PorktoPurslane's Profile
Source for bastirma/pastirma?
Is there anywhere in San Francisco that sells bastirma/pastirma? Thanks!
dining with a toddler - suggestions?
Sticking with low-key ethnic might be the best option - they will always have something kid-friendly on the menu, often service is speedy and the atmosphere is casual.
Sang Tung on Irving
Taiwan Restaurant on Clement
La Cumbre on Valencia
Turtle Tower (though sometimes there can be a wait)
are a few of my favorites
Taiwan Restaurant on Clement - Fantastic Wonton Soup, Doughnuts + More!
Saturday afternoon, my husband and I ate at Taiwan Restaurant (445 Clement @ 6th) - it was absolutely phenomenal. Cheap, kitschy, and full of intense, deep-fried goodness - everything a good Chinese restaurant should be. We ate a doughnut (the cornmeal with sesame seems the least greasy of the bunch - but all look great), Wonton Soup "with extra vegetables" (recommended by our Chinese doctor as "the best in the city"), and something mysteriously named Shangtung Vegetable Buns (which were filled with a mound of juicy ground pork). I couldn't help staring at the diners around us, as hurried waitresses delivered plates of Fried White Turnip Cakes, bowls of Shanghai Thick Noodles, and tureens of unidentifiable ingredients that smelled so good I could care less that they are unidentifiable. It is my personal goal to try everything on that little pink menu.
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Taiwan Restaurant
445 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Hyde Street Bistro vs. 1550 Hyde
Definitely 1550. I live three blocks away, and I must say - this is the only restaurant in the neighborhood that deserves its reputation. You won't be disappointed!
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1550 Hyde
1550 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Best 24th Street Panaderia?
A small place always seems like more sure of a bet. I'll check it out. It'll be hard to resist a bacon donut from DD though...
Best 24th Street Panaderia?
I've hit up 24th Street (between Mission and a little past Harrison) for pupusas, tacos, and the requisite Humphrey Slocombe ice cream. However, each time I visit, I'm overwhelmed by the number of Panaderias (bakeries), and have no idea which one (there seem to be about 3 every block) is worth the indulgence. Thoughts? Tasting notes?
If you cant get in at Gary Danko, whats next?
Range - lacks the pretension of Danko/Mina, but has wonderful food.
There's also Manresa.
I also adore a good picnic and a bottle of wine for an anniversary...
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Manresa Restaurant
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Range
842 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Also, I tried posting a photo, but it didn't work - the file may have been too large. You can see a snap of the picnic on my Flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/porktopurslane/3555140070/
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Thank you for all of the AMAZING recommendations - I see a lot of East Bay picnics in my future.
That Saturday we ended up following this itinerary:
Berkeley Farmer's Market - sipped iced coffees from Blue Bottle while picking up picnic wares like Phoenix olive bread (wonderful, though I prefer cured black olives in my olive bread), Fatted Calf salumi, tender raw fava beans, very sweet sugar snap peas, spicy radishes, fresh dates, and first of the season cherries. It was a beautiful market, and far less chaotic than my weekly trip to the Ferry Market.
Cheeseboard - We chose to go to Cheeseboard simply b/c it was on the way to Tilden. The line wasn't too bad, and they passed out free hot pizza to everyone waiting. We picked up a round of Mt. Tam (b/c it was spreadable and could affectively cut the spice of radish).
Off to the lake by Tilden park. We found a quiet, secluded spot (hard to do), and sat for hours, munching and reading, talking and munching. I couldn't have imagined a better day.
I'm looking forward to trying all of the other ideas Chowhounders posted!
Current Coffee Top 10?
I ditto the recommendation for a Gibraltar from the Mint Plaza Blue Bottle Cafe - with a bar of TCHO dark chocolate, it can't be beat. Ok, maybe it can...have you had the Blue Bottle Affogato with Humphrey Slocombe ice cream?
Also, Ritual in the Mission does cuppings in the early afternoon - that could be awesome for your coffee-loving friend.
Oh - and you could also grab a Ritual macchiato at Flora Grubb, which is such a cool place!
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Ritual Coffee Roasters
1026 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Flora Grubb Gardens
1634 Jerrold Ave, San Francisco, CA
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Ok...how am I suppose to choose? It looks like Saturday might be for Berkeley, and Sunday for Oakland?...I can't wait.
Thank you.
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Great tip. I've had several lunches at Chez Panisse and, upon exiting, couldn't help but notice how absurdly crowded Cheese Board is...its like Tartine on Fridays at 5PM...but all of the time. Sometimes, you just want to get to where you want to go...esp. on a nice day!
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Thank you so much. I just did research on Tilden - sounds fanastic. Also sounds huge.
I LOVE Fatted Calf and Acme....but get them all of the time. Is there anything amazing that is unique to Berkeley that I can't get in SF? If not, I'm totally game for more pate and levain from the usuals!
Thanks again!
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
We are coming from SF, but I left it broad b/c we are up for heading ANYWHERE...as long as there is good food and a nice to play to eat!
Thank you for the recommendations - all sounds amazing.
PICNIC IN BERKELEY
Hey all!
I plan to take full advantage of the gorgeous 70 degree weather we're currently experiencing.
I would love to head to the East Bay tomorrow (Saturday) for a picnic in a beautiful, serene area/park. Unfortunately, I have yet to do much exploring of Berkeley or Oakland and need guidance.
2 Questions:
1 - What is the best place to pick up picnic supplies (we eat and drink everything)?
2 - Where is the best place to sit outside and enjoy a leisurely lunch, glass of wine, and a good book?
Thank you!
Good SF Brunch
I second Foreign Cinema, put if you want to stay in the areas you mentioned, what about Pomelo?
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Pomelo
1793 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94131
1550 Hyde--thanks for the tip!
Yes! 1550 Hyde isn't pimped enough. It is simple, humble cuisine, but always reliable (so far). I just moved here in September, and they are only a couple blocks down the street from my apt!
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip!
Like Blue Hill at Stone Farms
I second Ubuntu. Actually, the sous chef there is a previous cook from Blue Hill at Stone Barns (who I met back in my extern days!) It is a delightful place with stunning food. Don't let the "vegetarian" classification scare you away.
Fresh borage in SF?
I was there last Saturday, and didn't see it. He did however have some stunning lovage!
Is there a decent substitute for butter in baked goods?
Organic Coconut Oil is a much purer ingredient; please give it a try!
Though coconut oil is a saturated fat, and like all fats, should be used in moderation, its health benefits are unique and remarkable. Unrefined, organic coconut oil is 50 percent medium-chain fatty acids, which the body funnels towards metabolism for energy, rather than adipose tissue (fat stores). Most extraordinarily, it contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid (also found in breast milk), which enhances brain function and boosts immunity. Coconut oil is one of the few significant plant sources of this amazing compound! Unlike most oils, coconut oil also makes a great frying oil, able to withstand high-temperature cooking without becoming unstable and forming toxic trans-fatty acids. Additionally, since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, if desired, one can use it in place of shortening, lard or butter in pastries and the like – simply reduce the fat measurement by about 20 percent. Store coconut oil in a cool, dark place.
Recommendations for Large Group Dining in SF
More links (my comp froze on the last post)
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Boulevard Restaurant
1 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Town Hall Restaurant
342 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Spruce
3640 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118
La Taqueria
2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Delica
1 Ferry Bldg, San Francisco, CA
Taylor's Automatic Refresher
644 First St, Napa, CA
Recommendations for Large Group Dining in SF
Avoid Burma - you will never get in.
If you want Asian, Yank Sing may be your best bet.
Foreign Cinema's dinner is hit or miss (more often a miss), though their brunch seems consistently fabulous.
Range is too small I think - but call
I recently did a TON of research on SF restaurants than can host large parties, as I was trying to find a place for my wedding rehearsal dinner. Several of places I am going to list are "California" cuisine (whatever that really means) and can seat large parties:
Orson
Spruce
Town Hall
Boulevard
Epic Roasthouse (but in my opinion, not worth the $) - though this or Waterbar would be good for a drink outside with views)
Or go wine tasting in St. Helena and make a pit-stop at Taylor's Automatic Refresher - on a nice day, little could be better
If unique ethnic is a plus, what about San Tung on Irving? Or what about a burritto-and-beer-hop in the Mission?
If they are here for Saturday brunch, please, please make your way to Primavera at the Ferry Market!
I hope this helps! - good luck!
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Orson Restaurant
508 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Yun San Lounge
San Francisco, CA, San Francisco, CA
Honeymoon in Napa
Please, please make your way to the Oxbow Public Market and pick up a picnic....I would go for pate from Fatted Calf, a baguette (right next door), some strawberries, and a good hunk of Bay Area cheese....then I would head over to Alpha Omega winery to indulge in some fabulous wine and said tasty treats on their BEAUTIFUL patio!
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Oxbow Public Market
610 First Street, Napa, CA 94559
Alpha Omega Winery
1155 Mee Ln St, Helena, CA
Where to buy Goat Meat
Bi-Rite Market often carries Bolinas goat (the same goat Chez Panisse serves)
As someone mentioned above, Marin Sun Farms carries goat - in almost every cut imaginable - and this is the goat I purchase for my home. I braise the meat in spices and tomatoes - GOAT TACOS ANYONE?
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Bi-Rite Market
3639 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Capay Organic - consolidated in Ferry Bldg #9
1 Ferry, Bldg San Francisco, CA
Blue Bottle permanent space open -- reports?
In reference to what has been said, I will say:
OF COURSE the prices are higher than outside - they have higher overhead in the building.
The Baristas will gain speed over time.
The space is BEAUTIFUL, and as always, so is the Blue Bottle coffee and espresso.
Looking for a nice spot in Berkeley for dinner friday night
Chez Panisse Cafe (cheaper than the restaurant downstairs!) or Wood Tavern - two great places, but food is quite different.
