Power Brunch with the Dot429 Crowd

It's at the start of the year when we all have good intentions about what we'd like to do better. For me, it's networking and meeting new people. So this year I'm making more of an effort to get out and meet new people.

So that's how I ended up yesterday at a brunch event launching a new networking group for gays and lesbians in the San Francisco Bay Area. Called "dot429," the group held its first event at the Yerba Buena Gardens' Novellus Theater. BTW, I read somewhere how the group came up with its name, but I totally forgot. And there wasn't much explanation at the event or on the group's Web site. (If you visit the site, you might think the group is all about fashion and youth. Ouch.)

The Novellus Theater was a great location for the event. Most of the networking occurred in the second floor lobby, and few ventured out onto the deck, which is where my friend Joe and I spent most of our time hanging out. Networking for me has to be baby steps. At least I had a nice view, right?

The event seemed like a major success just because of the large number of people who attended. Everyone was busy chatting others up or introducing themselves to strangers. See how much buzz is occurring in the photo above? I just felt intimidated by the groups of people all locked in deep conversation. So instead I focused on what I felt comfortable with ... the food and drink.

Thank God for the open bar. I stopped here first and the bartenders had a bunch of Bloody Mary's ready and waiting for me. I love Bloody Mary's but it's funny that I only order them at brunch (or when I'm eating raw oysters).

Actually, one of the other things that attracted me to the dot429 event is that the food was being presented by out chefs Jamie Lauren and Jennifer Biesty, who some of you might remember from the "Top Chef" series on Bravo TV. They put together an amazing menu of brunch-like food served up in cocktail party sizes. And the food was so fancy, including a Salade Landaise with bacon, quail egg, fingerling potato and truffle vinaigrette; Greek Yogurt Parfait with mango, pomegranate seeds and pistachio granola; mini Hungarian coffee cakes (this was Joe's favorite, and I liked it a lot too) and Crab Toast with miso verjus dressing and celery root remoulade.

Here's Joe's plate, that also included a variety of baked goods like a blueberry scone and a lovely cinnamon roll.

Another one of my favorite was the Mini Biscuit with Sausage Gravy, just because I always think this dish is such Southern comfort food and because the sausage gravy was so tasty. (You can see I grabbed a few more of those mini coffee cakes too!)

There were also some food I didn't snap because I was focused on eating them as I tried to avoid talking to people. Things like a Duck Confit Hash with wild arugula and a roasted pepper sauce and Deviled Eggs with caviar and smoked strugeon. BTW, all the food and drink came with the $25 admission cost. Sweet!

Here's Chef Biesty, who was at the event throughout prepping food and meeting fans. Oddly enough, Chef Lauren couldn't be spotted so not sure why she was a no show (even though her food made it). Doesn't matter because Biesty kept the food area moving like clockwork with the food coming out on a regular basis, keeping everyone fed as they had their power talks.

I did actually talk to two new people, so that's a major accomplishment for me. It's still early in the year, so give me a break. :) But one thing's for sure, if they keep serving up such good food, I'll always be there to at least check out the view.