OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Eclipse Restaurant which is located in the Atrium of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco is now offering an Alcatraz Prison Commemorative Dinner Menu for ($28.00) which includes a starter, entrée with side dishes and dessert.  It is an interpretation by Executive Chef Victor Litkewycz of a modern day version of what might be served today if Alcatraz was still open using modern cooking styles, locally sourced mostly organic ingredients and modern presentation.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe new Alcatraz Prison Menu is the perfect complement to the Hyatt Culture Club’s “Alcatraz Life on The Rock” Exhibit in the lobby near the restaurant which commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 closing of Alcatraz. The Free 3000 square foot exhibit includes an authentic replica of a prison cell, fascinating history, information on infamous inmates like Al Capone and the Birdman, as well as Life Magazine’s Leigh Wiener’s “Last Day on Alcatraz” pictorial display. We were fascinated by the exhibit and learned that Alcatraz was known for the best prison food in the U.S. Wardens Johnson and Madigan promoted quality and freshness, as they felt that most trouble in prison was caused by bad food. Former Inmate William Baker thought the meals tasted home cooked and that they were excellent.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAfter viewing the exhibit, we started out in the comfortable lounge and enjoyed a Grey Goose on the rocks and a Kettle One Cosmopolitan from their full bar. We then went into the adjacent dining room to taste the “Prison” Cuisine. The new Alcatraz Prison Menu has a number of choices and since we were with a larger party we were able to taste most of what was offered. We enjoyed Talbot Pinot Noir from their extensive wine list with our dinner.  We knew we were going to be pleased when we tried the Mulligatawny Soup. It was spicy, like we like it and just delicious! Our next course was the Beet and Onion Salad which was beautiful, fresh and tasty. The entrees were all true “Comfort Food” and we could see why the prisoners were not complaining. We really enjoyed the Stuffed Cabbage with Meat tomato sauce , the Boiled Short Ribs with Horseradish sauce which melted in your mouth, the Baked Meat Loaf with Pan Gravy and the prisoners favorite Spaghetti Italienne. The sides were all terrific and included Summer Squash Sauté, Fresh Green Beans, Baked Macaroni and Mashed Potatoes which were especially fabulous! We ordered espressos and enjoyed the Bread Pudding and Layer Cake Desserts which was the perfect finish to great dinner!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAHistory is fascinating and this is a great opportunity to experience “Alcatraz Life on The Rock” which can be viewed for free through October 25, 2013 in the Atrium Lobby. To complete the Alcatraz experience, be sure to enjoy the reasonably priced “comfort food” Dinner from the Alcatraz Prison Cuisine, which was perfectly executed by Executive Chef Victor Litkewycz in the Eclipse Restaurant. We felt like we were welcomed tourists at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco and are looking forward returning soon for cocktail and dinner and to visiting Alcatraz http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ in the coming weeks to learn more about its fascinating history.
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Eclipse Restaurant and Lounge

Five Embarcadero Center
Hyatt Regency San Francisco
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-788-1234
http://www.sanfranciscoregency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/EclipseRestaurant.html

By Carol & Joe Davis