, Kimberly Chun, Laura Compton, Vanessa Hua, Ryan Kim, Paul Reidinger, Hiya Swanhuyser) , CNet suits (very corporate seeming, and easily identified as ‘suits’), Bix owner Doug Biederbeck (never a slouch in the fashion department, he was lookin’ sharp), Michael Rechiutti (chocolate genius), and Lou Bustamante, (St. George Spirits/Hangar One).

Although the red carpet covered bumpy and uneven spots in the alley outside Bix's doors, we at times seriously doubted our footwear choice. Yes, black boots are sexy and cute, but not if we may twist an ankle, while walking about. Perhaps we should’ve tracked down those Daily Candy gals for advice (even if we are more Ross Dress for Less than chi-chi boutiques). KRON’s Jan Wahl and her male "special friend" must've had on just the right shoes, because they were cutting a rug, and were beaming the whole time. David Kinch of Manresa also seemed relaxed as he stood and chatted, perhaps two Michelin stars helped with that?

The noise level was loud from all the chatter, but the trio inside added class (okay, being at Bix is all about feeling classy) and further set the mood to high swank. Whenever we were stuck in a cluster of folks–waiting-for-a-drink-at-the-bar clusters, chatter clusters, but thankfully no line-for-the-ladies-bathroom clusters, etc.– we’d again take in the CHOW slide show. It made us laugh on the inside to overhear one guest who was also watching the food porn announce loudly, "I’m in more of these. You may not see my head or face much, but. I. Was. There." Lucky you.