Eat Real Festival 2010

Soleils African Kitchen




le truc



Sam's Chowder Mobile

Garage Dining

Toyose is a Korean restaurant located in the outer sunset. If it weren't for the sign and awning, it would be easy to mistake this for another house. At first, I wasn't even sure how to get in. But once your inside, you forget all about its exterior facade and escape into a real restaurant. I ordered a plate of Beef and Kimchee fried rice. Total: $12, for fried rice? It must be good..

And it was. The dish was seasoned well, but the portion was small (even for me and I don't eat too much to begin with). I doubt I'll be going back..

Cafe Colucci

I still love San Francisco, but I am beginning to love Oakland more. The weather is usually better and the people seem so much more down to earth. Bakesale Betty was closed today, so we wandered further down Telegraph and found Cafe Colucci. We were starving and they had outdoor seating. It was a done deal.

From left to right, we ordered begue alicha fitfit (lamb), doro tibs (chicken), eggplant tibs and a side of teff injera (bread). Delicious! The meat was tender, and flavorful. It was spicy without being overwheling. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area wanting to eat Ethiopian food. Just be ready to eat with your hands.

The Best Tri-Tip in Berkeley

There is an obscenely colorful shack on the corner of University and Walnut Ave. If you have ever wandered down that area you know exactly what I am referring to because it is the only random free standing structure located in the parking lot of Mike's Bike's Cyclery. I have walked passed it a million times, but never stopped to check it out. According to Yelp, Brazil Cafe has over 300 reviews averaging at 4.5 stars. Order #84 with a fresh fruit smoothie (acai or mango). You will be happy you did.


That's the owner Pedro. He is a sweetheart.

Yemi

One of the girls from NYC was in town for work and we wanted to show her a good time. It was an east bay Saturday. We went to Cal day (where we picked up EDUN Live t-shirts at $15 bucks a pop) and stopped in at Shashamane Bar and Grill.

The owner Yemi, is an absolute doll. She told us about her years in Rome and later Boston for school. Nowadays, she helps her boyfriend run the restaurant and enjoys the weather in California. For dinner we ordered the lamb (Zilzil Tibs), chicken (Doro Tibs) and a side of collard greens (yumm). I'm not big on lamb, but I LOVED the chicken. It was soft, tender and well spiced. The Injera (soft Ethiopian bread) was good too - it is a cross between a crepe and a sponge cake, but not sweet. For dessert, I happened to bring in a homemade chocolate cake and they didn't charge that stupid cake cutting fee. We shared a few slices with the rest of the wonderful staff.

Good food, great company, and smiles all around. I will definitely be coming back.



Order Shishamane the drink.. soo GOOOD!


SF Gate raves about this place

Learn more about Shashamane, Ethiopia

1885 Burger Store

Am I really saying this?

It was better than In N Out, Fudd Ruckers, Johnny Rockets, Burger Meister, Darla's and even ... Big Mouth.

In Taiwan of all places.

I'm convinced.

Anything is possible.

A new vice for 2010

For a good time, call on Uncle Dick - otherwise known as 'the red brute'. Check him out at 476 Castro Street.

Blush Wine Bar
476 Castro St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
ph: 415 5580893

We're Open till Midnight

This restaurant located in Portero Hill is all about fresh ingredients, housemade pastas, thin crust pizza, and edison-esque lighting and decor. Great for a ladies night out (sit at one of their pub height setups) or date night with your significant other. For dinner we ordered the margherita and topinambur pizza with a side of sweet potatoes. No drinks.. just water - for a total of $38 or so dollars. Not too shabby and more than enough food to feed three famished females (granted we requested two helpings of bread). It was a great start to our night. Sure it could have been the company that made this place memorable, but I left wanting to go back (and I don't even like pizza!)

Flour + Water
2401 Harrison St. @ 20th St.
San Francisco, CA

Lunch with Shakar

A friend from Bali took me to one of his favorite nooks in the city.

I was not disappointed.

The place itself was cozy and adorable. LOVE the funky teapots. The scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam were perfectly paired with English breakfast. I ordered a forest black ham, cream cheese on seven grain. Delish.

Thank you Shakar.

Tea and Sympathy
108 Greenwich Ave
New York, NY

Picture courtesy of seventyoneplace

Cuban Food in the City

Great food. Good Vibes. Sweet plantains and fish tacos. Anticipate a long wait or head to the take out counter one door down.



Photo courtesy of Anders & Anne

Cafe Habana
17 Prince Street
New York, New York

Pizza Pizza, Mama Mia

12:00 pm, Sunday afternoon
On our way to the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, I see a long line formed outside of a small building. I must have been hiding under a rock because I had never heard of Grimaldi's in my life. Apparently, it is a legendary pizzeria with three locations scattered around NYC. The average wait time is about an hour and half - even if you are ordering a pizza to go. I'm convinced that I have to eat here before I leave.

8:15 pm Monday night, we bundle up and brace ourselves for the long wait outside in the cold. No line! Can you believe it? They must have known I was coming.

One small with pepperoni, sausage and mushroom, please.

Three slices later.

Grimaldi's IS the best pizza. Thin crust and fresh ingredients. You know it's fresh because you can watch them make it.

I could get used to this.

Sample picture courtesy of c00lmarie

I just paid $8 for Numpang

I must be in New York. Numpang serves American-Cambodian sandwiches. Ratha please don't be offended, but I still prefer Lee's Sandwiches at $1.50 a pop.


Photo courtesy of Patrick Andrade

The Ramen King Lives in NYC

I never understood why people liked ramen, even after a few bowls at Santa in San Mateo. Then Ippudo NY happened and I was convinced. The hour and half long wait was well worth it and was the perfect excuse to try their amazing sake infused drinks and appetizers. I would recommend it to both believers and non-believers. Ippudo, 65 Fourth Avenue, NY.

Dua Nasi Campur

They weren't kidding, the days easily turn into weeks in Ubud - I have never felt so at home. The people, the smiles, the culture and of course the food. You can eat for as little as $0.50 USD. Visit the warung at the east end of Jalan Raya Ubud (Ubud Main Road) towards Campuan. It doesn't have a name, we always referred to it as the warung in front of Renta's rice paddy. It is just past the clinic up the steep hill on your left hand side. They have the basic warung necessities (drinks, pastries, dried fish cakes, cigarettes, bras, face wash) and the best nasi campur (mixed rice)! The dish slightly changes from day to day. Usual ingredients: rice, the most tender chicken, tempeh, tofu, peanuts, glass noodles, dried fish, etc. The food moves fast so you know it hasn't been sitting in the glass case for too long. It is run by the sweetest lady who wears the biggest smile (not unlike all the other Balinese). We call her Ma.

My First Local Experience

Warong Ocha, Seminyak, Bali
6pm, and I was starving. I threw up about three times earlier today on my flight from SFO to my layover in TPE (stupid dramamine). I wanted something local. Jules from the Teka-Teki House had mentioned a dish called gado-gado (blanched vegetables covered in peanut sauce and krupuk served on the side). I poppped in Warong Ocha - it was close by, had open air seating, and served fresh mango juice for about $1.50 USD. The gado-gado was good ... I could get used to this.

Sample picture courtesty of goyo80

Squat and Gobble Sundays

Brunch with the bubs is one of my favorite past times.

Crab Cake Florentine: Crab cakes, two poached eggs and sauteed spinach over two toasted english muffins topped with hollandaise sauce. Served with rosemary potatoes. We also ordered a side of chicken apple sausage. Delish!


Chicken Pesto Crepe: Mozzarella, onions, sliced chicken breast, pesto and sun dried tomatoes. Served with rosemary potatoes.


Squat and Gobble is perfect for families, couples, singles, friends, the young and old alike. I will definitely be coming back.

Happy Birthday Dad!

To say I don't like eating at Chinese restaurants would be an understatement. Too much salt, too much oil, and too much MSG should make anyone an unsatisfied customer. There exists however a vegetarian Chinese place that I can't rave enough about - Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant in the Inner Sunset. This place is perfect for those who need to watch their diet (due to weight management, religious affiliations, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, etc.), but don't want to sacrifice flavor.

We ordered the family special - a $69 preset menu that feeds about 9 people, although it says 6-8.. It is also a good way to try some of the best dishes this restaurant has to offer.

Combination Platter*: (Soybean Sheet, BBQ Pork, Tofu, Sweet & Sour Wheat Gluten)


Fragrant Crispy Chicken*:


Veggie Shark Fin Soup*:


Black Pepper Sauce with Steak Meat & Green Vegetable:


Bean Curd Rolls stuffed with Cabbage and Mushroom. Served with baby bok choy:


Lotus Root, Lily, Vegetables, Peas & Ginko*:


String Beans w/ Shredded Homemade Dry Tofu:


Eggplant with Sea Bass*:


Taro, Sesame Veggie Chicken Cooked with Coconut Sauce*:


Dessert is always different every time we come here. Unfortunately, I have NO idea what we had, but it was really good.




* indicate personal favorites.

My mom's birthday is next week and I am already looking forward to her dinner.

Best Chaat in the Bay Area

Vik's Chaat is the perfect comfort food on a cold and rainy day. This south Indian joint serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. I was introduced to Vik's about three years ago, and every time I go, I always order waaay too much (the portions are huge) - but the food is oooh sooo good. From the story behind Vik's Chaat restaurant to the service and food, I can describe this establishment in one word - memorable. Here is what we ordered:

Chicken Makhuwala (Today's Special) - Tender boneless chicken cooked in a clay pot served with tomato sauce. Served with raita (yogurt), rice, lentils and naan.


Dosa Masala - Crispy savory crepe made of finely ground rice and dal. Served with coconut chutney and sambar. My goodness! The crepe, potato and sambar combination is heavenly.


Uttappam - Crispy savory pancake (finely ground rice) topped with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Served with sambar and coconut chutney. We probably won't be ordering this again - it was too reminiscent of a dim sum onion pancake (a dish the world can do without).


The coconut chutney packs a lot of heat, so don't forget to order a bottle of Thums Up! to cool your palette and/or wash down your meal.


*Word of caution: You'll reak of spices after eating at Vik's. Dress accordingly.
Vik's Chaat
724 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94710

Best Falafel: Union Square

Theatre Too Cafe

I was in the mood for some good falafel and sure Oasis is about half a block from my work, but the one and only time I went, I was unforgettably disappointed. I begin my search on yelp and it isn't long before I come across the reviews for Theatre Too Cafe. With 4.5 out of 5 stars I couldn't resist checking it out ... and BOY were the reviews right. This operation is run by the sweetest and fun-loving couple. Their falafel wraps are huge (12" at least) and served with fresh tahini yogurt, lush lettuce, red onions and large soft balls of falafel - also available with some heat (just say yes to a spicy order). At less than $6 each, what's NOT to love? They also sell half portions (which is what I should have got) for only $3.25. I talked to a few of their customers and they can't rave enough about this place, "Yes the falafel is amazing. The rice and lentils are great. OOoh and so are the meat balls! Try the gyros - heck you can't go wrong with anything from this place." I would definitely go back and encourage everyone to check them out. Support your local small business owners, especially the ones that really care about their customers.

**My apologies for not posting a picture... before I knew it, I had scarfed the entire 12" of falafel goodness**

Delica rf-1

A Japanese Delicatessen

Roast Beef Sushi ($2) - An original sushi dish with Meyer Ranch natural, hormone-free beef, topped with micro red shiso and minced shallots, wrapped together with Nori seaweed. Wasabi included.

Sweet & Spicy Chicken ($1.25) - Marinated chicken, lightly fried, served with sweet and spicy sauce. (Hardly authentic, but definitely our favorite of the three!)

Chicken Dumpling with Sweet Chili Sauce ($1.75) - Ground chicken, organic tofu, water chestnuts and Shitake mushrooms in a sweet chili sauce.