BAY AREA EATS, FOOD + BEVERAGE, RESTAURANTS, SF EATS, TRAVEL

SF | where i like to eat in san francisco

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i get asked this quite often, so i’ve finally decided to put together a short list of places that i like to go to in the city. these are some places that i would take friends from out of town.

if you see it on my instagram more than once, you know that i really do like it!

bakeries

b. patisserie


they have THE BEST kouign amann. i prefer their original flavor but they also have seasonal flavors. their chocolate chip cookie is also quite good.

b.patisserie

2821 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94115

 

arsicault bakery


their almond croissant & ham & cheese croissant are a must. but i think everything there is pretty tasty.

arsicault bakery

397 Arguello Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94118

 

golden gate bakery


i love their super eggy egg tarts with their flakiest crusts. you have to check if they are open because they always seem to be on vacation. sometimes this site is updated to show if they are open or not.

golden gate bakery

1029 Grant Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94133

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noods

marufuku ramen


there is always an hour+ wait for this place because it is one of the better ramen spots in the city. i prefer the chicken paitan over the tonkotsu, but you should see for yourself!

marufuku ramen

1581 Webster St. Ste 235

San Francisco, CA 94115

 

quan ngon vietnamese noodle house


the star of the show is their chicken pho with the wide noodles. their chicken isn’t dry & their broth is very flavorful. sometimes the noodle to soup ratio is off, but if you like noodles, this shouldn’t be an issue.

quan ngon vietnamese noodle house

2511 Noriega St.

San Francisco, CA 94122

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casual dining

swan oyster depot


cash only & i recommend going during off peak hours [around 3-4pm] during the weekday. their crab back, crab cocktail, & oysters are my go-tos.

swan oyster depot

1517 Polk St.

San Francisco, CA 94109

 

house of thai

the tom yum was flavorful and not too sweet. i also recommend getting everything spicy because they do not do things mildly !!!

 

house of thai

901 Larkin St.

San Francisco, CA 94109

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tasting menus

avery

one of my favorite restaurants in SF. @chefrodneywages is very talented & i absolutely loved everything on the menu. my favorite dish is probably the hokkaido snow beef with bbq sauce.  & the caviar bumps are delicious & fun to do!

avery

1552 Fillmore St.

San Francisco, CA 94115

 

wako

my favorite sushi restaurant in SF. my favorite is their “uni taco” because their uni is sweet & the nori is extra crispy. i always get a few extra of those after the omakase is over.

wako

211 Clement St.

San Francisco, CA 94118

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dessert

u :dessert story


not only are their desserts photogenic, but they are actually tasty! i recommend the pandan crêpe cake & the oolong cheese tea. their cheese foam is so creamy, just the way i like it.

u :dessert story

3489 16th St.

San Francisco, CA 94114

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if you ever happen to try them, leave me a comment & let me know your thoughts! also, if you would like to see any other lists, please leave suggestions in a comment.

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BAY AREA EATS, FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, REVIEWS, SERVICES, SF EATS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, TRAVEL, VISIT SF

SF | Dinerlist app launch

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Compensation for this post was provided by Dinerlist. Opinions expressed here are my own.

dinerlist has just launched in the san francisco bay area. to celebrate, at the bottom of this post, there will be a link for a chance to win an iphone x!

it is an app that helps people find new restaurants, bars, and cafes in their immediate area without having to look through millions of photos and reviews; it also shows any deals/promos that the establishment might be having.

dinerlist might entice you to try that one restaurant you always pass by but never thought to go into. or  it may even get you to try a new menu item at a place you’ve already been to, which was the case for me.

i was looking through dinerlist and came across mr. t cafe. i go there occasionally to get their twister potato fries or egg puffs. i saw on dinerlist that they had a 10% off drinks promotion so i decided to go and try their drinks this time.

 

i thought, why not try their drinks at 10% off?

 

i got two drinks [instead of one] because one was 10% off. here shown are the milk tea with seas salt & strawberry milk tea.

download the app & try it for yourself and see what items you would try through their promotions.

itunes
google play

** when you download the app + link to facebook account, you will be entered to win an iphone x! **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

winner will be announced 1/15!

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SERVICES, SF EATS, SHOP, TRAVEL, VISIT SF

SF | museum of ice cream – san francisco edition

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this very instagrammable museum of ice cream is sold out.

 

it used to be a bank before it was converted into a very pink & colorful museum dedicated to all things ice cream. this door does not open.

 

during the month of October, salt & straw featured their sea salt caramel flavor with a magic coffee shell. i like their salted caramel flavor and the coffee shell added a little extra something to their regular flavor.

ice cream, DUH! here you will be able to sample a scoop of ice cream, mochi ice cream, cotton candy, unicorn milk soft serve & pop rocks.

i didn’t ride the unicorn like most people. but i did try unicorn milk!

it was quite creamy and not too sweet. it was the perfect bite. the pink is a white chocolate shell.

they have the famous sprinkle pool here but i only went in mid-calf deep with socks on. i just couldn’t get myself to dive in. but if you do, they have a station where you can “dry off” with an air dryer.

 

the swings are the last exhibit. there are three of them but i think i liked the whipped cream “exhibit” the best.

 

the museum of ice cream is a place where adults can be kids again!

***

museum of ice cream

1 Grant Ave

San Francisco, CA 94108

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BAY AREA EATS, RESTAURANTS, SF EATS, VISIT SF

Bay Area | McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries Are Back!

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Yes, McDonald’s Gilroy Garlic Fries are back!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for McDonald’s. Although I have been compensated, all opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.

I LOVE  LOVE LOVE McDonald’s fries, so when they added garlic, olive oil, parmesan, and parsley to a classic, I was definitely lovin’ it!

I had tried these fries last year and am glad that they are back. But sadly, they are available for a limited time, only through summer.
Sorry SoCal readers, these are only available in the Bay Area! You must come visit a Bay Area McDonald’s to get a taste of these deliciously cheesy garlic fries.

These fries are made-to-order and they use Christopher Ranch garlic from Gilroy, CA, which everyone knows is the garlic capital of California!

how does it taste?
The garlic taste is not too strong but very apparent, perfect for garlic-lovers such as myself. I must say I am hooked! I hope that they can make this a regular addition to the McDonald’s menu in the future.

***

 

McDonald’s

441 Sutter St

San Francisco, CA 94108

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BAY AREA EATS, RESTAURANTS, SF EATS, SHOP, VISIT SF

SF | China Live in Chinatown

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China Live is a new addition to Chinatown, where you can shop, eat, drink and explore Chinese culture & cuisine.

this is above the entrance that leads to the marketplace.

i got to attend the market restaurant media preview for China Live in Chinatown.

[thanks to tablehopper ‘s Marcia Gagliardi x @kavalanUSA x @anchorspirits x @chinaliveSF]

there are communal benches as well as tables. bar seating is also available. the tables and chairs were crafted in China from reclaimed Chinese Elm.

the ceiling has Chinese characters that represent the flavors of China.

these were some of the seasonal menu items that i had the pleasure of tasting.

shen jian bao, chrysanthemum ten ingredient salad, pressed five-spiced bean curd, winter turnip. the bean curd was probably my favorite from this group. the dish was well-seasoned and the green peppercorn flavor really came through.

the crust of the roast pork char siu baked bun added a nice sweet crunch to the soft baked bun.

one of my favorite dishes was the peking duck with kumquat glaze, in traditional sesame pockets. who doesn’t love the crispy, oily skin of a peking duck wrapped in a crispy sesame pocket? the sweetness from the kumquat glaze complemented the saltiness of the skin. the cucumber & green onions brought freshness to each bite.

we also had cocktails made with Kavalan, a Taiwanese Whisky brand.

this was the ‘laughing gas’: Viognier, fresh lime, pineapple, smoked honey & bitters.

and lastly, the dessert was mango shaved ice, similar to the Taiwanese shaved snow but with an added twist of sesame soft serve underneath the fluffy snow with yogurt-flavored popping boba.

currently, the market restaurant opens @ 5pm

***

China Live

644 Broadway

San Francisco, CA 94133

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SERVICES, SF EATS, TRAVEL

Onsen SF: R&R in the Tenderloin

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This weekend, I had the chance to visit Onsen, which will soon be opening to the public on 11/11.

It is a holistic spa/tea room/restaurant/treatment room all rolled into one.

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A hidden gem in the TL

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This hallway contains 6 treatment rooms for massage/acupuncture.

It leads into the communal bath area.

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Communal bath

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Entrance to the redwood cedar dry sauna [with a view of the communal tub]

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Overhead cold plunge to cool off after the dry sauna

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The steam room

Check out their gallery for more photos.

In the front of the space, there is a restaurant with tea service.

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Fresh plant-driven menu that is heavily Asian-inspired.

Pickled vegetables, kakuni lamb, halibut sashimi, jook.

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Finish the meal off with some tea. They also have cocktails and lemon kombucha.

***

Onsen

466 Eddy Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

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BAY AREA EATS, SF EATS

Tartine Manufactory: Hit or Miss?

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Long overdue post of Tartine’s new spot: Tartine Manufactory

I visited back in August and I was not fond of waiting in that line. I don’t know why I went on a weekend. [Actually, I know why. My friend suggested it. LOL. ] I usually try to avoid these hot spots during peak days. But fortunately, the line moved pretty fast.

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I filled out the order sheet that they give you while you are waiting. But it’s hard to decide without actually being able to see the pastries so I decided to go inside to check the pastry case.

The way they set up the space is that you wait at the top of the steps at the entrance and then walk across to the counter where the pastry case is to give your order sheet with your order number on it and pay when it is your turn. This makes it difficult to browse the pastries before you pay.

When I got inside, the host was pretty rude and pretentious and told me that “there’s a line”. Well obviously, there is a line; it’s wrapped around the side of the building. I wasn’t trying to cut. I couldn’t even cut because I didn’t have the order sheet with me, either; my friend was waiting outside in line with it. I think they could have told me in a nicer way; that just left a bad taste in my mouth. And when we got to the top of the stairs and were next up to pay, she said “you can go and pay now”.

Oh, can I please??!?

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Spacious and lots of natural light

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The menu is very limited if you do not want pastries, salads, or sandwiches. We came after 11a so we couldn’t get the breakfast items [such as the coddled egg and egg sandwich] which seemed more appealing.

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Out of the Liege waffle, bread pudding, and the strawberry scone, I thought the waffle was the best. I just wished it was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside but it was more of a soft waffle with a fluffy inside. The taste was good, though.

The bread pudding came out lukewarm. We asked if they could heat it up and they actually brought out a fresh new one that was supposedly warm. That was nice of them. BUT it was still lukewarm.  I really liked their bread pudding at their original location so this was a huge disappointment for me. I remember liking the eggy-ness mixed with the fluffiness from the bread but this one had large chunks of egg custard in the center.

I went when they were fairly new, so I hope they worked out the kinks by now [as well as fixed their attitude problem].

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BAY AREA EATS, LA EATS, SERVICES, SF EATS

Munchery Food Delivery Service

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I got to try out Munchery, a SF-based food delivery service. They are available across various cities in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.

I saw on their website that they have cooking kits, where you can cook a meal for two in 15 minutes. I must try that next time and see how it turns out.

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The price point is pretty good for the quality of food you get. To keep prices low, they charge a subscription fee for members.

I ordered my meal two days ahead of time because I REALLY wanted the CAWxMunchery Gold-Flaked Chocolate Cake! It was sold out the last time I tried to order it so when I saw it on the menu, I just had to jump on it.

A plus is that you can pick your delivery window. (I chose 4-5p.)

The food comes chilled in compostable containers and in a paper bag so it is ideal if you are home or will be home when the food gets there.

This is what I got this time.

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 Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll $9.95

They have rolls & nigiri too!

For me, the spicy tuna crunch roll is a light snack, or appetizer to start off my meal.

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Buttermilk Fried Chicken $8.95

 

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Spanish-Style Tri-tip Steak $10.95

 

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1/2 Roast Chicken with Squash $9.95

 

And got my favorite dessert! Of course, I had to get TWO. Sadly, I shared one.

[A collaboration between Craftsman And Wolves + Munchery.]

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Gold-Flaked Chocolate Cake $6.95

Overall, the food is well seasoned and tastes pretty healthy; they try to avoid using preservatives when possible.  My friends agreed that for the quality you get, the price is pretty amazing.

If I’m not in the mood too cook and I don’t feel like fast food, I would definitely order from them again, especially when the CAWxMUNCHERY chocolate cake is available. Haha!

***

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LA EATS, PRODUCTS, SF EATS

CRUSTACEAN SF: Ăn: To Eat cookbook demo by Chef Helene An

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When I think of Crustacean’s, I think of their famous roast crab & garlic noodles.

If you don’t know already, the An Family owns multiple restaurants in SoCal & SF. Their first restaurant, Thanh Long, which I have been to, is located in the Outer Sunset.

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I was excited to attend this event to watch Chef Helene An cook something up in front of our eyes… And also because I was secretly hoping that she would cook us up some garlic noodles. Hehe.

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  Here is the menu of the items from her new cookbook that she previewed with us.

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Part of the spread, all from the cookbook.
[top left cw: Vietnamese chicken coriander cabbage salad, caramelized salmon, coconut spare ribs, filet mignon shaken beef]

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They brought out so many extra dishes besides the ones that were listed.

[above are from the actual restaurant menu: crab puffs & jumbo prawn wontons]

We had a lot to eat! That’s a very Asian thing, which I L O V E.

In most Asian households, there are always leftovers; no one ever leaves hungry.

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My favorite dish was this FRENCH ONION PHO WITH BEEF RAVIOLI. The mini bone marrow added richness to each bite. The broth tasted super clean. This is definitely not your average pho. I am going to try and recreate this dish from the cookbook, one of these days!

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My Second favorite dish from the cookbook was probably this SPICY CHICKEN & SHRIMP RAMEN IN COGNAC XO SAUCE. If you know me, you know I NEED spice in my life.

***

And just when I thought, they weren’t going to bring out the garlic noodles….

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…they did!

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The book is written by Chef Helene An & one of her daughters, Jacqueline An. I had the pleasure of meeting both of them and they were really nice! They personally signed each book, which I thought was very thoughtful.

 She was really tired, but I had to bother her for this selfie.

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[A photo of Chef Helene and I with THE Dog Filter.]

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I loved listening to the An sisters, sharing their family’s story and memories associated with the food that inspired them. You, too, can read about their stories in their cookbook.

-Hee Jin

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SF EATS

1760’s NEW Family Style Tasting Menu

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My second time @1760SF

They will be releasing this family style tasting menu next week! Luckily, I got a preview.

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Here’s a quick rundown:

Heirloom tomato gazpacho: the salted egg added something special to the soup.

Ocean Trout Crudo: can never go wrong with fresh raw fish.

Broccoli di Ciccio: I’ve noticed that this is the hottest trend in green veg. I’ve had it on pizza @ Fiorella and now here.

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Crispy Octopus: probably my favorite dish. The batter on the octopus was crispy, yet chewy. The octopus was perfectly cooked. All the colorful veggies made the dish very beautiful. The roasted red pepper rouille was a nice creamy sauce that had a little bit of spice; it went well with the crispy octopus and the fresh tomatoes. #MoreThanJustOK

Bavette steak: This was the heartiest dish. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and it was not chewy or tough.

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Brown butter panna cotta: This dessert was soooo good. I LOVE panna cotta. This was less gelatinous than most panna cottas I’ve had. It was super smooth and the brown butter flavor really came through. The tartness of the raspberry sorbet and the texture from the chocolate cake crumbles balanced out the creamy, butteriness of the panna cotta. I wish I had a bigger bowl of it. #MoreThanJustOK

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The pretty cocktails: Pear shiso & Carrot and Chinato.

Family Style Menu: $65/person * $35/beverage pairing

1760

1760 Polk St.

San Francisco, CA 94109

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