Peppermint flavored ice cream with candy cane bits. Kid size $2.50
Bi-Rite Creamery, San Francisco
This was one of their seasonal flavors before the Christmas holiday. It looked so bright and festive that I had to try it. I loved the peppermint ice cream and the candy cane bits were fun and crunchy! Yay! Bi-Rite remains a winner in my book!
There’s a new ice cream parlor on Valencia Street toward my apartment, though. Gonna have to try it and see how it compares!
Project 365: Day 21
After leaving the gym, I started thinking about the late birthday party on Saturday that I’m having over at my place for some friends at work. I really don’t have anything for it yet and my apartment is a MESS! I thought that this would be less stressful than having dinner at a restaurant since everyone hates splitting the bill and there’s still someone who keeps underpaying (argh!).
I stopped by Noe Valley Bakery again because I initially thought I was going to get a bunch of their amazing cupcakes for the party, but they’re kind of expensive and my wallet is feeling overused lately. I checked out their book of cakes and thought I wanted one of them, but I’ve since decided that maybe I’ll just swing by Tartine Bakery on Saturday morning and grab whatever looks good. You can’t really go wrong with something from Tartine and I think pre-ordering something would just cause more stress and I don’t have the time.
Papa Chang and Rapunzel said that I shouldn’t worry about and just provide simple things like chips and other random snacks, but I always have to have food for guests – it’s the Filipino in me! Maybe I’ll stick to my original plan and have some Filipino food (lumpia and pancit), but just not order too much. Maybe people will bring food too. I just can’t spend too much money since I’m saving for all those trip’s coming up. I’ve also decided that I’m visiting Codes in Ohio for his 30th bday so that’s another unforeseen expense. It’ll be fun though and it’s always great seeing him.
Just made plans to have brunch with B2 on Sunday. She wants to take me out for a late birthday meal and to hear all about my Benu dinner. She loves food as much as I do so we’ll have a great time.
Mini 2 inch sweet pastry shell filled with pastry cream and topped with strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry. $2.85
Noe Valley Bakery, San Francisco
This tartlet beckoned to me from the counter display. The berries looks so sweet and luscious, especially with the apricot(?) glaze on top. It was very tasty ! The pastry shell could have been a little thinner but I really can’t complain too much about this scrumptious tart.
Pink lady apple, medjool dates, maple-walnut ice cream, powdered sugar. $8
Frances, San Francisco
This sinfully dense cake was SO fickin’ good! It had a beautiful dark and rich color and it was bursting with yummy fruits which helped to keep the cake very moist. The ice cream scoop almost looks fake in the photo. I love the texture of it in the pic – it still looks super cool! Amazing flavors all around in this great dessert!
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2011
Project 365: Day 20
It’s been really hard getting back into the swing of things after my birthday weekend.
The dinner at Locanda with T-Head last night was absolutely delicious, by the way. And the restaurant isn’t as darkly lit as it appears from the outside. The service was great and the food was simple and amazing! Great place!
Oh, and I just found out today that the 7×7 Big Eat SF 2012 list came out and they have photos of each of the dishes. Apparently, they chose 7 of my food pics from last year! Amazing! I’m kinda annoyed that they don’t give photo credits anywhere, but they got the pics from my Foodspotting account so they probably don’t have to. Lame. I still posted the article on Twitter and Facebook though, hehe! I need to get the word out!
2 inch tarlet filled with a tangy lemon custard and decorated with chocolate. $2.85
Noe Valley Bakery, San Francisco
I went to Walgreens after the gym and HAD to get something from Noe Valley Bakery too, lol! This was a nice, small, delicious snack to tide me over while I walked home. Noms!
Not quite sure what the dough is made out of in this sesame ball, but it’s definitely covered in sesame seeds and deep fried. $1.10
Yank Sing, San Francisco
I totally lucked out when I went to get this because I had to wait a couple minutes and they were straight out of the oven. I don’t know if it’s because they were so fresh or if Yank Sing truly does make the best sesame balls, but these frickin’ ROCKED!
Inside of the sesame ball. I took this pic before I actually reached the dark doughy part in the middle.
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010, 2011, 2012
Project 365: Day 13
Had a pretty tough time at the gym this morning. I felt really tired and weak. The 4 days off in Palm Springs without exercise really made a difference. I still tried to be productive though. I was STARVING after the gym so I made a quick grocery run at Whole Foods and grabbed a couple macaron flavors I haven’t tried yet from La Boulange.
It’s been super cold in San Francisco since I’ve been back. I was freezing on the way to the gym and had to wear a scarf. Although it was super cold, the light on our balcony was bright and made for these great pics. I’m gonna be taking plenty of morning food pics since I’m back to working nights.
I liked both of these flavors, but the coconut really knocked my socks off! It had great flavor and the texture from the coconut bits was fun. Although I like the rum raisin, I couldn’t have told you the flavor without knowing prior. It was a good, but indistinguishable. $1.50 each
La Boulange de Noe, San Francisco
Rum rasisin macaron.
Coconut macaron.
I love the combination of pumpkin and cream cheese in any form! It’s sweet and fattening and delicious. This thick slice of cake was a little denser than I like but I love the cream cheese center.
Peet’s Coffee & Tea, South San Francisco CA
Latte.
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!!!
“Our original recipe custard discovered in Osaka, Japan and now made available around the world. Our vanilla custard is made with all natural ingredients and is abundant with the highest quality, imported vanilla beans grains available.” $2.25
Beard Papa’s, San Francisco
Mmm, how I love Beard Papa’s cream puffs. And vanilla is my favorite! The chocolate custard has a weird grainy texture that I’m less partial to. The choux pastry is SO frickin’ light and fluffy and the vanilla custard is yummy! The dusting of powdered sugar adds a little more sweetness. I can only purchase one at a time otherwise I tend to eat them all, hehe!
Slice of plum frangipane tart topped with Straus Organic whipped cream. $3.50
Mission Pie, San Francisco
I’m not a huge fan of super sweet desserts so I love this tart at Mission Pie. They don’t always have this flavor so don’t miss out on the thick slices of plums that are beautifully cooked and delicious! Mission Pie also buys their ingredients directly from farms and works closely with local non-profits. Delicious desserts from a community conscious business – heck yeah!
Latte.
Kid size scoop of pumpkin ice cream. I believe this is one of their seasonal flavors. It was very good – not too sweet but with a great pumpkin flavor! Noms! $2.50
Bi-Rite Creamery, San Francisco
Cream cheese frosting and two small red velvet cakes.
Starbucks, South San Francisco
I love Starbuck’s petite treats because they provide a great sugar kick, but they’re small enough to prevent all the guilt. This red velvet mini is super moist (ew, that word!) and not overly sweet. Yum!
Vittle Monster 