Pistachio meatballs – Zare at Fly Trap

Pistachio meatballs - Zare at Fly Trap
Red harissa, honey, pomegranate. $14
Zare at Fly Trap, San Francisco CA

These were really tasty! The meatball was tender and juicy and I enjoyed the medium texture. I don’t like my meatballs too hard. The delicious sauce was the best part with the Middle Eastern/Mediterranean flavors.

7×7 Magazine’s Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die

Blonde Manhattan cocktail - Zare at Fly Trap
Blonde Manhattan: moonshine, becherovka, cocchi, bitter cube bitters.
Not my favorite…

Charcuterie & salumi board – Trou Normand

Charcuterie & salumi board - Trou Normand
French country salami (garlic, black pepper, red wine), dry guanciale (garlic, clove, red wine), with baguette and pickled fennel and herbs. Small board $26
Trou Normand, San Francisco CA

Mmm, all of these were SO delicious! They were expertly made and I loved all the different textures and flavors. I also loved the pickled fennel and herbs and the little bowl of aspic was a great touch. I will definitely be back for another chef selection.

Charcuterie & salumi board - Trou Normand
Pork pate (trumpet mushrooms, green garlic), ciccioli (black pepper, oregano), with aspic, mustard, and pickled fennel and herbs.

Charcuterie & salumi board - Trou Normand
7×7 Magazine’s Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die

Moules frites – Aquitane

Moules frites - Aquitane
Fennel, saffron bouillon, garlic-parsley batonnes, served with fries. $15
Aquitane, San Francisco CA

Meh, I wasn’t impressed. The flavors were ok, but the mussels were small, a bit dry and shriveled. Even the toast was gummy and hard to chew.

Frites - Aquitaine
These frites were just ok for me. If you’re going to be on some food list, you better be frickin’ amazing, but there just weren’t. They were limp and soggy, and a bit greasy – definitely what you’re looking for in amazing French fries. Boo!

7×7 Magazine’s Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die

Iced tea - Aquitane
Iced tea.

Trio of hummus – Zare at Fly Trap

Trio of hummus - Zare at Fly Trap
Roasted squash, roasted beet, herbed yogurt. $12
Zare at Fly Trap, San Francisco CA

I have always assumed that hummus has to be made of chickpeas, but apparently I’ve been misguided (or perhaps this restaurant has been liberal in its use of the term). In any case, these spreads were very tasty and so different in their flavors and textures. The pea shoot garnish was also a nice touch.

Crispy lavash - Zare at Fly Trap
Served with crispy lavash.

Laksa – Azalina’s

Laksa - Azalina's
Malaysian spicy noodle soup, with egg. $13
Azalina’s, San Francisco CA

I’ve never had laksa before and it was very delicious. I wish it could have been a tad bit spicier, but the flavors were really wonderful and comforting. I loved the fried shallots on top and I’m glad I opted for the addition of egg.

7×7 Magazine’s Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die

Pier 39
Pier 39.

Mother’s fried chicken – Bitters Bock & Rye

Mother's fried chicken - Bitters Bock & Rye
Smoked, double-dipped buttermilk fried chicken, served with cornbread and collard greens. $16.50
Bitters Bock & Rye, San Francisco CA

Mmm, I loved the breading on this chicken. It was thick and delicious and the chicken was very tender and juicy. I could have done without the dry cornbread though.

Moore County Fire cocktail - Bitters Bock & Rye
Moore County Fire: Jack Daniels, fresh lime, simple syrup, hellfire bitters. $10