Grilled quesadilla with steak and cheese. $5.95
La Tortilla, San Francisco CA
This quesadilla was ok. The beef was kinda dry, but they do stuff it with lots of protein and cheese. The salsa bar really helps to moisten this dish.
“Lucha Social” sidewalk stencil, The Mission.
Ponzu cucumbers, toasted garlic, micro cilantro, tabasco remoulade. $11
Butterfly Restaurant, San Francisco CA
I liked the presentation of this dish, but the calamari itself was over-fried and super dry! Yuck. I couldn’t get over that part. The tabasco remoulade was also pretty bland for being advertised as having hot sauce. It didn’t have to be super hot and spicy, but it could have at least had more flavor.
Edamame. Complimentary
TKO crust, pear compote, thyme anglaise. Pre fixe dinner $52 each
Ad Hoc, Yountville CA
If you’re wondering, TKO refers to large Oreo-like cookies made by Bouchon Bakery. So the crust of this dessert is made of them. And boy did I like this dessert! I wasn’t too sweet and the flavors were perfect. The pear and thyme were weird, and surprisingly good, flavor combinations that really elevated the smooth mascarpone cheesecake.
Domaine Chandon grounds.
Roe, cured mojama, parsnip puree, brussels sprouts, capers, cava butter sauce. Tapas tasting menu
Contigo, San Francisco CA
This was an interesting dish for me. The combination of ingredients was one I hadn’t experienced before, and I’d never had mojama either. I actually thought it was dried prosciutto before I looked at the menu description again. The salmon was good, but I thought it was a bit overcooked. I liked the crispy skin though and the overall flavors of the dish were pleasant.
One of my favorite homes in Noe Valley.
Happy hour $6
La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, San Francisco CA
This place is a mad house during happy hour! It’s filled with a mixture of tourists strolling the Embarcadero and the FiDi after-work crowd. I was able to squeeze in at the end of the bar and had a yummy (and nicely priced) snack before meeting my nephew for dinner down the street. The ceviche was good albeit small. I liked the assortment of ingredients and everything tasted really fresh. The pisco sour was also very tasty and much needed after a long day at work.
Pisco sour. Happy hour $6
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010
Szechuan eggplant, cumin pork, garlic chicken and fried rice. $6.95
New Ming’s Restaurant, San Francisco CA
Ugh, this lunch was probably one of the unhealthiest things I can find near work. It was super oily and salty, but I still somehow crave horrible Chinese food. Dear god, why?! The eggplant was an oil slick, the cumin pork had so much fat, and the garlic chicken was really greasy. And everything tasted like msg. Ugh.
Pier 39 flags.
This croissant was pretty big, but for almost five bucks I’d expect it to be. Like everything else at Specialty’s this croissant was extra buttery and heart clogging. Yum! $4.25
Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery, San Francisco CA
Cowgirl Creamery. Palladin toast, lemon-honey. Pre fixe dinner $52 each
Ad Hoc, Yountville CA
I like Cowgirl Creamery cheese, but I have to save that it was the Palladin toast and lemon honey that really made this cheese course. Noms!
Chef on a fork sculpture artwork, Yountville.
Salsa secreta, pickled onions, pimenton potato chips. Tapas tasting menu
Contigo, San Francisco CA
These sliders were good. The oxtail was flavorful and I loved the yummy salsa and aioli. The pickled onions were all a great addition and the little potato chips were so fun to eat!
Yerba Buena Park.
With whipped cream. $8
L’Ardoise, San Francisco CA
I love a good apple tarte tatin and this one was very yummy! I also loved the caramelization and beautiful color. Simple and delicious never fails to impress.
Decorative exterior window, The Mission.
Housemade mayo-free tuna salad with fontina cheese and roma tomatoes. Served with Kettle chips and a pickle. $9.95
The Grove, San Francisco CA
This sandwich was good, but I kinda missed the mayo. I know that’s horrible of me to say, but I love me my mayo, lol! Ok, this sandwich was pretty good otherwise and I loved the toasted bread that they use. It could have used a bit more of melted fontina to keep everything together.
Pomegranate flower (Punica granatum, Lythraceae), The Mission.
Organic green split pea and ham soup with carrots, tomatoes, and hint of smoke from chipotle chiles. With whole wheat roll. Medium $5.75
San Francisco Soup Company, San Francisco CA
I’m not a huge soup person, but I like to mix it up for lunch and I really do love a good split pea soup. This version was ok. I liked the subtle smokiness of it, but I found it on the salty side.
Revolution graffiti artwork, The Mission.
Vittle Monster 