FOOD
Indian Pumpkin (there’s also Chicken Pumpkin) Enchilada with jack & cheddar cheese, curry sauce, yoghurt and tamarind drizzle at Avatars in Sausalito (it’s not on the menu, but trust me and ask for it!)
Crawfish in spicy Cajun hot sauce with lime, pepper & salt at CoCo’s Crawfish (messy work to get a little meat, but a unique taste experience) in the Sunset
Niman Ranch Strip Loin – pepper crusted with a juicy apple soy dipping sauce at Yoshi’s San Francisco
Thick ‘n Thin Pizza (get to it through Castro’s The Lookout bar) – their deep dish pizza has an addictively sweet/spicy tomato sauce
Anchor & Hope
Decadently creamy Anchor & Hope Chowder (what a great presentation!) with white corn and littleneck clams at Anchor & Hope; I was disappointed in their not-so-fresh Lobster Roll, however
Panzerotto alla Ricotta (fried ricotta cheese appetizer) at the Castro’s delightfully inviting new Calabresi Italian, Poesia
DRINK
Uva Enoteca
Uva Enoteca’s nuanced Miele Frizzante: a Mead-based cocktail using Heidrun’s Sage Blossom Mead, mixed with Carpano Antique, orange and peach bitters
At CAV Wine Bar, an IGT di Toscana “Isistri”, Felsina, Tuscany, Chardonnay – yes, a Chardonnay from Toscana! – with layers of banana, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla with a buttery finish
Tipsy Lassi (a creamy Passion Fruit Lassi with Mango Rum) at Palo Alto’s Junnoon – like dessert!
DESSERT
Cici
Two well-crafted, organic gelatos at Cici in Mill Valley: Caffe Turco (Turkish Coffee & Cardamom) and Malaga (Marsala Soaked Raisins)
Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cake: a dense vegan torte at Alive!
Yo Cup’s perfectly tart Blueberry Frozen Yogurt