Grilled Hokkaido scallops – Tokyo Go-Go

Posted on October 19, 2011 by vicentesf

With citrus soy butter sauce, tobiko, and wasabi oil. $14
Tokyo Go-Go, San Francisco

This was such a beautiful dish! It’s hard to see the grilled scallops beneath all that foamy sauce and tobiko, but it’s there and it’s delicious! A bit on the small side, but you do get five them. I’m not sure what the leafy green garnish was, but like most random garnishes, it neither added nor detracted from the overall flavor. I did like the pop of green, though. I also wish I could have tasted the wasabi oil more because that would’ve added a nice punch to everything. The scallops were cooked perfectly and had such a soft buttery texture. A winning dish!

Cosmopolitan – Tokyo Go-Go

Posted on October 19, 2011 by vicentesf

Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime.
Tokyo Go-Go, San Francisco

I know that cosmopolitan cocktails have been relegated to “girly drink” status, but I don’t care! I enjoy the sweet, tangy flavor of this vodka classic. And who can complain when you can get it for happy hour prices!? Heck yeah!

Azteca roll – Tokyo Go-Go

Posted on October 18, 2011 by vicentesf

Spicy crab, cucumber, avocado, gobo, lightly seared suzuki, sliced chiles, chili aioli, tobiko, and scallions. $14.25
Tokyo Go-Go, San Francisco

Wow, this roll was frickin’ amazing! I loved the heat from all the spicy components, and it looked pretty cool too. I thought I would experience Montezuma’s revenge afterward, but I didn’t – hehe! The lightly seared sea bass tasted great and had a great texture. The chili aioli was so flavorful and I loved the pale yellow color of it. The sliced chiles added extra heat and flavor. Not sure I could really distinguished the gobo (burdock root), but I actually didn’t know what it was when I ordered the roll. I will definitely order this delicious roll again!

Chocolate hazelnut croissant – La Boulange de Noe

Posted on October 17, 2011 by vicentesf

I’ve been on a chocolate and hazelnut kick lately, which isn’t a bad thing. These flavors are delicious and simply amazing together. This is my favorite croissant at La Boulange and I get it often – I’m a pig, I know! My only gripe is that the sliver of chocolate inside is kinda small and is always pushed off to one side. I wish there was more of it and evenly distributed. Other than that, this croissant always makes me smile. $2.75
La Boulange de Noe, San Francisco

Nutella & Raspberry macarons – La Boulange de Noe

Posted on October 14, 2011 by vicentesf

I’ve made it my personal mission to try all the different macaron flavors I come across, lol! La Boulange has a colorful array of flavors displayed in their pastry case and they look absolutely beautiful. I loved the nutella macaron – it was dark, nutty, and not too sweet. The chocolate hazelnut flavor was prominent but not overpowering, and the chopped hazelnut bits on the outside were cute and provided a great texture. The raspberry macaron was a bit of a disappointment. It was too soft and almost disintegrated upon the touch. I guess I don’t like my macarons that flimsy. $1.50 each
La Boulange de Noe, San Francisco

Nutella macaron

Raspberry macaron

Chicharrones – 4505 Meats

Posted on October 14, 2011 by vicentesf

Deep fried pork skins seasoned with chili, sugar and salt. $3.50
4505 Meats, San Francisco

WOW, these things are SO flavorful and addicting! I grew up in a traditional Filipino household so I’ve had my share of chicharrones, but these are like none I’ve ever tasted. They are so light and pillowy and they practically melt in your mouth to form a sticky, caramelly substance that you have to pick out from between your teeth. Absolutely amazing! I quickly ate an entire bag in one sitting and could have easily devoured a couple more bags afterward. I can taste them in my mouth as I write this – they’re THAT good!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010

Lamb shawerma – Truly Mediterranean

Posted on October 13, 2011 by vicentesf

Thin marinated slices of lamb and beef, broiled tomatoes, parsley, seasoned onions, tahini sauce, hot sauce and wrapped in a grilled lavash.
Truly Mediterranean, San Francisco

The shawerma at Truly Mediterranean are SO big and SO yummy! The meat is tender and flavorful, and I love the meaty broiled tomato wedges. The seasonings they put on everything is so good, as is the tahini sauce. I always agree to add the hot sauce, but it’s not very hot. So for those who need the heat, don’t expect much. Regardless, this wrap is very delicious and will definitely fill you up. The guys at the 16th Street store are very friendly and helpful. It’s a tiny shop with a stand up counter and a couple sidewalk tables. I don’t go there for the ambiance, I go for the food!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die

Lamb shawerma - Truly Mediterranean //embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
April 5, 2015. $9.99

Almond and goji berry chocolates – Benchic Chocolate

Posted on October 11, 2011 by vicentesf

Almond goji berry chocolates Benchic Chocolate

Cacao (raw chocolate), Bay Area wild honey, lucuma, vanilla, Himalayan salt, goji berries, and almonds.
Benchic Chocolate, Bay Area

I recently discovered a new, local chocolatier! Benchic Chocolate makes delicious, minimally processed treats using only certified organic or pesticide free ingredients. They are absolutely delicious and you can purchased them online!

These chocolates are quite wholesome with only 7 high quality ingredients, and nothing is heated over 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the process. These addicting morsels are dark, dense, and not overly sweet – just the way I like it!

These particular chocolates have chopped raw almonds and goji berries inside. I love the bright red color of the berries, and you can still see their seeds. The only sweetner used is local wild honey, so you don’t have to worry about any refined sugar. You can really taste and apprecieate all the individual ingredients.

My chocolates arrived in this chic (hehe) robin egg blue box reminiscent of those from Tiffany & Co. Quite appropriate since both contain exciting treats inside. Personally, I’d prefer chocolates any day – lol!

Ben Tseitlin, founder of Benchic Chocolate, also teaches chocolate making classes for the general public. You’ll not only learn about the history and health benefits of chocolate, but you’ll experience a tasting tour of ingredients and make your own scrumptious treats.

Simple, and simply delicious!

Lemon cream tart – Tartine Bakery

Posted on October 11, 2011 by vicentesf

Sweet pastry shell filled with rich lemon cream, topped with unsweetened whipped cream and garnished with a dahlia petal. $6.25
Tartine Bakery, San Francisco

Wow, this tart was absolute perfection! I’ve heard people rave about this lemon cream tart, and now I know why! The lemon cream is so silky smooth, sweet and with just the right amount of tartness. The pastry shell is also amazing and the large dollop of unsweetened cream puts it over the top. I ate this during the weekend so the calories don’t count, lol!

And did I mention how beautiful it is!? I almost didn’t want to cut into it because as SO perfect looking. That hesitation didn’t last long though, and I couldn’t stop myself after I tasted the first bite. SO GOOD – NOMS!

Italian sausage pizza – Firewood Cafe

Posted on October 10, 2011 by vicentesf

Mild Italian sausage, red and green bell peppers, Bermuda onions and homemade tomato sauce. $10.75
Firewood Cafe, San Francisco

If you like THIN crust pizza, Firewood Cafe in the Castro is the place to go. They have one of the thinnest crust around which is great for their mostly carb-conscious patrons, hehe! I personally love thin crust so I often order pizza from here. They have 5 different pizzas on their regualr menu and usually one daily special, and they’re all pretty good. The pizzas aren’t the most creative, but they are tasty, decently sized, and very affordable. Win, win if you ask me. This Italian sausage pizza was delicious. I like how the thin crust stayed crispy, and the vegetables did too. Their homemade sauce isn’t particularly noteworthy, but it’s yummy enough and doesn’t detract from the toppings. For $10.75, I’m sold!

These marinated olives are complimentary with your order. The small dishes are lined up at the counter. I always want to take more than one! I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for olives…

BBQ pork spareribs – Ton Kiang

Posted on October 10, 2011 by vicentesf

You can’t really mess up Chinese bbq pork spareribs, right? I mean all you have to do is marinate it, cook it, and voila – deliciousness! Not so. You certainly can make them really boring and forgettable. And Ton Kiang succeeds in doing this, sorry. There was very little flavor in these ribs, and even the fat was somehow bland if that’s possible. This is also one of their larger dishes you it’s gonna cost you more $$. Take my advice, don’t pull this one off the roving trays.
Ton Kiang, San Francisco

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010, 2011, 2012

Chocolate budino – Reform Club

Posted on October 9, 2011 by vicentesf

Served with a savory biscotti-like cookie, caramel sauce, and ice cream(?). $40 for 4-course dinner.
Reform Club @ Specchio, San Francisco

This dessert didn’t do much for me. In fact, I hardly remember eating it as evidenced by me not knowing if that was ice cream or not, lol! I do remember that the caramelly sauce underneath was good and that the budino had a sparkly reflection to it. They must have dusted it with something. This budino was definitely more on the cake side rather than in the pudding/souffle realm. A bit disappointing…

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Monthly Archives: October 2011