Virgo in Wonderland

English Tea Time…and Not at Lovejoy’s

Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 by virgoinwonderland

Now, I have NOTHING against Lovejoy’s Tea Room in the city. I LOVE that place. And I normally hate scones, but Lovejoy’s gets theirs from John Campbell’s Irish Bakery and they, along with the traditional clotted cream, are absolute perfection!

…But I digress…

Basically if you’re looking for the traditional English tea service on the peninsula but don’t want to trek to the city to deal with meter maids every 30 minutes or battle the yuppies for the one rare parking spot, head to Sweetea’s in San Mateo. It’s tucked away in the tiny alleyway of random shops right off 25th Ave. and El Camino.

The place is complete with pink roses, china cups and white lace. Perfect for a small wedding or baby shower, or your daughter, granddaughter, or niece’s birthday. This place is super tiny, but extremely quaint.

Most of the food is homemade, which explains the smell of sweets lofting from the kitchen. The service is super friendly and the tea is excellent (with unlimited refills).

I brought the galpals for an afternoon of long conversation and never once did we feel pressured to leave or anything but welcome. The crustless finger sandwiches were perfectly prepared (fig and proschutto being the highlight) and the scones were still warm out of the oven (though nothing compared to John Campbell’s, unfortunately). The large selection of teas was large enough so that you had options, but not so large that you felt intimidated.

All in all, it was the perfect place for some afternoon conversation in a very girly setting. There’s definitely something about all this English-ness that makes you sit up straighter and hold up your pinky when you drink your tea. 🙂

Sweetea’s – 25 West 25th Avenue, San Mateo (in the Patio Shops) – 877.545.3832 – Reservations recommended

Events, Food, San Francisco

Tasty Trends from the Fancy Food Show

Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2011Tuesday, January 18, 2011 by virgoinwonderland

The Holidays may be a time for feasting, but January is time for the annual Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Foodies both rejoice and have to control themselves. It was like Disneyland for me and over 12,000 of the event’s attendees. I mean, where else could you see a rendition of Van Gogh’s Starry Night done in jelly beans?

This is where food trends are born. Remember sun-dried tomatoes? Or jalapeno flavored everything? How about when all the foods you bought seemed to be “antioxidant-rich”? Before they hit a supermarket shelf, they made their debut here.

There were over 1200 specialty, name brand, international, and local food makers and manufacturers all vying for your attention.

This year, it felt like the economy affected the trends. There wasn’t anything outrageous or attention grabbing, but that’s perfectly okay. It was trendy this year to take what already worked and give it a newer spin.

A few things did definitely show up more than a few times, though.

Chinese, Japanese and Thai food aren’t new, but Indian and Korean foods seemed to be the big trend. Items like marinades, frozen entrees and meal kits made a push for space on the American dinner table.

I also saw a lot of snacks that are popular in foreign countries, like China, Japan and South America, being highlighted as something “new” for the American market. Things like rice crackers, freeze dried Asian pears, crispy garlic flavored plantain chips, and black sesame candies all showed up on the expo floor.

Coffee and energy drinks took a backseat to teas. How does Honey Apricot sound? Or Milk Oolong? How about Blackcurrant and Cardamom? There were a lot of herby, fruity, and intriguing fusions making their debuts.

Candy, in general, is a perennial favorite food, but there’s always something new in the sweets world. This year, many of them had herbs, energy boosting power, or even health benefits. I tried Ginger, Yuzu and Lemon flavored gummy bears, pumpkin seed candies covered in dark chocolate, and even “Sport Beans” which are jelly beans that give you a quick pick-me-up.

Regardless of what interesting items showed up at the event, it’s still up to the American public to decide which of these trends gets to stay and which go. Besides, I’m sure there will be a whole new crop tasty trends for next year.

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

Going to Town

Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2011Tuesday, January 4, 2011 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.

Uncategorized

The 2011 Restaurant Wish List

Posted on Thursday, December 9, 2010 by virgoinwonderland

So the common question posed to me is, “What restaurants are you wanting to try lately?” I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit, especially since it’s the end of 2010 and you tend to look back on what you’ve done in the last year.

As far as the restaurant wish list is concerned, I think these would be on it:

TRENDY SAN FRANCISCO:

*Frances (SF) – 2010’s hottest new restaurant and I still can’t get a table.
*Marlowe (SF) – Fairly good parking in the area and I’ve heard raves about their burger.
*Cotogna (SF) – Poised to be one of the most buzzworthy restos for 2011.
*Darwin Cafe (SF) – A friend just told me about this tiny spot and I just have to try it now, with their super enticing, daily changing limited menu of tasty skillets at dinner.

OUTSIDE SAN FRANCISCO:

*Martins West (RWC) – It’s English pub food w/California flair. Fish and chips AND a pork belly appetizer.
*All Spice (SM) – Intimate setting, Indian “fusion” menu. Very intriguing.
*Osteria Coppa (SM) – Mixed reviews about this place, but I’m still looking for some good Italian on the Peninsula, so I’m game.
*Ginji (SM) – Some interesting Japanese tapas with a little yakitori and sushi thrown in. I’d go if they’d freakin’ pick up the phone for a reservation.
*Pizzaiolo (Oakland) – Thin crust pizza that’s made news. I’m down.

THE CLASSICS:

*Boulevard (SF) – Someone find me an excuse to FINALLY visit this place, please!
*Bar Tartine (SF) – OMG, I can’t believe I haven’t been here yet! Bad parking and the lure of Ti Couz in the area have previously diverted me. But I will make it a point, damnit.
*Spruce (SF) – I have to save myself for a special occasion for this one. Pricey.

Would any one of you foodies like to join me?

Uncategorized

Interesting Food Finds

Posted on Wednesday, December 1, 2010Monday, December 13, 2010 by virgoinwonderland

I’ve hit up several food conferences and events lately and had the great fortune to sample a bunch of great food freebies and goodies.

But only a select few are worth mentioning:

Cypress Grove Chevre’s “Midnight Moon” (@cypressgrovers) – This goat cheese company has been on my radar for years, but when I tried their “Midnight Moon” cheese, my mind was officially blown. Throw all your impressions of goat cheese out the window. This is a hard cheese with a great nutty sweet flavor, much like a gouda, and those wonderful salty crystals that make a slight crunch in your mouth. The folks were nice enough to offer me a wedge to take home, where my husband and mother also agreed, it was fabulous!

And if you want the more traditional goat cheese texture and flavor, the “Truffle Tremor” was phenomenal as well. Soft, earthy, delish. Nothing like a little truffle goodness to make something taste even better than it normally does :).

Popchips Salt and Vinegar flavor (@popchips) – Everyone knows these chips are pretty tasty…blah, blah, blah. But when they let me sample their Salt and Vinegar flavor, my taste buds kind of when nuts! It was tangy, salty, a little sour, and it went so well with the special crunch of this chip. Genius!

Nature’s Path Organic Berry Strawberry Chewy Granola Bars (@naturespath) – These bars are pretty good. I got to try all the flavors and this one was my fave. I also like the way this company operates. Their people are passionate about producing good food and it shows. Plus, it’s wheat free!

Cascal’s Crisp White All Natural Soda (@cheerscascal) – ~~This is PepsiCo’s answer to those who can’t drink alcohol.~~ It’s made from fermented fruit juice, much like wine, but without the alcohol content, but they market it as “an all natural soda that pairs well with food.” They claim you can cook with it just like you would a red or white wine, but I don’t think anyone’s going to mistake this for your favorite bottle of bubbly. With that said, it does “remind” you of a nice fruity wine, and this particular flavor was my favorite. It has some white grape, apple, peach notes and was a nice alternative to a sparkling apple cider. Pretty tasty.

*This is not a sponsored post.

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

A Foodie Feast at Bruce Hill’s Zero Zero

Posted on Thursday, November 18, 2010Tuesday, January 4, 2011 by virgoinwonderland

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.

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

The Best of San Francisco Street Food

Posted on Tuesday, November 9, 2010Tuesday, November 9, 2010 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.

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.

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!

Food, San Francisco

Hubert Keller’s Classic Flagship

Posted on Monday, October 25, 2010 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.

Events, San Francisco

BlogHer Food and I Come Full Circle

Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010Friday, October 22, 2010 by virgoinwonderland

For me, the second annual BlogHer Food Conference was more than just an event.

This time last year, I was totally bummed the event had sold out by the time I’d heard about it for the first time from my food blogger friends. I went searching on the BlogHer website and realized I was just SOL. But as a blogger and a woman, I was intrigued by the company. So I wandered over to the “Jobs” link on the bottom of the page. With the economy in a serious funk, I had been out of work for over 12 months, sent over 200 resumes, and was just plain discouraged. I sent my resume in thinking I had nothing to lose.

I’m so glad I did.

Me & Luce Executive Chef, Dominique Crenn, along with Danielle Tsi (@istelleinad).

This year, I not only got to go to BlogHer Food at the San Francisco InterContinental Hotel as a food blogger, I was there as a member of the BlogHer staff.

I’d spent a lot of years conducting interviews for radio and television, but I was truly honored to moderate the two panels I was on: “Our Food Future: Kids, Cooking and Health” on day 1, and “Food Diplomats and Cuisine Ambassadors” on day 2. There’s nothing like the topic of food to get people talking, whether it’s about starting your own food revolution in your community, or sharing stories about how family and food can create wonderful memories. I was delighted to help guide the panel and include the audience in on the conversation, as well.

Aside from the usual “cliques” that emerge at blogger conferences like this, I was overwhelmed with how friendly and supportive everyone was. I had the pleasure of meeting so many people I’ve both admired and followed, as well as reacquaint myself with old friends.

Fellow panelists Laura (@whats4dinnermom) and Diana (@dianasaurdishes).

I don’t know what it is about a BlogHer Conference, but they always manage to make the vibe totally about community. I know I work for them now, but I got to attend this conference, for part of the time anyway, as an attendee and observer. Whether I work for BlogHer or not, this is an event I’ll be attending for years to come.

A quick shout out to some of the many wonderful people I chatted with at BH Food (in no particular order):

@istelleinad
@dianasaurdishes
@whats4dinnermom
@blackamercooks
@vegansaurus
@fedupwithlunch
@joanneisafoodie
@inuyaki
@hedonia
@aidamollenkamp
@dominiquecrenn
@catchthebaby (& Charlie)
@cooking4all
@renelynch
@gourmetlive
@thatwoman
@chefrachelle
@krystaltingle
@thepeche
@streamingourmet
@momfood
@celiacteen
@sassymonkey
@justinhackworth

Food, Lunch, San Francisco

The Sentinel Doesn’t Impress

Posted on Monday, October 4, 2010 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.