Monday, May 12, 2008

One Morning in North Beach

Submitted by Joe G. from San Francisco

I remember my very first real espresso, pulled by the barista and owner of Cafe Trieste in San Francisco's North Beach. I had taken my partner Tanji there on our last morning in town, after a morning walk through Chinatown. Just after that cuppa, we had to bolt back to our hotel and then head to the airport.

Before this trip, I had promised Tanji she would see a real rock star on the streets of SF, boasting that they were "everywhere."

And as we sat enjoying the most perfect ever cappuccino, I reflected that I hadn't made good on this one. Sigh.

We finished that wonderful cup and headed out the door - and right outside, enjoying a morning smoke and some good conversation was Paul Kantner, former leader of the Jefferson Airplane. Just sitting there like a regular guy.

I beamed, then quickly hussled Tanji across the street. "Don't look, don't look," I muttered under my breath.

"What?"

Shhhhh - don't look."

Then safely from the other side of the intersection. "OK, look - know who that is?"

"No, who?"

The movie "Diner" crosses my mind. "Its Paul Kantner - your rock star."

"Wasn't that the BEST coffee? Who's Paul Kantner?"

Sigh. It really was the best coffee.