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 | When sushi came into American vogue during the mid-eighties, it was heralded as ‘the food of the gods.’ Raw fish was new to the American palate, and even more than most new ethnic cuisine, seemed dangerous and decadent. It was the sustenance of brokers and starlets, dignitaries and diplomats, and not necessarily intended for consumption by the mortal remainder of the population. Like the raw egged Caesar salad of the thirties, sushi in the eighties embodied a paradoxical duality of classic s.plicity and eccentric frivolity.More |  | The Week in Food Mango sticky rice with extra coconut sauce, and green curry with pork, peas and bamboo shoots at the [b]Thai Buddhist Temple[/b]'s Sunday brunch in Berkeley (on Russell near MLK, a block from Ashby BART)More |  | The Week in Food Filet mignon, pommes frites, and mussels to share at [b]Garcon[/b], then a show at the [b]Makeout Room[/b] and drinks at the [b]Latin American Club[/b].More |  | Smaller Films Bask in the Spotlight This year smaller films have rightfully earned their place on the nominations list. Out of the five films nominated for Best Picture arguably only two ([b]Crash[/b], [b]Munich[/b]) were produced and directed by big Hollywood studios. The rest of the contenders were more quiet and unassuming and slipped into the mainstream via word-of-word (i.e. [b]Brokeback Mountain[/b]). While many did not have success according to box office numbers, they gained success from critics and ardent filmgoers. And, finally, the Academy listened.More |  | The Week in Food Bengan bhartha, the smooth, rich (and addictive) smoked eggplant entree from [b]Bombay[/b] Indian restaurant on Market in the Castro; they deliver!More |  | The Week in Food Beef pot pie from the steam table at [b]DeLessio Market[/b], where the salad bar and the Cuban sandwich make it hard to decide what to have for lunch.More |  | The Week in Food Deep-dish at [b]Little Star Pizza[/b] on Divisadero; filled with large parties on a Wednesday night, Little Star has Wilco on the super cool jukebox and truly accommodating service, outdone only by the incredibly tasty pizza.More |  | Trends in Food Steamed edamame dumplings and the Diamond Roll with scallops at [b]Hamano Sushi[/b], Castro and 24th.More |  | Trends in Food Found: an outpost of bubble tea and Japanese stationery in the Mission. No more treks up to Kinokuniya in Japantown for your fix of the ultra-adorable. For the last year, [b]Chamalyn[/b], at 3491 19th Street (at Valencia), has been offering a totally cute selection of Pocky sticks, sushi-shaped erasers, and notebooks featuring such Japanese heroes as the super-sad bread guy, plus at least 15 kinds of flavored tea, served with tapioca pearls and double-thick straws. You can even get Malteasers, a somewhat hard-to-find British candy that our English friends freak out over.More |  | Trends in Food Chicken Tikka Masala to go from [b]Shalimar[/b] on Polk, combined in a frying pan at home with fresh okra from [b]Golden Produce[/b]More |
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