Jalapeno cheese focaccia – Liguria Bakery

Posted on January 23, 2012 by vicentesf

A large slab of addictive focaccia bread topped with jalapenos and cheese. $5
Liguria Bakery, San Francisco

This was the best focaccia I’ve EVER tasted, no joke! It has an amazing texture and it’s SO amazingly buttery. Even though this was my second choice, I’m glad that I ordered the jalapeno cheese flavor. It had a great flavor and had a little bit of heat which I wasn’t expecting from a focaccia!

I’ll still sing the praises of this bread even though my store experience wasn’t all that great. I arrived around 1:15pm on a random Thursday. The old lady at the counter must have been cranky because it was nearing the end of her shift. I patiently wait for her to finish with the customer in front of me, then she glares at me and asks “What do you want!?” I ask for some of the black olive focaccia. She responds, “We’re out” and continues staring at me. I was a bit taken aback, but decide to forge on. I’ve decided that she’s not going to give me any more information so I ask, “Well what do you have left?” She grudgingly tells me and I decide on the jalapeno cheese. Omg, how ruuuuuude! How about some customer service here? I was waiting for her to completely roll her eyes at me as it could’ve happened easily.

Anyway, I get home with the focaccia and I’m blown away! The piece was big enough to into six pieces which I continue to hoard for the next few days. It even tasted great when reheated in the oven! I’ll definitely go back (but when I’m up for that lady’s look of death)!

They wrap it in butcher paper and tie it up with string. How charming and old school!

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

Duvel Belgian golden ale – The Monk’s Kettle

Posted on January 22, 2012 by vicentesf

Light Belgian beer. Brouwerij Moortgat, Breendonk-Puurs, BEL. $10.75
The Monk’s Kettle, San Francisco

I don’t usually enjoy a lot of beers, but I really like this one! It was light and flavorful. And how can you complain when it comes in such a cute glass?! The beer list is quite extensive at The Monk’s Kettle, but the bartender is super friendly and helpful.

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

Katsu curry – Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill

Posted on January 22, 2012 by vicentesf

Pork cutlet with hot curry served with brown rice and house special pickles. $9.45
Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill, San Francisco

This was a huge piece of pork cutlet! I tried to make it a little healthier by opting for the brown rice, but there was just so much of the deep fried pork and that curry sauce wasn’t light either! I don’t think I even finished this, there was so much food. Maybe I’m just not a big Japanese curry fan. This was SO heavy. It tasted ok, but I don’t have cravings for it like some people do.

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

Sesame ball – Yank Sing

Posted on January 21, 2012 by vicentesf

Not quite sure what the dough is made out of in this sesame ball, but it’s definitely covered in sesame seeds and deep fried. $1.10
Yank Sing, San Francisco

I totally lucked out when I went to get this because I had to wait a couple minutes and they were straight out of the oven. I don’t know if it’s because they were so fresh or if Yank Sing truly does make the best sesame balls, but these frickin’ ROCKED!

Inside of the sesame ball. I took this pic before I actually reached the dark doughy part in the middle.

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

Calamars a la planxa – Contigo

Posted on January 9, 2012 by vicentesf

Grilled calamari with arros negre, chorizo, artichokes, allioli and Guindilla chile oil. $12
Contigo, San Francisco CA

Omg, this was SO good! Total comfort food. I loved every component of this dish. I just wish I knew what the greens were on top. The squid ink rice and chorizo made the perfect smoky base for the calamari and roasted artichokes. This dish was pretty rich so they don’t overdo it on the portion. NOMS!

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

Local xipirons a la planxa - Contigo
Local xipirons (squid) a la planxa.
January 26, 2014

Eggs in jail – Outerlands

Posted on January 8, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 4

It’s a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning in San Francisco! I’m only slightly hung over from a late-ish night out with Silverfox and friends after a yummy dinner at Hecho and an even later after-bar dinner at Curry Boyzz (ugh!). We trekked it over to the Outer Sunset to try Outerlands, it’s been on my list of restaurant to try. I never really noticed some of the beautiful homes along Lincoln Way before. When we got to the restaurant 10 minutes prior to opening, there was already a throng of people waiting and we got onto the second column on the waiting list. Sadly, we just missed the cut for the first seating, but the tables turned pretty quickly and we were eventually seated outside to enjoy the amazing morning weather – no fog today!

Organic egg fried into house baked organic levain toast, with 2 strips of bacon and side of mixed greens. $9
Outerlands, San Francisco

Everything we had was SO good! I think that the quality ingredients made all the difference because the things we ordered were simply prepared. Their levain toast was lovely and the bacon was delicious. The simple salad was also very good – I liked the variety of greens.

The table next to us ordered a dutch pancake and it looked amazing! It came to their table totally puffed up and the size of a football. Once they cut into it, it deflated of course. I’ll have to remember to order that on a return visit.

All done!!!

It’s such a beautiful day today that I’d love to just go to the park and do nothing but relax. I have to hit the gym though and have a productive workout. The nice weather will totally motivate me. Also have to make a grocery store run so I can prepare lunches for the work week. So excited that I have a 4-day work week because because Silverfox and I are driving down to Palm Springs on Friday. F-yeah!!!

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

Huarache de nopales – El Huarache Loco

Posted on January 7, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 3

Today has been a full day so far! I took my Baby-girl out for a walk at Fort Funston with Silverfox. She had a great time running around in the dunes and smelling everything in sight, even other dogs’ butts! We finally made it to the Alemany Farmers’ Market for the first time where we ate the huarache pictured below. That place was a mad house! But it’s so great to see such a diverse crowd gathering at these San Francisco Farmers’ Markets.

Huarache is the signature dish of this particular booth at the Alemany Farmers’ Market. Huarache literally translates as sandal. They attribute this to the shape of the organic oval tortilla which is stuffed with homemade pinto beans before grilled. I order it topped with nopales, a cactus salad. It’s served with sour cream, queso fresco cheese, cilantro, onions, and salsa. $6.75
El Huarache Loco, San Francisco

Who knew that dogs aren’t allowed at this open air Farmers’ Market, unless their service dogs? The security girl who confronted me was nice enough to give me a pass by implying that one of her tags was a service dog tag. I played dumb and said I didn’t know because I was only watching her for a friend. Thanks nice lady!

El Huarache Loco is a crazy busy booth! I guess everyone knows that their huaraches are frickin’ delicious! The cactus salad huarache was awesome! I’ve never really had cactus as a main topping (only as a garnish I think), but I was surprised at how good it was. It kinda tasted like pickled jalapenos with a little slimier texture. The tortilla had a great hearty texture and it was topped with everything – nice and messy!

I’m feeling a little better today, but still not 100%. I couldn’t stay in again, though, so that’s why we decided to take Baby-girl to the beach. Also hit the gym afterward because I was starting to feel disgusting. I couldn’t do everything I wanted, but it was still a good workout considering my lingering sickness.

Ok, signing off!

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

Sand dab filets – Tadich Grill

Posted on January 6, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 1

And so begins my attempt at daily self-discipline (or lunacy?)! My co-worker Alan mentioned Project 365 yesterday and I was intrigued. Project 365 requires you to take a photo every day for an entire year and post it online. Now that’s a challenge and there are many people who’ve apparently taken it on! My hat is now in the ring!

Starting today, I’m going to post a food pic of something that I’ve eaten the same day! I promise not to cheat and post something I’ve eaten on a previous day, and if I forget to post something I’ll considered this experiment a FAILURE!

I’m also going to write these Project 365 entries in style more of a daily journal – something more personal than my usual food posts. I’ll try to mention anything interesting (or boring or lame) going on in my day-to-day life. (I foresee a LOT of boring days, hehe!)

Tadich Grill, San Francisco

Pan fried sand dab filets served with steak fries and bok choy (vegetable of the day). $23.75

I’m kind of an obsessive person, so when random things like this (Project 365) come along, I’m not afraid to run with it. Some people think I’m crazy, but they still love me. I’ll probably get super anal and distracted by this and annoy everyone around me. Some people already think that I’m weird when I snap a pic of everything I eat, but I’m not bothered. I love food! And there are worse things to obsess about.

I’m actually home sick today, so that’s why I have enough time to take care of all my personal computer stuff. Sickness, however, can’t stop me from searching for food! After getting back home from this lunch, I was SO tired and feverish that I slept all afternoon and woke up feeling worse. I really don’t want to get the flu so I hope this is one of those short-lived colds.

I’ve never had sand dabs, but these were delicious. I didn’t even know that sand dabs were a flatfish. The name makes me think of a mollusk. These were simply prepared, just breaded and pan fried. There was a lot of butter underneath though, which I couldn’t have minded but I’m really trying to eat healthier before my Caribbean cruise this spring. I only ate one of the steak fries, but the bok choy was really good. They were a little over-cooked but I didn’t mind since that made them easier to chew. My jaw and mouth a tender from feeling under the weather.

Ramekin overflowing with homemade tartar sauce.

Speaking of that Caribbean cruise, it’s going to be challenging to keep this Project going during that trip but they MUST have internet on the ship, right?! Otherwise, this will be a short project. David and I have challenged ourselves to eat better and hit the gym more in preparation for the cruise. I think it’s good motivation to get in better shape. (Ok, I’m safe. I got distracted and check the Celebrity Cruise website to make sure that their ships have internet access – yes!)

Bread and butter.

As proof of my obsessive behavior, I’m sure you’ll notice that I have posts tagged for the 7×7 Big Eat SF 2011 list. I’ve actually had more food items checked off but I have a long backlog of posts and I’ve lost (or had stolen) 3 iPhones so some of my pics are gone (so sad!). It’s ok I guess because it’s now impossible to complete the list entirely. Some of the restaurant are now closed and others no longer serve the dishes on the list.

Iced tea. I love the San Francisco cable car stir stick! $2.95

Wow, I hope that these Project 365 entries don’t all take this much time, lol! There’s just a lot to say right now, but I’m sure I’ll run out of things after a few days.

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

Carnitas – Nopalito

Posted on December 22, 2011 by vicentesf

Tender pork braised in orange, bay leaf, milk, cinnamon and beer. $15
Nopalito, San Francisco

This is one beautiful packet of pork, NOMS!!! The carnitas at Nopalito are so frickin’ good! The meat is so flavorful and tender, it’s ridiculous! You can smell and taste all the ingredients in the lovey braise. The cut isn’t overly fatty, but I think that the fatty pieces were worth every calorie!

You might not be able to tell from the pic, but you get a very generous portion of carnitas. David and I could barely finish the order, granted we did eat a few other things. 🙂

The pork is served with a cabbage salad, pickled jalapenos and salsa de tomatillo, and warm tortillas for wrapping.

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

Albert eggs benedict – Zazie

Posted on December 19, 2011 by vicentesf

With bacon, grated white cheddar, and homemade salsa fresca. Served on an English muffin with a fabulous light lemon hollandaise, home fries and orange wedge. Two for $12
Zazie, San Francisco

The cooks at Zazie are expert egg poachers. These things are absolutely beautiful! I love their lemon hollandaise too! The bacon was so yummy, but I kind of missed the salsa fresca though. I always order their home fries because they have delicious roasted garlic cloves. Noms! My one complaint is that the eggs benedicts could come out warmer.

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

St. Trop eggs benedict – Zazie

Posted on December 19, 2011 by vicentesf

With wild smoked salmon, capers, and red onions. Served on an English muffin with a fabulous light lemon hollandaise, with salad and orange wedge. Two for $13
Zazie, San Francisco

You can’t go wrong with smoked salmon, onions and capers! Add a poached egg and hollandaise sauce and you have an even better combination! These eggs benedicts are filling and refreshing at the same time. David always opts for the salad – he does eat healthier than me, hehe.

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

Yummy "dim" dinner – Range

Posted on December 18, 2011 by vicentesf

We had an absolutely wonderful dinner at Range on Valencia Street in the Mission. The restaurant is dimly lit so I wasn’t able to take any good food pics, but I thought I’d post these anyway for posterity, hehe. We also had the creamed nettles with a poached farm egg for an appetizer, but that pic didn’t come out at all. Enjoy!
Range, San Francisco

Pink Panther cocktail – Tito’s vodka, pomegranate, tawny port, black pepper, lemon.
Yummy yummy cocktail and I loved the soft pink color!

Smoking Gun cocktail – Bulleit bourbon, maraschino, Dolin sweet vermouth, scotch rinse.
I didn’t like this cocktail as much. I think the scotch rinse was too much for me.

Pan roasted bavette steak with horseradish, barley, brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms and baby turnips. $28
Yum! I’m not a huge horseradish fan, but these were mild and tasted great with the perfectly cooked steak. The brussels sprouts were yummy and the baby turnips were so frickin’ cute!

Coffee rubbed pork shoulder with creamy hominy and braised greens. $25
Omg! I’m hungry just recalling this dish! The pork was so tender and juicy and the coffee rub gave it a great flavor. The sauce was to die for and tasted SO good with the hominy and greens. A definite winner dish!

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

Vittle Monster

Feed me!

Category Archives: 7×7 Big Eat SF

Jalapeno cheese focaccia – Liguria Bakery

Duvel Belgian golden ale – The Monk’s Kettle

Katsu curry – Muracci’s Japanese Curry & Grill

Sesame ball – Yank Sing

Calamars a la planxa – Contigo

Eggs in jail – Outerlands

Huarache de nopales – El Huarache Loco

Sand dab filets – Tadich Grill

Carnitas – Nopalito

Albert eggs benedict – Zazie

St. Trop eggs benedict – Zazie

Yummy "dim" dinner – Range