Chinese donut balls, raisin bread, bloody mary, Coors light beer. Complimentary
United Club, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
This was the first time I’ve seen Chinese donut balls at a United Club. They definitely weren’t authentic – they were really just regular donut balls, but at least they tried to be fancy with the nomenclature, lol!
Brandt Family Farms’ beef, hand cut fries. $18
Bix, San Francisco CA
This burger was delicious! The patty was juicy and flavorful and I loved the blue cheese on top. The fries were also great, and I especially enjoyed the anchovy(?) dipping sauce. Noms!
7×7 Magazine’s Big Eat SF: 100 Things to Try Before You Die
St. Bernardus beer. $10
Shaved marinated brussels sprouts, braising liquid broth. Restaurant week dinner $40
Thirsty Bear, San Francisco CA
This wasn’t my favorite. It was pretty bland overall, and it just wasn’t fulfilling. The dish never came together for me.
Paired with Hopsmeister CA Wheat.
Smoked over fig wood, fresh hops, malted barley, paired with Grizzly Bear Red Ale. Restaurant week dinner $40
Thirsty Bear, San Francisco CA
These were randomly cut and presented, but I liked the flavor of the cured pork. The fig wood smoke gave it a nice flavor and it paired well with the red ale.
Monkfish tail, Cascade hop cure, Calabrian chiles, toasted garlic, olives. Paired with Howard St. IPA. Restaurant week dinner $40
Thirsty Bear, San Francisco CA
This wasn’t my favorite. The cured monkfish was too dry and salty for my taste. Add the olives and things just got even saltier. Thank goodness for the beer to help wash it down!
Kettle corn style, dried malt extract, nobel hops. Restaurant week dinner $40
Thirsty Bear, San Francisco CA
This popcorn was good. It was sticky, salty and slightly bitter from the hops. Because of the stickiness, it became chewier as it sat there which I didn’t much like.
Polar Bear Pils.
With cracked pepper. Pasta tasting $70
Flour + Water, San Francisco CA
I guess “spuntini” means snacks, and in this case the snacks were fried pork rinds. Noms! These were fresh and tasty and fun to eat.
Fieldworks, IPA, Berkeley. $7
Fieldwork Canopy, American pale ale, 5.2%. $7
Berryessa Markley, American pale ale, 6.5%. $7
The Crafty Fox Ale House, San Francisco CA
This place was pretty cool. I like the chill vibe and the copper counter top was cute. They had a nice selection of beer, and I’ve got to remember to come back to try their food!
Burnt onion creme fraiche, turmeric gel. $15
1601 Bar & Kitchen, San Francisco CA
This smoked salmon was delicious. It was SO soft and and flavorful. The burnt onion creme fraiche and turmeric gel were a nice touch but it really didn’t need many additions because the salmon was so good on its own.
What wasn’t very good was the service. It was very disorganized and slow. We literally had to wave down our server (or anyone actually) so get anything. Lame. It’s like nobody in this place had ever worked in a restaurant before it was so painful.
Firestone Walker IPA, Paso Robles, CA. $7
Northwest style white clam chowder with red potatoes and pancetta, served with oyster crackers. Cup $5
Mill 109, Pacific Beach WA
This chowder was very hearty, and I loved the smokiness from the pancetta. I will say that it was on the thick side though.
American Blonde Ale.
Jubel Ale by Deschutes.
Shanghai (SHA) to Beijing (NAY), China United Airlines
Apparently, you’re not supposed to turn your phone on AT ALL during these flights – not even to listen to music. I didn’t know this so the stewardess kept reprimanding me in Chinese. Sheesh! 🙂
Seasoned French fries, braised carnitas, sauteed kimchi, cheese, cilantro onion, sour cream, Vatos hot sauce. â‚©12,500
Vatos Urban Tacos, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
This was sinfully yummy! I wish there was more Korean flavors in there to make it more interesting, but it was pretty damn good overall. A definite gut-buster but it certainly hits the spot and tastes great with beer!
Magpie pale ale. â‚©7,500
Vittle Monster 