cupcake club

7th Steakiversary

Hunter won "most stylish" at our dinner on Tuesday, which was preceded by cocktails at Luna Park.  Coup of the night: smuggling out a shot of strawberry mojito for our regular, beloved, and usually-most-stylish waitress Rositsa.

Putting the "C" in CGS

Earlier this week at Steak Club, our Celebrity Guest Star was an actual celebrity, rock star and author Jon Ginoli.  Also of note was James' new shirt, which prompted Hunter to ask, "Did you just come from a gay rodeo?"

The old bait and switch

For some reason my family has been tricking me lately, advertising dinners that imply beef but don't deliver.  Ted's hard-shell tacos?  Made with ground turkey.  Mom's meatloaf?  The meat was ground turkey.  Uncle Warren's chili con carne?  The carne was, you guessed it... ground turkey.  It is possible that I will get used to this and even expect it.  But probably not anytime soon.

I've had no such problems with Ed, who promises filet mignon and produces filet mignon, and Valencia Pizza & Pasta (where Steak Club celebrated Steaksgiving last night, and where the beef is not made out of poultry).

My new camera

My old camera served me so well for so long, but (not surprisingly) died after Burning Man.  Giving me just the excuse I was looking for to buy a smaller, lighter one. 

My very first photos on Tuesday were predictable: Isabel being adorable, Kiko upset because she wanted to hold the camera herself.

Later that evening, I took my new camera to Steak Club's 6th anniversary dinner (with special guests Jodie and Sharon).  An occasion worth documenting, if I do say so myself.

Whip it good

 

All of the people who've visited Steak Club over the years have been dear to us, but this month's guest, Hunter's friend Sharon, really distinguished herself.  Hunter had jokingly told her she'd have to make a presentation, and she actually did it!  First she reported on steak-related news, then passed out a list of Chuck Norris "facts," including:

• Chuck Norris eats 8 meals a day.  7 are steak and the last is the rest of the cow.
• Chuck Norris eats steak for every single meal.  Most times he forgets to kill the cow.
• When Chuck Norris goes out to eat, he orders a whole steak, but he only eats its soul.

It was a great night.  To celebrate the return of our regular waitress, Rosica, we all got hot chocolates with an insane amount of whipped cream.  An insanely good amount.

Ai Bacon Most Pepe!

Last Tuesday was indeed Super, thanks to the party James threw for our two favorite neighborhood groups: Ai Pepe Steak Club and MOST BACON Bacon Club.  It was, as advertised, the meatiest election party ever (steak and/or bacon in every dish, including dessert).  Besides the usual suspects, guests included a genuine rock star, and a man named Lunch.  Never have so few consumed so much bacon and so many steaks in the name of delicious democracy!

To quote Kyle: "The day that James learned Photoshop was a great day for all of us."

5th Steakiversary

Last night's steak club meeting was our 5th anniversary, and we got kind of dolled up for the occasion.  Other than that, it was business as usual: steak and libations, inviting/excluding people, and thinking of fun things we should, but probably won't, do.  I think our best idea was a rock star party where we all trash hotel rooms (or James and John's garage made up to look like a hotel room).  Pretty sure it's never going to happen, but special guest David G. made us an awesome flyer just in case:

 

The return of the prodigal steak

Last night's special guest at steak club was extremely special, but not really a guest -- it was Mac, one of our dear departed members, who now lives in L.A.

We all got to hear about Hunter's recent appendectomy, compared our Pride weekends, reflected on the life and career of Pat Morita, and discussed the porn stars who work out in Mac's gym (Hunter: "There are women porn stars?").

There were some sobering moments at the end, when we pulled down the photo displayed on the restaurant wall (of our 3rd meeting, taken in November 2002).  Maybe we're not quite as bright-eyed, fresh-faced, or dark-haired as we used to be, but I think we're holding up pretty well.  (Must be all the steak.)

Summer in the city

Last night was the unofficial start of San Francisco summer, when the freezing cold and bluster prompted the owner of Valencia Pizza & Pasta to serve the Steak Club a round of complimentary hot chocolates.

In other beverage news, Daniel, who had had a bad day, was drinking his wine straight from the bottle.

Happy Bike to Work Day everyone!

Where's the beef?

If you find yourself dancing in a conga line behind a human-sized foam steak, you're probably at a Palace Family Steak House show.

Friday night's gig at the Peacock Lounge featured a pillow fight, a scantily clad Freddie Mercury tribute ("We are the Steak House, my friends") and a rabidly enthusiastic audience, demanding "More steak! More steak!"  Totally awesome.

The next show, whenever it is, has "steak club field trip" written all over it.