One Good Nosh

Orange: Not Just for S.F. Giants

2010-11-07T18:24:00.000-08:00

Strolling through La Mission on a sunny Saturday and in need of a snack, Kimster and I made our way to Papalote for their seasonal-only vegan pumpkin tamales. And we were so glad we did. They took awhile to arrive - this happens when a place is so clusterfucked with hipsters - and they were small, but they sure were yummy. A perfectly moist, steamy corn layer wrapped tiny orange bursts of pumpkiny sweetness. Kimster and I tried to be ladylike and eat itsy bites; she did a better job than me, per usual. Ah, how I love pumpkin season.

How Green is My Sushi

2010-11-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

Maybe you've heard of Tataki, the S.F. sushi bar that serves only sustainable fish? Well, lucky me; they opened Tataki South just down Church Street from my very house! And it's not just pretty, with soft music and friendly chefs...The sushi is great. Try the shiro maguro, for it is bliss on the tongue. Have a few maki: spicy tuna, perhaps; saba gari (mackerel and ginger, one of my all-time favorites, wrapped in tofu skin and dotted with white and black sesame seeds); mixed vegetable, fat and crunchy and silky with avocado. Don't miss the robata items either, like the shitake mushrooms, 2 skewers of 3 insanely flavorful mushroom caps. I only wish I could have ordered more, much more, but my stomach and my wallet have their limits. Do go, and take a vegan friend...they offer a very appealing vegi menu! Spicy tofuna, anyone?

Lady Miss Kir

2010-11-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Last night may have been our last summery night of the year. It made perfect sense to meet a pal at Bar Bambino for a drink, yes? And what's more refreshing than a Kir Reale, in BB's version a sweet kiss of 4-year grappa topped off with sparkling wine? Slightly sweet, blush-colored, and the nicest way to toast warm days, fiery sunsets, and the Giants.

Austin...Finally

2010-10-24T12:37:00.000-07:00

So I went to Austin, finally. And now, after way too long a break, I am blogging about it. Blame my ex-cold, the rainy weather, or my bank account...But I am now ready to get back to noshing.
So here are a few things we ate in the capitol of Texas:
ZEN: our first night at a hotel off South Congress, we found this groovy little place. The food's Japanese with a bit of cross-cultural pollination. Nothing's pricey, portions are huge, and there's lots to choose from. We liked our spicy seaweed salad, with mixed-in cranberries, carrot and cucumber. But beware: spicy is the word here. I got me a bowl with brown rice, a mushroom/carrot/cabbage/onion mix, and tofu...but the chili-garlic sauce was like napalm to my tender mouth. So I had to switch to teriyaki, and it was great. Seriously, they need to open one of these in S.F.
Next door to Zen is Amy's ice cream, by the way. JP got to know them real well. I had a banana sorbet there one day, and it was creamily delightful (without the cream).
Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse: a nice hippie kinda place to take your vegi jones on a hot day. I loved the Rasberry Sour (big glass of raspberry hibiscus iced tea mixed with lemonade), and the
vegan blueberry cornmeal cake, aka Oven Cake. Not quite as crazy about the tofu scramble alongside, which resembled chicken-fried tofu. But the place has a nice funky vibe and nicer-than-expected bathrooms!
Driskill Hotel: our friends were playing music in the bar of this gorgeous old hotel. I can recommend their rum cocktail AND their prawn cocktail (the latter came with both a traditional cocktail sauce topped with mango and a white gazpacho shot). We felt very fancy indeed, sipping drinks, dipping prawns and admiring the opulent surroundings.
Vespaio: let's just get this out of the way: the hostess is a beyatch. This place serves very good Italian food, and it appears to be more popular than anyplace in town. But when people are keeling over with hunger, and ask if their table right be ready soon since they've been there for about an hour, and she tells you EXACTLY how many minutes have elapsed since you walked in, well...Still, I enjoyed the spaghetti with tomato and eggplant, despite the overly generous mound of ricotta salata on top (half as much would have been fine). The Misticanza salad, with all sorts of greens, radishes, olives and vinaigrette, was good but seriously lacking in olives. And the bread was warm, fresh, and accompanied by a white bean puree. So go there but be ready for a wait. Maybe the hostess will have moved on to Denny's by then.
Cafe Medici: don't go to Jo's. I mean it: don't. Go to Medici. I cannot express in words how great their coffee is. We sat on their deck, drinking iced lattes and admiring the adorable Clarksville environs. This was S.F.-good coffee. I mean it, Ritual: Austin is catching up to you.
Counter Culture: I love this place, plain and simple. A very cool lady named Sue operates out of a vintage trailer, serving up yummy vegan treats like my Philly cheese-steak with the-best-seitan-EVER and cashew 'cheese' spread on a whole wheat roll. JP liked his apple and cheeze; we sat on a picnic bench nearby to get off our feet and out of the blazing sun.
Woodland: groovy hipster place on South Congress. The decor is beautiful and forest-centric. My salad (beets, greens, chickpeas and other things; they added avocado upon request) was a perfect dish on a hot night. The waiters all look like Mission boys with their plaid short-sleeved shirts and thoughtful facial hair.
Galaxy Cafe: just across from Medici, this is a nice down-homey diner with decent food. I had oatmeal and very good scrambled eggs. Their wraps looked pretty fine, I might add.
Hey Cupcake: one of the millions of food trucks in town, this place operates out of an old airstream trailer on South Congress. There is a daily vegan cupcake, and I was lucky enough to be there on chocolate cake with mint frosting day. That was one moaningly-good cupcake, and as a bonus, the dude who runs the place is really nice.
Daily Juice: this is the stuff! Great fresh juices and smoothies with no added anything. My Sure Thing smoothie was just apple juice, strawberries and banana, but it was so satisfying. JP's Marigold, with mango and peach, was also lovely...Another refreshing option when it's too hot to eat.
OK, well, that's all I got. Y'all get down there yourselves, eat at food trucks, hear live music and jump in a swimming hole. It's not really Texas; it's Austin.

Fig Fennel Fantasy...Free!

2010-10-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

We who live in or near the Mission are about to get very lucky: Arizmendi, the worker-owned bakery, is opening a branch on Valencia at 24th. Today I was walking by, and saw a line...Nope, not open till next week, but they're busy doing practice runs and handing out the goodies to fortunate passers-by. So of course, JP and I joined the queue. Hard to choose, what with the wolverines, grape-laden focaccia, vegan lemon-blueberry scones and all. JP chose a simple currant scone, but me, I went for the round loaf of fig-fennel bread. And that was a very wise choice! I sliced it open, pleased to see the wealth of dried fig pieces inside. And wow, fig and fennel? It's genius! The bread itself was quite moist, and would be lovely toasted and buttered; I just scarfed it down without any ceremony. It was a fine figgy frenzy.

Cold Comfort

2010-10-07T22:58:00.000-07:00

I have a cold; I feel rotten. Coughing and sneezing and snuffling; it's not the best time to get my nosh on. However, I had plans with The Charming Susan at Ragazza, the new pizza place on Divis. As some of you know, this hood is becoming quite the happening place, but they needed a good pizza joint, and this is so much more. The little sister of Gialina in Glen Park, this place really dresses up its modest space, and the tiny tables are nearly always packed.
We shared a huge salad of radicchio, romaine, radish, egg and a perfectly tangy vinaigrette. Also, a plate of roasted baby artichokes with a big ramekin of aioli (I'm not a big fan of mayo, but this was gooood). Then, the star arrived: a pizza with a nicely blackened crust, topped with roasted summer squash, tomatoes, ricotta and pesto. Even with my stuffy head I knew this was divine.
I may be a wretched dinner companion these days, but I'm a happy one thanks to Ragazza. Now someone shoot me...please.

Portland Redux

2010-09-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

The Lovely Elise and I made a pilgrimage to Portland, otherwise known as Vegan Paradise. Among the hits:

First day: we arrive late morning and drive to the Alberta 'hood. Elise gets to try one of my favorites for brunch: Tin Shed. We sit in the patio area, drinking orange juice and admiring the tattoos around us. Elise has the vegan How Latin, perfectly cooked tofu cubes with vegi sausage, avocado, salsa and veggies; my vegan Veggie Pesto is similar but has zucchini, yam, mushroom, melted garlic and a nice big dollop of - well - pesto. Sourdough toast and grits with vegan cheese round out our meal. Later, we stroll to my favorite cafe, Random Order. And while the soy lattes, made with Stumptown beans, are divine, the staff could not be less welcoming. Dude, they are baristas. Have some respect.
We fall in love with 2 vegan bakeries on Alberta. The first is Back to Eden. Elise's eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. Dear God, this place even has vegan soft-serve! Among our spoils are vegan chocolate; a chocolate macaroon; a ginger-cardamom muffin; a lavender snickerdoodle. We sit on a picnic bench nearby, sharing the cookie in the humid afternoon. Bliss. But we must still check out Dovetail Bakery down the street. If only we had any room left in our stomachs! This adorable cafe is filled with vintage furniture and a bakery case full of vegan goodies: cakes, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, sticky buns. The owner is a sweet young lady who's happy to chat with us. We beg her to move to San Francisco. Hey, it was worth a try.
Later, a bit peckish, we drive to Mississippi Street in search of pizza. The obvious answer is Mississippi Pizza, where we share a small spinach salad and a Historic, very spicy red sauce topped with kalamata olives, artichoke, spinach, tomato and vegan cheese on a whole-wheat crust. We also get to watch the pizza guy throw dough around. This pleases us.
We wander up the street and come to an odd little store with a window filled with antique water pistols. Out of nowhere, an older man appears and identifies himself as the collector. He then regales us with a long history of the water pistol, an item that's not worth much on E-Bay but cool nonetheless. Afterwards, he insists on treating us at Ruby Jewe l, the local 'scream shop. Elise and I share a cone of peach-ginger nondairy deliciousness. Thank you, Water Pistol Man.
Breakfast the next day: Jam on Hawthorne. The coffee is good. The chai-blueberry vegan pancakes are great...Elise loves her Southwestern tofu burrito, and even shares the red-pepper sauce so I can mix it into my scrambled eggs. Our young hip waiter is wearing a tee-shirt with a kissing Batman and Robin. Again, this pleases us.
Back to Mississippi to shop; Elise scores a beautiful coat (say it with me: No Taxes!). I need a pick-me-up. We stop at Laughing Planet, where I have a bowl of rice, beans, veggies and killer tomatillo salsa. It is quite satisfying, although the presence of three cops trying to talk a guy into detox is a wee bit off-putting.
Time to meet up with Elise's friend Mike and, finally, have a cocktail. Thus do we land back on Alberta at the Bye and Bye. I order the Stockholm, a tall pint of goodness: citrus-infused vodka, lemon juice and ginger beer. While not very hungry, I manage to steal food off of Elise's plate. She loves her some Southern fare and this is a good place to get it: her plate of barbeque tofu, vinegary greens and black-eyed peas is fantastic. My buddy Morgan joins us later and we pay him the respect due a Black Belt at our collective place of employment. BB in the hy-ouse!
Last day, sadly. Mike has told us to visit the Red & Black Cafe, a worker-owned vegan collective. They have waffles! Well, yes they do, but radical waffles take a hell of a long time to arrive at one's table. Elise reminds me that I am imposing my capitalist expectations on the experience. Her waffle arrives and looks so, so good. Mine comes about half an hour later. It is plate-sized, crunchy with blue cornmeal, topped with walnuts and apples and Earth Balance. I pour on some syrup and eat like a starving animal.
Around the corner is the Vegan Mini-Mall. We stop by Sweetpea Baking Co., admiring yet more mouth-watering vegan sweets; I purchase a soy latte for the road. Elise buys some groceries at Food Fight, too, where one can even purchase a vegan Twinkie. She sneakily gets me the pumpkin spice cookie I was fawning over (made by Monkey Wrench and delivered by bike, of course).
Voodoo Doughnut. Right? Did you know they perform weddings? Well, there is one happening right when we arrive. A couple in black tees is slow-dancing by a cake stand filled with doughnuts. They get to jump over a broom while we wait in line. Elise buys a box of vegan doughnuts for a break-the-fast dinner in S.F. later that evening. And no, we didn't fast for Yom Kippur. So we can atone for that at some point.
Before we leave, we must visit a food cart. If we don't, we will be arrested by the Foodie Police. Food carts are everywhere in Portland, but we decide to hit Alberta since it's near PDX. It's raining out, but this one little spot has a canopy covering its trucks and tables, plus some cute-looking trailers. Elise hits Fuego de Lotus, and thoroughly enjoys her corn arepa with cabbage salad and black beans. My salad from Mono Malo is a lovely mix of fresh-picked greens, heirloom tomato bits and crunchy roasted chickpeas with lemony vinaigrette. We eat and listen to rain drumming overhead. It's a nice way to end our trip to Veganlandia. Hipster Homeland, here we come.

Love Your (East Bay) Neighbor

2010-09-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

Today, Kimster and I had a little adventure. We drove over to Oakland to visit our friend Ann and her adorable daughter, Lulu, in their charming Temescal/Rockridge neighborhood. Cute houses, yards, trees...Such a nice place to stroll through, en route to brunch. And oh, that brunch!
Had Kimster and I not pre-fueled at Ritual, we could have caffeinated at Remedy, which serves Ritual coffee in a cool vintage-furniture-laden space. But we did have a seriously yummy meal across the street at Aunt Mary's Cafe. Not too long of a wait, and the food - all as local and sustainable as possible - arrived quickly. My scramble was perfectly cooked and full of roasted tomatoes and Swiss chard, then dusted with Asiago. Of the many sides, I chose fresh fruit and wheat bread, which was thickly sliced and seemed homemade. Spread with blueberry preserves from a jar on the table, that toast was the answer to my carb-lovin' prayers. Ann and Kimster also were quite happy with their Southern Bubble and Squeak; the name alone makes me love Aunt Mary and her tattooed crew.
Down the street is the awe-inspiring Temescal Farmers' Market. Huge, with all sorts of produce, food stalls and even Blue Bottle coffee. Kimster and I bought a gingery limeade to share, and walked back to Ann's so Miss Lulu could nap. She even gave us each a sweet kiss goodbye. Oakland hospitality is a beautiful thing.

Zeroing In

2010-09-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

Kimster and I tried a newish place on Folsom: Zero Zero (named for the type of flour they use). This is a snazzy little joint with comfy booths, a nice long bar on the left, and decent acoustics (not to mention some sultry Mazzy Star playing in the restroom). We tried four things, all getting way better than a zero rating: first, halibut crudo with tiny shavings of fried shallot and a splash of olive oil: so good but soooooo tiny! Four itty bitty pieces was kind of a tease. Next, an amazing salad of organic beets, ruby cubes mixed with farro, pistachio and sweet-sour saba. Then, a refreshing watermelon salad with feta and mint, so beautiful it almost shimmered on the plate. Finally, the Filetti pizza: perfectly blistered crust, melted mozzarella di bufala, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves. They will cut it in four or six slices, which is a nice option. Full as we were, we declined the choose-it-yourself soft-serve ice cream with toppings, but it's a cute idea. Aside from the teensy first course, I have zero complaints.

Oaktown Soul

2010-09-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Lovely Elise and I intended to go to Encuentro for dinner. We got there, though, and the place was closed for 'vacation', which we suspect means went-to-burning-man, judging by the dates and all. We were sorely disappointed, yes. But nearby is Souley Vegan, so it wasn't a total washout.
Elise loves this place, and I can see why. It's funky, friendly, and has some good food at reasonable prices. We shared the Everything Plate, which had big pieces of chickeny-looking Southern Fried Tofu, barbecued tofu (loved the sauce), collards, sweet yams, black-eyed peas, mac and cheese (I think they used ziti for their pasta), cornbread, beans and rice and fried okra. We also tried peach cobbler for dessert, but it was a bit canned for my taste, especially in stone fruit season.
Not far away is the Layover, a cool bar with some specialty cocktails on a chalkboard, a comfy couch in back and, later, a DJ. My cucumber and gin drink was ever-so-refreshing and nicely kissed with lime. The early-20's dude who tried to flirt with me was not kissed but got a friendly good-bye when we left for the BART train.

Orange You Sweet

2010-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

My friend Patrick mans the booth for Tomatero Farm at the new Mission Farmers' Market (Bartlett, between 21st/22nd). He made an amazing tomato table yesterday, all colors, shapes and sizes. I had a hard time choosing, but choose I did, because when heirloom season is here, you are foolish to not indulge.
I love the green zebras. And those dark red ones with green patches. But yesterday I had to buy a basket of the crazy-sweet orange cherry tomatoes. Is it their orange color that makes them so candylike? No idea. But I am popping them like happy pills.

A Gay Old Time

2010-09-01T19:40:00.001-07:00

The Castro: a good place to people-watch, not always a foodie destination. However, there are some new places that merit a visit. Namely: Blackbird, a cool little bar that has absolutely delicious cocktails for a mere $8. The Charming Susan and I enjoyed a Negroni (her) and a Dutch Courage (me), the latter a fruity combo of bols genever, maple syrup, lemon and lime juices, frothed-up egg whites and bitters. Dear Lord! Tasting almost like pineapple, this drink had just the right sweetness and left a nice boozy after-breath. I also fancied our wee window table (see: people-watching) and the fossil-like surface of said table. The place gets loud, but the drinks are worth it.
Next, the Charming One and I traipsed up the street to Starbelly. My cohort had thoughtfully called ahead to reserve us a two-top, which is a good thing to do; the place can get crowded. We shared the Starbelly salad, lettuces with tiny cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and a puckery vinaigrette, and a Greekish salad of heirloom tomato, Japanese cucumber, olives and raw milk feta. As an entree, we ordered a pleasantly chewy margherita pizza; Susan's half was adorned with their house bacon. It was a perfect way to pass a Tuesday night: pizza and booze, Castro-style. Oh: if you're gay and male, you might find the waiters kind of tasty as well.

My Boogaloo Conversion

2010-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Friends, I once hated Boogaloo's. And for good reason. At one time, the food was not so good. In fact, I had a pancake experience that left me so ill that I vowed not to return.
And I didn't. Until, like, 8 years later.
Guess what?? They are soooo much better! Sure, the wait can be longish, but it's doable, and you have Ritual right across the street to fix your coffee jones. Sit down, order, and quick as a bunny, food arrives. I tried the Nicky's polenta, a huge vegan plate with truly satisfying corn mush (crispy outside, softy inside), black beans, ranchero sauce, pickled cabbage and a generous mound of sauteed veggies. JP enjoyed his scrambies, hash browns, sausage and biscuit. We also shared a lemon cornmeal pancake, and the bad memory was wiped away. This flapjack rocked!
So yeah, I shall now be joining the parade of tired hipsters on Sunday. Boo hoo. And if you're looking for me, I'm the one not wearing oversize sunglasses, skinny jeans and flats.

Osha Nosh-a

2010-08-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Lunch bargains: great, sometimes, but it can be an iffy prospect. I can definitely recommend Osha's, though. For $10.95, you get a cup of very good soup (Tom Yum), choice of appetizer (I had fresh spring rolls, which were funny little tubes, long rather than fat, with a nice sweetish dipping sauce), and entree (mine was tofu with veggies in garlic sauce). Oh and a big mound of jasmine rice. The restaurant's pretty and not too crowded; service is quite good. And my veggie stir fry was no boring mix; the chunks of bright orange kabocha squash made me oh-so-happy. Healthy, filling, and you may have leftovers. Leftover Thai food: better by far than waiting for hours at a street food fest. Just my two cents.

Go Little Vegan Cart!

2010-08-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

OK, there is no vegan cart yet. But there should be. A couple named Josh and Erin brought their wares to Pop's Bar on 24th Street today, and shared free vegan bbq with the hungry hordes. Josh baked the rosemary focaccia buns (awesome!), made the bbq sauce and cabbage slaw, and used soy curls - which he says are only available in Portland - as the protein. Kimster and I sat in the bar, munching our sandwiches and enjoying the friendly vibe. Now let's hope the kids get a cart and start selling their vegan goodies for reals. I know a whole lotta people who would support the cause. Let's not let Portland kick our asses on this front too, folks!

Take Heart

2010-08-19T21:39:00.001-07:00

We sat at the wine bar on nice, heavy wood stools. The $9 glass of red I tried, Cheverny Rouge, was excellent sipped from a Mason jar. Heart is groovy, this is true, with its hipster vibe and art-covered walls, but I liked everything about it. And ohhh, the food. We had a plate of pickles, cucumber and green beans and spicy peppers, all tasting home-made. My friend and I could not get over the creamily delicious raw scallops with preserved lemon and arugula...sex on a plate! And the parchment-baked halibut with leeks, carrots, bok choy, freshly-torn herbs and lemongrass just melted on the tongue. Wish there'd been rice to sop up the fish-sauced broth, but hey, we did get to top things off with a rich Neal's Yard bleu, accompanied by warm crusty bread and honey. And special props to whoever writes the absolutely unhelpful but hilarious wine descriptions: If Mel Gibson sold this wine, we’d still buy it.

Girlie Grub

2010-08-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today we had a Girlie Brunch. Me and Kimster. I cleaned the house like a Tasmanian she-devil yesterday; today we just enjoyed the company, food and drink.
So much to eat! A few of the highlights: Laura's homemade yogurt, plum jam, scones and hibiscus soda; Karol's husband's intensely flavorful pesto; Michelle's stewed okra and tomatoes; Jann's box of Frog Hollow peaches, accompanied by Susan's BiRite 'screams (vanilla, creme fraiche and lavender); Elise's vegan blueberry-nectarine cobbler; Pam's fruit salad, brimming with peaches and mango...and so, so much more. Thanks, ladies. Raising another mimosa to all of you.

Spaghettissimo

2010-08-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

There is no better spaghetti than Delfina's. None. You should also order the large size; the small is just torturing yourself. It comes in a tangle, perfectly al dente. The sauce has just the right mix of olive oil, tomato and bits of fresh basil. A hint of chile pepper, too. And your waiter will grind some Reggiano over the plate if you so desire (which you do). Miguel and I both said, at about the same time, "This is some amazing spaghetti". A desert island food...a last meal for a condemned prisoner kind of food. Add in some airy, crusty Tartine bread, warm Castelvetrano olives and maybe a salad and you're a lucky spag-hag. If that's not an expression, it is now.

Lazy Vegetarian

2010-08-08T19:52:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am lazy. And while I do eat eggs, tofu and fishies, I sometimes feel like I'm low on protein. What to do? More specifically, what to do if you don't feel much like working hard for your dinner? Well, you can go to Rainbow (or other well-stocked grocery stores) and get yourself a package of Turtle Island Foods' Marinated Tempeh. Yep, these are the folks who brought us Tofurky; they seem to know that us lazy non-meat-eaters need options that are going to actually taste better than their cardboard packaging. I can tell you that the lemon pepper tempeh strips I chose were quite flavorful, and easy as pie to 'make': heat a bit of olive oil in a pan, add five or six strips, cook for two minutes per side to get them all golden and toasty, then eat...Plain, in a sandwich, on a bed of rice, whatever. There are several other flavors, too...sesame garlic sounds pretty tasty. I think I've found another way to avoid cooking, and that makes me a happy slacker.

Impeccable Taste

2010-08-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

There's a new kid on the block at Ferry Building's Thursday market: Taste Catering. Yep, along with pizza and kimchee fried rice and hand-made ramen - just to name a few options - you can now grab a pretty compostable plate of food that looks and tastes incredible. My friends had a high-falutin' grilled cheese sammy with a shot of tomato soup, while I had three fat stuffed grape leaves and a salad. The dolmas were filled with rice that had the tang of high-quality vinegar; the salad consisted of heirloom tomato, cucumber, olives and feta. Mouthful o' summertime, even in the freezing SF fog. Great food, original and not too fancy, satisfying as the best food tends to be. Go now, before people realize how good it tastes.

Mark Your Calendar

2010-08-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Beretta, our local watering hole/crazy-popular restaurant, has nightly specials. On Tuesday, that special is cioppino. I'm telling you, if you love you some fish stew, get your Tuesday plans in order. This stuff is great.
Kimster and I managed to nab a two-top, despite the crowds, due to the early hour. We both sipped the Agricole Mule, one of my favorite rum concoctions, and shared a starter of broccolini and peperoncini with garlic and plenty of olive oil. For pizza - which is kind of a must here - we had the simple but lovely margherita. And then, the cioppino arrived, thoughtfully divided into two bowls: white fish (halibut?), clams, squid, shrimp in a tomato broth with vegetables and an oval of bread for sopping. Each piece of fish was perfectly cooked, and the broth was deeply flavorful. So...wishing for fish? Mission for fish.

Props to the Vegans

2010-08-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Gotta give a shout-out to the vegan peeps who organized Saturday's vegan bake sale, held on Valencia St. (at Mission Bikes). They raised over $2K to help Rocket Dog Rescue and the Housing Rights Committee of SF. AND the goodies were awesome. The lovely Elise contributed sesame butter-chocolate chip cookies and her world-renowned banana bread (again with the chocolate chips, woman!). There were so many treats, they needed a bunch more tables...cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, rice krispie treats, muffins, brownies, pudding...even jars of pickled fruits and veggies. Such good food for such good causes. Thanks Laura, Elise and all the other wonderful people who gave all of us a real sweet feeling.

Nosh and Slosh

2010-07-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

Drink up, matey! Today, I mention two very lovely bevvies you might want to try:
(1) Alcoholically speaking, you are bound to enjoy a visit to the newish Burritt Room, just below the Stockton Tunnel. If you are lucky - as the Delightful Susan and I were - you will have a cute Irish bartender who will explain words like 'demarara' to you in a fetching accent. Susan had a Jack Kerouac, akin to a margarita, and the color of a mango sunset. I got a bit shit-faced with my one drink, a Rum Collins, but then I'm a lightweight. The place has red velvet couches, a nice long bar, and the night of our visit at least, a live music trio. It's worth a return visit or three...right, Ms Mallon?
(2) Non-alcoholically, there is the perfection of Little Chihuahua's watermelon agua fresca. It is the essence of the fruit, not too sweet, and is spangled with fresh mint. So, so refreshing.
Ah, summer. Wait...it is summer, right? Let me defrost and get back to you on that.

Hi.Ate.Us.

2010-07-25T20:50:00.000-07:00

So, yeah, it's been awhile since a Nosh blog. I lost my spirit, but I'm back. Hopefully for a longer stretch this time...
Today, JP and I had lunch at Hazel's on Potrero Hill. It's a dear little place, no room to sit but you can (and we did) grab a table at Farley's next door. JP had a BLT with avocado, on whole wheat toast, while I had the vegi version: Swiss, sprouts, tomato, cucumber, red onion and avocado, also on toasty wheat. They were just exactly what we both wanted, fine sandwiches made by friendly folks. JP had a Farley's macchiato, and I quite liked their soy latte, for dessert.
Later today I went to hear Frank Bruni, the former food critic at the NYT/author of "Born Round", speak at Omnivore. Here's hoping his funny stories will inspire a bunch more blogging. And noshing, of course.

WWHD?

2010-07-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

What would hipsters drink? Coffeewise, I mean.
Why, that would be Four Barrel. Yep, it's as good as they say. Miguel bought me a post-birthday treat, in the form of a soy latte...Perfect in every way. Nice, too, to sit for awhile in this pretty spot, all wood and big glass windows, real records playing on a real record player. Constant lines, i.e. a constantly revolving hipster fashion show. And in spite of what I've heard about 'tude, our barista was a real nice guy. So hey, my birthday was not that long ago...anyone wanna take an aging Nosher out for coffee??

Hey Man, This Is Good 'Weed

2010-06-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed Snack. Thin green strips anointed with canola oil, sesame oil, sea salt. They melt in your mouth; they are also seriously addictive. Potato chips of the sea. And 99 cents a package is not bad, when you have the munchies...Dude.

She's a Rick...House

2010-06-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

Bad pun aside, good drinks await at the gorgeously appointed Rickhouse in the FiDi. All around is wood, backlit in places as though leading to secret rooms filled with treasure. Casks line the walls; barrel staves wrap around hanging bulbs; a huge bound drink menu accompanies the one-pager listing specialty cocktails. As an early birthday present, the Always Delightful Susan treated me to a beverage, a rum drink whose name now escapes me (it was strong!). But I can tell you it had lime, grapefruit and bitters, and tasted much better than words can describe. Plus, it was huge! The drink came in a goblet with a mountain of crushed ice, rising up like a snow-cone wearing a lime beret. The glass was frosted with ice as well. Several young ladies stopped by our table in awe, asking what I was drinking. A toast to good friends and aging gracefully, that's what.

Show Your Pride; Eat a Sausage!

2010-06-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

OK, that was crass. But it is Pride weekend in SF, so give me a break. At least I did not go out in a super-short tutu sans underwear, like a girl I saw early in the day.
But we have a new branch of Rosamunde Sausage Grill in the Mission, and JP and I were feeling lazy from the heat, so we hoofed it down there for an early supper. Dear Lord, I love this place. First off, it's simple but cute inside...There's a bar (they have an amazing beer selection) and several long wood tables. A smaller table made from a tree stump. A mirror framed by an old horsey harness. Nice tattooed guy taking orders, in - extra point - a Voodoo Donut tee shirt.
JP had the special, which is a sausage atop a crock of nice sweet baked beans, sided by salad and bread. The salad was not an afterthought: fresh mixed lettuces with walnut pieces and chunks of bleu cheese, a tub of balsamic vinaigrette. I had one of the three (!) vegan options, the Italian sausage, topped with sauerkraut and sweet peppers, in a very tasty bun. Topped with some honey-wasabi mustard from the expansive condiment bar, it was better than any sausage I've ever had. Insert Pride joke; I don't mind.

Cha-Wow

2010-06-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Finally! Noe now has a really good tacqueria...a second location of Lower Haight's Little Chihuahua. I moseyed on over at lunchtime for a veggie-rito...although I am excited to try the Garlic Shrimp version in the very near future. This place, besides occupying the lovely spot that was once Miss Millie's, has a great menu...You can even get a baby burrito, which is plenty big, if you don't want a gut-buster. So yeah, for me, the baby veg consisted of rice, black beans, salsa, cabbage salad (points for adding cabbage!!) and pico de gallo, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. And - drumroll please - that tortilla is GRILLED, baby, not steamed. Nice grill marks and a smoky flavor made lunch even more delightful. Plus they have a good selection of drinks, the kind without high-fructose crap. So walk your dogs over to 24th and Castro; no more bitching about lousy Noe tacos, my friend!

Sunflower in the Fog

2010-06-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's a cold foggy night. You want good, comforting food for not too much money. Asian food...Hey! Sunflower, the tiny Vietnamese restaurant on Valencia, now has a larger place on Potrero Hill! A pretty space with big windows and nice waiters! Lots of great options for veggies and meat-eaters alike, and prices are real friendly.
JP and I had a hard time choosing; too many yummy options. We shared fresh shrimp spring rolls in a good peanut sauce, with a hit of chilies and ground peanut bits. For me, a huge bowl of vermicelli topped with sauteed tofu, cabbage, celery and mushrooms, sided with a saucer of peanut-strewn fish sauce. Really satisfying textures and flavors. JP's sauteed pepper prawns were perfectly cooked, laced with stir-fried onions and truly generous for the price. And yes, they have pho, pholks...and one of my favorites, clay-pot fish! Fog or shine, I'll be back there soon.

Nosh Stays Home

2010-06-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you get a great meal at your very own, scarred old wooden table.
Tonite, JP and I noshed on some very healthy stuff, all delicious and super-easy to make.
First, quinoa, steamed till fluffy. We stirred in some leftover roasted taters and sweet taters, which gave it some texture and a bit more flavor.
Then I sauteed an onion, sliced oh-so-thinly, in olive oil. When it had gone all melty, I stirred in some broccoli and the greens that were attached, squeezed half a Meyer lemon over all, and sprinkled on a few shakes of balsamic. Once it was caramelized, the veggie stir-fry was tumbled into a bowl.
Then, the pan with its good glazed bits and a bit more olive oil was used to quickly fry some Dover sole fillets. A bit more lemon juice and it was done!
All together, a great Monday night dinner. And Wally the cat got some fish bits too, so everyone went home happy...Except we were already home.

If I Were a Cocktail

2010-06-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

...I think I would be the Southern Exposure at Alembic. Gin, fresh mint (they have a backyard garden, of course), bit of sugar, lime juice...and a shot of celery juice. If that sounds weird to you, well, I suggest you get on down to Haight Street and try it for yourself. Refreshing, yes. Easy to guzzle, yes. Smells as good as summertime? Yes, indeedy. Add to that a cool atmo, clever drink descriptions, food (my pal tried the pork belly and polished it off) and cloth towels in the restroom instead of paper and...Sigh. Make me a cocktail.

Nosh On at Nihon

2010-06-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

Nihon Whiskey Lounge was hopping at 10 p.m. But we had a reservation upstairs. Yes, the whole slightly-tipsy crew from Luscious Garage assembled for drinks and small plates, happy to celebrate the move to a cool new space that looks stylish as hell with a beautiful wall of plants from Flora Grubb. Like a painting, but it cleans the air!
Now, we'd already been noshing on an amazing array of snacks catered by the lovely and talented Paige. Oh, there was Humboldt fog and feta and triangles of honeyed Spanish cheese; there was a dip made of carrots and ginger; there was tapenade and steamed veggie spears and chunky hummus. There were cherries and grapes and cookies. Sure, you could talk about hybrids and electric vehicles, but you did not want to miss the eats.
At Nihon, we had fancy-pants cocktails and lots of fishy dishes. Me, I loved the cucumber salad, seaweed salad, robata-grilled shitakes, cod with miso (maybe my favorite thing ever), crispy rice balls, and some kind of triangle-shaped roll with salmon draped on top. A nice end to a summery day, with toasts to the two coolest mechanics in the city.

Green Garlic-Goaty Goodness

2010-06-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

Go to the Ferry Building on a sunny day (OK, fog is acceptable too). Walk to your right until you find the Acme bread stall. Stand in line - it shouldn't be a terribly long wait - and you might be waited on by a young friendly guy who says the sandwich you ordered is his favorite. But it won't be around much longer; seasons change, and so do the sandwiches at Acme.
What sandwich, you ask? Oh, just the Green Garlic...with chevre, roasted red pepper strips and balsamic vinaigrette on a crusty baguette. Simplicity, and satisfaction. Just $5 and pocket change, too! Go, get it, before it's just a memory of springtime.

With a Name Like Toro...

2010-06-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

My boy kitten's name is Toro. He has several nicknames: Buster, Boneless Kitten, and Puppycat. He's a big bruiser who managed to break his leg on his first birthday, because he doesn't think before he jumps. For the record, he is also a super-cuddly ball of white fluff with silver patches, and when he's really happy he drools.
Speaking of drooling, I have an abiding affection for El Toro, and not just because of the name. It's a good little taqueria, the tacos and burritos are always fresh, and they have lots of vegi options. Today, after seeing "La Mission" (yep, liked it), a burrito seemed like the right snack. I ordered a simple bean/rice/lettuce/tomato combo with mild salsa, then doused it with medium-hot tomatillo salsa and pico de gallo from the salsa bar. Great green salsa, for those of you who could drink it straight. They even label the choices so you'll know which ones are spicy versus H-A-W-T. Sitting on the little woven-leather stool, burrito dripping, Mission noises wafting in...La vida es buena.

Edible Sunshine

2010-06-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

That's what I am gonna call the Indonesian Noodle Salad I had today at Herbivore. It was just the right thing to eat on a (finally) summery day in S.F. A huge plate comes heaped with chopped up rice noodles, red cabbage, mushrooms, sprouts, herbs, cucumbers, onions, cubed tofu and a few halved grape tomatoes. Mixed into the salad are sunshiney bites of orange, playing nicely against the heat of chiles and pucker of tamarind dressing. You can eat the whole thing and still feel light as a summer breeze.

Yamwich

2010-05-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

Kimster and I shared a truly nosh-worthy snack today: the roasted yam sandwich at Atlas. For a modest fee, you get a toasted baguette filled with sweet yams, feta, diced onion, garlic, a bit of cilantro, and - remember to request this, it makes everything just a bit better - a ruffle of steamed kale. Wow! Vegetarians, try this...thank me later.
Props must also go to JP for masterminding our Memorial Day BBQ. He fired up the grill and lo! there were skewers of mushrooms, peppers, and shallots; grilled onions (which I basted with balsamic); grilled corn (Kimster gets credit for those heavenly ears); fishily perfect grilled halibut; and - genius! - cloves of grilled garlic to squeeze over everything. Summer, we welcome you after a whole big mess of rain. Please pull up a chair and stay awhile.

Long Lazy Lunch

2010-05-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Some days, I remember how lucky I am. I live in San Francisco. I work close to the waterfront. I have great friends. These things merged into a lovely meal today at Plant Cafe, where Scotty and I sat overlooking the water and shared a most righteous pizza topped with sweet roasted garlic, baby artichokes and Pecorino. I did not care about going back to work, and luckily no one noticed I was gone. And as if the crackly pizza, purty view and sparkling conversation weren't enough...Vegan cupcakes! Yes, across the way from the restaurant is a small takeout joint, where I scored a dreamy chocolate 'cake with peanut butter frosting. Back at the office, The Lovely Elise and I devoured our shared treat. Yes, I am a lucky woman.

Easy Orzy

2010-05-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

So I had a party to attend last night, and it was a potlucky thing, and I wasn't sure what to bring. Luckily, JP suggested my orzo salad, and that is what I made. You can make it too, without spending much or sweating over the proverbial stove. Here's how:
Buy a pound of orzo. The other ingredients you'll need are fresh basil, fresh Italian parsley, garlic, olive oil, salt and a nice big red pepper.
Chop up a big ol' pile (recipe says cup and a quarter) of basil. Also, a smaller amount (half a cup) of parsley. Finely mince about four or five cloves of garlic. Throw all this into a large bowl; pour in a quarter cup olive oil and quarter teaspoon salt. Mix everything together.
Boil the orzo, maybe nine minutes, till tender. Drain it well, then stir the warm pasta into the other ingredients. Put the bowl into your fridge for several hours and, before serving, stir in the diced red pepper.
Voila! Other than having garlicky fingers, you'll be happy with the results, and people will scarf it down, if my party was any indication.

Dreamy Crostini

2010-05-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

A return to Beretta was in order, prior to seeing a wonderful play, The Real Americans, at The Marsh. As expected, the cocktails were intoxicating, both mine ( Il Gitano, made with a digestif and quite fruity/herbal) and Kimster's/JP's (Agricole Mule, rummily delicious with lime and mint). But oh, the fava bean crostini! An oval of perfect toast, a thick spread of fava puree, green as the first bud of spring, and a shower of downy pecorino. One bite and I knew, this was the best thing I would eat all week. And I also knew that one was not enough. But that's what we got, three toasts for three hungry folks. The math is right; the mouth is feeling a bit gypped.

Buri Me

2010-05-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

Chilly night. Squirmy tummy. What do I crave? Donburi!
In particular, Yasai Donburi at my beloved Hotei. It's nice and simple, the perfect bowl of food: steamed rice, scrambled egg, all sorts of fresh veggies, tofu and pickles. Stir together, feed yourself, let the warmth travel through your body. Nourished, go home, tuck yourself into bed.
Repeat as needed.

If Life Gives Ya Lemonade

2010-05-11T20:55:00.001-07:00

...Then be thankful for the carafe that accompanies your glass of delightful, not-too-sweet squeezed biodynamic lemons and organic sugar. That's what you get at Out The Door, enough lemonade to make you and your dining partner quenched and happy. The fabulous Susan M and I met for brunch at the newish Bush Street location, and while I would encourage anyone to order this fine beverage, I must say that I wasn't so thrilled with my meal. Folks, I love eggs, I love rice, and I sure do love pickles. Don't get me wrong. But the scramble with rice cake was not what I expected. Oh, Fabulous S tried to warn me that rice cake can be a bit challenging. But this, well, this was like little rounds of library paste, coated in spices and pan-fried to disguise the texture. Once eaten, this "rice cake" thingy coats your entire mouth with an oily sticky film that does not go away for hours. NNNNNGGGGHHHHH.
But the lemonade? I try to look on the bright side.

Tiny Likes It

2010-05-07T20:52:00.001-07:00

First, apologies for the long gap in blogs. What can I say? I need to get out more. Or be more adventurous. Or earn a whole lot more money...
But anyhow, here's a recommendation for something you will find at your local Trader Joe's...wait, don't close the window yet, I swear it's good! It is the rather holy-sounding Daily Bread (even the font on the bread bag looks kinda Old Testament). What makes it so much better than, say, an English muffin? Well, there are sprouted wheat berries, sesame seeds, sprouted barley, spelt, millet and lentils! It's like Diet for a Small Planet in a bread bag! And, healthy as it may be, it tastes mighty good. Nutty, toasty, equally fine with savory melted cheese or sweet jam.
Tiny? She's my cat, and she loves her some bread. I shall forgive her her trespasses, unless, that is, she tries stealing my Daily Bread. And she would if I didn't put her in another room while I ate it.

Le Pique-Nique

2010-05-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Sunny days in The City call for a mob scene in Dolores Park. On my way to meet Michelle for lunch, I checked out a couple of vendors who'd set up shop on the grass; for $3, I bought a perfect taste of strawberry season: fresa agua fresca. Just enought sweetness, plenty of berry seeds lingering at the bottom of my cup. Nothing could have tasted better.
That said, the sandwiches we ordered at BiRite's deli were top-notch. Both of us liked the sound of a hummus-avocado sandwich with snappy little pickled peppers on seedy Semifreddi bread. We ate them in a sunny spot on the grass, while people played tennis and dogs trotted by with balls in their happy mouths. Ah oui, j'aime le printemps.

Night of the Round Table

2010-05-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

That's what we had, eight hungry people at a big round table in Golden Era. Me, Julie Ray, Wig and Ad, Scotty, Elise and 2 Amy's. Finally, I was going to try the vegan Vietnamese restaurant that's been around for at least a couple of eras. And since there were a bunch of us, there was lots of food. Potstickers, spring rolls and cucumber salad for appetizers, all quite good. But the entrees were what really impressed. Like the claypot eggplant with velvety tofu triangles; the stir-fried asparagus and green beans with sesame garlic sauce; caramelized soy chicken; and pan-fried chow fun with soft ribbons of rice noodle, tofu and mushrooms. I also tasted Elise's banana smoothie, then handed it back before I accidentally consumed the whole thing. Luckily, she was far across the table...this time.

Muddled Kumquats

2010-04-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

Andy and I decided that should be the name of this blog entry. It refers to my summery, dreamery cocktail at Marzano in Rockridge. With a name as sophisticated as The Novelist, you hope for great things from a cocktail, and in this case, you are rewarded with an icy mix of gin, lime juice, a touch of absinthe and the aforementioned muddled fruit. And since we'd been hanging out in bookstores before dinner, drinking The Novelist seemed very apropos.
Also on the table: arugula salad with almond slivers and juicy bits of orange; wonderful braised greens, rich with olive oil; and our super-thin-crust Napoletana pizza with olives, capers, chili flakes and anchovies.
After dinner, on a warm night, you can make your way slowly up College Ave., thinking how very lucky you are. Life may be muddled, but it's not so bad when you have your friends, good food, your health.
Get well soon, Michelle.

But...but...it tastes good

2010-04-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

OK, my nosh of the day is kinda embarrassing. Don't hate on me, but it's...Tuttimelon.
I know, it's a chain, there's frogurt everywhere, blah blah blah. But we now have a Tutti in our 'hood, and I have to admit, their plain frozen yo is awfully good. It's a wee bit tart, not much, nor is it too sweet. There's a Goldilocks sort of thing going on. And it's fairly addictive, even if you don't stir in all kinds of sweet stuff, which really is unnecessary. A cup of plain is a perfect dessert on a warm SF night, so scoff if you must but I think I see a habit forming.

Blues and Germs

2010-04-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

Today, a new breakfast spot: Stacks on Hayes. New to us, anyway, and like the name implies, they have pancakes. I happen to love me some flapjacks, but cannot seem to find any (excepting Chloe's only-every-so-often blueberry or pumpkin) that measure up to my lofty standards. So to Stacks we went, and while we waited, I got us some fine New Orleans iced crack at Blue Bottle, a few blocks away.
My pancakes were the Blues with Germ, i.e., wheatgerm. They were pretty good; the germ adds a nice pebbly texture, akin to cornmeal, and they didn't use those awful frozen berries. Although the place charges a hefty fee for real maple syrup (treason!), these 'cakes came with a ramekin of blueberry compote, so I didn't have to use the fake stuff. And a short stack was huge; JP had to help me, and we still didn't finish the whole thing. My side of scrambies was commendable, as was JP's chorizo-egg scramble in whole wheat tortillas. I still crave Portland pancakes, but when the sun's out and Alla Prima is just a few doors down, you can't complain.

It's ALIVE

2010-04-17T19:36:00.001-07:00

Today, sunny and perfect. Went down to the Ferry Building to buy produce, drink iced coffee and, best of all, get me a peek at some baby goats.
It was the Goat Festival, celebrating things like goats' milk, cheese, ice cream and...babies! In a pen full of straw, four baby goatses reclined or wobbled around, sleepy and painfully cute. I got to chat with a guy from Redwood Hill, who picked up a baby so I could snorgle it. It reached it's little snout toward me, and I gave it several kisses, also petted its soft fur. Ahhhhhh.
Next to that, food is an afterthought. But I did buy a nice spicy Korean wrap at Alive, the raw foods vendor. It's a big leaf of pickled kale wrapped around sprouts, chopped veggies and avocado with a dollop of spicy chile sauce. Makes you glad to eat vegi, especially after nuzzling a sweet baby animal.

Muffin Accomplished

2010-04-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Today it rained again. Just like last Sunday. Wet, windy, cold and...well, not much to recommend it. Except that we stopped at Arizmendi and I snagged myself a blueberry corn muffin. Lordy me, no one makes muffins like the Arizmendi folks. There's a light crust to the top, but inside is moist from the berries and cakey...Cornmeal adds a tiny bit of crunch. For a few moments, I was floating on a cloud, not being drenched by one.

Ante Up

2010-04-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

When the Geezer and I met for dinner this week, I was a happy lady. First, because I love the Geezer and don't get to see her nearly enough. Second, we met at Dosa on Fillmore, which has some top-notch Indian food and good atmo'. Since I arrived first, I settled in at the bar and promptly ordered a spectacular cocktail: the Ginger Ante. Not too distantly related to my beloved Dark and Stormy, it includes Gosling rum, ginger ale, lime, and something that goes by the fanciful name of ginger jaggery nectar. All decked out with a sprig of rosemary, this drink put a big smile on my face. It also went well with our spicy food: dosa, curried veggies with coconut rice, and a non-spicy salad with goat cheese, mango and hazelnuts.
Next time, I'm gonna try to branch out and try the Beet Box. But if you don't want beets in your cocktail - and I know at least one person with the initials J.P. who's shuddering at the thought - get yourself an Ante. Or, you know, two.

Catfish Got Yer Tongue

2010-04-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

Well it might, my friend, if you drop by Tin, the new Vietnamese restaurant on Howard Street.
Kimster and I had dinner there before seeing The Runaways (it's good, see it). It's a smallish place but neat and modern-looking. We shared the vegetarian bun, rice vermicelli with fried peanutty tofu, herbs, lettuce, sprouts; stir-fried broccoli with lots of garlic; and our favorite, the caramelized claypot catfish. That's a mouthful of C's. And it's a mouthful of tender, sweet fish that falls to pieces as you scoop it into your mouth. The sticky sauce over steamed rice is a good consolation prize once the catfish is gone, which won't take an awful long time. And I gotta say, catfish claypot for $8? Read it and weep, Oh Slanted One.

Noshing Inside of the Box

2010-04-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

Add to the list of places I've waited far too long to try: Boxed Foods Company on Kearny. It's not that far away from work. The food is organic and creative, and vegi-friendly. Not even that pricey. Luckily my pal Lara dragged me along and I had a box of tempeh. Well, a tempeh sandwich, which was shaped like a burger and came in a very good whole-wheat sesame bun. Spread on the bun was a tangy sundried tomato tapenade, then a healthy dose of grilled red peppers and onions. The tempeh was sprinkled with shredded Asiago, which could be left off for the vegan set. Alongside, a cute little pile of baby greens and a micro-cup of citrusy vinaigrette.
Sing it with me now:
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky tacky...

Jantje Won't Like It

2010-04-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

In the interest of being even-handed, I shall now glorify a food product that Kim's better half will not touch: pesto.
Jantje, it must be said, has a very good reason. Pinenuts send him into anaphylactic shock.
But man oh man, that was some crazy-good p***o down the street at that place-with-a-famous-chef-that-I've-mentioned-before. I saw it on the menu posted outside, so JP and I went in and snagged a barside two-top. First, we shared a salad that sang of spring: shaved ribbons of asparagus; thin radish coins; snips of sorrel and its flowers; and shaved over all, bottarga, a dried fish roe sort of thing that added a nice brininess to the mix.
My dish, though, was heavenly. The pasta is called strozzaprete, and it's made in-house; little twists of dough that hold sauce in their crevices. Sauce made, in this case, with broccoli rabe, olive oil, and pine nuts...maybe some other things, I didn't ask because my mouth was full. And to gild the lily, fresh dabs of ricotta. It's a dreamy dish, so if you're not Jantje or Kimster (who abstains so as to avoid the Kiss of Death), figure it out and get on down there...before the menu changes.

Kim Won't Like It

2010-03-30T19:52:00.001-07:00

Let's just get that out of the way. Kimster hates avocados. It's her only flaw. She's allowed to have one.
Moving on, unless you're Kimster, you're gonna love you some Roberto's Guacamole. JP bought some at Whole Foods and man, it rocks. Ingredients: avocado, roasted chiles, roasted tomatoes, red onion, roasted garlic (think they like roasting?), key lime juice, some spices and salt. I could have eaten the whole container myself, but exercised my usual ladylike constraint. Or maybe I was kind of full from dinner. Whatever.

Funky Friday

2010-03-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Still feeling funky, I made the executive decision to work a half-day, take BART to the Mission and steep my sinuses in a huge bowl of sweet and sour noodle soup at Herbivore.
This was a fabulous idea, and I feel better today. Maybe it was the magical soup with its essence of lime, its wealth of greenery (spinach, broccoli, green onion, cilantro), its slippery rice noodles and tofu. Some nice slices of whole-wheat toast, nestled beside the bowl, helped sop up the liquid. (Yeah, I like soggy things, we all have our weird tics, let's move on.) And the waitress was kind about bringing extra napkins, since long noodles + soup = dripping chin. Try this on a Friday; if you're feeling healthy, so much the better.

Cold Comfort

2010-03-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Am I getting a cold? Why do I have the chills? Where's my soup??
JP and I walked the few blocks to Eric's, so I could have some Chinese penicillin, i.e., vegetarian Hot & Sour. So soothing, a thickish broth laden with clouds of egg and bits of tofu, enoki threads floating on top. This was followed by a platter of diagonal-cut asparagus in a garlicky black bean sauce, with triangles of tofu added per my request. Eaten with brown rice, this was just exactly right for a soon-to-be raining night.

Soul on Ice

2010-03-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

The charming Maria met me for coffee this morning at Blue Bottle, coffee mecca of the Ferry Building. Since it was warm, I was thinking iced latte. But luckily the waiter-dude helpfully steered me to the New Orleans iced coffee. I'm not exactly sure of the magical overnight steeping process, with chicory and a bit of organic brown sugar, but when combined with ice and milk it is truly an elixir of the gods. Said dude warned me it was very caffeinated...as if that would deter me! No, man, bring it on.
Side note: two women got in line behind me, and when one left to visit the restroom, she gave the other her order: nonfat iced white mocha. Oh, honey, let me point you toward the Starbucks...

The Raw and the Toasted

2010-03-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

To some people, a sandwich is a sandwich. There are even folks - I've met them - who dislike sandwiches, find them boring. That's hard for me to understand, being a huge fan of bread, but I will say there's a big difference between your pedestrian, slapped-together sandwich and one in which the bread is toasted before assembly.
I have walked by Hadi's many times; never went in until today. Their claim to fame is gyros, and I don't eat meat. But they also do plenty of vegi items: falafel, garden burgers, and the avocado-hummus-cheese sandwich that cost me a whopping $5.50. Yes, they toasted the bread first. There was a nice spreading of avo and chickpea puree, Swiss cheese (they have other choices), sprouts, lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles. Jalapenos if you must. Nice people behind the counter and a good selection of cold drinks. And hey, a block from my office! Hadi's, I see a future for the two of us. Keep the toaster warm for me.

East Bay Envy

2010-03-18T22:20:00.000-07:00

That's what I've got. On one of the most beautiful nights in recent history, I took BART to North Berkeley to meet my ex-neighbor Andy for dinner. But first I got to admire his cute little house in Albany, with its built-ins and fireplace and deck-with-a-view. The walk to Solano, which must translate to 'street of many restaurants', made me want to move there. Ohhhh. Cute Craftsman cottages. Flowers and lawns. Absence of trash and noise...
We went to Fonda, the perfect place to spend a slow balmy evening. My cocktail, Seis de Mayo, was a big glass of rum, pineapple juice, ginger beer and bitters...Despite my lightweight rep, I drank the whole thing. Then we shared some lovely small plates: spinach salad with oranges, walnuts, red onion and goat cheese; scallop ceviche; tuna tartare with avocado; warm tortillas; and more spinach, sauteed with pinenuts, apples and raisins.
The stroll back to Andy's featured a sliver of moon and several cats lolling around in their spacious yards. Everything smelled of jasmine. Nope, I wouldn't mind living there someday.

Noodles for a Wet Noodle

2010-03-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

OK, after an 80-minute massage in a darkened room by a Frenchman named Xavier - and a dreamy trip to the baths at the Kabuki Spa - a girl finds herself meltingly relaxed, cucumber-lotioned, and ready for lunch. That girl might want to walk around the corner to Suzu, where she'll most likely have to add her name to a list. But it's worth it; my Vegetable Udon was a huge bowl of broth, fresh-made ropes of noodles and squares of tofu, plus all sorts of veggies: cabbage, broccoli, carrot slivers, eggplant, kabocha squash. My pal Spunky gave it the thumbs-up as well, although she was so mellow she could barely lift her thumb.

Mao For Now

2010-03-08T20:34:00.000-08:00

It's cold out. So cold it hailed all over me as I waited for the train. Wet, cold, hungry. In need of comfort and slippery noodles, I dialed Regent Thai and ordered the remedy for my ills: Pad Kee Mao. I got a nice big box full of wide rice noodles, plump shrimp, onions, peppers, carrots and lettuce, just the right degree of oily and spicy (for me, that means not so much). I slid my dinner into a bowl and dug in, safe in my cozy kitchen. Elements, you are no match for the Mao.

On The Town

2010-03-07T21:24:00.000-08:00

I need to get out more.
Like Saturday, that was pretty great. Drinks at Smuggler's Cove with the lovely Elise. We were two complicated Jewish girls, both in need of a drink. That, my friend, they have in spades. You have to walk a bit afield of Hayes Valley proper, up Gough to McAllister, and the only clue there was a bar inside was the snappily-dressed doorman sitting outside. But there is in fact three floors of bar, and a nifty waterfall flowing down the wall to the basement. Elise and I enjoyed our rum drinks, mine the Millionaire Cocktail, which included many things I don't recall. That was a stiff drink, matey! But I know some apricot liqueur was involved.
Afterwards, we strolled to the Mission for burritos at Mariachi's on Valencia. Talk about yer vegi-friendly! How did I miss this place? My California burrito was full of grilled veggies, mango salsa, black beans and rice (brown by request, though they have Spanish and ginger varieties). JP joined us and I snagged a most righteous spicy shrimp off of his taco plate. Yep, rum drinks and burritos; Nosh is one classy broad.

Sunny Table at Stable

2010-02-28T19:26:00.000-08:00

Stable Cafe is as groovy as it gets. A beautiful space, once a carriage house, now home to a collective of local businesses; the old hayloft houses an architecture firm. You can eat upstairs or down, or in a small garden outside. Today we had brunch by the window, admiring the cool space and artful plates. JP had the Pomba, which is a huge slice of home-made bread with a hole cut in the middle; said hole is filled with scrambled eggs (which, judging from adorable photos tacked up nearby, come from happy local chickens). Draped across the top is melted Brie and crisp bacon; the bread hole is served alongside, so you don't feel cheated. Me, I had the bowl of oatmeal, which is topped with granola, maple syrup, chopped pecans and bits of fruit: banana, apple, blackberries. It filled me up, and what better to eat in a stable than a steaming bowl of oats? Giddyap.

Plums and Potions

2010-02-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

My lady-friend at the Juicy Lucy stand (mentioned previously) saw that I could not decide on a juice. So many to choose from. She advised me to try the Vitality, and, well, Lord knows I need all of that that I can suck down. Beet, carrot, celery, all sorts of fresh-that-day greens, green apple and ginger got blended into the mix. Yes, it was divine. Kick of ginger to counter the sweetness. Almost like a blood transfusion, without the icky needles and stuff.
Not long after, while getting my other vital fluid at Ritual, I tried the vegan plum bread. Kimster and I split a piece, because it looked generous. Little did we know how amazingly moist it would be, how very plump with fruit...Half a plum cake slice is better than none, but two slices, now, that would've been genius.

Twofer

2010-02-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

I meant to write about Tuba; really I did. It's been almost a week since I ate there, but they don't have an up-to-date menu posted online, which made it difficult. See, Marc and I got the appetizer platter which has a little of everything. And in the case of Tuba, that's everything Turkish. And it's all vegetarian! Going from memory, there was hummus, thick yogurt, roasted eggplant, white bean salad, dolma and...I think a dip made with fish roe. Maybe more. I know we used the puffy warm bread to mop it all up. It was very satisfying, and while I have no idea why the place is named after a huge brass horn, I like their food just fine.
Tonight I had dinner with the hens, aka Robin and Michelle. They live in the Haight, so to Citrus Club we went (after a detour to Backseat Betty). After sharing a towering pile of garlicky edamame, we each had a nice big bowl of noodles. Mine was the yellow curry with tofu: rice noodles, julienned carrots and cucumbers, peanuts, garlic and a sweet/savory sauce. The creamy coconut milk makes it impossible to stop slurping. I ate most of it, which was too bad for the Haight kids who wanted leftovers...Dudes, if I had 'em, they'd be lunch for tomorrow.

Umami on a Plank

2010-02-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

This from our friends at Wikipedia:
Umami, popularly referred to as savoriness, has been proposed as one of the basic tastes sensed by specialized receptor cells present on the human and animal tongue. Umami (旨味^?) is a loanword from Japanese meaning "flavor" or "taste" (noun).^[1] In English, however, "brothy", "meaty", or "savory" have been proposed as alternative translations.^[2]^[3] In as much as it describes the flavor common to savory products such as meat, cheese, and mushrooms, umami is similar to Brillat-Savarin's concept of osmazome, an early attempt to describe the main flavoring component of meat as extracted in the process of making stock.
If you want to have your specialized receptor cells excited, swing by Ebisu and order the cedarwood planked salmon with miso sauce. It's listed as a small plate on the whiteboard behind the sushi bar. And while it may take awhile for the kitchen to fill your order, when it arrives, you can revel in its beauty: pink roasted salmon on blackened cedar wood, the top crispy and melting with miso. Sweet, salty, rich and smoky...your tastebuds will rejoice.

What Ales Ya

2010-02-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

The best ginger ale can be found at Gracias Madre; this I have determined. On my second visit, I was assured by our perky waitress that this stuff kicks the proverbial ass. It does. Made with lots of fresh ginger, not-too-sweetly sweetened with agave, garnished with a lemon slice: this is the ale of your dreams.
Also, you might want to try the guac, creamy and chunky, served with hand-patted corn tortillas that arrive all warm and cozy in a woven basket. And the roasted butternut quesadilla was the right mix of sweet and savory, topped with vegan crema and pumpkin seeds. My pal Rachel - who also teaches a mean pilates class - was in heaven. Rachel, I'll do hundreds of hundreds for you if we can come back here soon.

A Vegi Goes to Houston

2010-02-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

What to eat in Houston, TX, where even the 'vegetarian' food includes chicken? A few places I liked:

La Madeleine: it's an OK place for lunch. I had some decent vegetable soup, and a yummy flatbread topped with hummus, melted feta, olives and red pepper. I mean, they seem interested in offering healthy stuff overall, so kudos for that.

Anvil Bar: no way! This bar is in Houston? It looks like they airlifted it straight outta S.F. What a cool place. Great anvil logo and cool font on the menu, which included some nice bites, pizzas and suchlike. At the end of the bar was an actual anvil...nice touch. My drink was fantastic, altho my dude friend felt ordering it would be emasculating: I say get the Queen Park Swizzle anyway! It's like a mojito, with bitters added, served in a tall frosty glass. Best drink I've had in awhile.

Giacomo's: comfy little Italian restaurant. You order at a counter and sit down, they deliver things like a cheese plate, pastas, salads. We got a great assortment of antipasti: broccoli with ricotta salata, tuna and white bean salad, and ratatouille. My pal's ravioli looked lovely, and we dipped our bread in some decent, slightly peppery olio. Also, the cute dog pictures on the wall by the exit made me happy. Points for that, Giacom-owners.

Firefly's Flaky Filo

2010-02-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

Again, Firefly. Filling a need for comforting, elegant food in a cozy spot. Kimster and I sat at one end of the communal table and shared three plates. While the starters were old favorites, our entree was new: a vegan creation of filo stuffed with maitake mushrooms and chard in a creamy, aioli-esque cauliflower puree. It sure tasted buttery, but it wasn't. We both oohed and ahhed alot as our forks shattered the flaky pastry. Spanakopita? IMHO, this was better.

World Breakfast

2010-01-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

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.

2010-01-25T19:36:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-10T21:30:00.001-08:00

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

2010-01-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

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.

Long Time No Nosh

2009-12-29T20:06:00.000-08:00

It has been quite awhile since the last blog. Why is hard to say; laziness, lack of inspiration, tummy ache. But before 2009 escapes us, here are a few places I hit today:

Dolores Park Cafe: always a nice spot in which to slack. I can recommend the soy latte in its nice tall glass. Needs no adornment; very good as is.

Thai Spice on Polk. Mark and I had such a fantastic dinner at this place, which has always been great, in the half-dozen times I've visited. Fresh spring rolls with (fake) crab and shrimp, rice noodles and sprigleys of cilantro, which you dip in a warm (!) peanut sauce. Mark had the good sense and empty stomach to order tom yum soup with shrimp and lots of button mushrooms. For entrees we shared the salt-and-pepper tofu, with a dark and deeply-flavored sauce sprinkled with green onions, and shrimp with spicy green beans. Brown rice, too. Now I have garlic breath and I'm not sorry.

Re-Planted

2009-12-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

There is a new Plant Cafe downtown; it is, dangerously, a mere 2 blocks from my workplace.
If you go, take note: in spite of its address, it is actually on Front and Pine.
Also, do not freak at the prices. This is organic fare, kids; it's not meant to be cheap. Cough it up.
I thoroughly enjoyed my bowl of cold soba noodles in a swoony Asian vinaigrette with chopped veggies, sprouts and nicely-firm baked tofu. They bring your order to your table, and all the folks there are helpful as can be. Also, there are recycling and composting options.
I will be back there soon for their deservedly-famous veggie burger, perhaps with Swiss and mushrooms. And I may have to try their oatmeal with pecans, raisins and cinnamon. Oh sweet Jesus, 2 short blocks. A blessing and a curse.

I Heart Surprises

2009-12-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

Monday. Dragging myself to work. I am Sisyphus, pushing my rock uphill. And then...what is this? A tiny, heart-shaped muffin on my desk? And it's vegan! And homemade...by my dear friend and next-door cubicle neighbor, T-Money! Yes, apple-pecan muffiny goodness. I managed to delay gratification till after lunch, at which point the lovely pastry was greedily devoured.
Now, if anyone wants to brighten up my Tuesday...well, I think you know what to do.

DIY!

2009-12-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you gotta cook it yourself. Like JP, using up some leftover buttermilk to make astoundingly good buckwheat pancakes. Yo, just buy some 365 mix at Whole Foods and make 'em yourself! Although you probably don't have the evolved flipping style that JP has perfected. I say, real maple syrup and sliced bananas to gild the lily. Or flapjack...whatever.
Not to be outdone, I made some very auspicious winter veggies for dinner. Butternut squash, procured at the farmers' market, was cooked simply with water and cinnamon, then mashed until lumpy. A bit of salt and pepper is all you need. For the brussels sprouts, I sliced each sprout in half, sliced up half a red onion and half a Granny Smith, tossed in a pan with olive oil and balsamic, and roasted at 400 till crispy (maybe 45 minutes). Healthy, easy, and quite yummy. Almost makes me want to cook all the time. Almost.

Mixt Feelings

2009-12-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

You can't diss on Mixt Greens too much. They are organic and sustainable. They heart the environment. If you work downtown, they are nearby, ready to toss at a moment's notice. So, post-workout and famished, I wandered in (the line is shorter when it's freezing outside). The dude behind the counter was patient as I slowly picked out ingredients for my custom salad: mixt greens (to stick with the theme), carrots, red peppers, golden beets, chickpeas and marinated tofu cubes. All tossed with a lovely lemon herb vinaigrette, which said dude recommended. A tiny piece of wheat bread added and, a bit over $8 later, I was back out in the cold.
Yes, it tasted great. But it didn't fill me up. Maybe if I'd added avocado, for an extra buck? Not sure, but I can say it would be perfect on one of those hot days that I'm starting to miss.

Long Weekend's Eatings

2009-12-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

Friday night: Lost Landscapes, an amazing show of archival SF footage by Rick Prelinger. Even film of Market Street before the '06 earthquake...watch out for that buggy! After: starving, cold, JP and I cab it to Pomodoro where I devour a bowl of whole wheat fusilli with marinara and basil. Ahhh.
Saturday night: Ladies of the Lounge come together for a potluck and vast quantities of red wine. Vegan chili on the stove, from the Vegan Table cookbook. A hearty walnut loaf from Boulange, accompanied by goat cheese, fig spread, and a dark, lusty tapenade. Janet's homemade pickled beets and green beans, in jars with the prettiest labels. Michelle's earthy and mouthwatering roasted beets. Kristy's addictive pasta with peppers. Pea pod and mushroom salad with red onions, and roasty potatoes, from my friend The Pasta Shop. Shanna's gorgeous frittata...And more...
Sunday: leftovers, of course! The real event was Shitty Shitty Band Band at the Makeout Room.
Monday: JP and I get to visit the G at her workplace, the awe-inspiring ILM. Oh, the eye candy! One of the original bicycles from ET! R2D2 in a Santa hat! Electric menorahs next to Xmas trees! Light saber chopsticks in the gift shop! And best of all, a cafeteria that nearly made me weep. I got one of the vegan dishes, grilled tofu with tomatillo sauce, black bean cakes, avocado salsa and spinach, plus a fancy-pants Boylan's root beer. JP and the G had beautiful plates of sushi. The spirit of George Lucas hovered nearby, but noone's allowed to talk to him, so we ignored it.

Send Me Airmail

2009-12-03T21:34:00.000-08:00

It was dinner date nite for me and Kimster. Shockingly, we had not been to Beretta yet. Well, I'd been once awhile ago; she had somehow missed it altogether (although she has been to Flour & Water several times now, without me, not that I'm bitter).
So down the hill we went, to a nice welcoming spot where it's almost too dark to read the menu. We managed. My lovely cocktail, the Airmail (rum, honey, lime, Prosecco) smelled divine and, like Kimster's Rattlesnake (rye, lemon, maple, bitters, egg white) tasted heavenly. We shared a beet salad with ricotta salata, a balsamic drizzle across the top making it look like a beet sundae. Our salad of fennel and arugula with shaved Parmesan was light and lovely. And our pizza was quite special: the funghi and vegetarian sausage atop tomato sauce and melted cheese was a winning combination. Oh, it was dark, and kinda loud, but we'll be back. There's too many fine-looking antipasti still to be ordered.

Tiny Pie Slice

2009-11-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

It was teensy. I swear. I had no choice but to finish it off. It was taking up space in the fridge.
Sweet Earth makes many kinds of pah. My favorite is the Vegan Pumpkin. It's got the custardy pumpkiny spiced goodness inside, flaky crust outside, and it's not too sweet. Non-vegans dig it, too. Most health-food stores carry it; if yours doesn't, throw a tantrum.
Mine is gone but yours could be just beginning...

Smoky and the Undertones

2009-11-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Tonite we dined chez The N and The G, out in the Richmond, where delicacies are but a short walk away. Witness the nearby Haig's Delicacies, where our hosts bought some lovely spreads to accompany the bread and crackers, baked potatoes, and organic turkey that came from George Lucas...The G works at ILM, a company that gets real generous around the holidays.
My Lord, Haig's makes some fine baba ghanoush. Or as they spell it: baba ghannouge. I also love their description:
Rich, smoky undertones bloom on your palate in this
flavorful mezé of roasted eggplants and tahini, with a
hint of zesty lemon, garlic, and spices.
How can I top that? Nope, I can't.

Oui, s'il vous plait

2009-11-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

That's what most of my Noe brethren are saying, French-speakers or not...It's nice to have a lousy Italian restaurant replaced with a Boulange. I had always been fond of the Hayes Valley outpost, with its dangerous proximity to Miette, Blue Bottle, and Alla Prima. But now I just mosey up 24th Street for my Frenchified fix. JP and I shared a rustic wooden table (with cute matching chairs) and two lattes in red-checked cups, tres charmant! Alors, Noe may now have a place that serves good coffee. (Not to mention adorable pastries, tantalizing sandwiches and salads...) And cheers to the wooden counter in the front window, where une femme can sit, livre in hand, un cafe at her elbow, watching tout le monde pass by. Makes me want to take up smoking, almost.

Thanks

2009-11-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

I had stopped writing my blog. I was sad. I didn't know if it was worth doing anymore.
But I'm gonna try again. Please leave a comment if you care to.
I am thankful today, and most days, for the good things. Today I celebrated with five lovely people. There were cheeses, a drunken, firm goat and a sober, herb-flecked goat log...flatbread crackers with all kinds of seeds on top. Hard pear cider and wine. Tofurkey for us veg-heads, which comes with vegan gravy and a spiral of stuffing inside. My own cardamom cranberry sauce laced with orange peel. Sweet and white potatoes mashed with lots of elephant garlic and buttermilk. Roasted brussels sprouts, carrots and kabocha squash. Green beans with lemony gremolata. Salad that sang with cubes of Asian pear and slivered almonds. And for dessert, coffee and pumpkin pie, apple pie, perfect ginger cookies.
Thankful to those who read my blog. Be happy; enjoy your leftovers.

Great Pumpkin

2009-11-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

We may not look like fall, here in SF, but we eat like it. Case in point: dinner at Incanto last night. JP and I shared, as an appetizer, the roasted autumn veggies: yams, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichoke, parsnip, carrot with olive oil and herbs. We also shared the first-of-the-season Meyer lemon sorbetto, which is sweet and puckery and adorned with candy-like shreds of peel. Remember Italian ice, eaten with a teensy wooden spoon? Much, much better.
Pumpkin again this morning at Chloe's; namely, pumpkin-cinnamon-ginger pancakes, dusted with powdered sugar. Take a moment to admire their spice-swirled orange hue, then douse with syrup.
Soon, oh very soon, pumpkin pah...

Sharing Some Pah

2009-11-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

Pie. Or, as Kimster and I pronounce it, pah. If you want a vegan slice, do what we did: grab a nice latte from Ritual, then cross the street to Herbivore. Grab some stools at the counter in the window. Ask for pah. We chose strawberry-rhubarb, which pretty much always is the best choice. This slice came with slices of banana and blueberries; the pah itself was full of juicy sweetness and tartness, the crust flaky and buttery in a vegan sort of way. What a perfect end to the afternoon.
P.S. Not a bad idea to start the day with Blue Chair jam. I sampled the Plum and the Rhubarb/Kumquat today at the Noe Farmers' Market, and a sticky thumbs-up to both.

Lavish Lavash

2009-11-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

OK, they spelled 'lavash' wrong on their online menu. Who cares? Sunrise Deli makes some mean Middle-Eastern food, and lucky for me and many other worker bees, they opened a branch downtown. Just take your hungry, sedentary ass down to 2nd St., off Market, and you can try a plethora of different falafels; salads; plate combos...
Me, I had the large and satisfying Veggie Delight. It's got hummus, tabbouleh, tahini sauce, sauteed eggplant and peppers, lettuce and tomato all wrapped in lavash. Which is wrapped in foil, for slightly less messy consumption. I still got tahini all over my chin.
They even have Turkish Delight! If you want to make me love you, bring me a piece. Or two. I'll share, I promise.

Noshachusetts

2009-10-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Nosh has not been very active, has she?
Well, that's what happens when you travel back East and stay with your moms. And I do mean that in the plural, not just the colloquial.
Food in MA: some good, some eh. But there were moments:
Amherst Coffee. Good coffee, nice scene, and a sweet little wine bar at night where I got to escape a raging rainstorm.
Chez Albert. Where my friend Tom and I dined after the wine bar. Lovely dark intimate place, doting waiters, and the two specials I had were magnifique. A salad strewn with pears, walnuts, and goat cheese; salmon on a bed of pureed potatoes with chard and sauce romesco. Complimentary tarte tatin, tres charmant.
Lone Wolf. Damn good breakfast, and cheap! That is, if you're used to SF prices. Me, I had the Rachel's Choice: 2 excellent scrambies, 2 huge soy sausage patties, a cup of fruit (which they kindly substituted for taters), and 2 heavenly multigrain pancakes dusted with powdered sugar.
Mom's house. This one has no web site but it does have eggs straight out of the chickens. And my Mom's partner's homemade wheat bread, topped with homemade strawberry jam. And all kinds of salad greens from the greenhouse out yonder.
But I'm back now, and while there's not much foliage action, there is great food. Kind of miss those accents, though...

The Chips Were Down

2009-10-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

So Kimster and I tried to get some action at the Vegan Bake Sale today. We really did. After a lovely vegan lunch and iced lattes, we strolled through the summery throngs to Ike's Place and...nada. 3 p.m.; no baked goods. Oh, there was a clusterfuck trying to get sandwiches, there sure was. But as a sweet woman in a kitty-adorned t-shirt told us, the 50 vegan bakers had sold all their wares and made some bank for Give Me Shelter cat rescue. Good news! But for me, the vegan goodie itch needed scratching...
So homeward we went, to our shiny new Whole Foods. There to buy a vegan chocolate chip cookie for 99 cents. Folks, those WF bakers make a fine, chewy, chocolate-heavy cookie. Satisfaction guaranteed. And happily, the vegans are planning more bakesales...arrive early, comrades!!

Uduped Again

2009-10-16T20:08:00.000-07:00

JP came home from Illinois, hungry and (maybe - just maybe) tired of pizza. The solution? Udupi Palace on Valencia: incredibly cheap, generous portions of vegetarian Indian food.
We'd eaten there the very first day they opened, and split a huge dosa, which had made us very happy. Another time we took close friends, who became enamored despite the lack of meat. Tonite I had the huge spring dosa, which comes with sambar (spicy soup), three cooling chutneys, and in my case, some fantastic raita (the charming waiter rushed it over when he saw me fanning flames from my mouth). Yup, it was h-a-w-t. JP and I also shared a lovely lassi, thick with frozen mango. And due to the hugeness of my meal, I now have the other half-dosa waiting in the fridge for a snack attack. JP polished off his masala dosa, making an Indian mother somewhere very happy.

Consider the Jujube

2009-10-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Round, like a brown stone
Firm or perhaps wrinkled, the jujube
Also known as Chinese Date
Taste like an apple-date with tiny pit
Slightly spongy, it is like
Biting into Autumn