Now that tomatoes have been cleared of their salmonella charges – though keep away from those jalapeños for the time being – why not feast on summer’s most famous herbaceous fruit? Bay Area restaurants are bursting with plans for special tomato dinners – 52 (including Delfina, Fleur de Lys and XYZ) will be participating in the first-ever Heirloom Tomato Week, presented by Visa Signature, from August 14th–24th, while others have their own deals planned that start sooner.
From now through August 15th, Aqua is tweaking its seafood-centric offerings to make way for a special seven-course tomato-tasting menu; expect dishes like tomato-and-watermelon tartare and tomato-and-Parmesan ice cream sandwiches. Served with optional wine pairings, the tasting menus are available for entire tables only ($95 per person; wine pairings cost an additional $85; 415-956-9662).
From now until October, the snazzy tuxedoed waiters over at Bix will be rolling out the tomato cart along with the welcome mat. Diners can enjoy heirloom varieties paired with house-pulled mozzarella, sliced and dressed tableside with balsamic vinegar and olive oil for $13.95 (available at dinner and at Friday lunches; 415-433-6300).
Down in Saratoga, Sent Sovi is showcasing tomatoes of every shape, stripe, size and color and preparing them in every way, shape and form (roasted, raw, frozen and maybe even fried) at their annual Heirloom Tomato Dinners held from July 31st–August 3rd. The five-course meal commences with a yellow-tomato champagne cocktail and ends with a walnut-and-tomato tart with caramel-balsamic gelato ($125 per person includes wine pairings; 408-867-3110).
Before they Ate France killer tomatoes just attacked.
photo: Rhino Home Video
On August 13th, Martini House chef Todd Humphries once again pairs heirloom tomatoes with classic B-movie fare. A screening of this year's film, Killer Tomatoes Eat France, will be enjoyed along with a four-course dinner with Peay Vineyard wines. As a bonus, the director will be on hand along with winemaker Andy Peay (5:30 PM; $165 per person). Garden seating is limited to 40 people, but diners who simply want to enjoy the tomato dinner without the movie can do so in the main dining room or the patio ($60 per person for dinner; $110 with wines; 707-963-2233, ext 1).
At Oliveto Restaurant, the kitchen will swap out the regular menu for an "all tomato, all the time" menu from August 27th–30th. There’s no prix fixe or special seating times, diners just get to craft their own meal based on the à la carte offerings. Last year those options included several dessert courses like walnut ice cream topped with tomato-caramel sauce (510-547-5356).
On August 27th, when the tomatoes are sure to be ripe to the point of bursting, Millennium is hosting its Annual Heirloom Tomato Dinner, a five-course feast featuring tomatoes hand-picked by the staff at Eatwell Farms; for $12 additional, diners can take advantage of the optional organic wine pairings or Bloody Mary Flight (approximately $65 per person for dinner only; 415-345-3900, ext. 11).
Finally, Saturday, October 4th, and Sunday, October 5th, Manresa’s chef David Kinch gets picking and cooking, presenting an eight-course Tomato Modernista Dinner sourced from the restaurant’s own biodynamic gardens ($185 per person, sans wine; seatings available from 5:30 PM on Saturday and from 5 PM on Sunday; 408-354-4330).
– Meesha Halm