Dark Dining – Bella Luxe

What does a yoga teacher do when he’s not doing yoga?

During the past 3 years of “blogging” – I have interviewed AIDSLifeCycle Participants, S.F. AIDS Walk Participants, Sports Basement, AIDS Prevention Advocate – Barbara , Author – Spill Kincaid, pondered over Oprah Winfrey, drank Fat Tire Beer, rode the hell out of my Soulcraft, sang “Whitney Houston”and finished with the Queen of Soul – Aretha Franklin. Yet, I have yet to speak of my closest friends:

Friend of Tony – No. ?

Over the past 15 years, I have worked for many caterers – Dan MC Call, Paula LeDuc, “The Joost,” the Japanese Consulate, Ann Lyons, Susan Foord, Bobby Fackama, Wendy Kleckner, and the list goes on .. . . … ..

Yet my greatest catering pleasure has been the result of my 11 yr relationship with:

A marathon participant,
A very skilled event planner/chef/floral designer/pastry chef/wedding coordinator/food stylist,
An 11yr. AIDSLifeCycle Sponsor,
A mother of two children,
A Friend,
Private Chef – Lisa Ruggieri Hines

Private Chef, Lisa Hines = Bella Luxe

From hand picking the recipe items at the produce market to repacking the truck after the event – Start to Finish – Lisa Ruggieri Hines delivers “Bella Lux.” And with a tongue full of taste buds – “no ordinary potato is getting in her kitchen.”

Fresh Organic Produce & Vegetarian Products
Highest Grade Poultry, Beef, Fish, & Vegetarian Items
Italian, Mediterranean, Far East, French, South American, Low Fat/Sodium, & Traditional Recipes
A mother (and we know that mother’s can cook).

Check out the Bella Luxe Video

Yet more recently, on 14 September 2007, Ft. Mason Center, San Francisco, – Lisa, Matthew, Kelsie, Rich, and I, huddled and prepared the logistics for our latest catering event – an exciting catering challenge- Taste TV – Dark Dining.“

“DARK Dining in San Francisco by TasteTV and Million Dollar Dinner takes you into another realm of dining, one where all of your senses are expanded and focus on the food, the taste, the sound, the company and more…because you are dining completely in the dark.” MENU I: Poultry Amuse Bouche 1st Course ~Arugula salad with grilled figs, gorgonzola, & roasted pistachios, Zinfandel vinaigrette or ~Butter lettuces with lavendar-honey roasted pears, spiced nuts & goat cheese, Champagne vinaigrette both served with pissaladiere 2nd Course ~Balsamic & rosemary grilled chicken breast with pomegranate demiglace, white truffle mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms & Blue Lake beans served with house made breads 3rd course ~Warm chocolate bread pudding, pralines & vanilla bean coulis or ~Lemon buttermilk poundcake with citrus curd, sweet cream & berries ~Fresh fruit spring roll coffee & tea MENU II: Fish Amuse Bouche 1st Course ~Arugula salad with grilled figs, gorgonzola, & roasted pistachios, Zinfandel vinaigrette or ~Butter lettuces with lavendar-honey roasted pears, spiced nuts & goat cheese, Champagne vinaigrette both served with pissaladiere 2nd Course ~Herb-crusted wild Salmon, shrimp,tarragon and corn risotto served with house made breads 3rd course ~Warm chocolate bread pudding, pralines & vanilla bean coulis or ~Lemon buttermilk poundcake with citrus curd, sweet cream & berries ~Fresh fruit spring roll coffee & tea MENU III: Vegetarian Amuse Bouche 1st Course ~Arugula salad with grilled figs, gorgonzola, & roasted pistachios, Zinfandel vinaigrette or ~Butter lettuces with lavendar-honey roasted pears, spiced nuts & goat cheese, Champagne vinaigrette both served with pissaladiere 2nd Course ~Yellow Thai curried vegetables & tofu, served with ginger & jalapeno scented basmati rice 3rd course ~Warm chocolate bread pudding, pralines & vanilla bean coulis or ~Lemon buttermilk poundcake with citrus curd, sweet cream & berries ~Fresh fruit spring roll Coffee & tea

With 3 salad choices, 2 entre’ options, 3 dessert invitations, and not a spark of light in the house – Chef, Lisa Ruggieri Hines delivered a unique, authentic, and delicious event & the Bella Cucina Staff did not have a single wine glass hit the floor.

There’s two more chances to see us (or shall I say “experience us”) in action:

Friday, September 28th, Ft. Mason Center, San Francisco

Friday, November 9th, Ft. Mason Center, San Francisco

Seating begins at 7:30pm and ends at 8:00pm. No seating takes place after 8:00pm. Dining events are two hours, from 8pm-10pm.

Reserve your space now ($95/person). And if you can’t make it to this San Francisco Catering Event – visit my good friend (and boss) – Lisa’s brand new blog and get some simple yet tasty recipes for you, your kids, and your significant others – Not For Kids Only

Related Bella Luxe Links:

1. Tablehopper
2. SF Weekly
3. 7×7 Mag
4. Dark Dining
5. Dark Dining
6. What does a yoga teacher do when not doing yoga? #1
7. What does a yoga teacher do when not doing yoga?#2
8. An Invitation to Harpo & Oprah Winfrey