April 24, 2024

Hello Dear Reader:

Despite my efforts to make this report on Chile Lindo brief and positive, the sad fact is that small businesses, especially music venues and restaurants, are shutting down at an alarming rate, and I am determined (trying) to avoid the same fate.

I hope you’ve checked out my recent review written by Marcia Gagliardi, published on tablehopper.com, and also, that you've listened to Liam Mayclem’s interview on the Foodie Chap podcast. They heavily focus on the Chile Lindo “vision.” It’s likely that you already know my work is all about pursuing a “vision.”

What does that vision entail? It’s a blend of cuisine and culture, with the aim of public relations.To introduce Chilean cuisine to the San Francisco market to promote the culture and build the network. By promoting the arts in a city like San Francisco, the brand is established.

The mission statement:

Chilean Cuisine & Culture — Connecting & Creating Community

To open the doors to a culture in the United States, start out by introducing your traditional food. Both food and the arts transcend conventional boundaries. This has been an uphill battle when your headquartered at 16th and Capp and you’re selling a product nobody's heard of. Three decades ago, when I started in 1995, people thought I sold bananas, not empanadas. Fortunately, these days, you can find empanadas in almost every major city.

Over the past few months, I’ve been focused on expanding the “vision” and I went as far as signing a Letter of Intent to open a new location in Cow Hollow, the upscale Marina neighborhood. The district is a perfect fit for my high standards of Chilean cuisine, focused on empanadas, fine pastries, and wine. In a nutshell: location, location, location. And this was a perfect location, the right zoning, plenty of foot traffic, and so quaint.

I should have been eligible for grants and loans since I fulfill all the criteria dictated by the City and non-profits, including being woman-owned, immigrant-owned, less that 10 employees (try two), less than $500,000 annual gross revenue, 100% compliant (payroll, worker's comp, licenses, insurance), 30 years in business and an excellent credit report… blah, blah, blah. Ultimately, the bottom line is determined by the numbers, and regrettably, they are not favorable due to several factors. Between the bad rap the Mission District is getting and an oil spill in the Redstone Building last year that forced me to evacuate and move across the street overnight, the list of factors hurting sales is long. Not to mention the recent losses caused by the pandemic.

What puzzles me is why make me “jump through hoops” if these services act like any other source of funding? All that matters in the end are the numbers. I dedicated endless hours to filling out grants, writing business plans, and completing paperwork to ensure funding. Overwhelmed, my head literally spinning, I said: no más. In a nutshell: frustration, frustration, frustration. Where's Elon Musk when you need him?

I let go of the idea. I’m an expert at turning the page and the minute I closed the book, I felt relief. It’s always been the same old story, over and over. The lack of capital prevents me from growing, and low numbers make it challenging to secure capital. The saying goes: “money makes money.” To really grow, to really scale the business, you need investors, a professional team, lawyers, accountants, and it would help if someone on your staff spoke English and had a driver’s license.

Of course, the time invested is never wasted. I'm refining my business plan and this brand, Chile Lindo, has huge potential and eventually the kite (the logo) will soar. Through the years, I’ve almost called it quits many times and I question my sanity for staying the course, yet I always find inspiration to keep going. Closing down would be a blow to both the City and the Chilean community. Perseverance furthers.--I Ching

You, dear reader, can make a difference! You can plan a private evening event or visit on a Saturday for lunch at Chile Lindo Kitchen Culture. For your next party you can place an order of empanadas, or a cake, or traditional pastries. You can distribute this newsletter to your friends and family. In challenging times, community is essential. San Francisco is losing small businesses like this one at a concerning pace, and this little business has a big impact.

Speaking of community, last Sunday I volunteered for Marcia Gagliardi’s fabulous San Francisco event, A Bohemian Sunday at the Savoy Tivoli: A Renewal Party from tablehopper. This was an “only in San Francisco” experience. I sold raffle tickets that raised $1K (at $10 a ticket, that's a hustle). The funds were donated to North Beach Citizens, a non-profit organization established by Francis Ford Coppola to support the homeless. Supervisor Aaron Peskin, officially running for San Francisco Mayor on November 5th, granted Marcia a special commendation. I was happy to contribute to Marcia's event, someone who is passionate about advocating for the hospitality industry, which is facing significant challenges.

Finally, once more, I’m co-presenting with the Roxie Theatre to support the screening of Pablo Larraín’s Tony Manero (2008). This showing is part of a new Roxie Theatre series that features the “most important breakthroughs in Latin American cinema since the turn of the century.” It's showing tomorrow. Swing by Chile Lindo and then catch the film.

As always, there is more to come, so please continue reading for other great events and important news.

Saludos,

Paula Tejeda

Chile Lindo

PS: Now Constant Contact "clips" the newsletter, if so be sure to click on "[Message clipped]  View entire message"

Here I am with the fabulous Marcia Gagliardi.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin said it all on twitter: "... celebrated SF treasure @tablehopper for her 18 years of unrelenting love letters to the Bay’s entrepreneurs, restaurants, cafes, and food & beverage community. It was OG bohemian North Beach, complete with drag performances, music, laughter + Savoy Tivoli N/A mocktails."

You can check out Aaron Peskin's speech (so much SF history) and Marcia Gigliardi's heartfelt thank yous on my YouTube channel, Chile Lindo Live!

A new series unveiling 25 of the most important breakthroughs in Latin American Cinema since the turn of the century.

Tony Manero

directed by Pablo Larraín

Thursday

April 25, 2024

7:00 PM

Roxie Theatre

TICKETS

“An indelible portrait of a sociopath with the soul of a zombie.” – The New York Times

“Marvelously unhinged study of pop culture obsession.” – The Village Voice

“Not many filmmakers could hope to successfully combine disco and political oppression, but Pablo Larrain does so. Funny, foul and compelling” – Film 4

Raul Peralta (Alfredo Castro), a middle-aged criminal in Chile in the 1970s, is obsessed with Tony Manero, John Travolta’s character in Saturday Night Fever (1977). Every Saturday, he imitates his idol by leading a small group of dancers to perform at a bar in the city’s outskirts. His dream of becoming a showbiz star is about to become a reality when a national television station announces a contest for the best Tony Manero impersonator. Chile’s 2009 Academy Awards official submission.

Please mark your calendars! Remember the Pisco Sour Cocktail Hour hosted by our dear friends from Stookey’s Club Moderne?

In 2018, during the production of Cine Chileno in San Francisco, on Sundays we had pisco sours at Stookey’s leading up to the film retrospective at the Castro Theatre. Weeeeell let me start by congratulating Tim Stookey, Leslie Cole Stookey and Aaron Cole for having the courage to expand their classic Art Deco fancy cocktail bar to open The Blue Room next door for live shows. Recently inaugurated, The Blue Room is gorgeous and a welcomed addition to the live music San Francisco scene.

The cause for celebration continues, as my sister Alexandra Rieloff, jazz singer, who performed at the Pisco Sour Cocktail Hour, is back at Stookey’s and this time performing with her trio at The Blue Room.

The Alexandra Rieloff Trio features Rob Bassinette on bass and Mark Holzinger on guitar. For this show, her trio welcomes guest trombonist Rick Brown. Two shows. How fabulous is that? I look forward to dressing up and seeing you there.

Stookey's Club Moderne

The Blue Room

895 Bush Street

San Francisco, CA 94108

Two Shows: Thursday

May 2nd, 2024

7:00 to 8:30 PM

9:00 to 10:30 PM

"Step back into the past at Stookey's Blue Room with the Alexandra Rieloff Trio! Alexandra will be bring a performance of Jazz Standards, peppered with Bossa Nova & Bolero."--The Blue Room

TICKETS

ALSO SELECTED SHORT SUBJECTS: To complete your classic moviegoing matinee experience, we recreate the way matinees used to be run when these classic films were new: 30 mins. of short subjects start the program at 1p.m.; A Movietone newsreel, color cartoon, previews of coming attractions for forthcoming last Tuesday of the month matinees and a stage introduction before the feature from Matias Bombal.

There's is no better way to see great movies than in the context and setting for where they were made to be seen: a classic theatre of the golden age. Join us! All this for just $10. per person! Tell your friends!

CK Contemporary is back at the San Francisco Art Fair, featuring José Baso once again. If you recall from my previous newsletters, I highlighted José Baso’s solo show at CK Contemporary last October. Here’s to everyone finding great success at the show.

San Francisco Art Fair (formerly Art Market SF) from April 25-28. Join CK Contemporary at Booth A07 to see an exciting collection of new works by some of our incredibly talented artists. New works by Sara Gallagher, José Basso, Elizabeth Patterson, Daryl Gortner and many many more!--from CK Contemporary



José Baso's work at last year's CK Contemporary exhibit Art Market SF

Photo: © ChileLindo.com

STANFORD UNIVERSITY BRINGS THE TOMPKINS ARCHIVES HOME

Had I known about this event at Stanford University, I wouldn’t have missed it. Stanford University is now home to Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and Douglas R. Tompkins’ remarkable work, which is wonderful news. In my view, conservation work is the most important work there is. The Stanford University Libraries celebrated the donation of the archives on Earth Day, April 22, 2024. Congratulations to Stanford University and Tompkins Conservation.

Tompkins Conservation was envisioned by the late Doug Tompkins, founder of The North Face and Esprit, and Kris Tompkins, former CEO of Patagonia, Inc.

STANFORD, Calif., April 9, 2024 /CNW/ -- Tompkins Conservation and its co-founders and benefactors, Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and the late Douglas R. Tompkins, are donating their personal archives as well as the archive of their conservation and rewilding work in South America to the Stanford University Libraries. Read more

Please take a few minutes to check out this video.

Three decades ago, entrepreneur Doug Tompkins made a 180 degree turn in his life to reckon with a planet out of balance. So begins the story of Tompkins Conservation, told here in our new video, featuring our president and co-founder, Kristine Tompkins. --

CHILE. THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE 1973-74

by Chas Gerretsen

"Chas Gerretsen is a Dutch-born war photographer, photojournalist and film advertising photographer. His photographs of armed conflicts, Hollywood films and Celebrity Portraits have been published in major magazines."--Wikipedia

Chas Gerretsen’s work caught my attention through my social media network. I reached out to him on Twitter and checked out some of his interviews on YouTube. This master photographer published a book of his work and is exhibiting his extraordinary collection of photographs in Chile and Europe. His collection includes private and public images of the Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and he worked for Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Apocalypse Now. Chas Gerretsen took the iconic image of the dictator that went on to symbolize totalitarian regimes worldwide. Like any brilliant mind, he avoids passing judgment or making biased statements, believing that “truth” is subjective.

"In 1973, Dutch photojournalist Chas Gerretsen spent nine months in Santiago, Chile. His historic photographs cover the last year of the Allende government and the violent military coup that led to the Pinochet regime. In 1974, Chas returned twice to Chile to record the changes in the country. 

Fifty years after the coup d’état in Chile, Gerretsen says, “I hope for the images to become part of the historical and political memory of Chile, and that this book will serve as a reminder of the past and help future generations to avoid making the same mistakes.”

Subtitles are provided in the bilingual YouTube videos

TESTIGOS. A 50 años del golpe – Testimonios de Chas Gerretsen y Leonardo de la Barra.

Friday

May 24, 2024

The Masonic, San Francisco, CA

BUY TICKETS

Mon Laferte Will Tour ‘Autopoiética’ Across the U.S. in May

"This album is about breaking free of all the ties that bind. This album is about not holding back," she told Rolling Stone about the album last year."

By TOMÁS MIER

February 12, 2024

Mon Laferte is bringing the songs off her ninth LP across the United States. On Monday, Laferete announced that she’s heading on the road to perform songs from her recently released LP, Autopoiética.

The singer will commence her run of shows in Chicago before stopping at New York City’s the Theater at Madison Square Garden, Austin’s Moody Amphitheater, and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, among other venues. Read more

PS: Mon Laferte is the first Chilean to make the Cover of RollingStone en Español



Instagram post @tablehopper Thank you!

CHILE LINDO HOURS

THU, FRI & SAT

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

NEW LOCATION

Chile Lindo Kitchen Culture

2943 16th Street @Capp

San Francisco, CA 94103

across the street from the original Chile Lindo

To place an order call or email:

415.368.3328

chilelindosf@gmail.com

STAY CONNECTED

ChileLindo.com