Category: Food

Posted in Dinner, Events, Food, For Kids/Parent, Lunch, San Francisco

A Foodie Feast at Bruce Hill’s Zero Zero

Posted on by virgoinwonderland
Zero Zero's Margherita pizza

Hopes were high for famous pizza master, Bruce Hill’s new San Francisco outpost, Zero Zero.  He’s most known for his legendary pies at Larkspur’s Pizzeria Picco, and San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Bauer recently declared Zero Zero the “French Laundry of pizza”.

I’m sorry Mr. Bauer, but I have to kindly disagree.

We’d notified the Zero Zero staff that our table of 15 food bloggers were planning on descending on his new restaurant for Saturday brunch, so there was full disclosure.  We are a critical, fun-loving, pizza loving bunch and Bruce himself decided to come out and say hello. His only request?…That we get loud and have fun while we were there. Check!

Food bloggers @virgoblue @istelleinad @lickmyspoon @brittanypiehl @joanneisafoodie @bonni_bella @inuyaki @mrfredbriones

The space is perfect for large groups and beer loving, bar-hopping foodies. They’ve got two bars and plenty of space for large tables.  The decor is very pub-like, but nothing particularly special or sophisticated. Just casual and comfortable.

So we ordered just about every pizza on the menu, including the Margherita, which is the standard by which all Neapolitan pizzas should be judged. This one had a good charred crust, fantastically flavorful yet mild and creamy mozzarella cheese and a fresh tomato sauce. I would’ve liked a little more zest or overall flavor from the sauce, though.

Zero Zero's Mission pizza w/broccoli rabe

We also ordered the Townsend (garlic, potato and prosciutto), Mission (broccoli rabe, garlic, olives) and Fillmore pies (Hen of the Woods mushrooms, leeks, fontina).  All were somewhat unspectacular and not particularly memorable.

But I really enjoyed the Geary, which had clams, tomato sauce, garlic and bacon. The combo of flavors on this one popped and made for the most memorable pie on the table.

We also ordered some Fried Chicken Thighs with Semolina Waffles. The waffles were slightly grainy because of the semolina but had a great flavor. The chicken, however, had a strange flavor that just didn’t work. One of the plates was even so disturbingly flavored that we informed the kitchen. It could’ve been rancid oil, or a dirty skillet that had leftover bits of flavor from a previous night. The staff was kind enough to offer a second plate of chicken on the house (and comped our other plate as well). I wish I could say it was good but it wasn’t. The breading was too thick and oddly flavored. But the chicken thigh itself was super juicy, tender and delicious.

All in all, I’d highly recommend this place for large parties or as a place to kick back at the bar that’s a definite step up from Bucca di Beppo or your neighborhood dive bar. A good place for groups is a great thing to have in your back pocket.

However, as a food blogger, I can’t say I’d ever go back for the pizza itself.

Zero Zero on Urbanspoon

Posted in Dinner, Events, Food, For Kids/Parent, San Francisco, Street Food

The Best of San Francisco Street Food

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Street food is definitively proving that it’s no flash in the pan fad here in San Francisco.  With both a trip to Off the Grid and the Foodbuzz Festival’s kickoff dinner at the Herbst Pavilion last week, here’s some of the best I had there.

Sisig Taco w/Chicharrone Topping from @adobohobo

I’ve gotta say, the Sisig Taco with crunchy chicharrones and creamy sauce from Adobo Hobo (@adobohobo) was the best damn thing I had that night.  There was the tender, juicy meat with that distinctive vinegary flavor, along with the cool creamy sauce and the crunchy salty bite of the chicharrones. And like @inuyaki and I were discussing, their tortillas were warmed by a brief visit to the grill, which made all the difference. What a perfect, inventive, and unexpected combination and a true winner! Further proof that Filipino food is the new food trend to hit the scene.

Korean Shortrib Nachos from @bbqkalbi

This dish from BBQ Kalbi (@bbqkalbi) was either born out of laziness or sheer genius because it is so good (and so terribly bad for you, I know). How can you go wrong with a marriage of creamy processed nacho cheese and homemade, flavorful Korean shortribs? Answer: you can’t. Oh, and it’s not always on the menu so make sure you ask if they have it that day.

Korean Tacos from @namusf

The boys from Namu (@namusf) do it again! I always love the tang of that fluffy flavored rice, the creamy sauce, the lovely marinated shortribs, and the cool zesty tomatoes and scallions. Some complain the nori it sits on makes it more of an open faced sushi roll, or that it may get too soggy, but I’ll always be a devoted fan.

Porchetta Sandwich & Roasted Potatoes from @roliroti

This is a CLASSIC! No one can touch the perfection that is this famous Porchetta Sandwich from Roli Roti (@roliroti).  Succulent pork belly, garlic and spices, crunchy pork skin for texture, and the juices that seep into that roll. Pure perfection. But amazingly, it wasn’t the standout of the night (perhaps because it’s something that’s so reliably good).

Jalapeno Marinated Pork Loin Sandwich from @4505_Meats

Who the hell would think of taking the liquid from pickled jalapenos and using it to marinate a whole pork loin and then giving it a cornmeal crust, making it one of the most outrageously unusual and imaginative sandwiches you’ll ever eat? Ryan Farr, that’s who! He’s the genius from 4505 Meats (@4505_Meats) who makes the best damn chicharrones in the world (I’m not exaggerating, trust me. Pork rinds that are light, airy, crisp and spicy). Now he can say he’s made one of the moistest, most flavorful, inventive pieces of pork anyone’s ever put between two pieces of bread. Is this thing on his regular menu, because it damn well should be!

And special props to the guys at Curry Up Now (@curryupnow) who make their fabulous Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito a dish that I now have to eat at least once a week. Thankfully, I can find them all over the Bay Area and not just in San Francisco.

I’ve gotta make it out to Off the Grid again soon because there was SO MUCH I didn’t even get to try!

Posted in Food, San Francisco

Hubert Keller’s Classic Flagship

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Hubert Keller has gotten a lot of press lately with his top three finish on Top Chef Masters last year and the new Burger Bar in Union Square.  But it was Fleur de Lys that put him on the map before all else.

This restaurant is one of those places that’s quintessential San Francisco: classic, sophisticated, and intimate.  It’s known for its service and it definitely didn’t disappoint in that area.

The staff is obviously trained well since all the courses were placed perfectly, timed perfectly, and explained to you perfectly, all while being friendly and unintimidating.  That’s no small feat in this town.  I wish the food were as impeccable as the service, though.

I can’t exactly put my finger on it.  Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by all the different newer restaurants around town.  But nothing I had really “sang” to me.

We both had the 4-course menu, starting with the Foie Gras Pate w/Aspic, and the Dungeness Crab Salad with Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese.  These two dishes were the highlight of the entire meal.  The crab was fresh, sweet and meaty.  And the goat cheese was perfectly creamy and not gamey at all.  But the beets were boring.  And my Hubby is a freak for pate, so he loved his dish.

Then I had the Maine Scallops with Pinenuts, Potato and Sundried Tomatoes, while he had the Jumbo Prawns with Pork Belly pieces.  My scallops were tender, sweet and cooked perfectly.  But I found the sundried tomatoes way too bold for a delicate dish like this.  And the potato seemed oddly out of place on the plate.  I wanted to love this dish but it just didn’t work for me.

Meanwhile, his prawns and pork belly were all cooked well and melded together nicely, but the dish was almost a bit dry, both in texture and in pairing.  Again, off.

For our entrees, I got the Filet Mignon with Truffled Lobster Mac and Cheese.  The beef was cooked to tender perfection.  But the mac and cheese was slightly disappointing.  The lobster and truffles totally overpowered the dish, leaving it difficult for me to appreciate any cheese flavor.  And the texture was more gummy than creamy.  Another disappointing overall execution.

The hubby had the Buffalo Strip Steak with Lemongrass and Ginger.  It was all prepared nicely, but the strong Asian flavors seemed strangely out of place at a restaurant with French overtones.

I ended the meal with a cheese plate that had some very distinct elements.  There was a swiss from the Netherlands, a blue cheese from Australia, a French “cheddar”, and a local cheese that had the texture of brie.  None of it worked for me, surprisingly.  They were either way too mild or way too strong; nothing in between or memorable.  And I love cheese!  How could they have gone so wrong?  Frankly, some textural contrast like a good piece of toasted bread would’ve been nice.  And the golden raisins on the side were again, boring and unimaginative.

My Husband finished with a Grand Marnier Souffle that was huge.  He enjoyed it, but almost wished he’d ordered the Lemon Cheesecake instead.

All in all the appetizers and the amuse bouche of Cream of Asparagus and Cauliflower and Pumpkin Seed were the highlights of the meal.  Most everything else seemed outdated and boring, yet overly complicated.  I wanted to like this restaurant more, but the combinations on the plate just didn’t work.

But again, the service is perfect and that alone would make it a lovely celebration or date night restaurant.

Fleur de Lys on Urbanspoon

Posted in Food, Lunch, San Francisco

The Sentinel Doesn’t Impress

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

I’ll start by saying this: it was a good sandwich, but by no means is it great.  I don’t agree with the countless “Best of” lists that say the corned beef is the best sandwich in San Francisco.

It’s a take out counter that moves fast but is still amazingly friendly.  I ordered their famous corned beef sandwich with cabbage, russian dressing and melted gruyere on housemade foccacia.  Perhaps it was the foccacia that lost me.  I’m not a fan since it was a bit of a greasy mess.  I would’ve preferred it on some other type of bread that didn’t compete so much with the other elements of the sandwich. I did like the crisp fresh texture of the cabbage, and the meat was tender, but it wasn’t buttery like corned beef should be.

Granted, I haven’t yet tried the roast beef sammie, which people say is also damn tasty.  But I would easily take a sandwich at Naked Lunch (YUM!) over another one here.  Plus, it’s overpriced at $8.75 a pop.

The Sentinel on Urbanspoon

Posted in Food, For Kids/Parent, Lunch, San Francisco

Comfort Food, Elevated

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Can a grilled cheese be…subtle?  Can it become “artisan”?  After a visit to The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen in San Francisco, the answer is YES.  And it can be damn tasty too.

Let me clarify and say that this is not a Kraft American Singles on Wonder Bread kinda grilled cheese, although I’d love one of those right about now.  In other words, the grilled cheese has been elevated here to a higher status.  The place is basically a takeout counter, so there’s no pretension here.  Good thing because nothing goes worse with a grilled cheese than pretension.

My foodie pal Anne Marie and I ordered the Red, White and Blue Plate special, which gives you your choice of a nice sized sammie and small bowl of housemade roasted tomato soup with creme fraiche.  Everything here is homemade with primo ingredients, right down to the lemonade and freshly baked sweets and breakfast breads.

We ordered the Mousetrap w/tomatoes, which is their traditional grilled cheese with sharp cheddar, havarti, and monterey jack on artisan sourdough, and the Mushroom Gruyere with fontina, gruyere, roasted wild mushrooms, sauteed onions, leeks and thyme butter on fresh country-style wheat.

The Mushroom Gruyere was my favorite.  Despite having a lot of ingredients including leeks, mushrooms, potatoes, caramelized onions, and gruyere and fontina cheeses, the sandwich was the perfect texture and had amazing subtlety in its flavors.  Everything just worked and was incredibly flavorful.  And the country-style bread had the perfect crunch and texture.  It was hearty but didn’t compete with all the flavors going on.  I was amazed that it didn’t leave me feeling heavy or like I’d just eaten a pound of grease.

The Mousetrap was mighty tasty as well, though it was almost too much cheese.  So much so that they all started to blend together and I begged for a different element to break up the cheesy party.  The tomatoes, unfortunately, didn’t help and got a little lost, flavor-wise.  I would, however, recommend it if you are a traditionalist and love your grilled cheese on sourdough.  There’s definitely something to be said for that.

The soup was perfectly tangy and smoky, and ideal for dipping the sammies in.  Throw in the big giant crunchy house-made croutons, and it could’ve been a meal in itself.

I think this place does a great job of showing how you can elevate something so seemingly one-dimensional, to new heights. The staff are helpful, friendly and work quickly to get the line moving during peak times.

This is not your mother’s grilled cheese, for sure, but it’s also not Sunday brunch, either.  Regardless, you’ll definitely leave happy.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen on Urbanspoon

Posted in Dinner, Food, For Kids/Parent, San Francisco

Is Gialina’s the Best Pizza in San Francisco?

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

The hubby, kid and I decided to head to the city for something fun, yet family friendly.  Enter Gialina, which foodies in the area have described as one of, if not the best pizza in San Francisco.  It’s also been named one of the Best Pizzas in the country by GQ magazine.

The place is TINY and is a neighborhood joint in the Glen Park area of the city, which means you don’t head there for atmosphere or decor.  Parking is a breeze, but the wait can be torture.  The only answer is to show up before 5:30pm, which we did.  They only serve dinner, but they do it 7 nights a week.

Service is accommodating and friendly, but not warm or inviting.  They’ve got a job to do and they do it well.  However, with the space being so small and the amount of people who are waiting outside, they never make you feel rushed so they can turn the table.  I greatly appreciated that.

We had the Little Meatballs w/tomato sauce & provolone, and the Pork Belly w/sauteed chard studded with currants.  Both these appetizers are fantastic, which is why this restaurant is known not only for their pies but the small plates they put out.  Surprisingly, I LOVED the chard because the bits of currants gave it tang and sweetness that contrasted the flavor of the bitter greens and pungent garlic so well.

Then the pies.  We ordered two: the Wild Nettles pie w/panchetta, provolone and mushrooms was first.  WOW!  The combo of flavors is incredible and not one you would think of.  The nettles give texture and fresh green flavor while the panchetta and provolone give heft and richness.  But the biggest thing about their pies is the CRUST!  It’s paper-thin, so much so that you can practically see through it.  Yet it’s not annoyingly crackly and dry like a cracker.  It had a nice soft texture on top and a thin crispness on the bottom.  It was almost like a freshly baked baguette, but of course, not as thick or doughy.  How do they do that?  I mean, it’s paper thin!  And the crust also had the slightest tang, almost like it was sourdough.   Amazing and very impressive.

Our second pie was just as delicious, but in a totally different way.  The Atomica had a tomato sauce with a little kick from chilies, mushrooms, thinly shaved red onions and mozzarella.   Again, wow!  Such simplicity and quality in its ingredients and preparation.

We were so impressed that my husband declared it the most memorable pizza he’s ever had.  I declared it the best thin crust pizza you’ll ever find in San Francisco.

I’ve tried A16 (the restaurant, overall, is overrated IMHO), Pizzeria Delfina (great Neapolitan-style pies, but it’s a different crust that’s much more pillowy, and the pies can occassionally be soggy in the middle), Pizzeria Picco (a bit dry and boring), and Pizza Antica (can you say inconsistent?).  But none compare to the innovation, simplicity, and sheer expertise of Gialina.  It’s the little unassuming Italian neighborhood restaurant that blows most others like it, out of the water.

Gialina on Urbanspoon

Posted in Dinner, Events, Food, Lunch, Shopping, Street Food, Travel

I Heart New York

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

It seems like ages since BlogHer ’10 came and went, but a lot has happened in that time, hence this extremely late post about my travels to NYC.  Man, I love that town.  Everytime I go I threaten to move there.

There are so many different ways to eat cheap, eat well, and find creative new things to try (this is also true when it comes to shopping and fashion there, too).  Because I was busy working BlogHer ’10 for about five days, I literally saw daylight Wednesday early evening when I arrived, and then Sunday morning once the conference was over.  Crazy, huh?

Fortunately, New York is one town that never sleeps, so I didn’t have a shortage of things to do or places to eat.  I also squeezed in a trip to the Top of the Rock, which I’ve been wanting to go to for a while.  So much cooler than the touristy Empire State Building, in my opinion.

I’m sorry, I was talking about food…   I apologize for the lack of photos since I lost my Blackberry in a cab.  Typical, I know.

The Famous Halal Cart
Had the chicken and white sauce and it’s something you really should try.  The chicken was super moist and the fabulous creamy sauce that is worth the raves.  There are several “imposters” across the street, but the one you want is closest to the Hilton Hotel’s front entrance (Midtown, not Times Square), just across the street (where we were lucky enough to be staying).

Limelight Marketplace
I am so happy I decided to make the trip down to Chelsea to visit this place. It is the cutest “mall”, for lack of a better term. It’s an old church that was then turned into a nightclub, and is now an adorable building that houses the cutest and most eclectic shops, boutiques, and artisan food shops! You can’t get a meal here but you can definitely walk away with snacks and hard-to-find food goodies.

Balthazar Cafe
Now, I didn’t have lunch in the bistro like I’d wanted, but I did make it to the cafe. Had a ham and cheese panini and it was a big “so what”. Next.

The Legendary Katz Deli
I think Katz has seen better days. Many food bloggers have commented that their pastrami and corned beef have been dry on recent visits, and I have to agree. Regardless, it was still a solid pastrami sandwich, just nothing to write home about. But “When Harry Met Sally” is one of my fave movies of all time, so it was nice just to go and check it off my list. The pickles are damn good and the service is quintessential NYC (know what you want and make it quick). It’s probably the most touristy thing I’ll ever do in the Big Apple.

Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Truck
I was so excited when I happened to see this truck on my way back from Uniqlo in SoHo. (Someone please open a Uniqlo in Northern California! It’s like a Japanese H&M and I miss it!) I’d seen a piece on these guys on some food show and they had some very interesting flavors like Currents and Cream (which they were out of!), and Ginger. I decided to share the Cane Sugar special with my friend Monique. It was creamy, bordering on a gelato texture, but not as elastic and smooth. The ingredients were obviously quality (they apparently only use the finest milk, eggs, and cane sugar, no additives), and it had a lovely butterscotch aftertaste which was delightful. But it was overpriced, in my opinion. Again, something to cross off the list. No regrets.

After all those good eats, it was ironic that my last meal in town was at Panda Express at JFK. I guess not every meal in NYC can be a winner :).

Posted in Events, Food, San Francisco, Travel

A Chat With Top Chef Season 6 Finalist, Kevin Gillespie

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

*This entry is also cross-posted on BlogHer.com.

I recently had the chance to interview Top Chef Season 6 finalist, Kevin Gillespie. On the show, he was known for his dedication to the craft of cooking and lack of dramatics, which also won him the title of “Fan Favorite.” As a food blogger and personal fan of Kevin’s, I was delighted to chat with him and was glad to find out that he was as friendly and personable as I’d hoped.

He’s currently working with the Purina Beggin Bacon Bash to celebrate International Bacon Day on September 4th. Kevin has made it publically known that his favorite ingredient to cook with is pork, so it’s the perfect fit.

I spent a lovely 10 minutes talking to him about his various new projects, whether or not he’s watching the current season of Top Chef, and what sort of comfort foods he turns to when he’s had a hard day (apparently, we share a love of fried pickles).

He was also nice enough to share with me a story that involved the other two Season 6 finalists, Michael and Bryan, that never made it to air. It’s a hoot!

Here’s the link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjav-_aaoQQ

Posted in Dinner, Events, Food, For Kids/Parent, Lunch, Peninsula, San Francisco, Street Food, Travel

I’ve had BBQ from a truck…and it is good.

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

“People want good food for less than 10 bucks.”

And with that, brothers Brett (a classically trained chef) and Nate (“front of the house”) Neibergall closed up their San Francisco restaurant, Frisee, and set up culinary shop in a food truck.  It’s less glamorous, yes, but the food is damn tasty and reaching much more of the masses.

These Texas born, Carolinas-raised boys know their BBQ.  But getting Southern Sandwich Co. up and running, as all food truck vendors know, has been a challenge.  The permits, repairs, and inspections to get their business going in San Francisco has been never-ending.  Which is why they decided to drive down to Redwood City to give their business a test run.

Their BBQ is distinctive in that the preparation and ingredients are gourmet, indeed.  The quality is evident and the flavors are very specific to their background.

The Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich is tangy, vinegary and distinctively spiced.  I LOVE a tangy BBQ much more than a sweet sauce, so I was loving this.  And just like they do in the Carolinas, they threw some coleslaw onto the sandwich.  The added tang, freshness and crunch was perfect for this gourmet BBQ.

The Texas-style Beef Brisket had a lot going for it too.  The meat was tender, juicy, perfectly pink and had a nice smoky blackened crust and melt in your mouth buttery fat.  The meat-lover in me was in heaven.  Smoky caramelized onions rounded out the sandwich perfectly.

Add to that some spicy, peppery macaroni salad and some pork and beans (serious meat is in these beans and they’re fantastic), and you’ve got a sandwich and two sides for 8 bucks.  And trust me, you won’t be left hungry.

I know these guys have their sights set on San Francisco (they’re already at Off the Grid in Fort Mason every Friday), but I REALLY hope they stay true to Redwood City at least once a week.  This is going to become an addiction, I can tell.

And by the way, the pork and beans are Brett’s favorite.  “They’re made with love,” he says, and you can taste it.

Southern Sandwich Co. – @southrnsandwich for daily location updates – www.southernsandwich.com

Posted in Dinner, Food, Lunch, Wine Country

Don’t Let This Shack Fool You!

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

After staying in Sonoma for the weekend, we wanted something low key for breakfast before heading back out on the road.  I had hoped to head to one of my favorite places in the area, Red Grape, but they weren’t open until 11:30.  The Girl and the Fig was a little too fancy for what we were looking for.  And the Black Bear Diner was a little too “chain restaurant.”  I was hoping for something different.

We’d passed by The Fremont Diner on Highway 121, and after reading some rave reviews online, that’s where we headed.

It’s a dinky old shack basically, with signs for “Whole Hog” and “Fried Pies” on the exterior, which would obviously make me and the Hubby take notice given our affinity for all things meat.  It’s a great place where you can stop in, order at the counter, and take a seat inside or out.  But don’t let its modest surroundings fool you.

The details are everywhere if you look carefully, from the wildflowers on the table, the homemade jams and condiments for sale, to the mason jar water glasses.

This place is known for their meats and brisket is the thing to have here.  So since it was breakfast, I got the Brisket Hash with carmelized onions, roasted potatoes and a perfectly runny fried egg on top.

Boy was I not only pleased with this dish, I was utterly floored!  These guys (and gals) were churning out some gourmet dishes secretly back there!  The hash was out of this world, peppery and smoky.  The onions and sage created a wonderful base for the dish, and those potatoes were perfectly soft and delicious.  The gravy from the hash made everything perfectly moist.  There was so much detail and depth to the elements in this dish and it all blended together wonderfully.

My Hubby ordered the traditional egg breakfast, but it came with some fantastic homemade fennel sausage that was, again, out of this world.  These people sure know their way around meat.  And the side order of bacon we got for the toddler was also fantastic.

Top that off with some perfectly toasted artisan french bread, and we were totally amazed at the level of skill and detail that this kitchen was able to produce.  I LOVE being surprised by a place and this was the best surprise surprise I’d eaten at in a very long time.

Fremont Diner on Urbanspoon