Bone marrow – The Alembic

Bone marrow - The Alembic
Caper gremolata, garlic confit, levain. $13
The Alembic, San Francisco CA

Ugh, this was probably the worst Big Eat SF item I’ve had so far. And actually it was probably the worst bone marrow I’ve ever had too. I’m not sure they even roasted this thing! It was cold and spread like super thick chunky Crisco with added tissue and random globs. I was horrified at how undercooked this was that I left pretty much the entire thing on the plate. FAIL!

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

Sidewalk collage sign

Sidewalk collage sign, The Mission.

Jerk spiced duck hearts – The Alembic

Jerk spiced duck hearts - The Alembic
With pickled pineapple and thyme salt. $5
The Alembic, San Francisco CA

These were tasty, but you really only need a piece or two. After that, it becomes too rich to eat. Thank goodness for the pickled pineapple’s acidity to cut through the richness of the duck hearts.

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

Lion-headed man doorway art

Lion-headed man doorway art, The Mission.

Beef tongue – Namu Gaji

Beef tongue - Namu Gaji
Asparagus, broccoli, collard greens, cedar, lime. $14
Namu Gaji, San Francisco CA

Boy, was this good! I’ve only previously had beef tongue sliced into sandwiches, shredded into tacos, or cut up in different ways as an ingredient in soups and stews. This was large pieces of tongue, perfectly cooked and beautifully dressed, simply presented so as to enjoy the beef tongue in all its delicious glory. Great job, Namu Gaji!

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

Banchan - Namu Gaji
Banchan. Mung bean sprouts, daikon greens, kimchi. Complimentary

Mission burger – Mission Bowling Club

Mission burger - Mission Bowling Club
1/2 lb aged and granulated patty, monterey jack, grilled onion, caper aioli. Served with lettuce tomato, pickles, and fries. $15
Mission Bowling Club, San Francisco CA

Noms, this burger was large and delicious! The beef patty was tender and juicy and the toppings tasted great. The french fries, while tasty, were REALLY greasy. I’ve kind of noticed that this is a trend with most of their fried items which is too bad because they have a lot of fried options.

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

Mission Bowling Club
Mission Bowling Club lane art.

Bourbon old-fashioned – The Alembic

Bourbon old-fashioned - The Alembic
“The oldest cocktail, and still one of the best. Nothing more than a slug of good whiskey on the rocks, with a couple of dashes of bitters, a little sugar, and a twist of lemon peel to take the edge off. Sometimes the simplest things work best. We make ours without the “garbage” – the fruit salad with wich the noble old warhorse is so often weighed down.” $11
The Alembic, San Francisco CA

The cocktails here are really good. Standard, simple, and delicious! I really liked the atmosphere as well. There’s a small bar area in front and a few tables in back for diners. The service was nice and laid-back but still attentive.

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

Seasoned popcorn - The Alembic
Seasoned popcorn. Complimentary

Ochagavia litoralis
Pink flowers of Ochagavia litoralis (Bromeliaceae), West Field Road

Chicken katsu and vegetable buns – Izakaya Yuzuki

Chicken katsu and vegetable buns - Izakaya Yuzuki
Sunday special. Fried chicken with marinated vegetables and greens. $10
Izakaya Yuzuki, San Francisco CA

These chicken buns weren’t on the menu, but I saw the table next to us receive an order so I asked if we could get some too. It was their special so that’s why it wasn’t in print. Omg, these were amazing! The chicken was tender and juicy, but the saucey vegetables were the best part. They had SO much flavor!

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

Asahi beer - Izakaya Yuzuki

Asahi beer. $6

Random sidewalk message
“Let your smile change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.” Random sidewalk message, Church Street.

Nojo sundae – Nojo

Nojo sundae - Nojo
Black sesame ice cream, candied kumquats, and peanut thunder crackers. $8
Nojo, San Francisco CA

Noms, this little sundae was frickin’ delicious! Every component was perfect individually and when combined tasted like a piece of heaven in your mouth. Bravo, Nojo!

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

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, Crassulaceae
Red-tipped paddle plant/flapjacks/desert cabbage (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, Crassulaceae), West Field Road.

Puka punch – Smuggler’s Cove

Puka punch - Smuggler's Cove

“Mere mortal bartenders quake in fear at the sight of eleven carefully measured ingredients, but not our intrepid crew. Such is the nature of a great exotic cocktail like this masterpiece from the world famous Tiki-Ti in Los Angeles. Four juices, four rums, and a sea of spices make this ‘Superb in Taste Sensation’.” $14
Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco CA

This is definitely a silent killer! It tastes SO delicious and fruity that you forget that it’s also packed with a ton of alcohol. One of these definitely gets you going so be careful, you don’t wanna barf in their indoor water feature. Lol!

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

Coastal strawberry plants
Coastal strawberry plants (Fagaria chiloensis, Asteraceae), Point Lobos Avenue.

Mac and cheese – Citizen’s Band

Mac and cheese - Citizen's Band
Baked macaroni and fontina, cheddar fonduta, and onion rings. $8
Citizen’s Band, San Francisco CA

Meh… Being on the 7X7 list, I was expecting to be blown away by this dish, but this was a bit of a disappointment. The onion rings where very large, but really limp and soggy. And the mac and cheese was too hard and congealed. The cheddar fonduta did little to help add much needed moisture to the dry block of mac and cheese. Too bad…

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

The North Windmill
The North (Dutch) Windmill, Golden Gate Park.

Almond croissant – Thorough Bread and Pastry

Almond croissant - Thorough Bread and Pastry
With almond cream, almond slivers and powdered sugar. $2.50
Thorough Bread and Pastry, San Francisco CA

Mmm, this was REALLY tasty! I loved the buttery, super flaky crust and the generous slathers of almond cream. A great decadent weekend treat!

Almond croissant - Thorough Bread and Pastry
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2013

Pink poppies mural
Pink poppies mural, Thorough Bread and Pastry patio.

CA state bird with provisions – State Bird Provisions

CA state bird with provisions - State Bird Provisions
Fried quail half with shaved cheese. $8
State Bird Provisions, San Francisco CA

Mmm, this was really good but pretty small. I know it’s a quail, but it left me wanting more of this great dish. Next time we’re doubling our order!

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

SF Muni metro stop railing
SF Muni metro stop railing, J-line Church Street.

Popover – Wayfare Tavern

Popover - Wayfare Tavern
February 26, 2015. Complimentary
Wayfare Tavern, San Francisco CA

Popover - Wayfare Tavern
Popover - Wayfare Tavern
(From original post) Wow, these babies did not disappoint! They were frickin’ delicious! I loved their soft, eggy texture and luscious flavor. The exterior was beautifully flaky while the interior was warm and comforting. I’m not a big Tyler Florence fan, but these things rocked!

Popover - Wayfare Tavern
February 26, 2015.
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011, 2014

Butter sea salt cookies - Wayfare Tavern
Butter sea salt cookies. Complimentary with check