PAHound's Profile
What's the SF equivalent of LA's Animal or NYC's Momofuku Ssam?
I've been to Ssam and Animal and enjoy both. The closest I've come to the vibe of those 2 spots in SF is Wexler's. Low key (went in flip flops) with a tasty, seasonal menu that hits rich and delicious man food- Especially recommend the Cornmeal Crusted Skate- one of the best things I've eaten in months. Also has tasty salads- great seafood salad with very fresh SB uni! Scotch eggs are fun, as is pork plate.
Bartenders are doing nice things: "smoked" manhattan rocked and they make a competent corpse reviver #2.
This is not upscale BBQ- it's inventive food by a former Michelin Starred chef done in a low key environment, with no entrees over $20.
-----
Wexler's
568 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Agree on Iberia- just went last week and almost everything was spot on. Loved the snails. Phenomenal sangria.
Have been on a Spanish kick lately and I'd choose Iberia as best in the area over Zarzuela. Some dishes at Zarzuela were better, but the superior Sangria and atmosphere put it over. Service at Iberia is never great, but consider that part of the Spanish charm and drink up.
3 Canadian men in their mid-twenties looking to eat high and low, but mostly: heartily!
Sounds like we have similar tastes. I'll throw out some cocktail places with great food as well: Beretta and Range are fun for both eating and drinking, though Beretta feels like more of a party. Highly recommend the newly opened Comstock- classic drinks, cool vibe and high end man food- it's in the "bar with great food" mold.
When my out of town college friends visit I typically try to spend one evening at Aziza- great drinks, they treat you well and the food is unique and perfectly executed gourmet Moroccan.
Notice that all of these places are within walking distance of a variety of great SF dive bars for that perfect blend of expertly crafted cocktails followed by post dinner drinking.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
What are your go to Italian places in San Francisco? I've been impressed by Quince and Perbacco (but wouldn't put them ahead of Drago Centro or Mozza).
Agree wholeheartedly on pizza, though my two favorite CA pizzas are still Mozza and American Flatbread co.
-----
Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Blue Bottle's special Chez Panisse blend
Chex Panisse makes a very good cup of coffee. Had it a few weeks ago. For what it's worth, to me it tasted better than the coffee I get at my local Blue Bottle purveyor. And probably better than what you make at home.
-----
Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Seeking a la carte chestnut soup
Village Pub has it on their winter menu. Their soups are typically fantastic. Had the best green garlic soup I've ever had there.
Christmas in Argentina?
My girlfriend and I are spending our first Christmas away from our families when we travel to Argentina next month. We'd really like to do something unique and festive on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Perhaps even be around other like-minded people.
Does anyone have any recommendations on where to go for good food and maybe even company? These can be general (go to this town or to an estancia in this region) or specific (this particular restaurant/hotel/estancia/activity). Thanks so much for the input!
Finally, Manresa! But what to drink? Winehounds?
Thanks, I do like the local wine idea for a few courses, though we're certainly biased toward old-world. And luckily, drinking a lot is not a problem!
Finally, Manresa! But what to drink? Winehounds?
Finally my friend's birthday rolls around, and we are going to Manresa the first weekend of October. Tasting Menu is the obvious choice. But what should we do for wine?
I've read mixed reviews of the pairings. Are they worth getting? Is the standard pairing good or is it necessary to splurge for the premium?
As a note, a pet peeve of mine is a pairing list that drowns you in white before you finally get to enjoy the red with your last course or 2.
Would I be better off ordering off their wine list, or will i be subject to TFL-style ridiculous mark-ups? Should I just bring 2 bottles from my cellar and eat the corkage? Or 1 and order 1 off the list? Any particular recommendations off the list (please include approximate price, if possible)?
Finally, any other general tips and tricks for having the best experience imaginable at Manresa? Many thanks for the input!
Need help with Indian food
I moved up from LA a few months ago and have been exploring the Indian options with reckless abandon. In Palo Alto, I'd recommend Hyderabad House for Biriyani and Achari. Or Darbar.
If you want to go upscale, you could do Amber or for something you can't get in LA, go to Sakoon in Mountain View. It's the best (read:only worthwhile) fancified Indian food I've had outside of Boston (Tamarind Bay) and DC (Rasika). For a night out on vacation, that's your best bet.
If you're just dropping in for a casual lunch, do Hyderabad or Madras Cafe in Sunnyvale.
Better than LA.......
I moved up here from LA a few months ago and have been on a similar quest. The 2 answers I have found so far are Aziza, a Moroccan place that blew me away, and Indian food at one of the many exceptional spots in the Silicon Valley. Go with Aziza- you will not be disappointed, and there's nothing like it in LA.
Women vintners or vineyard owners?
I'm still working through a case of the 2007- have given a lot of the bottles as gifts and gotten tremendous feedback. I haven't migrated to the 2008 yet...did you try the '07 and the 08 is inferior? Or you're just not a fan of her white?
tenderloin bars
I like Whiskey Theives. A bit divey, but a great whisky selection, not too pricey, and great music. They make some nice cocktails, but stay away from their old fashioned.
Women vintners or vineyard owners?
Merry Edwards should be your no. 1 stop. Make a reservation. Go for the Pinot, leave with 3 bottles of the sauvignon blanc. Enjoy.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Thanks. I love Afghan food. My current favorite is Helmand in Boston. I haven't partook for awhile, so I may just try to get to Salang Pass this weekend.
Lunch at Jai Yun
I've been itiching to try this place. Are they opened for lunch on the weekend? Can you show up without a rsvp for lunch?
from SF to Santa Rosa: must-do's, standouts, cannot miss items?
Take Hwy 1, and have a better roadtrip on the way there. Stop at Marshall Store for bbq'ed oysters. One of my favorite stretches of CA.
Fifth Floor - downhill or still good?
I'll also plug the service and cocktails. We stopped in for a drink and a bite a few weeks ago. The cocktail list is the real highlight with exotic spirits and a great blend of classic and updated drinks, all prepared by an expert hand. Food was great value with good ingredients. Recommend.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Thanks. Am going Friday night. have read some mixed but generally positive reviews on here, so hopefully he's hit his stride by now. Will report back.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Only one of these I've gotten to so far is Hyderabad House. Had never tried Achari before, and love the spice and flavor explosion. The delicious meat is just a condiment. Nothing beats sopping up the sauce with naan. Dishdash is next. And Manresa will be conquered on a *real special occasion.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Went to Nha Toi on a Friday night a few weeks back. Loved the food, and the karaoke going on was rather hilarious. We were the only non-Viet in the place, and they wanted us to sing soo badly. So a rendition of "Can't help falling in love" was in order, as the English selections were rather sparse. The spareribs and the mackerel were particularly appreciated. Thanks for the enthusiatic recommedation.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
What Turkish spots would you recommend? I learned to love Turkish food on my travels around Turkey a few years ago. I did check out Sultana in Menlo Park, and found it pretty good. I've heard New Kap is tasty in Redwood City.
Do you think New Kap is worth the trip? Anywhere else I should hit? Any upscale Turkish delights?
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Just got to Aziza- wow. The cocktails were creative and tasty. The lamb appetizer was amazing. Lentil soup hit the spot. But the big hit was the farro "risotto" with sous vide egg! Must try if you haven't. Beef cheeks were also nice, but who would've thought with all that beefy goodness that the farro would steal the show.
Thanks for the recommendation- Aziza would have gotten lost in the shuffle otherwise. Definitely unlike anyplace in LA- if they opened it there they'd be booked solid for 6 months, easy.
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
I'm pretty familiar with Indian in LA (its centered in Little India, which is in Artesia), and I'm excited to compare Silicon Valley Indian.
Tirupathi Bhimas is perhaps the best Indian in LA, and I can't wait to get to their Milpitas location. Any specific dishes at any specific place that warrant a "run, don't walk". Thanks!
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Thanks for the reply. I'll be getting those mastitas ASAP. I like everything. Stoked to get at Chez Panisse and French Laundry, but the best meal I had in the last year was probably birria out of an East LA taco truck.
I like your sentiment about every dish at every restaurant... but you must have never been to Miyakes :)
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
That's a great thread, and thanks for the suggestions.
Just had a debate with a coworker who said there's no type of food the Bay Area does better than LA (except high end French Laundry-esque spots). I told him he can't possibly be right, but he argued the only ethnic food that's even a draw is Vietnamese. Thoughts on what type of cuisine in the Bay Area trumps the LA area?
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
Awesome! I'll get to those tortas right away. Thanks for the links!
Brand new in Silicon Valley: where should I eat?
I just moved from LA to Palo Alto. I had the LA scene wired with thanks to Hounds and the food-bloggers. I knew where to find the best (and 2nd and 3rd best) pho, tortas, ramen, burger, sushi, ribeye, roast chicken etc.
I'd love to hear any and all "must chow" spots in the greater Silicon Valley area (I am pretty familiar with San Francisco's foodie scene). My only noteworthy eats so far are the charcuterie plate at Village Pub and the Village Cheesehouse sandwich. Thanks in advance for any and all advice. Any recommended Hounds and food bloggers to read up on the area's dining options?
