the A team: patrick, kelen, rachel, aimee & dan

On his 3rd return visit to Selma Cafe, Dan, his sous chef Patrick Mazur, and his amazing support staff Kelen, Rachel and Aimee wowed us all over again.

The breakfast they served was better than dinners I’ve eaten at fancy, snooty, expensive restaurants, and eating in our kitchen is way more fun.  Dan layered braised pork with a perfectly made polenta, covered it with braising liquid and rhubarb chutney, placed a just-right poached egg on top, and served it with a side of hoop house greens and sunflower sprouts.  Pictured above is the vegetarian version, with marinated tempeh instead of pork.  This turned vegan by simply leaving off the egg.  Everyone had something delicious today.

We had lots of volunteers for Thursday night prep, as well as Friday morning service and clean up. Thank you Michelle Fortin, Nevon Clark, Kendal Kuneman, Elizabeth Beers, Noah Miller, Olivia Gramprie and her friend and first timer Rachel, Ruth Shamraj, Remi Holden, Dorran Dihle, Siri Gottlieb, Gary Mazzeo, Jennifer Jensen,  and Lisa Dugdale.

Adding to the excitement of having Dan and his crew back in the kitchen, we had some pretty awesome stuff happening in the front garden.  The Slauson Middle School orchestra, with Carol Palm at the helm, came by and played us a nearly hour long concert of beautiful music for strings.  I think they have started something extra wonderful.

driveway action

bass and cellos by the tarragon and onion beds

focus on the music

carol's smile says it all

hep cat bass player guy

cello cases in the flower bed

view from the herb garden

student backpacks

eberwhite elementary kids on their way to school, stop to check out the tunes

parents and friends enjoy the concert

The orchestra members decided that in addition to playing for everyone, they would collect some appreciation from their listeners in the form of some loose change and a some greenbacks, and donate their collection to RP&F.  We had some generous neighbors, parents and friends.  Thanks to these great musicians we put an extra $125 in the collection jars today.  Thank you so  much Slauson students!!

And, as if the concert and donation wasn’t enough excitement, we also had Tomm and Trilby Becker here for their weekly CSA member’s pick up.

sean kehoe, ready to hand out the groceries

some of Sunseed Farm's lovely produce

All in all it was an extra fabulous, extra delicious, extra fun Selma Cafe day, with Friday Mornings@SELMA keeping folks entertained, well fed and happy.

Looking forward to seeing you in our kitchen (or garden) soon.

~Lisa