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East Brother, Richmond’s famed historic island lighthouse is a non-profit operation and depends on income from guests to pay for ongoing repair and maintenance. Although occupancy is up substantially from the 2008-2009 depths of the recession, more visitors are needed to generate the dollars for several capital projects, including a new copper roof for the lantern gallery, completion of painting started last summer, electrical work and roof repairs.
Volunteers are also needed constantly to paint, garden, work on historic machinery and assist with marketing and fundraising. Click here to find out more and register as a volunteer.
The Board of Directors of the non-profit corporation that operates East Brother made a major advertising investment this summer, renting space for a month on south facing CBS Outdoor LED digital billboard located near the Gilman street exit on I-80 N. The sign has a maximum of 8 advertisers and each ad views for 8 seconds every 52 seconds. The billboard is illuminated 24 hours per day and has a DEC or Daily Effective Circulation of 206,980 viewers.
Although East Brother has been operating with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for over 30 years, we wanted more people to be aware of what a great “staycation” opportunity it provides. What many potential visitors don’t know is that the dining experience alone is worth the cost of the stay. Innkeepers (and lighthouse keepers) Peter Berkhout and Dina Kashou are getting rave reviews for dinners.
One of the highlights of your evening at East Brother Light Station is the meal, beginning with hors d'oveurs accompanied by a glass of Domaine Chandon Champaign overlooking the scenic views. Dinner is 4 courses of delight, accompanied by wine, a unique and delicious experience you will share with up to 4 other couples at a community table. An equally as carefully prepared breakfast with plenty of variety is offered the following morning at 9am (don't worry early risers, coffee and a fruit basket is out at 7). Breakfast always includes Dina's homemade granola, seasonal fruits, pastries, and a hot dish. The food itself is artfully prepared with a variety of cultural influence. Ingredients are chosen and gathered (much of it from our own garden) with great care, taking into consideration season, freshness and availability; everything made from scratch. Gluten free? Lactose intolerant? Hate mushrooms? We've got you covered, just be sure to let us know ahead of time and we are happy to accommodate your needs. The food and dining experience is sure to exceed your expectations, read what some of our guests have to say:
- "The food was worth the entire cost of the trip. The chef had prepared some of the finest meals I’ve tasted anywhere in the world. The food was of the highest quality. The preparation was creative and done to perfection. The wines were excellent. The best chicken I’ve eaten, ever!!!"
- If there was a rating 4 steps beyond excellent, I would have chose it! The food was simply perfect. Fantastically flavorful and almost too beautifully prepared to eat
- Ten stars, if that is possible!
I knew dinner and breakfast were included, but had no idea the meals would be of such high quality; and, the service was excellent!
- Food was really better than the gourmet restaurants we visited that week. The presentation was thoughtful and service was really excellent. They doted on us."
Sample menu: menu changes with the seasons...and the tides...
Gazpacho verde
Shrimp n' grits. aged white cheddar, lemon, and thyme.
Garlic and curry rubbed pork tenderloin, grilled, with a peach and tomato compote and slow braised collard greens
Fresh blueberry pie with hand-whipped cream
carrot orange ginger soup
pear and radish salad with roasted walnut oil, blue cheese and mixed garden greens
tea smoked salmon with sweet onion puree
lavender crème brulee
- Fall
coconut and red lentil soup
orange and marcona almond salad with pickled shallots, fennel and arugula
roast chicken with herbs de Provence and garlic-goat cheese mashed potatoes
homemade vanilla ice cream with sea salt and blood orange olive oil
celery root and apple soup with cashew cream
leek and gruyere tartlets, baby greens, tarragon vinaigrette
homemade gnocchi with pancetta and wild mushroom ragu
chocolate mousse
East Brother Light Station April 2011 |
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Dear Tom,
AAAAHHHHHH.....the sweet sound of silence! The Coast Guard has officially disconnected the foghorn until October 1st, so for all of you who have been waiting for nice weather and a fog horn-free night, the time has come.
2011 is better than ever with our new innkeepers, Peter and Dina! If you haven't been out to see them yet, get movin', because summer on the island is filling up fast. Don't forget about our day trips, starting Saturdays in May. Bring the family, or a group of friends out for a relaxing picnic and a day on the bay.
We have a new garden, and we want to thank our volunteers for all the hard work they put into it this weekend. We have kale, and chard, arugula....... so now we can offer you our little farm to family table experience.
We are also offering last minute deals from time to time. If you live in the area, sign up for our Special Promotions mailing list, and receive up to $80.00 off the price of night's stay. Just click the "Join our mailing list" link to the left and then follow the instructions for the Special Promotions list.
Let's stay in touch!
East Brother Light Station |
Now booking whole house events
$1895.00 (includes all taxes and fees)
- Customized wine dinner for 10 (including Hors d'oeuvres and Domain Chandon champagne to start things off)
- Overnight stay for 10 (5 couples)
- Full Gourmet breakfast, coffee, teas, and pastries
- Historical tour
- Boat shuttle to and from the island
What better way to enjoy an evening with friends or family? Don't have to worry about taking the roast out on time, what wine to serve, who is going to do the dishes and clean the house afterwards...We'll do it for you! We will design a custom menu for you, and make sure all your needs are met. Dinner parties, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, whatever you want to celebrate, we can help you do it. We're flexible!
Also hosting daytime events, luncheons, business meetings, etc... We are flexible, just call us and we will work out the details. 510-233-2885
Dina&Peter |
Spring brings new life to East Brother
By Peter Berkhout
Despite some
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Goslings huddle together for warmth near their watchful parents. |
fierce winter
storms, high
winds, and a
tsunami warn-
ing, wildlife on
and around the
island is thriving. Late
February brought the discovery of a
nest of Canada
geese, just underneath a eucalyptus tree on the north side of the island. The nest was only sometimes observable, because Mother Goose was often sitting on it, just like you read about. Sometimes she'd take a short break to forage for some food, and we could see nine goose eggs.
In late March, when doing a weekly nest observation, I discovered that the eggs had hatched, and a gaggle of little goslings was tripping all over each other--literally, they were climbing on top of each other in an effort to stay tightly bunched. It's amazing how well the coloring of the goslings matches the shades of green in the grass. Dina went to get her camera, and our guests got up from the breakfast table to see the spectacle. See a few more shots on our Facebook page.
March and April are also seal pupping season on the bay, so we've
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It's pupping season! |
been seeing increasing numbers of seals lounging about on West Brother--and even on the sea buoy that we pass on the way to and from the yacht harbor.
Seals are very shy animals, so they rarely venture up onto East Brother, but low tide has found as many as nine seals sunning themselves on West Brother and playing in the currents that rush between the islands. We've also made sightings from the boat at just about every point between the island and the mainland, usually short-lived before the seal dives below the surface.
There's one other wildlife phenomenon that we have been lucky to witness: a herring run. A herring run should really be called a Battle Royale between seabirds, because they all get into it: cormorants, pelicans, and gulls all dogfighting in midair, diving to the water to grab a silvery fish, and then having to fend off attackers from all directions trying to take away its prized catch.
If you can't come out to see it for yourself, we'll keep you posted on the late spring and summer wildlife spotting in the next newsletter. |
To make a reservation or to find out more about East Brother Light Station, please visit our website at www.ebls.org. |
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East Brother Light Station | 117 Park Place | Point Richmond | CA | 94801 |
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