Dozens of people lined up at the Coast Cafe in Bolinas on Monday to celebrate the restaurant’s 27th anniversary with a community block party.
A mix of families and long-time community members gathered downtown for a dinner under the sunset. Kitchen staff volunteered their time and talents while local purveyors supported the event through donations, providing food and other goods.
Head chef Enrique Hernandez brought the staff together to prepare a full menu: pupusas with cheese, loroco and revueltas; carnitas, shrimp pasta, locally sourced salad, rice, cake and the chef’s signature chicken mole from Puebla, Mexico. Wine, beer and hibiscus were served to accompany the feast.
“At the end of every summer, we invite the community out for a free dinner as a thank you for supporting us throughout the year,” owner Rosanne Lavoy said.
Neighbors and staff alike were grateful to share this evening together that marked another year in the annual tradition.
With 15 years under his belt, chef Hernandez led the staff through another successful anniversary celebration. All of the cooks lined up outside of the restaurant to serve the community, even cooking carnitas directly on the sidewalk for a quick pot-to-plate service.
“This is a leadership role of dreams,” Hernandez said. “To help the workers who want to be cooks, who dream big and take up the road to be chefs. A dream like this isn’t constructed by yourself. It is constructed together, with others.”