lion | The Feng Shui Foodie

When I was in grade school, I used to love to draw maps of faraway places. Usually, these were locations that existed only in the vast caverns of my mind, but others were based on real destinations such as London and Paris. Since then, I’ve always had a particular fondness for maps and globes. I get a slight thrill when I open a work of fiction and see a map of the story’s imagined environment printed at the start of the book. Or when I walk into an antique store and spot an old globe among the various bric-a-brac. You can imagine my surprise when I looked up and noticed the ornately painted map ceiling at Etcetera. This stylish and quaint French-owned wine bar, located in the Mission area of San Francisco, is one of my favorite places to visit when I journey to the City by the Bay.

Rich, fiery red, and earth tones of brown, taupe and oak take command of the space. These colors work perfectly together as red, symbolic of fire, feeds directly into earth, which the other hues represent. Red is also the most auspicious color in the palette, and is known for attracting attention, luck and passion. Earth colors, such as yellow, mustard or brown, help to support fire tones in a healthy and beneficial way. Etcetera makes an impressive use of these colors. Many businesses select red and yellow (or versions thereof) to draw in people to their environment. Notice that most fast food establishments have red and yellow as dominate parts of their color scheme. (I also chose the same colors for this website.)

Intimate seating is located within the establishment, and outside tables flank the entrance. I also really like the compass on the ceiling, placed right over the door. For those not in the know, there are four main schools of thought concerning Feng Shui: Classical, Black Hat Sect, Western and Pyramid. Classical Feng Shui (what my personal feng shui education is based on), uses compass directions to help guide energies throughout an environment. The other schools do not generally use them. Also known as Compass School Feng Shui, I refer to their specific principles time and again when analyzing an environment. But rarely do I see compasses so beautifully displayed as here. And it’s painted right next to the map (we’ve already established I like the ceiling artwork).

My favorite San Franciscan Wendy and I went to Etcetera during their amazing Happy Hour. Six days a week from 5:00 – 7:00, one can get a single tapa and a glass of house red, white or rose wine for $10.00. That is a highly auspicious deal. So we took advantage of the special, and did two rounds of this addictive combination. Their tapas menu changes frequently, but below are the items we recently sampled.

Le Paradou Grenache 2009 – I opted to go with the House Red. Their house wines change periodically. Lately, it has been this delicious grenache from France. The name of the winery, Paradou, refers to old watermills scattered about the hills of Provence. A medium bodied wine, this red was seductive and delicious. I had two glasses. For more information about Paradou, please visit their website here: http://www.paradouwines.com/en/ In the photo above, one can also see the charming square stools used as seating. These were upholstered in a lush fabric almost like velveteen. I found them to be very comfortable, and am even contemplating building a couple for my apartment.

Prosciutto and Asparagus – Tender asparagus drizzled with olive oil and herbs. Fragile folds of prosciutto mingle casually among the greenery. Refreshing and tasty.

Brie Crostini with Fig – Warm figs tucked under a blanket of melted brie, on a hardened bed of crostini. Rich and decadent.

Stuffed Tomatoes – Cheese and mellow spices nestled in tomato halves. Comfy and appealing.

Beet Tiramisu – I had no idea beets could be so sensual and alluring. More of a beet parfait than a tiramisu, this savory creation starts with a prime foundation of beets at the bottom, with a second story of beet mouse built atop that. The penthouse level is unsweetened whip cream. A beautiful wood element in the form of a single orchid is planted amidst the cream. Although I’m not particularly a beet enthusiast, I found this parfait to be sublime and delectable. Perhaps I should explore the world of beets more often.

The Alsacian Pizza (Flammenkuche) – A flammenkuche is a classic dish originating in Alsace, France, similar to a flat bread pizza. Melted cheese is not always present, and creme fraiche acts as the sauce base. My favorite is the Alsacian. Soft, diced ham, slight browned, and carmelized onions completely cover the luscious crust. This is not on Happy Hour, but I have to get it on each visit. Intoxicating, this accompanied the grenache extremely well.

Rotating artwork from various local artists cover their gallery wall. I also really like the wall sconces, which permeate the room with a soft, warm glow.

I am also fond of repurposing items for new use. I love this wine barrel table. It is literally a wine barrel spliced in half, and makes for a great conversation piece. I also like the elements present here. First, you have metal as part of the barrel. Wood is also a part of it, but the wood here is dead, therefore it’s actually more of an earth element. The brown hue also lends itself to the earth family. Water is represented in the black shade of the metal, and in the curvature of the table. I would absolutely have this in my home.

Although they are not technically made of earth, maps and globes are definitely suggestive of the earth element, and can be used to further enhance earthen concepts in an environment. To our left we have a globe that resides in one corner of Etcetera. I’m not sure what the story behind the sombrero is resting upon it, but I’m sure there is one. I also like the rooster and the lion. In feng shui folklore, this bird is said to bring luck and joy into people’s lives, and is the only animal capable of eating a centipede (one of the Five Poisons.) Roosters are also the only animal that acts as nature’s alarm clock, crowing every morning to celebrate the start of each day.

Lions have a rich history in feng shui folklore as well. This large feline is a powerful symbol of protection, and is used throughout the world in front of palaces, banks, hotels, casinos, businesses, museums, and private homes. (Some of my favorite metal lions reside just outside the British Museum). In addition to their protective and guarding qualities, they are also known for attracting good fortune and wealth. Other lion-esque creatures also roam the folklore landscape. The most prevalent of these being the Fu Dog, a combination Lion-Dog. These are usually placed in pairs, one male and one female, and act as sentinels for entrances to prosperous environments, such as select buildings, gardens, or neighborhoods.

The service at Etcetara is top-notch. We were well taken care of by the stylish Alexandra and the debonair Alejandro (I believe it was his first or second day on the job). Aside from their Happy Hour, they also have a few other deals present, such as their Tuesday Night Special: One pizza or two tapas and a bottle of select wine for $35.00. Various events are hosted here throughout the year, and board games are available on request should one have an instant craving to play chess. Although I am back in my native Los Angeles at present, it will only be a matter of weeks before I find myself traveling the globe again to San Francisco, and having some wine … at Etcetera.

Etcetera Wine Bar

795 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

415 926-5477

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am, Friday – Saturday 5:00 pm – 1:30 am, Sunday 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Happy Hour – Tuesday – Sunday 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

http://www.etceterawinebar.com/

One of the basic principles of feng shui is how the five elements (being wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) interact with each other. Sometimes when there is a major problem with an environment, one or two of these elements are either missing, or are not present enough in the area to have an effect. Of the five, there will be one or two cohesive elements that dominate the space, but the other three or four need to be represented as well. On a recent visit to one of my favorite spots in Los Feliz, I was captivated by the soothing and nurturing wood element of Home Restaurant. Most of the seating is outdoors on their spacious and newly remodeled terrace. Green, thriving trees create a natural canopy over the guests, which fosters a sense of safety and comfort, like picnicking in a lush park; thus attracting a steady flow of guests and business.

The wood element helps people and places to thrive in a variety of ways. Wood signifies the beginning of new life, as it starts the elemental cycle. It’s represented by the color green, and is wonderful for new beginnings, increasing one’s prosperity, nourishment, health, creativity, and abundance. Here at Home, the trees are the main example of the wood element. As long as plants and trees are healthy and flourishing, they are the prime example of beneficial wood energy. Dead plants or barren trees are an example of sha, or bad energy, which should be avoided.

Ferns and large, leafy plants are another fine example of wood here at Home. But don’t let the wooden tabletops or terrace floor fool you. Many people mistakenly use wood furniture and flooring as a wood element. This does not work as the wood here is dead, and not thriving. However, that being said, I’m in favor of wooden flooring and furniture, just not as an example of the wood element. Home has all five of the elements here displayed beautifully. For example, take the luxurious stone fountain in the center of the courtyard (pictured above). The carved lions add a rich fire element to the earthen sculpture, and the moving water flows through it smoothly. I’m going to guess that there is metal somewhere within the fountain, and with the prospering plants nearby, this is a highly auspicious example of all five elements working together in harmony. Fire is also depicted here beautifully, in the form of lighting. Small, Asian-inspired lanterns hang from the trees and building. There is also a gorgeous vintage lantern (at right), that hangs suspended above the courtyard. Much larger than the other lanterns, this gypsy light acts as a beacon to guide wayward diners to Home.

This establishment also has an excellent Happy Hour. Available Monday – Friday from 3:00 to 7:00, beer, wine, well drinks, and selected food items are available. They also feature two specialty cocktails, including a Sauza Gold Tequila Margarita (pictured below right). It is moderately strong, and is well worth the price for $5.00. Also, it’s very light green in color (more wood energy).

To the left, we have one of their Happy Hour white wines, a Pinot Grigio that is refreshing and delicious. They also offer a Chardonnay that is quite tasty as well. A full bar with a choice selection is available to satisfy the palette.

Of their vast selection of food items, here is what I sampled on my last visit:

On the left is the Breakfast Quesadilla. Home serves many of their breakfast items all day, including this one. A savory tomato basil tortilla provides shelter to eggs, cheese and bacon, with salsa in the middle. Oh so good.
Taking center stage is Not Cho Mamma’s Nachos, with chicken. Sour cream, enchilada sauce, salsa, cheese and Home’s impressive guacamole completely envelop a large pile of corn tortilla chips. You will need to use a fork with this. During Happy Hour, with chicken or beef added, it comes to about $8.5o. Enticing and decadent.
At right is the Home Huevos Rancheros. My friend Jon insists on ordering Huevos anytime we go out if it’s offered on the menu. Being a connoisseur of the dish, he feels Home make a stellar version of this classic. Over-easy eggs, black beans, cheese and peppercorn sauce casually lounge about a bed of corn tortilla chips. Guacamole, and either potatoes or fruit also come with the dish.

And these items are also scrumptious

Santa Fe Egg Rolls – A fusion of South meets East, these delectable morsels are served with Home’s luscious guacamole. I think there’s either four or six pieces to an order. Mouth-watering.
Breakfast Burrito – My usual selection here. A colossal tomato basil tortilla filled with bacon, eggs, beans, and melted cheeses. Also served with their popular guacamole, and either potatoes or fruit. Really good when paired with a red wine.

My favorite server here, without a doubt, is Danielle. She takes expert care of all of her guests in a warm and delightful manner. Ask to sit in her section if she happens to be working when you visit. You can’t miss her; she has pretty red hair. Parking is pretty plentiful in the surrounding neighborhood, just be sure to double-check the street signs. On my next couple of visits, I plan on trying their Chicken Breast Marsala, and the Banana Walnut Pancakes.

Now, you’re probably wondering, how I can get more wood into my life? Well, there are a couple of ways. Here are some suggestions:

Get some Living Plants! Adding trees or plants to your living room, kitchen, or outdoor environment is the fastest way to add wood energy. If you have children or pets, make sure the plants are non-toxic, and kept out of reach. Make sure the plants are healthy and thriving. Dead or decaying plant attract bad energy.
What about Faux Plants? Although real plants are significantly better, not everyone has a green thumb. Faux plants can work, but they need to be very high quality and look realistic. Many offices use fake Ficus trees. The trick with faux plant is the dust. You HAVE to dust your plant weekly.
Paintings – Beautiful landscapes with trees, or paintings of full-blooming flowers is another way to bring creative wood energy into a room.
Wall Decals – A new, popular decorative item are removal wall decals. These provide wall decor other than paint or wallpaper, and make very intriguing visual statements. These are also more conducive to renters, as they can be easily removed. Wall Pops http://www.wallpops.com/ and Elly Nelly http://www.ellynelly.com/category/wall-graphics are just two of the many online retailers selling high quality wall art.
Visit a Forest! Find some beautiful land with trees on it, either a more untamed setting, a national park, or a more manicured environment such as Descanso Gardens. https://fengshuifoodie.com/2012/08/25/descanso-gardens-and-the-camellialounge/

Everyone can benefit from having more wood energy in their lives. And while you’re contemplating getting a new rubber tree plant, or a print of Claude Monet’s The Poppy Field, stop by Home and have a breakfast burrito. There’s no place like it.

Home Restaurant Los Feliz

1760 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Feliz, CA 90027

323 669-0211

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 9:00 am – 11:00 pm, Happy Hour: Monday – Friday 3:00 – 7:00

http://www.homelosfeliz.com/

The Feng Shui Foodie

The Feng Shui of Food and Libation

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The Earth Element…Etcetera

The Creative Wood Energy of Home

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