Mystery Russian

It could be a cliche. Love at first side, one may call it but I know what I am feeling when I found a nice corner Russian deli called Gastronome which even the sign was written in Russian. I was feeling a little giddy and decided to find something absolutely unique to enlighten by narrowed food mind. After buying some chocolates (a must for those people in the “forever alone” category), I found this magnificent log of pastry packed professionally (and cheaply) in a plastic container.

I have NO idea what is in it but I am drawn to fact that it has white powdered stuff sprinkled on top of the pastry and somehow my mind concluded that IT HAS TO TASTE AWESOME. Never mind that the woman selling it did not even know what is called, the only word that she uttered to me is that is “gud”. So when I bought it, I decided that it was only polite that I waited till I got home before I ravaged the dessert. 

The first taste that pops into my mouth is .....nuts. Hard nuts that makes oh so well with the thick sweet paste hidden underneath the crunchy pastry. Only after when I am done licking the empty container, I still have no idea what is was called. I may have called it a Babka but let’s face it; I don’t even know what a Babka is until I saw it later again. 

So that said, this will be categories in my GREAT FIND folder where certain certain mystery food just taste oh so good :)

Chic For Chocolate

I know I haven’t updated my blog for sometime but I tried something delicious that just need to be shared with the public! Not long ago I received a nice box of chocolate from BenChic. For those people who worry about their waistline (especially me) BenChic is homemade pure raw chocolate which in my opinion tasted outstanding! I, myself a lover of dark chocolate could not imagine that raw chocolate have such strong and heavy but never too bitter.



Being a huge fan of sweet things. My palettes of chocolates are usually borderline unhealthy and well high in sugar. After a few bars Snickers or Kit-Kat, one tend to get bored with the overwhelming taste of sugar and chocolate in your mouth. I decided to switch a more finer taste of chocolates only to find that I am paying a “lot” more for the quality of chocolate. BenChic Chocolate in my opinion fits perfectly with the higher end chocolate brand but yet maintaining a reasonable price for their product.





That said, I suggest everyone to visit their site for more information on where you can get this amazing treat :) I know I would!

Welcome to Oyster Land!

When my parents were here I never get a chance to stop eating (I am serious, they are eating machines). Since my father & mom are such a big fan of seafood, I would be insane not to bring them to the ferry building. The place as usual was packed with people and we can extremely early so that I could line up in front of the Hog Island Oyster restaurant to get a seat for us. The place is small but the food is worth the wait. Of course, the first thing we need to order is the oyster, some steam clams for my dad (he is crazy about it) and a grilled octopus that took hours to come.

First, the oysters! They have a variety of fresh oysters which put my dad in a dilemma. To solve that, he ordered every oysters in the menu (brilliant!). There is Sweetwater Oyster, Alantics, Kumamoto, Kusshi, Shinnecock, Morro Bay, Hood Canal. I tried everyone of it and I have to tell you...I can’t tell the difference +_+ BUT I think I like Sweetwater the most because is juicy, and taste very fresh in my opinion. Sucks that I am not that in tune with the freshness of seafood.



The next dish is the steam clams of course, boil in an amazing broth, split to two for the whole family. In my opinion, the clams’ broth is what make the dish so bloody special. It is light but very tasteful. I keep soaking the sauce with bread. Lastly, is the amazing grilled octopus that took almost a good thirty minutes to cook. When it came out...is extremely tender :) like soft butter and it is the best dish I have to say in the restaurant.





Overall, the service is great, the food is great but the price is a little too much in my opinion. But then again, everything in the Ferry Building is a little overpriced but the food is extremely good. So if you are the type of person who would pay a few more bucks to enjoy great food :) then is worth it. But I am trying to look for cheap places with extremely great taste too :) more to come!

Porky Heaven in Incant0

And I am baaack! Just wanted to let everyone know that I am still alive. It has been a busy month with my parents and graduation coming. Also the looking for job. I am just glad to be back posting all the amazing and delicious place I went when my parents is here. First stop is a very well known restaurant in San Francisco called Incanto. Amazingly, it is a place I heard from Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation’s series. It is famous and well known for their pork dishes and being a fanatic of anything with snout and trotters; I have to try it out.

First off, the place has a nice comfy feeling to it and the waitress was extremely nice. For one of the appetizers, we ordered a dish of Pork Trotters with Foie Gras. When you say trotters, I expect the whole pig food on the plate but it is not just so. The trotters has been grind down and deep fried to something that resembles more of the croquette serve with a generous slap of foie gras on top. The flavor is supremely good, the strong taste of the foie gras merge nicely with the crispy texture of the pig trotters. One is simply not enough!



The main dishes consist of: the very mind blowing Pork Belly dish which is my dad’s favorite. Actually is all of us loved it which cause a serious food fight for the last scrap of belly meat. The pork was really tender (I am not kidding, it is so tender that you can cut it with a fork) and the sauce that comes with it only enhances the belly even further. The only negative side about it is that it really isn’t big enough and when you are sharing it with three other hungry people, is better to order two I believe. That said, my father fought very hard to protect his pork belly.



The next dish a Duck with Cherries and some vegetables on the side. Truth be told, I never had duck this tender before where the meat is still plum and red. The ducks that I usually have are the chinese style ones where the skin is drip with old and crispy. Even then, the meat tends to be a little hard and chewy. But not this dish, is soft and full of flavor, clearly one of the best duck prepared dishes I had.



Lastly is the Lamb with A Side of Vegetables. Among all of the dishes, this is the less memorable. I wouldn’t say is not good but it just didn’t stand out from the other two dishes. But it does come in a variety of lamb parts like the slice of lamb itself, a sausage lamb and a meatball lamb. Compared to the duck or the pork, the taste didn’t stand out as much but then again, if you are an avid lamb eater, this maybe the right dish for you!



Overall, I love Incanto, this place is big enough to bring a big family. And if you do, remember to call in advance to order the amazing whole pig dish but you need a party of six of more. :) I am still looking for a giant group for that.

Challenge Update Round 2

Last Saturday, me and my roommate head to Ferry Building for their morning market. Here are a few positive things I have to say about the Market; the food there is AMAZING. There are a variety of stalls open by famous restaurants like Namu, Roli Roti, Rose Pistola and 4505 Meat (which I think is a butcher shop) and they sell delicious top notch meals for people who visit the markets. With so many stalls to choose from, I decided to go for the ones recommended in my food challenge. Namu's Korean Taco and 4505's hamburger.



Now here is the bad thing about the Ferry Market. For two Korean taco; which is no longer than a Baby Ruth bar; it cost at least five dollars. And this is still just my opinion but I think that is rather expensive. That said; the Korean taco is extremely unique where the sweet beef is wrapped in seaweed and top with a little salsa. The mix of sweet and sour is just perfect and the seaweed wrap isn't as filling as a tortilla. That said, if you want a filling meal, you may need to get four of this small little tacos.



Another food I tried is the hamburger from 4505 market which is just absolutely freaking awesome (mind my language). The beef is super tender and when you bite into it; the juice just comes dripping out and I just love the contrast between the crunchy buns with the patty itself. The burger overall is small but I am not complaining because I am rather full from the tacos but it cost at least $7 for just the burger.

That said, I generally like heading to the Ferry Market but the price is really a turn off for a college student. I remember looking for something sweet and found a stall selling Kika's Treat for $7! That is the same price as my burger! I guess I should stick to Chinatown.

On another note; my parents are dropping by so be ready for more food adventures that may lead to crazy adventures!

Sweet Run

So this past couple of days I have been craving for sweet stuff. Actually, scratch that: this past couple of months, I have a strong obsession for something sweet and I lost count of cookies and cupcakes I devoured because of this. The hunt of sweets brought me to Mission again (did I mention I love this place?) hoping to once again indulge myself in Dynamo's Donuts but sadly when I reached there; everything was out except one flavor. And I swear this is around eleven in the morning and I am really shocked at how fast the donuts are gone. To think that they would make more just in case of situations like this.




Anyway, after I mourn over the lost donuts; I decided to walk around Mission to look for other sweet delicacies to chew on. I found one tuck away in the 22nd Street called Mission Mini which are actually mini mini cupcakes. The store itself is small and petite with decorations that make you feel at home. The price was pretty good, like $1 for a cupcake. Being me, I bought two: a CINNAMON HORCHATA and a PEANUT BUTTER KISS. It is so small that you can literary eat it with one bite, no kidding. The best? definitely the CINNAMON HORCHATA; I like the creamy texture top with a sprinkle of Cinnamon on top; it feels like you are eating a very soft gingerbread cookie.

Another of our sweet adventure, me and Syanne went to Fillmore Street to find papers and stuff for our portfolio. Over there, I stop by a shop called Fillmore Bakery because I hear good reviews of their pastries. The first thing I notice is their big-ass macaroons; biggest I have ever seen in my life. Because of the size; there is NO WAY I am missing to try that so I got a salted caramel macaroons which unlike the Mission Mini is crunchy, gooey and decadent (not a bad combination). Still can't beat Paulette in my opinion but worth the try.



Before we head home; I decided to drop by Benkyodo which is a Japanese sweet shop hidden behind the J-town arc. The women who works there is a little stress out but that didn't stop me from getting a set of delicious and beautiful Japanese mochis and sweets. The best? The pink mochi (I do not know what they put in there but it taste like sweet nuts sprinkled with powder sugar. I just love how the skin just melts into your mouth.

Closer to Home

I am usually big on traveling far distance to find awesome food but I feel like I am beginning to neglect restaurants that are closer to home. I stay in downtown and I tend to forget how many good food is placed all around my location. Close to my place, there are Thai, Italian, and Indian restaurants but the one that I like the best is Cha-Am which is just walking distance away from my house. So is a lazy Tuesday and none of us wanted to cook for dinner, so we decided to pop over to Cha-Am for some authentic Thai food.

We ordered Tom Yam Gun, the famous Thai soup that is sour and clear which I actually prefer to more than the creamy western soups. Our second appetizer is a Popiah, and I really wanted to get this because I really miss the ones we have at home where they have thin slice radish, carrots, thin rice noodles roll around with rice wrappers. Tom Yam Gun was delicious and they are really generous with the shrimps. It was perfect for a cold summer day (San Francisco weather...*sigh*) Then the Popiah came and it caught me by surprise because it was fried where the ones at home are just fresh and soft. I was skeptical at first but it taste really good so I can't complain but it reminds me more of fried spring rolls *lol*





Our main course is of course Pad See Ew which is fried noodles with beef. Ok, from the picture above; this may not look like a healthy meal with all the delicious glistening oil slather upon those oh-so-delicious pale noodles (I am drooling). The only thing I could say is "Who cares!?" Thai food is not meant to be healthy; it is meant to be enjoyed by people who loved colliding flavors of salty, sweet and spicy. I really love Cha-am Pad See Ew and I can't wait to go back there and enjoy it again!

Challenge Update

:) So I am gonna post some challenge update that I have been doing last Saturday. I went to Mission again and decided to complete two more of my 100 things to try before you die in SF challenge. To tell you the truth, Mission is rubbing off on me and I am starting to like hanging around there. There is Tartine Bakery there along with B-Rite Creamy and Market; what's not to love! First stop, Dynamo Donut and Coffee. Truth be told, even if you take the Bart to 24th Mission Street, it is still an extremely long hide from the station to the store. You have to pass through Folsom and Harrison Street and only then you get to taste the amazing sweet Chocolate Spice that is just perfect for the morning. The challenge asked for a coffee and that is why I got it but seriously, I think it would be better with milk.



Around that place was also the famous Papalote Chips and Salsa but sadly the place was incredibly full. Instead of giving up, I bought the Salsa dip from Whole Food and some nice yellow corn chips to go with it. The salsa was good but it sucks that it is super spicy so I can't really eat too much of it

Philippe Love

Sorry for the late update but things got a little hectic and I forgot to post some awesome places I discovered or revisited. On Tuesday, a classmate of mine (Thanks Taiyo!) brought me to this amazing pastry shop that is hidden in Townsend. We decided to sneak off from our Portfolio class in Federal and walked all the way to Townsend and 8th Street where a small pastry restaurant called Patisserie Philippe hides behind the Adobe building. The place is small where they maybe could only have enough space for twenty diners but don't let that stop you from trying their amazing sweet pastries and savory ones as well.




Taiyo ordered the delicious Salmon Quiche with a small side of Beet Salad. The quiche was just right, not too soggy and they really give a generous amount of salmon. The Beet Salad was just perfect with the mild of garlic that doesn't overwhelm the original beet. Either than that, we ordered three cakes to share: A Banana Cream Tart, A Millie Feuille and an Apple Frangipane. First off, Banana Cream Tart is just right in my opinion. And I know that it is almost blasphemous to say this but I prefer this banana cream tart than the one in Tartine Bakery. (I am sorry, it is just waay to sweet for me).





The Millie Feuille was creamy and soft but retain a crunchy texture thanks to the thin pastries that separates the cream. It is incredibly good and the portion is big for such a valuable price. But the best one among them all has to be the Apple Frangipane where the thing that makes it unique is the dribble of caramel sauce on top of it that adds the special mixed of flavor to the dessert. Overall, if you have time, I suggest everyone to talk a trip down to Phillipe and at least get one cake because I guarantee it that you will get hooked.

To the Outerlands!

Today I woke up extremely early to go back to a far away place known as the Outerlands. As I said, I do not own a car so the journey there was less than pleasant (The Muni sometimes can be very scary) but thank god I still made it there before the place was open. So imagine my surprise when I find a long line of people waiting for the restaurant to open and they even already have a list filled out. Thank god I have Aya with me to keep me company as we wait to be seated.

The seatings itself is limited so I suggest not to have a large group of people; also they close pretty early as well. For example, Sunday brunch only last till 2.30pm and I don't think they will be open for the rest of the day. When we finally get seated; my friend ordered their special Eggs in Jail while I try something more simple like French Toast. Boy, was I wrong. The French Toast is huge where it really stacked up high covered with almonds and mandarin orange with a side of syrup. The bread itself is unique as well; where it is smeared with what I believed could be butter but my friend suggest they may have mix a little of corn inside. The result, a very soft creamy toast with a crunchy exterior. I think I went to heaven just eating that.



My friend's Egg in Jail was served steaming with the smell of bacon and egg. It has to be one of the top breakfast I ever steal a bite from. The bread, crunchy but the egg itself is gooey so you can just see the juice of the egg yolk just flowing out over the bread when you pierced it with a fork. And ordered with a side of genmaicha tea, you probably would have a very filling morning.

It's Mission Friday!!

This Friday I dragged Syanne down to Mission with me because of one important reason! If you keep track of SF Eater, you come to know that the famous crepes store in Mission (Ti Couz) is closing forever on May 15. I think it is such a waste that I have never tried any of their crepes there before. Since one of my 7x7 challenge is in Ti Couz anyway; we took the Bart down to Mission. I really do like the store itself where it feels warm and welcoming. Here is a very funny incident; I taught the challenge requires me to have a Buckwheat Crepe top with French Cider. But actually, is just the crepe with a drink of cider but I didnt have my ID (sigh) But I still got my buckwheat crepe with swiss cheese and it was so good. The buckwheat has a very savory taste to it and I think goes well with the melty texture of the swiss cheese. That said, I actually prefer it sweet than savory really. Maybe I should stop by there again with my passport! :) Who's with me.

After that light meal, it was still a little too early to head home. So me and Syanne decides to take a chance and head to Bar Tartine. As expected, the place was fully booked but somehow we are extremely lucky and get to share a table with another family. I ordered the Burger, part of a challenge of course but also it was voted one of the best burgers in San Francisco. And they weren't kidding. The burger itself seem ordinary but it came with a special non-spicy curry barbecue sauce that is just delicious. Spread it across your burger bun and you have a very great dinner. And even though bread is consider just something like a filling; their starter sourdough bread is the bomb. Maybe perhaps they are related to Tartine Bakery :)

Porky Goodness

:) Today I decided to be spontaneous and try a Thai Restaurant in Larkin & O'Farrell. When I first enter Sai Jai Thai, the place was literary empty with the waiters sitting on the corner table, chatting among themselves. I was surprise actually because most places I went for the challenges either are packed or has a long line. I taught for a moment that I may have gotten into the wrong place (it happen before >_>) but I guess I was just really early.



I realized that I could never finished a meal alone; I decide to use the power of Facebook to get a nearby friend (Taiyo!) to come join me for dinner! (I know it WOULD be easier to call her but I don't have her number...I blame it on her secretary haha)The Pork Shoulder Fried Rice was really good, is not too salty or oily and very tender. I never really ate a pig's shoulder part before and I didn't think it would be that soft and lean. We also ordered a sweet Mango Rice Pudding for dessert but sadly there is no picture of that because it was so good and we didn't wanna even share a picture of it :)Naah I just forget to take it with my camera.





In conclusion; Sai Jai Thai is really one of those nice secret restaurants that not many people know about. But then again; if is on the 7x7 Food Challenge, I am just certain that I skip the dinner crowd.

PS: Taiyo, :) Let's talk more about your b'day restaurant jumping!

Exploring Union Street

I always taught Union Street is part of Union Square (I don't know how I got that idea) but it turns out that is a completely separate thing. I heard of a rumor on the internet that there is this really delicious cupcake shop there called That Takes The Cake and decides to give it a try. Now, in order to get to Union Street is pretty easy if you take the MUNI or the bus but me and my friend did it the most epic way possible. We walk there. That's right; we went all the way to Fillmore; climb up a very huge hill (I would even consider it a mountain) and finally reached to our destination.




First off, there is a LOT of cupcake to choose from but me and my friend decided not to be greedy and get a small size vanilla cupcake. The lady overheard that it was our first time here and actually gave us their special red velvet cupcake! So nice of her! If anyone wants to try this place, just remember that it is around Union Street and Fillmore.

Izakaya Invasion

:) Today was AWESOME because my friends and I went to try out the famous Izakaya Sozai in North Beach. We come to the conclusion of having an early dinner (very early...like freaking 5.30pm lol) because we wanted to skip the dinner crowd. To our surprised, there is actually a line outside the restaurant before it was even open. We almost gave up on getting a seat but then a odd miracle happen when a group of six people in front of us decides that they didn't wanna wait for another five more seconds for their table and left. :) Lucky us, we got their spot!

We ordered several appetizers with ramens for our main course. Me and Emerson agrees on giving the tongue a try since well; is unique and we are really curious of how tongue taste like. We also ordered a fried chicken skin dish (which sounds like a heart attack on a plate), takoyaki, bacon wrapped with mochi, and many more other stuff.





I didn't really try to Takoyaki but it sure looks good. According to my friend it is extremely well made :) I only remember eating store bought ones and was extremely traumatized by the shoggy and cold taste. My favorite was definitely the tongue...because it doesn't really taste like tongue...it feels more like beef brisket in my opinion. My tongue buddy Emerson agrees as well. The bacon wrap mochi was pretty unique where I really can't taste the mochi at all cause the bacon is so strong. I wonder if they serve this in Japan.

But the best part has to be the ramen! The broth was perfect! I can actually taste a hint of egg inside the broth along with pepper and some secret ingredients that probably wakes me up in cold sweat and craved for it. I really like to believe that it taste exactly like the ones in Japan but I can't compare cause...I never ate ramen in Japan...*cries*

Lastly, we make a last stop in Mission for desert at Humphry Slocombe. Similar problem we encounter, there was a long line outside the ice cream store and there is rumors spreading that the ice cream maybe running low. But I brave on the cold, frigid winter night (actually is suppose to be summer >_>) and managed to get two awesome flavor: Secret Breakfast (Bourbon & Conflakes) and Vietnamese Coffee. Is freezing but I still don't care.





:) Overall, it has been a good night! Thanks Gure for driving me to those places and home! And thanks Pierre for actually driving the car lolz