The Great Cake Debate - Two Schools of Thought

Photo by Joe Homsy at the Saratoga County Club wedding of Chris and Mo in 2010.

When to cut the cake? No doubt it is an ongoing discussion in wedding circles. A popular DJ in our area, Ron Grandia, makes a great case for cutting the wedding cake right after the meal in his blog post called The Great Cake Debate. I make no effort to refute Ron's points. However, I think there are two schools of thought on this topic and I normally come from the other one.

Here are some of the advantages I see in cutting the wedding cake after a short set of dance music.

1. It gets the guests right out of their seats. Often weddings can drag a bit from the guests' perspective with ceremony, photos, cocktails, dinner and toasts because for the most part these are passive activities they observe. Food and alcohol coma can set in and energy is lost when the guests sit too long. Background music can only be so peppy and if they don't get up and moving, they can fade.

2. Saving the cake for just a little while will give you (the hosts and entertainers) one more "bone" to toss the guests. It becomes the surprise sweet treat they have been eyeballing so the prolonged tease can even increases the anticipation and temptation.

3. As a music programmer I always use the cake break as a logical and smooth transition between styles. I take no breaks myself when I do a wedding so I am always looking for the most subtle way to move from genre to genre. So the cake break can be a great way to stop the dance music and start it again in a completely different style without causing culture shock. If older guests are likely to leave early, then my intention is to satisfy them with this pre-cake cutting dancing. They are then able to dance, enjoy the cake and leave without feeling like they missed anything.

4. If the couple chooses to toss a garter and bouquet, there is no better time than immediately following their ceremonious cake cutting. While the staff is serving the cake the garter/bouquet tosses can be easily made without any interruption of the energy because it's down time. It is also the easiest time to keep the audience's attention because as an MC you already have it. Alternatively you must find a time to stop for the tosses later during your dance sets which can often kill the dancing energy. Finally, you still have the maximum number of guests there to participate in the tossing ceremony because most wedding guests will stay at least until the cake is cut.

5. And there are exceptions to every one of my rules. If for any reason the reception is running way behind schedule, I will default to a cake cutting right after the meal. I really don't want any guest to miss out on cake and there are always a few guests (as Ron accurately points out) that are not going to stay to the end of the reception. When we are grossly behind schedule I completely agree with cutting and serving cake immediately after the meal.

Most will agree that the cake cutting ceremony is a turning point at a wedding reception. I am certainly not arguing that it should be in the final hour of a reception but just after a short and energetic dance set. Normally, I allow this set to go on about thirty minutes in order to let everyone know that dancing is definitely on tap for the remainder of the reception.

Finally, I believe that your DJ is the person who ultimately should decide when that perfect moment is to stop for the cake cutting. It is a matter of energy, timing and flow. No one else at the event is in a better position to determine that moment. Your DJ should always give the other vendors a good heads up when that moment is approaching so they are ready for it. I've heard many stories about photographers missing a cake cutting because an amateur DJ made the cake announcement while they were outside taking a photo of the grandparents. I find that most planners, coordinators and catering staff normally concur on this timing give or take a few minutes.

So what's the best time to cut your cake? It is really the vibe of your event and not the exact time on the clock that makes the biggest difference. Trust the person in charge of the energy level at your reception.

September Food Excursion: Pleasanton - The Name...and The Food Fits

This month we chose a favorite little town of mine in the east bay known for it's blend of old vintage downtown area and steady urban sprawl east towards Livermore. This iconic sign looms over Main Street and reminds you that "The Name Fits." It did not take us long to discover the culinary scene there is equally amiable.

Our first stop was not downtown but rather in the commercial area of town on Hopyard Road at the wildly popular Eddie Papa's. Eddie's slogan on his sign says it all: "American Hangout." This place is super casual so let your hair down but don't let the informal atmosphere fool you. Eddie is doing some seriously good food here. They strive for local sourcing, natural and organic ingredients whenever possible. My knee jerk impression of the logo and ambiance was sort of a retro diner in the vein of Johnny Rockets but that's where the similarity ended. Eddie Papas is a real restaurant and not just a burger and fries joint.

The first thing that greets you at the door is a very friendly reception by the hostess and a glimpse of their sports bar type lounge. This area is likely a fitting hangout during game time but we had our sites set on lunch and in particular their Monticello Macaroni and Cheese.

Eddie Papas covers all the bases of a great hangout with this inviting neighborhood lounge.

The first thing that caught my eye at the booths were these cool retro condiment holders. I was hungry before I even had a menu in my hands. Ice water in the Mason jar kept the whole theme alive.

When people talk Mac and Cheese they always have my attention so I figured that Eddie Papa's version was worth a try. I was a bit surprised they chose wagon wheel shaped pasta but it worked very well as a pallet for the cheddar and jack cheeses. They offered a nice choice of either house made potato chips or garlic bread crumbs for the topping and finished it off with a touch of truffle oil. Our waiter made a very cool move of mixing both toppings when we couldn't decide so we enjoyed the best of both worlds. It was simply delicious mac and cheese that would make both kids and adults very happy. A full order with the veggies is $8.95 and a side order only is $4.50.

Mac and Cheese with perfectly sauteed local zucchini, squash and carrots at Eddie Papa's place.

Our indecision on which topping has turned into a strong recommendation. Just get to Eddie Papa's and request the mixture of potato chips and garlic bread crumbs. Disappointment is not on their menu.

Speaking of indecision there were so many great offerings at Eddie Papa's I was nearly struck with option overload. But when the Green Goddess Wedge caught my eye on the list of salads I knew it was a no-brainer. I was a bit surprised that my foodie friend, Stacie Tamaki, was unfamiliar with Green Goddess dressing as it has truly been a part of my diet since my earliest childhood recollection. Our discussion did reveal that Green Goddess is actually just a local flavor that was introduced in the 1920's at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Lucky me for growing up in the Bay Area where the dressing is native. Stacie is from the Pacific Northwest where Green Goddess was not on the list of salad dressing choices. Eddie Papa's uses a crisp Iceberg wedge and really kicks up the textures with toasted almonds, dried cherries, slivered red onions, Point Reyes bleu cheese crumbles and hickory bacon. Although we had them hold the bacon the layers of flavor seemed endless.

Green Goddess Wedge at Eddie Papa's Pleasanton - $6.95

I am always impressed when the chef and/or owner of a restaurant comes out from the back room/kitchen and visits those dining. The entire time we were at Eddie Papa's the owner whose real name is Eddie Westmoreland was cruising the floor and chatting with everyone. He insisted we try their mushroom tart and treated us to an order. Stacie is not a big mushroom lover but my fetish for them balances out our team. The crust was delicate, the cheese was perfectly melted and I was a very happy camper. I had to grab a shot of this long time restauranteur and commend him on a job really well done.

I show off the Green Goddess Wedge with owner Eddie Westmoreland.

Mushroom Tart topped with some mixed greens.

Finally, Stacie chose to take her personal beverage challenge at Eddie Papa's and ordered a Moxie Blue Cream Soda which was created in 1884 in Lowell, MA. Like every item at Eddie Papa's there is a story or tie-in to American dining.

Moxie Blue Soda - $3.50

Just when you think you've seen enough surprises at Eddie Papa's they bring the check and tucked inside is a Seafood Watch pocket guide. Eddie Papa's walks the walk. These pocket guides are intended to educate the consumer as to which seafood is sustainable and safe. It is really unusual but highly refreshing to see a purveyor of fish offer this information to their customers.

And in the category of "Nice Touch" the award again goes to Eddie Papa's when they bring a complimentary serving of cotton candy at the conclusion of your meal. Ed told us that his original intention was to create a place where families were comfortable but the food was exceptional. This restaurant is exceptional because everything is made from scratch while the vibe is total hangout. It is a unprecedented combination that we found enchanting. I only wish it was not so far from Santa Cruz. Stop One on our tour of Pleasanton gets major points. Thank You Eddie Papa's.

Cotton Candy concludes an Eddie Papa's experience.

Next we headed to the charming downtown area to try Nonni's Bistro. We were instantly grabbed by the Euro feel of their front porch outside seating. Downtown Pleasanton is great for people watching and many of the eateries lining Main Street offer tables out front.

We were curious about their Curried Egg Salad Sandwich with Arugula, scallions and shredded carrots. However, curry can also overwhelm as a spice so we had to give it a try. Fortunately, it was seasoned perfectly and served on a nice Ciabatta roll and mixed greens on the side. It could have easily been an open faced sandwich and possibly a bit less messy to eat.

Nonni's Bistro Curried Egg Salad Sandwich with side salad - $9.00

Another Nonni's specialty that peaked our interest was the Vegetarian Gnocchi. This entree is bursting with flavors from fresh herbs and parmesan cheese. Stacie said the potato dumplings were the best she's ever had. I have to agree because they were really satisfying but not so dense and heavy as gnocchi can be.

Nonni's Bistro Vegetarian Gnocchi with fresh herbs and Parmesan Cheese - $12.00

We were also greeted at our table by Chef/Owner, Jon Magnusson who shared with us some stories about his restaurant days in Carmel. I just love the personal touch of meeting the man behind the food.

We decided to add some ethnic flare into our trip through Pleasanton and quickly zeroed in on a popular Vietnamese place called the Saigon Bistro which was also right down the way at 824 Main Street across from the iconic Pleasanton Hotel. I am big on spring rolls so we ordered some vegetarian ones that came with a nice brothy peanut dipping sauce.

Saigon Bistro's Vegetarian Spring Rolls with peanut sauce - $4.50

In order to mix things up a bit we chose the Lemongrass Tofu. They perfectly bread chunks of tofu then flash fry and wok toss them with lemongrass, onions, bell pepper, garlic and pepper. The dipping sauce is very peppery as well. These spicy chunks of tofu were both a huge flavor and texture explosion as well as a nice compliment to the cool spring rolls. It was a perfect pair of dishes to order together.

Lemongrass Tofu at Saigon Bistro - $8.95

And right back up Main Street we were able to just walk for a taste of Mediterranean fare at the Oasis Grille & Wine Bar. By this time of the day the setting sun was way too bright to get a photo of their store front but the interior has an elegant feel with white tablecloths and rich dark wood finishes.

Main dining room at Oasis Grille & Wine Bar in Pleasanton.

Their signature dish is pumpkin sauteed in olive oil, spicy peppers and garlic with a garlic yogurt sauce called Pumpkin Borani. We had great timing because it was happy hour and everything was priced accordingly. We enjoyed a full order of Borani for just $5.00. The Borani has sweet, salty, rich and savory all going on at the same time. It could be an appetizer, entree, side dish or dessert depending on your mood. The order size was huge and could easily be split by four people. At happy hour pricing it was a serious bargain. It was smothered in the delicious yogurt sauce that was great itself just to sop up with their flat bread.

Speaking of flat bread the Oasis' version is a full basket and not what we expected at all. It had all of the great flavor we anticipated but was thicker and easy to dip. Another very generous portion accompanied the Starters menu with five dipping sauces.

Warm Flat Bread basket at Oasis Grille.

We tried the Warm Flat Bread with five dipping sauces. Each sauce was different enough to make this tour of Mediterranean flavors really interesting. There was spicy serrano vinaigrette, cilantro chutney, red pepper chutney, garlic yogurt and classic hummus and all for only $5.00 at happy hour with the warm bread.

L to R: Red Pepper, Classic Hummus, Cilantro Chutney, Garlic Yogurt, Serrano Vinaigrette.

We also enjoyed a mixture of Marinated Olives for just $3.00. This overall shot of our mini feast says it all. From 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. all signature drinks are only $5.00 and all beers are $3.00. The tab for all of this delicious food was only $14.14 plus a tip. A serious bargain when you add in the atmosphere of Oasis and the coolness factor of downtown Pleasanton.

Happy Hour Heaven at Oasis Grille & Wine Bar in downtown Pleasanton!

Wanting to not overlook a sweet ending to our excursion of Pleasanton we opted to visit a popular bakery called Primrose Bakery. Primrose is a classic small bakery that felt like a total throwback for me. I'd describe it as tea cozy and their little sidewalk sign kind of says it all.

Inside Primrose bakery has a couple of tables, all of the smells and feel of a classic boutique bakery. It's that place you run into for a cookie or other treat when the sweet craving overcomes you.

I was honestly too full to eat anything more that day I so ordered a Blueberry Coffee Cake to go. I loved the swirling design and pie shape. It was a huge hit with my family the next morning at breakfast and also comes in apricot and raspberry flavors. Primrose is also noted for their wedding cakes and they are on many of the preferred vendor lists at reception facilities in the Tri Valley area.

Blueberry Coffee Cake with Streusel topping

We wrapped up our culinary excursion of Pleasanton by visiting a great kitchen store called Pans on Fire. I had first met owner, Linda Wyner, at a regional conference of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP )last month in Southern California. Pans on Fire is a small store that is huge on selection and displays that are as appetizing as the food you can make with these gadgets.

Pans on Fire's inviting front entrance is irresistible and simply draws you inside.

When you stop by make sure you allow plenty of time to browse as this store is an example of merchandising at it's very best. This photo of a display is just one of many that fill the store and give it a dazzling ambiance.

Pans on Fire is alive with colorful displays that brighten this purveyor of cooking goods.

Here Linda posed for us with her book called "Food for Thought" where she taps her background as a food anthropologist and wraps recipes around food history. This lady is everything food and her store really reflects it.

At the back of the store is a fully equipped kitchen where Pans on Fire holds cooking classes and events. Pans on Fire is simply one stop shopping for any true foodie in the Tri Valley area. Visiting Pans on Fire was a most appropriate conclusion for our food tour of Pleasanton.

Kitchen and culinary instruction center at Pans on Fire

My parting shot goes back to where we started. Eddie Papa's slogan "American Hangout" really also describes the Pleasanton food scene as well. This town is likely a great place to live but not bad for visiting and hanging out too. In just a half dozen stops we enjoyed huge variety of American, European, Vietnamese, Mediterranean flavors and a dazzling display of very cool cooking gadgets. To check out Stacie's story of our adventure just click here. We send a big thanks to all of the merchants for their hospitality, warm welcome and really good food.

August Food Excursion: Pescadero – Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

This trip was not my first rodeo in Pescadero. I often cycle through these hills enjoying the cool coastal breezes and ocean views. In fact I organized an ride with other wedding industry peers and blogged about that trip in 2008. We often dine in Pescadero while we ride but this time my focus was all about food.

We quickly learned that most of everything in this tiny coastal enclave is located on the main drag called Stage Road. Stage Road intersects Highway 1 exactly two straight miles up Pescadero Road from the ocean. Pescadero is about a mid point on this coast highway between Santa Cruz and San Francisco. It is sometimes confused with another California coastal town called Atascadero which is much further south on Highway 101 on the Central Coast.

Our first stop was to try some of the famous baked goods of the Arcangeli Grocery Company also known as Norm's Market.

I have had many great sandwiches from the deli at Norm's Market. Most cyclists know the drill. You order from their menu loaded with extensively tempting choices of ingredients and then enjoy your food in their inviting picnic area behind the store.

 

Picnic Area located directly behind Norm's Market

The only problem with being a cyclist is you cannot do your grocery shopping at Norm's. There's  just no way to carry any of their amazing products on a bike. This time I got to shop and the only problem I had was making up my mind as to which of the scratch made goodies were coming home with me. I grabbed Cinnamon English Muffins ($4.99), Artichoke Garlic Herb bread ($5.49), Almond Caramel Corn ($4.99) and a Carrot Cake Muffin ($2.00).

Our picnic table was suddenly feast worthy

Norm's Market baked goods are available for shipping anywhere.

Their signature bread that is most often raved about on-line is Artichoke Garlic Herb so it was our first taste of the town and the very first of many surprises that day. It was as delicious as I expected but no way did I envision a loaf of bread stuffed with artichokes. As in most artisan breads with olives, cheeses or other specialty ingredients you expect bits and pieces. We quickly tore it open to reveal the artichoke epicenter. Really it was more like a calzone than just a loaf of bread. We are talking a complete meal in a loaf here. We could have easily devoured the whole thing but our day of eating had only just begun.

Fully Baked Artichoke Garlic Herb Bread from Arcangeli Grocery Company

Our next stop was probably the most famous eatery in Pescadero called Durarte's Tavern. They have even been featured on the wildly popular Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Not too many eating establishments can tout "Since 1894" so obviously they must be doing something right.

Originally just a bar Duarte's added food later. (Photo by Stacie Tamaki)

Duarte's is well known for their Artichoke Soup. That fact was not the surprise to us. We opted to try both the Artichoke Soup and Green Chile Soups which were each $8.75. Although we liked both creamy soups a friend of Stacie's suggested mixing them together which was another delightful surprise. We both agreed that the flavors became more complex and the texture was more enjoyable from the combination. When I return to Pescadero I am going to bring the Artichoke Garlic Herb bread from Norm's Market here to dip in the soup for the ultimate artichoke overdose. I will gladly pay any "Loafage Fees" that Duarte's would require to bring in my own bread.

 Carefully combined soups with a special menu side of Mexican Slaw ($3.50)

Combined Artichoke and Green Chile Soups were best when whisked together

Our next surprise came directly across the street from Duarte's Tavern. From the adjacent corner this non-descript Alliance Gas Station sits at Stage Road and Pescadero Road. Inside a station like this one you would just expect a mini mart with all of the typical grab and go candy, sodas and snacks.

Alliance Gas Station in Pescadero

However, from the building's other side you are lucky to catch a glimpse of the sign revealing the hidden treasure inside called Taqueria de Amigos. Notice that it is almost directly across Stage Road from Duarte's Tavern.

Alliance Gas Station is also home to Taqueria de Amigos

Stacie had mentioned she ran inside this station to grab a water recently and said they had a "deli" inside. But when I walked in my jaw about dropped when I saw the beautiful taqueria with an immaculate open kitchen and seating. It was a small version of a complete Mexican restaurant.

Not exactly what you'd expect to find inside a small self service gas station

Immaculate Open Kitchen at Taqueria de Amigos Pescadero

They even have groceries and fresh produce too!

I knew we just had to try something from their impressive menu so I ordered a Vegetarian Tostada. It was only $2.99 but full of flavor. It came with smooth guacamole, sour cream, rice, crisp lettuce and some of the tastiest beans I have ever had at a taqueria.

Taqueria de Amigos' Veggie Tostada at a gas station is CRAZY GOOD!

So just when we thought we had seen all of the surprises that this little town had to offer we ran into the Pescadero Country Store. From the outside we were sure this place was going to be just the town's general store. After all, the sign says "Sodas, Snacks, Gifts, Sandwich, Wine, Beer etc. Right?

Pescadero Country Store Front

WRONG! Inside this cleverly-disguised-as-just-a-general-store are actually four separate businesses like a food court in a modern shopping mall. First up is a cocktail lounge on your left that is every bit as hip as a San Francisco night club. You could easily enjoy a drink here before a nice pizza dinner. It would feel like you had a night on the town and you could still grab a quart of milk for breakfast without ever leaving the same building. :-)

"The Lounge" at Pescadero Country Store (Photo by Stacie Tamaki)

Next your eyes focus on the giant pizza oven and beautiful wood crafted horseshoe shaped bar in the center of the store. It's immediately obvious that someone has put a lot of effort in making this place special. There is additional table seating for families and larger groups. The back of the room is yet another style of deli counter with a retro feel and where you can order all kinds of great food.

Bar seating around pizza oven at the Pescadero Country Store

Obviously, there was no way we were not going to try the pizza and the recommendation from the staff was for the Basil Pesto version. It was a nice size for two and priced at $16.00.

Zooming in for a detail shot the crust was super thin and crispy. The toppings included artichoke hearts and the combination of basil pesto with fresh basil chiffonade (ribbons) was just perfect.

Finally, you find the actual "store" in a separate section which nicely keeps the dining areas comfortable and pleasant for eating. This little store is simply packed with everything you could need and nothing you don't. The more I visit these little old fashioned markets the more I realize how much space and stuff is wasted in giant supermarkets not to mention the time I spend trying to navigate them. These little stores are not only cute but super efficient. Of course, you won't find thirty-two varieties of pickles here but who really needs them?

As if the Pescadero Country Store was not already impressive enough I peaked through the window to see their giant outdoor area adjacent to their building. This space is sprawling and just begs for huge gatherings or special events.

We were thoroughly surprised and satisfied with our one street tour of Pescadero. Stage Road has something for everyone yet one more surprise awaited us because of a recommendation from another customer at Taqueria de Amigos. She strongly suggested we visit Costanoa. I had passed the entrance to Costanoa many times on my way to Half Moon Bay but never stopped. It is about 12 miles south of Pescadero and directly on our way back to Santa Cruz so we knew it was a must stop for this excursion. Costanoa has a lot of things including a lodge, store, campgrounds and cabins but our sights were set on the Cascade Bar & Grille for a final dessert course to finish our excursion.

Everything about Costanoa reflects the message of their slogan "Discover The Pace Of Nature." The road up their front entrance is lined with towering Eucalyptus trees and their entire footprint is very eco-friendly.

Although we just came to eat the beautiful grounds, campsites and cabins available had us thinking our next visit here could very well be an extended stay. It is only twenty minutes from Santa Cruz and yet feels like a world away.

Cozy cabin living at Costanoa

We reached the Cascade Bar & Grille restaurant at about 3:00 so we were definitely in between lunch and dinner time. It was Stacie's turn to choose so she opted for the Chocolate Lava Cake ($9.00). It was a full plate garnished with vanilla bean ice cream, whipping cream and fresh strawberries.

It was quickly apparent that this restaurant might be in the middle (and pace) of nature but there was nothing funky about it. The lava cake was house made from scratch and the best according to Stacie that she has ever tasted. I was just content at that point for a few small bites. I WILL be returning to try more of their menu offerings when I have an empty stomach.

Stacie often likes to try a new beverage as we go tasting. On our June Food Excursion to Palo Alto she took her own dare and tried a more adult mocha drink. This time she reverted to her childhood and opted for the ultimate drink that kids have in a bar, a Shirley Temple ($2.00) Her smile basically says it all. She remains a kid at heart. See Stacie's story of our trip to Pescadero at The Flirty Blog.

My parting shot is of a lone windsurfer off one of the many picturesque beaches along Highway 1. This stretch of rugged coastline never ceases to leave me in awe. The dramatic scenery was expected. The numerous incredible food surprises were certainly not. I highly recommend you visit Pescadero.