Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was in San Francisco this past weekend but not to drum up support for democrats or do any politicking at all. He was there to celebrate.
Two days after the return of the Bay Bridge lights, Clinton had brunch at Waterbar, the upscale seafood spot with incredible bay views. The meal was a birthday celebration for former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, according to Pete Sittnick, managing partner of the restaurant. Gov. Gavin Newsom was also present, and the group of around 12 people enjoyed a special menu with a gluten-free chocolate cake for dessert.
“It was an honor to be able to host the president, and we were really grateful and very appreciative of all the time that he took with us to say thank you,” Sittnick told SFGATE in a phone interview.
The menu that day included artichoke and spinach dip with house-made potato chips, tuna sashimi, a butter lettuce salad, and grilled flat iron steak with pomegranate and broccolini, as well as a whole grilled dorade paired with jasmine rice, banchan and ssamjang, among other items.
Sittnick said he first heard that Clinton would be dining there about a week before. In the days leading up to the brunch, the former president’s Secret Service detail and members of Clinton’s team discussed a seating chart with the Waterbar team. They had a plan mapped out, but the day before Clinton arrived, his team asked for a new seating arrangement. It caused a bit of chaos for the restaurant, but Sittnick said the restaurant’s staff managed the situation with aplomb, and the group enjoyed the meal without any hiccups.
“It was a little bit of a scramble for us because we didn’t close the restaurant down just for this event,” Sittnick said. “But we worked with it, and we came up with a seating arrangement that was actually very favorable for the president and his guests because they were right up on the window. They were in the front part of Waterbar with the best view of the bay.”
Other guests noticed Clinton, of course, and the former president was gracious to take pictures with them, as well as with the staff, Sittnick said.
Clinton, who is vegan, was very appreciative of the vegan chocolate cake made special for him by pastry chef Lori Baker, according to Sittnick.
“We got the most compliments about that as the group was leaving, so that was nice because we were told he might ask for a sorbet,” Sittnick said.