Former Buckeye Chef Settles in at Hilltop 1892

Erick Hendricks of restaurant welcomes chef Nicolas Abrams, who spent the past five years at the Buckeye Roadhouse in Mill Valley.

Abrams started his culinary career working summers during high school at Mama's Fish House on Maui. From there, his passion took him to the kitchen of Michel Richard, where he was soon apprenticing for the legendary chef at Citronelle while attending University of California at Santa Barbara. Upon receiving his degree, he moved to San Francisco and cooked at the restaurants Lulu and Rubicon.

Abrams also worked extensively in Europe where he apprenticed in the kitchens of Alain Passard at Arpege in Paris, and of Antoine Mosimann at Mosimann's in London. Later he was hired as the executive chef at The Leaping Hare, a well-known restaurant at Wyken Vineyards outside of Bury St. Edmunds in the English countryside.

On Abrams return to the U.S., he became the sous chef at The Lobster in Santa Monica, working under Allyson Thurber. He settled down in Marin County in 2006 with his wife and young son and found a position at the esteemed Buckeye.  

Abrams has already revamped the menu, but the Hilltop theme as a "Traditional American Dining House" is still the ongoing concept. The chef's worldly experience is reflected in the menu with technical cooking techniques he learned in great kitchens, yet he keeps the fare casual and approachable.

Twisters Adds Cupcakes and More

on San Marin Drive has gone cupcakes over their expanded menu. This will be in addition to the 12 flavors of nonfat and lowfat yogurts and over 50-plus toppings including fresh fruit. Jeannie Perlite, an owner of the store, says that they’ve added a “new division” called the Cupcake Factory. 

They are now offering slushies and jumbo-sized cupcakes that are made daily in their shop. You can take your pick of yellow, chocolate or red velvet cakes with a variety of frostings. You can top them anyway you choose at the topping bar. Some customers are even adding yogurt.  

Twisters is also offering Cupcake Factory deliveries for special events in the workplace or parties at home. There will be a Family Fun Fair fundraiser at St. Isabella’s to be scheduled for next month that will be featuring Cupcake Factory cupcakes. 

Poolside Dining and Jazz Schedule 

There is still time left in the season to enjoy outdoor dining and music in Ignacio with By the Pool jazz program. There will be four shows by the pool; the last one will be on Oct. 1 with Brad Bann doing  Sinatra. 

Rickey’s “Economic Recovery Three Course Dinner Menu” is available Tuesdays through Thursdays including Sundays. For $23.50 you can have your choice of one of three salads, an entrée choice of a grilled flat-iron steak, pan seared salmon, chicken parmigiana, or a creamy risotto. All come with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Included are a choice of one of three wines and one of three desserts.  

New Season of Activity at Hilltop

Reminder: 's Cruise Vacation for Two drawing will be on Monday, Sept. 19, along with other great prizes. On Sept. 21, Hilltop will debut its Oktoberfest menu special and two great German beers on tap that can be served out of traditional German steins.

A dine-and-donate event for the is scheduled for Oct. 4. Hendricks says 15 percent of the proceeds will go to the theater project. 

On Oct. 18th there will be a beer dinner featuring the offerings from Widmer Bros. Brewing Company. And during the last week of October customers can bring in their carved pumpkins to be displayed at the restaurant. Last but not least, Oct. 31 is the Halloween Party with a DJ and dancing starting at 9 p.m. with a costume contest.