catherinenca's Profile
Bay Area Dessert Tour: A Very Long Report
I am super disappointed that you didn't enjoy Campton Place. I have been several times and eaten multiple desserts on each visit and been truly impressed. I don't care for strange combinations, or savory ones during dessert, simply for the sake of novelty, and everything I've tried has been well-executed, stimulating, often surprising and - most important - delicious. Plus, the menu changes seasonally.
Other than that, though, I'm thrilled to read your "reviews." Thanks for putting your tongue and belly through all that and sharing it with us.
Cooking classes at Two (nee Hawthorne Lane)?
Has anyone attended the Saturday cooking classes at Two (or back when it was Hawthorne Lane)? Curious to know:
~ how much cooking you do v. watching
~ how much eating -- is it a full-on lunch?
~ do you learn technique, or mainly a new recipe?
~ how fair the price is
~ any other feedback for someone considering taking a class.
Sushi-Grade Fish in San Francisco
I am looking specifically for toro...does anyone know if Nijiya or Yum Yum (or another place) carries tuna belly?
Three Twins Ice Cream
I recently had some Three Twins coffee ice cream at Terzo. Although I wasn't eating it by itself, making its sweetness tough to assess, I thought it was really good - good enough to inquire if the restaurant made it themselves or where they bought it if not. Smooth, creamy, not too dense and just bitter enough not to seem overly sweet. Just my 2 cents...
Best commercial hot dog?
Let's be Frank sells their 100% grass-fed beef (no nitrates, preservatives, meat raised w/o antibiotics or hormones) at several Bay Area stores, or online via Planet Organics. Not sure if those qualify as "grocery stores" but anyway, these hot dogs are really, really good. Very good flavor, nice casings with that elusive "snap" (that I assume are naturally made but I'm not sure).
Silks and Campton Place
Silks rocks. Totally underrated/underrecognized in SF. The atmosphere is a little bland (it's a victim of its hotel host) but the food is enough to override that any day. Standouts were the lobster tom yum noodles and the bacon/eggs/toast appetizer (tempura fried duck egg with pork belly and brioche toast, heavenly). I also loved the complimentary dessert they served -- a cup of hot cocoa and a shot of cold ale. Provocative pairing.
Le Charm Vs. Chapeau!
IMO, Chapeau is the best French bistro in the city. Though I always eat at Bistro Jeanty when I'm in wine country, its city cousin Jeanty at Jack's pales in comparison. It's part atmosphere, but there's something else missing (maybe the kitchen isn't as tight as the one in Yountville? Just speculating.)
SF-expat, one dinner in Financial District
Even though you've made your reservation, and I love Myth, I have to speak up on behalf of Silks in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It is highly underrated and underrecognized in this city, but chef Joel Huff does amazing Asian-inflected things with food, e.g. the lobster tom yum noodles which come wrapped in a parchment paper bag and unwrapped tableside. It might be a smidge lacking in the kind of atmosphere you want, but put it on your list for the next trip.
