Fingerling potato, roasted shallot, spinach, sunchoke puree, chopped chives. $26
Frances, San Francisco
This beef dish was an absolute winner! The steak was SO tender, warm and delicious. The hearty vegetables, smooth sunchoke puree and beautiful sauce all came together perfectly to create a wonderful plate. Yes please!
Marinated beef ternderloin, wok seared with onions and peppers. Topped with fresh cilantro and served with a side of pickled carrots and radish(?). Part of Chef’s tasting menu. $25 per person
Mercury Lounge, San Francisco
I can live with this version of shaking beef. The beef was cut into large cubes, but it was tender enough for easy chewing. The flavor were good and the side of pickled veggies brightened up the heavier beef.
Two 100% pure beef patties, lettuce, tomato, spread, two slices of American cheese on a freshly baked bun. Animal style with extra spread, pickles, and grilled onions. $3.30
In-N-Out Burger, Millbrae CA
Ok, I went back and I wasn’t even on a road trip. I really can’t keep away from In-N-Out! I get a craving and I gotsta have me some! I was particularly hungry this time around so I reverted back to order my old standby, lol!
Medium Diet Coke. $1.55
Project 365: Day 12
Omg! It was SO hard waking up this morning. We were on the road by 4:50 AM and I drove the entire way. It took almost 7 hours! Silverfox was feeling sick so I took on the driving duties. He deserved to sleep during the car ride. The toughest part of the drive was the 210. It was so dark and foggy. It took a lot of concentration not to fall asleep behind the wheel. Once we passed Santa Clarita, it got brighter so it was a breeze from there on. We made one stop at Kettleman City for gas and a Starbucks run. I also grabbed this burrito bowl at Chipotle in Millbrae before Silverfox dropped me off at work.
It’s a holiday, but the workload seemed normal. I guess we have a lot of work that hasn’t been assigned yet (not gonna name names, argh!) so this coming week is gonna be fun! Not. I am excited to hit the gym tomorrow morning!
Spicy, shredded beef, slowly braised for hours in a blend of chipotle pepper adobo, cumin, cloves, garlic and oregano until tender and moist. With cilantro-lime brown rice, black beans, hot salsa, corn salsa, cheese, sour cream and lettuce. $6.50
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Millbrae CA
Standard Chipotle fare – barbacoa is my favorite here. Didn’t quite hit the spot but the large Diet Coke helped. Oh well, it was quick and on the way to work so I’m not gonna complain.
Project 365: Day 10
I had a hard time sleeping last night, not sure why. I even had a nightmare where a snake tried biting me. Odd, huh?
Silverfox and I had a late brunch at one of our usual Palm Springs breakfast joints, Pinocchio In The Desert. Unfortunately, we were SO disappointed. Maybe it was the overcast weather, but everything at this place seemed off. I’ve always known that you don’t really go to Pinocchio for the food, but the atmosphere is usually really fun so you don’t notice that the food isn’t all that great.
Today, we both noticed that the food was really crappy. That and the bottomless mimosas gave me a headache and knocked me out for the afternoon.
We did have a great dinner at Johannes though. You can read my diatribe about dark restaurants in my previous entry. I HATE DARK RESTAURANTS! So annoying.
Otherwise, had a lazy day. Did some clothes shopping and ran some errands. A nice vacay day if you ask me. Just wish the food had been better.
Half pound burger on a whole wheat bun, pineapple, teriyaki sauce, lettuce, sliced tomato, pickles, caramalized onions, swiss cheese and cole slaw. $10.95
Pinocchio In The Desert, Palm Springs CA
I guess this tasted ok, but how can you really go wrong with a burger drenched in teriyaki sauce with pineapples! Hawaiian burgers have always been a favorite of mine, but the beef patty on this burger was a bit of a throw away. Sad.
Bottomless champagne $3.95 per glass, orange juice carafe $3.95. This gave me a headache this time around.
One carne asada (grilled beef) and one pollo (grilled chicken) wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with enchilada sauce and white cheese. Served Mexican rice, refried beans, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.
Taqueria San Jose, San Francisco
Omg, SO good! This plate totally hit the spot and it was pretty big! I also loved their refried beans, nice and rich and flavorful. You can definitely taste the fatty goodness in them. I would order this again in a heartbeat!
Sangria. I’ve never had sangria in a paper cup, but the nice girl at the counter told us that you get way more sangria in the paper cups versus their wine glasses and you get charged the same price. Score! And they tasted pretty good, too!
Sliced beef with onions and scallions in a spicy Mongolian sauce served over rice. Like I’ve said previously, the food here was NOT good. It was super low quality and not that tasty. I guess that’s what we get for ordering from a karaoke joint.
E Plus Studio Karaoke And Cafe, South San Francisco
Sauteed beef slices with onions and dried chilies in a special sauce. $9
Eric’s Restaurant, San Francisco
I love Eric’s Mongolian beef! It has a rich, deep salty umami flavor that I’m partial to. The dish is primarily beef with just a few sliced onions and dried chilies. And I can’t complain about that! Just serve on top of rice and be happy. 🙂
Flame broiled beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and pickles on a toasted sesame bun. Combo for $7.99
Slider’s Diner, San Francisco
I love that Slider’s cooks their burgers to-order! Their rotating grill is at the front of the restaurant and your patty goes on as soon as you order so your burger is served hot and fresh! They have a toppings bar where you can add whatever you like to your juicy burger.
Side of french fries.
Sliced beef rolled with scallion and avocado. $2.95 for happy hour
Tenka Japanese Restaurant, San Mateo
This appetizer read better than it looked once it arrived. Perhaps it was the lighting, but it looked so unappetizing. I’m not even sure what the sauce was on top. I can’t say that I remember what these tasted like, but they were cheap!
Asahi beer.
Sliced beef served with imitation jelly fish and red vinegar. $5.20
Hung To Seafood, South San Francisco
This is definitely NOT what I expected when I ordered this menu item, lol! But you know what, it tasted great! I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of the imitation jelly fish though – I can’t overcome the odd texture. The meat which is served cold, however, is flavorful and very tender.
So my office held our 2nd Annual Holiday Potluck and everyone (well almost everyone) brought delicious food to share! I’m posting some of the yummy food so you can get a few ideas for your next holiday get together. If all else fails, make a Costco run apparently. I mean who needs a fancy corporate holiday party when you can have a good ole potluck?! All names have been changed to protect the innocent! 🙂
Pork belly steamed bun – Papa Chang
We all know that most holiday plates are fattening so why not get it in the form of tender pork belly?! Just top the bun with shredded scallions and hoisin sauce for an elegant presentation! You can purchase frozen buns at your local Asian market and steam them prior to serving. Xiexie!
Pigs in a blanket – Rapunzel
Simple but delicious, a perennial party favorite! Just wrap ‘Lil Smokies (these are turkey) with crescent pastry rolls (these use a low fat variety) and voile, you have an all-American treat! According to Rapunzel, each piece has only 45 calories!
Pomegranate kielbasa bites – Dumes
The perfect combination of beefy meat and sticky sweet. Simmer sliced beef kielbasa sausage in a mixture of pomegranate juice, ketchup and Tabasco sauce until the sauce is thick and reduced. Serve on a buttery Ritz cracker to make it classy! Thanks Dumes!
Spam musubi – Sophie
Perfectly portioned and utterly delicious! Spam plus sushi rice and a nori strip equals a happy vicenteSF! Arigato!
Traditional midwestern queso surprise – vicenteSF
OK, I made that name up but my roommate IS from Kansas and he makes this delicious dip once in a while. Just combine Velveeta cheese (SO American!) with browned ground beef and a can of Ro-Tel brand diced tomatoes with chiles (another midwestern staple) in a crock pot. Set it and forget it! It’s customary to eat this with potato chips, not tortilla chips, silly!
Mini quiche lorraine – Mats
Another easy potluck option, the frozen mini quiche! Just throw into the toaster oven for a few minutes and these buttery, salty bites are sure to please everyone!
Shrimp cocktail – Pong
Costco wins again! Seafood always ups the chichi factor!
Roast chicken – Pong
And antoher Costco treasure!
Chewy mixed chip holiday cookie – Rapunzel
These are surprisingly good despite Rapunzel’s baking track record! Just kidding. These nommy cookies have milk chocolate, white chocolate AND butterscotch chips! And lots of butter for all the good lil boys and girls!
Almond jello with fruit – Sophie
Sophie fights back with a more sophisticated dessert approach. The light almond jello pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit!
Walnut brownie – Jefe
And what’s more traditional than some chocolate brownies with NUTS! Walnuts are a safe, delicious and nutritious choice!
Melkesjokolade chocolate – Huff
And Huff brings up the rear with a Norwegian contribution! Tusen takk!
Happy holidays, everyone!!!
Vittle Monster 