sarahlefton's Profile
Una Pizza Napoletana (very long) review
Hooray! I happened to drive down this block last night for un-pizza-related reasons with a girlfriend and noticed there was only one party waiting to eat (it was about 8:30). So we decided to pop in spontaneously. Waited 10 minutes for a table, 10 minutes to order, 20 for the pies.Server was sweet, friendly and helpful with the wines.
We had a Filetti and a Margherita. Each was $20, so I don't know what happened to the price increase. The food was outstanding. We both preferred the Margherita but I thought you could enjoy the crust better on the Filetti. I may have imagined this.
I have been putting off my UPN visit due to having a small baby and forgetting that there is life after 8 PM for quite some time. It was so wonderful to have this doughy, chewy, perfectly salted, perfectly blistered pizza. It beat the hell out of my recent Beretta, F+W and A16 pies, and I am hard pressed to compare it to Tony's since it's been so long since I visited North Beach.
But I enjoyed the space, the open kitchen and the really interesting crowd of total weirdos assembled around all the tables - foodie geeks, hipsters on dates, a rowdy crowd of dudes, and a couple engaged in a really vicious politcal debate right next to us.
Cannot wait to go back and bring my husband.
Best price for soda siphon?
Here here. We've had a Soda Club (now Soda Stream) for three years and this little machine has changed my life. I drink seltzer constantly and feel much better about exchanging tanks of gas than tossing little cartridges or plastic bottles.
They even sell tonic syrup so they've got my cocktails covered too. Not as sexy as the steel bottle, I'll concede, but really cost effective. And I love the Cran Raspberry syrup...
In SF for two days - looking for Chinese for Lunch and Dinner!
Sorry, but the Citrus Club is awful. I sent my food back last time I was there, and left. You could do better with closed eyes wandering through the mall.
Great breads you've had in restaurants
The flatbread at Coco500 is pretty much like crack. I know it's not rolls or bread, but I just had to say.
Chowdown at Inkas: report
How do you get in on these chow dinners? I live right near this restaurant, for instance, and haven't ever been. Jealous!
Restaurant suggestions in Berkeley?
Okay, awesome. Which of these would you single out for a casual solo lunch diner? I am often in Berkeley at lunchtime and want to stop and get my yum on.
I tried to hit Vik's yesterday but found parking impossible and gave up. Granted, it was peak hour and I can't walk very far right now (ah pregnancy). But if you have recommendations about the best solo spots for a no big deal meal that would be great.
Mac and Cheese in SF
I just had some okay Mac and cheese at the Front Porch. Great texture but needed salt. I'd order it again, probably but wouldn't call it awesome. Now the collard greens on the other hand...
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The Front Porch
65 29th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Where can I get good challah bread in San Francisco???
Okay. I eat challah most Shabbat evenings and lunches, and I can tell you that I've had it all in the Bay Area. Without question, your best challah for old fashioned consistency, sweetness and softness is the Grand Bakery's. They're in Oakland, but Mollie Stone's on California in SF carries it.
Second choice is Semifreddi's, which is just okay but generally what you'll find everywhere. And Irving's is close to my heart because I know the family, but the best thing about their challah is the mongo sizes. You can get giant Irving's challahs, which are awesome to behold.
Acme challahs are stupid. It's like someone decided, hmmm, let's do our "artisanal thing" on challah...which ought to mean, doing it like gramma did, right? But no. It's a crusty peasant loaf like everything else trendy in town. Challah is not trendy. Challah is not crusty. I bought one of these once, thinking, oh cool, badass challah. Brought it to a Shabbas dinner and people were like, what weird-ass challah is this? Stick with their sour batards and olive loafs, that's what they do well. :-)
But yeah, I have to echo what some others have said here. This is not a good town for Jewish food in general. I am gonna check out the new Kitchen Table restaurant in Mountain View soon, which has gotten some good reviews for its pastrami and kosher charcuterie but really, heavy sigh, it's kind of exciting these days to be in LA or NY and taste some different challah for kicks.
I'm gonna start baking my own soon, or at least I keep saying that to myself.
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Grand Bakery
3264 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610
Semifreddi's
4242 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA
Mollie Stone's
851 Cherry Ave # 22, San Bruno, CA
E-22 in Emeryville
We used to eat here before my company on Doyle and 61st went out of business. :-(
On Wednesday (do confirm, it might be Tuesday) they serve an off-menu, hollowed out baguette stuffed with Italian meatballs....yum.
Two reasons to love Lers Ros
This place is absurdly good. And cheap. It's the only really, truly authentic Thai food I've had outside of Thailand, period. I mean that in terms of flavor, spice intensity and kindness of the staff. Land of a thousand smiles indeed.
French Laundry in Napa or Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas - Which one?
I donno. There's an awful lot to be said for the relaxing experience you'll have at the Laundry...the sweet setting, and the pleasant bench in the grass outside, and the air and the scenery on route are all part of the experience. I just had some great dining in Vegas myself, but at the end of the meal, you're in Vegas. It's fun, yes, but not transcendent.
SF Street Food Festival 8/22 - Aziza, Delfina, Heaven's Dog, La Mar, Laiola, etc are out on the street
Just got back. A pleasant surprise all told, although we were amongst the first there, so I can't vouch for the rest of the day's experiences...
Zella's pulled chicken sandwich - juicy as hell and topped with red cabbage slaw - was a big winner with a long line, that actually moved quite fast. (Amusing to hear everyone in line asking for the pulled pork and being corrected.)
Lots of buzz around the block about the Kati rolls from Kasa - indeed - a major zesty mouthful of chicken wrapped in a thin roti with lime to squeeze on the side. Didn't love the pav bhaji on bread though - we felt like the bread was a waste under a perfectly yummy spiced topping.
We also sampled the pupusas (salty) and chicken tamale (heavenly, and the sauce...mmmmm) from Estrellita.
Left at about 12:15 when the crowd was starting to get overwhelming, but I have to say, everyone seemed happy and mellow and at least on the early side, the lines were moving at a fair pace. A funny touch was the ambulance prominently parked up front. I remain disappointed that so many of the vendors were brick and mortar restauranteurs, but it was great to see some of these little gusy I hear about out on the street with the longest lines of anyone.
Best fish tacos in the San Fran area!
I like the Flying Fish Grill off Highway 1 down near Half Moon Bay. Nice long wait but if the weather's nice, who cares? Grab a table outside and have a beer.
http://www.chow.com/places/1834
What should I explore next in the Haight?
I lived in this hood until a year ago. The Pork Store consistently features lines until about 1:30 or 2, I'd say. And it has zero in common with Magnolia except for the sitting down part. :-) The Pork Store is casual, the food is yummy and plentiful but sloppy and fun. Magnolia has, er, a "sausage program" and faux distressed walls. Blue bottle coffee, etc.
I love it there, don't get me wrong, but I love it with a sense of humor. Easier to get a table at 1, I'd say.
SF Street Food Festival 8/22 - Aziza, Delfina, Heaven's Dog, La Mar, Laiola, etc are out on the street
I live two blocks away and am thrilled/terrified that this is happening so closeby! I love La Cocina's mission and space (I was lucky enough to take a sourdough baking class there). I love my hood and my neighbors. And wow, I am thrilled about anything that encourages a real street food culture to take root in the US. I have such Latin America/Southeast Asia envy!
Yet I can't help saying that this is not priced for the neighborhood and that therefore, I expect a lot of people who think it's cool to drop $150 on a Saturday afternoon in the Mission streets to show up and act like jerks. I'm nervous about a huge mob of people (all those reports from the spring food bust at Shoreline) showing up and being rude to each other in the name of creme bulee. I really really have my fingers crossed that people will be laid back and happy and that the food lives up to the sit-down entree prices.
See ya'll there on the early side!
Jerusalem Must Eats
I don't know if it's a MUST or anything but I just had a wonderful meal of salads and fresh pastas - including a really special dumpling with prune compote - at Shmil, which is in the "Lab" complex between Talpiyot and Emek Refayim near the old train station. I tried one of the raviolis and the spaetzle, which was very very good.
Haus, welcome home
So happy that Haus has opened on 24th and Treat, a mere 3 blocks from my house. And thank you for the tip-off, ye hounds of the "best coffee" and "24th street roundup" threads.
Although there's a LOT of coffee shops nearby, most of them are painfully mediocre. I live on Precita Park and you could die from trying to get a nice espresso here. Charlie's and the Park Bench have their moments, to be sure, but they're never open after 3 or so. I think I've never seen Charlie's open ever, actually. (Granted, I'm a night owl.)
So, over at Haus, Ryan made me a really nice dry cap today. (Sniff all you want, dry cap haters.) It was delicious, foamtastic, something to write home about, although I still prefer the Four Barrel flavor a bit.
They have a small selection of muffins and some pastries of the "sea salt biscotti" variety. I wish I could get a savory, cheesy, eggy breakfast item in my neighborhood but it seems to be the time of the donut and the salty caramel item and I am powerless to do anything about it.
They're working on an outdoor patio right now that looks to be fairly sizeable. The space inside is very spare, with a blond wood boxy/Ikea kinda vibe. They're open from 6 to 9 right now but Ryan mused aloud about wanting to shift that to 7 to 10. Naturally, I support an 8 to 11 movement, but I realize I'm an oddball.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Haus!
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Haus
3082 24th St, San Francisco, CA
Good SF Brunch
I like The Butler and the Chef on South Park for charm and French standards.
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Butler & the Chef Bistro
155 S Park St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Good Chow in Dogpatch/Mission Bay
We have started coming out here regularly for sushi at Moshi Moshi. It started because we live in Bernal and wanted some more Japanese options, and it's continued because we love the fish, we love the owner, we LOVE the creative cocktails and we love the chill vibe.
I came here last week with my sister and her toddler and baby. This was an early evening (6) dinner due to the kid brigade. It was amazing to see the place packed with children and parents, a child-sized teriyaki plate and very accommodating service. Nice! So, very kid-friendly. Bonus.
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Moshi Moshi
2092 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Decent mid-scale dinner around Golden Gate Park?
Tons of awesome Asian food. San Tung on Irving always gets my vote.
Breakfast in Emeryville?
I worked in Emeryville for a year and can confirm that the posters here have covered literally every restaurant in E-ville.
Since you're on the train, and probably not in a car, your best bet is Doyle Street cafe for a big filling sit-down breakfast (love the cappuccino mugs here), or Ruby's for no-big-deal coffee and pastries. Get an espresso drink, the airpot coffee is fine but nothing special. Each is within an easy walk. Cabucci's is nice and all, but it's really kind of an office meeting scene and not so fun for a tourist.
Luna Park????
After two separate incidents with rude staff I'm completely done here. The worst of it was when a bartender was verbally nasty to my 65 year old father.
Four barrel in the outer mission
I can report a DELICIOUS, perfect espresso with zero attitude and a smile to boot last week. I actually went outside and told 2 random people to stop in.
What are the most popular, limited-supply food items in SF?
As in Liberty cafe on Cortland? They make challah? Wacky.
I am nervous when I find out about serious bakeries/restaurants making challah because they tend to get all "artisanal" on it and make the bread with a crunchy crust or some other inappropriate texture.
Breakfast out toward GG Park
I have to second this. The breakfast is awesome here, and there's usually way less trouble getting seats than at somewhere in Cole Valley, at least on the weekends. (Zazie has an intolerable line outside on the weekends.)
Try the upstairs area near the fireplace. :-)
Sodaclub/Sodastream maker?
Soda Club does have a new spritzer flavoring product, I can't remember what it's called but it's just a very light lemon/lime or berry flavor that you add by the drop. I got the lemon-lime, it's pretty good, although I still prefer squeezing fresh meyer lemon juice into my seltzer. :-)
Still haven't cracked the tonic so I can't report on it. It's too cold out for gin and tonics. :-)
Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, SF report w/ pics
I ran into the Blue Bottle owner and his kid having a scoop just now. I asked, hey, when are you gonna have HS ice cream at the cafe? (Meaning, the Blue Bottle coffee flavor.) He told me that Secret Breakfast affogado's are on their way!
Sodaclub/Sodastream maker?
Does anyone else have a Sodaclub/Sodastream maker? I just ordered the tonic flavor, and will now be able to "make my own tonic" LOL. Looking forward to seeing how it tastes. Probably equivalent to grocery store.
Revisiting Masa's
Me and my husband went to Masa's for the second time Tuesday night for our first wedding anniversary. We were having a terrible time deciding where to spend our special night and had combed through restaurant reviews trying to pick someplace romantic, delicious, special.
Bill had taken me to Masa's for my birthday when we were dating 3 years ago. He wanted to do something bombastic. It was extravagant, special, dazzling, and relaxing all at the same time. (It was his first haute cuisine experience of his life, and he had no idea what a veloute, a terrine, a gelee was, so you can imagine his mounting confusion, alarm and delight as 12 courses unfolded.)
That was the night that turned him on. He's no serious foodie now, but he enjoys a good scented bowl of air every now then.
Anyway, Bill suggested we revisit Masa's rather than check out someplace new...and I bit!
It was better than I'd remembered. We had the 9 course tasting menu again (it's really 12 courses when they're done with you.) The current menu is posted here, if you care to read it:
http://www.masasrestaurant.com/masas_nine.htm
The sommelier, unfortunately, is doing some sort of certification program on Tuesday nights (perhaps Wednesday as well, check with the reservationist) so we were sadly on our own. (We had thought of doing the wine pairings.) The wine list is 20 pages long, and a lot of fun to read. We didn't want to stick to one bottle, we thought we'd have a glass of Champagne, and then a couple half bottles, but it turned into a parade of glasses instead. I fell in love with the simple but delicious Zuani Vigne "Collio Bianco" from the "Interesting wines" list.
Highlights of the meal? This is hard.
- The wonderfully simple truffled butternut squash soup amuse bouche. I could have had a bowl and been happy.
- The fish course was outstanding for both of us. My fillet of Tai Snapper was outrageously good, served on a powerful braised chiffonade of mustard greens that had me guarding my plate from my husband.
- The diver scallop "BLT" was ridiculously special. It shouldn't exist, it was so good. A perfectly seared scallop with a thin toasted "brioche", lettuce and mounded tomato marmalade on top all afloat atop a pool of bacon emulsion.
- The lamb was beyond. I can't even get into how much flavor was in the pile of shredded trumpet mushroom on top.
- And if you've been to Masa's, you know how much fun the "all you can eat" dessert cart is. Wheee!
Service was excellent, the small room was about half-full and pleasantly more abuzz than I'd expected. There was a slightly rowdy (read: tipsy) group in the middle of the room, but I actually welcomed the fact that they were having a good time. Temples of reverence are fun sometimes when you're eating but the fun was very welcome.
In short, if you can swing it, go. It was very special, and we have a wonderful four hour experience. (I'm trying to amortize the cost, you see?!)
Need Cool Wine Bar Atmosphere Near Moscone
Take a short cab ride to Yield Wine Bar in the Dogpatch - 3rd street and 21st - really not far at all. Small and sweet with nice modern decor, a "fireplace" and great bar snacks. The guys at the bar really know their stuff and there's no attitude, despite the hip space.
