We recently checked out Sunday Brunch at Cora Jean's Old Skool Café, a 1940s-themed "youth run supper club" that employs young folk from the surrounding Bayview-Hunter's Point community. Teresa Goines, a former correctional officer who founded the faith-based violence prevention program in 2004, named it after her mother, the source of her inspiration. Temporarily borrowing space from Emmitt Powell's Soul Food Restaurant every Sunday through September 20, Old Skool Café is serving up a Gospel Brunch Series to raise funds to transform the abandoned 1912 Potrero Hill Police Station and Jail (pictured) in the Dogpatch district into their permanent home. Among their goals: to "re-connect the village" and "provide solid alternatives to a life of crime and poverty...through intensive mentoring, life skills and professional development."
We were met at the door by Ms. Goines' inviting smile, and efficiently ushered to our table by our nervous but amiable waitress Ashley, donned in a cute black dress and impressive red hat. The bustling atmosphere was comfortable and friendly, like one big cheery family. So it was apropos that
our party of 3 ate "family style" and shared our main dishes (BBQ beef ribs, fried chicken, and fried snapper); and sides (mustard greens, red beans and rice, mac 'n cheese, and mashed potatoes), before diving into our own servings of peach cobbler for dessert. All the while, we were treated to some stirring musical talent that made us raise our eyebrows at each other in awe. I found 11-year old A.J. especially captivating as she belted out a gospel song, pulling the mic away from her with a deep frown and closed eyes as she hit the loudest notes.They still need to iron out some kinks in their customer service -- like neglecting our complimentary cornbread muffins as we gazed forlorn at our neighbors'; and mixing up table checks -- but otherwise, at a prix fixe of $20, this was an afternoon well-spent on a good cause.
1 comment:
it was a good cause - very awe inspiring :) -A
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