Smuggler's Cove - San Francisco

5/5 stars

My obsession with Smuggler's Cove started last 4th of July weekend when my hubby surprised me with their book. Even if you don't drink tiki, it's a wonderful read. That weekend, we went on a scavenger hunt. We had to go to 5 different liquor stores to acquire the ingredients for the Jet Pilot (a tweaked Zombie).

We didn't make it to the tiki bar itself until the end of July. We got there at 5:30 PM and there wasn't a line, but the place was already absolutely packed. We had to wait for a seat at the bar, but it wasn't too bad.

Stepping into Smuggler's Cove is like stepping into another dimension. It's a tiny, tiny dark place that is just... magical. You forget the rest of the world here and I think that's okay. The drinks were incredible - dare I say THE BEST COCKTAILS I've ever had. Steve was the bartender that night and his hands were just flying. It was really impressive watching Steve work. I don't think I've ever seen a bartender make drinks as fast as him. Smuggler's Cove has a huge menu too so that made it even more impressive. I love sitting at the bar.

We ordered:

+ Smuggler's Rum Barrel (rums, fresh juices, Caribbean spices). It was the favorite of the night! Of course we had to take home the barrel! This moment is pretty much when I started collecting tiki mugs...
+ Hinky Dinks Fizzy (rum, pineapple, lime, passion fruit, apricot liqueur, gin, sparkling wine). I mean, rum AND sparkling wine? Be still my heart.
+ The Expedition (rum, bourbon, coffee liqueur, lime, cinnamon, vanilla, honey). Really complex and different. A must-try.
+ Puka Punch (rums, lime, orange, pineapple, honey, passion fruit, falernum, bitters). Beware buccaneers, it's really strong ;-)

We can't wait to go back, but it'll be hard not to order the rum barrel again. It's delicious!

Hog & Rocks - San Francisco

4/5 stars

Hog and Rocks was fantabulous. Btw, did you know that fantabulous was an actual word in an actual dictionary?

Hog & Rocks has been on my SF-must list since I discovered that Hog Island oysters were bomb.com, but I had no idea they were right across the street from Lazy Bear! Hubby and I arrived 30 mins early to our Lazy Bear reservations and instead of standing outside in the cold and rain, we decided to "just go look at Hog & Rocks' menu." Once inside, I was delighted to learn that it was HAPPY HOUR. Magic words.

We only had 30 mins-ish, so we had to drink and go, but omg, was it memorable. First off, the folks there were memorable. The hostess was nice and the bartender was very friendly and very good at what he does.

Due to our time constraints, we, unfortunately, did not have time to order any hog (a shame, I know), but we got some rocks. Hammersely (Washington) to be exact. They were only $1 because it was Happy Hour and they were meaty, creamy, and mineral-y AND what is it about mignonettes? I adore mignonettes.

To drink, I wanted something light so I got the Spiced Pear Whiskey Bellini (pear infused bourbon, spiced pear liqueur, lemon, cava). It was lovely. I chugged it. Hubby got the Arbequina (olive oil washed gin, gran classico, dolin blanc).

I wish we had time to linger, but we had tickets, so off we went into the night!

The Cavalier - San Francisco

3/5 stars

Christmas shopping date with my mama! We wanted to stay close to Macy's and I was tickled pink to find that The Cavalier was within walking distance. Yeeess, cocktails and a Marlowe burger coming right up!

The place was really cute and cozy. I liked the decor. Who doesn't like red-leather booths? It *felt* like a swanky brasserie! Service was nice enough.

I've been following Anna Weinberg on Instagram and drooling over The Cavalier's gorgeous cocktails so I couldn't wait to order the Bramble. Unfortunately, my Bramble didn't look anything like what she posted:

Her's:

Mine:

It was skillfully constructed, but didn't blow me away. My mom's Pencillin was really smoky with its Great King's St. scotch, honey syrup, ginger juice, and lemon. She said it tasted better with food.

The food was really solid. We got the Shakshuka and the famous Marlowe burger. I adored the Shakshuka. I've never had it before. Egg yolk + spicy tomato sauce = dreamy. Dip, dip, dip with the toasted baguette.

Unfortunately, the Marlowe burger didn't meet my expectations. Maybe they were too high. It was good, not great. Certainly not the best burger in SF. It could've been my fault. I made the mistake of ordering it medium-rare and it came out more rare/more cool than I prefer. But no matter, the thrice-cooked chips were just the right amount of crisp. I guess thrice does the trick. Yummy dipped in the horseradish aioli. Do you like aioli more than mayo? I can't decide.

(2015) 

The Rotunda - San Francisco

4/5 stars

I am a sucker for tea sandwiches. I could eat, like, a hundred of them. The problem is, you're never given a hundred :)

The ladies and I had reservations at 1:15 PM, but weren't seated until 2 PM. Usually I'd be annoyed, but this worked out for the best. We got an excellent table by the window overlooking the Christmas tree and the skating rink. Fills you with Christmas joy.

We started with drinks. I settled on a glass of the elegant, layered Moët et Chandon Brut Impérial, Epernay NV. All afternoon teas must start with bubbles IMO.

Before tea service, we were served a simple, yet delicious chicken consommé that warmed the soul and a hot popover with strawberry butter. That butter was one of the best parts of the tea service.

Next, came the three-tiered tray! Slightly salty scones that I used to spoon lemon curd into my mouth. Grapes, honeydew, and the piece de resistance: the tea sandwiches.

At The Rotunda, they're pretty good. My favorite was the roast beef + horseradish on rye. There was also an egg salad with bacon, the classic cucumber and cream cheese, and a chicken salad. There were also these tasty prosciutto roll-ups with walnuts. I usually don't like walnuts in things, but it went well with the thinly-sliced ham.

Desserts were average. The best ones were the fruit tart and the chocolate whoopie pie.

Our server Nick was lovely and the stained glass ceiling was even lovelier with the light shining through it.

This was definitely a treat.

(2015)

State Bird Provisions - San Francisco

5/5 stars

State Bird makes eating FUN.

If you didn't know already, State Bird Provisions is... American-style dim sum. It's passed hor d'oeuvres, the most amusing of amuse-bouches.

A party in your mouth.

It was an inimitable experience. Hubby and I were utterly delighted and ordered 21 dishes. Yes, there were only 2 of us.

The rockstars:
1. the ice cream sandwiches & 'world peace' peanut muscovado milk... PURE FAIRY DUST.
2. pork belly pluot salad... this one blew us away. We would have never in a million years put together pork belly and pluots!
3. smoked trout-avocado 'homemade chip & dip'... how could smushed fish be so tasty??
4. state bird (which is basically the best fried quail ever made) with "french onion soup-like" onions
5. sourdough, sauerkraut, pecorino & ricotta pancake... I honestly could eat a pile of these!
6.. 'nasukatsu' japanese-style fried eggplant with miso, ginger, okra, and tomato... eggplant makes me swoon.

And hubby couldn't stop raving every 1.222346 seconds about the duck liver mousse with almond biscuits. Pssttt... the biscuits are made with duck fat.

We also ordered a few other things...

guinea hen dumpling with aromatic broth
necatarine with whipped crescenza & pink peppercorn
shishitos with cumin-goat cheese fondue
sweet corn polenta 'elote'
heirloom tomato bay shrimp 'louie'
chanterelle, ham & fregola summer salad
garlic bread with burrata
heirloom tomato cabot cheddar whole-grain pancake
CA state bird with provisions
air-dried beef with red chili vinaigrette
hog island oyster, spicy kohlrabi kraut & sesame
and I somehow got tricked into eating gizzards

SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT to my fellow foodie, Jen, who gifted me her reservations!!!

(2015)

Tartine Bakery & Cafe - San Francisco

5/5 stars

I was so very gleeful. I don't think I've been this exuberant since that guy gave me a Flintstone-sized rib fresh off the BBQ at the Ad Hoc party (he did it for a hug). Or when we were about to get out of the car to go to the French Laundry.

I think I squealed in Tartine.

Tartine is the stuff of legends and I'm glad I got to visit the bakery itself after a baseball game Saturday. Another SF establishment to cross off the "must-visit" list!

We were there around 7 PM and walked right in. My friend told me that never happens. That there's always a line around the block. There was probably no line because they were out of morning buns, but I was able to snag the LAST country loaf. I felt like I had won some bread lottery. For just $8.50, I got a loaf of bread twice the size of my head. It smelled and looked heavenly.

Husband got a macaroon and I impulse-bought a tub of chocolate pudding at the register.

I don't trust myself in bakeries.

(2015)

Delfina - San Francisco

5/5 stars

I'm gonna have dreams about that spaghetti pomodoro...

It was silky perfection with its bright red sauce that featured the tomatoes-oh-just-taste-these-tomatoes. The best part was probably the good-quality olive oil that coated the pasta and left a beautiful sheen on my plate. It was the most simple, yet delicious spaghetti I have ever had. I hope I'll be able to re-create it at home.

We were seated right away because we had reservations. However, our server took forever to greet us. Actually, she took forever with everything (getting our waters, taking our orders, etc). I am not sure if it was because she was busy or spacey, but she could've been more attentive. I can't bring myself to dock a star, however, because that spaghetti was just so darn amazing. Did I mention the perfect amount of basil? The sheen of olive oil? Oh, well, even if I did, there it is again. It. Was. Just. That. Delightful.

The grilled calamari, Tartine bread, and bellini weren't half bad either ;)

(2015)

The Monk’s Kettle - San Francisco

4/5 stars

I don't know how long this place has been on our "must-visit" SF list. Years and years probably.

The beer list was impressive. I've never seen a $65 beer before, or an alcoholic root beer (it was tasty, by the way). Tons of sours. I will admit that I was a bit disappointed with their selection of witbiers and hefs. So I went with the Finnriver black currant sparkling cider and it was a nice balance of sweet and off-dry.

The place was A LOT smaller than I thought it'd be. Luckily, we were able to snag seats at the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient, though unengaging. The wall of glassware notable. We didn't try any food, but I hear it's good.

(2015)

The Yard at Mission Rock - San Francisco

4/5 stars

What a treat! The Yard is a great place to hang out before a Giants game. Nachos from Senor Sisig and a Meyer lemon lager from Anchor Steam made for a terrific breakfast of champions! The beer is "7 vs 17 dollars" cheaper than in the park and the selection is also way better. I liked my nachos, but would've liked more options/food trucks.

(2015)

Foreign Cinema - San Francisco

3/5 stars

I can't believe I can finally check this place off my list! Foreign Cinema has been on my SF go-to list for years. Even when I "worked" with them, I never visited. Unfortunately, I found brunch underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, everything was good, but I guess I was expecting more fairy dust.

The space was gorgeous. Probably my favorite part of the whole experience. I loved the exposed concrete, the light - the rustic, lovely feel of it all. It felt Californian-French. It was a rare sunny afternoon in SF and we were lucky enough to get a table outside. Our server was polite and patient.

We ordered bubbles and the homemade pop-tarts: one strawberry, one raspberry. They were delightful. After much perusing, I finally decided on the champagne omelet with morels, asparagus & creme fraiche because it's not every day you can order a perfectly made French omelette. Unfortunately, while nice, the omelette lacked morels and I can't remember seeing an asparagus. I've had immensely better eggs with creme fraiche at Ad Hoc in Yountville. I will say that the fried yukons were perfect. Good job there.

Overall, a great place for brunch with the girlfriends, but I won't be itching to come back.

(2015)

Nopa - San Francisco

5/5 stars

Nopa had been on my want-to-eat-in-SF list for awhile! It was totally impromptu, which I guess is the way to do it. Well, that is, if the restaurant has a bar where they accept walk-ins AND it's early enough to get a seat at said bar.

We went after a summer Giants game (as in, I was wearing a bright orange jersey) because I didn't want to leave the city yet. We hardly ever make it up here so I wanted to finally cross Nopa off my list. Thankfully, nobody made me feel under-dressed. We arrived even before they started serving dinner. Actually, we were the first people to sit at the bar! It was really fun watching the kitchen prep for dinner service, like a sneak peek.

They were serving small bar snacks, but since I was still a little full from ballpark food, I stuck with a cocktail: fresh raspberry eau de vie cava. Unfortunately, since I was a little under the weather, I only had one drink. I did learn that the bartender could make me "the bee's knees" (one of my favorites right now) -- next time. The restaurant quickly filled up, as did the bar. People lined up to take our prime real estate.

The service was lovely. The bartender was nice and our server, after learning that it was our first time here, spent extra time explaining things and making sure everything was OK.

For dinner, we ordered the flatbread, the burger, and the porkchop. Nopa is known for their burger and porkchop. The burger was good, but the porkchop was flippin' amazing. Best porkchop I've ever had.

This place just defined "San Francisco restaurant" to me: farm-to-table, strawberries with a honey yogurt and sea salt, hand-crafted cocktails, hip interior.

I'm glad that my expectations were met!

(2015)

Saison - San Francisco

5/5 stars

Dinner at Saison was an extraordinary, overwhelming way to end 2014. The dinner was a surprise gift from my husband to celebrate Christmas and 10 years together :) I'm the luckiest [cue Ben Folds]. Or, if you're at Saison: Phil Collins.

I still think about this dinner. When people ask me how it was, I don't really know what to say. Dinner here was just one giant overwhelming FEEL. The price, the food, the moments-everything was staggering. It was kind of beyond me. Is what Chef Joshua Skenes doing considered modernist cooking even though he uses fire which is so... primal?

The doors didn't open until exactly 5:30 PM. I was delighted to find that we had one of the best seats in the house: one of the cozy tables with bench seating facing the bright, open kitchen. This was the place to sit. The kitchen was so quiet. It was like watching a ballet.

We had 3 main servers: Max (the somm), Matthew (the now-former maître d), and Simon (I may have hugged him). Everyone was friendly and tidy in their trim suits.

Even though the wine pairing was staggering ($398 + $50 addition for sharing), we went for it. We couldn't resist the fact that they were opening special magnum bottles because it was New Year's Eve. Balloons hung in nets waiting to be released at midnight.

Right as we sat down, Max poured us a taste of Krug (!). If I'm lucky enough to return, I may not do the wine pairing again because it was part sake and even if it's the best sake in the world, I am not a fan of the fermented rice. I'd stick with champagne (more Krug, please) and cocktails.

I ordered a cocktail because he's the bartender at one of the best restaurants in the world. Max helped me decide (I was having trouble). They were offering 3 cocktails not normally on the list for New Year's Eve. Max recommended the Jungle Bird which is what the staff drinks, he said. A tiki drink. I was sold.

It tasted like burnt, sea salt caramel. It was layered and delicious.

Our New Year's Eve menu:

* meyer lemon water tea... our tea was served in delicate, flowery china teacups. they made me feel elegant and giddy.

* anaheim peppers preserved in the wood burning oven, buttermilk... this was a delight! it was served in a small, crystal jewelry box and it was so delicious. definitely top 3 of the night for me.

* [an exuberant amount of] golden caviar (with pork fat)... it _is_possible to have too much caviar in case you were wondering. it was a very generous portion.

* lobster warmed over coals... served with an adorable wedge of yuzu... something in this dish tasted like... paper bacon. it wasn't bacon... but the umami was undeniable.

* mt lassen trout, its skin & roe... the skin was like... a perfect potato chip. and the broth was... even though it was unladylike, I went after that broth like a kid going after the last drops in a cereal bowl. I think Simon said it was OK.

* dungeness crab, the whole thing

* abalone grilled over the embers, sauce of the liver and capers... I think this one tasted like bacon, too. I just remember it being very, very, very yummy. I liked the texture of the abalone.

* seaweeds in seaweed vinegar... my least favorite dish

* blackgill rockfish, pine mushrooms, pine bouillon

* brussels & cabbages blistered in the fire

* naple long pumpkin, hung over the fire for 3 days... when they first brought this out, I thought it was beef! but no, it was all-pumpkin-3-ways and it was amazing.

* toffee, milk, bread & beer... this... this makes your mouth HAPPY. (One of the best things I've ever eaten.)

* whole duck grilled near the fire, a bouillon of the grilled duck bones, ham from the legs... the duck was delicious and the ham was like the best prosciutto ever.

* red hawk mousseline, yali pears... my favorite cowgirl creamery!

* ice cream & caramel cooked in the fire... it was ice cream. cooked in fire. it was ICE CREAM. COOKED IN FIRE.

* tea & persimmon

Everything tasted like it was kissed by fire and smoke. That's the thing about these 3-star Michelin chefs. They set out to do something and they succeed.

If you're collecting 3-star Michelins, then Saison is already on your list (as it should be). But if you are trying to decide on just one of the four 3-star Michelins in California, I haven't been to Benu (yet), this is how I'd rank the others:

Food:
1. French Laundry
2. Meadowood & Saison tie (I couldn't decide which was better)

Service:
1. Saison (they talk to you [if you like that])
2. Meadowood (they kind of talk to you)
3. French Laundry (they don't really talk to you)

Value:
1. French Laundry
2. Meadowood
3. Saison

(2015)

Rich Table - San Francisco

2/5 stars

Rich Table was lovely (decor, service), however, the food was overall boring and predictable. An unmemorable place for such a price point. SF does not lack places better than Rich Table.

- I'm not quite sure why the bread was not included. It was not $4-special.

- Nothing about my tajarin, porcini, and house cultured butter dish was special. The fresh pasta was good, but most fresh pastas are. I was certainly missing the wow-factor in everything I tried (beets w/ sunflower, roasted cauliflower).

- My sugar donuts seemed to be missing white chocolate and were a touch too limp (i.e. not crispy). Order the bittersweet chocolate pot de crème w/ bourbon cream and cherries instead. It was the yummiest thing I ate there.

- A nice place to get a cocktail or two, but I'd eat elsewhere.

(2013)

Brenda’s French Soul Food - San Francisco

5/5 stars

Holy cow, this place is awesome! And I'm saying this after an almost hour-long wait.

Everything tasted like I thought it should taste. There's just something so comforting and fun about New Orleans food.

The traditional beignets were piping-hot-out-of-the-oven-amazing. They were huge, but incredibly light and airy. And even though you'll probably get powdered sugar everywhere, you won't care. The beignets will melt in your mouth and you'll be a happy puddle.

The joy just kept on coming. The watermelon sweet tea was refreshing and the cream biscuit tasted like it was made by someone's grandmother who's been baking for fifty years. The pork belly was lip-smacking and the gumbo was delicious. I highly recommend the grillade gravy. My hubby kept sneaking his biscuit over to soak up the sauce. Nothing disappointed. Hubby was just moaning how he wished we had bought more biscuits home.

(2013)

Kung Fu Tacos - San Francisco (closed)

3/5 stars

It was close to closing time at the San Francisco Beer Week Opening Celebration and hubby and I were in dire need of "post-drinking" food. I had high hopes for a pork belly burger, but since they were out, we found ourselves in Kung Fu Tacos' line.

We got the LAST two Asian-style carne asada burritos in the building. Woo! And even though we're die-hard Mexican fans, these Asian ones were really tasty. I enjoyed the flavor of the meat (hoisin?) and was a fan of the salsa. It melded well with the steak. The black beans were creamy and it all just came together. It was probably the best Asian-inspired burrito I've had yet.

At $9, it was expensive (burritos are usually in the $6-$7 range), but it make sense they bumped up the price for something like Beer Week.

(2013)

Wayfare Tavern - San Francisco

3/5 stars

I really, really wanted to fall in love with Wayfare Tavern.

I'm a Tyler Florence fan. He's dreamy and has the best tomato soup recipe on the Internet. I made gallons of it over the summer.

First impression was great. Wayfare Tavern is a very handsome restaurant with its dark wood, warm fire, and high ceilings. I pulled up to the bar, delighted to find homemade potato chips ready for me. Hubby, on the other hand, was very excited about the fresh popovers. They were huge, light, and fluffy.

I had trouble deciding what to drink so I asked the bartender if he had anything special in season. Just my luck - he did. Something he came up with just that morning, he said. It has grapefruit, bay leaf - he had me at bay leaf - sage, tequila, and ginger beer. I love all those things so he made it for me. It doesn't have a name yet, but hopefully you'll find it on the menu in the summer. Even though the ingredients screamed more "Fall" than "Spring," it was a very bright, refreshing cocktail. I hope the word, "Garden" makes it into the drink's name. 5 stars for the bartender.

I wanted to try at least two other cocktails, but we had SF Beer Week's Opening Celebration to attend that night so I certainly didn't need any more alcohol. So I ordered an iced tea and it came topped with lemon sorbet - what a fun treat!

Hubby and I decided to share the deviled eggs (one of our favorites), the burger (did you know that Food & Wine magazine named Tyler Florence's bacon burger one of the best in the U.S.?), and the fried chicken (even though I already knew it couldn't compare to Thomas Keller's).

Half a dozen deviled eggs arrived in a darling porcelain egg carton. They were whipped beautifully and topped with fried shrimp. I really enjoyed the relish. 5 stars for the deviled eggs.

Unfortunately, after the deviled eggs, that's when lunch became lackluster. I was hoping for that special something, but it never came.

Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but that's all it was.

At $21, I was expecting a mind-blowing burger. The best part of our burger was the perfectly cooked sunny-side up egg. I love how magical egg yolk is. Our requested medium was just a tad overcooked IMO, but it was still exceptionally juicy. The bun held up fine and the bacon, as promised, was delicious. However, the brie was no longer Cowgirl Creamery. It was unmemorable. The pickles needed to be thicker and ... I don't know. It was a solid burger, but it was nothing special. I would consider Umami's burger to be the better one in San Francisco. Oh, and the fries were pretty boring.

The chicken was almost too salty, but only almost. It was also fried a bit darker than I'd like. I enjoyed the intense presence of herbs (rosemary?), but my hubby didn't. I also liked the roasted garlic that came with the chicken. However, the most disappointing part was that nothing else came with the very expensive fried chicken. It was just chicken. No mashed potatoes. No creamed corn. Zip.

I'm pretty bummed I didn't love Wayfare Tavern. I can't get over how overpriced everything was. Add San Francisco's ridiculously expensive parking fees and I probably won't return, but it's okay. I still think Tyler Florence is dreamy.

(2013)

The Tipsy Pig - San Francisco

4/5 stars

Cute bartenders? Check.

Best burger in SF? (according to the Best Pastry Chef @Google) Check.

Vodka strawberry cocktails in MASON JARS? (seriously, who doesn't love mason jars?) Check.

Delivers your check in an utterly charming way (a used book)? Check.

And if the Tipsy Pig is not the best restaurant name ever, I don't know what is. The Sober Pig?

Winner, winner.

(2012)

Nick’s Crispy Tacos - San Francisco

5/5 stars

I dream about this place. If I was a person who walked in their sleep, you would probably find me here at weird hours.

I think it's the guacamole to taco ratio that makes my heart go pitter-patter and my mouth fill with drool. Oh, and the corn on the cob COVERED in cotija cheese is sinful. And spicy! I wish Nick's would open a place in the South Bay. Taco Bell just doesn't cut it even if they DO have the Doritos taco.

Margs are solid -- I once smiled at the bartender and he made mine extra strong. Ha!

(2012)

Beretta - San Francisco

5/5 stars

When it comes to thin, wood or coal-fired, Italian-style pizza, I think that prosciutto + arugula may be my favorite combination ever. It's not something I've been able to find in the South Bay. Beretta combines excellent, fresh pizza with one of the best bartenders in the City and, to top it off, friendly and attentive service (even though we were a big group) - wow. Go, Beretta, go!

Oh, and pretty much, if you see burrata cheese on the menu - order it immediately. And here's another tip: mezcal is really, really, really smoky. In case you don't like cocktails like that. My favorite was the airmail: rum, honey, lime, and prosecco.

Parking was gosh-awful, though. Circled for like 35 minutes. Not Beretta's fault, but valet would be nice :-)

(2012)

Umami Burger - San Francisco

5/5 stars

So incredibly good that I wanted to order another burger for dessert.

I got the bacon pie instead. I know. I'm disappointed in myself, too.

Every five minutes or so, the hubby and I would just look at each other and declare how this was the best burger we've ever had in our life. I had the flagship Umami and he had the Manly - can't go wrong with either. And don't forget the cheesy tots. They were so good, we ordered two of them. The onion rings and sweet potato fries were great as well.

Now if only I could bottle whatever flavor Umami is and sprinkle it on everything.

(2012)