BP71's Profile
Haltun - traditional Mayan cuisine [SF]
Melanie thanks for organizing, it was nice to meet you and the other Chowhounds. I was looking for a new Yucatan resto with the closing of Mi Lindo Yucatan on Valencia. I was surprised the chef at Haltun used to work there, or at least the Noe location. For me the standouts were the sopa de lima for the tartness of the lime, the tamal colado for the textures, the mole negro and blanco for the sauces if not the turkey. The cochinta pibil was a decent version of what was the go to dish at Mi Lindo Yucatan.
Inner Richmond Favorites?
Little Vietnam Cafe at 6th and Clement for fast, inexpensive, tasty Vietnamese food. Five Happiness for out of town guests who want Peking Duck. The Richmond when you want to splurge. Martha and Brothers, probably best coffee in the neighborhood.
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Little Vietnam Cafe
309 6th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
Five Happiness
4142 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118
"My Father's Kitchen" Great New Vietnamese on Divis
They get points for atmosphere and decor, my usual pho place is on Clement and it's a treat to eat pho in a place where it's not accented by formica and fluorescent lighting. As for the food I have a bias towards South Vietnam pho and appreciated the opportunity to sample a different type of pho, still tasty though. Also it's a treat to get Blue Bottle without the usual attitude from Blue Bottle.
humphry slocombe ice cream SF
I had the Vietnamese coffee and the balsamic caramel. Both were notable for their flavor intensity and creaminess. The selections are more off the wall than Bi-Rite. They're still working out some kinks but the owner and the manager were on site and quite personable.
Chez Panisse--How's the food, really?
"Chez Panisse is now a museum. I like visiting museums, but don't think it is especially useful to create a religion of the past".
I agree, CP is a place I usually take vistors to pay respect. I give it props for what it represents, but it's definitely not innovative or cutting edge.
That Takes The Cake (cupcake shop), SF - any reports?
They're probably the best cupcake place I've tried in SF. I had the red velvet, which was moist and rich. One can also purchase day olds at discounted prices. I appreciate that as it indicates they're turning over inventory daily. I've had too many stale pastries and cupcakes at some places in town.
Sake only store in SF? Other sake recommendations?
I had a bad experience at True Sake. I found the staff snotty, and unhelpful. I kept waiting for service and was trying to flag someone down in an otherwise not that busy store. I'll stick to Japantown or BevMo.
Looking for best Bloody Mary
Zeitgeist does a great Bloody Mary with a beer garden biker bar ambiance.
Local Roasters
I checked out the new Four Barrel coffee house and roaster at Valencia and 15th in the Mission, and while I like the space, the pound of coffee I bought, a Honuduras El Puente, was surprisingly weak. I asked if they had a dark roast and the counter guy said no, but if I wanted a stronger cup to just use more coffee. Not really helpful given that there were a half dozen different types of coffee beans all medium roast.
Dynamo Donuts
It's next to Casa Sanchez on 24th. The donuts are currently made off site until they get the kitchen ready. It's more of a walk up with a counter than an actual sit down place. The first batch of the day was already sold out by 9:30 am and I brought back samples of all three available for my office mates. The selection that day was maple bacon (real bacon bits), chocolate spice, and caramel fleur de sel. $2 to $2.50 a donut. For the most part I enjoyed them, my office mates gave a pass to the maple bacon. The donuts do have the flavor novelty and the freshness going for them. I can appreciate a Bob's donut or the donut offerings at Orson or NOPA. I'd say they're as unique and more generous than the latter.
Friendly service but the find for me was the Stumptown coffee, I'm not aware of the brand, but it could be a new favorite.
First Time at Genki Ramen, SF
I agree with the middling ranking, I wanted it to be better but chalked it up to the weekend crush. Very friendly staff though.
Halu on 8th Ave and Clement?
Went there the other day and had a light cold soba noodle salad with daikon and an order of yakitori. The seasonings escape me but it was enjoyable and relatively inexpensive. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu.
Anyone been to South: Food and Wine Bar
Nice small space opposite the Cal Train station. Friendly knowledgable staff. I was solo and my request for a table was ignored though I was OK with it and didn't press it. I would have preferred a positive or negative response. I wound up at the communal table by default. Entrees range from $20 to $30. The down under theme kicked in as the meats at least are imported in. I wonder how that will fly in carbon footprint conscious SF. The NZ lambchops were tasty and the server warned me that it was prepared medium rare, I'll opt for rare next time. The accompanying mint chimmichuri was offbeat enough. Wines by the glass seem to be tiny pours though it's a broad down under selection. Deserts were Aussiecentric. I can't recall ever seeing Pavlova on a menu. In general it's a good insight and spin to what's happening foodwise down under without actually having to travel there.
Tajine trip report: Moroccan on Nob Hill
The bastilla was a great discovery. There's no alcohol, but they're fine with you running up the street for beer or wine.
Local Roasters
Looking for local coffee bean roasters, fair trade, organic, and a variety of product.
Citizen Cake and the Single Diner
Decent and sometimes innovative product but Citizen Cake reeks of attitude. It's a bit too snippy for my tastes whether I'm dining alone or in a group.
