Bought a package of preserved mustard greens to make some delicious dry-fried string beans... I only used a small amount and now have a bunch leftover. Does anyone have any tips on 1) how best to store these or 2) other uses for these? I love the flavor of them but am not quite sure what the best use is.

Thanks!

Hey all,

I've got a friend visiting from out of town and we're looking for a magical restaurant with the following criteria:

- Won't have to wait more than 45min-1 hour for a table for 5
- Affordable ($13-18 entrees)
- feels fancy-ish- We're all late 20's /early 30's and want this to be a nice dinner we can all afford. We dont want fluorescent lighting.
- good cocktails a bonus.

Ideally this restaurant is in Mission/Noe/Castro but other suggestions are welcome. Does such a restaurant exist?

those all sound about right. I wonder what gives it that bright yellow color. My guess would be mustard powder, although it could also be turmeric.

the skin is on the thicker side- just chewy enough, IMO. Are the greasy? well....yes. but they taste...so...gooood...

I used to live on Nob Hill and would frequent U-Lee at Jackson and Hyde. They don't deliver, but it's close and tasty. Don't miss the potstickers.

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U-Lee Restaurant
1468 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

FYI, the gelato was Pecorino, not Asiago.

I agree that the cauliflower/bottarga spaghetti was out of this world. The tagliatelle was described as being served with "tuna belly, capers, and tuna heart." The resemblance to canned tuna was a little bit disheartening. It was tasty, but it pales in comparison to the other pasta.

The Sapa gelato was awesome. The saffron was also very tasty and extremely light. The pecorino and dried fig- meh. It tasted too much like pecorino. I'm all for weird flavors, but this didn't really do it for me.

I'm going to Weird Fish tonight with a few friends. I havent really heard much about this place. Any menu items that stand out? Anything to avoid? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

yes, they are very accommodating downstairs. One of my DCs isnt crazy about tuna so they gave her assorted tempura vegetables (looked like some sort of summer squash, but it seems to early for that). I've never been upstairs but am looking forward to trying it soon!

I was at CP on Saturday as well. I thought the meal was wonderful. The tuna and the souffle were my favorite dishes- the best souffle i've ever had, but I can't say I've had a lot.

The asparagus that came with the lamb was out of this world. I couldnt quite tell how they prepared it- steamed?

The ravioli were very yummy but probably my least favorite bites of the night. That's not to say i didnt enjoy them. The fava beans in this dish were lovely. the mushrooms in the ravioli were very earthy and meaty- there was almost a sausage-y flavor to them.

what's good at Old Jerusalem? I went once and ordered the Jerusalem Salad (a salad of tomatoes, cuucmber tahini sauce & lemon) which turned out to be a plate of watery tahini dressing drowning some chopped tomatoes and cukes. The hummus wasnt very good either.

Maybe the meat is a better option?

Greens usually has vegan options up their sleeve that are not printed on the menu. I went for the Saturday prix fixe with two vegans and IIRC, the kitchen had vegan alternatives for all but one of the dishes.

OP = Original Poster (you, sheriff) :)

Terminator was on when we first walked in. Then Star Wars came on. Moral of the story: WEIRD.

I'll agree with everything. I was the third DC that evening and am still a little bitter for having paid $45 for a meal that tasted far worse than anything the three of us would have cooked up. My hanger steak was mediocre at best, and seasoned with the same five-spice powder that covered Dave's pork. The spinach "chiffonade" and crispy fried breading that came with it was practically nonexistent, and the broccoli romanesco gratin was relatively flavorless and overly creamy.

The meatloaf was ok, but I agree that it was more of a hamburger, and it was very oversalted. The veggies, as Dave said, were a joke.

I was very put off when I asked for butter for the bland focaccia and the waitress got defensive. She seemed a little put off again at the end of our meal when I told her we wouldn't be having dessert.

Maybe it was an off-night, but something about that place just seemed uninspired. The decor is strange, Terminator was playing on a TV behind the bar, the techno music clashed with the damask upholstery and gold walls, and the food was a disappointment.

I would have been much happier to spend my money at NOPA.

NOPA sounds like a good fit. Only problem is that they don't take reservations for large parties. That may have changed though?

it's called Pho Vietnam, and I think it is at Pine. I've never tried it. I'd recommend going farther south and one block over to Larkin Street/Little Saigon. Lots of choices there.

I think it might have something to do with their shiny new $20,000 halogen-heated Japanese siphon bar.

I went this afternoon to find quite a crowd. The space is really nice and minimalist, but I am not used to standing in a crowded room waiting for my coffee! I prefer to stand in little fresh-air alleys :)

they have a sweets menu which has a chocolate pudding, some kind of miette cake (don't remember what kind), some sort of crumble. sorry i don't recall the details

If you're not afraid to walk through a pretty seedy (but not dangerous) neighborhood, Brenda's French Soul Food has a great brunch and is very close to Civic Center.

I'd second the recommendation for Absinthe, as well.

Mad Dog in the Fog has 2 pool tables and two dart boards (I certainly wouldn't call it "alternative", though). They have a passable beer selection and a nice back patio. It's within walking distance of Suppenküche.

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Brenda's French Soul Food
652 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Mad Dog In the Fog
530 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

they've got a really great version with fish as well. not sure what type- maybe tilapia?

I'll second the squab recommendation, too- fantastic

Whisky Thieves on Geary and Larkin if you want a divier place.

Just heard about this new place at Hayes and Laguna. Looks promising. Has anyone been?

http://www.barjules.com/

1) Barking Pumpkin Cask Ale - Magnolia Brewery - Haight

2) Spaghettini w cured tuna heart - Incanto - Noe Valley

3) Quince-style raviolo - made by a friend and former Quince pasta chef in her home

4) Sesame Sourdough bread - Tartine - Mission

5) Roast Chicken with Panzanella - Zuni Cafe - Upper Market

6) Duck Leg Ho Fun Noodle Soup - Hai Ky Mi Gia - Tenderloin

7) Shrimp and Mango Tacos - Mariachi's Taqueria - Mission

8) Blackberry Creme Brulee with Oatmeal Cookies - Zin - Healdsburg

9) Gibraltar - Blue Bottle Coffee Co. - Hayes Valley

10) Meatloaf - Suppenkuche - Hayes Valley

11) Biscuits and Gravy with Sage and Fried Eggs - Absinthe - Hayes Valley

12) Any crostata from Split Pea Seduction - SOMA

13) Pappardelle with Duck sugo - Pesce - Russian Hill

BONUS:
Zingerman's roadhouse rye (Ann Arbor MI)
Zingerman's Gingerbread Cake (Ann Arbor MI)
prefectly fried eggs at the Corner Grill (Bowling Green OH)
Vacio at any number of parrillas in Buenos Aires
Locro Norteño at La Peña del Colorado, Buenos Aires
Pulpo a la gallega (Spanish Octopus) - Amada - Philadelphia, PA

i don't go all that often, but its always for dinner. I'm pretty sure they roast it ahead of time and then throw it on the grill when its ordered. Its still darn good though.

Cordon Bleu has great homestyle Vietnamese. Get the 5-spice chicken!

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Cordon Bleu Vietnamese
1574 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Magnolia does some tasty fried chicken on Thursdays.

Try Emmy's Spaghetti Shack for a delicious (and huge!) plate of spaghetti and meatballs!

Suppenkuche has AMAZING meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes.

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Emmy's Spaghetti Shack
18 Virginia Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

Magnolia Pub & Brewery
1398 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

So glad you enjoyed Milano! That's one of my favorite restaurants in the city. Sadly I dont like 3 blocks away like I used to and therefore don't go as often...I'm glad it's doing so well!! I'll have to try the calamari next time i go. Thanks for the report.

Modern Tea is closed on Mondays. Axum Cafe on Haight has good, cheap Ethiopian. Walzwerk on South Van Ness supposedly has a great vegetarian schnitzel, though I've never tried it. I've been wanting to try Minako Organic Japanese for some time, at 17th and Mission. I hear they have great veg options.

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Axum Cafe
698 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant
2154 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Walzwerk
381 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103

I enjoyed the dinner last nght as well. My sauce on my panna cotta was perfect- no grit.

I was amazed by how big the portions were!! I'd never had their fried chicken before, and it was dee-licious. I'm looking forward to eating the rest of it for lunch today!

Didn't get to try the corn dogs, but I look forward to it.

Thanks hounds for the Barking Pumpkin recommendation. I had one before my DC arrived, and then it came again with dessert! Definitely one of the best pumpkin ales I've ever had. Great on cask, too!

Pesce is great Italian small-plates. A little less expensive is Ramblas Tapas on Valencia at 16th. Stil very tasty. I've heard great thing about Zarzuela on Hyde in Russian Hill, but I'venot had a chance to try it. You could get there by cable car though.

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Pesce
2227 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Ramblas Tapas
557 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Zarzuela
2000 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109

A quick search on the boards didn't come up with what I"m really looking for. Cheap, authentic lunch spots- not touristy. A great place to get a steak (and another to get fish) without breaking the bank? The best empanadas? the best alfajores? Great, affordable asado? A delicious and cheap steak sandwich?

I'll be in BA for the first time with a friend for 2 weeks, so we'll have many many meals to eat :) We're staying in Palermo. I'd like some recommendations for Palermo, Recoleta, San Telmo, and neighboring areas.

We're also looking to do some grocery shopping and make our own breakfasts. Any grocery store recommendations in Palermo? Thank so much!