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Style Asian |
TOQUE of San Francisco June 2014 By Carol & Joe Davis
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Specialty Cocktails |
Deviled Eggs |
Wood Oven Clams |
Alder Plank Half Trout |
Fog City Frozen House Made Custard |
Fog City has been a Dining Icon on the Embarcadero in San Francisco for more than 25 years but as with all great restaurants it was time for an update. The “Diner” was gutted and a new concept was created. The décor is welcoming with an Oval Bar in the center, an Exhibition Kitchen with Wood Burning Fire Pit and Oven up front, new booths, and both regular and high tables for drinks and dining. Every seat has big picture window views of the Embarcadero and Battery Streets. The menu has also been updated by Chef/Owner Bruce Hill and features straight forward seasonal Modern San Francisco Cuisine which is meant to be shared but is by no means small portions.
We checked our coats, were seated at a booth and ordered Badoit French Sparkling Water while we looked at the small focused menu. We started with Specialty Cocktails which were both unique and tasty. We enjoyed the Paloma which was made with Agavales Blanco, grapefruit, lime, Thai Bird Chili and cane sugar. We ordered it up instead of on the rocks and with the chili kick it was just what we needed on this chilly San Francisco night. The Fog City Milk Punch was another excellent choice. It is a combination of bourbon, rum, brandy that is infused with citrus and spices, lemon, sugar and clarified milk.
Our first tastes from the new menu were the Snacks. The Deviled Eggs with crispy quinoa and bacon were fabulous and the lightly breaded Cauliflower Nuggets Vadouvan with curry Serrano Chile lime was delicious as well. We have always found that Soups are a true test of a restaurant’s creativity and execution. The Roasted Pumpkin Minestrone with chanterelles, leeks and spiced broth was amazing. It was luscious and perfectly seasoned but not too thick or heavy. We also loved the Wood Oven Clams in Sake butter with braised turnips, Maitake mushrooms, Yuzu and chili. It was served with Panorama Bread Toast which was great for soaking up the delicious broth.
Our main courses were delicious and served as lovely presentations. We loved the Grilled Brandt Beef Rib Eye Steak with butter poached radishes, arugula green onion, Yorkshire pudding and herb salad. It was served rare as ordered and was a flavorful large steak. The Seafood entrée that we enjoyed was the Alder Plank Half Trout with Arbequina olives, fingerling potatoes, herbs and grilled lemon. Make sure you try the Vegetables. The Oven Roasted Baby Carrots with Black Garlic Mole, almonds and Cotija Cheese was excellent.
The Wine list is also small and focused with International choices. We appreciated that they offer 3 ounce pours and created our own flights. Our favorite white wine was the 2011 Stefan Cellars Napa Sauvignon Blanc and our favorite red wine was the 2010 Five Easy Pieces North Coast Bordeaux Blend.
We were full but had to try the Desserts. We enjoyed both the Affogato which was a unique presentation of Vanilla Frozen Custard over Black Coffee Granita and the Fog City Frozen House Made Custard with Chocolate and Caramel Sauces on the side.
We had a great dinner at Fog City. The cuisine was excellent, the service was superior and the vibe was upbeat, casual and friendly. We also appreciated the unique Steelite English dinnerware which made the cuisine look great. We’ve always recommended Fog City to friends and out of towners and are thrilled to see that it has evolved. We look forward to returning soon as we must try their hamburgers which looked beautiful on their way to being quickly devoured at the next table. For those who remember their Visa commercial from back in the day….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqy2l6m9s_U they do now accept American Express and could soon be accepting Bitcoin and PayPal.
Fog City
1300 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA. 94111
415-982-2000
http://fogcitysf.com/
Crab House at PIER 39 – Killer Crab in San Francisco
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Cocktails |
Hand Painted Crabs |
We are very fortunate to live in the San Francisco Bay Area where Dungeness Crab is a staple. It is a symbol of the Golden Gate fishing industry and is caught seasonally in the nearby Pacific Ocean as well as all year long along the coast from Southern California to Alaska. We needed a crab fix and decided it was time to venture to the Crab House at PIER 39 which is on the upper level with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay. The interior décor is all about Crab! There are over 250 beautiful hand-painted crabs which are each unique hung all around the walls and the ceiling of the restaurant. The décor is very San Francisco featuring stylish white subway tile walls, marble tables and white marble flooring with black accent tile squares. The tables feature cane back chairs with comfortable black seats. The center of the restaurant has personality too... as there is a Fire Pit in the center and a full bar to the right. Upbeat music adds to the fun atmosphere where both large and small parties were having a great time on the Thursday night that we dined there.
We ordered a large bottle of San Pellegrino Sparkling Water and some “Drink like a Fish” Cocktails. The Bloody Shark was a fabulous Spicy Bloody Mary that we ordered with Belvedere Vodka. It had an onion, celery, hot whole pepper, olive, and wedges of lemon and lime as garnish. We also had their fabulous Cosmo made with Grey Goose Vodka. It was served up with plenty of fresh lime juice, was strong and not too sweet and served in a traditional Martini glass. The Bartender here makes serious drinks!
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Iron Skillet |
Whole Killer Crab |
Desserts |
Our first course was one of their Iron Skillets which came out sizzling and had a fabulous aroma. We loved the perfectly prepared roasted Mussels and Shrimp which were delicious and served with a side of lemon, butter and garlic dipping sauce which was beyond words! Next, we enjoyed their Crab Chowder which was made with fresh crab, corn, red peppers, potatoes and celery.
Our main Course was their signature dish The Killer Crab which is a whole, two pound crab roasted in their secret garlic sauce. We cracked and dipped and ate but couldn’t finish it all which made us happy at lunch the following day! A Side of Garlic French Fries is a must as they were Killer too!
The Wine List is very focused and has something for everyone. We enjoyed the Ferrari Carano Sonoma County Chardonnay which paired well with the seafood. The Desserts were both superb! We loved the Tiramisu, best we have had in years, and the Torta Della Nonna with Meyer lemon and zabaglione! As a finale we had an espresso and a Sambuca after dinner drink.
We truly enjoyed our dinner at the Crab House at PIER 39. The Killer Crab was as advertised “Killer”. The service was very friendly and professional and the atmosphere was inviting and fun. I guess we’ll have to come back soon to taste other menu items, as we hear the Fish & Chips is great too!
Crab House at PIER 39
203c. PIER 39 Upper Deck West Side
San Francisco, CA. 94133
415-434-2722
www.CrabHouse39.com
Open Daily 11:30 A.M. -10:30 P.M.
Verbena Restaurant-Fine California Cuisine in San Francisco
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Executive Chef Sean Baker |
Trotter Terrine |
Koji Quail |
Molasses Ginger Bread |
The Restaurant Business is thriving in the San Francisco Bay Area and the trend is for successful and talented Chefs to open second locations. Executive Chef SeanBaker, who was Esquire Magazine’s 2010 Chef of the Year, opened a very successful vegetarian, vegan, omnivore restaurant called Gather in Berkeley near U.C. Berkeley about four years ago. Now, he has just opened Verbena in San Francisco in the Russian Hill neighborhood on Polk Street across from the deco Alhambra Theatre. Verbena has an impressive entrance with their massive custom wood Front Door which dates back many decades. The interior décor features a Black Walnut Bar enhanced by the accent lit brick wall. There is also a very unusual illuminated wooden “Pickle Wall” which displays beautiful jars of rows of marinating pickles. There is also an Upstairs Mezzanine for intimate dining which is quite romantic. The tables in the main dining area are nicely spaced and the 20 foot ceilings which keep the noise level low.
We sat in the main dining room which was almost full on the Thursday evening that we dined. We started with Artisan Cocktails from their Full Bar which features Spirits from small producers and uses seasonal ingredients. We loved the Verbena Fog Cutter made with Oola Vodka, falernum, Strega, lemon and sparkling wine. It was quite refreshing and a great way to unwind. The menu is small and focused offering California Cuisine with mostly locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Our first WOW was the extremely fresh Firebrand Artisan Bread which is baked in Oakland in an 800 degree wood fired brick oven. It was amazing... with great crisp crust and it was delectably moist.
Our knowledgeable server advised us that all menu items were meant to be shared and helped us pair wines from their Producer Driven Wine List. We loved the Button Mushrooms with celeriac, lovage and tomato vinegar which were just wonderful! This is a must have to any dinner! It was served in a lovely Wheelstoneware deep bowl. The Trotter Terrine served with red and green padron pepper and apricot mustard was delicious. The Carrots Verbena with Aleppo pepper, nettles and cashew was sweet and slightly spicy which we love. Next, we enjoyed the Meatballs braised in black mole with collards, hominy and whey. The flavor of the meatballs was excellent and they were a combination of beef, pork and duck. The Beef Rib in broth with Bok Choy, Garum and mint had a medley of flavors which were particularly fabulous and great comfort food.
The outstanding dish was the Koji Quail.... with Sonoma grains cooked dirty, hedgehog mushrooms and pumpkin juice. It was smokey, tender and truly a favorite!
The Wine List is Producer Driven which means that they offer 3 or 4 wines from each producer. We opted for flights which gave us a change to taste more wines. Our favorite white wine was the 2012 Niepoort Vinho Verde from Portugal which was clean and light with a crisp finish and our favorite red wine was the 2005 Lopez de Heredia “Vina Cubillo,” Crianza, Rioja from Spain which was rich and bold. We appreciate that they are very accommodating and we enjoyed sampling a couple of flights of wine to discover our favorite.
The Desserts were delicious and works of art. We loved the Molasses Ginger Bread with carrot sorbet and IPA caramel and the Chocolate and Parsnip ice cream, custard and cranberry gelee. A Saint Frank Coffee double espresso and an Amaro Montenegro Italian dijestiv were the perfect finish to our excellent dining experience. Verbena is a worthy addition to the San Francisco dining scene and they interesting Nob Hill neighborhood. The décor was inviting, the cuisine was fresh, unique and delicious and the service was professional and friendly. We look forward to returning soon!
Verbena Restaurant
2323 Polk Street (@ Union St.)
San Francisco, CA 94109
415-441-2323
The Barrel Room Restaurant, Wine Bar, Retail Wine Sales
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Wall of Wines |
Brandade of True Cod |
We are Wine Lovers but must admit that we haven’t been to a Wine Bar since our favorite, Rick’s Wine Cellar, in Marin was sold about a year ago. We really enjoy learning about and finding new wines to enjoy, so we ventured to The Barrel Room. They have a location in San Francisco and just opened on College Avenue in Oakland and offer 50 wines by the Glass and over 200 by the Bottle. They feature educational Wine Tasting Flights to pair with excellent California cuisine and they sell wine retail as well. You can select one of their ever changing flights or ask for help, tell them what you generally like and let them select wines to fit your preferences. We enjoyed chatting with one of the Proprietors/Sommeliers Carolyn Johnson who has a tremendous love of wine and enjoys helping you find new small production wines that are a little adventurous!
The rustic yet modern décor features stylish old growth Redwood topped tables, an inviting Bar, and atmospheric library walls of their wine selections. A candle placed on each table adds romantic ambience to your evening and there are large windows facing College Avenue giving the room an open feeling. Jazz vocals in background also added to the civilized mood. In warm weather, you can enjoy Sidewalk Bistro seating in front.
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Boeuf Bourguignon Croustade |
Chocolate Mousse |
Traci Hurlow, Proprietor/Sommelier Carolyn Johnson and Esteban Brunello |
We enjoyed a White Flight and a Red Flight and appreciated that each wine glass was labeled with all the details about the wines. That always helps.... as you can taste each wine and easily keep track of what you’ve tasted! Our favorite white wines were the 2011 Oro en Paz Lake County Sauvignon Blanc which was perfectly balanced, lively and slightly tart and the 2009 Crazin “le Petit Chambord” Loire Valley Cour – Cheverny Romoratin which was a bit more aromatic. They paired well with our starters from their wine friendly seasonal California/French cuisine menu. The Small Plates were all delicious and everything is so reasonably priced. We loved the Roasted Dates which were stuffed with Blue Cheese and walnuts then wrapped in pancetta. The Brandade of True Cod made with cream and potato and served with toasts was also excellent. We also enjoyed the Chicory Greens with apple, blue cheese and walnuts which was quite refreshing. These three starters really paired well together.
As our evening progressed, our favorite red wine was the 2011 Domaine Combier Rhone Crozes-Hermitage Syrah which was richer than most Syrahs and paired well with our Large Plates. We enjoyed the Boeuf Bourguignon Croustade which was very flavorful and the pastry was flakey and not too rich. We also loved the Porc aux Pruneaux which was juicy and extremely tender baked with luscious prunes. The Desserts were both perfect. We loved both their freshest creamiest Crème Brule and the Chocolate Mousse which was just rich enough and delicious. An Uncommon Café Mocha Java coffee went well with our desserts.
The Barrel Room exceeded our expectations! We enjoyed excellent cuisine, visited with other wine lovers and found some new small production wines that we enjoyed. We purchased a few bottles of the 2011 Oro en Paz to take home.... and look forward to returning soon to chat with the Owners/ Sommeliers Carolyn and Sara who will introduce us to some other new selections from various countries!
The Barrel Room
5330 College Avenue
Oakland, CA. 94618
510-655-1700
www.BarrelRoomOak.com
2014 Winter Fancy Food Show – San Francisco
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Boeuf Bourguignon Croustade |
Chocolate Mousse |
Ricante Hot Sauce |
Virtuous Living Spice Girls |
We always enjoy attending the Winter Fancy Food Show! This year’s three day massive trade show filled two halls at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. Now in its 39th year, it was attended by almost 20,000 members of the Food Industry and showcased 80,000 Specialty Food & Beverage Products displayed by more than 1,300 exhibitors from around the world. The goal of exhibitors always includes catching the attention of Buyers from major retailers, collecting some Intel on their competition and of course getting press on their products or services! Attendees want to see what is new and different that they can sell or imitate. We like to look for new trends, find out about products and of course love to sample the food.
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Desserts to go |
The Daily Crave Chips |
Perky Jerky |
This year we were again overwhelmed but still were able to find some exciting, new and delicious food and beverage items that we enjoyed. We appreciated that Tsar Nicoulai Caviar provided tastes of their elegant caviar which was excellent. We chatted with David Hendin from Calendar Islands Maine Lobsters who explained to us that the salt water is what adds to the fabulous taste of Maine lobsters. Virtuous Living showed their 100% organic spice blends called Love, Faith and Hope. We really enjoyed the BBQ and Chili Lime Veggie chips made by The Daily Crave, the hummus from Bolani Gourmet Afgan Food, as well as the new Ginger Sesame salad dressing from Terrapin Ridge Farms. Alo, one of our favorite beverages added a new flavor, Comfort, which is watermelon & peach which we loved!
We met quite a few sweet people, sampled some great new items and look forward to attending again next year and perhaps going to the Summer Fancy food Show in New York http://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-show/summer-fancy-food-show/
Seared Steak & Seafood-Petaluma’s Premier Steakhouse
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Oysters |
Prime Rib |
Chocolate Indecision II |
Petaluma’s Historic 165 year old Wickersham Building on Petaluma Boulevard North has started a new chapter in its long storied history. It has housed restaurants, retail shops, banks, storage facilities and some say it was once a Speakeasy. We are big fans of Steak Houses and when we heard that local Petaluma residents Ken O’Donnell, Jeff Inglin and Kent Armbright had opened Seared Steak & Seafood we knew we had to see what it was all about. We were told that the kitchen had a major renovation and were pleased to see that the exposed brick walls were refurbished as well. The restaurant has a large bar area on the left with both bar and table seating, dining room to the right with tables nicely spaced for privacy and an exhibition kitchen in the back where you can see the chefs preparing the cuisine. The vintage glass chandeliers also add to the charm and the high ceilings help keep the noise level low.
We were seated in the dining room and started out with Specialty Cocktails from their Full Bar. The bartender made a fabulous Cosmo served in a traditional martini glass with Grey Goose Vodka. It was quite pink, strong and not too sweet which is how we like it! We also enjoyed a refreshing Moscow Mule made with Hammer & Sickle Premium Vodka, fresh lime juice and Fever Tree Ginger Beer which was served ice cold in a Copper Mug.
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| Executive Chef Joe O’Donnell | Service with a Smile |
Décor |
The Appetizers we enjoyed were both surf and turf. We loved the cold fresh half dozen local oysters. We put together a combination of Drakes Bay, Marin Miyagi and CA. Kumamoto which were served with Mignonette and Harissa Cocktail sauce. The Dungeness Deviled Eggs made with Kanani B. Farm Egg, Dungeness Crab salad and Bourbon-pickled Jalapeno were excellent and very attractive. We especially loved the kick from the Jalapeno. The 1200 degree “Seared Filet Mignon Skewers” with Jalapeno Chermoula were served medium rare and just slightly spicy. We also enjoyed the Monterey Bay Calamari which was Crispy 5-Spice Dusted with cilantro, Fresno Chilies, sesame seeds and sweet chili garlic aioli. Our next course was their excellent Apple A Day Salad made with Bloomsdale Spinach, heirloom apples, candied bacon, 5-minute egg, roasted pistachios, pickled shallot and mustard vinaigrette. The salad was really unique and had a perfect balance of salty and tart.
The menu entrees feature Steaks and Seafood which works out well so there is something for everyone. The Sea Bass with beet puree, toasted hazelnut brown butter, tangerine and Bloomsdale Spinach was a favorite and a wonderful combination of flavors. There are great choices as one might expect for steaks. We loved the King Cut Prime Rib which was perfectly prepared rare as ordered and so flavorful. However please note that it is only available on weekends. Hearty eaters or those who wish to share a giant steak will love the “El Jefe” which is a 32 ounce Dry Aged Bone-In Rib Eye served with roasted marrow bones, mashed potatoes and duck confit gravy. El Jefe is a Spanish term for the chief or boss and this steak lived up to its name! We also enjoyed Side dishes of Creamed Spinach with Crispy Shallots and Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes.
The Wine List has something for everyone and features Premium local wines. We enjoyed a bottle of the 2010 Enriquez Tempranillo Petaluma Gap Sonoma County Estate, premium local red wine with our dinner. We were quite full and opted to share a dessert. The Chocolate Indecision II was delicious as it included White Chocolate Pot De Crème, Chocolate Cake, Malted Buttercream, and Salted Chocolate Caramel. It was just fabulous. A Double Espresso and a Numi Tea were the perfect finish to our excellent dinner.
Seared Steak & Seafood which serves premium Dry Aged Steaks, fresh sustainable Seafood and seasonal and local ingredients ups the ante for premium dining in Petaluma. The service was professional, knowledgeable and relaxed and the dining experience was worthy of a Steak House. Executive Chef Joe O’Donnell is a graduate of The Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy. He has previously been a chef locally in the Bay Area and brings a wealth of culinary experience which shows in the cuisine that is served. We look forward to returning soon for dinner or to try their new lunch offerings.
Seared Steak & Seafood
170 Petaluma Blvd. North
Petaluma, CA. 94952
707-762-5977
www.SearedPetaluma.com
Salito’s -Sausalito’s Crab House & Prime Rib Restaurant
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Cocktails |
Dock of The Bay |
Hot Skillet |
We lived in Sausalito for many years and particularly enjoy it on all those warm sunny days. We also love to dine where there are fabulous Bay Views, so we were excited to try Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib. The restaurant, which is now three years old, is very inviting as there are multiple levels and bar areas for Dining and Drinks including an outdoor deck overlooking Richardson Bay. This beautiful view can be seen from almost every angle in the restaurant. The décor features the ceiling which has hanging whimsical model cars, trucks, planes and motorcycles which puts a smile on your face immediately. There are white marble tables of all sizes including charming booths and the flooring is black and white. The interior is accented by blue and white which gives the decor a bright fun nautical look.
We started with Nick & Nora Cocktails from their full bar. We loved both the Ginger Martini made with Yazi vodka, Canton Ginger and cranberry juice which was strong and not too sweet and the Salitohattan made with Bourbon, Dolin Sweet and Jelinek Fernet Czech liqueur which was quite refreshing as well. They arrived in pouring shakers with retro Coupe Martini Glasses which allowed us to sip our drinks and keep the second pour chilled in ice.
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Crab |
Prime Rib |
Beignets |
We sipped on our drinks, enjoyed the view and began with an appetizer. The San Daniele Prosciutto was a sizeable portion but it is so light.... and quite a treat! Next, we shared the Fuji Apple Salad which consisted of Fuji Apples, sun dried cranberries, lightly candied walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. It was just delightful.
You must have one of their Hot Iron Skillets! We had the Roasted Mussels and Shrimp served with hot butter for dipping. This was another huge portion that could be an appetizer or a meal in itself. This is a definite favorite! We enjoyed their House-made Kettle Bread with Straus butter along with it.
At Salito’s it is Crab season year round, as they buy West Coast Dungeness Crab from suppliers up and down the coast as they become available. Our whole roasted hot two pound Dungeness Crab in garlic sauce was fresh and just delicious! The simplicity of the crab’s preparation made the flavors blossom.
Carnivores will also be glad they dined at Salito’s. We loved the USDA PRIME Prime Rib Large Cut which was served with two sides, potatolitos and cream spinach. It was prepared medium rare and came with creamed horseradish and au jus. A better Prime Rib would be hard to find and it was a great value since sides were included. You must also try the Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with bacon bits which was another excellent side dish.
The Wine list is focused with wines both by the glass and bottle. You can order a bottle of local California wine for $19.95 or if you wish Opus One for $199.95 with many other selections in between. We opted to order wines by the glass and were pleased to see that they were generous pours. We enjoyed the Cloudy Bay New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which was fruity and bright with our starters and the delightful Mc Murray Ranch Russian River Pinot Noir and the rich and full bodied Gundlach Bundschu Sonoma Cabernet with our Prime Rib.
As ever we had to have desserts. The New Orleans’s Fresh Hot Beignets were extremely light and very authentic. They were accompanied by crème fraiche which was perfect! The Lemon Torta Della Nonna was also delicious. We actually couldn’t finish it.... and enjoyed it warmed up the next day for breakfast.
Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib has something for everyone from cocktails to a casual bite or a full on feast and caters to both locals and tourists alike. There is a great view of Richardson Bay, exceptional service, excellent fresh Seafood and delicious Steaks and multiple bars for libations. We felt quite comfortable at Salito’s and truly enjoyed sittin’, sippin’ and dinin’ on the dock of the bay!
Salito’s Crab House & Prime Rib
1200 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA. 94965
415-331-3226
www.SalitosCrabhouse.com
Open Daily
Saturday & Sunday Brunch 10 AM-2 PM
Kids Menu available
Banquet & Large Party facilities
Ironside- West Coast BBQ in San Francisco
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Vintage Lucky Lager billboard |
Fried Avocado |
On Tap |
BBQ |
Baseball season is coming up so we thought we’d better do some recon to see where we could eat or get take out before a game. We had heard that Ironside which is located in the Historic Chronicle Books Building right near A T & T Park in San Francisco’s South Beach/SOMA neighborhood had just updated their dinner menu and decided to check it out. The restaurant’s décor features rugged walnut tables, barn wood, a zinc counter top and a huge chandelier made from a wooden gear. The industrial steel and timber staircase leads upstairs to a second dining area where there was a private party on the night we dined. One wall also has a huge eye catching vintage Lucky Lager billboard that added to the atmosphere.
Ironside’s Dinner Menu has plenty of choices. You can try their Combos, or order a la carte BBQ, sandwiches or burgers. They serve naturally raised meats with no hormones or antibiotics and use fresh local ingredients when available. We ordered wine and began with a starter. The Fried Avocado with smoked jalapeno aioli and chili lime salt was quite tasty and not too heavy. Next it was time for the BBQ. We loved the Natural Hill Pork Ribs which were tender and juicy, the Duroc Pulled Pork which reminded us of North Carolina’s chopped pork and the Smoked Creekstone Beef Brisket which was very lean. The sides that we enjoyed were the Cowboy Beans with bacon and the Pickled Pepper Slaw. Cornbread was an excellent accompaniment to the BBQ.
Ironside serves California Micro Brewery Beers and mostly California Wines. We enjoyed the light and lively 2012 Lange Twins Sauvignon Blanc and the rich 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir with our dinner. We lingered and enjoyed a cup of tasty local Four Barrel Coffee and had delicious Vanilla, Salted Chocolate and Bourbon Ice Cream for dessert.
Ironside has a fun atmosphere and serves tasty BBQ. They are open for lunch, weekend Brunch and dinner and would be a great choice when you are in SOMA for drinks, dining or take out on the way to the ballgame.
Ironside
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA. 94107
415-896-1127
www.IronsideSF.com
BOWL’D BBQ- Korean Stone Grill
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Korean Art by David Kim |
Starters |
We’ve enjoyed dining in the North Oakland‘s Temescal neighborhood for many years and watching the dining scene blossom. There are all types of restaurants and we get excited when new one’s open. BOWL’D BBQ- Korean Stone Grill recently opened and offers meats, fish and vegetables as well as Gluten Free and Vegan options, all made using their Korean Family Recipes. You can try Stews, Rice Dishes and Hot Stone Grill where you prepare your own food at your table utilizing an individual stone grill. The spicy and citrus sauces are House made and ingredients are local when available. The menu has pictures of the food which actually helped us make our choices.
The Décor is modern and quite pleasant and we always appreciate when there are candles on the tables for atmosphere. On one wall there is a striking Korean Mural by David Kim that lights up the whole restaurant and there are large windows for people watching on Telegraph Avenue which is always quite active.
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Korean Vegetables |
Spicy Beef Stew |
Steak on Korean Stone Grill |
BOWL’D BBQ’s beverage service includes teas, soft drinks, beer, wine, Saki and Soju. We ordered Hot Saki and Korea’s Chamisul Classic Soju. Most might not know that Soju is distilled like vodka, made with rice, barley and sweet potato and is the largest selling alcohol beverage in the world and Korea’s most popular drink.
We started with a few of their Small Plates which were both wonderful and very generous portions. We loved both the lightly Pan Fried Oysters in egg batter and the tasty Seafood Pancakes made with shrimp, calamari, mussels and scallions.
The Entrees came with a variety of kim chi and other Korean vegetables and tofu to accompany your meal. The small dishes made a beautiful display on the table and we really enjoyed all the variety they provided. It was really fun! Speaking of fun...we really enjoyed grilling our own Steak on the Hot Stone Grill BBQ. We cooked the steak rare like we enjoy it. We also tried adding some of the spicy vegetables on the grill which we put on the steak. It turned out to be a great idea...and wonderfully creative. The Spicy Beef Stew Entrée with shredded beef brisket, bean sprouts, glass noodles, green onions and eggs was also amazing and nice and spicy! The Stew was pictured on the menu which helped us with our decision. This was a really hearty portion which we also enjoyed the next day! We opted to have Cinnamon Persimmon and Ginger Teas to finish our meal.
BOWL’D BBQ- Korean Stone Grill is a great addition to the Temescal dining scene. We enjoyed the tasty, healthy Korean Cuisine. Preparing our own steak was quite fun! We are looking forward to returning soon to try some of their other dishes for lunch or dinner.
BOWL’D BBQ- Korean Stone Grill
4869 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA. 94609
510-654-2000
www.bowldbbq.com
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Rustic Italian Decor |
TortaFritta Con Salumi Antipasti |
Bisteccaalla Fiorentina |
Frittelle Di Mele Fried Apples |
Restaurateur/ Chef Fabio DallaVacche and Mom |
We have enjoyed going to Jack London Square in Oakland for many years and have seen dramatic changes which has brought growth in both housing and businesses to this beautiful waterfront area. The Historic Overland House building at the corner Broadway and Embarcadero has seen most of the changes, as it was built in 1909. Centouno 101 Taverna Italiana which serves Italian Comfort Food is its newest tenant. The restaurant’s interior features rustic Old World Italian inspired décor which is so charming and comfortable. We loved the Italian atmosphere with its festive red checked tablecloths and an Exhibition Kitchen where you can see your meal being created. Reclaimed wood adds to the warmth as do the comfortable booths and the large bar.
The menu created by Restaurateur/ Chef Fabio Dalla Vacche who grew up working at his family’s Trattoria in Parma, Italy then honed his culinary skills in New York City and recently moved to the Bay Area is straight forward Italian. The fact that his mom is assisting with the cooking makes the cuisine truly authentic and Food from the Heart!
We started our meal with their Torta Fritta Con Salumi Antipasti which featured delicious Fried Dough, Cured Prosciutto Di Parma and Salami. This is a great way to begin your meal! The prosciutto was so light and the fried dough was yummy with it. We chose to eat each individually but it is traditional to make a small sandwich. Next, we enjoyed the Insalada Caesar with romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, house made croutons and Parmesan Reggiano. The anchovy paste based dressing truly made this a memorable salad and a “must have” when we return. All of the Pasta is house made. We loved the homemade Gnocchi Al Pesto which was a potato and beet gnocchi with pesto Genovese and Parmigiano. This was a sizeable family style serving.
Our Entrees were both delicious as well. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina- Grilled 2.2 pound T-Bone Steak for two was gorgeous, quite large and was prepared rare as ordered. A better steak would be hard to find... at this reasonable price. The Osso Buco Braised Cross Cut Beef Shank entrée which cooks for 11 hours melts in your mouth!
The Wine List features both Italian and California wines. We opted to drink all Italian wines. When in Rome… do as the Romans! We enjoyed the Drusian Valdobbiadene Prosecco (Brut) which paired perfectly with the Antipasti, the Castelcerino/Filippi Soave dry white wine which paired well with pasta and the Marcelle Clara Montepulciano bold and rich red wine which paired perfectly with our entrees.
As ever we saved room for Dolce Dessert. We loved the house made Frittelle Di Mele which was Fried Apples. A glass of Sori Del Re Moscato D’Asti dessert wine added a little sweetness to the finish our meal.
Centouno 101 Taverna Italiana is open for dinner nightly, lunch weekdays and brunch on the weekend. The Italian Comfort Food at reasonable prices created by Restaurateur/ Chef Fabio Dalla Vacche and his family was delicious. The service was friendly and professional and we look forward to returning again soon!
Centouno 101 Taverna Italiana
101 Broadway
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA. 94607
510-433-5030
www.Centouno101.com
Taverna Room for Private Parties
Eat Drink SF - An Epic Foodie Festival - at Fort Mason August 1-3, 2014
San Francisco’s Annual Food, Wine and Spirits Festival (Formerly SF Chefs) presented by The Golden Gate Restaurant Association will be held this year at Fort Mason August 1-3, 2014. You will be able to experience tastes and flavors from the Bay Area finest Chefs, Mixologists, Brewers and Wine Experts. There will be classes, demonstrations, parties and Industry workshops. We look forward to attending again this year.
For a look back at 2013 http://www.diningdetectives.com/Nov2013-Toque.html#san
For more information and Tickets go to… http://eatdrink-sf.com/
Until we eat again…….
TOQUES (MORE REVIEWS)