Yes, that is the one I went to last time. I will be coming after ACL so hopefully no conflicts. Do you happen to know the vendor that sold breakfast burritos. One of their salsas was legendary.

Can someone tell me if the FM runs all year round on Saturday? I will be visiting mid-October. The one I want to visit is the one not far from the So Congress Bridge

Went to Tosca last night (Saturday) for a final shout and expected it to be crowded even at 6:00, but, as Goldilocks would say, it was just right. Crowd was diverse, mature, and very convivial in the spirit of securing a lasting last impression.
Sad chapter closing.

Everything looks good, especially these housemade pretzels with rare roast beef. I tried a savory item: sandwich on ciabatta with Italian meat and cheese. It was fine but nothing to honk your horn over.

I was there mid-March and stupidly ordered Pork Vindaloo while remarking that one never sees pork offered in Indian restaurants. Really tough and dry and not very spicy. The vegetables on the side were a frozen medley (lima beans, carrot cubes, etc.) with curry sauce on them.
The chai was fantastic. Despite my experience I would give it another shot but be very careful ordering, perhaps giving the namesake Tandoori a try.

Why would it be blasphemy to recommend Curry Village?? I find it consistently good.

If you do, in fact, want the Outer Sunset than I am crazy about the Beach Side Cafe. Excellent coffee. Desserts and breads baked in-house. Not ethnic, but very good flavors and portion size. It is on Judah and 47th Ave, way out there.

They were around on Saturday, the 23rd.

Sorry to hear you had a crummy experience. I've been there twice and food and service was very good. It's been about a year, maybe personnel has changed.

If I take the back roads to Petaluma I stop there. The unadorned Foggy Morning is a must try and I like the Halleck, too. This is a very worthwhile stop, much less commercial than Rouge et Noir, though I like their cheeses as well.

Melanie, sorry I didn't see that you had posted on this woeful topic. I got the Middle Eastern turnip pickles that are tinted with beets, some rose water, orange water, some looseleaf tea from India with colonial packaging, some big caperberries from Italy, some dried galanga (sp?) for Thai cooking, haloumi cheese, a large can of foul mamoudas and some palm sugar.
The licorice was nearly gone. The only rice I saw was parboiled. What I really want is the sign that says "Sultan's Gift Table"

They typically do not service the tour buses on Wednesday nights. When the buses are there, it is between 5:15 and 7:15.

The old Clement Street outpost for spices, hummus, etc. will be shuttered on March 31 after 50+ years. Shelves are being decimated quickly with a 50% reduction storewide, so if you want a souvenir best hustle down there.

Yes, they carry those. Not the Rosa Inales brand, but equally tasty

Honestly I'm not a fan of b'stilla but have been really pleased with everything else I've tried there.

After a long period of indeterminate closure I was pleasantly surprised to see Zitouna was open last night and crowded at 8:30. They are closed Mondays, as always, and have modified hours of dinner 4:00 - 9:00 Tuesday - Sunday.

Kappou Gomi on Geary will serve Osechi Dec 31 & Jan 1 but I don't know the price

They have it at Andronicos on Irving, but not so well-priced;
4-pk/ $7.99

I talked to one of the managers at Masonic and he said the store was going to have less inventory than others because it will share the space with CVS.

Well you didn't list any Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisines, which you are a fan of, so I would add Zitouna or Ala Turca to your list and see how other Hounds weigh in as to what to eliminate.

We did, in fact, go to Southern Season because the woman I was staying with needed something there. Nice, but nothing out of the ordinary with the exception of Cheese Straws which my hostess insisted I buy.

We dined at Crooks Corner one evening and it was just right. A nice departure from the usual San Francisco experience and good atmosphere on the patio. The hushpuppies were the only weak link. We also shared fried oysters, the deservedly famous shrimp and grits and the No. Carolina Sampler.
Thursday for lunch we went to Beasleys and we were the only patrons (at 2:30pm) I thought the food was competent, but not exciting. We had 1/2 fried chicken and beans, greens and pimento mac n cheese for sides. I think I may have preferred Clyde Coopers instead for the well-worn warmth and history.
Discovered the gold mine that is Merritts on 15-501 for very delicious BLT.
Saw the S&T Soda Fountain in Pittsboro and fell in love with it, though we didn't have room (after a default lunch at Verlies Grill) to indulge.
Had dinner at Curry Blossom, which gave my friend bad heartburn, but we are able to forgive that because of Vimalas amazing mission statement about feeding anyone hungry.
Had a specialty cocktail in the fun lounge upstairs at the Lantern.
It didn't work out to go to Oakleaf, but I really like their menu. Did do a Mead tasting with their neighbor at Starrlight. Was a bit surprised that they still charged us for the tasting after we ordered 6 bottles to ship. Seemed a bit small minded to me.
We ended up cooking in more than I originally thought we would.
I appreciate all the imput...

We are doing a Segway tour in Raleigh on Thursday but staying nr Carrboro the rest of the visit.

I am staying with a friend, so will have a kitchen and mostly have breakfast and lunch home-cooked

I am travelling tomorrow and really appreciate all the input. I am leaning towards Beasleys or the Cajun place while in Raleigh, sticking to Crooks Corner because it is not something I can find in SF. I will definitely check out Southern Season's, if not Weathervane. Lots of good suggestions, much appreciated.

great suggestions, thanks.

I will be in Raleigh on a Thursday in the vicinity of S. Blount/Moore Square and I am coming from San Francisco. thanks

I am attending a music festival next week in Carrboro/Chapel Hill area and so far my research has come up with:
Crooks Corner (with a cocktail at The Lantern) for dinner
Vimalas Curry Blossom for lunch
Oakleaf for dinner with a drink at the Steampunk bar in Pittsboro (Winkleperry & ?)
Allen & Co BBQ

Carrboro Farmers Market on Wednesday

We are going to be in Raleigh on one day around lunch time and would welcome a suggestion.

Also thinking of driving to WinstonSalem on Sunday. Is that worthwhile and do you have any food recs for on the way, or once there?

I am open to any cuisine that is done well. Don't want to break the bank.

Many thanks.

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Be prepared to spend 3 - 3.5 hours at Jacqueline.

I made some two years ago using vodka as my base and this year I am trying it with Everclear (750ml) because I understand the aromatics infuse better in the higher alcohol. I season with 1 split vanilla bean, 12 cloves, 1 meyer lemon rind, 2 sticks cinnamon and I throw in a few coffee beans as well. This year I am infusing for 40 days, then straining and adding simple syrup (3 c. sugar : 4 c. water) for another 40 days before bottling. This is supposed to reduce cloudiness. My original batch really came into its' own with flavor and smoothness after 1 year in the bottle. It was drinkable before then, just a bit "bright" tasting. Tradition dictates that an odd number of green walnuts be used 27, 29. San Giovanni would have wanted it that way.