Baby back ribs combo – Smokey Bones

Posted on June 15, 2012 by vicentesf

Baby back ribs combo - Smokey Bones
Their award-winning baby backs are hand-rubbed in a three-staged seasoning process, then marinated before being hickory smoked for nearly four hours. Fire-grilled to order. Sliced smoked turkey breast. Premium turkey breast tossed in a savory blend of spices, then slow smoked for three hours, sliced thin. Served with mashed potatoes and brown gravy, fire roasted corn, and toast. $16.49
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, North Charleston SC

This was ok. There was plenty of food, but the quality was just mediocre. I still enjoyed it but there wasn’t much finesse to the bbq – very middle of the road and safe. The service (at the bar) was great though! My bartender was super friendly and attentive. He wasn’t bad looking either, hehe!

Assorted bbq sauces - Smokey Bones

Assorted BBQ sauce bottles. I love it when there are multiple bbq sauces to try. I’m always partial to the spicier ones, but these kinds of restaurants don’t ever go too spicy on the bbq.

Bones bin - Smokey Bones

Bones bin. Never seen this before. The bartender brings out this brown paper bag, folds the top and places it in front of me for my bones. Kinda cool!

Historic downton Charleston

View of historic downtown Charleston from The Rooftop Bar at the Vendue Inn.

Lamb keema omelet – Dosa

Posted on June 1, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 118

Wow, morning traffic in London is crazy! It took us a while to get to London Heathrow Airport with D driving. It seemed like got on 10 different highways and all of them crammed with cars. I was super tired so I kept falling in and out of sleep.

The direct flight back to San Francisco wasn’t too bad although Hubbs and I were in different rows. He sat directly in front of me. I had this annoying Russian girl beside me and a pleasant older couple on the other side. I ended up watching 3 movies and trying to nap a little bit.

Now I’m back in my sunny apartment and SO excited to be sleeping in my own bed tonight. I have to head into work tomorrow but that doesn’t seem to bad right now. David and I are having a Cinco de Sonoma weekend so I’ve got something to look forward to, yay!

Lamb keema omelet Dosa
South India omelet filled with minced lamb, peas and diced potatoes. Served with coconut and tomato chutney, sambar (a lentil dipping soup made with vegetables and spices), masala (a traditional filling of spiced mashed potatoes), and salad. $12
Dosa, San Francisco CA

I came here alone for brunch and totally over-ordered. I had this and a paper masala dosa – way too much food! This omelet was really good though! It had a soft texture and the filling was absolutely delicious. I also love all the extra sauces and toppings.

The Mint Karaoke Lounge, Market Street. I love this karaoke bar! I’m not a big singer – CORRECTION: I love to sing but don’t have the most melodious voice (hehe). This is a great place to start or end an evening out with a group of friends. Beware of the professional karaoke folk, but I guess you’ll find some at every karaoke joint.

Eggs benedict – Jones

Posted on June 1, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 117

We ended up having Chinese food last night, then staying in and watching White Girls on TV, lol! I’d never seen the movie and it was ridiculous, in a good way.

Today was another full day of sightseeing and shopping: Green Park, changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, Burlington Arcade, Piccadilly Circus, The Monument, London Bridge, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Covent Garden, and Oxford Circus. I bought some great tops at Topman and a cute decorative tile for David at Covent Garden Antiques Market. I still can’t believe how much we’ve fit into 2 days! D has been an amazing host and tour guide.

Tonight we’re going to eat in, then head out for drinks at The Black Cap in Camden with one of D’s roommates Dan. This will be our last night of an amazing London visit!

Eggs benedict Jones
Black forest ham, sauteed spinach, hollandaise, smashed/fried fingerling potatoes, and side salad. $12
Jones, San Francisco CA

A brunch standard, but very good. I liked the smashed and fried potatoes – so good with ketchup, hehe.

"Ring of Fire" annular solar eclipse 2012

“Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse. On Sunday May 20, 2012 we experienced a rare solar eclipse. Of course, I was out drinking with friends but I was reminded by people outside the bar with black viewing films, ready for the occurrence. My iPhone camera wasn’t equipped to handle a glaring photo, but it did have a cool optical/lens effect. In the photo, the eclipse is actually projected back onto the sky (upside-down and backwards?).

Viejo San Juan panini – Cafe Cuatro Sombras

Posted on May 29, 2012 by vicentesf

Viejo San Juan panini Cafe Cuatro Sombras
Chicken breast, lettuce, tomato, and recao and cilantrillo mayonnaise on a multigrain bread with a touch of cilantrillo oil. Served with potato chips. $6.75
Cafe Cuatro Sombras, Old San Juan, PUERTO RICO

This panini totally hit the spot before a heading out on a walking tour of Old San Juan. The cafe is super cute and the service was very friendly.

Lamb of God statue San Juan
“Lamb of God” statue located in the Plaza del Quinto Centenario. The other lamb statue opposite this one has the animal laying down.

Cuarto Sombras panini – Cafe Cuatro Sombras

Posted on May 29, 2012 by vicentesf

Project 365: Day 111

I’m at SFO International Terminal A with Hubbs and waiting to board our Virgin Atlantic flight to LHR. Yippee! The flight is 9+ hours long so I’m gonna have plenty of movie-watching time. I’m SO glad it’s a direct flight. We arrive in London tomorrow morning but have to wait at the airport for our afternoon connection to Dublin on British Midland International. SO excited!

Cafe Cuatro Sombras panini
Black forest ham, lettuce, tomato, recao and cilantrillo mayo with a garlic and cheese spread on an olive oil bread. Served with potato chips. $7.50
Cafe Cuatro Sombras, Old San Juan, PUERTO RICO

Leave it to a cafe to deliver some of the better food we had in Old San Juan. This panini was delicious. Otherwise, San Juan was a food bust for the most part.

Iced lattes Cafe Cuatro Sombras
16 ounce iced latte. $3.75

Caribbean crab cake – Waterfront Cafe

Posted on May 21, 2012 by vicentesf

Caribbean crab cake Waterfront Cafe
Blended with potato and herbs, lightly crisped on the griddle with creamy horseradish sauce. $30 (Barbados dollar)
Waterfront Cafe, Bridgetown, BARBADOS

Simple, tender, and tasty! I think this was the first time I’ve had a crab cake paired with a horseradish sauce, but it totally worked.

St. John's Church cemetery
Cemetery behind St. John’s Church. I don’t know who first decided to plant Plumeria trees in tropical cemeteries, but I think they’re a perfect choice! These deciduous trees look sad and creepy when bare, but provide vibrancy and color when in bloom.

Bajan fish balls – Waterfront Cafe

Posted on May 21, 2012 by vicentesf

Bajan fish balls Waterfront Cafe
Salted cod, potato and fresh herbs deep-fried golden with aioli dipping sauce. Part of “Tapas for Two” $64 (Barbados dollar)
Waterfront Cafe, Bridgetown, BARBADOS

These were very good! The fish balls were warm and flavorful, and even better dipped in the aioli. The appetizer sampler definitely had a lot of fried items, but who cares!? We’re on vacation, right!

Waterfront Cafe boardwalk
This was the view from our boardwalk table at the Waterfront Cafe. The restaurant is ideally situated along the Constitution River beside these parked fishing boats. Super convenient, and awesome food and drinks!

Vegetable samosas – Waterfront Cafe

Posted on May 19, 2012 by vicentesf

Vegetable samosas Waterfront Cafe

East Indian delicacy of potato and vegetables in a pastry parcel with a soy honey dipping sauce. Part of “Tapas for Two” $64 (Barbados dollar)
Waterfront Cafe, Bridgetown, BARBADOS

Vegetable samosas Waterfront Cafe
I loved that these weren’t greasy at all. They stayed crispy on the outside, and the filling was piping hot. The soy honey sauce was also a great addition.

The Wharf Road boardwalk
Boardwalk along The Wharf Road in downtown Bridgetown near the restaurant. I really liked this town. There was a lot to do and plenty of restaurants to choose from. There are plenty of taxis everywhere, but it’s also walker friendly.
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Heritage porchetta – Locanda

Posted on May 1, 2012 by vicentesf

Arugula, fingerling potato, onion. $24
Locanda, San Francisco

Again, this dish was definitely on the salty side. But the pork was SO tender and flavorful that I almostforgave the saltiness of it. I surely couldn’t eat the entire thing without a few gallons of water. The pork was also VERY fatty. I love fatty cuts, but this was over the top. As a general theme, my meal at Locanda was salty.

Smoked salmon benedict – Bisou

Posted on April 29, 2012 by vicentesf

Poached egg and smoked salmon on a toasted brioche, topped with a hollandaise sauce, served with sauteed potatoes and salad. $9
Bisou, San Francisco

If I remember correctly, the smoked salmon wasn’t very good. It tasted a little off. The potatoes were good though. I’m surprised that they can produce this much food during weekend brunches. Bisou can become quite the madhouse! That’s probably why the food quality can sometimes suffer.

Crab benedict – Bisou

Posted on April 28, 2012 by vicentesf

Poached egg and dungeness crab meat on a toasted brioche, topped with a hollandaise sauce, served with sauteed potatoes and salad. $13
Bisou, San Francisco

The brioche was sinfully buttery and I loved the plentiful amount of lump crab they throw on top. Brunch at Bisou is certainly not for those on a diet. 🙂

Croque Madame – Bisou