Category: Peninsula

Posted in Dinner, Food, For Kids/Parent, Lunch, Peninsula, South Bay

Going to Town

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

The peninsula has a shortage of higher-end, hip, sophisticated eateries.  It’s just the nature of suburbia, and a trek to San Francisco is less than 30 minutes away.

That’s why Town Restaurant on Laurel Street in San Carlos is the hippest place to be on a Friday or Saturday night.  They do a good job of combining family-friendly eatery (good kids menu and service) with hot nightspot and bar (after 8pm the noise level is overwhelming with all the crowding around the centralized bar).  If you have kids, you’re only safe from 5:30-8pm.

That being said, I’ve never had a bad meal at Town.  If you love a hearty meat and potatoes meal, this is the place for you.  Portions are large, prices are equal to a joint in the city, and the cocktails are tasty.  You should definitely go with one of their suggested martinis (love the pear flavored one w/Gray Goose vodka).

I’ve had the Chicken and Ribs, Meatloaf, and their Pork Chop on previous visits.  But this time around, I had the newly added Bourbon Glazed Flank Steak.  It was cooked a perfect medium rare and had a delicious sweet yet tangy glaze with bourbon and brown sugar.  It was the best steak I’ve had in a long time.  Juicy and tender, there was a great balance of flavors and it didn’t mask the flavor of a quality piece of beef.  (My husband makes a MEAN steak so I don’t compare restaurant steaks to his :).)

If that wasn’t enough for you, the meal came with two hugely portioned sides.  You can choose from a laundry list of enticing sides, which is half the dilemma when ordering, like heirloom tomatoes with bleu cheese, broccoli bernaise, garlic mashed potatoes or a fully loaded baked potato.

I went with the fresh buttered corn and the mac and cheese.  Man, these sides were good!  This is my kind of meal.  The kind you’ll regret when you get home but it’s damn good going down.  This is like “last meal on earth” good.  I love how the corn was fresh off the cob, tender, still slightly crisp, and full of good buttery goodness.  And the mac and cheese is now my favorite on the peninsula: creamy and gooey, but enough baked breadcrumbs on top to give it texture.  LOVE IT!

It’s great to have a spot to go to where the food is always reliably fantastic and the scene is definitely hipper than the usual hole in the wall. 

Sometimes suburbia needs a touch of the city life.

Town: Chops, Steak & Seafood on Urbanspoon

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 Food, Lunch, Peninsula, San Francisco, Street Food

All Hail the Chairman!

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

A new food truck has hit the now popular peninsula street food scene run by the folks at @MobiMunch.  Chairman Bao specializes in Chinese “buns”, meaning steamed white buns or glossy baked buns, both with various tasty Asian fusion fillings.

I chose the steamed versions, purely based on volume and cost.  They’re both cheaper and smaller than the baked variety and I could try more of them out.

I’ve tried the Chinese Spiced Duck Confit with Fresh Mango Salad with a gingery, oniony orange sauce (that looks like it belongs on a Big Mac), Crispy Tofu with Miso Greens and a wasabi-like green sauce, Lionshead Meatballs with Kimchee, Red Sesame Chicken with Scallions and Bokchoi, and Pork Belly with Pickled Daikon Radish.

All in all, I was impressed.  The quality of ingredients was definitely top-notch.  And eventhough these combinations were rather unconventional, all their elements were fairly authentic, which is surprising.  The flavors were extremely bold though, meaning they were heavy handed in their spices and saucing.  That’s alright, since they’re trying to pack a lot of flavor into a little bun.

Surprisingly, my favorite of all of them was the Crispy Tofu with Miso Greens.  The crispness of the greens and the nice soft silken tofu patty (love how it was perfectly browned) were a great contrast.  And the flavor of that wasabi sauce was fantastic.  It was all very fresh tasting yet flavorful and different.

The Meatball and Kimchee came in second with the tangy, saucy kimchee giving it a lot of texture and flavor.  And fortunately the meatball was flavored well and cooked perfectly, though it didn’t taste like the traditional Lionshead meatball you’d get at a Chinese restaurant.

I was NOT a fan of the Pork Belly and Daikon, though.  Disappointing really, because pork belly is one of my favorite things to eat.  It was horribly dry and boring.

The guys running the truck were super nice and even gave me a Lychee Ginger Shaved Ice with Boba to try.  It was yummy and I loved the fresh lychee pieces on the bottom.  But if they’d made it just a tad less sweet, it would be truly awesome.

I hear they’re hoping to add Brisbane and Redwood City to their weekly rotation, along with the usual San Francisco stops.  Let’s hope so!

Chairman Bao  – Mobile truck parks at various locations – www.facebook.com/chairmanbao

Posted in Food, Peninsula, San Francisco, South Bay

Japanese Curry to Try Before You Die

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

The name “Muracci’s” sounds awfully Italian to me.  Supposedly, it’s the nickname of the owners’ son.

Instead, this restaurant serves up what is arguably one of the best Japanese curries outside of Japan…so I’ve been told.  7×7 Magazine even included it on their 100 Things to Try Before You Die list for 2010.  But with its San Francisco Financial District location and weekday only hours, I’d never make it down there.

So when they opened their second location in Los Altos (“Muracci’s 2 Japanese Curry and Grill“), I was thrilled.  Finally I’d get to see if it was worth the hype.

Some friends who tried it declared it was the best curry they’d had since visiting Japan.  I’ve never stayed in Japan long enough to try any curry, so I’d have to base my review solely on the dish’s individual merits.

The menu is very basic.  So instead of getting too adventurous, I decided to stick with what they’re known for and get the Katsu Curry w/Veggies (breaded pork chop).

The verdict?…It may well have been one of the best Japanese curries I’ve tried.  And I got it to go, so imagine if it had been fresh from the kitchen!

Muracci’s curry had many layers of flavor and a much more warm spicy flavor profile.  It’s not thick and pasty like the usual stuff served Stateside, but more of a gravy or sauce consistency.  And it’s not as sweet (other Japanese curries will typically add more apple to give it a fruitier sweet flavor and less heat).

The husband-wife team that owns these two restaurants make their curries from scratch.  It apparently takes two days to make and simmers for 20 hours.  The result is a curry that is rich, warm, and has a lot more depth in its flavor profile than most (think five spice or cloves).  I wimped out and ordered the “mild” version (there are three levels of heat to chose from), but I didn’t regret it since it had just a hint of real heat.  And the homemade soup stock base gave it a wonderfully meaty, robust flavor.

You also get some pickled veggies to start, which is a nice touch (they include some of it in your to go order, as well).  I hear it gets super crowded during the lunch rush, so come early or late.  It’s a tiny, yet clean restaurant, so it’s not exactly great for large groups.  I was also impressed at how genuinely friendly the staff was.

Muracci’s curry was different…a very GOOD different.  I will most definitely be back to try their other dishes as well as their curry noodle bowls.

It’s the perfect Japanese comfort food.  Just don’t come here expecting sushi!

Muracci's 2 on Urbanspoon

Posted in Food, Peninsula

Redwood City’s Michelin Recommendation

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

I’ve frequently complained that superior service and truly inventive cuisine just doesn’t exist on the Peninsula.  If you’re a career waiter and take it seriously, you’d end up somewhere higher profile in the city.  And the most ambitious chefs would want the glory of cooking in San Francisco.  It’s just my opinion, though I know I’m generalizing quite a bit.

Enter Donato Enoteca in Redwood City.  The location has seen a lot of turnover (right across the street from the RC Library), but it’s a seemingly perfect spot for a restaurant like this.  There’s lots of light bouncing off the clean white walls, white tablecloths, and very rustic accents and chairs.  The place is charming and actually feels like it’d be a neighborhood joint in the city if it weren’t for it’s large size.  There’s also ample space for al fresco dining here.

Though @istelleinad and I dined here only for lunch, I got a good feel for the kitchen’s potential.  It should also be noted that the restaurant is Michelin guide recommended (but not starred).

We started with the Proschutto plate.  It was heavenly with thin slices of salty tender meat, accompanied by two small baked cheese tarts mixed with egg that had the texture and taste of a quiche, and a tiny bowl of pickled spring veggies.  It was a thoughtful combination.

@istelleinad had the risotto special that sat in a large homemade parmesan cheese crisp “bowl”.  I had the housemade radicchio ravioli with grape tomatoes.  @istelleinad’s risotto was a bit heavy with the cheese crisp it was served with, but the risotto itself was flavorful, seasoned and prepared well.

My ravioli was also delicate and simple.  I appreciated that the ravioli tasted housemade and wasn’t overly heavy.

It was a well prepared, simple meal with delicate touches here and there.  The service was nothing special, but good.  For now, this restaurant fills a niche on the Peninsula.  It’s expertly prepared Italian food with a sophisticated (but not stuffy) vibe at a reasonable cost.  It’s not a chain, its cuisine isn’t generic, and its menu is more interesting than most.  This place has character.

Donato Enoteca on Urbanspoon

Posted in East Bay, Events, Food, Peninsula, San Francisco, South Bay, Travel

THE List is Out. Let’s Discuss.

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

The San Francisco Chronicle’s food editor, Michael Bauer’s much hyped, much anticipated, much revered, much loathed, much debated Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants list is officially out.

We all have our faves and question many of the ones that stay on the list year after year, compared to the ones that are glaringly missing, but instead of going into that endless debate (it really boils down to the fact that everyone has a right to their own opinions), here are the ones that I AGREE with on the list, the ones I DON’T agree with, along with the ones I would LOVE to someday soon.

A RESOUNDING YES!
AD HOC – This place defies explanation. Just go, already.
HOUSE OF PRIME RIB – In the words of Carly Simon, nobody does it better.
PERBACCO – Exceptional service, sleek design, impeccable food.
TOWN HALL – Noisy as all hell, but I’ve never had a bad meal here…ever.

Who Cares?
A16 – Overrated.
CHOW – Very good, but not worthy of this list.
BETELNUT – So what? Asian tapas. Boring.
BAR BAMBINO – This was sooooo uninteresting to me.
FOREIGN CINEMA – Again, uninteresting and getting outdated.
SLANTED DOOR – Ugh, not again! There are so many other Vietnamese joints serving the same food for half the price!
LIMON – The food and service are SO subpar and have no place on this list.
ONE MARKET – Boring.
YANK SING – Seriously, this is the best Chinese the city has to offer? Look a little harder, Bauer.

When Can We Go?
GIALINA
COCO 500
DELFINA
FLOUR + WATER
FRANCES
REDD
SPRUCE
QUINCE

Why, Bauer, Why?
GITANE – What a shame that this restaurant had to get cut from the list at the last minute. This is a beautifully decorated restaurant with a creative and distinctive menu. Others on this list should’ve been sacrificed for this one.

So Foodies, feel free to let me know your thoughts…

Posted in Events, Food, Peninsula, San Francisco

Sunday Brunch, Revisited

Posted on by virgoinwonderland
Courtesy of http://www.boogaloossf.com

It’s hard to find good, inventive, interesting brunch spots in the city and beyond.  I realize this every time I try to book a brunch reservation for myself and some friends.

A brunch post I wrote in the Spring of 2007 still remains one of my most popular posts of all time, especially around Easter.  Since it’s now a little outdated, I decided to do a new and improved 2010 post on the same subject.

When choosing the places for this list, I tried to avoid the ones with the “typical” brunch menu of just a few egg dishes and the obligatory french toast.  The ones I picked have a little bit more culinary creativity for their Sunday afternoon menus.  I haven’t been to all of them but I have heard good things about all of them, so you’ve been warned.

SPQR (SF) – Things may be a little different here now that Chef Nate Appleman’s gone, but the brunch menu still includes some interesting items like Fritto misto of rock cod & vegetables and Crispy pig’s ear.  This is a casual spot where the tables can be close together, so it’s not the best place to take Grandma.

TI COUZ (SF Mission District) – This is one of my fave lunch spots of all time, if I can ever get a freakin’ table!  But if you do, it’s worth it!  Super casual atmosphere (and sometimes ambivalent service) here.  Rustic French buckwheat crepes (you have to be a fan of these or don’t even bother going) and big bowls of coffee give this place charm.  I love having a scallop, cheese and mushroom crepe with mushroom sauce and a hard pear cider.  Yummers!

BOOGALOO’S (SF Mission District) – This casual, funky restaurant was my fave spot to grab breakfast/brunch when I was in college.  Why?  A dish they call the “Temple o’ Spuds.”  It’s a decadent, delicious mound of home fried potatoes with sour cream, cheese, salsa, scallions and even a fried egg on top if you ask for it (you need the protein, I guess).  They’ve also got some very inventive twists on old brunch favorites.

BUSHI-TEI (SF) – This is where Asian and American cuisines fuse.  The brunch 2-course prix fixe menu is a revelation at just $25.  Even the traditional dishes are done with a twist of sophistication and whimsy.  Very elegant.

BERETTA (SF Mission District) – Prepare for the parking hell that is the Mission. But there’s an extensive menu of antipasti of all kinds, risottos, and pizzas.  All very fun, fresh, and good for groups.

FARMER BROWN (SF) – This place is in a VERY shady part of town.  But if you’re a fan of fried chicken and biscuits with gravy, this is your kind of place.  The Sunday brunch buffet is chock full of food-coma inducing foods that’ll stick to your ribs.  But it’s a very hip, urban, quirky place.  And they’ve got LOUD live music (it’s good, though) and tasty strong cocktails.  Great for a good time, not for intimate conversation.

ABC SEAFOOD RESTAURANT (Milpitas & Foster City) – Why not dim sum folks?  It’s the quintessential Chinese lunch when getting together with family and friends.  And they’ll always accommodate a large party.  The food here is fairly reliable.  Like with any dim sum joint, arrive before noon or after 1:30 to avoid the long waits and always call ahead if you have a large party.

ASTARIA (San Mateo) – They have the usual brunch subjects, along with some lovely “comfort food” entrees like Shepherd’s Pie or Buttermilk fried chicken.  This is a good family option with lots of different choices for everyone.  FYI, I used to work here back when it was still a Lark Creek property. 😛

Posted in Food, Peninsula, San Francisco

I’m Just Not That Into You

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Ike’s Place has gotten plenty of hype lately.  It’s been on the Food Network, it was mentioned on 7×7’s list of things you need to eat before you die, and now they’re expanding like crazy.  So much so they actually ended up opening one in the Redwood Shores area.  Close enough for me to visit during my lunch break.

I visited them on two occasions.  The first time, I tried the “Name of the Girl I’m Dating” (#9).  It’s chopped Halal chicken breast with avocado, pepperjack cheese and honey mustard, dressed with their famous dirty sauce (which is a mixture of mayo, garlic, and herbs).  It was good, but way too over the top.  It was total excess.  It was not the kind of good you’d tell your friends about or dream about going back for.  I felt like telling them, “Stop trying so hard!”

So I went back for something I usually crave: Chicken Fried Steak.  They have a sammie called “Forty!?” that has chicken fried steak, dirty sauce, and cheddar cheese.  Can’t go wrong, right?  Wrong!  The meat was greasy and flavorless.  So greasy that the oils had soaked into the bread, mixed in with the oils in the dirty sauce, and became one big gloppy mess.  It wasn’t worth ordering again, for sure.

So this is a classic example of hype over substance.  There are far better sandwich joints in the area (Lorenzo’s), or even out of the area (Bakesale Betty, Roli Roti, Kitchenette).  Now, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and say that perhaps I need to go to their flagship restaurant to get the true experience.  But if you’re going to expand like gangbusters, you’d better make sure your product doesn’t suffer.

Ike’s Place – 555 Twin Dolphin Dr., Redwood Shores – Other locations throughout S.F. and the Bay Area

Posted in Food, Peninsula, Street Food

The Chowdermobile Rolls On…

Posted on by virgoinwonderland
Courtesy of http://www.samschowdermobile.com

Sam’s Chowder House is one of the many restaurants to jump on the street food bandwagon. Their “Chowdermobile” (@chowdermobile) travels to Brisbane, San Mateo, and Redwood City on a regular basis. I decided to give these guys a shot since I was in the mood for a nice bowl of chowder on a winter day.

Their menu is a truncated version of their restaurant’s. And like the restaurant, it’s also a bit overpriced. Between myself and my dining partner, we ordered their famous lobster roll, clam chowder, fried calamari, and fish tacos.

My fave dishes? The clam chowder would come in first and the fried calamari second.  Both were seasoned well and full of fresh seafood flavor.  I hate when calamari has too much breading or grainy cornmeal in the batter.  This was not the case here.  It was crispy and had great flavor to go with the perfectly fried calamari.

And the chowder wasn’t too thick, floury, or too rich with cream.  It had tons of fresh herbs, clams, potatoes, and great overall flavor.  If anything, it didn’t need the extra pinch of salt that was added.  It would’ve been perfect, otherwise.

Courtesy of http://www.samschowdermobile.com

The fish tacos weren’t anything to get excited about, however.  Though the fish was fresh, it was flavorless and the batter added nothing.  The tortillas were cold and bland.  A definite miss.

And surprisingly, I’m not a huge lobster fan, but the lobster roll did live up to it’s “Best Sandwich” reputation (it’s been rated as such by the folks at the Today Show).  They didn’t skimp on lobster meat and it was butter, tender and delish.

All in all, if you’re in the mood for this kind of fare, I’d definitely suggest you pay them a visit if they’re in your area.  However, be prepared to plunk down a pretty penny.  No one can eat just one fish taco and be satisfied.  So if you order just one small fish taco and a small bowl of chowder, that’ll set you back $10 for lunch.  Add an order of calamari and you’re talking $16 for lunch.  Definitely not, “street food-like” at all.

Sam’s Chowdermobile – Various locations (original restaurant located in HMB) – @chowdermobile on Twitter

Posted in Food, Peninsula, San Francisco, Street Food

Street Food Hits the Burbs

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Trucks, carts, even guys on bikes have shown up all over San Francisco and Oakland to peddle their cheap and tasty food. You can find both gritty and straightforward eats, as well as the artisan gourmet variety disguised as street food.

Of course, not all food that comes out of a cart is good food. There are LOTS of posers who are jumping on this popular foodie bandwagon, lately. It’s officially become a “trend.”  It’s gone mainstream.  Perhaps, it’s even jumped the shark.

But when cheap food is GOOD food, I have no complaints. That’s why these two newer food trucks that have hit the burbs have made me very happy. No more trekking to the city to find good street food!

IMG_4194Tacos Peralta (342 E. Hillsdale, San Mateo) – There are mediocre items on the menu that I’ve tried (the carne asada and pastor meats, in particular). And I’ve heard only lukewarm reviews about their burritos, though I can’t vouch for that, myself. But fortunately, there are some excellent items, including the torta (nicely toasted bread and a good amount of meat and fillings), super quesadilla (great flavorful beans and cheese), and the carnitas tacos (well seasoned moist pork, fresh onions and cilantro, and great with a squeeze of lime juice). And I love their hot sauce. It strangely reminds me of the taco sauce I used to get on taco day in elementary school. I don’t know if that’s a complement or an insult, but I used to go nuts for the stuff.

And in classic street food fashion, it’s cheap. Tacos are only $1.25 a piece (of course you need at least four to feel satisfied). And I appreciate that their ingredients are fresh and they use good quality meats. I just polished off five carnitas tacos for dinner and I could easily eat five more for lunch tomorrow!

IMG_4223Curry Up Now (Primrose & Howard in Burlingame, Near Marine Pkwy. across from Oracle in Redwood City – @CurryUpNow on Twitter) – Let me just say that I like Indian food, but it’s usually on the bottom of my list because of the way it makes me feel. Four out of the last five Indian meals I’ve had in recent memory gave me a headache before leaving the restaurant because of the MSG, or left me reaching for my TUMS. Not fun.

So when I found out about this place foolin’ around on Twitter, I was excited because it seemed authentic, fun, and fresh. And again, I didn’t have to trek to the city to find it!

IMG_4224I’m so happy to say that this food truck exceeded my expectations. Everything we had was flat out fantastic! The food is a mixture of authentic Indian dishes with Mexican touches. Between myself and my other two diners, we had the Butter Chicken special, Tandoori Chicken “Taco”, Kathi Roll, Tikki Masala Chicken “Burrito”, and the Skirt Steak “Torta” sandwich. All the items were absolutely delicious with the perfect amount of spice that added flavor, depth, and character, not just heat. All the flavors just sang and melded together so well. It was just about the best Indian meal I’d ever had. IMG_4225The highlights were the Kathi Roll (so delicate in it’s mixture of special ingredients and sauce), the Tikki Masala Chicken “Burrito” (perfect amount of saucy flavorful chicken with special rice wrapped in parantha bread), and the Skirt Steak “Torta” (yummy special sauce again, and they did NOT skimp on the quality and amount of beef here!).

All that great food AND the owner was a whole lot of fun to talk to while we waited for our food. She was such a gem that it made me want to go back even more.

With such great “street food” options in suburbia, I don’t have to worry that I’m missing out on all the good cheap food in San Francisco proper. Let those city folks come down to suburbia instead!