With lily bulb, peanut, and pickles. Pre fixe dinner $180
Benu, San Francisco
I think the caramelized anchovy was actually the reddish, dome shaped gelee with more slices of lily bulb embedded inside. There were a few pieces of lily bulb scattered on the plate in addition to dried fish and pickle. I don’t know what the soft, white gelatinous cubes were. This dish totally brought me back to Filipino flavors and textures though. It struck me as odd to get that memory while eating at Benu!
Project 365: Day 104
The conference began today, and I’m both excited and dreading it. There’s people from all over the country and let me just say that the wardrobe is across the board. There are people in shorts and sandals, and there are others (like myself) in pressed slacks and dress shirts. It’s also during times like these that I wish I worked at a place where they can at least afford to provide coffee during breaks, hehe. The coffee in the lobby costs nearly $5 and doesn’t taste very good. I ran over to Caesars Palace to grab lunch at the bar at Mesa Grill. I’m not a huge fan of Bobby Flay, but I wanted to give his restaurant a go. It was pretty good and the bar service was friendly and expedient.
I kind of got carried away after the conference. I went for an early drink (Manhattan) and snacks (clam chowder and raw oysters) at P.J. Clarke’s, then went with a colleague for a full-on dinner at Grand Lux Cafe. Suffice it to say that I totally over-ate! Ugh, I have NO self-control when it comes to food.
With caviar, pistachio, cauliflower, lemon jelly, and brioche. Pre fixe dinner $180
Benu, San Francisco
This was a very decadent course. It tasted great, but it was definitely on the heavy side. I’m still not sure what all the components were. The green crumbles were dried pistachio, but I’m not sure what the green blob was – it didn’t taste like lemon jelly. The orange disc was the monkfish liver. I got one! 🙂
So many components, so little time (and tummy space, hehe)!
Brioche. So rich and buttery.
With potage, ginger, and micro greens. Pre fixe dinner $180
Benu, San Francisco
I guess potage is a kind of thick soup. I must say that the potage was the best part of this dish! It had such a depth of flavor. Everybody has made such a fuss about the thousand year old quail egg, but unfortunately it doesn’t taste like anything! It’s more a texture in the dish than a flavor. This dish was beautiful though and I loved the bowl it was served in.
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011
Project 365: Day 103
Today I flew to Las Vegas to attend a work conference which starts tomorrow. I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of Vegas as a vacation destination. I don’t like the majority of tourists and everything is ridiculously overpriced. Vegas is a place that I can’t truly relax, even poolside. There’s inevitably going to be a bunch of douche-y college kids (and adults for that matter) partying it up WAY too hard in a trashy way. Oh well, what can you do? To each he’s own. It makes for AMAZING people watching though. Besides the conference, I’m going to try and focus on the food to keep me busy. I don’t have any plans tonight but I’ll probably hit up Secret Pizza at The Cosmopolitan for a quick bite, then head to a local bar off The Strip to relax and take the edge off.
Pre fixe dinner $180
Benu, San Francisco
Every dish at Benu has so many ingredients that it’s often difficult to know what every component is or how it’s incorporated into the dish. This was the second course, and I’m gonna say that it was one of my favorites! This small bite was presented on a wooden pedestal and you’re urged to eat it quickly because the warm filling might melt through the thin cellophane-y container. As proof of my ignorance, I’m still not sure where the kimchi was in this, hehe.
Beautiful and delicious!
Lavash bread. Complimentary
California roll (crab and avocado) topped with tuna. $9.50
Dojima-Ann, San Francisco
This roll was just sad! The imitation crab was dry, the rice was gross, and the tuna tasted like it was just defrosted. Ew!
Broiled eel and cucumber roll topped with roe and sesame seeds. $6.25
Dojima-Ann, San Francisco
I would say that this roll was disgusting too, but the unagi sauce and generous sprinkling of fish roe saved it. The sushi rice was still dry and sticky at the same time – odd.
Project 365: Day 103
At work today counting down before my flight to Las Vegas for a work conference. I’m not really looking forward to it since I know that I’ll be spending money that I should be saving for my Europe trip next week. At least the food options in Vegas will be SO much better than Charleston.
I’ve been really stressed out this morning, probably because I didn’t have a proper breakfast. I’m also trying to finalize work/home things before my flight. Ok, next time you hear from me I’ll be in Sin City. Toodles!
Tuna with spicy sauce and cucumber. $5.50
Dojima-Ann, San Francisco
Wow, this was one of those rare spicy tuna rolls that was SO disgusting! I was so disappointed with this roll and pretty much everything else I ordered at Dojima-Ann. The sushi rice was off, the spicy sauce tasted gross, and I’m sure the tuna was not of the freshest quality.
Project 365: Day 102
Worked out this morning before meeting D-Dubs for breakfast at Dolores Park Cafe. I had to give him Kry’s camera before he flies out for Germany. It was nice catching up with him and I’m super excited to meet then in Dublin in 1.5 weeks. Had to go into work again for a quick assignment. Now, I’ve just been working on this blog, doing laundry, and watching tv. This weekend as flown by! Now I have to pack for my trip to Las Vegas tomorrow afternoon. Ugh, I’m SO tired of traveling!
I’m not sure where they get their pastries, but this apple danish was calling to me. It was pretty good! And I love the friendly guys at Upper Terrace Market. It’s such a cute, neighborhood corner store.
Upper Terrace Market, San Francisco
Small coffee.
Project 365: Day 101
Had an early morning workout today and by the time I was done, I was starving! I had nothing to do until 2 pm so I decided to stop by The Little Chihuahua on the way home and have a relaxing Saturday brunch. Between my entree, the free chips and salsa, and a large margarita, I was stuffed! Omg, why do I always overeat! I’ve got to head into work for a quick job later, but afterward I’m just going to sit on the couch and do nothing but catch up on DVR. Sounds perfect!
Grilled skirt steak with chorizo and salsa, served with black beans and corn tortillas. $6.75
Casa Mexicana II, San Francisco
I couldn’t find a good description of “campechano” online, but I guess the word describes things from the Mexican state of Campeche. I’ve also read other accounts of campechano tacos having a mixture of carne asada and chorizo so at least this preparation is consistent with that theme. This was pretty good. I did notice that when they grilled this to order, they used a generous amount of oil so I’m sure that’s partly why it tasted so good. The steak could have been a little more tender, but it was definitely flavorful. I ordered this because I thought it would be healthier than some of the other options, but I didn’t know they’d add that much chorizo and use that much oil. Oops!
Chips and salsa. Complimentary
Project 365: Day 100
Wow, it’s the 100th day since I’ve started these Project 365 entries. I’m glad that I’ve stuck with it. It was great to be back at the office, but I’m looking forward to a weekend filled with absolutely nothing. Silverfox and I are gonna grab a quick dinner at Kasa Indian Eatery before having a Friday cocktail. We’re gonna have an early night since he flies out to Seattle tomorrow morning. I’m also still really tired and need to catch up on sleep.
Chocolate cake with whipped cream filling and icing, topped with assorted fruit and covered with chocolate sprinkles.
Sogo Bakery, Burlingame CA
The office got this light and delicious birthday cake for me. I was genuinely surprised when they presented it. I was SO preoccupied thinking about the upcoming weekend that it didn’t even cross my mind that my office would get a cake to jump start the celebration. Thanks guys!
Project 365: Day 98
This is the penultimate day of my work trip in Charleston, yay! I fly back to San Francisco tomorrow morning. I’ve suggested to my co-instructor that we have a final dinner together to celebrate the end of the course. I think I’ll take him to The Glass Onion. I’ve been there before and the food is great and reasonably priced. They also have a varied selection so I’m sure that he’ll find something that he likes.
It’s been great teaching with him. He’s definitely nice enough and easy to talk to. He was mostly a hotel hermit though, but I didn’t mind since that allowed me to use the rental car whenever I wanted. Hehe!
Rice topped with assorted vegetables and dried seaweed in hot stoneware with spicy pork, served with a fried egg. $11.99
Mom’s Tofu House, South San Francisco CA
Banchan. Complimentary
Project 365: Day 99
I’m SO glad to be back home!!! I’ve missed my bed. I’ve missed my dog. I’ve even missed the work office. And I’ve missed Silverfox! We’re going to have dinner tonight at Starbelly. I’m looking forward to eating a wonderfully delicious, California-cooked meal. I have to go into work tomorrow (Friday) and them I’ll have an entire weekend to relax and do nothing. Just sit around and enjoy being home.
Rice topped with assorted vegetables and dried seaweed in hot stoneware with fresh tofu, served with a raw egg add right before eating. $11.99
Mom’s Tofu House, South San Francisco CA
Miso soup. Complimentary
Tea. Complimentary
Vittle Monster 