Category Archives: Rants & Raves
Because sometimes I am not sure what will come out of my mouth- so Rants & Raves us my melting pot of commentary
Pickled Eggplant
Our family had a version that is a favorite – and I hear via FB that my sisters are at it today. One of the difference to my mom’s recipe is that they has the eggplants cut in shoestring pieces – not just in sliced. (Sort of the same way we do fried celery at the holidays.)
I’ve asked my sister Gina to share the recipe – but in the mean time – this is via her mobile post
Scala’s is like coming home – you know what to expect and it’s just what you want!
With tickets to see Napoli ( a period story set in the 40’s during the war years in Italy) at the the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco last week -we decided to make a night of it and grab dinner at Scala’s Bistro
Scala’s is a well known and beloved restraint in San Francisco at the Sir Francis Drake. The Sir Francis will also have a special place
in my heart because it
was the first hotel my grandmotherand I went to on a trip when I was young after my grandfather had died. In fact if you have seen the play – this image isn’t far from what you would have seen!
But Scala serves up its own history and special place – because it continues to earn it.
Having been one of my favorite traditional style restaurants here in San Francisco for well over 15 years – I continue to go for celebrations and when I want memories to be made. Not only has it been home to some great chef’s over the years, it offer great servers who know how to work its menu to ensure a perfect dining experience to match any palette. Much of the menu is solid, good prepared dishes that glen richness, texture and flavor – while leaving you feeling like you have been well fed.
This trip we opted for the Pork Loin with cabbage and the New York Strip
The risotto is some of the best, the meats all come with rich flavors and combinations you can want. Another must try is the cured meat starter – paired with some cheeses and toast. Its well done, nicely portioned, simple and yet has all the richness I like with cured meat plates. I think I have eaten one version of this almost every time – in fact the only dish that used to knock it off the pedestal for me was the watermelon, feta cheese salad that sadly is no longer on the menu for some years now.
Note: When crowded don’t overlook eating in the bar – you get seated and served often quickly and can usually get in that way with out a reservation.
432 Powell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
b/t Post St & Sutter St in Union Square
Phone number (415) 395-8555
The Daily Grill still serves up a good solid menu
Last week I was able to get a few hours off and Paul and I figured we would head downtown to pick up one of my computer systems that I had dropped off at Apple for some adjustments. While out – we decided to hit Macys (and managed to get in for a one day sale – SCORE!). While out were hungry so decided to grab lunch at one of the local “steak” houses that do a lot more than just steak.
The Daily Grill has been a constant in San Francisco and caters to a mix crowd of business folks, theater people and tourists. We’ve enjoyed the entrees and main dinner menus on a few occasions so this trip we went for lunch. The food and service is old school – lots of “al a carte” and all the amenities that go with that traditional professional server style of dining. This trip we opted for the Crabcake BLT – we while pretty good as is – personally I think that by using the peppery arugala as lettuce – it ended up falling flat against the other flavors and really needed a lemon vinaigrette to balance it with the rich crab and bacon. On the other hand the grilled asparagus rocked the meal when paired with the chicken burger which was a clear winner for that day.
The Daily Grill still serves up a good solid menu
347 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94102b/t Mason St & Powell St in Union Square, (415) 616-5000 dailygrill.com
Ahh… Valentines day is a memory and Easter and the Peeps hit the shelves at Walgreens!
Spring must not be far behind – as the sticky, squishy, slightly crunchy Peeps have invaded the stores. Recently at Walgreens here in the Castro – I ran right in to not 1 but three shelves. I think along with cockroaches and some conservative politicians, Peeps my outlast us all.
According too Wikipedia and a a short visit the website for Just Born – Peeps are produced by Just Born,[2] a candy manufacturer founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Russian immigrant Sam Born. In 1953, Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company and its marshmallow chick line, and replaced the painstaking process of hand-forming the chicks with mass production.[3] When founder Sam Born would display a sign for his freshly-made candy, he would title it “Just Born,” playing off of his last name and the fact that he made his candy fresh daily.[4]
I think what tickles me most – is how Peeps and Just Born has harnessed its Social Media – be it with Twitter under hashtag #peepsLove, Instagram, Facebook ( yes you can friend and follow), a counter and even a “show and share what can you create with peeps” and other promo that keep these little day glow monsters coming… and yes they even have a Pinterest following
Plenty Vibrant
One of my gifts last year was Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1452101248/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_n4A6sb0TGHSTP
It has some outstanding recipes and the pictures used made even the strongest carnivore whimper a bit!
Chow on Church Street
What are the nice things about having a few days by yourself is you get a chance to hit restaurants and just take your time. This weekend I got a chance to visit off-hours one of my old favorites on church street, Chow
Normally a pretty packed and bustling go-to spot. On Saturday mornings around 10:30 you can have a great easy meal where you don’t have to rush.
Since it had been a while since I had breakfast there- this visit I went with the Ricotta pancakes. They come with a tart-sweet fruit puree and an extra dollop of ricotta cheese.
While not as brightly flavored as say the way Cafe Mystyque does with its addition of citrus peel. Chow does a good job with them.
Great lunch and light entree items keep me coming back. But be aware the volume when busy can be loud
Chow
215 Church St
(b/t 15th St & Market St)
Castro
San Francisco, CA 94114
Vietnamese at PPQ, 2/8/14
On Saturday I got the urge that Vietnamese was in order. I put the call out on Facebook to see who my peeps thought were venues worth checking out.
Keeping in mind a few variables – 1) the place needed to offer more than just Pho, 2) it couldn’t be too exotic (not everyone in my dinner family is adventurous – and some have “food issues” I won’t go into) and 3) as much as I like the TL in SF – with the crappy weather last night – I wanted to stay out of the downtown and TL or new my office (those places I can get to for lunch)
So the trending recommendations are listed below- with PPQ being our choice for the night. (note – I will most likely try all them on the list eventually!)
- PPQ: 2332 Clement St (between 24th Ave & 25th Ave) San Francisco, CA 94121
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- Fried Spring Rolls
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- Fried Calamari Steaks
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- 5-Spice Chicken
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- Green Beans
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- Gaslic Noodles
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- Lemongrass Chicken
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- Roasted Crab
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- Roasted Crab Uncovered
Of course, without thinking – we arrived around 6:45 with-out reservations – – the place was hopping but the very efficient host, once we asked, put us on the list and we were seated about 30 min later. Hint – there seemed to be an early crowd then a around 8:30/8:45 lull in the crowd, with another hit coming soon after.
The place has a great casual faced-paced vibe – this is not the place you go to be chatty with the wait staff unless you happen to be fluent in Vietnamese and even then – the side talk we brief. But once seated they pretty much leave you be while you eat – so we weren’t feeling rushed which I liked. We were hungry, so sat and ordered the fried calamari and the fried spring rolls right off. While debating our main meal options – we devided and went with Lemongrass chicken (which has a little spice/heat to it), the 5-spice chicken (which is more deeper flavor but not hot spicy) and the Roasted Crab. We also ordered the garlic noodles (of course) and the string beans – which were rocken. We had ordered the crab fried rice – but the kitchen never sent it out – so thats on the next try. Oh and we gilded the dining lily and also order the fried Banana’s with the ice cream to share.
The food comes out pretty fast – and is very hot. The Calamari was some of the best I have had. They use the Calamari steaks with the breading – quick fried – they were tender and melted at the bite. The Springs rolls were dense and chewy – when dipped in the sauce with the basil and lettuce was a great start. As the main courses came out, we dug in. They weren’t sent out in any order or all out at once – so it was good that we had lots of options. Both chicken dishes were good. Rich in flavor and a nice sized portion. The Crab – which came out last, was we heard while waiting in line – one of the crowd favorites. Hot, messy, packed with a garlic butter sauce, and just enough of the innards left in that you got the flavors of crab. It comes partially prepped – but you will still need to be prepared to get “as one” with your food to get to the meat. (FYI -the drunken crab is the version with the white wine). Oh – there is a reason they call the place PPQ – Dungeness Island – they offer the crab 6 ways. The garlic noodles were good as well – but make sure you specify how many to order -if you are getting lots of dishes start with one order to share – you will find a little goes a long way unless its your primary meal. Over all a good time – the place does well with couples, to groups and is deceptively large with a back room and second floor. While we were standing there at least 5 calls came in for reservations on valentines day.. hint hint. The prices are moderate – entrees running $10 – $14, the Crab around $38. But we also had enough food to bring home for lunch – our average price of the meal was about $50 each.
- Tu Lan: 8 6th St (at Stevenson St) San Francisco, CA 94103 Neighborhood: SoMa (415) 626-0927
- PPQ: 2332 Clement St (between 24th Ave & 25th Ave) San Francisco, CA 94121
- Hai Ky Mi Gia: 707 Ellis St (between Larkin St & Polk St) San Francisco, CA 94109 Neighborhood: Tenderloin (415) 771-2577
- Sunflower in Potrero Hill or Mission: 3111 16th St (at Valencia St) San Francisco, CA 94103 Neighborhood: Mission (415) 626-5022, 288 Connecticut St San Francisco, CA 94107 Phone number(415) 861-2336
- Jasmine Garden: 708 14th St San Francisco, CA 94114 Phone number(415) 861-2682
- Tin Vietnamese
- Mau: 665 Valencia St (between Sycamore St & 18th St) San Francisco, CA 94110 Neighborhood: Mission (415) 934-8889
- Vietnam Cafe ( Recommended for late night)
- Evergreen Garden: 3100 18th St (between Treat Ave & Harrison St) San Francisco, CA 94110 Neighborhood: Mission (415) 864-1657
Boon Eat & Drink; a new family of quality food & drink at the River
OK – So for years now this part of the Russian River has been struggling to find its own groove and identity. Well with the fast raising trend in Restaurants and venues like what the folks from the Boon family of enterprises is putting out – its found the groove.
Not only have they found a way to be true to themselves but that were able to mix it with quality food, good prices, a great wine list and most of all – they get the service industry. Not once do you ever feel like they are doing you a favor by being open. Boon Eat & Drink never fails. They make the standard fare of burgers and steaks come alive with a reason to order then again – but its the seasonal and weekly specials that make this really stellar – from the produce they grow themselves to the cuts of meat to the combinations they package it all in – it all works.
No way my photos could do the food justice – so these come right from Boon!
Its a small venue and they don’t take reservations – so plan to grab a few glasses of wine while you wait if you go at peak hours. My fav has been the flash fried brussels sprouts, burgers but on a recent trip had the winter squash which was addictive and a pulled port shoulder with creamy polenta that I found my self amazed by. You find details on Boon Eat & Drink here
16248 Main St Guerneville, CA 95446 (707) 869-0780How do you manage to collect and have all that party stuff handy?
One of the recent readers of BiteTheRoad asked me how I managed to always have the right “stuff” at each of the parties they have been at my places. Well it took me a minute to figure out what that meant – then it dawned on me. Similar to my post on “Getting a Party On” – its stuff I do that I don’t think about that they were asking.
So – to respond I have a few tips;
Post xmas table runners and nakins
- Think ahead. I am always shopping post holidays for things that I know I will need “next time”. Many folks can barely fathom thinking about a celebration or holiday in the days that follow it – but I find that when I get the deals which allow me to stock pile for future events. For instance – these “themed” runners such as the ones from I find tend to work nice all year round. The sueded tan and the paisley runners were discounted to less than $15.00 each and the set of 4 napkins down to less than $7 at Pottery Barn this week.
- Think creative. Just because that “caldron” punch bowl (Mine is from – you guessed it – Pottery Barn) was the hot seller for Ocotober – doesn’t mean it won’t double at another holiday or even in the summer with fruit or flowers in it as a centerpiece or tucked up in front of the empty fireplace.
Oct’s Caldron is Springs flower display
- Think Space. If you don’t have a lot of it – then you need to figure out the once place you can store it all. In my case I have a garage and invested in the moisture proof plastic crates for storage
- Shop Second Hand. Many of the table covers come from flea market and second hand thrift stores. Especially ones that I use for the tables with food on them as they tend to get the dirtiest and stain. If they have small stains – plan strategically to cover them with food – but even thinner throw blankets or scrapes of fabric work well. Hint: I am also always checking out the “curtain & drape” bins. Single panels make perfect quick table covers.
This almost neutral runner washes well and holds up to heavy use
- Be Consistent. If you use it, put it back. When I take something out of my “Party Go Pack” as soon as its clean – it goes back.
- Think Duplicates. If you like something for everyday use – and you can get a deal on it – but two. Keep one for casual use and a set in the Party Go Pack box – this even goes for utensils and services trays.
- Consider Plastic vs Metal. Disposable isn’t always the best. I find that for some things its easy and cheaper in the long run to go with the real stuff and not go with toss out stuff like silver wear, plates, etc.
oh.. and don’t lend it out – unless you are truly sure that if it doesn’t come back it won’t be missed!