Ligaya’s Welcoming of Austin S UYE @ Cav Wine Bar & Kitchen

Long story short: What can I say, I’m just that popular to get my own UYE…
Long story long:
As I’ve mentioned several times now in my bay area reviews, when I decided to extend my trip in the bay area following my weekend in Boulder Creek at World Christian Conference, I immediately hit up the SF CMs, letting them know I was going to be in town and asked if they’d be kind enough to have some sort of UYE or whatever while I was there. I had already met Ruggy a couple of times, but he apparently was going to be out of town anyway. However, I especially wanted to meet the awesomeness that is Connie C, the Silicon Valley CM, and Ligaya T, the East Bay CM. The CMYE that Connie put on at Roux Kitchen in San Jose was a success, so I expected nothing less from Ligaya. After COUNTLESS compliments back and forth about the day, time, location, type of venue, etc etc for weeks, she FINALLY got the event up like a week out. A WEEK! Just kidding, you know I love you Liggy. Yes, I just called you Liggy.
Anywho, there was actually a mix up when she first posted the event. I had told her that my reservation at Gary Danko was at 5:30 and wanted the event to start at like 8, but she had initially set this event for 5:30. But that was cleared up. We also were going to have it Press Club, which looked REALLY nice and actually would’ve been walkable from my hostel, but due to the time discrepancy, they ended up not being able to accommodate us, hence a venue change. It actually all worked out for the better.
The place is pretty cool. It had a pseudo, borderline, industrial-​esque feel to it with the concrete. I liked it. The bar is up near the front with seating in the back. Supposedly the chef here came from French Laundry or something like that. I forget whoever it was who told me this that night said. Running a little late, most everybody was already there. We had been given a smaller raised communal table that was up near the bar. There was champagne being poured and small bites being brought out.
I FINALLY got to meet the lovely lil’ Ligaya T AND my Felton Nutella Lover, Hazel G. In fact, Hazel gave me such a bear hug and wouldn’t let go as we proceeded to have a conversation while still hugging. It’s kind of like greeting a close relative you haven’t seen in a LONG time at the airport.
Met a few others such as Susan C and uh… hmmm, I forget. It’s now been a month since I was here, so I apologize if I have forgotten who was there.
Oh, but then of course who shows up late, with a handmade butterfly hat (*shrug*), but none other than Kim D, who actually is my East Bay pork lover. Yes, we bond over pork. We’re just special like that.
At one point, there was a charcuterie platter. I had some of that and that was good. Kim had eventually also ordered the bone marrow, which of course everybody was making… «questionable» comments. I don’t know how many times «that’s what she said» was brought up that night. I felt very at home ;) But I had some and it was good. The only thing about the marrow, which Kim was quite adamant about, was the lack of a proper marrow spoon. Made it difficult to get into the bone to get all the good deliciousness out (no, that’s NOT what she said). It was kind of like the rare occurrence that 2 surgeons just can’t seem to find the bullet in a NON-​DYING patient. Just saying…
Eventually a couple of desserts came out. One was a deconstructed carrot cake. I personally like carrot cake, and this was good. I forget exactly what the other one was, but it was themed around citrus and had segments of oranges and grapefruits. That wasn’t too bad either.
I CANNOT say thanks enough to Ligaya for putting this on and to everybody else for showing an out-​of-​towner some love. I definitely gotta hit her up again next time I’m in town. I had tons of fun finishing the evening this way (that’s what she said)

I got to meet the infamous Austin S. who’s Gary Danko reservation made this meeting at CAV possible ;) I also had a starstruck moment being introduced to the lovely Ligaya T.
Kim D and I love sucking bones… of marrow. Mmmm! It was like meat butter on toast. Delicious!
I also had some amazing sea scallops! Seared, almost raw but not quite. Perfection.
It was awesome to meet a ton more Unilocalers too! Who rocks? Unilocalers Rock!
I also found a new reason to go to Unilocal Events: SCHWAG!

Last night at the Cav Wine Bar & Kitchen the lovely Ligaya threw another of her fabulous UYEs w/​Southern Californian Unilocaler Austin S. Coming up to join the festivities. In addition to spending more time w/​those I already know, I met additional cool Unilocalers.
SV’s Connie was unable to make it due to feeling under the weather, so I hope she’s recovers ASAP.
Amongst the exotic eats enjoyed were Steamed Little Neck Clams, Roasted Marrow Bones, Seared Sea Scallops, Assorted House-​made Charciterie & Cured Meats, followed by Compressed Chocolate Cake, Variations on Winter Citrus, & Carrot Cake.
It was a blast watching Kim & Susan feverishly working over a bunch of boners… ;P
Pix are coming soon. I lack the Wanugee’s superhuman ability to upload & post 100+ pics in minutes after an event. ;D

Imagine the vibe of a speakeasy… low lights, primo libations, and an intimate gathering of Unilocalers… it was like a «secret club» within Unilocal kind of experience.
Austin S. and I have been bonding over Pork (who in their right mind wouldn’t?) and so when he made the trip up, I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to share a table with the man.
I have been getting my appetite back, though I can still pass the J Brand skinny jeans (size 25) test… though it feels soooooo good to enjoy my food and the Unilocalericious company. In that order. No offense. I mean, it’s like… a photo finish.
The marrow bones were tasty, though they were not served with proper marrow spoons, so I had to go a bit primeval on those bitches, because I have been craving some major boning as of late. Vegetarians, be damned.
I also ordered the House made Charcuterie — and when Austin helped himself to a sampling without invitation (I mean, c’mon — after dinner @ Gary Danko?) I was equal parts amused and mortified.
Wha? Somebody else is going to devour my pork products? *whimper* But we ended up sharing… and somebody has a picture out there — Tadashi — is that you? With me wearing coppa «pasties».
I was tarday for the par-​tay… because Peter L. implored me to arrive as the Mad Hattrix, so I actually made the butterfly piece late in the afternoon. I’m totally digging on it, though — since it did not impede the path from plate to my mouth in any way. Bonus!
La Ligaya made an excellent call to choose CAV as a last minute venue change. It was nifty, because it added to the Speakeasy groove.
Thanks so much for yet another super-​cool UYE!