SobaAddict70's San Francisco Saga

[Shalmanese]

I'm interested in hearing if you have any recs for Filipino and Vietnamese food in SF.

 

For Vietnamese, Little Saigon, just west of the Tenderloin is your best bet. Saigon Sandwiches for Banh Mi, Turtle Tower of Pho Tan Hoa for Pho. Pagolac has their signature 7 flavors of beef for dinner that's also very popular. Outside of Little Saigon, Slanted Door & Out the Door in the Ferry Terminal for Charlie Phan's upscale modern take, Tin in SOMA and Mau in the Mission are excellent slightly modernized restaurants by the same owner. Jasmine Garden in Duboce Triangle is also great.

 

For Filipino, the wisdom is to visit Daly City, just south of SF for the density of Filipinos. I've not explored that area so I can't give you great recommendations.

[Shalmanese]

Also, If this is helpful, I just did a Mission Food walking tour last week and this was the itinerary:

 

Donuts at Dynamo Donuts

Chicaronnes at La Palma

Ice Cream at Humphrey Slocome

Murals at Balmy Alley

Coffee at Philz Coffee

Burrito at El Farolito

Espresso at Ritual

Shopping at the Pirate Store & Paxton's Gate

Chicken Wings at Mission Chinese

Tea Leaf Salad at Yamo

Murals at Clarion Alley

Hot Chocolate at Dandelion Chocolate

Grilled Cheese at Mission Cheese

Knife Shopping at Bernal Cutlery

Croissant at Tartine

Ice Cream at Bi-Rite Ice Cream

Sightseeing at Mission Dolores Church

Duck Larb at Ler Ros Thai

Beer at Monks Kettle

Pourover at Four Barrel

 

It took us a full day to get through the tour but it was a lot of fun.

[SobaAddict70]

We went to Tartine and didn't bother taking pix because of the monumental attitude that seeps from its pores.

But the cake we bought sure tasted good. If only they would have cut a slice for B when asked instead of saying "we don't do that". There was a sign that stated just that (that slices were okay), however there was only one such cake left and it was the one on display.  We ended up buying something else iirc.

 

 

Edited June 25, 2014 by SobaAddict70 (log)

[gfweb]

I have a morning flight tomorrow ... what possessed me to buy those tix six months ago for a flight that early? I think it's something like 8 am. It means I have to get up at the ungodly hour of 4 am and be out the door by 4:30 so I can get to the airport and be past security (I hate waiting in line which is, despite what people will tell you, the unofficial sport of New York City).So much for being able to buy your own food to take it on the plane; I won't have time.More later....

There are some pretty good places for food to go at SFO.

[SobaAddict70]

There are some pretty good places for food to go at SFO.

 

When I get to SFO, I'm probably going to have other things on my mind apart from eating.  Call it a hunch.

[Anna N]

When I get to SFO, I'm probably going to have other things on my mind apart from eating.  Call it a hunch.

But we cannot live on love alone. After that you will still need food!

[SobaAddict70]

But we cannot live on love alone. After that you will still need food!

 

Hah.

 

After I get through the mass of people, I'll meet B (I have no luggage apart from my carryon; hobbits travel light) and head over to his place.

 

But I'm sure we'll stop for a bite to eat along the way.

 

The plan tomorrow is dinner at Kin Khao, breakfast at a nabe place on Friday (we like Kitchen Story (3499 16th Street (Sanchez St) in the Castro) and ???.

 

I think there will be a trip to the Ferry Building on Saturday for the farmer's market.  Lots of pix to come.

[Anna N]

Soba,

It all sounds delightful. I hope you enjoy every precious moment and yet find time to share with those of us drooling on the sidelines your reports and photos of your food adventures.

[djyee100]

FYI, "Little Saigon" is the neighborhood that comprises Larkin St bordered by Eddy and O'Farrell Sts. The neighborhood has a rough edge to it. I feel fine walking around there during the day. At night, stay aware of your surroundings. Some Thai restaurants are settling in this neighborhood ("Little Bangkok"?), especially on the O'Farrell St. side.

 

If you go to Dandelion Chocolate on Valencia St in the MIssion, the single source chocolate bars are something special to try. Also, there's an Arizmendi Bakery further down on Valencia St X 24th St, near BART 24th St Station.

 

You've gotten a lot of recs here, SobaAddict. How long did you say you were going to stay? Three months?

[SobaAddict70]

FYI, "Little Saigon" is the neighborhood that comprises Larkin St bordered by Eddy and O'Farrell Sts. The neighborhood has a rough edge to it. I feel fine walking around there during the day. At night, stay aware of your surroundings. Some Thai restaurants are settling in this neighborhood ("Little Bangkok"?), especially on the O'Farrell St. side.

 

If you go to Dandelion Chocolate on Valencia St in the MIssion, the single source chocolate bars are something special to try. Also, there's an Arizmendi Bakery further down on Valencia St X 24th St, near BART 24th St Station.

 

You've gotten a lot of recs here, SobaAddict. How long did you say you were going to stay? Three months?

The recs will be for future trips. I'd say more, but I don't want to jinx things. *mysterious grin*

I'm aware of the Tenderloin's rep. I'm not exactly a stranger to San Francisco; I just haven't mentioned my previous trips prior to meeting B on eG.

Edited June 26, 2014 by SobaAddict70 (log)

[SobaAddict70]

a few more pix...

pasta with heirloom tomatoes (I think) and shaved mozzarella

MKT Restaurant

The Four Seasons Hotel

757 Market Street (O'Farrell Street)

it's not a very good pic, but I really adored this dish. I found myself licking the bowl clean (not literally of course, but it was quite good for such a simple prep; California cuisine at its finest).

duck pate salad, peaches, wild greens, Spanish sherry

chocolate croquette, figs, balsamic ice cream, chocolate fudge

peaches, lemon basil ice cream, cake

slow poached egg, caviar, melted endive, wild fennel and blini

roasted lamb loin, eggplant, cranberry beans, roasted figs

the first two pix in this set were on the previous page but I didn't provide a caption for them.

étoile Restaurant

Domaine Chandon Vineyard and Winery

1 California Drive

Yountville

and B is an accomplished cook in his own right (we're a match in a lot of ways )

Berry cobbler (blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, brown sugar, butter, AP flour and nutmeg) -- and it's from a Weight Watchers recipe of all things...

Bouillabaisse -- it's Paul Bocuse's recipe

No rascasse though, but that's okay. It was perfect.

[patrickamory]

oh my that cobbler looks perfect.

 

my fave place in SF is not Filipino or Vietnamese. maybe boring especially if you don't drink (can't remember). it's fish, and very old school, and not Tadich or Swans. I will PM - I've posted about it here often enough before.

[SobaAddict70]

Green salad, miso dressing

(much better than the usual carrot-ginger dressing you see at many Japanese restaurants)

Ramen with braised pork belly

Hamano Sushi

1332 Castro Street (24th Street)

It's pretty basic Japanese -- tempura, sushi, ramen, etc. Lots of fresh ingredients which makes it stand out; I loved it.

[SobaAddict70]

We went to the Williams-Sonoma food porn store.

Crazy expensive. A non-copper core pan, about 10", costs $30 at Bed, Bath & Beyond by comparison.

Edited June 27, 2014 by SobaAddict70 (log)

[SobaAddict70]

Dinner at Kin Khao tonight.

Kin Khao

55 Cyril Magnin St (entrance at corner of Ellis and Mason)

Khao Tung Na Tung -- sweet & savory pork, shrimp and peanut dip served with crisp rice cakes

NV Val de Mer Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Nature Rosé

Sai Ua and Namprik Noom -- grilled house-made Northern Thai pork sausage, cracklings, with darn spicy young pepper relish

Khao Soi Gai -- Northern-style chicken curry broth, egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, and spicy chili oil (on the side.)

I don't remember exactly what this was but it was some kind of rice pudding with sticky black glutinous rice (and not very sweet); counter-clockwise from top left: burnt caramel sauce, coconut cream, pralines.

It's like no Thai food you've ever eaten before. We're definitely returning.

[weinoo]

So, many of you have seen my kitchen which I affectionately call my "hobbit hole". But for those of you who haven't, here's another pic:

It's a room that's roughly 6' x 7'. To the left is a small nook that contains a garbage pail and a window sill atop which has part of my cookbook collection.

On the other hand, THIS is what B's kitchen looks like:

It's such a dream to cook in.

He even has a Kitchen-Aid mixer on top of one of the cabinets. (*sigh*)

That microwave is sure taking up a lot of real estate.

[SobaAddict70]

B bought it back in 1990 or something....

[SobaAddict70]

We visited Chinatown and North Beach today....

Sea cucumbers?

The red stuff I think are jujube dates.

Edited June 28, 2014 by SobaAddict70 (log)

[SobaAddict70]

Starfish and...???

Bitter melon on top and some kind of squash below???

Anyone have an idea of what this is?

Here's the sign behind the whatever it is...

Then we went to a place that B likes for a light dim sum lunch:

New Asia Restaurant

772 Pacific Avenue (Stockton Street)

Chinatown

It was the first time I'd seen a dim sum palace with a band set-up. Supposedly that's for when there are banquets.

Chinese broccoli, with oyster sauce on the side

Roast pork and soybeans

Shrimp dumplings

GIANT pork and chive dumplings

[SobaAddict70]

Random pix:

[MelissaH]

Anyone have an idea of what this is?

Here's the sign behind the whatever it is...

I'm thinking breadfruit, maybe?

[SobaAddict70]

More random pix:

We went to Stella's for my introduction to cannoli.

I can't believe I've never had them before.

Stella Pastry & Cafe

446 Columbus Avenue (Green Street)

Telegraph Hill

[SobaAddict70]

This is the Sentinel Building. I love the juxtaposition of old SF and new SF.

We'll probably have lunch or dinner here soon. B says Tadich is one of the last "old-school" restaurants in San Francisco.

Tadich Grill

240 California Street (Battery Street)

Financial District

[rotuts]

Tadich Grill

 

one of my all time favorites.

 

did you eat there ?

[liuzhou]

Anyone have an idea of what this is?

 

Jackfruit