Battered and fried chicken in a special sauce with broccoli. $9.95
House of Chen, San Francisco CA
Meh, another low quality, super greasy dish from House of Chen. I guess we can all learn from our mistakes.
Heirloom tomatoes with olivada, burrata, and basil. $11
Toast, Oakland CA
So simple and delicious! I’m very fond of heirloom tomatoes and this variety was so beautiful. The soft, creamy burrata cheese combined with the salty, garlicky olivada really complemented the tomatoes. Mmm!
Stewed oxtail in peanut soup, with Chinese long beans, eggplant, and bok choy. $12.95
Tastebuds, San Bruno CA
Hmm, this wasn’t my favorite preparation of this dish. I think the peanut stew was thicker than I prefer and there wasn’t enough oxtail. A bit disappointing.
Steamed rice. $1.75
Bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste) is a condiment typically served with this dish. It’s super salty and I enjoy it, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.
Soju, ginger syrup, lime juice and fresh muddled mint. $7
900 Grayson, Berkeley CA
Ugh, this was way too tart for my taste! I’ve enjoyed soju cocktails in the past but this wasn’t one of my favorites. It looked very pretty though.
Deep fried in a light batter tossed in roasted red peppers, garlic, and ginger sauce. $6
SO, San Francisco CA
I LOVE these fried chicken wings!!! They’re cooked to perfection and are so moist and flavorful. I can probably eat an entire platter of these by myself. NOMS!!!
Stay Puft Marshmallow Man mural with Slimer, Bryant Street. This mural is on the side of the restaurant and I’m not sure what it says in green, but I think it’s “Diet” something, lol!
December 5, 2013. $6.50
Price has gone up!
Ok, ok. I always expect Chinese food to be a bit greasy, but good lord this was SUPER greasy! The flavor was ok, but the feel of that much grease in my mouth was really off-putting. $10.50
House of Chen, San Francisco CA
Bodega Noemia de Patagonia ‘A Lisa’ malbec, Patagonia Argentina 2010. Glass $12
Toast, Oakland CA
We were spending a day in the East Bay and ended up at Toast for a late afternoon/early evening meal out on their front patio. You really can’t beat yummy wines and small plates enjoyed outdoors on a beautiful, sunny day.
Pinot Envy Flight $18 – Tessier Winery, Alameda CA
2010 Russian River Valley, 2009 ‘Trenton Station’, 2010 ‘Las Brisas Vineyard’
Chicharon bulaklak (deep fried pork intestines), lumpiang Shanghai (Filipino spring rolls), and chicken empanaditas. $9.75
Tastebuds, San Bruno CA
I don’t think I’ve had chicharon bulaklak since I was a kid, and now I remember why. These things are super hard to eat, lol! They’re difficult to bite into and you definitely need the vinegar to help soften them up. For those of you who’ve never tried them – be careful, hehe. The lumpia and empanadas were delicious, otherwise.
Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla, Xanthorrhoeaceae), West Field Road. I’m always mesmerized by the phyllotaxis of this beautiful succulent.
Fresh farm eggs scrambled, Spanish chorizo sausage, hashed browns, Acme levain toast. $9.50
900 Grayson, Berkeley CA
Now this is what I call a breakfast! The eggs were scrambled perfectly – so light and fluffy. The chorizo sausage had a great sear and amazing flavor. The hash browns were just the way I like it and Acme bread is always a bonus. NOMS!!!
Home made hot sauce, Santa Rosa plum jam, and ketchup.
Water service.
Noodles mixed with shredded pork, shrimp, and calamari in a dark soybean sauce. $7.50
SO, San Francisco CA
I actually ordered the “SO black bean noodles”, but I got the “Black bean noodles” instead. OMG, why do restaurants name items “SO” similarly! Anyway, the SO black bean noodles are delicious because of their spiciness. These noodles were good, but not what I was craving. Ugh, I should have known better and come AFTER the lunch rush. I was also super annoyed trying to leave when I was finished because this place was sorely understaffed. I’ve learned my lesson.
Another beautiful San Francisco morning from my balcony.
This wasn’t the worst Chinese food I’ve eaten, but I had a bad expereince ordering my food to-go that I don’t think I’ll be back. Ugh! There are way too many great Chinese restaurants around to waste my time with subpar service. Small $3.95
House of Chen, San Francisco CA
With arugula, soft cooked egg, cucumber, and lime. $11
Toast, Oakland CA
I enjoyed just about everything I had at Toast, but this was probably my least favorite item. It was a little too tart for me and I don’t know what the tuna was confit(ed?) in, I’m guessing oil, but it did nothing to improve its flavor and texture. The albacore was actually a bit dry. Besides the beautifully cooked egg, this was kind of boring.
Place setting.
Vittle Monster 