Anthology

Sweet Tooth Delights

By Casey Pukl

Ah, fresh grapes! A little tart, a little sweet, and… well… little! Whether these teeny fruits are fresh off the vine or perfectly aged in my ideal glass of wine, there’s no bad way to eat a grape! Further evidence of this are the delicious treats we have in store for you today! An elegant dessert and a sweet summer cocktail are all you’ll need to kick off June with a happy palate!

Grape Macaroons
Almond/Honey Ice Cream, White Chocolate Cream

I can’t think of any better way to introduce you to our Pastry Chef Extraordinare, Jamie Crone, than by presenting these perfectly made macaroons. Served with white chocolate cream and honey/almond ice cream, these little desserts have taken me to a higher place. If you’ve never had the pleasure of the perfect macaroon, let me break it down for you.

Macaroons are mini meringue-like cookies. They’re traditionally made by whipping the egg whites and sugar until they form stiff peaks, then gently folding in almond flour. To incorporate the grapes, Crone cooked them down into a syrup, then added the syrup to the macaroon batter. Bake them up, and you’ll have beautiful little cookies! Read the rest of this entry »

Flatbreads & Sandwiches

by Casey Pukl

Well folks, the moment has arrived, and we are now officially open for lunch! Our menu features something for everyone from salads and lighter fare to hearty sandwiches and delicate entrees. Today we’ll be featuring two of my personal favorites on the new menu— a thick sliced BLT that is to die for and a flatbread that will rock your world!

Thick Sliced BLT
Neuske Bacon Confit, Crisp Iceberg, Beefsteak Tomato, Garlic Aioli on Brioche

My first thought upon seeing this monstrous shrine to my favorite pork product was that this was one heck of a sandwich. Thick slices of slow-cooked, melt in your mouth bacon are layered with crisp iceberg lettuce and juicy tomato slices. The subtle spice of the garlic aioli perfectly amplifies this already harmonious flavor bomb, and the toasted brioche just ties it all together in the perfect vessel. This is not your mother’s BLT. This sandwich is serious.

Served with your choice of Anthology Pomme Frites, salad, or our delicious housemade potato salad, this sandwich is one that you can’t go wrong with. Plus, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably have enough left for dinner too!

La Quercia Prosciutto and Arugula Flatbread
Sunny Side Up Egg, Tomato Pesto, Mozarella

If you’ve never experienced the delight of a sunny side up egg on top of your pizza, you haven’t lived. Then add prosciutto to the top of that pizza, peppery fresh arugula, mozzarella cheese, and a tasty tomato pesto. The combination couldn’t be any better.

Be sure to come on down and give these delicious entrees and more a try! We’re open for lunch from 11-2 Monday-Friday, and as always, we’ve got the best accommodations for large parties! Office lunch anyone?

An Interview with Geoff Tate of Queensryche

By Casey Pukl

Just six short months ago, lead singer of Queensryche, Geoff Tate, told me in an interview that he was taking some time to “stretch out” from Queensryche. While this comment was just 2 measly words of a nearly 3,000 word interview, metal fans across the world latched on, and the word spread like wildfire. The amount of times that quote shows up in my Google alerts each week is alarming. If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Geoff Tate and Queensryche have some of the most dedicated and engaged fans I’ve ever seen.

Fortunately for us, Geoff Tate returns next Wednesday to again grace San Diego with his acoustic show. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. I was beyond pumped, and needed a follow-up interview to see what he’s been up to. This time, the conversation focused on Tate’s latest solo record (hopefully due out this fall), what subject matter inspires him most, and just what he has learned about performing through his recent solo acoustic shows. Instead of summarizing, I’ll just let you read for yourselves.

CP: It’s so great to speak with you again! I really enjoyed both our last interview and your acoustic show last time you came around!

GT: Oh, thank you! Yeah, that was our first show, so I promise this one will be better (laughs). I swear!

CP: It was already great! I’d love to get into what you’ve been up to since we saw you in January! I know you’ve been touring with these acoustic shows, working on that solo record you mentioned last time…

GT: That’s exactly what I’ve been doing (laughs). Been playing lots of shows, working on the album— that’s recorded now, so I’m happy about that. I don’t know exactly when it’s coming out, but I think it’ll be around the fall. That all changes weekly depending on the record company’s schedule, but we’re working on it.

CP: Any hints as to what the new record is going to sound like? I know you said it was going to be quite a departure from what you’ve done in the past. Read the rest of this entry »

An Interview with Doug Gray of the Marshall Tucker Band

By Casey Pukl

The Marshall Tucker Band is one of the longest lasting and most successful classic rock/country bands. With hits like “Can’t You See”, “Fire On The Mountain”, and my personal favorite, “Heard It in a Love Song”, these guys have truly been a staple of southern rock. Suffering the loss of band member Tommy Caldwell back in 1980, the group hasn’t always had it easy, but Doug Gray has been committed to keeping it alive. He even went so far as to turn down a solo record deal he was offered to keep the group going.

Most recently, the group has released The Marshall Tucker Band: Greatest Hits, and Gray has also released a solo CD he recorded back in 1981 shortly after Caldwell passed away called Soul of the South. I had the chance to catch up with Gray yesterday as the group pulled into Arizona. I got the scoop on their latest CD, how social media has brought in a younger audience, and just why he thinks the group has remained successful for four decades. Read the rest of this entry »

“…Just Get Here If You Can”

by Casey Pukl

When we originally discussed the idea for this blog and it’s name, “Backstage” instantly seemed appropriate. From artist interviews to exclusive recipes with our incredible kitchen, this is the place to find out about everything you won’t see on stage.

Last Friday night, there was an incredible backstage story leading up to Joan Osborne’s sold out show that we just had to share with our loyal readers. I’ve seen our production staff go to some pretty amazing lengths to make shows happen when equipment fails, traffic holds up the band, elevators break, you name it! However, from here on out, everything else pales in comparison.

Let me set the scene.

There’s a packed house waiting for a show, and the artist is missing in action. Can you say, “Terrifying?”

Osborne had booked a flight from Phoenix to San Diego earlier in the day. The flight was canceled, and she was placed on stand-by. Unfortunately she still wasn’t booked on the next flight, so she tried to get as close as possible to San Diego. The closest flight took her to Long Beach and landed at 6:15. Keep in mind show time is 7:30.

Anyone who has ever tried knows that making it from Long Beach to San Diego on a Friday night is an impossible feat. It’s actually impossible at any time regardless of traffic. This is where the magic happens…

Production Manager, Brad Gardner, and our Director of Music Operations, Michael Pritchard sprung into action. They had a connection to a pilot, and fortunately enough, he just happened to be driving to his plane at Montgomery Field. Within minutes, the deal was done, the pilot had changed his plans, and he was flying to Long Beach to pick up Joan, her daughter, and pianist. So yes, you could say that our staff chartered a private plane to make this show happen!

Back at Anthology. Brad was busy assembling an opening act to buy some precious time before the sold out crowd grew restless. The opening act for our late show happened to be around and more than willing to help out. The Black Nature Band threw together an impromptu 40-minute set as Michael drove out to Montgomery Field to pick up Joan and company.

By 8:15, Joan was in the building, and by 8:30 she was on stage and ready to go! The show was incredible, as evidenced here by her performance of “St. Teresa”.

Kudos to our dedicated, quick-thinking, and proactive team for truly going above and beyond for this one! Nothing is impossible with stellar teamwork!