tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35314672833643489482024-03-13T19:13:27.850-07:00Tasting SFtastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-67910092068965786682011-12-10T20:00:00.001-08:002011-12-10T20:04:22.981-08:00Doña Tomás, OaklandI'm trying a new format. I realized that if I try and <i>write</i> about these meals, I will never wind up posting anything. So, for now, let's just go with photos.<br />
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This was a brunch from a few weeks ago at <a href="http://donatomas.com/">Doña Tomás</a> in Oakland.<br />
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<br />tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-56995461247050697052011-11-13T19:46:00.001-08:002011-11-13T19:57:33.764-08:00Bar Jules, Hayes ValleyWill you be insulted if I don't write much about this brunch? I've been sitting on these pictures for awhile and in an effort to finally get them up I am going to sacrifice having much text.<br />
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This was Halloween at <a href="http://barjules.com/">Bar Jules</a>. Good food, good friends. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-84810404841305886472011-10-23T19:14:00.000-07:002011-10-23T19:14:46.169-07:00Starbelly, Castro<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's nearly Halloween, which means Summer has finally arrived in San Francisco. Hooray! We decided to take a walk to enjoy the weather and also get some breakfast at <a href="http://www.starbellysf.com/">Starbelly</a>. </div>
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(Ok, that isn't exactly true. Kev wanted Eggs Benedict at <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/01/le-zinc-noe-valley.html">Le Zinc's</a> outdoor patio. I needed a new blog post and we had already covered Le Zinc so we thought: where else can we walk to brunch that I haven't already blogged about? That is how we wound up at Starbelly).</div>
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There is this great outdoor patio, but it was all full when we got there. It emptied out as we ate. <br />
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Some coffee and scrambled eggs for me. That is one giant piece of toast.<br />
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Sunny side up eggs for Kev, with what they call sausage. To me it was more like a spicy slider. Call it what you will, it tasted pretty good!<br />
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<br />All in all - a decent breakfast. Nothing revolutionary, but a convenient neighborhood place. Even better if you can snag a table outside.</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-36798011230199388292011-10-16T17:16:00.000-07:002011-10-16T17:16:44.642-07:00Piccino, Dogpatch<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry for the lack of posting, but mostly it's because we haven't gone anywhere new in awhile. Finally this weekend we tried a couple of new places, including <a href="http://www.piccinocafe.com/">Piccino</a>, over in the Dogpatch. We had tried to go there last weekend but were thwarted by a street festival of people dressed up in crazy clothes. </div>
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I immediately loved the look of this place - tons of wood, white and completely light filled. Very helpful for taking pictures, too.</div>
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I ordered an Arnold Palmer. It came with simple syrup since they don't sweeten the tea or the lemonade. We got some marinated olives, too. </div>
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We didn't order any pizzas, even though it seems that is what they are known for. Instead we got the white bean soup, which sounded like something I would make at home (but tasted way better).</div>
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We also got a poached egg over a semolina gnocchi. I'm still not clear how this was a gnocci - it reminded me more of a potato pancake, but with semolina. The flavors were great - egg and olive and zucchini and basil. Very savory and different than a normal, breakfast-style poached egg. The parmesan cracker was a nice touch too. </div>
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Extra bonus: they are located very close to CalTrain, so if you are just visiting San Francisco from one of the surrounding areas this might be a good option for you.tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-26155343917101453882011-09-27T09:37:00.000-07:002011-09-27T19:16:50.668-07:00Local: Mission Eatery, revisited<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's official, I have a new favorite brunch place.<a href="http://www.localmissioneatery.com/"> Local: Mission Eatery/Knead Patisserie</a>. I've <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/06/local-mission-eatery-mission.html">posted</a> about both of these places <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/03/knead-patisserie-mission.html">before</a>, and I just can't get enough. I love that I can walk there, I love that it isn't too crowded, I love how low-key the vibe is. And have I mentioned that I love the food? </div>
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This time we combined the best of both worlds - some eggs from the restaurant and some pastries from the patisserie. The poached eggs were exactly, perfectly the way I like them. We sat at the counter and I was excited that I could watch the chef make the eggs, so maybe I could learn her technique. Turns out her technique consisted of cracking an egg directly into the not-quite boiling water, leaving it alone to go deal with some other food, and then coming back to scoop the egg out. My eggs must smell my fear. </div>
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The croissant was also insane - so crispy on the outside but so soft and buttery on the inside. I realize that just sounds like a description of any old croissant, but this is something else entirely. You just need to try it for yourself, ok?<br />
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Both egg dishes were great, but I particularly liked the one with farro and tomatoes. I'm on a roasted tomato kick right now, so this really hit the spot.</div>
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I loved this breakfast so much I'm already planning on returning this coming weekend for my anniversary brunch. Save me a croissant!tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-68996958523118097942011-09-06T21:36:00.000-07:002011-09-06T21:36:30.741-07:00Beast, Portland<div style="text-align: justify;">
And... we are back to Portland. I didn't take any photos this weekend in San Francisco, so here's some more great Portland food. This was actually our last meal there, a six-course dinner at <a href="http://beastpdx.com/">Beast</a>.<br />
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You may have heard of Beast or it's chef, Naomi Pomeroy, if you watched the last season of Top Chef: Masters - she made it to the final four. That was how I first heard of the restaurant and why I originally wanted to eat there. As I started investigating where to eat for this trip I noticed that every list seemed to mention Beast, which sealed the deal for me. </div>
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The restaurant is run a little differently than most. For example: there are just 2 seating times (6PM and 8:45PM); all guests are seated at one of two communal tables; there is just one prix-fixe menu; and the chefs work from a buffet in the room where the meal is served. Literally you can have a conversation with them as they prepare your meal. While I think it would have been great to be inside to watch them cook, we chose to sit outside at this table for two, since it was such a nice night (and also because there was a very loud party of 12 inside and I was feeling anti-social).</div>
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Here's where my memory gets a little fuzzy. This meal was a month ago and I admit, I don't take notes. Bringing my giant camera out at meals is enough of a distraction, not only from the food but from whomever I'm dining with. I kind of feel I need to draw the line there - whipping out a notebook and pen just feels like too much. However what that means for you is a sort of hazy recollection of this meal. <br />
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This soup was a cold tomato soup with garlic bread croutons, almonds and cucumber (that's a borage flower as well). We cleaned the bowls and thought it was an excellent first course. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4u-1ITwk1-W_y2Fwmo15mD19VYh-JkEA3cp3iB4en5sHSJ1cfuHqM1NEMZLYr1wpuzw0Ushpg9EnJDVIieQfqevEKQeuE5COxFJDJGsyjuhgxyn7qN3VgaPkNvHJB-drAF7m5mQk_ec/s1600/Beast+1+Charcuterie+Pork.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4u-1ITwk1-W_y2Fwmo15mD19VYh-JkEA3cp3iB4en5sHSJ1cfuHqM1NEMZLYr1wpuzw0Ushpg9EnJDVIieQfqevEKQeuE5COxFJDJGsyjuhgxyn7qN3VgaPkNvHJB-drAF7m5mQk_ec/s640/Beast+1+Charcuterie+Pork.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The charcuterie plate came next. This was a crazy dish of (starting at 12 o'clock): foie-gras bon-bon with sauternes gelee; chicken liver pâté on a leaf-lard cracker; steak tartare and quail egg toast; pork pate en croute and aramagnac poached prune; and lastly, a couple of pieces of salami. It was fun to get to try all the different flavors and my favorite was the steak tartare and quail egg toast. (Side note: we were instructed to start at 1 o'clock and finish with the foie gras bon-bon, since it is almost like a dessert in itself). </div>
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The main dish was pork shoulder. I love pork shoulder and was happy that this was the entree. The crust on it was insane - it was some sort of whole grain mustard rub. All of the flavors were amazing, and this was the highlight of the meal for me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGodNpcY0oLn5QFWM3C1sAOKI233jWqSE723qMtJfCnEUF4B4vRLAVOknhTct79BpQPwNtOEtIpcLBwkLO8eYccs5fzL3oDMjlDUlS8VgknZrKnVKQ3uz9XLDeg8ObSNRLKevSN8H-cs0/s1600/Beast+1+Salad+and+Cheese.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGodNpcY0oLn5QFWM3C1sAOKI233jWqSE723qMtJfCnEUF4B4vRLAVOknhTct79BpQPwNtOEtIpcLBwkLO8eYccs5fzL3oDMjlDUlS8VgknZrKnVKQ3uz9XLDeg8ObSNRLKevSN8H-cs0/s640/Beast+1+Salad+and+Cheese.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a good example of how my non-note taking doesn't do me much good when I am writing a post a month later. I remember that I liked this salad and thought it was really nicely dressed. The cheese course I sorta just picked at, because I was already ridiculously full and obviously needed to save room for dessert. We did particularly like the hazelnuts and honey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_Q-FXkOGzBcUsRDFnkpcbbGGqg6VDKZPn2CwNoBsFLoOCXxy9AtMWV_IBZPHCHneOMNEMQNpLVCuEsSAHuFnxdUoDQEDBICqntzii4wla8z3Dwvgn8XbFLv8GcznlWuGmFxT1u-kzU/s1600/Beast+1+Dessert.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_Q-FXkOGzBcUsRDFnkpcbbGGqg6VDKZPn2CwNoBsFLoOCXxy9AtMWV_IBZPHCHneOMNEMQNpLVCuEsSAHuFnxdUoDQEDBICqntzii4wla8z3Dwvgn8XbFLv8GcznlWuGmFxT1u-kzU/s640/Beast+1+Dessert.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I snuck back into the restaurant to take some pictures of the dessert plating . This is how they do it for all the courses - line up all the plates on the buffet and get them plated at once for serving.<br />
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The dessert was a tart topped with some cream and then some vanilla salt. I was very proud of myself for recognizing that the salt came from <a href="http://www.atthemeadow.com/shop/">The Meadow</a>, another awesome Portland place that we had been to the day before known for salts, bitters and chocolates (hey NYers, there's one in Manhattan too - you should check it out). <br />
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Truth be told, I had tried to cancel our reservations the morning of this meal. I was worried about eating six-courses - I was food-ed out from the week and I didn't think I could manage it. We were unable to cancel without a charge since it was the day of the meal. Looking back, I'm glad that policy was in place because it really would have been a shame to visit
Portland and miss out on the unique charm of Beast.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Beast </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>5425 Northeast 30th Avenue<br />Portland, OR 97211<br /> </i></span><br />
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<nobr><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(503) 841-6968</i></span></nobr></div>
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tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-19060877127499754452011-08-30T10:02:00.000-07:002011-08-30T10:02:03.989-07:00Sightglass Coffee, SOMA<div style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Blog news: Tasting SF has been nominated for "Best Food Blog" by SF Weekly. If you'd like to vote, please go <a href="http://polls.sfweekly.com/polls/san/webawards11/index.php">here</a>)</i></span></div><div style="color: orange;"><br />
<div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://sightglasscoffee.com/">Sightglass Coffee</a> is one of San Francisco's newer coffee roasters. They've only been around for a year or so, and for most of that time had been operating out of a small kiosk on 7th Street. Recently they opened a much, much larger space so we went over there to check it out. </div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iBOqNth54CD77pnSgfhyVaTrrwwdEi9jwjqQu_xgPUFHN0DweMKegTb3hlf6llZN_6RIa-Xf5H9YCpz6aDkNLyYrGzwMesS1lzSHw0IEJ7AvtyBLh3w0q41GW7t7ci6mXdqqj0xvrDE/s1600/Sightglass+coffee+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iBOqNth54CD77pnSgfhyVaTrrwwdEi9jwjqQu_xgPUFHN0DweMKegTb3hlf6llZN_6RIa-Xf5H9YCpz6aDkNLyYrGzwMesS1lzSHw0IEJ7AvtyBLh3w0q41GW7t7ci6mXdqqj0xvrDE/s640/Sightglass+coffee+2.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The coffee is great but you must also try the baked goods. My favorite was the cheddar and black pepper gougere from the Tell Tale Preserve Company. Here is the saddest news though: I just learned that <a href="http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2011/08/26/tell-tale-preserve-company-is-closing/">they are closing</a> - the last batch of pastries went out this past weekend. I'm so glad I got to eat this one last time before they closed. And I really, really hope that they reopen soon.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvxhdC5eo6qQ0fzi0NRHdN96e-fuzKm5bCA30d2HvOEouXcRDHxhHuVBAzlnbbRYXPvSHoqXrSJfqMMsLMB5W6Qr-tVVHv_Ujgc3xRgm6rLp4WSKSGycPWJiaco0UadPcjW3f9wWzxbc/s1600/Sightglass+coffee+pastry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvxhdC5eo6qQ0fzi0NRHdN96e-fuzKm5bCA30d2HvOEouXcRDHxhHuVBAzlnbbRYXPvSHoqXrSJfqMMsLMB5W6Qr-tVVHv_Ujgc3xRgm6rLp4WSKSGycPWJiaco0UadPcjW3f9wWzxbc/s640/Sightglass+coffee+pastry.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We also tried the chocolate brioche with sea salt (with <a href="http://mastbrothers.com/">Mast Brothers</a> chocolate). We liked this a lot too, and it did go better with my latte. It was made by Firebrand Bakery, which I had never heard of. If they are reading this, I have a suggestion: please can you try making a cheddar and black pepper gougere?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy7GhDFW2fazMn91s1Wxc2KPBwnzDE05tJtVmQqByQuqEbreMzVkREC06vGv2SEzsdpNVSTpaYmWrjMmNZo8C9OkHi-Uj_wIwsRS8AgzCB92InE2zkVRLE6m2fUYz8X_k0gp0KDTnNc0/s1600/Sightglass+coffee+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy7GhDFW2fazMn91s1Wxc2KPBwnzDE05tJtVmQqByQuqEbreMzVkREC06vGv2SEzsdpNVSTpaYmWrjMmNZo8C9OkHi-Uj_wIwsRS8AgzCB92InE2zkVRLE6m2fUYz8X_k0gp0KDTnNc0/s640/Sightglass+coffee+3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1lM4ybKeRq8LRPVgwjENeRDm2lnq_CslAFA38SVs9IB8DSJdKooBTGbd7slV-gHG0I2JPqPQaKcjbC3BuZxRMF-knJyOuOKmtu5lrpgY4MYwRwgtpttntIT5IJ3uMhzec0uOOCgPY0I/s1600/Sightglass+coffee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1lM4ybKeRq8LRPVgwjENeRDm2lnq_CslAFA38SVs9IB8DSJdKooBTGbd7slV-gHG0I2JPqPQaKcjbC3BuZxRMF-knJyOuOKmtu5lrpgY4MYwRwgtpttntIT5IJ3uMhzec0uOOCgPY0I/s640/Sightglass+coffee.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="color: orange;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Part of the new space is a big mezzanine. Currently there is nothing up there, but I imagine they'll expand and put seating up there as well. It's kind of fun to stand up there and get a bird's eye view on the whole place. (And a nice way to get photos, too.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sightglass Coffee</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">270 7th Street<br />
San Francisco, CA 94103</span></i> </div><div><nobr><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(415) 861-1313</span></i></nobr></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-64651076406131296022011-08-27T18:29:00.000-07:002011-08-27T18:29:48.873-07:00Little Skillet, SOMA<div style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Blog news: Tasting SF has been nominated for "Best Food Blog" by SF Weekly. If you'd like to vote, please go <a href="http://polls.sfweekly.com/polls/san/webawards11/index.php">here</a>)</i></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What could be a better way to start a weekend than sleeping in til 11 (I didn't even know I could still do that!) and then heading over to <a href="http://littleskilletsf.com/">Little Skillet</a> for some insanely good fried chicken and waffles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFI-dVqIO6_mNtGaKiq8NkFMD5XKunvjy5_gFmgB2nxleKzg3lgxck7xuZHGpSbWKes3yIxRyhVBQH7cXiWo4TvSA0MoZB1oUzMp5qaTVEG_OqKgEf04Wc4oxSNT-z33_CltMdeATYu0/s1600/Little+Skillet+San+Francisco.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFI-dVqIO6_mNtGaKiq8NkFMD5XKunvjy5_gFmgB2nxleKzg3lgxck7xuZHGpSbWKes3yIxRyhVBQH7cXiWo4TvSA0MoZB1oUzMp5qaTVEG_OqKgEf04Wc4oxSNT-z33_CltMdeATYu0/s640/Little+Skillet+San+Francisco.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Little Skillet is on a small, alley-type street in SOMA, pretty close to Giants Stadium. If you're headed to a game and want some great food first, I highly recommend you stop over here. It's a pretty basic operation - order at a window and your food is delivered in a to-go box. No tables or chairs, just some cement stoops across the road. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl3quZRKBRh9UKaE_PhzTQ2nLd37yRxvbDRaqZdUzv-3URIN35JbwsULnsKHwmdWLr-qs7C06f_tBAug1KvfsECpGfNxB93H11KYARDpOGNfYkvIv7o6wIDlr4XSqakGtz7dlkUTCobA/s1600/Little+Skillet+Fried+Chicken.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl3quZRKBRh9UKaE_PhzTQ2nLd37yRxvbDRaqZdUzv-3URIN35JbwsULnsKHwmdWLr-qs7C06f_tBAug1KvfsECpGfNxB93H11KYARDpOGNfYkvIv7o6wIDlr4XSqakGtz7dlkUTCobA/s640/Little+Skillet+Fried+Chicken.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ordered the fried chicken and waffle, and it was probably the best fried chicken I've ever had - tender and moist - but that skin! That is some amazing crispy, flavorful skin. The waffle was pretty good too, but maybe not the best ever. It could have been a little crispier for my taste, but the chicken more than made up for it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They also serve Po Boys, including a fried chicken version - no bones! I'm thinking I should get that one next time to ensure that I don't waste any of that precious skin. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Little Skillet</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>360 Ritch Street<br />
San Francisco, CA 94107<br />
</i></span></div><div><nobr><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(415) 777-2777</i></span></nobr></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-54544586657032400412011-08-14T22:18:00.000-07:002011-08-14T22:18:22.720-07:00Broder, Portland<div style="text-align: justify;">I celebrated my birthday in Portland and we picked <a href="http://www.broderpdx.com/">Broder</a> to have my birthday breakfast. It was definitely the right choice. This place is fantastic - I can imagine that if I lived in Portland I would bring all of my friends here when they came to visit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The space itself is on the small side (though fairly large if you compare to <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/07/farmtable-tenderloin.html">here</a>) and feels very homey. It seems like a lot of places we ate at had a similar feeling, as if you were eating in someone's house. I liked that - it felt very unpretentious. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got to sit at the window seats in the front which were open because it was such a beautiful day. Really, every day we were there was a beautiful day. Sunny, blue skies and 80 degrees is much nicer than San Francisco summer weather.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhXh76zPExE7tdyV3SlUuHhoKWfCoqYd_mwhsA00Cuu4DJnuN9eETflBB1IwWcN5sEGaXmzRvNaNjnBl6i7D3Rh-HTNApo6kighLvcB0UTiVIH-n6wNuct4FQhspuY6TLendC4EpgYRk/s1600/Broder+Danish+Pancakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhXh76zPExE7tdyV3SlUuHhoKWfCoqYd_mwhsA00Cuu4DJnuN9eETflBB1IwWcN5sEGaXmzRvNaNjnBl6i7D3Rh-HTNApo6kighLvcB0UTiVIH-n6wNuct4FQhspuY6TLendC4EpgYRk/s640/Broder+Danish+Pancakes.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">These strange looking things are called aebleskiver. Since I can't pronounce that, I'm going to call it a Danish pancake. These are served with two dipping sauces, and I chose the lemon curd and the ligonberry jam. The jam was good - but the lemon curd was amazing. It actually reminded me a lot of one of my favorite items at <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2010/03/tartine-mission.html">Tartine</a>. But back to the pancakes: they were such a fun treat! Maybe it's because I never had them before, but something about having these for breakfast felt a little celebratory, which was perfect since it was my birthday. Also I now have it on good authority that Trader Joes sells aebleskivers as well, so I'll be needing to try that. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp27NMgc-U4MVaTK5wEKMNUj4M2lVU8yIUjrh2r6_5RRMn8rJT5FCFC2qhv-bzNRT51SGSImK6cMzoJdfvGTFdxfVsgDQyvwNvuJ29CXydGyPtJurLz-PyJCQ3ecujVNolkbUb8Oxxcw/s1600/Broder+Hash.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp27NMgc-U4MVaTK5wEKMNUj4M2lVU8yIUjrh2r6_5RRMn8rJT5FCFC2qhv-bzNRT51SGSImK6cMzoJdfvGTFdxfVsgDQyvwNvuJ29CXydGyPtJurLz-PyJCQ3ecujVNolkbUb8Oxxcw/s640/Broder+Hash.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the Swedish hash, or pytt i panna, if you speak Swedish. I am so glad that it tasted as good as it looked. In the dish is potatoes, peppers, roast beef and ham, and on top of the eggs are pickled beets. It is the perfect savory breakfast dish. I could not get enough. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y2u2VBiaVeWXl6YHh067qIrkz9rYjUbv-BTlRKzKTaXDfc3cmu-491KJ608jl9fsq3IFDdi8uw6tXJUUMhbCfCoQIXn64nx910q-eU8NNR3JusCPgBeHSTBmV5CQtdmqtMZl_440DKA/s1600/Broder+Granola+Parfait.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6y2u2VBiaVeWXl6YHh067qIrkz9rYjUbv-BTlRKzKTaXDfc3cmu-491KJ608jl9fsq3IFDdi8uw6tXJUUMhbCfCoQIXn64nx910q-eU8NNR3JusCPgBeHSTBmV5CQtdmqtMZl_440DKA/s640/Broder+Granola+Parfait.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because we thought it might be nice to have something healthy, we also ordered the yogurt and granola parfait. That's healthy, right? I only had a few bites of this one, since I was too busy power eating my pancakes. I really liked what I had - and Kev named it his favorite granola dish in Portland (we did eat granola at most breakfasts there). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOArxQXGkSdAsR3QwkFkgyvtMDrmJJa9uToC7poWAS4MVxTEFvwW0R5FOTIFAE7QN3_MHjmLljsvT0blGqShpHDoPS3wRKRUwgJ9qPpik52LgG948gkkY_uE0kymyK8qLeVK25DcdqBg/s1600/Broder+Brunch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOArxQXGkSdAsR3QwkFkgyvtMDrmJJa9uToC7poWAS4MVxTEFvwW0R5FOTIFAE7QN3_MHjmLljsvT0blGqShpHDoPS3wRKRUwgJ9qPpik52LgG948gkkY_uE0kymyK8qLeVK25DcdqBg/s640/Broder+Brunch.png" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know I've already showed you all of these dishes, but I thought I'd share picture of the whole meal together, so you can see how Broder appealed not only to my stomach, but to my general aesthetic sensibility. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a great way to start what turned out to be our best day in Portland. We followed this meal with a trip to the <a href="http://japanesegarden.com/">Japanese Gardens</a>, which I highly recommend if you are going to Portland, and then finished the day with a meal at Le Pidgeon. Stay tuned for that post!</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-10426470461080209542011-08-12T09:55:00.000-07:002011-08-12T09:55:09.282-07:00Stumptown Coffee and Clyde Common - Portland<div style="text-align: justify;">People keep asking me what we did on vacation. I keep explaining that we ate. We ate and we walked around. And when we walked around, we were frequently walking to another place to eat. <a href="http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/">Stumptown Coffee </a>and <a href="http://www.clydecommon.com/">Clyde Common</a> are two more places where we killed some time (eating) while waiting for our next meal. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Jdxb1EiKn9gr4I-eCMKEekxQzitxmoN3fOSBNm9-IZ6TF2JFdi8AMPzM_lHsi5M-umVvJU5WOflIMJBODxl9ITKIALNNsOEar8F0jlpxg9XpPUbfValItw5yLNTQUKwKlASs6wvlvjg/s1600/Clyde+Common+Menu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Jdxb1EiKn9gr4I-eCMKEekxQzitxmoN3fOSBNm9-IZ6TF2JFdi8AMPzM_lHsi5M-umVvJU5WOflIMJBODxl9ITKIALNNsOEar8F0jlpxg9XpPUbfValItw5yLNTQUKwKlASs6wvlvjg/s640/Clyde+Common+Menu.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9BMQOgsAP7zpUqSTbHrukp1keQ2uGXNcfYKRf0wLl43tY7Qv_xg-mmj6wKO3hJLvJ-JIQ60Q-43-4ptvIToUGfD5OY8TUa8XGchh45fTv8zRMtC4fFT_tMqgBpYoIFpNHdiGqsjaaq0/s1600/Clyde+Common+Pickled+Veggies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9BMQOgsAP7zpUqSTbHrukp1keQ2uGXNcfYKRf0wLl43tY7Qv_xg-mmj6wKO3hJLvJ-JIQ60Q-43-4ptvIToUGfD5OY8TUa8XGchh45fTv8zRMtC4fFT_tMqgBpYoIFpNHdiGqsjaaq0/s640/Clyde+Common+Pickled+Veggies.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both Stumptown and Clyde Common are part of the <a href="https://www.acehotel.com/portland">Ace Hotel</a>. We didn't stay at the Ace, but maybe we should have since we spent so much time over there. Another reason to stay at the Ace is the view of the Fish Grotto across the street. I may have been slightly obsessed with the Fish Grotto mural, and I seem to have more photos of it than anything else from our whole trip. If you need such a picture, let me know, I have quite a selection. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5UWHoRKpPIc0Y9Y2vMgHkSAdqp5wUZsnhmK83X2nVfZF1vHN0mDp1wYi2pzMZS-xyba8qqOJR5wUFlIrHFSM0gnbKvT51QRttaQ_f3aSTLvQvulLoOyudC4fbMktDEM00V-xv13_ZFk/s1600/Clyde+Common+Charcuterie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5UWHoRKpPIc0Y9Y2vMgHkSAdqp5wUZsnhmK83X2nVfZF1vHN0mDp1wYi2pzMZS-xyba8qqOJR5wUFlIrHFSM0gnbKvT51QRttaQ_f3aSTLvQvulLoOyudC4fbMktDEM00V-xv13_ZFk/s640/Clyde+Common+Charcuterie.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These pictures are from happy hour at Clyde. $3 for some pickled veggies, $5 for the charcuterie board and $5 wine and cocktails. We sat at the outdoor tables, which was great because the weather was so nice. What was not great was the amount of smokers walking by. This is the most confusing thing to me about Portland. For such a healthy, active city it is really surprising to see so many cigarettes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucksdQjXbUDsctiMdxp8GmNsemifazj_lxwfZQcOqguY3l9yRG7rdXe-E3eS1lGl1M5RyQWT64E2FU6VAbJS1BQksj9p4PVekAQGtfYNq3v4WTne4Zgs0LinCnWntlsVs2YrirZxWqis/s1600/Stumptown2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucksdQjXbUDsctiMdxp8GmNsemifazj_lxwfZQcOqguY3l9yRG7rdXe-E3eS1lGl1M5RyQWT64E2FU6VAbJS1BQksj9p4PVekAQGtfYNq3v4WTne4Zgs0LinCnWntlsVs2YrirZxWqis/s640/Stumptown2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We spent a few mornings in the Ace lobby, drinking our coffee and <a href="http://www.pgtips.co.uk/">PG Tips</a>. We were very excited to see PG Tips on the menu since it is our favorite. I love all of the succulents on the table and the branding inside the mug.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbvOfrNek-Muo_Tmc1YV15NIdf5BItRSyMgwhakS9iLUR9Fm3GwB0-NzlUOFQfeId0rb-VLj8-MyyjI6oXvREnyuzoF7Ulo0YvxWKB12IHEKO4oEJk1tYTlFm9g-gjHKa1M06gDi308Y/s1600/Stumptown3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbvOfrNek-Muo_Tmc1YV15NIdf5BItRSyMgwhakS9iLUR9Fm3GwB0-NzlUOFQfeId0rb-VLj8-MyyjI6oXvREnyuzoF7Ulo0YvxWKB12IHEKO4oEJk1tYTlFm9g-gjHKa1M06gDi308Y/s640/Stumptown3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I also love that the saucer says Good Luck. How random. But thank you - I'll take it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-40331036002049037492011-08-09T21:11:00.000-07:002011-08-09T21:11:12.057-07:00Lovejoy Bakers and Pearl Bakery - Portland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In between eating, we did some more eating. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stopped over at the <a href="http://www.pearlbakery.com/">Pearl Bakery</a>. Check out this pastry. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM1xGqufjiAb1N9CZrazjePYpXdQn94xhRg3WC6VTocjUNkbAslLUJy42LWlcIv7MgfYRa-JHnZoIT8I-R59fjSW_T8NOkNLSF5a4tJq1NnG-sMAqEZgG7SE4J4xvOV65kXg8OLc1wpk/s1600/Pearl+Bakery+Portland+Pastry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM1xGqufjiAb1N9CZrazjePYpXdQn94xhRg3WC6VTocjUNkbAslLUJy42LWlcIv7MgfYRa-JHnZoIT8I-R59fjSW_T8NOkNLSF5a4tJq1NnG-sMAqEZgG7SE4J4xvOV65kXg8OLc1wpk/s640/Pearl+Bakery+Portland+Pastry.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It had the texture of a doughnut with subtle orange and anise flavors. Kind of like a very sophisticated doughnut. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also went to <a href="http://lovejoybakers.com/">Lovejoy Bakers</a>, which is a little further out in the Pearl District. We liked that there was less traffic - both pedestrian and cars. There was also loads of outside seating which made for a great place to relax and read while waiting for our next dinner reservation. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5JcjSTo-jL8wXIMYzk0Dv2exnaJ_e6IQzC8moyoLYLHKXUrbGlbqUXnNSHGaC6ymEx9o82iac6MF7Crzgc5Mjnikq8wvL1fE4uhGd3RA5hlr9wKB8RC8Ync2H96SefO05LGMkZg-DDw/s1600/Lovejoy+Bakers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5JcjSTo-jL8wXIMYzk0Dv2exnaJ_e6IQzC8moyoLYLHKXUrbGlbqUXnNSHGaC6ymEx9o82iac6MF7Crzgc5Mjnikq8wvL1fE4uhGd3RA5hlr9wKB8RC8Ync2H96SefO05LGMkZg-DDw/s640/Lovejoy+Bakers.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We ordered some sandwiches and then just hung out. I love vacation. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdV_PHm1L1xOPd1-AMUmi2sJUBc4b440QsSKcrj7UfI4Sfxpl85hLF4Qrl6U-vyxmL9KBrmSyxInbSP91DbAk5QqwT56_sOuw_Jrep7imNLmg6RNOHQY-ZSBuRjF_t4YBYhHjXYaPeJ7U/s1600/Lovejoy+Bakers+Egg+Sandwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdV_PHm1L1xOPd1-AMUmi2sJUBc4b440QsSKcrj7UfI4Sfxpl85hLF4Qrl6U-vyxmL9KBrmSyxInbSP91DbAk5QqwT56_sOuw_Jrep7imNLmg6RNOHQY-ZSBuRjF_t4YBYhHjXYaPeJ7U/s640/Lovejoy+Bakers+Egg+Sandwich.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH_88grXngFzulB7bOpOohMo_8mHj0wYWAfFqJzS6lRvwOqkHezLXL8OMDPixYX23moklYmuPjoP_rTA2qf89Y7eonpnxGzc3h_HK-o-jsWEKdSt5QGXHfqFKczTwrnQ42YHGBl2dvvM/s1600/Lovejoy+Bakers+Hummus+Sandwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOH_88grXngFzulB7bOpOohMo_8mHj0wYWAfFqJzS6lRvwOqkHezLXL8OMDPixYX23moklYmuPjoP_rTA2qf89Y7eonpnxGzc3h_HK-o-jsWEKdSt5QGXHfqFKczTwrnQ42YHGBl2dvvM/s640/Lovejoy+Bakers+Hummus+Sandwich.png" width="640" /></a></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-88329186905759203482011-08-06T19:09:00.000-07:002011-08-06T21:42:16.201-07:00Little Bird Bistro - Portland!<div style="text-align: justify;">We just returned from having spent five days stuffing our faces in Portland. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I was out of control doing research on all of the places we needed to eat and when we'd go where. And by "out of control" I mean I plotted and color coded my list on a google map so I could see, by neighborhood, where everything was and then made a daily agenda of all of our meals. Yes, I am just that kind of obsessive person. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The point is, we ate a lot. Seriously, I don't know that there was ever a time in my life where I have eaten so much every single day. So while this is a blog about eating in San Francisco, I couldn't let our Portland food experience go undocumented. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first Portland dinner was at <a href="http://www.littlebirdbistro.com/">Little Bird Bistro</a>. Because the restaurant was just 2 blocks from our hotel I thought it would be nice to go there on our first night, as we were getting the lay of the land. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7hrYY_oI5JKLiPu8ysmYy6gwg2KxjeASPrZ5JuRdqOU4_VvSErnPuUSAPj0gfDQTj169dwtYgpNI1yth6fXtomdUYQhWGcHpBY0QWb9EUjzJ-ZESRbWCQ26tqd3ptpEyW87zhrHmXSI/s1600/little+bird+gougeres.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7hrYY_oI5JKLiPu8ysmYy6gwg2KxjeASPrZ5JuRdqOU4_VvSErnPuUSAPj0gfDQTj169dwtYgpNI1yth6fXtomdUYQhWGcHpBY0QWb9EUjzJ-ZESRbWCQ26tqd3ptpEyW87zhrHmXSI/s640/little+bird+gougeres.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We decided to share an appetizer and picked the smoked trout gougeres. We had recently tried an amazing gougeres in San Francisco (cheddar and black pepper from Tell Tale Preserve Co) so we were curious what this one would be like, especially with the addition of the smoked trout. I am so so happy we ordered this, as it actually was probably one of the best things we ate our whole time in Portland. The texture of the gougeres was different than what I would have thought - it was more like fried dough than the croissant-like interior I was expecting. The addition of the trout was intriguing - you could taste it, but not in an overtly fishy way. The beet salad seemed a little strange to go with it, but it was incredible. I couldn't remember what the dressing was, and at one point I said to Kev, "there's a flavor in here that reminds me of Jewish deli". He thought I was crazy, but I wasn't far off - the dressing had caraway in it - the same seeds that are on rye bread. If any chef in San Francisco reads this - can you please put this on your menu? I will be your #1 customer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhM4MBbNk72anuPwnSWHmX4kNDgcDLG7Bj0T2PG98tAKuWMkNhCVs7GmargyH4ri1Sfp6dOty7pfddkWm-INDoTFlnYCHDUPLJtzMawIB8bRtlxU7xFzsRpPtcabDknNXmbn9nUu7GrY/s1600/Little+Bird+Salmon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhM4MBbNk72anuPwnSWHmX4kNDgcDLG7Bj0T2PG98tAKuWMkNhCVs7GmargyH4ri1Sfp6dOty7pfddkWm-INDoTFlnYCHDUPLJtzMawIB8bRtlxU7xFzsRpPtcabDknNXmbn9nUu7GrY/s640/Little+Bird+Salmon.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It seemed fitting to order the salmon, since we were in the Pacific Northwest. The salmon entree changes daily. This was sockeye salmon on a crepe of creamed corn and fennel. The flavor on this was amazing, and like the trout, it wasn't super fishy - it felt very meaty. We were sharing both entrees and I think we were fighting over this one - we both couldn't get enough. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX7UM70wMRH8G5oe8mikBSvY_HAlDHRAt0skxAXy-BRWIbndyyUARkjSN8TIP-V4tx-vC0rMqR5Bebo20ja9cD5s-TmgcfEZkMFry__XQ04rL1TW2hnFsW7N6C0ujJkB1qcGPeM3HL8s/s1600/mac+and+cheese.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX7UM70wMRH8G5oe8mikBSvY_HAlDHRAt0skxAXy-BRWIbndyyUARkjSN8TIP-V4tx-vC0rMqR5Bebo20ja9cD5s-TmgcfEZkMFry__XQ04rL1TW2hnFsW7N6C0ujJkB1qcGPeM3HL8s/s640/mac+and+cheese.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We also ordered a side of what they referred to as macaroni gratin, which is just a much fancier way of saying mac and cheese. This was a perfect mac and cheese - it had lots of crispy bits, it wasn't too creamy, but just creamy enough and the cheddar had a nice tang to it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtFu453UZxtS_xiU5WJBfWZlA4qBRGsw3motQ4J5M99dmmSa4aCu1qyFdrrA_iA8llEZvS2Pk4MmOx77T-S84i2NRr5RICiIgFKdoNn_TbEMLK1Dj8wLwoN1cIXNktL-IZY3KxyRmd8Q/s1600/little+bird+pork.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtFu453UZxtS_xiU5WJBfWZlA4qBRGsw3motQ4J5M99dmmSa4aCu1qyFdrrA_iA8llEZvS2Pk4MmOx77T-S84i2NRr5RICiIgFKdoNn_TbEMLK1Dj8wLwoN1cIXNktL-IZY3KxyRmd8Q/s640/little+bird+pork.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Our second entree was the pork shoulder with a fried poached egg, just in case a regular poached egg on your pork shoulder isn't decadent enough. The thing with this one was that the meat tasted incredible, but there wasn't much meat - it was nearly all fat. Now, I am not one to send things back to the kitchen, it really makes me uncomfortable, but this just didn't seem right. We spoke to the waiter who was incredibly apologetic and told us he'd get us another piece. When the second piece arrived - perfectly cooked - we were stuffed. But we persevered because we couldn't let such an amazing piece of food go to waste. So we had pork for dessert. Delicious, tender, you-don't-even-need-a-knife pork. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you're going to Portland, I can't recommend Little Bird highly enough. The food and service are great and it's just a really cute spot - so much so that we even went back our second night to get an after dinner drink. If this place was in San Francisco I know we'd be regulars. </div><br />
ps: If you are going to Portland and want to take advantage of my OCD tendencies, email me and I can send you my Google map and agenda.tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-75451470158232810602011-07-30T22:49:00.000-07:002011-07-30T22:49:31.755-07:00Plow, Potrero Hill<div style="text-align: justify;">You know how sometimes you hear something mentioned multiple times in the span of a couple of weeks, even though you had previously never heard of it? For me, that was <a href="http://www.eatatplow.com/">Plow</a>. All of a sudden everyone kept talking about it. I enlisted my trusty friend and food partner (and frequent tastingsf hand-model) Britt to join me.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We headed over there on a Saturday morning to find that perhaps we were the only ones who hadn't heard of Plow. The place was packed with a whole bunch of people waiting outside. We put our names on the list and were seated about 30 minutes later at the counter, which gave us a good vantage point of what was happening in the kitchen.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKZQo3eETtErlGoVxABV0GGH3fqY2r-jDpVgXwUCkjIFEY3in4BTmdRrG0aMBQeWNiyLgkNFoohN4ea_hL_VMdnDw-2NFZU-3i8CLzRWJ2ontRL2xtbTGqUu5cBPRZxAPJD6Lj4fFCys/s1600/Plow+Pancakes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKZQo3eETtErlGoVxABV0GGH3fqY2r-jDpVgXwUCkjIFEY3in4BTmdRrG0aMBQeWNiyLgkNFoohN4ea_hL_VMdnDw-2NFZU-3i8CLzRWJ2ontRL2xtbTGqUu5cBPRZxAPJD6Lj4fFCys/s640/Plow+Pancakes.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Do you see what's happening in the kitchen? Those are lemon-ricotta pancakes on the grill. Normally I'm more of a savory breakfast person, but they looked so good we did a side order (1 pancake) to have with our eggs. That was a mistake though because it was my favorite thing and I wish we had ordered a full stack. The owner told us that it is all made from scratch, right down to the ricotta. They were light and fluffy and not too sweet. Really a perfect pancake, in my opinion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3okIZwhpvoZkCQejTiRsk4EwWFdI3QWlDHExa6t_0j8X8Nz3pSoclvKVLW1hn4ZtxjfeWxMXE1WmyXrnmFHF7rjFtN_wXssCduKuF3oFbloGJTbVv2hfqNIobqKnQAw_xZ9RYY0aIEug/s1600/Plow+Eggs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3okIZwhpvoZkCQejTiRsk4EwWFdI3QWlDHExa6t_0j8X8Nz3pSoclvKVLW1hn4ZtxjfeWxMXE1WmyXrnmFHF7rjFtN_wXssCduKuF3oFbloGJTbVv2hfqNIobqKnQAw_xZ9RYY0aIEug/s640/Plow+Eggs.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For our main dish we ordered the scrambled eggs with lambs quarters. I will admit I had no idea what <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=lambs+quarters&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">lambs quarters</a> were when we ordered this and I expected to find something meaty in my eggs. Please stop laughing at me. It turns out it is really a type of weed that you can use in food, kind of like spinach. The eggs also had a generous amount of goat cheese, which I love, and the potatoes were nice and crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside (aka a perfect potato). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMxoNHzxiILssEzWjiS5fEzmC_ZBAGuVGYHj17-Ac0JLc1JRexmOsFpt_sHKUjTuTmvZ7HFtEqL8rZ80Go3ZEo7MEV897FaLaMPg-WUwCMIcq-4iK3-c2d553pVU_YYHlabs2-wfXDtA/s1600/Plow+Salad+and+Chef.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMxoNHzxiILssEzWjiS5fEzmC_ZBAGuVGYHj17-Ac0JLc1JRexmOsFpt_sHKUjTuTmvZ7HFtEqL8rZ80Go3ZEo7MEV897FaLaMPg-WUwCMIcq-4iK3-c2d553pVU_YYHlabs2-wfXDtA/s640/Plow+Salad+and+Chef.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WnhA2JDVLrMup-ChbJXRghIavteDezrXcldHe4ZHqtJZefI4XsYCnbGlDcp4O6bLw3IhZTiTHyqU9r-hPDPO5rzTd-WBf8v-88k38ebU-kK2BIEgd2F-WF6iXOJVnDq_0kzoZgnNeoQ/s1600/Plow+Salad+and+Chef.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are certain ingredients (goat cheese, burrata, heirloom tomatoes, nectarines, pluots) that I am always drawn to. Whenever I see it on a menu, I'll order whatever that dish is. That is how we wound up with this salad. Also I love little gem lettuce, it always seems to be really crisp and fresh. This salad had little bits of mint in it too, which was a nice surprise every time you got a bite of it. Plus with the nectarines and pluots it made it feel so summery. If only there was some goat cheese on this salad, that would be perfection.<br />
<br />
If you are looking for a brunch place to quickly pop into, or to have a big group meet up at, this isn't the place for you. But if you have some time and you don't mind waiting a little while for some good food, I'll see you in line. I'm having the pancakes.</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-69413006363075529972011-07-17T16:32:00.000-07:002011-07-19T09:25:42.050-07:00Farm:Table, Tenderloin<div style="text-align: justify;">Today I had breakfast at <a href="http://www.farmtablesf.com/">Farm:Table</a>, and it is quite possibly the tiniest restaurant I have ever been in. Tiny as in they have one small communal table that seats 8 very small people. What they have done though with their teeny tiny space is incredibly impressive and should make me ashamed when I complain I don't have enough kitchen space. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozcRrND70TB6dAhO-F5TTCfonvHx51whWWGb-6LrZa3yeBJPHoLq2tL7xFApjhasDXW80l4bs4asmEEBJoCJtoscm7XeoFRw94yEH8brwUC-cjS9VbVXvy2uS8i8Rws0DAidgE_M9nHE/s1600/Farm-Table+Signage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozcRrND70TB6dAhO-F5TTCfonvHx51whWWGb-6LrZa3yeBJPHoLq2tL7xFApjhasDXW80l4bs4asmEEBJoCJtoscm7XeoFRw94yEH8brwUC-cjS9VbVXvy2uS8i8Rws0DAidgE_M9nHE/s640/Farm-Table+Signage.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
In this tiny kitchen are two very, very sweet guys making some excellent food and drinks. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVElpfGFUor9sj8Sa1xNkdmf52Ysv0CxVQFdWa18KjyqmXwsqem9APAQBMISxJZ2v2uVsXqZikyTvXAYp6EiCzWp50OyzAsDTNHlQhA6UpYrQS5_CUz5PqQaAgzpuMcvFOgEJNsyVwt8o/s1600/Farm+Table+Coffees.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVElpfGFUor9sj8Sa1xNkdmf52Ysv0CxVQFdWa18KjyqmXwsqem9APAQBMISxJZ2v2uVsXqZikyTvXAYp6EiCzWp50OyzAsDTNHlQhA6UpYrQS5_CUz5PqQaAgzpuMcvFOgEJNsyVwt8o/s640/Farm+Table+Coffees.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqEm-dwb3zx8wI7Rsx7-_W_XtukIlWKLygn1ELexuWKnErxgbT76pkXONfd5fK8Hqf5-tuCfHICgJb2xc08lyJwCbAXzPhcAS9XL2h8wvavkqHfqxBNKRw8iX6Ra8NmIUg4PBOgLi-FE/s1600/Farm+Table+Wall+Detail.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqEm-dwb3zx8wI7Rsx7-_W_XtukIlWKLygn1ELexuWKnErxgbT76pkXONfd5fK8Hqf5-tuCfHICgJb2xc08lyJwCbAXzPhcAS9XL2h8wvavkqHfqxBNKRw8iX6Ra8NmIUg4PBOgLi-FE/s640/Farm+Table+Wall+Detail.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The coffee beans they use are from Verve, which is out of Santa Cruz. I heard a woman from Australia telling the guys that this was the best coffee she had had while traveling in America. It was pretty damn good. They also make hot chocolate (using local <a href="http://www.tcho.com/">TCHO</a> Chocolate). My two year old friend who was with us thoroughly enjoyed hers - it was the first hot chocolate she had ever had, and she spent the rest of the day talking about it. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfYJkkF2gwjenya9xaFFK05ImJpKiJXosxDBMCdIN-loyMKWuSJ5er5rE0D8JUC-DOfweALNa1qb7DvniiRLadiBs5Mj-o-jtoduCdL30j0-GDgPxVhpWmQffzY7eewyjiKqRqxQv6cs/s1600/Farm+Table+Details.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfYJkkF2gwjenya9xaFFK05ImJpKiJXosxDBMCdIN-loyMKWuSJ5er5rE0D8JUC-DOfweALNa1qb7DvniiRLadiBs5Mj-o-jtoduCdL30j0-GDgPxVhpWmQffzY7eewyjiKqRqxQv6cs/s640/Farm+Table+Details.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I just liked these two quirky details<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuE_MkxUCv9UW_eXoOSBo-7Nt1bY__Z-8mZW5YfpTdJtQ8uFWykQOaKq1gl4nfcaHh6JsvWeHgPW8UM8Z2r0_oiZwvxAP_OXOXiJLzEcPID86Bf0Q3LMGukfOJ46if1mVYkxYV2_voSk/s1600/farm+table+quiche.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuE_MkxUCv9UW_eXoOSBo-7Nt1bY__Z-8mZW5YfpTdJtQ8uFWykQOaKq1gl4nfcaHh6JsvWeHgPW8UM8Z2r0_oiZwvxAP_OXOXiJLzEcPID86Bf0Q3LMGukfOJ46if1mVYkxYV2_voSk/s640/farm+table+quiche.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We had the quiche of the day (different sorts of quiches daily) which was light and fluffy. </div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5YrvTLX9Ngln8lN6AcWB1xM4MT9PRoIyj5QglK_2ry9107zefgm7UHmsnlo5S428Chyphenhyphenowh-61qp03-vpyfaWQqwVNU7jyuRWbqQ9AVPDHIFUxs92ID7tHp5mebWA0xTQpJteiMY7Se4/s1600/Farm+Table+breakfast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5YrvTLX9Ngln8lN6AcWB1xM4MT9PRoIyj5QglK_2ry9107zefgm7UHmsnlo5S428Chyphenhyphenowh-61qp03-vpyfaWQqwVNU7jyuRWbqQ9AVPDHIFUxs92ID7tHp5mebWA0xTQpJteiMY7Se4/s640/Farm+Table+breakfast.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We also ordered the granola with yogurt and fruit. This is actually one of my favorite breakfast dishes and I don't order it as much as I should. Or make it at home as much as I should. Maybe if I had more kitchen space.... </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ordered the hard boiled eggs with bacon and brussel sprouts and zucchini. This was great! Kind of random with the hard boiled eggs, but it totally worked. I <i>really</i> liked the bacon. The bread was toasted, which made it really crunchy on the outside. The inside was nice and chewy, and they gave us some spiced butter to put on it and that was excellent. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, this place was pretty adorable, and you should check it out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Farm:Table</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>754 Post St<br />
San Francisco, CA 94108</i></span> <br />
<div><nobr><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(415) 292-7089</i></span></nobr></div><br />
</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-24329307564389285632011-07-10T15:16:00.000-07:002011-07-10T15:16:34.606-07:00Wise Sons Deli, Mission<div style="text-align: justify;">People, the rumors are true: You now can get really great Jewish deli in San Francisco. <a href="http://www.wisesonsdeli.com/">Wise Sons Deli </a>has had tons of <a href="http://www.wisesonsdeli.com/press.html">press</a> but I didn't get to try it until yesterday. We headed over to <a href="http://www.heartsf.com/">Heart</a> to check it out, but next week they move on to <a href="http://www.beastandthehare.com/">The Beast and the Hare</a>. They are still operating as a pop-up restaurant with no official home - but they are looking. And I am keeping my fingers crossed that they stay in the Misison, close to me, because this place is legit! And I do consider myself an expert: not only am I a Jewish New Yorker, but I am a Jewish New Yorker who spent 5+ years working in a NY Jewish Deli. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWj3L83xhk9FtK6mcJwXD9dTaQ4Nk2KT46aupgfOXN76Maeq6G_5zILE6MJ6W9vvnd_v-MdcDaU5Rh_VkJ0sWSHgcqJkZT1yuVAcG0iKn7-zaUdVH-Q2pg6MxtSxFuvlVsdWn2vGc704/s1600/Wise+Sons+Pastrami1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWj3L83xhk9FtK6mcJwXD9dTaQ4Nk2KT46aupgfOXN76Maeq6G_5zILE6MJ6W9vvnd_v-MdcDaU5Rh_VkJ0sWSHgcqJkZT1yuVAcG0iKn7-zaUdVH-Q2pg6MxtSxFuvlVsdWn2vGc704/s640/Wise+Sons+Pastrami1.png" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZgBOFjp2kaljKF2-JWe5jcPGdXCvq7NjJS2NEMAdhkWKusiZQ_x5A-fXEYrrENnkNW9Vh3XrQTALWUIZwdeHrjs5aw1uYNj8DILnxtxUFYO22Zi3ob5-JzeU3U2AuXMj-jfG-fnChzo/s1600/Wise+Sons+Babka1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4DOL2kx-P8j7kT96SxMtQIKuMIH97uVGWWwZzHkD4aLF2T7QORhDy8ASPdfRbjCCQjyUAHdFz27Ez17Vg5RX515DdqP2iLMB7uQUk0hTnMMexkNYu0Y4xCZlHPOTDWlb800fU6qdZyA/s1600/WIse+Sons+Pastrami+Sandwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4DOL2kx-P8j7kT96SxMtQIKuMIH97uVGWWwZzHkD4aLF2T7QORhDy8ASPdfRbjCCQjyUAHdFz27Ez17Vg5RX515DdqP2iLMB7uQUk0hTnMMexkNYu0Y4xCZlHPOTDWlb800fU6qdZyA/s640/WIse+Sons+Pastrami+Sandwich.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The pastrami is house cured, sliced by hand and excellent. And they have real rye bread! Real rye bread! Why has this been so hard to come by in San Francisco?<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Perhaps you think 10AM is too early for a pastrami sandwich? Not to worry - you can get a bagel with lox instead. Two of the employees at Wise Sons run a pop-up bagel shop within the pop-up deli: Beauty Bagels. Cross your fingers that they open their retail shop soon (too bad for me that it will be in Oakland and not San Francisco). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHh12N_8FPiPxSd9vnQ1PPo0QQg2FZLWbAsOb-beODJxXWxMaI4yUn9dtZvVmgRkhvnkvpZczzYp8B5NK8tnFddUdL_lpQSQ-Ilekan7d61M_Z44A1JLGEy8VJkh_2t9y7nOU3IszDpw/s1600/Wise+Sons+Lox+Sandwich1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHh12N_8FPiPxSd9vnQ1PPo0QQg2FZLWbAsOb-beODJxXWxMaI4yUn9dtZvVmgRkhvnkvpZczzYp8B5NK8tnFddUdL_lpQSQ-Ilekan7d61M_Z44A1JLGEy8VJkh_2t9y7nOU3IszDpw/s640/Wise+Sons+Lox+Sandwich1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The guys who worked there were also super sweet and seemed to really enjoy what they were doing. One of them saw me snapping pictures and came over to ask if I wanted to take some of him making an egg cream (egg cream!!). For those of you West Coast people that don't know what an egg cream is, see below for instruction: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUFazbxQePvlaPkHOrxHed1CpK25TGMOMiPCofy93m7S5wVjb-dLILS0VNu8l8ueCtwah4LsYL-OXgRmOYjyfdEpsRJcZCp1MX72Of26WaKkn031M9AcX79WjYDB1oSHqjo9Gzhrwppo/s1600/Wise+Sons+Egg+Cream1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUFazbxQePvlaPkHOrxHed1CpK25TGMOMiPCofy93m7S5wVjb-dLILS0VNu8l8ueCtwah4LsYL-OXgRmOYjyfdEpsRJcZCp1MX72Of26WaKkn031M9AcX79WjYDB1oSHqjo9Gzhrwppo/s640/Wise+Sons+Egg+Cream1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYdY2SBxuuXj3o0taBvwvRtPfQv3Xpj9AfcFbxGOIAzRgwgYMA5rtEpKqKafUmkQNLhjiIUU1tE5NpXzQ8xKsh_EdhJyW4coMCzgRs28RT90BIkP1MrY-IbjVQrIypoo3nDbYmS-KOgQ/s1600/Wise+Sons+Egg+Cream+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYdY2SBxuuXj3o0taBvwvRtPfQv3Xpj9AfcFbxGOIAzRgwgYMA5rtEpKqKafUmkQNLhjiIUU1tE5NpXzQ8xKsh_EdhJyW4coMCzgRs28RT90BIkP1MrY-IbjVQrIypoo3nDbYmS-KOgQ/s640/Wise+Sons+Egg+Cream+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
(Truthfully, I'm not that into egg creams, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, and I am happy to see that they have found a place here in San Francisco.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZgBOFjp2kaljKF2-JWe5jcPGdXCvq7NjJS2NEMAdhkWKusiZQ_x5A-fXEYrrENnkNW9Vh3XrQTALWUIZwdeHrjs5aw1uYNj8DILnxtxUFYO22Zi3ob5-JzeU3U2AuXMj-jfG-fnChzo/s1600/Wise+Sons+Babka1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZgBOFjp2kaljKF2-JWe5jcPGdXCvq7NjJS2NEMAdhkWKusiZQ_x5A-fXEYrrENnkNW9Vh3XrQTALWUIZwdeHrjs5aw1uYNj8DILnxtxUFYO22Zi3ob5-JzeU3U2AuXMj-jfG-fnChzo/s640/Wise+Sons+Babka1.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHh12N_8FPiPxSd9vnQ1PPo0QQg2FZLWbAsOb-beODJxXWxMaI4yUn9dtZvVmgRkhvnkvpZczzYp8B5NK8tnFddUdL_lpQSQ-Ilekan7d61M_Z44A1JLGEy8VJkh_2t9y7nOU3IszDpw/s1600/Wise+Sons+Lox+Sandwich1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Mmm, babka. Have you tried babka? Imagine a hybrid combination of coffee cake, brioche, chocolate and cinnamon and that is basically babka. Also it is fun to say: Babka. <br />
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Dear Wise Sons Deli,<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Thank you for filling the hole in my heart (stomach?) that is reserved for Jewish deli. You have made it so that there is (nearly) no longer any food craving that San Francisco can not fill. I say nearly because I would still love a knish. Could you guys help me out with that one? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you, </div>Tasting SF<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-25053595954917163642011-06-29T09:38:00.000-07:002011-06-29T09:38:35.094-07:00Local: Mission Eatery, Mission<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.localmissioneatery.com/">Local: Mission Eatery</a> has been sitting in my "places to eat" list ever <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/03/knead-patisserie-mission.html">since</a> I tried the baked goods from Knead Patisserie. I got to try it this weekend with a couple of girlfriends, and it completely exceeded my expectations. I love when that happens.<br />
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The menu is broken up into "bites" and dinner. The dinner choices all come in two sizes, small and large. We started with a couple of the bites. These dishes set the tone for the meal - just a few ingredients, but those ingredients really pack a punch. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DS7UL1UBrEtNymKqmGYl039fS2fg24ea-FITYkr3A7TscD3z5qV1F3BAjEoeGkL8gBZQXc8ljtiQt-pHVpm8P-lLuV5VqvTOV6b31aGg-HDnZSPYCQeJy2hOr6m1CG8qWXSxw4z7XuY/s1600/mission+local+eatery+bites.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DS7UL1UBrEtNymKqmGYl039fS2fg24ea-FITYkr3A7TscD3z5qV1F3BAjEoeGkL8gBZQXc8ljtiQt-pHVpm8P-lLuV5VqvTOV6b31aGg-HDnZSPYCQeJy2hOr6m1CG8qWXSxw4z7XuY/s640/mission+local+eatery+bites.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-EI7EyGG5ko32H5na-4-0UfISu5I0Mjt4sdp1pjKFf7y_5uQalnQEwQnxFY1Z6-lrdJSYZzbnOhaZvkkwJa39Ctgku4bUCHhwKfy37E_mcp4FpBRmi7wwBE4X1Ubj4WvobLtloksVYc/s1600/mission+local+eatery+soup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-EI7EyGG5ko32H5na-4-0UfISu5I0Mjt4sdp1pjKFf7y_5uQalnQEwQnxFY1Z6-lrdJSYZzbnOhaZvkkwJa39Ctgku4bUCHhwKfy37E_mcp4FpBRmi7wwBE4X1Ubj4WvobLtloksVYc/s640/mission+local+eatery+soup.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I love how pretty this is. They poured the soup table side. This wasn't a hit with my friends, but I really liked it. I love cucumber soup in the "summer" (summer in quotes because I live in San Francisco).<br />
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The entrees were also great. Simple foods prepared really well. I loved the flavor combinations in all the dishes. I kept saying "wait, what is that?" </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDOWuEm4mcPJHmyAwj15S3_fKcYnzFCXJD-uPffkM5xKEyqGqVouN1kNYK3XkuLXjQpFd7o-j2HlY8YOqn0Wk_cHQg8cGJ3x5ZAKptAZq0rxxavU3rBxgZuLAq4w7B6PS7SSl6J485Ig/s1600/mission+local+eatery+onions+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDOWuEm4mcPJHmyAwj15S3_fKcYnzFCXJD-uPffkM5xKEyqGqVouN1kNYK3XkuLXjQpFd7o-j2HlY8YOqn0Wk_cHQg8cGJ3x5ZAKptAZq0rxxavU3rBxgZuLAq4w7B6PS7SSl6J485Ig/s640/mission+local+eatery+onions+copy.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOI9A4FCJwQe0WAAok2g8nC5eqWjtetrTCULHN9PNe43b1kd9zT1AD-Qb2o9radBtlQa_zEfivKLufoeUtUiE4Ermo80ugZ8GbEWfJrXPjd32nGepvCI65LP3qcbBblW6vGoMsQUcJ5qM/s640/mission+local+eatery+entree+copy.png" width="640" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">One of the things that really appealed to me about this place was that all of the dishes, even though they were pretty simple, felt like that had been prepared with tons of attention and care. Clearly there is a lot of effort placed on high quality ingredients, and what's even cooler is that all of the ingredients are local (hence the name). <br />
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Even when I really like a place, I find that it usually takes me awhile to go back - not because I don't want to, but because there are so many restaurants in San Francisco that I want to try. I need to start a new list, restaurants to make sure to go back to - "go to" restaurants. This place would top that list. <br />
</div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-88871996856424933742011-06-20T11:27:00.000-07:002011-06-20T11:27:50.484-07:00NOPA, revisited<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally. Finally!! We <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/03/mayfield-bakery-and-cafe-palo-alto.html">made it back</a> to <a href="http://nopasf.com/">Nopa</a>, <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/02/nopa.html">this time</a> for dinner - and it really was worth the wait. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got there a little bit before our reservations, so we were able to sit at the bar and get a drink. Just as our drinks were served, our friends showed up and our table was ready. Once again, we got seated on the mezzanine level, overlooking the kitchen, which in my opinion is the best seat in the house. I spent a lot of time peeking down there to see what was happening. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OR6UwmwCTExuPXyRJtY1NE2DeR90KKIcSFjzSg2CwymL-7iDmWFStgocpG0MlQdBPbGpmKH6BStCNJ3s_zgjj5bdR6R_y1hPwcGv2cq-5r3FgF2V6LaWvJPCrxDvJREaddzbLjU_BN4/s1600/nopa+chefs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OR6UwmwCTExuPXyRJtY1NE2DeR90KKIcSFjzSg2CwymL-7iDmWFStgocpG0MlQdBPbGpmKH6BStCNJ3s_zgjj5bdR6R_y1hPwcGv2cq-5r3FgF2V6LaWvJPCrxDvJREaddzbLjU_BN4/s640/nopa+chefs.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took a long time looking over the menu. I wanted to eat everything - and I feel like I did eat everything, considering that as I write this 12+ hours after dinner, I am still full. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We finally decided on four appetizers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I looooooved the warm goat cheese crostini. The goat cheese was incredibly creamy and spread on the crostini almost liked whipped cream and the pluot was tart and sweet and the perfect companion to the goat cheese. It was a perfect "summer is nearly here" dish.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39TkHErJmFopDfi-4IVfQ2fEn2WVGWdFtturebK7JPdccOat4Ad4O74Ww9h56VS9nFJJrPGJ6BGCM1Jt26vealMNFEp9cq4eqJaoVhOyhrTbh36lMlNCXbIhH99lMnu91qhrEkGvGyE/s1600/nopa+squash+blossoms+onions+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih39TkHErJmFopDfi-4IVfQ2fEn2WVGWdFtturebK7JPdccOat4Ad4O74Ww9h56VS9nFJJrPGJ6BGCM1Jt26vealMNFEp9cq4eqJaoVhOyhrTbh36lMlNCXbIhH99lMnu91qhrEkGvGyE/s640/nopa+squash+blossoms+onions+2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
We had been to the Farmers' Market earlier that morning, and had seen lots of beautiful squash blossoms, which was what inspired us to order that dish. I think I didn't pay enough attention to the description on the menu though - I wasn't expecting the whole thing to be fried. It was good - but certainly not my favorite. With all the fresh produce right now, I haven't been wanting much fried stuff.<br />
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The roasted onions were more my speed - they had that same feeling of summer. We really liked the pea sprouts that were part of it too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis89y2T9o_CqqiUfvSEWblhr_aQ6eDRsT6-1XzMa-EVHm6VJIX5CZaW4NCdtYabliPMUKIAK2cVv1aNcOlO48TKtkK28F2Iqst70xh8iUVNHV7pFANvrqFtFIaPjxB8Rzj-S1iFdxha1E/s1600/nopa+arugula+salad+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis89y2T9o_CqqiUfvSEWblhr_aQ6eDRsT6-1XzMa-EVHm6VJIX5CZaW4NCdtYabliPMUKIAK2cVv1aNcOlO48TKtkK28F2Iqst70xh8iUVNHV7pFANvrqFtFIaPjxB8Rzj-S1iFdxha1E/s640/nopa+arugula+salad+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The last appetizer was the arugula salad. Clearly I was going to like this no matter what. And it had fresh strawberries. Delicious.<br />
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At this point I was 1) licking the goat cheese out of the dish and 2) ridiculously full and overwhelmed when my dinner arrived.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktTF8V04hKwm8PFdxZckjUmze2CU-ErXvRjiVL3Y6knrcc0vwDn3VqI2GkEfqiLXwzZ7tDgJ1Ys37gNY2Dai0kZXxHJC7og9IxlGkKy8iu2DD2H00S-1dYN8Z4zcvgKNZb1Duf1q1w0g/s1600/nopa+pork+chop+duck+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktTF8V04hKwm8PFdxZckjUmze2CU-ErXvRjiVL3Y6knrcc0vwDn3VqI2GkEfqiLXwzZ7tDgJ1Ys37gNY2Dai0kZXxHJC7og9IxlGkKy8iu2DD2H00S-1dYN8Z4zcvgKNZb1Duf1q1w0g/s640/nopa+pork+chop+duck+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I ordered the seared duck, which was recommended to me by the bartender. The fact that it had grilled nectarines also sold it for me. It was fantastic and I had never had orach before, which kinda tasted a little bit like kale. I got about half way through and hit a wall - I could not eat another thing. The rest will be for dinner tomorrow.<br />
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Mark got the pork chop, which also could probably feed two. I had a bite and it was tender and juicy. I can imagine that next time I might order this myself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5FcPhiLdwW25-ZHPGSnTcohwohWUyq1yV_7jyZ4jaL8cqnzDiOT5oZIypiOIGR1hKv1N9uX1ll4UCFquLVxB8D5FwgEwUQfaShXZiY1P1O80-jvF-3_XeUPpvIGRRKuTnvRcgdzJkzc/s1600/nopa+burger+fettucini+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5FcPhiLdwW25-ZHPGSnTcohwohWUyq1yV_7jyZ4jaL8cqnzDiOT5oZIypiOIGR1hKv1N9uX1ll4UCFquLVxB8D5FwgEwUQfaShXZiY1P1O80-jvF-3_XeUPpvIGRRKuTnvRcgdzJkzc/s640/nopa+burger+fettucini+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Kev got the burger, which made me happy because I really wanted to try it. Like the pork chop, it was really juicy. He thought it had a bit of a bacon taste to it too, which was appreciated. On the way home he commented that it was one of the best burgers he's ever had.<br />
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Britt got the homemade fettuccine with clams, tomatoes and peas. I took a bite and it was great. I love fresh made pasta.<br />
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All of us were way too full for dessert, which is disappointing because I would have loved to try it. I guess I'll have to save that for next time.<br />
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Lastly, because this is my 100th post (!) and because we had seats overlooking the kitchen, I'm including a little video (in case you want to see what the kitchen is like for yourself). Hopefully the chef doesn't mind that I was sneakily filming him. Enjoy! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25334459?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/25334459">dinner @nopa</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user7511348">tastingsf</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><br />
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</div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>NOPA</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>560 Divisadero St<br />
San Francisco, California 94117<br />
(415) 864-8643</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-2900095334143874642011-06-13T08:49:00.000-07:002011-06-13T08:49:25.607-07:00Flora, Oakland<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been a delinquent blogger. I meant to do a whole bunch of photo editing this weekend, but didn't get the chance. And so - I will leave you instead with a few images from my iPhone from a recent breakfast at <a href="http://floraoakland.com/flashsite/">Flora</a>. I love the style of that place - check out that wallpaper.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7OJqlJLsUWodT24oLQb6W5n2GWGOqeYaZldG1CY66JUtN5PlH3wRlZmIJcLT1ylZJXR6R5ThlhamScjFPRPXHMsw65Up4yf0GRPJJOPUbJlU7BYYlQp7o7xmrYPCjxDIAmOSD0fJ8Lg/s1600/Flora+Breakfast+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7OJqlJLsUWodT24oLQb6W5n2GWGOqeYaZldG1CY66JUtN5PlH3wRlZmIJcLT1ylZJXR6R5ThlhamScjFPRPXHMsw65Up4yf0GRPJJOPUbJlU7BYYlQp7o7xmrYPCjxDIAmOSD0fJ8Lg/s1600/Flora+Breakfast+1.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRIZaVBTcAP47Q13mFzlmSsZfLO_JDvRGlJ4mrvadX7PW4Irvrcf36m2pFIal33NOOFN1yxIwkZZk1JHeAoceS75lh4utDi1XFG8PKWPpn5BVAbzP-x3FcnZvu0B_bjPWF_fvTN2WeWk/s1600/Flora+Breakfast+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRIZaVBTcAP47Q13mFzlmSsZfLO_JDvRGlJ4mrvadX7PW4Irvrcf36m2pFIal33NOOFN1yxIwkZZk1JHeAoceS75lh4utDi1XFG8PKWPpn5BVAbzP-x3FcnZvu0B_bjPWF_fvTN2WeWk/s1600/Flora+Breakfast+2.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We did order a bunch more food, but I got caught up in the conversation and forgot to take photos. I highly recommend the "donettes" though, which are served with jam and chocolate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Great breakfast place, there's pretty much no wait for a table and if you're coming from SF, it's very close to BART.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Flora</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>1900 Telegraph Avenue<br />
Oakland, CA 94612-2202<br />
(510) 286-0100</i></span></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-76719247952586020662011-05-29T12:10:00.000-07:002011-05-29T20:26:51.664-07:00Serpentine, Dogpatch<div style="text-align: justify;">This post is a little old, since this brunch was actually on Mother's Day. In a way this is a follow up to this <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2011/05/bistro-aix-marina.html">post</a> - we took my parents here the morning after our very triumphant dinner at Bistro Aix. And, I am happy to report, it was a hit - we were able to check off all the boxes that make for a successful family meal with brunch at <a href="http://serpentinesf.com/">Serpentine</a>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBpQLXT_eqlaghGHCfCE9W5Y83-JOXXRhkqOs34KlT9R5n0SN638hG4tcfGA2y6Kx95SoCtxGhT7RUT59V-TBkJu60eUB-u7qjij4sQMQ3hx48MFszLMVohZNENuT-mJjOvcz3e6NpC8/s1600/Serpentine+Brunch1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBpQLXT_eqlaghGHCfCE9W5Y83-JOXXRhkqOs34KlT9R5n0SN638hG4tcfGA2y6Kx95SoCtxGhT7RUT59V-TBkJu60eUB-u7qjij4sQMQ3hx48MFszLMVohZNENuT-mJjOvcz3e6NpC8/s640/Serpentine+Brunch1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Check boxes include: 1. They take reservations 2. They have awesome, non-greasy breakfast potatoes 3. It's not too loud 4. The prices are pretty reasonable and 5. (Bonus!) They serve arugula on their egg sandwich.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvVh82MpNuqztL-9BPXuHLdtEl5Foofu8WKZTvriA0REV5gAbnwOpVQZZeClZ67YZl8acHXk9RF5LePi0f2aQE9EuxWwBERpL6bGNw05kxvj25msbJFka3u0nLKmGgAyj-2U5l19KqQw/s1600/Serpentine+Brunch3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvVh82MpNuqztL-9BPXuHLdtEl5Foofu8WKZTvriA0REV5gAbnwOpVQZZeClZ67YZl8acHXk9RF5LePi0f2aQE9EuxWwBERpL6bGNw05kxvj25msbJFka3u0nLKmGgAyj-2U5l19KqQw/s640/Serpentine+Brunch3.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">That is the egg sandwich. I got mine with scrambled eggs. It has a really tasty dill aioli on there. Kev had his <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(below)</span></i> with a fried egg and some pork sausage and was equally happy with it. <span lang="CS" style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUXXTzEMAAfwdR53-PYYH1fVYCIU20qKZLUcKQv0AvkQWOA7eFhkELhaRs5OImAELKPGG-SXLC3zoa11YzhqCc70YfGilPNwZoeprlpRTaf2tW4NthoQ1NRTle6cZn_RH16SfZyE84XA/s1600/Serpentine+Brunch2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUXXTzEMAAfwdR53-PYYH1fVYCIU20qKZLUcKQv0AvkQWOA7eFhkELhaRs5OImAELKPGG-SXLC3zoa11YzhqCc70YfGilPNwZoeprlpRTaf2tW4NthoQ1NRTle6cZn_RH16SfZyE84XA/s640/Serpentine+Brunch2.png" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvVh82MpNuqztL-9BPXuHLdtEl5Foofu8WKZTvriA0REV5gAbnwOpVQZZeClZ67YZl8acHXk9RF5LePi0f2aQE9EuxWwBERpL6bGNw05kxvj25msbJFka3u0nLKmGgAyj-2U5l19KqQw/s1600/Serpentine+Brunch3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My parents both ordered the buckwheat pancakes (with a side of breakfast potatoes) and they were pleased. I was too full from my sandwich to take a bite, so you'll have to take their word for it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, a very successful food weekend, including a dinner at home of <a href="http://tastingsf.blogspot.com/2010/03/sunday-night-dinner-tortilla-soup.html">tortilla soup</a> and <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/05/rhubarb-and-raspberry-crostata">this</a> rhubarb and raspberry crostata, which was not quite as pretty as theirs, but tasted amazing. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Happy (belated) Mother's Day!<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Serpentine</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">2495 3rd Street<br />
San Francisco, CA 94107-3110<br />
(415) 252-2000</span></i> </div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-49677073799487553722011-05-20T17:18:00.000-07:002011-05-20T17:21:13.881-07:00Bottega Louie, Los AngelesI didn't have my camera with me, so here's just a few iPhone photos of the amazing baked goods at <a href="http://www.bottegalouie.com/">Bottega Louie</a>. Dinner with some friends was pretty great also. AND I bumped into an old friend from high school. A very successful night. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rjdd0Sh6pTVSq6me-4mcXgwENsjzvWq81YVuAwQe9yfTohqe_IEI4DmPoGHqM03bwPf7S0USlcZf7XyXsruYD9g4_XmhzxXM9rswqOk_7E1u8fCSpbwP0vOUzUwJiNcZFq7jjut7fW4/s1600/Bottega+Louie+Dessert+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rjdd0Sh6pTVSq6me-4mcXgwENsjzvWq81YVuAwQe9yfTohqe_IEI4DmPoGHqM03bwPf7S0USlcZf7XyXsruYD9g4_XmhzxXM9rswqOk_7E1u8fCSpbwP0vOUzUwJiNcZFq7jjut7fW4/s640/Bottega+Louie+Dessert+2.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ1mjdFRv38zANck375vFdMne-zIFQXfjItuGqBqP9UXGTcxuatNdMSeFAYPO9DufGbcRXvLUIZDnyqTsXDef_MLFBluCTlHqqcq-zMD-n7RuM4DUgi44YTGektCh_rajU2t16sV9V2Y/s1600/Bottega+Louie+Dessert.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ1mjdFRv38zANck375vFdMne-zIFQXfjItuGqBqP9UXGTcxuatNdMSeFAYPO9DufGbcRXvLUIZDnyqTsXDef_MLFBluCTlHqqcq-zMD-n7RuM4DUgi44YTGektCh_rajU2t16sV9V2Y/s640/Bottega+Louie+Dessert.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="primary-location"> <span class="listing-address adr"> <span class="street-address"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bottega Louie </i></span></span></span></div><div class="primary-location"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="listing-address adr"><span class="street-address">700 S Grand Ave</span></span></i></span></div><div class="primary-location"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="listing-address adr"><span class="street-address">Los Angeles, CA 90017 </span></span></i></span></div><div class="primary-location"><span class="listing-address adr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="street-address">(213) 802-1470 </span></i></span><span class="city-state"><span class="postal-code"></span> </span> </span> </div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-59964953485779512022011-05-14T19:55:00.000-07:002011-05-14T20:27:26.957-07:00Bistro Aix, Marina<div style="text-align: justify;">Last week, my parents were in town and I wanted to book some reservations for while they were here. Finding restaurants for my parents is a semi-daunting task: it can't be too loud, it shouldn't be too trendy, they should serve Diet Coke, and the food needs to be very accessible (read: American or "red sauce" Italian) for my dad. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf72S4Ue3uC83kR2ZREB3XsTeIIi5G-hQRGuGj5eGq90ZEJMYswG1z8VePSoI3_BmhvTNasd4HXEuynXWTkKfeiH_q2TBkPplb4TkOu6BeBjl4L3sJhf4ET5uGFceVe2q-asLFnjfu-I/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Bar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf72S4Ue3uC83kR2ZREB3XsTeIIi5G-hQRGuGj5eGq90ZEJMYswG1z8VePSoI3_BmhvTNasd4HXEuynXWTkKfeiH_q2TBkPplb4TkOu6BeBjl4L3sJhf4ET5uGFceVe2q-asLFnjfu-I/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Bar.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't know much about <a href="http://www.bistroaix.com/">Bistro Aix</a>, but it had been recommended on the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/food/top100/">Top 100 Places to Eat</a> list, and although it is considered French (not American or Italian) everything I read about it, including the menu, seemed to fit the above description. I booked it. We sat in the front room which was comfortably chatty, so that was perfect (the back room however, is quite noisy, so make sure to request the front if you don't like noisy). The bar accommodated everyone, with both Diet Coke and this awesome beer. Love the label. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJGJdK8uGeUciAgD_5qke-M5EjeLJ2cmFrSgrO5OTb3Cfqm4Hqu79ipS3qAs7w4aQX9qarXd11Ron69mW7oknsSMHVe4JU1GCAb_wkEFNXXucYLNn6qxmb3tEofX_Iwln2hFXEU80rzU/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Appetizers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJGJdK8uGeUciAgD_5qke-M5EjeLJ2cmFrSgrO5OTb3Cfqm4Hqu79ipS3qAs7w4aQX9qarXd11Ron69mW7oknsSMHVe4JU1GCAb_wkEFNXXucYLNn6qxmb3tEofX_Iwln2hFXEU80rzU/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Appetizers.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We ordered a couple of appetizers: burrata on crostini with arugula and pea shoots, which doesn't fall into the "accessible" category for my dad, but wow, was it good. The cheese was super creamy and the whole thing was seasoned really well, in a light vinaigrette. There was some coarse salt on it that added a little crunch that I liked. More accessible was the spaghetti with San Marzano tomatoes and basil. Everyone loved this, and I'd be tempted to order it next time as my entree. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Gc7BxmWNgiBaiLjOrvjTu69z_atNGMdIeSeXlTtj47E92ReFUfihjDpATrIfatrrh6VKxjfQ8r3Eo9Ve7tLVDmwNGpGnSYZXiPu3_FnnRua_DhZugwx5BhTqweNChcdDtAuCgy6tXQ/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Pasta+Duck.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0Gc7BxmWNgiBaiLjOrvjTu69z_atNGMdIeSeXlTtj47E92ReFUfihjDpATrIfatrrh6VKxjfQ8r3Eo9Ve7tLVDmwNGpGnSYZXiPu3_FnnRua_DhZugwx5BhTqweNChcdDtAuCgy6tXQ/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Pasta+Duck.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kev ordered another pasta dish, as recommended by our waitress, for his entree. This was tagliatelle with shrimp and clams in a spicy tomato broth. It was a good dish, but not quite as good as the spaghetti. My mom ordered the duck, which was great - juicy and tender. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffRNUR6-1SsGiXKVJSi8fp6Vag9Dze32I_YLAmhWtbYQ32p7iatB8Pc-E3syhD-QFtaiH-5eueBycTd7JwO_PnAB4B0WMp36KQoPLW5ZAKNUKn5r_Q_LZ0ZbwheeKyv1wxq6ksFCKdMY/s1600/Bistro+Aix+Crispy+Chicken+Tarte+Tartin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffRNUR6-1SsGiXKVJSi8fp6Vag9Dze32I_YLAmhWtbYQ32p7iatB8Pc-E3syhD-QFtaiH-5eueBycTd7JwO_PnAB4B0WMp36KQoPLW5ZAKNUKn5r_Q_LZ0ZbwheeKyv1wxq6ksFCKdMY/s640/Bistro+Aix+Crispy+Chicken+Tarte+Tartin.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My dad and I both ordered the crispy chicken breast with baby red potoates: he was sold on "crispy" and potatoes; I was sold on the <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/fine-french-dining-bistro-aix-s-sleek-new-space-0">Patricia Unterman review</a> describing the chicken. It lived up to the description: the skin <i>was</i> really crispy and the meat <i>was</i> really juicy. I was also eyeing the burger at the table next to us, which looked amazing. As good as the chicken was, I was having food envy.<br />
<br />
At this point we were all pretty full, but they had tarte tatin. I had been thinking about tarte tatin just before we went to dinner, because I had read <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/04/apple-tarte-tatin-anew/">this</a> Smitten Kitchen post and was thinking 1) I want to make that and 2) mmmm, tarte tatin. And it really was lovely - warm and gooey and perfectly caramelized. Even my dad ate it, and that is saying something (no warm desserts, either). <br />
<br />
Moral of the story: bring a date or bring your parents. And bring me, too.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bistro Aix</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>3340 Steiner Street<br />
San Francisco, CA 94123-2707<br />
(415) 202-0100</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="farRight"></span></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-53214882192359439922011-04-29T20:41:00.000-07:002011-05-14T20:16:13.960-07:00Mission Cheese, the Mission<div style="text-align: justify;">We've been walking by the <a href="http://www.missioncheese.net/Site/Mission_Cheese.html">Mission Cheese</a> storefront for what seems like months. I loved the drawing and font they had on the sign in the window, and I love cheese and I couldn't wait for them to open. I figured though it would just be a cheese shop, so I was even more excited when I heard they serve food and wine and beer. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx6-1E5LBSqlNDfaY_3KCI79CSObrQa_H4NyL4_FRAaIh7KU1kS_YEF5XW52oH6nmxT9dWHl5KOel5itxZcWMQCCUyEIaODt09l7fc6PIIUOYr_9AL7GdB1kId6pxHI0evNgd4BgWlLo/s1600/Mission+Cheese+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx6-1E5LBSqlNDfaY_3KCI79CSObrQa_H4NyL4_FRAaIh7KU1kS_YEF5XW52oH6nmxT9dWHl5KOel5itxZcWMQCCUyEIaODt09l7fc6PIIUOYr_9AL7GdB1kId6pxHI0evNgd4BgWlLo/s640/Mission+Cheese+Menu.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we walked in at around 2:30, the place was full. I loved the palette they chose in designing the space, and the Heath ceramic bar is just awesome. We ordered two grilled cheese sandwiches: the Cheddarhead (2 types of cheddar with apple and ale chutney) and the Pork and Cheese (Gruyere, salami, mustard and cornichons). Oh, and some coffee.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RAeUCRMTzfCpCruD9nMa03u46T-55l2BVjfqAPfM4_AVL6o3MLRvp_utrhXHuhJf2h-YwZvau5h95CCZnAmARhXeLHxvbS1SZtXos8EvrCV6nD1rhysiADcxYEDfKY3E6s5zXHmJtcM/s1600/Mission+Cheese+Sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RAeUCRMTzfCpCruD9nMa03u46T-55l2BVjfqAPfM4_AVL6o3MLRvp_utrhXHuhJf2h-YwZvau5h95CCZnAmARhXeLHxvbS1SZtXos8EvrCV6nD1rhysiADcxYEDfKY3E6s5zXHmJtcM/s640/Mission+Cheese+Sandwich.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger283E5M698IuefrGaNsa51HlmGdst_9D_a_rpOGOzKf4vmQ4QRx9p6bkBHYyxEoAn21AePm3fM9U8fqzcjgW7XD3j-RTDM7M4WxsHhlJOLM-O6RH3HAz4f7-L3k6MlQ-LkiCIpksXag/s1600/Mission+Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger283E5M698IuefrGaNsa51HlmGdst_9D_a_rpOGOzKf4vmQ4QRx9p6bkBHYyxEoAn21AePm3fM9U8fqzcjgW7XD3j-RTDM7M4WxsHhlJOLM-O6RH3HAz4f7-L3k6MlQ-LkiCIpksXag/s640/Mission+Cheese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We loved our food, the coffee was great and it reaffirmed my love for this neighborhood. We spoke to the owner, who was very sweet and also totally inspiring in that she opened this place in a year and a half without any previous cheese-shop or running-a-business type experience. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm now plotting my return to try that mac n cheese. Yum.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mission Cheese</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>736 Valencia Street</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>San Francisco, California </i></span></div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-57666145176853848322011-04-24T17:28:00.000-07:002011-04-25T09:15:34.268-07:00Scenes from Los AngelesGot to eat some great food while down in LA for the weekend. We mistakenly left our camera at home, so it's all iPhone photos instead. I like how they turned out! The <a href="http://www.crossprocessapp.com/">Cross Process app</a> is awesome. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRTQdRfv22fSrAIJs_e2acKexMeXjPgdNtSSXqyRuFdFuzuTQ1N6mkwntlA_lSvlwewA437idrJsbFD3_4voF5Eg37iVZykBQHc8UxYJiMGAM7a5beXPVlYW8ncbyDi8i-Xkk3YsNfyU/s1600/3+square+sampler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRTQdRfv22fSrAIJs_e2acKexMeXjPgdNtSSXqyRuFdFuzuTQ1N6mkwntlA_lSvlwewA437idrJsbFD3_4voF5Eg37iVZykBQHc8UxYJiMGAM7a5beXPVlYW8ncbyDi8i-Xkk3YsNfyU/s640/3+square+sampler.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We spent a lot of time on Abbot Kinney this trip. We had lunch at <a href="http://www.rockenwagner.com/cafe.html">3 Square</a>, which we seem to stop at every time we are down there. This was their three sandwich sampler: pulled pork, salmon cake and grilled cheese with shrimp. The grilled cheese was my fave. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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Intelligentsia Latte<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfGqYu5zKJPC4rm6GWTf9DDb8h3Eqm-gvM2245xMkGvfmoxGk7UokhC8Dmptx1dblmO2h_zl_oDD8Kfws3udMQLa1reipqU8_m6wx7gXJAekd1AkjbK5C0akWJIXuX6L-DqVro5kGEXc/s1600/farmshop+bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfGqYu5zKJPC4rm6GWTf9DDb8h3Eqm-gvM2245xMkGvfmoxGk7UokhC8Dmptx1dblmO2h_zl_oDD8Kfws3udMQLa1reipqU8_m6wx7gXJAekd1AkjbK5C0akWJIXuX6L-DqVro5kGEXc/s640/farmshop+bakery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySN9NXADe6DfjeBrOJ_ar4SO2tGpNgWZxho5cQdhVbHSdSjkceZGjA1I3TUaB37GNaPOwxXNDdpQW3YYytxGZ8UIJ2Uuo4UvK_vRCgtoeYzVoywyxc8LevmPrGxu6-1p1AT2TQg6LZgY/s1600/sweet+rose+creamery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySN9NXADe6DfjeBrOJ_ar4SO2tGpNgWZxho5cQdhVbHSdSjkceZGjA1I3TUaB37GNaPOwxXNDdpQW3YYytxGZ8UIJ2Uuo4UvK_vRCgtoeYzVoywyxc8LevmPrGxu6-1p1AT2TQg6LZgY/s640/sweet+rose+creamery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
We sort of happened-upon the <a href="http://www.brentwoodcountrymart.com/">Brentwood Country Mart</a> by mistake. I was psyched when I realized that's where <a href="http://www.farmshopla.com/">Farmshop LA </a>was. We had already eaten lunch, so we just got a few snacks. The lemon raspberry cookie was insanely good. I really want to go back there for a meal.<br />
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We decided we needed dessert with our dessert, so we got an ice cream cone (Caffe Luxxe Coffee) at <a href="http://www.sweetrosecreamery.com/">Sweet Rose Ice Cream</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m_2DbsKa7WLMTk50yRuSaWwoP1CZcc_oWs7cvuKu_S4BcstkISnEAvedlZlZaFTwOgEF_waBOdECpJWYLGQhhb5mhqS6H3tvMFiNOcWjpXuDWiOdFGC6kZygV_Xs4HE_KLBhYXQ0FRY/s1600/Plant+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m_2DbsKa7WLMTk50yRuSaWwoP1CZcc_oWs7cvuKu_S4BcstkISnEAvedlZlZaFTwOgEF_waBOdECpJWYLGQhhb5mhqS6H3tvMFiNOcWjpXuDWiOdFGC6kZygV_Xs4HE_KLBhYXQ0FRY/s640/Plant+Cafe.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">So this last picture isn't in LA - it is at the brand new SFO Terminal 2. This place is awesome! Super clean and modern with lots of great restaurants, including <a href="http://www.theplantcafe.com/">the Plant Cafe</a>. We got off the plane and needed to detox from traveling + all the sugar we had eaten. We were so happy to see this in front of us, and we got a fresh squeezed juice (carrot/ginger/orange juice). Plus we were able to pick up a loaf of Acme Bread at the Napa Farms Market, which meant we didn't need to go to the grocery store - so convenient! I think I need to only fly on Virgin America from now on. </div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-24793009098517252402011-03-20T16:50:00.000-07:002011-03-20T16:50:58.325-07:00Canteen, Nob HillSome pictures from a recent dinner at Canteen - which turned out to be one of the better dinners we've had recently. We were both super impressed with the meal. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kKPJegxw93EJjI3V8eC4Dymd7dgWLwvht8QUpx4g_jr3MZdmIblrnCNwF13pbAw59tgcEWalKUYaEJvjLc8WGLtBFr6TzdvW0xI3bexM8l02b0PsjWQRCfF2WcZbe5HESZHq14qjn8/s1600/Canteen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kKPJegxw93EJjI3V8eC4Dymd7dgWLwvht8QUpx4g_jr3MZdmIblrnCNwF13pbAw59tgcEWalKUYaEJvjLc8WGLtBFr6TzdvW0xI3bexM8l02b0PsjWQRCfF2WcZbe5HESZHq14qjn8/s640/Canteen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The restaurant is tiny, and we sat at the counter. The very bright green counter. <br />
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Amuse bouche - avocado with bay shrimp. Fresh and tasty.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksrX60Zbs6mueDqN7vPmrZNd7k9JqXge6qwzroe2St-V90yQUMVURLDXxk2hbbJe5OTCNjz11yCofUu4flfMIPrO8V-1TrDr_TZR9Br7Wy0nH4MrY-6_lf9hqGZlt0Zkr5zMRmZPdLts/s1600/Canteen+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksrX60Zbs6mueDqN7vPmrZNd7k9JqXge6qwzroe2St-V90yQUMVURLDXxk2hbbJe5OTCNjz11yCofUu4flfMIPrO8V-1TrDr_TZR9Br7Wy0nH4MrY-6_lf9hqGZlt0Zkr5zMRmZPdLts/s640/Canteen+Soup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tJtAxEtzbmWmmE7KZPDcnW-z2fsh16wEl_xOpWeP0ubwAW6aViUITSfYkBch98tQgGmqx50YN-ZnHpGR-kKN_-jpnP6TgdhiPhZ_Vaxj83uDGeL2dlKUP5M7BhQLkuTVgH5eYFCgA-k/s1600/Canteen+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tJtAxEtzbmWmmE7KZPDcnW-z2fsh16wEl_xOpWeP0ubwAW6aViUITSfYkBch98tQgGmqx50YN-ZnHpGR-kKN_-jpnP6TgdhiPhZ_Vaxj83uDGeL2dlKUP5M7BhQLkuTVgH5eYFCgA-k/s640/Canteen+Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Fresh rolls, spicy crab soup and sea scallops. The soup was super flavorful and not too spicy. The scallops were ok - but I think the weakest point of the overall meal. One of the highlights of the meal was watching the three guys in the <i>tiny </i>kitchen. The way they maneuvered around each other was amazing. Our waitress told us they had all been working together for years. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsLkivO9WOs9dHyWAr_GgyUjSwmUIIQ3v6D-bd93OWOj3i7M7_NVLzlvADaeWkm0MOJZCBtVbUrpUdGkvEGzRpqb5zUpB66yDhoy2bv6yM7AdwEeLA__a6y_vYcBjQdt2Kh2GubS1HAE/s1600/Canteen+Entree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsLkivO9WOs9dHyWAr_GgyUjSwmUIIQ3v6D-bd93OWOj3i7M7_NVLzlvADaeWkm0MOJZCBtVbUrpUdGkvEGzRpqb5zUpB66yDhoy2bv6yM7AdwEeLA__a6y_vYcBjQdt2Kh2GubS1HAE/s640/Canteen+Entree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I ordered the lamb loin with sesame-chickpea puree and pepper relish. It was excellent. It was like fancy lamb and hummus. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kev ordered the halibut poached in olive oil with green garlic, baby leeks, grits and spicy ham. Really light and nice flavors. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJkI0sm4kIgN5k9g0gqzJSdxSgIuUlGxn4UqpzIB75XILnoZ1lJWcptrtM15OYQzDvTD7KScQwSr1zhNZA1B6DgXQWZhS-ptj1bFcp4s5EbqTUP5y7aCBTBtsDsej28m4Nhm1mCkb4Jo/s1600/Canteen+Dessert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJkI0sm4kIgN5k9g0gqzJSdxSgIuUlGxn4UqpzIB75XILnoZ1lJWcptrtM15OYQzDvTD7KScQwSr1zhNZA1B6DgXQWZhS-ptj1bFcp4s5EbqTUP5y7aCBTBtsDsej28m4Nhm1mCkb4Jo/s640/Canteen+Dessert.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">For dessert, we shared the chocolate pot de creme with chicory and the vanilla souffle. The pot de creme was different than most - it didn't have the same thickness that I'm used to. I liked it - but not as much as the souffle, which was amazing. The menu at Canteen changes weekly, but the souffle is always on the menu, for good reason. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cool thing about this place is that it doesn't seem like it's trying all that hard - the food they make isn't anything crazy or fancy - it's all just done really well. </div>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531467283364348948.post-56612815781900307942011-03-16T12:24:00.000-07:002011-03-16T12:24:04.821-07:00Outerlands, Outer Sunset<div style="text-align: justify;">I can't remember when I first read about <a href="http://outerlandssf.com/">Outerlands</a>, but I remember seeing a photo with the wood paneled walls and thinking, I want to go there. I finally remembered to add it to my "places to go" list, and attempted to go there for breakfast this morning. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGJypGZCoe8WYcheg0DZcXl9b_Heh-19Mxr8JH4Danbze-WYboIz5TcBrD6vsWM6xj_EJZUhA_CW8MpgaoJ3q8-9K0Nm32BGDiv_S_0OrdjGGh_-5Sn-Ozaj3YrTcTpi10Smkr8yJGrE/s1600/outerlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGJypGZCoe8WYcheg0DZcXl9b_Heh-19Mxr8JH4Danbze-WYboIz5TcBrD6vsWM6xj_EJZUhA_CW8MpgaoJ3q8-9K0Nm32BGDiv_S_0OrdjGGh_-5Sn-Ozaj3YrTcTpi10Smkr8yJGrE/s640/outerlands.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I say attempted because I didn't read the fine print - they don't serve their breakfast menu on Saturdays. Big, huge bummer, because I was really excited for the "<a href="http://www.foodspotting.com/places/8302-outerlands-san-francisco/items/15490-eggs-in-jail">eggs in jail</a>" and the Dutch pancake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchk5wlkERHBGd34LjxT8nJqi2XjIrhTa2PnJG8gk05xrBsTIxIwn_FmcuLaR7_onUoJaCpEkmk1vqmBvkt8uNsmi4vYakeuiGElkDSyT42y_913QxYEQDyPtwH9V6nD3lEyTHq0PfzLg/s1600/outerlands+coffee+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchk5wlkERHBGd34LjxT8nJqi2XjIrhTa2PnJG8gk05xrBsTIxIwn_FmcuLaR7_onUoJaCpEkmk1vqmBvkt8uNsmi4vYakeuiGElkDSyT42y_913QxYEQDyPtwH9V6nD3lEyTHq0PfzLg/s640/outerlands+coffee+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
They did have an egg dish on the menu though, so I got that - fried egg sandwich with cheese and bacon. Their bread was amazing. My only complaint is that I wanted a steak knife to cut it with - that crust is no joke and my bread knife struggled with the task. Also I have been debating if I should buy a <a href="http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/">Chemex</a> so I was excited to get to try it out again. The coffee was excellent (they use <a href="http://sightglasscoffee.com/">Sightglass</a> beans) and it convinced me to make the purchase. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFaoVU592Vc18mvo9m9xxn5M0xE8Y1UiYz4VrV8CbrHxFZlz8OPAUf87Bx5jZKKtWwhqQKFbh_F8rIDd1AzcrZDkzzb35Ofys9y17hLG_px5pzOMPd31detK5OzJGlpGWFW_YfnY2xwc/s1600/Outlerlands+Grilled+Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFaoVU592Vc18mvo9m9xxn5M0xE8Y1UiYz4VrV8CbrHxFZlz8OPAUf87Bx5jZKKtWwhqQKFbh_F8rIDd1AzcrZDkzzb35Ofys9y17hLG_px5pzOMPd31detK5OzJGlpGWFW_YfnY2xwc/s640/Outlerlands+Grilled+Cheese.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That there is the grilled cheese and it is serious business. I love the little burned bits of cheese oozing out. It reminds me of french onion soup, which I also love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I should have taken a whole bunch more photos because the place looks so cool, but I was too absorbed in enjoying the food and the company. I fully intend to go back though, both for breakfast and dinner, so expect an update in the hopefully not-too-distant future. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">(PS: Before or after you eat here, I highly recommend you check out the <a href="http://www.visitgeneralstore.com/">General Store,</a> which is just 2 shops down.)</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Outerlands</i></span><br />
<address class="adr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="street-address">4001 Judah St</span><span class="locality"> </span></span></address><address class="adr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="locality">San Francisco</span>, <span class="region">CA</span> <span class="postal-code">94122</span></span> </address><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="tel" id="bizPhone">(415) 661-6140</span></i></span>tastingsfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12709160635324429714noreply@blogger.com0