THE HOT LIS T 202 3 culturecheesemag.com 19
CHEF'S DISH
sheep's milk with plenty of punch from
black garlic.
Alongside classic Spanish fare
such as patatas bravas and jamón
Ibérico, Schuster puts his own twist on
tradition with a pear almond gazpacho
and his Market Street salad, which
includes pomegranate seeds, pickled
carrots, kumquats, and a persimmon
vinaigrette. And a sweet and spicy
sofrito adds depth and intense savory
flavor to the pickled cherry tomato
and serrano chile coca flatbread that's
topped with fresh arugula and feta.
One of the most popular items on the
menu is the gambas al ajillo or shrimp
with fermented black garlic and
preserved lemon, which bring just the
right balance of savory and tart to the
seared shellfish.
Both the food and the restaurant's
environment are Spanish inspired. "Our
design for Canela is meant to conjure the
feeling of being in the south of Spain,
particularly Andalusia, where Paco's
mother grew up," explains Schuster.
The restaurant's many personal touches
include tables with inlayed Arabic laser
woodcut designs, which were custom
made by a friend. The whimsical orange
and red logo was also created by an artist
friend, and warm colors, punctuated
with soft brown tones, are carried
throughout the dimly lit space.
Schuster spent much of his early
career teaching cooking classes at some
of the best culinary retailers in the Bay
Area, including Draeger's Market and
Ramekins Culinary School, so it's not
surprising that he continues to educate
and introduce new audiences to Spanish
cuisine. Along with his executive
chef duties at Canela, he also works
with the Trade Commission of Spain,
providing cooking demonstrations at
tradeshows using Spanish products.
He and Cifuentes continue to visit
Spain, always with an eye to broaden
their knowledge of Spanish food and
wine—and so Schuster can apply what
he learns in his own restaurant kitchen,
where he embraces his role as a culinary
ambassador for his adopted country. c
"Our design for Canela is meant to conjure the feeling
of being in the South of Spain, particularly Andalusia,
where Paco's mother grew up."
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