Keesey's Profile
Dong Bei Mama update
Did they say why? I really liked their pressed pork head cold dish. Sort of like head cheese but not pickled nor does it have that gelatin.
I'm still fond of their pork & napa cabbage dumplings but do remember to order them steamed and not boiled! The skin bloats so it becomes too doughy.
Del Popolo Pizza Truck -- Anyone Tried It?
Had it recently at the Sidney Walton Square location (Jackson & Front St.), which I hear will be one of their regular spots.
The $7 price is their "beta" price... sort of like a trial period. I am guessing they will up the price soon as they officially launched on May 15th.
I thoroughly enjoyed the very fresh ingredients... their mozzarella was exceptional! Sauce was a bit standard but still of good quality. They don't skimp on the basil, which I love! Crust, well... it's really a matter of preference, but Del Popolo's crust is chewy, doughy. Not a crispy part on my pie. I think I would have appreciated a 1-2 more minutes in their amazing wood burning oven. The size -- frisbee size. Good portion, barely finished 3 slices, gave 1 slice to a co-worker.
There was hardly a line but I still waited about 10 minutes. Not horrible at all, but I cant imagine how much longer it'd take if there was a line 20 people deep. There are 2 cooks rolling out the dough constantly and a 3rd guy on the lower level (yes this rig has 2 levels) taking orders.
The truck itself is a sight to see... really cool how they outfitted one side with all glass... it really is like a mini chef's table, but all they make are pizzas. :) Heard it cost $180K + to build!
Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot & Grill, San Mateo
Goji berries, jujube fruits, ginger, garlic, & a dried date. This usually would help a hangover. Haha
Dried goji has a bitter taste to it, but when cooked for longer it gets more and more so. Usually dumping in the meats and vegetables sweeten up the broth for me. Should have asked for more broth refills to dilute it. The Spicy is good! Really good kick to it! They also sell Little Sheep broth (in both flavors) at 99 Ranch if you want to have this at home. It comes as powdered form and you just add water and all the other fixin's.
Xiao Long Bao options in the City?
I remember Old Shanghai being the only restaurant in SF that made true XLBs until all these other ones popped up. They were quite large and needed a few bites to consume one dumpling. They were very good flavor wise, but I forget how the skin fared. Stopped going there because I thought their prices were too high.
My fav is still Shanghai Dumpling Shop in Milbrae.
30th birthday dinner help! need hip trendy and fabulous food!
How many people in the party? Prospect fits the bill too, and I've seen a large party of 10+ in the back space. Food is above avg, drinks are very well crafted.
I've never been to 25 Lusk but have heard the same as everyone.. mediocre food with a swanky interior. I'd consider that as a post-dinner drinking spot instead.
For seafood, try Anchor & Hope
Suggestions for lunch only M-F restaurants
Little Skillet, chicken n waffle place by AT&T park (though they are open for Sat lunch too)
John's Snack Deli is ookay... you probably heard of their Korean Burritos, but the textures of the filling is all weird for me. And they don't steam their tortillas so they come out dry.
Superbowl Sunday
Ace's is a NY bar. Reading the Yelp reviews and it seems they offer free BBQ on gamedays!
Xiao Long Bao options in the City?
Kingdom of Dumpling or King of Noodles. Same owners so same XLBs. The latter having hand pulled noodle options.
unique uni
I loved SPQR's twist on carbonara. Smoked fettuccini, sea urchin, smoked bacon, & quail egg. Creamy and the uni flavor is very prevalent throughout the dish. A real wow factor between me and my dining partner.
Best Cocktail Bars
Totally recommend Smuggler's Cove as well. It is unassuming from the outside. It's not really a speakeasy, but the exterior has large blacked out windows with a red light in the entrance. When you enter, you really do get transformed into a pirate ship.
Drinks are unique and carefully blended! It made me a rum converter that's for sure.
Best Cocktail Bars
The main room that requires reservation allows you to sit and enjoy your drinks in a more private setting. You get your own booth or table and even a cocktail waitress to take your orders. I found the library to be crowded, loud, and you can only get your drinks at the bar on one end of the room. And generally it is 3 people deep!
I'd also recommend B&B's bar within a bar called Wilson & Wilson. Another speakeasy, reservation type of place. Even more quiet than B&B's main room and they serve a prix fix menu of drinks. Ala carte drinks can be ordered too of course! I'd say they serve the same menu as B&B and likely a few more unique drinks too.
cocktails near Le Méridien
Rickhouse - crowded financial district type of bar. Dark, dim, trendy. Great, well-made cocktails... sort of the type where you call the bartenders mixologist.
I will second the Aventine rec. A lot more casual and hidden.
What's the word on Kirimachi Ramen on Broadway?
I went yesterday and was quite smitten at the whole setup of the restaurant. Kirimachi and Easy Creole have a nice joint venture here. They both share a fairly small kitchen and each have their own side of it, that includes sides of the stove top too! Both had equal amount of customers, but felt Easy Creole did a better job at "selling" their food by providing samples and chopping it up with those standing in front of the counter in the midst of deciding.... Do I feel like Asian or Southern? (though fair to say it is impossible to provide samples of ramen hehe)
Anyways... I ordered the tonkatsu ramen ($10) and had to wait 10-15ish minute for it. I felt that was rather long time to prep a bowl of ramen. It comes with 2 chunks of cha siu, wood ear mushroom, scallions, fish cakes, bean sprouts, and a soft boiled egg. Pros: The noodles had a good bite to it, meaning not soggy and limp (like you'd get from your typical dry packaged ramen). This alone makes it an exceptional bowl of ramen. The soft boiled egg is perfection... the white was firm and springy, but the yolk was still completely runny, which I loved! Mixed in with the broth, it gave it an extra richness. Cons: Wasn't overly thrilled about the cha siu... a bit overcooked. The tonkatsu broth was clean, but felt it could have used a bit more porky flavor. I think I would have enjoyed the Sapporo because I like a rich miso broth. And overall it was slightly underseasoned.
All in all, a fine bowl of ramen. Better than most in SF, but certainly not as good as the San Mateo joints (Santa, Dojo) and no where near as exceptional as the San Jose ones (Orenchi, Santouka). I'll go back to try the Sapporo and report back if that fairs better.
Outer Sunset: What to Eat and Where?
Cajun Pacific
Gene's Liquor, your usual corner liquor store, serves really great subs! Think Submarine Center, but w/o that awesome bread. And this is kind of random, but they guy who makes the subs makes it really, really neatly.
Polly Ann Ice Cream. Spin the wheel!
Best Japanese Curry in SF???
I just tried Kara-Ken. Really awesome chicken katsu. Perfect crunch and came out moist. The Pork Katsu was nice too but not as tender. I had the Hot and it was a good heat, but I bet I could try for an Extra Hot to get that nice sweaty feel.
They have something called a Dry Beef Curry which is pretty much a ground beef ragu made w/ curry sauce! Very inventive and throughly enjoyed this dish as well! All their curries are on the sweet side.
The place sits maybe 7 or 8 max. We went late night so there wasn't too much of a wait. Friendly fellas too!
Must have snack in SF?
The Vallarta location on 24th and Balmy is (temporarily?) closed. They got shut down by the health dept because there were complaints of the pigeons that often swoop in and out of the restaurant. So much that they eventually built a nest near the ceiling.
The new location on 16th is the same owners. Short blurb here: http://sf.eater.com/archives/2011/09/01/expansionwire_16.php
help finding Canteen's menu
Have you tried their website? http://www.sfcanteen.com/menu.html
It's updated frequently.
Warm ambiance for mom's birthday
I'd also suggest Zuni Cafe. If you ask to sit upstairs, it's quieter from the downstairs area which is where the bar is at. Though I think Perbacco fits your ambiance needs better, I just think Zuni would be livelier for a birthday dinner. Great for people watching, street lights streaming into the floor to ceiling windows. Quintessential San Franciscan restaurant!
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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Sunday Brunch at a place that takes reservations
There was a pretty comprehensive article on 7x7 about brunch spots that have reservations available. http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/rise-and-dine-brunch-comes-citys-best-restaurants
Much of what has already been recommended by other Chowhounders is included in the article. I've enjoyed the Prospect brunch... i think it would suit your needs. Great sexy space! Awesome cocktails... bloody mary is tops! And the portions are very fulfilling.
Going down to san fran for the weekend!! What are the must buy items in San Fran to bring back home?
It's It. Don't think it'd survive an hour after purchasing though. hehe
One of my favorite beers - Anchor Steam.
Ghiradelli and See's chocolate seem to be favorite food souvenirs too.
A bag of Blue Bottle coffee beans.
Most of these are produced in the SF Bay Area but can be found distributed throughout the US... perhaps not Canada though.
Where to buy a whole pig?
My friend just got a 50-60 pounder from Cheung Hing Restaurant (specifically the Milbrae location). Of course he knows the owner and probably asked for a few favors. They even threw in a large wooden tray to present it on (likely what is used during Chinese celebrations).
You will definitely need a Cantonese speaker to ask around for one.
We roasted it on a homemade spit... used cinder blocks, 4 bags of charcoal, and a big stick to rotate it on. Came out absolutely fabulous! We basted it with coke. :)
Casual Breakfast without long wait in SF
Outerlands in the Outer Sunset. Their bread is amazing. You can take the girls to the beach afterwards. Bring a jacket!
Also recommending Manor Coffee Shop. A nice neighborhood diner. My dad used to take me here... fond memories.
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Manor Coffee Shop
321 W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127
Moving to FiDi
I really enjoy Naked Lunch's sandwiches. Their dinner restaurant Txoko is getting favorable reviews. Both are in the North Beach area... totally walkable and probably safe at night too.
Molinari's a few blocks away from Naked Lunch is a true Italian deli. Great cured meats, fresh mozz, homemade ravioli, etc. You could probably collect all the non-produce ingredients all in that shop for a cook at home Italian meal. Btw for produce needs, there is a Safeways on Davis & Jackson.
No one has heard of this one, but I like the bread quality at Munch Boxx. Not a gourmet sandwich shop... just your usual turkey w/ cheese and lettuce. But the ingredients are fresh and bread has a great chew to it... esp their croissants.
Cotogna will likely have both healthy fair as well as a porchetta or fried chicken dish.
Sushi in the FiDi... none. I know! I want some good sushi around here too!
Turtle Tower is worth a drive if you want Vietnamese. Nearby is Bodega Bistro, which has a French twist to their dishes. Parking is not hard in the TL (except maybe for Th-Sa nights). Go with your husband and don't park in those alleyways.
For Middle Eastern, I can only think of Naan n Curry on Columbus Ave. Their dishes are often inconsistent... Tikka Masala can be overly creamy one day or not enough spice another.
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Bodega Bistro
607 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Cotogna
490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Txoko
504 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Top 5 Bay Area Sandwiches?
Great thread! Some nice new recs to try!
My list:
The Atomic at the Sub Center
Meatball w/ pate at Saigon Sandwich
Bacon burger at Broken Record
Croque monsieur at the Butler and the Chef Bistro
Fried Chicken Sandwich at Naked Lunch
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Saigon Sandwich Shop
560 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Broken Record
1166 Geneva Ave, San Francisco, CA
SF: Ice Cream Tour: one afternoon
What sort of list is this exactly? Why is there a "class" of ice cream? Just because it has an expanded distribution?
They have a limited selection of flavors available in the grocery stores. Popular flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, & cookies n cream, but you wouldn't find their specialty flavors in all of them. Such as... roasted peach, chocolate stout, thai tea. Plus Three Twins uses organic, sustainable ingredients. I think that's class!
SF: Ice Cream Tour: one afternoon
Three Twins in Upper Haight is fast becoming one of my favorites, but parking is absurd in the area.
The other week they had a banana pie and walnut something (that's 2 diff flavors)... combined together it tasted like a heavenly banana walnut bread! It was divine! Love the very creamy texture at Three Twins.
20-something going away party restaurant ideas
I agree that it is blah, but I couldn't think of anywhere else that could hold possibly 20 people and with that price range.
Try calling Farmerbrown if they can fit your large party.
20-something going away party restaurant ideas
Buca di Beppo. Infusion Lounge, Mezzanine, Manor West all within walking distance.
Have fun!
Cocktails, old-school bars, and someplace for Angela Lansbury...
1. The Burritt Room has very refined mixologists... a whole slew of liqueurs and bitters line their counter top much like Death & Co. Cantina is also great using a lot of fresh squeezed fruit juices in their cocktails. My favorite in SF though is The Smuggler's Cove, a rum bar with an awesome pirate, nautical theme.
2. B&B's sister bars are The Rickhouse and Wilson & Wilson (another reservation only w/ PW bar) has the exact old school vibe you're looking for. Lesser well known - Brazen Head. Very dark lighting, clunky wrought iron table legs, actual mini lamps on tables. Also their food menu is decent!
3. I'll 2nd the Garden Court at the Palace Hotel suggestion. Like straight out of a period piece movie set!
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Brazen Head
3166 Buchanan St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA
Rickhouse Bar
246 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Burritt Room
417 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
