Sarah Walker The Curated House, Author at The Curated House

Tartine | Part 2 | San Francisco

If you’re like me, my guess is you were rather intoxicated by yesterday’s Video on Tartine and their beautiful process. At moments I’m pretty sure you could smell the sweet steam rising off of the piping-hot, freshly baked bread. I know I could. And there’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread to stimulate the appetite! So today I thought I’d share photos of our delightfully rustic and delicious mother-son lunch.

I have a {rather ironic} confession to make. I am currently not eating bread. In fact, no gluten of any kind. One might think it a cruel joke to go to a world-class bakery whilst unable to partake in the golden-crusted goodness. The truth is, I found so much joy in living vicariously through my son’s gastronimic glory that my sweet little baby gem salad tasted just as incredible to me.

OK, so remember the gorgeous country loaf that Chad makes? This golden orb of perfection is sliced not across the short side as is typically done, but rather lengthwise, essentially trimming the top and bottom crust off the loaf.

What’s left is the most indulgently portioned slices of bread to make their hot pressed sandwiches. This is of course what my sweet son ordered, deftly selecting the prosciutto and provolone with dressed arugula. Truly a classic {I have no idea how he has such great taste at such a young age!}.

We sat down at the charmingly simple harvest table {joined by the most fascinating chef and his family…but that is another story} and awaited our plate fate. We were not disappointed.

Cut into 3 delicious chunks of hot pressed sandwich heaven, my son’s eyes fairly popped out of his head when he caught sight of this mid-day meal’s perfection. I just love the way it was plated.

My favourite touch was the carrot {complete with a bit of green top}. Scrubbed but not peeled to maintain the “freshly pulled from the garden” look and feel, these quiet and unassuming carrots are quite a surprise. No longer “chompy-crunchy,” they are more of an “al dente crunchy” as they have been pickled in some kind of zesty, spicy, surprise-when-you-least-expect-it kind of pickling juice that I can only describe as magical.

Isn’t the salad just gorgeous? The olive oil and lemon based dressing definitely had it’s own kind of spicy magic happening. The team at Tartine are certainly full of tasty little secrets at every turn.

If all of this baked beauty has you inspired to turn your hand at bread making at home, then Chad’s cookbook is a MUST. You can get it here.

Wishing you a warm and fragrant Wednesday!

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 12th, 2012|0 Comments

Tartine | Part 1 | San Francisco

I love a good story. The kind with a rhythm, with a persistent protagonist who perseveres and finds a way to push through challenges to overcome and create the things that legacies are made of. And today I am excited to share just such a story through the journey of a humble, magical bread-maker. Chad Robertson and his wife, pastry chef Elizabeth Prueitt, have created what can only be described as an iconic bakery and café in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco. I recently had the delight of visiting their aromatic corner of the earth with my son. The perfect mother-son date. {After all, the way to any man or boy’s heart is indeed through their stomach.} This video will help you to understand why we were completely won over. They truly embody my motto: “beautiful process, beautiful product.”

No doubt I’ve whetted your appetite for further delicious details! More soon. I promise.

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 11th, 2012|0 Comments

An Ode To The Summer Picnic

Remember my recent ramblings about how a sweet and simple dress fanned into flame the spark of an idea? I don’t know about you, but I don’t choose fashion for the label or the status of it. I choose fashion because it feels like a reflection of my personality, my interests, my quirks and expressive ways, my style and quite simply myself. I choose it because it fits and reflects my life.

My closet is diverse, reflecting the need to express different moods at different times, but this dress fit like a glove in every way. A vintage silhouette with a whimsical flair, tailored yet easy, lovely but not too serious. And so it is most befitting that this feminine frock also led to the creation of this video, paying homage to the last few days of summer and one of my favourite ways to spend them – picnicking with friends, surrounded by nature, savouring gourmet flavours, together.

An Ode to the Summer Picnic from The Curated House on Vimeo.

You can find recipes for the lovely food featured in the video here. The beautiful plates were provided by Anthropologie {also the source of this inspirational dress}. And the visual beauty is all thanks to the creative genius of the delightful Phil Lindsay.

Summer doesn’t officially succumb to Fall’s embrace for at least a couple of weeks yet, so I say ask her to dance. Feel the warmth of her sun on your skin, the breeze of her breath in your hair, the softness of her green blades of grassy attire beneath your bare feet as you sway to her soft rhythm. Squeeze out every last drop of goodness you can from the fruit of her season and savour each sip with the ones you love. It’s the stuff memories are made of.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 7th, 2012|3 Comments