Valeriana Quevedo

Living in the San Francisco Bay area affords us the opportunity to experience a great diversity of entertainment, often at reasonable prices and almost any night of the week.  A few years ago, I had the great pleasure of becoming a fan of jazz singer, Sony Holland, even going to Japan while she spent three months performing at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo.  Shota Osabe, a jazz pianist since 1963, accompanied Sony to Tokyo.  Recently, Sony and her husband, Jerry Holland, relocated to Los Angeles, much to the dismay of all the fans in San Francisco but Shota Osabe continues to play piano for many incredible singers and to arrange music for them as well.  I've certainly gotten to know a lot of performers through my attachment to Shota.  One of them is a wonderful Latin singer and dancer, Valeriana Quevedo.  Valeriana is the daughter of entertainers and she has been singing and dancing almost since her birth!  She would go to San Francisco's Dolores Park with her father, a singer who played the guitar and was also a percussionist.  She would join in  and play bongos and congas with the group that would gather there.  Her mother was a singer and dancer.

Valeriana states she began dancing professionally at the age of five!  She has always been singing.  She attended City College of San Francisco, studying music, dance, piano and drama
and performed in San Francisco's  famous "Beach Blanket Babylon," the longest running musical in the world.  She became the assistant choreographer there.

Sunday night, I went to see her, along with Shota Osabe on keyboard, Chuck Bennett on bass, Gerry Kennett on drums, and Sammy Ramirez, on percussion.  They played in San Francisco's
Mission District at Cava 22, a warm and friendly Mexican restaurant with excellent drinks and 
very good food.  There was no cover charge or minimum and the music had the joint jumping.
My friend, Silvia Solorzano, and I had a great margarita and a bowl of seafood stew, a basket of bread and almost three hours of nonstop, sizzling entertainment with Valeriana singing in both 
Spanish and English, sultry sexy songs, hot Spanish numbers, and she took requests.  It was impossible not to get up and dance!  She and her percussionist, Sammy Ramirez, also dance
occasionally and they are something to see!  I keep asking my piano player friend, Shota Osabe, when I'm going to see him get up from the keyboards to salsa or do a meringue!  No response there!

Valeriana Quevedo

Valeriana Quevedo and Sammy Ramirez

Gerry Kennett, Drums & Vocals - Chuck Bennett, Bass - Shota Osabe, Piano - Sammy Ramirez, Percussion

Carmen Henesy and Silvia Solorzano

Shrimp passing by

Silvia Solorzano dancing with Mr. Martinez, Sr.

The Dancing Queen

Shota Osabe

Gary Kennett, Drums and Vocal

Carmen Henesy and Silvia Solorzano

Cava 22 waitress, Erica, and our bartender

With Mr. Martinez, Jr, celebrating his 23rd birthday

Silvia and the birthday boy

Dancing with Mr. Martinez, Jr.

Friends

Valeriana Quevado performs frequently in San Francisco.  In addition to her show this past Sunday, I have seen her at Amante and Enrico's in North Beach, where she performs regularly.  If you have the opportunity, do not MISS an evening with this incredible entertainer. 

Wordless Wednesday

The Lottery

For over fifteen years, I've been eating at a wonderful Thai restaurant called Manivanh. I'll do a blog on them one of these days soon. The family that owns it are like my own family. Very often when I eat there, San Pen - who works there and is the partner of one of the Douangpanya daughters ( the lovely Ann ) and I joke about winning the lottery. We always say we'll share our winnings when we do. Often, if I haven't gotten my ticket, he'll go across the street for me, to the neighborhood market, and get two for me - one for California's Superlotto and one for the national MegaMillions. The only problem is that, thus far, San hasn't brought back any winners!

Just last week, I couldn't believe, a lady won the MegaMillions with a ticket purchased at Pak N Save, the grocery store where I shop. I never even thought of buying a ticket there! At any rate, they say that lightning never strikes twice in the same place so I guess I'll stick with buying a ticket when I'm feasting at Manivanh. Don't give up San...we're both going to win one of these days. Keep the faith.

Regardless, I wrote this poem and it is dedicated to you!!!

The Lottery

( dedicated to San Pen )

I know the odds are not the best,

And though I play each week,

And buy a single ticket,

My chances seem quite bleak.

I wouldn’t be a selfish one,

I’d gladly share the loot,

I’d give to every charity,

That’ll be in hot pursuit.

I don’t need mega millions,

Just a million would suffice,

But if I got a little more,

I’d think that mighty nice!

My years are growing short,

So there isn’t much I need,

I wouldn’t want the lottery folks,

To think I’m filled with greed.

I don’t have special numbers,

I do the “quick pick” things,

I’m not asking for great treasures,

Just some pleasures money brings.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) December 2009 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

 

Dreams and Hope

Dreams and Hope

In a world so often crazy,

And fraught with so much strife,

My dream is that we learn respect,

And value human life.

I hope we teach our children,

To cherish this great earth,

We can show them by example,

Almost from their birth.

I dream of having peaceful days,

Without a single war,

When countries learn diplomacy,

And to negotiate much more.

My hopes are for a cancer cure,

For there to be enough to eat,

Of streets that have no violence,

Of relationships without deceit.

I dream that all can worship freely,

No matter what they believe,

And that every single child,

Is given the ability to achieve.

I pray that in my lifetime,

My hopes and dreams come true.

I will try to help them all along,

In everything I do.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) December 2009 by Carmen Henesy
All rights reserved. 

Tutto Pasta and Zucchero, Miami, Florida

A few years ago, I was nominated for the Godmother of Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas.  I made the top one hundred finalists and, as such, was invited to Miami to sail with the other finalists on the relaunch of the Majesty of the Seas after their dry dock and refurbishment.  I was allowed to bring a guest so I invited my dear friend and forensic nurse colleague, Sherry Arndt.  I took an overnight flight from San Francisco but Sherry wasn't due to arrive until evening.  I was ravenous so my hotel recommended a litttle place about a block from them - Tutto Pasta.  Little did I know, that restaurant would become one of the top favorites of my lifetime and its owner and chef, Joao Carlos Oliveira - who most people call, Juca, would become a friend!

I walked over from the hotel and found myself in a rather crowded restaurant that had both outdoor dining and inside tables, plus counter seats that looked onto the open kitchen where several cooks were busy preparing meals for their patrons.  The menu was quite extensive, with all sorts of temptation and I was told that Tutto Pizza, next door, also belonged to Chef Juca
I was waited on by a very charming young man, Christian Escuti, from Latin America who knew
everything about the menu and was well informed on the many wine choices.

While Tutto Pasta is basically an Italian restaurant, Juca, who is from Brazil, adds his own special touch to the dishes.  They are unique and tantalizing.  Tutto Pasta began delighting visitors in 1994 and the Miami Herald named this restaurant one of the best in Dade County. On my first visit, I was so impressed at lunch, I brought my friend, Sherry, back for dinner and I
ordered the exact same meal!!  Tutto's passion fruit mousse is to die for ( I had two at lunch that 
first day )!  


When Chef Juca saw me back that same evening, he came over to say hello.  Sherry and I were delighted when a complimentary focaccia di capra - a focaccia with truffle oil and goat cheese -
joined the parade of other fabulous food we ate that evening.

The wonderful facaccia di capra - with truffle oil and goat cheese

Mozzarrella with tomatoes,  and basil

Facaccia Salad

Arugula, goat cheese, and figs - my favorite salad on the menu - I have it every time I eat

at Tutto Pasta

Ever since I visited Argentina and went to Mendoza in the Andes, where they grow the grapes

for Malbec wines, they have been one of my favorite reds.  This Pascual Toso was 

wonderful and I had two bottles in one day!  My friend, Sherry, arrived to help me with the second one!

Rare ahi with shrimp, scallops, arugula and mango salsa

With wonderful waiter, Christian Escuti, during one of my early visits to Tutto Pasta

Lamb chops with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables

My favorite dessert, passionfruit mousse - I have been known to eat two at a meal!

Passionfruit mousse on my November 2009 trip to Tutto Pasta

Sherry Arndt and me with Chef Joao  ( Juca ) Carlos Oliveira on our first trip to Tutto Pasta

The great guys behind the dishes 

November 2009 visit - Gabriel, who is managing Tutto Pasta since Chef Juca has opened

Zucchero, his new restaurant  - and my favorite waiter, Christian

Whenever a cruise brought me to Florida, I would fly into Miami so I could eat at Tutto Pasta, even if it meant renting a car and driving the 220 miles to sail out of Port Canaveral!

Just this past month, I was invited by Royal Caribbean to sail for the weekend on their new mega ship the Oasis of the Seas, complimentary, in a balcony cabin, and I was allowed to bring one guest with me.  I invited a forensic nurse friend from San Diego.  We were due to sail on Friday, November 20th but I flew into Ft. Lauderdale on Wed, November 18th, rented a car and headed to Miami.  After checking into the Hyatt Regency, I went immediately to Tutto Pasta.  It had been an entire YEAR since I had last been there.  Much to my delight, my favorite waiter, Christian Escuti was on duty and I was warmly greeted by him and other staff.  I had a wonderful dinner and heard the news that Chef Juca had opened a new restaurant, Zucchero, not very far from

Tutto Pasta.  Someone called to let him know I was in town and would be there for dinner the following night.

I checked out of the Hyatt at noon on Thursday, stopped by Tutto Pasta for lunch and drove to

Ft. Lauderdale to meet my friend, Claire Nelli, at our hotel there.  After a brief rest, we were on 

the road to Miami again.  

We arrived  at Zucchero and were quite impressed with the new restaurant.  Since Juca was busy cooking, we chose to sit at the counter rather than dining at a table.  It was the perfect spot to get a look at the procession of fabulous dishes.  The aromas emanating from the stove were

heavenly.

Zucchero Restaurant, Miami, Florida

Zucchini flower stuffed with cheeses

Zucchero chefs at work - Angelo, left and Juca, right

Wonderful appetizers

Linguini pasta with shrimp and mussels

Outstanding staff at Zuchero

Kobe beef meatballs

Chef/owner Joao Carlos Oliveira - Juca - 

of Tutto Pizza, Tutto Pasta, Zucchero, and Tutto Pasta Factory

Interior of Zucchero's

Insalata di rucula

Gnocchi di papate verdi, cannelloni with crabmeat, ravioli di arigosta

Cheers - with great sangria!

Cannelloni with stuffed crabmeat

Burratta

Xavier

Angelo and Juca

Pave with coconut and pineapple

.  

Soffiato di guayaba - running a close second in my favorite list to that passionfruit mousse -

this is a guava concoction with  a hot guava filling that runs out when punctured!

Angelo, chef at Zucchero

Claire Nelli and Carmen Henesy at Zucchero

We were so stuffed after our wonderful evening at Zucchero, it was hard to navigate the thirty miles back to our Ft. Lauderdale hotel.  I felt sad saying goodbye to Chef Juca and was sad I hadn't gotten to see his lovely wife, Patricia, this visit.  Now  that I'm retired, I have no idea when I'll be back in Miami since the change in my income doesn't allow me to travel as I once did.  During my working life, a whole year without eating at Tutto Pasta would have been unthinkable!

During this time of recession, both of Juca's restaurants are offering incredible specials to allay some of the costs of dining out.  If you are in the Miami area, be sure to call and find out what they are.  One night a week, wines are fifty percent off and, other nights, pastas have special pricing.  

Living in the San Francisco area, I am used to a huge choice of excellent retaurants.  Chef Juca's Miami restuarants can compete with the best of these!  I wish I could move Juca and Tutto Pizza, Tutto Pasta, Tutto  Pasta Factory and Zucchero out here.  Believe me, if he ever opens West Coast branches in this area, I'm going to ask him to let me  handle his public relations!  I am one of his biggest fans!