Category: Top Tastes

Top Tastes

SAVORY / SWEET Crispy Pork Rinds sprinkled with chile powder, dipped in a dark chocolate sauce (also rich with spice) at a private tasting at Orson. The addictive snack I’ll dream of in my sleep… more! More! SAVORY – VEGETARIAN Elote (traditional Mexican grilled corn-on-the-cob covered in grated Cotija cheese, Mayo, Lime and Arbol Chili powder; $6) at the always pleasant Regalito Rosticeria – though toned down both… Read more →

Top Tastes

BREAKFAST Luxurious brunch at my fave 1300 on Fillmore; order a generous entrée portion of Barbecue Shrimp & Creamy Grits (one of their best dishes, $14), perfect Scones (Three: Lemon, Blueberry, Raisin w/ Strawberry Rhubarb Preserves, $4), or a Hang Town Fry with egg, fried oysters (yes!), potato, bacon and toast ($9). SAVORY – VEGETARIAN At slick new Urban Tavern, I dined two nights… Read more →

Top Tastes

BREAKFAST Spongy sweet w/ a hint of savory: Lemon Thyme Donuts at Dynamo Donuts (24th at Hampshire). Beware, as they usually serve only two flavors a day and run out quickly. But on top of gourmet donuts (a, thus far, untapped market in SF), they serve Stumptown Coffee, soon to be our fabulous local Four Barrel. Good morning to you (open 7a-5p daily)! SAVORY –… Read more →

Top Tastes

BREAKFAST Fresh-baked daily, Coffee Cake from Dennis Leary’s (of Canteen) sweet new countertop breakfast/lunch take-out spot, The Sentinel (37 New Montgomery at Stevenson; 415-284-9960) Lavender Country Bread French Toast with bananas at Bar Tartine “Take two” on French Toast (with homemade crème fraiche and fresh berries) at Sausalito’s new Le Garage SAVORY Texas Style (sliced) Brisket at brand new Bluegrass Bar & Grill in Glen Ellen (Sonoma) Beer Braised… Read more →

Top Tastes

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… Read more →

Top Tastes: Ethiopian Favorites in SF & Berkeley

Ethiopian is a comforting, homey cuisine: spicy, filling and best when made fresh by a loving hand. Though there are a number of decent Ethiopian spots in San Francisco, and more broadly, the East Bay, many blend into each other as fairly average (like Lower Haight’s Axum Café, Café Ethiopia in the Mission, or Western Addition’s quirky dive bar, Club Waziema). Here… Read more →

Dim Sum Around SF

After you’ve tried the hyped, delicious, but overpriced local dim sum kings Yank Sing, Ton Kiang or Daly City’s Koi Palace, check out these much cheaper options and see if they don’t fit the bill for your dim sum craving (minus the roving carts at all three spots): Shanghai Dumpling King3319 Balboa Street (between 34th & 35th Avenues)415.387.2088Mon, Wed-Fri 11am-9pm,… Read more →