Welcome summer!
When it’s time to start planning summer fun, I remind my friends that the season flies by. By the time your brain catches up with the calendar, half of the season is already over, so you have to start planning now.
Hosting a party?
Introducing a simple food party! possibility:
strawberries with chocolate
For best results, melt the chocolate in the microwave, dip the fruit in it, then transfer to a tray lined with wax paper (for easy access) until the chocolate sets.
Izzy’s potato chips
Remove all flat chips from the bag. Top with cucumber, salmon, crème fraîche, and capers or pickled pepper.
avocado canapé
Make or buy guacamole and crostini. Top with plenty of guacamole and sun-dried tomatoes. Marinate the tomatoes in red wine overnight to make them flavorful.
frozen grapes
Place fresh grapes on a flat plate or baking sheet. Freeze overnight and serve with a cheese plate. Grapes thaw quickly, so it’s best to give them directly to your guests.
Do you entertain guests from out of state?
A great place to enjoy drinks and food on Memorial Day is The Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco in Nob Hill. Especially great if your guests were in the military.
celebrating 85 years oldth This month’s anniversary doesn’t disappoint, as owner George D. Smith converted his 19th-floor penthouse apartment into the hotel’s cocktail lounge in 1939. Unconvinced that people would take the elevator up to the 19th floor, he installed a dance floor and brought in a band, and the lounge remains the highest in the city.
Top of the Mark has a rich history. When San Francisco became a military staging area during World War II, many toasted farewell from the impressive observation deck. It became popular after wives and girlfriends watched battleships departing for war from the picturesque north-west window. This location became known as “Weeper’s Corner.”
During the Korean War (1950-1953), a new tradition began where service members would sign and date their “squadron bottles” and leave them at the bar to pass to their fellow men. The person who drank the last drink bought a new bottle. By the end of the war he had 32 squadron bottles in use and this tradition continues today. Any active military member or veteran can order a drink or drop off a bottle. When you visit, be sure to read the stories, which are accompanied by very personal and touching notes. What a great way to celebrate Memorial Day.
Photos courtesy of LSIC, unless otherwise noted.
