jalapenogrl's Profile
meatpaper event at camino 4/27....i don't get it
I hope the Meatpaper organizers read and take these comments to heart. Their Camino and last year's Perbacco events both were extremely weak from an event flow standpoint. I found the food frenzy at Camino to be odd, frustrating, and weird. People were jumping and shoving for their food. I am tall and used my height to snag a corndog but my friend and I also kept talking about how Roman or 15th century England it felt. Waiting twenty minutes to get a cocktail is ridiculous, and it happened at Perbacco and Camino. Make your drink components in batches, or work faster, folks, please!
Marco Pierre White's "The Devil in the Kitchen"
Menu and info on White's visit to Incanto: http://www.sfist.com/archives/2007/05/10/dinner_with_a_white_slave.php
and here: http://jalapeno.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/05/the_devil_in_th.html
A few pics from the Incanto event are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36715536@N00/sets/72157600202443940/
Dinner near Pacific Film Archive
On the same side of Durant (south, right above Telegraph) as the PFA, you could get cheap gyro or falafel (Eat a Pita) or a cheesesteak. Cheesesteak place is IB Hoagies at 2513 Durant.
Top Dog is great and cheap. There are no tables to sit, however. Grab a donut at King Pin across from Top Dog for dessert and you are eating one of my favorite drunken college meals.
Authentic Bun Cha in bay area?
Saigon in San Mateo has a decent version. The fish sauce is on the side but the veggies are under the noodles.
Eats in Fairfield/Suisun/Benicia area?
Benicia has a farmers market on First Street in the warmer months on Thursdays.
Petals (also on First) has nice fusion food in a relaxed setting. They seem to be experimenting on ways to attract customers-offering prix fixe dinners, that sorta thing.
Pizza Pirate at 72 Solano Square has fresh pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Nothing Earth shattering but it's good.
The burrito truck on Military near 5th Street has good tacos and Mexican eats.
I like First Street Cafe's scones, omelettes, and breakfast items. The crab sandwich is huge and filling for lunch, and the artichoke crab dip is creamy and delicious.
The closest Trader Joe's are in Fairfield or Concord, and Raley's in Benicia seems to be getting more organic, ethnic and interesting items. It is a huge store.
Authentic Mexican soup in SF?
Chava's is known for their soups, so I agree with others that it's a good soup spot.
Hit list for best restaurants in the Mission District
Toads-great burgers. Only opened recently.
Los Jarritos-good Mexican. The Vicente Especial is a beef dish that I usually go for. They serve goat.
Medjool-drinks on the roof for amazing views, but I can't speak for the food as I've only had it once.
Bissap Baobab-Sengalese food and unique cocktails, very reasonably priced. Lots of fun for groups.
Last Supper Club-don't order their french toast at brunch, it's soggy. Everything else rocks there, including pasta, meats, green beans, wine list, etc.
Velvet Cantina-for apps and drinks. They constantly bring bowls of housemade tortilla chips that are salty and wonderful. Entrees can be uneven.
Foreign Cinema.
Noe Valley
I like Pomelo, Incanto, and Savor in the Noe. Savor has fresh food and I love their crab cake (called the New Orleans) benedict for breakfast or lunch. They also have crepes, salads, sandwiches and soups.
Barney's is a decent burger spot (big basket of fried goodies, ice cream shakes and malts, vegeterian options), and good for groups and/or kids.
Good SF coffee?
The only problem with trying Philz is that it is seriously addictive. I usually get a Philharmonic with cream and sugar, and love savoring each sip. It's nice to have cinammon, cardamon, and mint in your coffee.
I recommend letting the staff sweeten your coffee for you unless you are a control freak or have health issues that bar cream. You'll be glad you tried it.
There are 2 SF locations- 24th at Folsom and 3901 18th near Castro. Bonus: the Philz crew are a friendly bunch.
Kosher Delis in San Francisco
Moishe's Pippic and David's Deli both fit the bill. I like sitting at the counter of David's and ordering a reuben with split pea soup, and saving room for a bite of David's many desserts. All washed down with a cream soda, of course.
Breakfast in Benecia
Benicia from a native! (note the correct spelling)-
I second First Street Cafe for breakfast. Good portions, tasty food, nice environs. They prepare as fresh as you're going to get for the town. If you are a scone fiend, try their scone of the day.
Take a stroll on First Street afterwards as there are neat antique and other stores.
veggie friendly mexican food
Papalote on 24th near Valencia doesn't cook their beans in lard. They have many interesting options and usually a decent crowd.
Where would you send Jane & Michael Stern?
I'd make sure they eat at Rick & Ann's for any meal, although I like it best for brunch. It'd be interesting to hear their thoughts on the comfort food.
Good Vietnamese near the Lower Haight??
Vietnam II will give you weird looks if you order the pho for dinner. But they are friendly weird looks, and they are happy to get you pho. My friend and I used to go 3-4 times a week and talked them into pho with beef, tofu, and veggies. Maybe an odd combo but tastes wonderful before starting a long day of work.
Offal Good: Chris Cosentino's blog
I hope Chris posts the shaved tripe salad recipe, because it is delicious and has a wonderful texture-not slimy, but more like thin pasta sheets.
Another dish we had with Bourdain was tuna maw, with garbanzos and chiles. Very spicy and good.
He is working on a cookbook, which will also be all things offal.
Best baba ganoush / melitzanosalata
My favorite is from Aladdin Market & Deli in San Mateo. 224 E. Hillsdale Blvd. 650-574-7288
It's got the smoky elements with a hint of tangy lemon.
Red's Java House, SF-what to order there? What about Aqua in SF?
I am the one who ate with him at Incanto while he was in SF. He also likes La Folie and considers the French Laundry the best restaurant in the country.
As for Red's and what's to like/order-go for a burger, fries, and beer and sit in the back if it's nice enough out. If there's enough of you, order the bucket of beer, on ice. A great, relaxing way to while the hours away.
Good bakery in the peninsula?
Copenhagen's is good.
Dianda's is another option. More traditional Italian pastries, cakes, cookies, and beyond.
