Monthly Archives: February 2012

Larb phed yang – Lers Ros Thai

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Larb phed yang Lers Ros Thai

Chopped roasted duck mixed with rice powder, red onion, cilantro, chilies, chili powder and a lime based salad dressing. Served with iceberg lettuce cups. $9.95
Lers Ros Thai, San Francisco

This duck larb was AMAZING! I’ve never had duck larb before, and this was delicious. I envisioned the duck being minced like chicken larb, but it was chopped into chunky pieces instead. It had the traditional larb flavors, but the addition of the dark flavors from the moist and tender duck put it over the top! This was the highlight of our meal at Ler Ros Thai. The other dishes fell flat.  😦

Larb phed yang Lers Ros Thai

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011, 2012, 2013

Egg custard tart – Golden Gate Bakery

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Egg custard tart Golden Gate Bakery

Buttery, flaky tart shell filled with warm, creamy egg custard.
Golden Gate Bakery, San Francisco

It took me 3+ months and four visits to finally get these! The first time I went, there was a festival going on and I waited in line but all they were selling (or I thought) were mooncakes! I got a pineapple mooncake and left but immediately saw that other people were ordering these from the back area. Argh! There was NO way I was going to wait in that long line again! The second couple of times the bakery was closed because they were on vacation. That’s all the sign said! It didn’t say when they were coming back either, lame! Finally, on the fourth trip I was able to snag a couple of these and there wasn’t even a line, score!

These egg custard tarts were worth it! They are probably the best egg tarts I’ve had! I’m not even a fan of these, but I really like Golden Gate Bakery’s version. The crust is super buttery and flaky, very different from others I’ve tried. And the egg custard filling is amazing! These tarts are larger than most so there’s a LOT of filling but I didn’t mind because it tasted so good.

Egg custard tart Golden Gate Bakery

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Habanero salsa – Papalote Mexican Grill

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Project 365: Day 35

Slept in this morning since I had to work til midnight last night. It’s ok that I skipped the gym since I did pushups in the sunroom anyway, lol! Hopefully I don’t have to work another 12 hour day today.

I know it’s only Wednesday, but I’m super excited about the weekend already. Having dinner with the boys going on the cruise on Saturday, then headed down to San Jose on Sunday. Not really excited about SJ itself, but I am happy to try out some new restaurants!

Habanero salsa Papalote Mexican Grill

Fire roasted tomatoes, fresh onions, expeller pressed canola oil, habanero peppers, cilantro, green onions, fresh garlic, salt, citric. $6.99 per jar
Papalote Mexican Grill, San Francisco

“Habanero. Papalote Roasted Tomato Salsa turns up the heat. The intense spirit of habaero brings new bright and lively colors to our classic salsa. HOT.” – From their sign in the store.

Omg, I walked into Papalote the other day and they now have multiple flavors of their amazing salsa! I grabbed the habanero flavor and it definitely had some heat to it. I wish it was a little spicier, but it was nice that it had some at least. It’s a limited edition flavor so I’m glad that I got to try it before they discontinue it. The jar didn’t last very long at my house – I can eat this stuff like soup!

Habanero salsa Papalote Mexican Grill

Papalote salsa has such a distinct appearance. I served some at a party once and a guest immediately recognized it by its texture and consistency. Now that’s what I call a brand!

Habanero salsa Papalote Mexican Grill

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

Roasted chicken and bread salad – Zuni Cafe

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Roasted chicken and bread salad Zuni Cafe

From the wood-fired brick oven. Roasted chicken for two with warm Tuscan-style bread salad. Approximately 1 hour. $48
Zuni Cafe, San Francisco

This is hands-down the best chicken I’ve EVER had! It was definitely worth the hour long wait. You better be dining with someone you like because you have plenty of time to chat while you wait for this amazing plate of food! The chicken is SO moist and flavorful and the warm bread salad soaks up all the yummy juices and drippings. I’m not sure what the greens were, but it was a hearty variety and held up nicely to the rich chicken and bread salad. I greedily ate a portion and nibbled on some more before getting the rest boxed up. Silverfox picked off the skin because he’s a healthy eater, so I helped myself to it, lol! The skin was the best part!

I think the portion is way too much for only two people, but a table of two guys near us quickly devoured theirs! They must have been super hungry, hehe. It’s a whole chicken so each person gets a breast, thigh, leg and wing.

And let me tell you, it even tasted amazing warmed up the next day, lol! If I could have this once a month, I would be such a happy person. I think I’ve found my last meal if I ever end up on death row!

Roasted chicken and bread salad Zuni Cafe

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Crab cake – Whole Foods

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Project 365: Day 34

Woke up and got ready for the gym early today since I had to stop by Whole Foods for lunch and dinner food and cook it before leaving for work. Got in a very good workout and I tried to buy healthier options at the grocery store.

I ended up roasting some vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts, eggplant, garlic) and baking some homemade chicken strips.  I used some organic bread crumbs, flour, cornmeal, and threw in a bunch of herbs and spices that I thought would taste good. I used very little salt and oil for both items.  I also bought a couple of crab cakes at the seafood counter because they were on sale.

Codes is also flying back home today. It was great seeing him but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also happy to be getting my bed back, lol!

Crab cake Whole Foods

Large, pre-made crab cake from the seafood counter at Whole Foods. To be healthier, I ended up baking these in the oven until they were fragrant and became golden brown. $4.99 on sale
Whole Foods, San Francisco

Crab cake Whole Foods

I was surprised by the amount of crab inside! Most grocery store crab cakes usually skimp of the actual crab. These were also super moist!

Crab cake Whole Foods

Pacific oysters – Zuni Cafe

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Pacific oysters Zuni Cafe

Crassostrea gigas. Pacific Hog Island (Tomales Bay) top left, Marin Miyagi (Tomales Bay) top right, and Drake’s Bay (Point Reyes) bottom. Served with a lemon wedge and mignonette. $2.50 each
Zuni Cafe, San Francisco

I’m finally developing a taste for oysters! I never liked them growing up and I’m still hesitant at times, but I find myself ordering more often these days. I still prefer the smaller varieties because the large ones gross me out still.

These were SO good. The Drake’s Bay, which are the largest two on the bottom, were actually my favorite!

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

Bread and butter Zuni Cafe

Bread and butter. Simple and yummy.

Cocktails – Zuni Cafe

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Finally made it to Zuni Cafe for Sunday brunch. I’ve been here before but only for a quick meal. We had reservations for when they opened and there was a line outside when we arrived. I think people who didn’t have reservations decided to come early to see if they could get a table. We were seated upstair at a table for 2 in the corner. I loved it! We were next to the window and there was some privacy where we were. The table next to us wasn’t even seated until near the end of our meal, score!

The service, of course, was great and the food was absolutely amazing! We had to have mimosas and a few other cocktail, lol!
Zuni Cafe, San Francisco

Balsamic bloody Mary Zuni Cafe

Balsamic bloody Mary with spicy pepper-onion relish. $11.50
You’ll never see me ordering a bloody Mary, but Silverfox had this and it was VERY tasty. I actually really liked it and would order it for myself next time. It had a great kick and the balsamic vinegar gave it a great flavor. Noms!

Aperol cocktail Zuni Cafe

Aperol cocktail. $10.75
Aperol is an orange flavored Italian apertif. Not sure what else they put in the cocktail, but it was super tasty!

Mimosas Zuni Cafe

Mimosas. $8 each
A Sunday brunch standard. These were a lot nicer than the ones I usually get for Sunday Funday bottomless mimosas. They must use real orange juice in these and better quality champagne.

Sweet and sour spareribs Shanghai style – Xiao Long Bao Kitchen

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Project 365: Day 33

My liver hates me right now! Since Codes has been here, I’ve been going out and drinking too much. This must come to an end! I’ve seriously thought about not drinking for the next few weeks and see how long I can actually last.

I also got a street cleaning ticket this morning – $55! So lame, I totally forgot that the car was parked on our side of street. Money down the drain. 😦

Went to XLB Kitchen to celebrate Mats’ birthday. Rapunzel and I ordered the lunch combination again with an order of xiao long bao and it was SO much food. We didn’t finish everything.

Sweet and sour spareribs Shanghai style Xiao Long Bao Kitchen

Pork spareribs in a sweet and sour sauce with sesame seeds and steamed broccoli. 2 person lunch combo $14.95
Xiao Long Bao Kitchen, South San Francisco CA

These were ok. I liked the sauce and how fatty they were, but they were also dry, over-cooked, and tough. Don’t think I’d order these again.

Sweet and sour spareribs Shanghai style Xiao Long Bao Kitchen

Banana cream tart – Tartine Bakery

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Banana cream tart Tartine Bakery

Dark chocolate and caramel coated flaky pastry shell filled with sliced bananas and cream, topped with shaved chocolate and powdered sugar. 9″ tart $40
Tartine Bakery, San Francisco

Wow, this tart was amazing! Messy, but AMAZING! If you love bananas, you’ll absolutely love this tart. I’m not a huge banana fan, but I will eat this tart any day! I brought this to a Christmas party and it was a big hit. You can never go wrong with bringing a tart or cake from Tartine!

Banana cream tart Tartine Bakery

In the box just waiting to be eaten!

Banana cream tart Tartine Bakery

The pastry shell was pretty thick and because it was chocolate and caramel coated, it was fairly difficult to slice through. But after you did, you received a great surprise as the sliced bananas came pouring out. Amazing!

7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2013