BaraXan's Profile
Late bite near Steppenwolf
Visiting from out of town and going to the theater Tuesday night. I'd like to have a late supper and drink afterwards, between the theater and the north shore, where I'm staying. Maybe a place that serves at the bar? Thanks for any suggestions.
Surprising lapse at Incanto
I ordered the "Veal Breast, Tongue and Kidney" with relish, but had to send it back. Everything was way overcooked. The veal breast fared best, gooey and tender, but the tongue was all dried out and the kidney was hard and tasteless. The outside was like a shell! When I asked the server if they could make me another order, he said "You'd better order something else." (Which they quickly and cheerfully provided). This was a Sunday night at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, so maybe the first-string crew was not in the kitchen, but still...this is organ meat at Incanto, very badly prepared!
Drinks near Namu
We're taking friends to Namu tonight and were planning to have drinks at the Cliff House first. But obviously this is going to be a foggy, no-view night in SF so we're looking for somewhere else in the Avenues, or the Haight to have a drink. Upscale, not too noisy or jammed. Is Aub Zam Zam anything? Thanks.
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Namu
439 Balboa Street, San Francisco, CA 94118
Aziza cocktail recommendations?
Thanks to all for your responses. Members of our party liked the blood orange and Pomelo. For myself, I'm ordering straight Scotch from now on.
Aziza cocktail recommendations?
Well, I don't generally like fruit juice cocktails--the apricot one was supposed to be Scotch-based. I drink whiskey, primarily. Enjoy the occasional rye-based Manhattan.
Aziza cocktail recommendations?
I like eating at Aziza but haven't had good luck with their famous cocktails. The last two I had (two different occasions) were just weird--one with small chunks of almonds in it, and another made kind of viscous and nectary with pulverized apricot. So recommendations for truly good drinks--we're going tomorrow night--would be appreciated.
Belons in SF?
Is there anywhere to get Belon oysters in San Francisco? I'd be happy with either a restaurant that serves them or a market that sells them. Remembering with affection and regret the Belon Restaurant at Turk and Mason, back when the Tenderloin was briefly an up-and-coming neighborhood.
Any idea on the best asian grocery in San Francisco?
The problem at New May Wah--and other large Asian markets--is getting any assistance. It's impossible to find anyone who speaks English, and if you are looking for an unfamiliar ingredient, you have to examine hundreds of items on dozens of shelves, and often the way the product name is translated on the bottle or jar is not exactly the same as in your recipe. New May Way does have its produce, meat, and seafood pretty clearly labeled in English as well as in Chinese, so this is a plus.
Anywhere to buy guanciale in SF or Marin? Or even close by?
Lucca Ravioli on Valencia usually has it.
Where to get good, fresh uni?
I just noticed that Sun Fat Seafood on Mission has begun carrying trays of uni at a very good price (also rolls of ankimo!) I hope they will do enough business to keep stocking it.
Does anyone know where to purchase sweetbreads?
Golden Gate Meat Company in the Ferry Building.
Open Thanksgiving night?
We have a big birthday celebration the weekend after Thanksgiving, and family will be flying in from all over the country on Thanksgiving day. Any ideas about restaurants that might be open that night? Maybe something ethnic (Devon Avenue?)--north side preferred since we'll be staying in Evanston. Many thanks.
Woodhouse Fish, Fried Ipswitch's and a Lobster Roll
I've only been to the Woodhouse on Market, but I love the Ipswich fried clams there. A generous portion, as you say, and I've never found fault with the frying.
Quince pasta tasting menu
On Tuesday nights, Quince offers a 5-course tasting menu: 4 pasta courses and dessert for $50. This is an incredible deal and a wonderful meal. We went last night and wish we could go every week. I'm hesitant to detail the pastas, because they all had precise names that I don't recall, but I'll give gross descriptions: First a delicate skate-filled tortellini sort of thing with sea-urchin sauce; then an eggplant ravioli with red pepper coulis; a plate of chewy rabbit dumplings; and a two-color pappardelle with a pork cheek ragout. What a great progression of sights, tastes, and textures! Dessert was roasted apricots with chocolate ice cream. For those who lament Quince's new prix fixe policy because you can't get enough pasta, here's the solution! As always, impeccable service, and an elegant atmosphere, refreshing for San Francisco.
No ankimo in summer?
Thanks for this interesting link. Maybe there's some character-building value in having to wait for something even if it's actually available year-round.
No ankimo in summer?
Hamano Sushi in the Castro, stopped serving ankimo (monkfish liver) several months ago. This happened last year too: no ankimo from April to September. The hostess says it is "out of season" and "no good in the summer." Yet Sumi on 18th street has had ankimo non-stop, and I bought some at Nijiya a few weeks ago that was perfectly good. Is there anything to this "no ankimo in summer" thing?
Where to get good, fresh uni?
I finally made the pasta with uni. It was wonderful--luxurious, creamy, pretty, and full of flavors (the garlic and tomatoes take the uni taste in an unexpected direction). I did buy the uni at New May Wah and it was just fine.
Where to get good, fresh uni?
Well no, I haven't. But I will when I try that NYT pasta recipe, and I'll let you know.
Where to get good, fresh uni?
New May Wah at 719 Clement in SF has uni in trays (refrigerated section against eastern wall of western half) and also, sometimes, live sea urchins in the seafood section.
Oyster and Pork clay pot
Oh, I try it whenever I have the chance. These two versions just seemed to represent two extremes of execution. Tong Palace at 933 Clement has a pretty middle-of-the-road version. But I suspected, as EP and Gordon Wing confirm, that there was a lot of upside potential here.
Oyster and Pork clay pot
I'm a fan of this Chinese casserole with oysters, tofu, pork, ginger, and scallions. I just had some at Toon Kee on Irving, and it was very good on the pork side but the broth was quite intense and heavy, and any fresh oyster taste got buried. On the other hand, the version at Oriental Seafood at 32nd and Noriega has a nice briny taste but the pork is just sliced, lean "barbecue pork" loin instead of roasted pork chunks with some fat and texture. There must be a perfect rendition out there somewhere. Suggestions appreciated.
SF: Eden's Restaurant - Chef Vahit Besir found ... heavenly Halal lamb and beef gyros
I'm not familiar with the Besir family saga, but I do love a good gyros. I went by today and got one to go. Initially I was pretty apprehensive: not a spit or rotisserie in sight. The meat was heated up in a wok! and wrapped in a tortilla! The end product was a sort of Turkish burrito. But it was delicious: full of crunchy vegetables and dressed with a mild yogurt sauce. There was not a great deal of meat (and for all I know it might have been just sliced lamb and not really gyros) but these days who wants to be weighted down with a pound of protein? I liked the looks of the chicken, salmon, and other skewers in the glass case. Great prices, too.
Michoacano in Redwood City?
Thanks to this thread, our refrigerator-shopping in Redwood City culminated in a terrific lunch at Taqueria El Grullens on El Camino. We enjoyed the carnitas, lengua, chicken, and carne asada tacos--each one distinctive and very tasty. They also do a fried fish taco that is much larger and must contain about a third of a pound of crispy fish along with shredded cabbage and an arresting chipotle crema. I think this is Chowhound at its best--an unfamiliar destination, a quick web search, and a top-notch recommendation. Thanks everyone!
Fried oysters on the north shore?
Thanks, nsxtasy. We're going to try Mitchell's. I'll report back. And I doubt that I'll be able to stay away from The Fish Keg.
Northwest Indiana
Michigan City has at least two restaurants that are worth your while. In the summer months there's Bridges, an informal riverfront cafe that serves notable fried perch. It's not cheap, and the sides are lamentable (really awful rice and fries), but sitting out by the water watching the railroad bridge swing around is a great summer experience. I can also recommend Sahara at 1701 Franklin (http://www.sahara-restaurant.net/home.html). Remarkably, you can dine on very good mediterranean food--fattoush, kibbe, felafel, lamb chops, etc.--in an attractive space in the reviving old part of town. Nice wine list, and it's open late.
Fried oysters on the north shore?
Can anyone recommend a restaurant that serves breaded fried oysters? I want to take my parents, who live in No-Man's-Land (northern Wilmette, on the lake), and don't like to travel into the city any more. Evanston or north would be great.
By the way, my initial search turned up the thread about riverside fish shacks that fried shrimp. What a blast of nostalgia! I live in San Francisco now, but one of my fondest Chicago food memories is a greasy brown bag full of those crunchy sweet amazingly-seasoned critters. It's great to hear that there are still a few of these joints left.
Goods eats in Calistoga?
Really? Where did you hear this? It would be bad news! Although the menu is super stuck in a rut--my complaint about the old Catahoula as well; nothing ever changed!--it has always been our first choice in Calistoga. They've always offered generous portions, a wide range of flavors, and a beautiful outdoor garden area. The owner/chef always seemed to be working very, very hard and maybe she's just looking for a break.
ISO pork shoulder with skin
A Chinese butcher would probably have what you want. I have bought pork shoulders with skin at New May Wah at 547 Clement, and at Sunset Super on Irving Street. I also think that the butcher in the Mission Market arcade at 2590 Mission could provide one.
