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Category Archives: Fun Finds
Castro’s Caffiene Boost or Bust?
It amuses me after a huge nieghborhood refit, some of which I still scratch my head over ( for instance–why add changing lighting features under high placed direct white street lights?? Maybe Im missing something but I don’t see what the effect is other that pad a lighting contract since you can’t see the effect) . So what do we do? Let’s add more caffiene!
Really, we have a robust offering of coffee options in the castro these days with more coming down the trail.
Recently open and joining the “hipster chic” offerings of Revielle, (4076 18th St) and Espressamente Illy Cafe (2349 Market st) is the new sparten Hearth (3985 17th street) sitting nestled between Local Take and Wild Card, near Orphan Andys.
Next up to open is the new Weavers, next door to Fitness SF and set to open on Friday December 10th in time for the early morning gym go’ers. Catch them today offering free samples!
These now supplement the already in place houses including the Castro Coffee Company, Eureka ( 451 Castro Street), La Taza ( 4230 18th street) , Peets ( 2257 Market street) and Spikes (4117 19th street).
Word is that Philzs coffee will move it’s 4023 18th street location soon to the 500 block of Castro as well.
So.. now the question that comes to my mind is how will the Castro caffinate its retail offerings and “decaf” the rents.
Nice to see that even around the holidays and B roll into them some old traditional’s are being remade dairy free!
I think over the years when you aren’t a big dairy person because of the way it makes you feel – we still do miss some of those occasional high-fat rich, dairy flavors.
Luckily we’ve seen an increase in almond and coconut-based products over the last four years. This year seems to be a hot year because there’s at least 5 to 8 different manufacturers were making either coconut-based or almond-based products for those that don’t want dairy or soy.
Since october they’ve rolled into the season offerings with pumpkin, eggnog and mint chocolate themes from the traditional Safeway in Cala tower market to even specialty groceries like whole foods.
I’m thinking that this could be a fun season — in fact some of these I’ve cooked with and exchanged them for cream or dairy-based products. 
A New “Palace” Has Risen
We love to try places that pals recommend and sometimes think the adventure of eating is trying something new without a lot of research into the “spot”. Recently my Pal Brad turned me on to a old local place that has a new Chef and concept meal that was worth checking out.
Starting the night with Cavier
Now this is an adult grilled cheese – add sweetbreads!
A cool, herby soup with butter soft salmon
How you go wrong with Mushrooms and Chirizo
Succulent beef
Now this “stew” rock and rolled
The Palace in San Francisco was known as a Steakhouse in the mission. Located on Mission and Caesar Chavez –I had driven by it for years but never really knew much about it or if it was even open.
It seems owner/chef Manny Torres Gimenez of the former Mr Pollo fame and his with Katerina decided a cool new slant with one thing only – a 5 course tasting menu with fresh quality ingredients, that offer the blended creativeness of its two owners.
… and a bright, crisp finish
While some of the professional food critics think its quirkiness is odd – I found it charming. I liked to simple and easy way they made creative food accessible. With little staff they carefully arrange the reservations to flow, can adapt to special feed issues with grace and they beam as the Chef comes to the table with each course letting you in on that nights secrete delights. Much has been posted on line from SFGate, SF.Eater.com & Seriouseats.com so find out more won’t be a hard sell.
The 5 course savory menu is $50 and well worth it. We left full, and satisfied while we also felt like we didn’t have to rush, could enjoy the time and our friends.
- 3047 Mission St
- San Francisco, CA 94110 b/t 26th St & Capp St in Mission
- Get Directions
- Phone number (415) 666-5218
Local 186 still rocks on
Yes – sometimes I just don’t fight it and will eat at the same place several times on a trip. I think Local 186– has become that place for me since its launch. Again this year I’ve already gone twice! Its a great place to go for lunch or dinner, with friends or a date. From its pretty stellar line of burgers to a solid assortment of salads Local 186 doesn’t disappoint. This year so far its been all about burgers with the exception of one meal when I went with a lighter side meal and opted for a Tuna Nicoise salad.
Go big when you go to Local – try something new; tackle your way through the side dishes.. you will be back. This year we’ve had so far the fried artichokes, the cheese plate (which is big enough for a meal), and the fried avocado.
As for taste – they seem to nail it each time with the burgers – the tuna Nicoise was good and large but its blended style dressing while good – was muted and needed some sharpness in it to really pop the dish.
I also find that the service at Local is always some of the best in town,
located at:
http://www.local186.com 186 Commercial StProvincetown, MA 02657
Phone number(508) 487-7555
Relish Still knocks it out of the park
Relish
hits home and continues to bring it solid to those that make the walk to its west end location in Ptwn. Great sandwiches, salads and assorted treats. This is a sure hit with the picnic and beach set with its fast order system and “grab and go” mentality – while at the same time offering top notch take home dinner quality dishes for casual home meals. They have an assortment of dishes that should satisfy many food needs and tastes.
The Baked goods are some of my fav – the recent chocolate chip coffee cake, and its older brother espresso cake (can you see a theme here) were worth the walk alone. they can get busy at main meal times for plan ahead for when yo9u stop by on the way to the beach etc. If you are a cupcake fan – its a great place for a fix as well.
Relish offers a full line up of foods – Check out the website for whats on deck for them or to place orders. http://www.PtownRelish.com
Located at:
93 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657 –
Devon’s Deep Sea Dive
We rolled into the Deep Sea Dive last year when Devon took it over from its previous incarnation. After several good breakfasts and dinners during our last stay – we knew it would once gain be on our food plan for this trip.
We tend to eat in during the busier days when the day-trippers descend on Ptown so we looked forward to our mid-week visit.
For the first visit we went for breakfast this year and once again ran into the whirling dervish himself (we had met Devon earlier in the week at his other location in the East End; Devon’s or read my comments on it here; http://wp.me/s4hbkV-devons ).
Devon was working that morning and greeted us with a warm, cheerful welcome. The ever handsome and man about town, Chad was our waiter, presenting us with several breakfast specials in addition to it’s regular menu. After grabbing a much needed coffee for Paul and a green tea for me– we went with the house made sausage scramble special, a house made pesto, cheese and tomato omelet with homemade English muffin and a short stack of gluten free Maine blueberry buckwheat pancakes – well just becuase for that short stack!
When our meal arrived, and quickly at that, one bite and we both knew that ordering the specials were the right choice. The scramble was the perfect combination of cheesy, smoky, mild spicy gooeyness that I love in a breakfast. The omelet was light and well cooked with a filling that made each bite a complete taste.
You can always tell when someone is using a homemade recipe for pesto over a store produced one,. The home version almost always has a little extra depth that comes from using native fresh ingredients that just can’t hold the same taste in a jarred version. I love the fact that in both of Devon’s restaurants they are stressing homemade foundations of flavor that really makes it an adventure.
FYI: Deep Sea Dive also offers a full dinner menu which we will be taking on later this week. You can also find them on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/DevonsDeepSeaDive
From its website – which reminded me to mention
“Devon’s Deep Sea Dive serves organic fair trade coffee, espresso, and teas. Local and organic produce, meats, and seafood are utilized as much as possible. The menu includes several vegan and gluten-free dishes. The menu is complemented by a concise wine list featuring domestic and imported wines available by the glass and bottle, regional micro brews, and specialty cocktails. Devon’s Deep Sea Dive is also open for breakfast, serving specialty omelets, such as truffle cheese and baby spinach, pancakes, and French toast, as well as several vegan options, such as tofu scramble with oven-roasted roma tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions, and vegan French toast with fresh strawberries. Devon’s Deep Sea Dive is open May through October. During the high season (mid-June through mid-September) Devon’s Deep Sea Dive is open for breakfast and dinner seven days per week.”
Devon’s Deep Sea Dive:
508-487-0266
31 Bradford Street
Provincetown, Ma., 02657
Dinner at Devon’s
We stopped by Devon’s for dinner recently when wanting dinner before we took in one of Ryan Landry’s & the Gold Dust Orphan Sunday show Snow White and the 7 Bottoms.
While we had an early seating – from the moment we entered we were made to feel welcome without any fussiness. Devon himself was on deck that night pitching in on the floor, which added its own special energy to the place.
With a nicely diverse menu, we opted for starters of organic Chicken Liver Pate ($13), the Mizuna Lettuce with Shaved Fennel, Radish and Carrots, Shallot -Thyme Vinaigrette salad ($10) and the house special soup being offered that night, which was a melon based puree with candied cashews. The starters had that perfect blend of savory, sweet, and crunch that opens up a meal.
For entrees, two of us went with the fresh halibut with roasted corn relish, cherry tomatoes on a bed a pepperonchini mashed potatoes.
I’m a huge fan of monk fish (aka poor mans lobster when I was a kid) so went with the Pan Seared Monkfish Medallions, Mojo Isleno Sauce, Creamy Polenta –($27) – an earthy, rustic dish that took the monk fish and paired it with a salty, spicy caper, olive and roasted pepper stew reminiscent of a puttanesca style, but with such a nice balance that it took on its own complex dimension that clearly made it its own dish. They serve is on creamy grits with the “stew” ladled around the mountain of grits like a castle surrounded by its moat.
All the dishes that night rocked our praises. Nicely portioned and with clear intentions that Devon’s and his chief is enjoys an understanding that comes from the love of blending clean fresh flavors with rustic and hearty delivery. Well worth the walk to the East End for those West Enders that never seem to get much past the Boastslip. They offer both and indoor and outdoor seating option. Heat lamps are available as well as offering a rain covers on its outside deck for those adventures souls who want to eat outside during some of Ptowns occasional showers.
Devon’s:
401 1/2 Commercial Street
Provincetown, Ma., 02657
Call for dinner reservations
Devon’s: 508-487-4773
You can also follow them on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/devonsrestaurant
Now I wish this was around years ago
Seems that Coppertone has launched a new line of sunscreen products that cater to yet one more niche consumer; those of us with tattoos. In retrospect – this shouldn’t have been rocket science – many of us knew we needed or wanted a skin cover up – but never thought about a special blend.
Changes… even on vac a with @PopandDutch
Pop+Dutch (@POPandDutch) rolls out in the West End.
One of our fav “goto” spots for breakfast sandwiches had been the Angel Grocery at the corner where we stay while in Ptown. But this year the place had both a new vibe, with a new name and menu. Now called Pop+Dutch they offer a simple clean fresh take on sandwiches (regular, breakfast and gluten free) snacks and fresh in house made cookies and salads and fresh brewed teas and lemonade. The new folks working in this pint-sized general store, which some other reviewers label as a gourmet sandwich shop are friendly, easy going and fit the “go with the flow” vibe of Ptown while also not using that as an excuse for poor service a few other similar places lean towards.
They also came out with a cute reusable shopping bag with a fitting theme that caught my eye at day one.
Pop+Dutch
http://popanddutch.com
147 Commercial Street
Provincetown, MA
(774) 538-6472
Twitter: @POPandDutch
Facebook: Pop+Dutch
Instagram: POPANDDUTCH