t.susannah.chen's Profile
Super-finely ground Indonesian coffee
My very kind Indonesian neighbor just got back from visiting Jakarta and brought back a pack of coffee for me directly from the source. However, I opened it to find it suuuuper finely ground (the consistency is like powder). I have irrational fear of making bad coffee. What would you do with this?!
What's your favorite pork chop in San Francisco?
The BF and I got into a heated discussion about this today. I never order pork chops because I find that they're either hit or miss, and usually the latter, rather than the former. A good pork chop should be flavorful, reasonably fatty on the edges, juicy as hell, and in a perfect world, layered enough in flavor so that you don't get totally palate-fatigued 1/3 of the way through it. The best pork chop I recall having was years ago at Town Hall, but shortly thereafter I stopped ordering pork chops after too many regretful incidences. (I wonder if it's still any good after all these years?) So if I were to jump back into the pork chop game, where would you suggest going for a no-fail PC?
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Town Hall Restaurant
342 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105
What do you look for in a good matzo ball soup?
With the high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur almost upon us, the wannabe Jew in me is craving matzo ball soup. Everyone seems to have a differing opinion as to what matzo balls should be like -- light and fluffy, heavy and dense. What do you look for in a good matzo ball soup, and where are the best places (restaurants and recipes alike) to get it? Would love for your to share your thoughts.
Anyone seen pumpkins yet in SF?
Amazing! You were right. I bought sugar pie pumpkins at Catalan but saw them at Thomas, too. They literally weren't anywhere else at the market; everyone else was still entirely on summer squash. I asked Catalan and they said spaghetti squash will be available in 2 weeks to a month, too. Looking forward to it.
Thanks for the incredibly helpful pointers!
Anyone seen Takoyaki lately in SF?
sweet100s, I think this article was written for you!
http://www.thefeast.com/sanfrancisco/restaurants/Takoyaki-122815699.html
Anyone seen pumpkins yet in SF?
rworange, the farmers market suggestion is a great idea. I'll go on Saturday and report back!
Anyone seen pumpkins yet in SF?
Hey CHers: Looking for pumpkins for a work project. Has anyone seen any fresh ones anywhere in San Francisco yet? I'm ideally looking for sugar pie pumpkins, but really, I'll take whatever I can get... Thanks!
coupon for Old Mandarin Islamic
Wow, wanderlust, from the looks of it, seems like they do delivery. Does anyone know if this is really the case? Or is that some kind of scam to get your credit card? I'd be all for delivery, but looks slightly shady to me.
Pecan Sticky Buns & Poppyseed Pastries
I love the sticky pecan buns at Foreign Cinema. Those might be my favorite. Also, an underground baker named Rebecca Cheng makes an awesome set of them by custom order: you can email her at lovelulus@gmail.com. I first tried her at the SF Underground Farmers Market. I bought some for a friend's wedding as a surprise and they loved them.
http://www.yumsugar.com/Photos-San-Franciscos-Underground-Farmers-Market-8716355?page=0,0,12#12
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Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Hot Cross Buns - where do you buy your favorites?
Just got one this morning at a farmers market stand in the Ferry Building at the back booths near the knife sharpener (sorry, can't remember the name!). It was pretty good, filled with currants, citrus rind, iced on top. It just wasn't hot!
A little stressed! Last-minute foodie in town, need a place for tomorrow (Friday) night
Thanks all! Robert, that list is really helpful. I couldn't afford something like Benu, Chez Spencer, or La Folie — but we did wind up getting a reservation at The Liberty Cafe, which was perfect. I tend to like their brunch better, but the dinner was decent, too, and I have to say I think the environs were pretty representative of San Francisco. My companions ordered the the steak frites (awesome, perfectly medium rare), and I ordered the pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin (okay, but I think I could have made it at least as good at home.) A nice variety of people were having dinner that night, and we discovered the fabulous music at the wine bar in the back — highly recommended. A great night in all. Thanks for all the suggestions!
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Chez Spencer
82 14th St., San Francisco, CA 94103
La Folie
2316 Polk St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Benu
22 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94103
A little stressed! Last-minute foodie in town, need a place for tomorrow (Friday) night
Hi CHers: The title says it all. I'm a little frazzled! A friend *just* told me she was coming in from DC and is now staying with me tomorrow (Friday) night. She's only been in the city twice before, and has eaten at Foreign Cinema and Nopa (loved them both). I want to take her somewhere that epitomizes the San Francisco dining scene. (For instance, I pretty much know I will be taking her to Bi-Rite Creamery for some dessert!) I'm looking for something along the same lines for dinner — I just don't know where to go/how the hell I will get in anywhere like that on such short notice. I scoured OpenTable, but found little inspiration.
I'm at a loss. I'm sure I won't be able to nab a table at, say, Zuni. I was thinking she would like Outerlands (because she loves Nepenthe in Big Sur, and the aesthetic reminds me of it), although I don't know what the ambiance is like there on a Friday night. Or should we pick a place that's got a no-reservation policy — like Pizzeria Delfina — and run with that instead? Any thoughts? They'd be greatly appreciated!
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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Nopa
560 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Pizzeria Delfina
2406 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Bistro SF Grill - 2819 California St.
Was so excited when I heard that there's a new place in the neighborhood. Once someone told me that the entire West side of that Divisadero corridor was blocked from having new restaurants, although I doubt that's true. Still, it's been forever since we've seen anything new, and my lazy (but aspirational) palate is getting very sick of the same stuff. What was on the balkan?
Foods that are better made in SF than NYC?
Cocktail programs! Try The Alembic, Comstock Saloon, Bar Agricole, 15 Romolo, Smuggler's Cove, Jardiniere ... the list is endless for seasonal, well balanced cocktails that are better than the ones I've ha in New York. (That said, some of the best cocktails I've ever had have been at The Violet Hour in Chicago and The Varnish in L.A.)
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15 Romolo
15 Romolo Pl, San Francisco, CA 94133
Bar Agricole
355 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Smuggler's Cove
650 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Comstock Saloon
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Large, important roasts for the holidays - where to buy at an affordable price?
I'm already thinking ahead for the holidays (a sign of a true eater) and want to make some large, important roasts for a dinner party or two -- think beef tenderloin or beef Wellington, crown roast of pork, crown roast of lamb, that sort of thing. Problem is, I'm on a budget. I'm assuming that my neighborhood markets, Cal-Mart and Bryan's, probably aren't going to offer the most budget-friendly prices. Any suggestions on where to go? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
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Cal-Mart
3585 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Where can a person find Welsh Rarebit in the SF Bay Area?
I've seen it on the menu at Crown & Crumpet, but I can't attest to how good it is.
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Crown & Crumpet
900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA
The Sentinel for Breakfast?
I second that. The Golden West is super close by and has incredible savory items, like the aforementioned pork and beans (gigante beans, I think, with a poached egg) and creamed ham and biscuit. Both are under $5 and are big enough to be a breakfast for two, if you're not a big portions eater. Both are insanely delicious -- although don't plan on eating them with your hands. You'll need a fork!
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Golden West
8 Trinity Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104
Update/Question about San Tung Little Sister Restaurant SO
So (no pun intended), I drove by SO (the restaurant owned by the children of the San Tung owners) in SoMA last night hoping to grab some seafood noodle soup for dinner. It should've been open based on store hours, but the entire place was completely dark. I saw report on it on Yelp a few weeks ago, so I'd be surprised if it was closed for good, but I have no other explanation. Does anybody else know what happened? Are the owners on vacation?
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
I have heard remarkable things about Scream Sorbet. I will have to try them!
Wound up going to La Copa Loca and getting their gelato. It was perfect! Thanks for the suggestions, again.
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La Copa Loca
3150 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Scream Sorbet
5030 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Thanks, everyone! these suggestions are super helpful. Will definitely be making some calls tomorrow a.m. And Robert, I'm glad to see your new restaurant hasn't kept you too far away from the CH!
Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Hi there Chowhounds,
I'm recipe testing for a friend, and one recipe I am making calls for peanut butter ice cream. I don't know about you, but I've never come across plain peanut butter ice cream, aside from a homemade recipe. Does anyone know of any brands that make this, and if so, where in the Bay Area I might be able to score it? Many thanks in advance...
SF - Lunch at Orson - Pastrami Heaven
Ernie, my (now jobless) boyfriend went during lunch and had the exact same thing, practically verbatim, to say -- not only about the service but also about the sandwich itself. He waited 40 minutes for a sandwich with two other tables there and nobody else...I tried his leftovers when I got home from work. The bread was didn't have a strong rye flavor, and it was dense and soaked in oil. The pastrami was not cut thick enough, and it was stringy, dry, and overly seasoned. The best thing in that sandwich was the cave-aged Gruyere cheese — the only thing not house-made. I was so disappointed; I wanted to like it so badly!
What's missing in SF?
You are opening a box of worms! Sorry, I must be ready to rant but here is my list:
- Really phenomenal Jewish deli food (pastrami sandwich, pickled herring etc)
- A barbecue joint that serves a quality brisket and rib
- Legit Colombian food
- Cuban cuisine
- Tex Mex
- Great New York-style pizza
- Taiwanese
Yes, I know we have all of the above in some capacity in the Bay Area. But I'm specifically referring to well-executed, authentic versions of these cuisines in San Francisco proper. If you think I might have missed something awesome, then I would love to hear it!
Sour Cherries at the market
Has anyone spotted sour cherries in San Francisco yet? I've been on the prowl for them, but don't really know what they're supposed to look or taste like. (I'm attempting to make a sour cherry salsa and a cocktail out of them.) If you've seen them anywhere, I'd love to know where!
OXO vs. Progressive International Cherry Pitter: Which one is better?
I'm working on a bunch of cherry recipes, and decided it's time to invest in a cherry pitter, despite my protest against gadgets that only serve one function. (I just can't see myself pitting 200 cherries with a paper clip...) between two: the OXO and the Progressive. Anyone have opinions on which one is better? Much appreciated!
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Doutdoor&field-keywords=cherry+pitter&x=0&y=0
Where can I buy julep cups for mint juleps (not online)?
I'd be happy with just one or two...
Ramps???
I wondered the same thing last year around this time, and have heard they can be found at Rainbow Grocery and Far West Funghi. They're not widely available, though, because they have a season of only about six weeks, and they're native to the Eastern Seaboard.
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Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103
