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C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 1 7 3 bacon jam and a mountain of fresh shrimp and oysters from the Chesapeake Bay. On the second floor, Chef Andres, with his gregarious personality and showmanship, was putting the final touches on his dish of grilled crystal bread, Jamon Iberico and West Coast sea urchin. Amidst delectables such as Bourbon Steak endive salad and truffle crushed sweet potatoes with fleur de sel, two 400-pound saddles of Wagyu beef from Skywalker Ranch—yes, that Skywalker Ranch—roasted slowly on giant rotisseries. I wanted to begin chanting "serve the beef, serve the beef "… then my carnivorous eyes saw it being lowered with a crane onto a wood- en cutting board. In a playful moment, Andres and Mina cut off a chunk of the perfectly cooked Wagyu and fed it to each other. Now, that's entertainment! But the best part for Mina? Being perpetually surrounded with like-minded folks. "It's all about the 49ers fans," Mina said. "And the feel in here is unbelievable. I didn't know that it would be embraced as much it was." As I watched strangers sitting and eating together, creating new friendships, I discovered something truly unique about this Mina Tailgate. For once it's not about how many start-ups you invested in, how many touchdowns you scored in your career, or how many movies you made. It's about Montana, Hanks, Mina, Andres and Iaderosa (that's me), eating and drinking together as a family–a family of fans who love their team, love their food and love their tailgate, Mina style. For more information on membership opportu- nities go to: www.levisstadium.com/michael-minas- tailgate/. Call 415/GO-49ERS for stadium info. (Clockwise from top) Sumptuous plates of beef, fish and game like this stuffed quail are part of an elevated menu prepared by Mina. Cheerleaders mingle with 49er fans. "All you can drink" keeps Diane Mina bloody busy. Red T-shirts beckon fans to celebrate Mina style. Tailgate is held on home game days at Bourbon Steak and Pub, one of Mina's restaurants at Levi's Stadium.