World Breakfast

That's what it's called: the incredibly yummy takeout I grabbed at Juicy Lucey, yesterday afternoon.
For $10, you get a really filling meal. The base is whatever grain is available; yesterday it was red quinoa, sprinkled with rosemary and wakame. Then a ladle of the daily soup, which was a hearty yellow split pea. Some tempeh, "beautifully sauteed", as the lovely proprietress advised, and then a mix of fresh raw veggies: I counted cabbage, carrots, watermelon radishes, sprouts, and salad greens. It all kind of melds into a worldly stew and makes your mouth very happy.
While I waited for my breakfast to be slowly-but-lovingly assembled, I saw some fine-looking juices get pressed. Next weekend, I may be drinking a Mona Lisa. Mysteriously smiling.

Dear Little Dumplings

We have a restaurant in our nabe that I haven't been to in years; JP's never been at all. Until tonight, that is. Hamano has been around since my wilder days (I still miss that thrashed black motorcycle jacket). It's quiet, unassuming. And if you need some Japanese food on a rainy night, well, step inside.
Our appetizer was listed as Edamame Dumpling (steamed). What arrived was a plate circled with six tiny, adorable green dumplings, each drizzled with a sweetish sauce...Inside, edamame paste and chunky bits of bean. Precious, yes, but addictive as hell.
My salmon teriyaki came in a red bento box. Two large pink pieces, glazed and sesame'd. Below, a perfect ball of rice with bits of red pickled radish for crunch; thin shards of gobo root; salad greens (I skipped the mayonnaisey dressing; 'nuff said). And in its own little corner, an odd square of dessert that resembled gelled cranberry sauce but tasted of bean paste and ginger.
JP liked, didn't love, his sushi. I suggest trying the other dishes on the menu. Black cod? Next time, Grasshopper.

Simplicity Itself

When it's wet and gloomy all the time. When you have a cracked rib. When Massachusetts voters make you cringe at your place of birth. This is when you need a simple, comforting nosh.
For me, that often means a fried-egg sandwich. This is always open-faced. If you have a really good whole wheat bread, toast one piece (rye or pumpernickel would also work). Meanwhile, you should be frying one free-range happy-chicken egg until firm, but make sure the yolk has a bit of ooze to it. When the toast pops up, lay a slice of your favorite cheese on top; I use soy cheddar, myself. Then flip the egg atop your cheese, thereby causing instant meltification. Salt, pepper, done. Eat slowly and remember to breathe.

Nibs.

What a great word. Nibs. I could end it right here, and you'd probably nod and think I'm a little crazy and move on.
But there is a point. The lovely Elise gifted me with a chocolate bar that features some of my favorite things:

1. nibs
2. 74% darkness
3. chile

It is here. Dagoba. Nibs. Just the right amount of heat from the chiles. Xocolatl, my friend; one good-sized square is enough to send you to nibby bliss.

Can't Quit the Kale

I have eaten all of the kale that Elise gifted to me. I wanted more. Like my friend Tyler and his arugula, I needed it bad.
Luckily for me, Whole Foods intuited this and made some cute little to-go servings of Barley, Kale and Chickpea Salad. Sounds spartan, but it's not. The beans, greens and barley are dressed up with minced red pepper, garlic and canola oil. Simple but right. I tossed it with the last of my leftover whole wheat fusilli, and it made a perfect light dinner. Nor did it cost much, although if I weren't so lazy, I'd make it myself. But that's another blog altogether.

All Hail Kale

I have to admit, I'd eyed it at many a farmers' market, that luscious dark green ruffly vegetable. And no doubt I'd eaten it in restaurants. But I hadn't cooked kale, really, until the lovely Elise brought me a bag of goodies from her community garden.
Kale may now be my favorite green. It's so easy, once you debone it from the thick white stem. Curly, easygoing...It takes well to steaming and a bit of olive oil, perhaps garlic and chili flakes. I will be buying bunches of it now at the farmers' market, because it's plentiful, seasonal, and most importantly, it tastes so good.
Now, the collard green? That one may take a bit longer.

MMMMadre

The lovely Elise, the tiny Michelle and I all converged at the new Gracias Madre for lunch today. This place, located in (as Elise so aptly called it) the 'vegan vortex' (Weird Fish, Minako, Herbivore), is a very welcome addition to the Mission dining scene. And I can overlook its connection to the sometimes-questionable Cafe Gratitude, because the food and atmosphere is so top-notch. Gorgeous place with high wood chairs, big wood tables, a great collection of Mexican art. Our server was sweet as vegan pie. But best of all, the organic menu: be sure to try the roasted brussels sprouts, nestled in a crock with melty cashew cheese and toasted breadcrumbs. My tacos - butternut squash and a most earthy, deep-flavored mushroom, both drizzled with soy crema - were accompanied by excellent black beans...You get three for $10, so maybe you too will have leftovers. Elise loved her tamales, and Michelle, her cinnamon/chile hot cocoa. Viva madre! Yo soy hermoso!...Oh wait, we're not at Cafe G, scratch that last one.

Girls Just Gotta Have Lunch

OK, that was kind of stupid. But it's true. Me, Adrienne Schnord...we both like to eat; also, she works about half a block away. Perfection, when it comes to lunch.
I know I already wrote about this place, but it's worth another round. Plant Cafe, corner of Front/Bush...always busy, always pricey, always fabulous. While Adrienne enjoyed her green curry bowl with chicken, I lingered over the soup/salad/sandwich combo: ceci bean/kale soup, greens with lovely thin marinated cucumbers, and half of a roasted veggie/goat cheese sandwich. Yeah, it was more than $12, but it was organic and delightful. Just like my lunch with Adrienne...the delightful part, I mean.

A + W at F + W

Two of my favorite people to hang out with: Ad + Wig. Two words that come together to form a very good place to eat: Flour + Water.
JP and I walked from the AdWig home to the restaurant, which is quite stylin' and heavily hipster'd. The dude who managed to shatter Ad's wine glass - while attempting to deliver our salad - was too cool to actually apologize. Our waitress did so, however, and brough Ad a nice fresh glass of the white wine we'd chosen (good, not too pricey).
The food? Yes, it's worth a bit of 'tude. Our salad featured the leafy goodness of radicchio, fennel and sunchokes in a lemony vinaigrette. The pizza, well, we regretted ordering only one. Funghi - meaty hedgehog and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms with pecorino and herbs - must be ordered, MUST, I tell you. Great blistery/freckly crust, too. There was a ramekin of perfectly roasted winter veggies (kale and turnips), and three pastas, though not being a meat-eater, I only tasted one: chitarra with squid, tarragon, salsify and chili oil. So earthy and satisfying. If we'd had some bread, we'd have sopped up the juices, but you have to ask for bread at F + W, so don't be shy like we were.
Reading their web site, I am gratified to know about their dough-obessed pizzaiolo. May he never recover; I have more pizzas to devour.

Catalan, Otra Vez

On a chilly night, Kimster and I returned to the excellent and cozy Contigo. We lucked into a table despite our lack of reservation; don't try this on a weekend, kids. Before long we had a plate of tender wheat and white bread slices and a saucer of wondrously grassy Arbequina olive oil. A dish of roasted cauliflower dotted with lemony cilantro and two enormous olives disappeared very quickly. And the salad of winter squash, chanterelles, frisee and pomegranate seeds with lacy drifts of ombra cheese nearly made me swoon. Yet there was more: coca flatbread! Crackly-crusted and topped with arugula, Manchego, olives, crispy potato and rosemary...and a farm egg! You gotta have the egg because of the ritual: break the yolk, smear creamily over each piece and roll your eyes back in your head. Maybe I exaggerate; most likely I don't. Someday: Barcelona; for now: Contigo.

Orange C-son

Time to get yer vitamin C. Oh, how I love oranges, even while I dislike the cold that brings them to me. Round, pocky fruit with firmness yet no suspiciously squishy dents...Should peel easily, have a minimum of pith and string, with sections that practically burst open when bitten. A nice big navel with multiple facets, like an edible jewel, is always nice, too. Valencia Farmer's Market (Valencia and 24th) has a bin of them outside the store; cheap and plentiful right now. C and be C'n.

Noshing in the New Year

I'm back, and must resolve to write more. Those few dear people who do read my blog deserve better than week-old drivel.
My recommendation, if you need some quick energy, is Whole Food's own 365 crunchy peanut butter. Me, I like it on a whole wheat tortilla, all rolled up in a neat package. Not expensive, but very satisfying and perfect for a pre-run nosh...Got me up some gnarly hills today, and truthfully, I'd be happy to eat it every day, maybe with some interesting jam or sliced banana.
Happy 2010, may you eat well and leave many, many comments for a poor lonely blogger.