The French Laundry, Yountville CA
After our 5-hour long meal, we were given a parting bag filled with goodness! Ah, the folks at The French Laundry sure know how to send you off right. The shortbread cookies were super buttery and delicious! And I love the cute tin they came in. Makes you want to return for more!
Boiled green soy beans with salt. Standard. David always orders these for the table. I’m of the belief that they just take up tummy room that could be better filled with other yummy items. $3.50
Miyabi Japanese Cuisine, San Francisco CA
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica, Papaveraceae). Our state flower in a sidewalk garden on Dolores Street.
Mixed greens, pine nuts, black, olives, balsamic vinaigrette. $8
Cafe Mystique, San Francisco CA
Halumi (halloumi) is a goat/sheep cheese from Cyprus. It’s hard-ish and dry and it was fried before being added to this tasty salad. The halumi was on the salty side so it was great to have the beets to balance it out. The salad was over-dressed, however. 😦
Native American “street performer” near Union Square. Like any other touristy city, San Francisco has its share of “street performers” who do nothing more than dress up in various costumes and expect money in return. Not impressed. My favorite part of this pic is the guy in the back with the snowman cardigan, hilarious!
Ginger & rum, PB&J, bing cherry, olive oil, hazelnut crunch, and meyer lemon.
The French Laundry, Yountville CA
Another dessert freebie! I was SO full that I took my 3 truffles home. They didn’t look as shiny the next day, but they stil tasted AWESOME!
With herbs. Happy hour $1.95
Cafe Mystique, San Francisco CA
So simple and so good! The flatbread was really light and airy, but sturdy and elastic enough to take all the hummus I spread on top. Very flavorful!
Upper Market Terrace house number. I love this modern house number in this neighborhood. It’s on a remodeled house with very cute detailing.
Cinnamon-sugared doughnut holes.
“Cappuccino semifreddo”, a mousse-like coffee dessert.
The French Laundry, Yountville CA
I guess this is a Thomas Keller signature combination that’s no longer available on the regular menu. We got it for free at the end of the meal (thanks again Olivia) and they were AMAZING!
They also brought out a bowl of hard caramel-covered macadamia nuts. Yes, please!
12 oz chop, creamy macaroni and cheese, green beans, caramelized apple demi-glace.
17 North Roadside Kitchen, Mount Pleasant SC
Victor T.
Blended chick peas (garbanzo beans) with olive oil, pine nuts, parsley, pickled beets, and sprinkled with sumac spice. Happy hour $2.95
Cafe Mystique, San Francisco CA
Wow, less than three bucks and SO delicious! What a value! The hummus was light and creamy, and the toppings added even more texture and flavor. Noms!
Chinatown, Grant Avenue. I don’t make it out to Chinatown very often because it’s out of the way and can be a total tourist trap, but there are so many cool stores and restaurants there. It’s great to live in a city that is so diverse!
Praline mousse, “dacquoise”, meringue, and roasted banana sorbet. Chef’s Tasting Menu $270
The French Laundry, Yountville CA
This was one of those desserts that has a lot of amazing components but I couldn’t seem to enjoy them all at once. It all tasted great, but I was left with a feeling of disappointment. The tiny pieces of bananas were amazing, lol!
Fresh pasta with classic meat sauce.
Mercato, Charleston SC
Jeremy C.
Fruity red wine sangria garnished with strawberry, lemon, apple, and mint. Happy hour $4.95
Cafe Mystique, San Francisco CA
I’ve often overlooked this restaurant on Castro Street, but I’m SO glad I finally tried it. They have a great happy hour, the food is tasty, and the service is SO friendly! Sometimes, it’s all about the details. Not only were these sangrias delicious, but I love all the large garnishes (that lemon knot is super cute) and they even add a skewer to better retrieve the alcohol soaked fruit.
Burning phoenix graffiti mural, The Mission. I can honestly say that I’d never noticed this artwork before along 24th Street, but it’s frickin’ AMAZING! I love the colors and the positioning of everything. One of my favorites so far!
Toasted oats, pomegranate, Oxalis and Osmanthus “nuage”. Chef’s Tasting Menu $270
The French Laundry, Yountville CA
Ah, this was SO refreshing! I really liked the cream yogurt sherbet with the tart pomegranate arils and the crunchy oats. I don’t know what Osmanthus is supposed to taste like, but the “cloud” was cute enough.
All done!
Vittle Monster 