Party at Thee Parkside, Burgers at Chez Maman

Last weekend's Mission Indie Mart took it over the top at Thee Parkside.








A huge crowd of hip young things spilled out from the bar and outdoor patio and into the street (despite foggy weather)...










...to drink bloody marias and eat corn dogs...








...watch stenciling in action...









...shop for girlfriend gifts...









...score gifts for self...












...and browse repurposed and original stuff like handmade leggings by folks like fame-bound local designers Please Dress Up.














Indie-Mart organizer (and co-owner of Still Life boutique on Divisadero) Kelly Malone did a fabulous job as usual, balancing professionalism with beer-fueled rockerdom like no one else.






A couple of hot babes from the esteemed Cowboys and Angels salon crew, stylists Katie Casey and Sarah Northrup know where to go for the goods...






...and the goodies...









My friends Danielle and Jason and I waited forever at the Parkside's kitchen window to order burgers and pulled pork sandwiches off the menu...







...but they were too slammed. Our friends had already waited a half hour to get their corn dogs, so we pulled anchor and floated up Potrero Hill to the counter at Chez Maman.






They do a good (albeit skinny) burger here, with perfect aioli and melted onions on fresh grilled ciabatta. The thin burger thing was a shock, actually -- I watched as the chef smacked pre-flattened, wax-papered patties onto the grill -- they couldn't have been more than a centimeter thick. I recall a thicker burger on a visit a year or so ago...wha'appen?

I was a little dismayed at first to see that my salmon burger was not only remarkably thin (and not a burger at all but a fillet), but also pan sautéed instead of grilled. However, the first bite set me at ease -- it was delish!