Atelier Crenn | San Francisco Food Photography
July started with a bang as we headed to Atelier Crenn, recently remodeled with brand new interiors and an expanded tasting menu. Chef Dominique Crenn is oft cited as the only female chef in the country who has two Michelin stars, and she very memorably writes her menus as poems, with each line representing one course. The entire experience could easily be written off as pretentious, but it is instead a lovely indulgence in art and creativity, and the food is certainly there to back up the concept.
The dishes, as described in the poem: Summer has come and is full of sweet surprises (These tiny ping-pong balls break open in your mouth to reveal a woosh of apple cider! So fun.) / Under the midnight glow, I can taste the sweetness of the sea, hear mellow serenades of colors licorice and orange / I touch the earth and play/ Where the broad ocean leans against the Spanish land (With ribbons of squid and Spanish ham. Perfect combination.) /
I remember an oceanic feeling (The first two photos go together, with the server presenting snow on the dish.) / Here, the earth proffers its juice, vermillion gifts / and above, the half moon floats, silky and smoky /
In summer’s green dappled light / the forest radiant with possibility / Nature rejoice! chasing childhood memories / Feeling the black sand under my toes /
I dreamed of these creatures’ languid movements / Walking deep in the woods, as the earth might have something to spare (Signature dish with a variety of mushrooms) /
bird song, see the water rippling from their visit / a token of the summer / Summer has come, the sea beckons (The thing that looks like a black mussel is really sorbet masquerading as a shell.) /
Sweetness, bounty, thanks.
Throughout the meal, I could see Dominique Crenn lurking in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room, monitoring the situation with a watchful eye. She circulated the dining room more than once to greet all the tables, which was wonderful. And at the end, we got a quick kitchen tour as well. Here are the genius pastry chefs in the kitchen out back.
A nice representation of that third Michelin star they’re striving for…
And a photo opp with the chef herself.
All in all, a spectacular meal and an artistic inspiration.
Anna Wu is a wedding and portrait photographer based in San Francisco but often jetsetting and eating her way around the world. Read more on her blog or follow her on facebook for more photography and travel adventures.
