SF | China Live in Chinatown

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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Panino Giusto Cupertino: First US Location

This Milan-based restaurant has stores in London, Tokyo, & Hong Kong.

…and Cupertino gets their first location in the US!

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located inside Main Street Cupertino

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cute lights

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look at all that cured meat!

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They also have a variety of cheeses. My fave was the 27 month aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

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My fave from these is the schiacciata calabra because I like a little heat in my cured meats.

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Got to try two Michelin-starred Paninis created by Claudio Sadler**

**Milano 2015: 26 months Parma ham, romaine, artichoke cream, parmigiano reggiano cream, balsamic vinegar flakes, arugula, black pepper

**Madras: Roast turkey breast, baby spinach, tomato, toasted almonds, black rice, Madras curry mayonnaise

Giusto: Prosciutto cotto, Mozzarella, anchovy, tomato, mustard sauce

 

Hey @willbakeforshoes, can you hold my paninis for a photo? #NoShame @panino_giusto’s very first US location is in Cupertino! #BayAreaEats

A photo posted by Hee Jin [Bay Area + LA] (@hungryhungryheejin) on

They will be coming soon to San Francisco & Los Angeles as well!

 

Panino Giusto

19469 Stevens Creek Blvd

Cupertino, CA 95014

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Viansa Sonoma: Fireside Social Hour

Last month, I was lucky enough to preview their Fireside Social Hour.

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Fireside Social Hour:

Last one is THIS Thursday, 11/17  (5p-7p)

[$15 for a glass of wine, apps, and cozy fireplace]

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so cute

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they also have pizza!

pizza with a view

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some of their wines

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this is their private outlooks, which are available for private tastings. there’s a nice view of their vineyard and the wetlands.

Visit their website for more details + the different kinds of tastings they have to offer.

Viansa Sonoma

25200 Arnold Drive

Sonoma, CA 95476

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Tartine Manufactory: Hit or Miss?

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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Munchery Food Delivery Service

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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Creamistry Palo Alto Opening PREVIEW

Everyone in the Bay Area is probably familiar with Smitten Ice cream, where the ice cream is made-to-order  using liquid Nitrogen.

Creamistry is a version of a liquid Nitrogen ice creamery. I am all too familiar with them because it is from SoCal. Finally, they are opening their first location in the Bay Area in Palo Alto.

 menu

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I love having the option of choosing the base. I went for organic Straus so I could be a little healthier. But then again, I ordered the double, which was giant. HA HA. I noticed that the ice cream is usually super silky and smooth when it is made with liquid Nitrogen and Creamistry’s texture was ON POINT.

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There are so many flavors and toppings to choose from (over 70+!). I, of course, got so many toppings because I like options. I got fresh strawberries and bananas, marshmallow cream, Fruity Pebbles, and a waffle cone. I added fresh fruit, so it’s healthy, right?

I wanted to try the edible chocolate bowl, but those weren’t available yet. A side of brownie is also an option with your ice cream.

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I also tried a cookies ‘n cream NitroShake with mini M&M’s mixed in garnished with some minis and chocolate shavings.

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Soft Opening this Monday, 9/12 and officially opening on Friday, 9/16.

Will be back to try their affogato, and their specialty creations in a cup.

Creamistry-Palo Alto

164 University Ave,

Palo Alto, CA 94301

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