Today is my sister-in-law Mari's 50th birthday. Reia and I along with my brother Frank had come to San Francisco for the celebrations.
Yesterday my daughter Freia who lives in SFO took us along with a couple of her friends to "Commonwealth" a fancy SFO restaurant. It was her attempt to help me get rid of yet another item on my bucket list. A meal at a Michelin Star restaurant. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. The experience needs a complete blog of its own, and so in this one, I'll summarize, "An Awesome Experience."
https://www.commonwealthsf.com/
https://guide.michelin.com/us/san-francisco/commonwealth/restaurant
Mari's birthday event was at the FOB Kitchen in Oakland, across the Bay from the city. In Shipping, FOB is an acronym for "Free On Board". It didn't seem like that made sense for a restaurant. I found that here the FOB stood for "Fresh Off Boat". Which is most Phillipinos. And Indians. And me. So perfect start.
The restaurant which is normally closed on Sundays was exclusively reserved for the Tilos-Lobo party. And around 50 people joined in wishing Mari. In the invitation Mari had specifically mentioned "No Presents", but added, "Would like everyone to get a Haiku". Ignorant me had no idea as to what a Haiku was. Turns out, it's a Japanese poem style. And turns out that everyone knew what it was. And also turns out that they teach it in Indian schools too. Seems like I wasn't paying attention even as a kid.
For the 1% like me who have no clue of what a Haiku is:
"
hai·ku
/ˈhīˌko͞o/
noun
noun: haiku; plural noun: haikus; plural noun: haiku
a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world."
I turn to Freia, our local poet and say, "Please write mine". At the same time, Reia, Frank and PJ turn to her and say, "Please write mine". Freia looks up and says, "And who'll write mine ?".
She finally agrees to help us all, on the condition that we participate and contribute. And we all joined in. And had a lot of fun. Here's what we came up with. Some good. Some not so.
Reia
Mari is her name
And Granola is her game
Baking is her fame
Frank
Her beauty and brains
Is graceful and tenacious
She's strong and kind
PJ
Quiet but yet strong
Her heart goes to her children
We know we belong
We decided to have Ivy and Mummy (my Mom) and Mabel represented and so wrote for them too.
Ivy
We love her visits
Dosas and filter coffee
See you soon Mari
And also figure we could do multiple languages
Mummy - Konkani
Aamche sobeet chedu
Dusranche bore kerta
Donuchi baiil Mari
Translated means:
Our pretty girl
Does good for others
Don's wife Mari
Mabel - Hindi
Sundar aur susheel
Hamari pyaari Mari
Bade dilwali
Translated means:
Beautiful and good natured
Our dear Mari
Has a big heart
The poetess saved the best for herself
Freia
Like a second Mom
She nurtures and she feeds me
Home away from home.
And finally mine
Her beautiful soul
Abundant patience and love
Inspite of Lobo
At the party we were all ready with our Haiku's in case no one else had brought theirs. As it turns out, everyone had. And everyone had put an effort. And given it their personal touch. We got to say just a few.
The surprising twist was that when the Haiku session was about to wrap up, the restaurant staff said they had one. And they had their very own Haiku thanking and wishing Mari.
Post Haiku, we sat down for a delicious never ending Philipino meal. And my favorite, the Turon - banana, jackfruit, macapuno ice cream.
At the end of a lovely evening, we headed to the airport, for yet another long night at airports and on planes. Goodbye SFO. And Thank You Mari.
Yesterday my daughter Freia who lives in SFO took us along with a couple of her friends to "Commonwealth" a fancy SFO restaurant. It was her attempt to help me get rid of yet another item on my bucket list. A meal at a Michelin Star restaurant. We had the tasting menu with the wine pairings. The experience needs a complete blog of its own, and so in this one, I'll summarize, "An Awesome Experience."
https://www.commonwealthsf.com/
https://guide.michelin.com/us/san-francisco/commonwealth/restaurant
Mari's birthday event was at the FOB Kitchen in Oakland, across the Bay from the city. In Shipping, FOB is an acronym for "Free On Board". It didn't seem like that made sense for a restaurant. I found that here the FOB stood for "Fresh Off Boat". Which is most Phillipinos. And Indians. And me. So perfect start.
The restaurant which is normally closed on Sundays was exclusively reserved for the Tilos-Lobo party. And around 50 people joined in wishing Mari. In the invitation Mari had specifically mentioned "No Presents", but added, "Would like everyone to get a Haiku". Ignorant me had no idea as to what a Haiku was. Turns out, it's a Japanese poem style. And turns out that everyone knew what it was. And also turns out that they teach it in Indian schools too. Seems like I wasn't paying attention even as a kid.
For the 1% like me who have no clue of what a Haiku is:
"
hai·ku
/ˈhīˌko͞o/
noun
noun: haiku; plural noun: haikus; plural noun: haiku
a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world."
I turn to Freia, our local poet and say, "Please write mine". At the same time, Reia, Frank and PJ turn to her and say, "Please write mine". Freia looks up and says, "And who'll write mine ?".
She finally agrees to help us all, on the condition that we participate and contribute. And we all joined in. And had a lot of fun. Here's what we came up with. Some good. Some not so.
Reia
Mari is her name
And Granola is her game
Baking is her fame
Frank
Her beauty and brains
Is graceful and tenacious
She's strong and kind
PJ
Quiet but yet strong
Her heart goes to her children
We know we belong
We decided to have Ivy and Mummy (my Mom) and Mabel represented and so wrote for them too.
Ivy
We love her visits
Dosas and filter coffee
See you soon Mari
And also figure we could do multiple languages
Mummy - Konkani
Aamche sobeet chedu
Dusranche bore kerta
Donuchi baiil Mari
Translated means:
Our pretty girl
Does good for others
Don's wife Mari
Mabel - Hindi
Sundar aur susheel
Hamari pyaari Mari
Bade dilwali
Translated means:
Beautiful and good natured
Our dear Mari
Has a big heart
The poetess saved the best for herself
Freia
Like a second Mom
She nurtures and she feeds me
Home away from home.
And finally mine
Her beautiful soul
Abundant patience and love
Inspite of Lobo
At the party we were all ready with our Haiku's in case no one else had brought theirs. As it turns out, everyone had. And everyone had put an effort. And given it their personal touch. We got to say just a few.
The surprising twist was that when the Haiku session was about to wrap up, the restaurant staff said they had one. And they had their very own Haiku thanking and wishing Mari.
Post Haiku, we sat down for a delicious never ending Philipino meal. And my favorite, the Turon - banana, jackfruit, macapuno ice cream.
At the end of a lovely evening, we headed to the airport, for yet another long night at airports and on planes. Goodbye SFO. And Thank You Mari.
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