GO TO BAR CRUDO!

Mr. Food Musings, Sam and I went to Bar Crudo last night. It was the first night they'd reopened since the fatal car accident that killed one of their waitresses and seriously injured their chef and sous chef. We asked after everyone; there was a memorial service for Gracie, and her family is taking her back to Texas where she's from. Mike Selvera, the head chef/owner, came home from the hospital yesterday. As you can imagine, his broken ribs are causing him a fair bit of pain and his broken jaw is wired shut so all he can do is suck up liquids through a straw for the next month. Tim, his twin brother and co-owner, said he's not sure how long before Mike's back at work. Carina, their sous chef, is still in the hospital.

They really appreciated us showing up. Donna, one of the servers, said it had been a rough week and it seemed like everyone was shook up.

It did our hearts (and tummies) good to let them know we were thinking about them, and to fill up on oysters; fresh, sweet lobster -- the best I have ever had -- that is flown in from Maine every single day; and sparkling Cava. There was a new-ish crudo: fluke with apples and ginger. It was to die for. And the XOX truffles filled with caramel were a perfect way to end the evening.

We asked Tim if they were accepting donations from people who might not be able to make Sunday's benefit. He said he was hoping to update their website later today with that information.

People, I want to make a plea to those of you who live in the Bay Area. These guys don't have any health insurance. The employees who didn't work during Bar Crudo's closure did so without pay. This is a small, family-owned business and a week without customers has a huge impact on their ability to pay their bills and keep their staff. And last night, the restaurant was only about a third full. Come on -- we can do better than that! They could all really use our support in the form of our business. In exchange, you will get to eat some of the sweetest lobster in the country and expertly prepared crudo that will tickle your tastebuds. If you don't like raw fish, order the peel and eat prawns or fresh crab in drawn butter, the decadent seafood chowder or the cheese plate, and order a glass or two of wine.

If you live in the City, please try to make it in for dinner in the next few weeks. It would really mean so much. And do stop by Sunday from 12 - 6 for oysters, crudo and drinks. All it takes is a donation, whatever you might be able to give.

Comments

[Little Sister]

i feel we should go friday night after i get in....

[tim]

is someone working on the chronicle and local tv & radio stations? if not, drop me a line and i'll do it. it's what i do for a living for jangl. thx.

[sam]

to be fair - the chronicle did mention it on wednesday in their Inside Scoop.
I think (hope) there will be a good turn out on Sunday. See you there.

[sam]

btw - the fluke is my new favourite. I don't even miss/remember what it replaced.
oh well, maybe I do, but I am fickle and the fluke has a new home in my heart.

[jen maiser]

Thanks for the update Catherine. I'll figure out a way to be there in the next couple weeks for sure!