Pho do bien – Hometown Noodle 2

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Pho do bien - Hometown Noodle 2
Seafood noodle soup with prawns, fish balls, and squid, accompanied with a plate of bean sprouts, basil leaves, lime wedge, and sliced jalapenos. Large $7.95
Hometown Noodle 2, San Bruno CA

This tasted pretty good, but they were definitely skimpy with the seafood. You got two pieces of each if you count that the fish balls were cut in half. Meh.

Purple blazing star flowers (Liatris spicata, Asteraceae)

Purple blazing star or prairie gay feather flowers (Liatris spicata, Asteraceae), West Field Road. It’s always interesting to post flower pics on this blog because that’s usually when I find out what the actual names are. I can usually get them to at least the family level before I have to do additional research, but there are just way too many ornamentals out there! 🙂

Nihari beef curry – Pakwan

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Nihari beef curry - Pakwan
A special traditional boneless beef curry, topped with fresh ginger and cilantro. $8.99
Pakwan, San Francisco CA

I’m sure everyone in San Francisco knows that Pakwan is the place to go for delicious Pakistani food at amazing prices. When we were there the last time, there was a LARGE Pakistani family taking up a third of the restaurant so this prolonged the wait for food, but I think it added to the overall atmosphere. I mean the food must be good if Paskistanis are holding family functions there, right?!

Sunrise from my balcony
Sunrise from my balcony looking towards downtown, San Francisco Bay, and the East Bay. Life is good.

Fresh raspberry tart – Tartine Bakery

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Fresh raspberry tart - Tartine Bakery
With vanilla bean filling. Small $6.50
Tartine Bakery, San Francisco CA

Fresh raspberry tart - Tartine Bakery
I will admit this was delicious, but I had buyers remorse after paying almost $7 for it. I guess if I had split it with someone I could have rationalized a $3.25 slice, but I’m kind of a greedy vittle monster, lol! Seriously though, it was pretty damn tasty!

Les Miserables at the Orpheum Theatre

Les Miserables at the Orpheum Theatre, Market Street. Earlier this summer, I finally got to see this amazing musical for the first time! I’ve had the PBS anniversary soundtrack since forever and I know all the music so it was such a treat to finally see the production on stage. Of course I enjoyed it immensely and cried 4 or 5 times, lol!

Keema nan – Pakwan

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Keema nan - Pakwan
Fresh tandoori oven baked bread stuffed with ground beef. $2.99
Pakwan, San Francisco CA

Keema nan - Pakwan
This was a new one for me! I’d never tried the beef stuffed naan bread before. They also put a lot of coriander seeds in there. The filling was flavorful but dry. I think I was expecting it to be more moist. Overall, I enjoyed it but I don’t think I’ll order it again.

Metal starfish decoration, Dolores Park
Metal starfish decoration, Dolores Park. They have these sea-themed park decorations throughout the city. I think they’re kinda cool, but it’s pretty obvious that they’re installed to keep skateboarders from grinding all the surfaces.

Ham and corn quiche – Tartine Bakery

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Ham and corn quiche - Tartine Bakery
With creme fraiche, local eggs, and herbs. Slice $4.95
Tartine Bakery, San Francisco CA

This quiche was definitely a rich, decadent breakfast treat! I love Tartine Bakery and that they have a variety of sweet and savory breakfast options. The line gets ridiculously long though so I’ve recently found myself ducking into Craftsman and Wolves when I’m too impatient.

Pink false freesia flowers (Freesia laxa, Iridaceae)
Pink false freesia flowers (Freesia laxa, Iridaceae), Divisadero Street. It took me a while to figure out what this plant was, but I had a hunch that it was in the Iris family. I felt kinda stupid when I realized that Freesia was in this family, oops! Anyway, I love the red spots on the lower three petals.

Karahi chicken – Pakwan

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Karahi chicken - Pakwan
Chicken in a traditional tomato based curry from northern Pakistan, delicately cooked in a wok and topped with fresh ginger and cilantro. $6.99
Pakwan, San Francisco CA

This was SO flavorful (especially with that fresh ginger, hehe)! Seriously, the dish was delicious and the chicken cuts were very tender. Mmm, this is why I love curries!

Yellow house and Integral Yoga Institute, Dolores Street

Yellow house and Integral Yoga Institute, Dolores Street. I like the contrasting colors and lines between the two buildings.

Broccoli beef cheek – Mission Chinese Food

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Broccoli beef cheek - Mission Chinese Food
Whole beef cheeks with gai lan (Chinese broccoli), poached oyster, smoked oyster sauce, sesame seeds, served with steamed rice. $13
Mission Chinese Food, San Francisco CA

I really enjoy the taste and texture of Chinese broccoli – it’s delicious! There’s a slight bitterness to this dish that I like. It’s not for anyone on a diet though. The whole beef cheeks are super fatty and, therefore, tender and yummy. The poached oysters and smoked oyster sauce add even more textures and flavors to this plate. Noms!

Sprinklers at Dolores Park
Sprinklers at Dolores Park. Another beautiful San Francisco morning on my way to the gym.

Garlic nan – Pakwan

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Garlic nan - Pakwan
Fresh tandoori oven baked bread with garlic and parsley. $1.99
Pakwan, San Francisco CA

There’s something magical about a fresh, warm piece of naan bread. The ones at Pakwan are light and fluffy and utterly delicious!

Ivy covered house, 17th Street

Ivy covered house, 17th Street. Ok, I get that some home owners like that old, natural look but this is a bit ridiculous. You can’t tell from the picture, but the only other portions of the house that are visible are parts of the upper windows. I would feel creeped out living in a completely plant-covered home.

Foodie Penpals: September 2012 cancer awareness shipment

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Foodie Penpals: September 2012
For my second month of Foodie Penpals, I received a package from Mitzi in Georgia! From my emails with her, I can tell that she’s an amazing woman who is a cancer survivor along with her mom and friend. I am truly honored to receive her shipment with an important message for cancer awareness. Thanks, Mitzi!

Here’s what she mailed to me:
Food Should Taste Good sweet potato tortilla chips
Food Should Taste Good multigrain tortilla chips
Bear Naked Fit vanilla almond crunch granola
Sparkling Ice orange mango sparkling water
Justin’s maple almond butter
Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter blend

Foodie Penpals: September 2012
I’ve actually never tried these, but I’ve heard AMAZIng reviews on them. Can’t wait!

Foodie Penpals: September 2012
This special edition of Food Should Taste Good chips help spread the word about cancer awareness and supports a company dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. I’ve had these before and they’re SO tasty and better for you than regular chips.

To learn more about Foodie Penpals or to join, click the image below!

The Lean Green Bean

Chilaquiles – Starbelly

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Chilaquiles - Starbelly
House made chorizo, eggs, corn chips, chile sauce and cilantro, house salad with goat cheese and tomatoes. $12
Starbelly, San Francisco CA

Noms, this was SO good! I loved the house made chorizo and the sauteed chilies mixed into the scramble. Mmm, I’m hungry just thinking about this dish again! Definitely not an authentic chilaquiles, but it was packed with delicious flavors.

Pink 'Coral Seas' passion flowers (Passiflora jamesonii, Passifloraceae)

Pink ‘Coral Seas’ passion flowers (Passiflora jamesonii, Passifloraceae), 25th Street. These passion vines are just around the corner from my house. I don’t think the color combinations are as dramatic as some other passion flowers, but I don’t mind. The solid pink petals are stil beautiful!

Shark’s fin dumpling in soup – Tai Wu Mr. Fong’s Restaurant

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Shark's fin dumpling in soup - Wu Tai Mr. Fong's Restaurant
Large pork dumpling in a broth with pieces of shark’s fin. $6
Tai Wu Mr. Fong’s Restaurant, Daly City CA

Shark's fin dumpling in soup - Wu Tai Mr. Fong's Restaurant
I really wasn’t sure what we would get when I ordered this since California has that ban on shark’s fin, but there was real shark’s fin in there! The shark’s fin didn’t really taste like anything, but it had a firm snappy texture.

Shark's fin dumpling in soup - Wu Tai Mr. Fong's Restaurant
The broth was yummy and super hot and the pork dumpling was a beast. I really didn’t know how to use the vinegar and shredded ginger so I would just pour a little on each spoonful. Hehe!

Abandoned building (old lookout?) with graffiti
Abandoned building (old lookout?) with graffiti, Sweeney Ridge Trail. I really liked the colors and shapes in the graffiti. I can never read any of them, but I can at least appreciate their overal look.

Starbelly 75 cocktail – Starbelly

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Starbelly 75 cocktail - Starbelly

Cocchi Americano apertivo, ginger, fresh lemon juice, prosecco. $8
Starbelly, San Francisco CA

I loved the beautiful pale pink/peach color of this cocktail. The ginger flavor was subtle, but a great addition to this lovely brunch drink.

Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands
Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands. We are kinda spoiled with breathtaking views here in the Bay Area! 🙂