BAY AREA EATS, FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, REVIEWS, SERVICES, SHOP, SPONSORED, VISIT SF

SF | illy caffè university of coffee

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This post is sponsored by illy caffè

the flagship location in San Francisco

illy caffè’s flagship store in San Francisco is located in the Financial District. They have multiple locations in the city!

  • inside the cafe
  • giant espresso cups + espresso cup chandelier at the entrance
  • fresh sandwiches to go with your coffee, anyone?
  • spacious interior

The cafe is very spacious. There is a bar area, as well as booths for more privacy.

  • inside the university of coffee

Inside their flagship is the University of Coffee which can be rented out for different educational and hands-on coffee experiences. I was invited to their DIY latte art experience. To learn more about the classes they offer, or to book a team building experience or private class for you and your friends, click here!

  • Y3.2 iperEspresso espresso & coffee machine + the new illy art collection cups by Olimpia Zagnoli
  • cappuccino + pastries from the cafe
  • olimpia zagnoli x illy cappuccino cup + saucer set

We were able to view some new products on display: the illy Art Collection by Olimpia Zagnoli espresso cups & the Y3.2 machine in new colors: white + Cape Town Blue. The white one is so cute and would go perfectly with my white kitchen appliances.

  • DIY latte art class, preparing the espresso
  • Heidi demonstrating how it’s done.
  • leaf latte art
  • chocolate as a latte art option

Our instructor, Heidi, demonstrated how to make latte art and then we were able to try and make our own.

  • first time!
  • using chocolate to decorate

I was the first volunteer to try it and it was harder than I thought!

  • coffee mixology
  • espresso lime tonic in the making

After the latte art experience, we also had a coffee mixology demo. We were also able to taste them and I loved the cold brew with salted caramel cream, which was made with illy’s Cold Brew Aria, the first-ever system that infuses ambient air into coffee to create a “nitro” effect.

Thank you, illy caffè, for the wonderful experience! Now I have to practice & perfect my latte art at home.

***

illy caffè

220 Montgomery St Ste. 148

San Francisco, CA 94104

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BAY AREA EATS, FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, RECIPES, SPONSORED

Recipe | California Walnuts Pesto Gemelli Salad with Shrimp

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This post is sponsored by California Walnuts

Did you know that walnuts are a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids (2.5g/oz)? Those are the good kind of fats, making walnuts the perfect lunch ingredient. 

Americans are skipping lunch, and this can impact energy levels as well as productivity. I have partnered with California Walnuts to #ChooseLunch to help me feel satiated and more energized throughout the day.

Walnuts are very versatile, so I decided to put a twist on a classic pesto pasta salad by using walnuts as the nut ingredient in this recipe. Hope you enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

Pesto

2 bunches of basil 

6 garlic cloves

½ cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup California walnuts

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

salt + pepper to taste

Pasta Salad

8 oz bag of pasta {I used Gemelli}

½ lb shrimp, 16/20 count

¼ lb cherry tomatoes, halved

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Put all the ingredients for the pesto (except for the oil) into a food processor and pulse until they are evenly chopped.
  • Pour the oil in a steady stream while running the food processor to emulsify. Stop when the mixture is homogeneous.  
  • Set the pesto aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to directions on the packaging. I chose Gemelli because of all the crevices in the pasta; it will catch all the pesto goodness!
  • While the pasta is cooking, prepare the shrimp.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp.
  • Cook the shrimp until they are opaque. Do not overcook.
  • Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the shrimp.
  • Stir in the pesto.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes to the pan. Mix until everything is evenly coated. Can be refrigerated for lunch or eaten immediately. 
  • Enjoy!
All the ingredients to make our pasta salad!
Place all the ingredients for the pesto [minus the oil] into the food processor and pulse.
Walnuts are a great substitute ingredient for pesto.
Perfect lunch!
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FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, REVIEWS, SHOP, SPONSORED

Sponsored | Simply Chocolate is Simply Delicious

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This post is sponsored by simply chocolate.

Simply Chocolate is the perfect resource for chocolate lovers. They offer quality gifts from iconic chocolatiers, as well as innovative artisans.

Simply Chocolate has recently launched the Simply Chocolate Premier Collection & Colossal Truffles, featuring delicious flavor pairings by an artisan chocolatier. These were gifted for me to try.

It’s been raining a lot lately, so I thought it would be perfect to cozy up with some hot milk tea & these chocolates.

Simply Chocolate Premier Collection [28 piece] & Simply Chocolate Colossal Truffles [12 piece]

I was gifted the 28 piece from the Premier Collection & the 12 piece Colossal Truffles. They also come in 14 pieces & 6 pieces, respectively.

6 Flavors: Milk Chocolate, Black & White, Milk Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Raspberry, Peanut Butter Sea Salt
These truffles are definitely COLOSSAL.
I cut them in half so you could see the cross sections.
8 Flavors: Ultra Dark Chocolate, Caramel Coconut, Strawberry Rhubarb, Sea Salt Peanut Butter, Caramel Rose, Mocha Cream, Hazelnut Heart, Orange Cream
Look at the detail on the Strawberry Rhubarb!

Aside from these new additions, Simply Chocolate continually provides new & exclusive products. They have introduced chocolates from four new brands: Ethel M, Jacques Torres, Knipschildt & Kohler. There are more than 30 brands on their site as well as hundreds of products to choose from!

As for pricing, the overall product price points range anywhere from $20- $300, so there are chocolates available for any budget; they make perfect gifts for the chocolate connoisseur. The Simply Chocolate branded collection price points range from $20- $100.

The Colossal Truffles [$29.99 – $49.99] & Premier Collection [$34.99 – $59.99]

Visit SimplyChocolate.com to find the latest in chocolate offerings, & also find information about top chocolate shops + featured chocolatiers.

***

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FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, RECIPES, REVIEWS, SPONSORED

Sponsored | Foster Farms Bold Bites

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This post is sponsored by Foster Farms.

Foster Farms has released Bold Bites in five unique flavors. These are the ideal snack for people on-the-go! As for me, they are the perfect snacks for my low-carb days.

Now available at: Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, Save Mart, Lucky’s, Albertsons, Vons

What I like about Foster Farms is that their chicken is responsibly raised by local farmers. They are committed to raising their poultry at a higher standard; they want to live up to their philosophy of good food feeds good times.

There are five bold flavors to choose from! And they all have completely different flavor profiles which makes it hard to choose just one bag. Which flavor would you try??

Cajun Style, Chile Verde, Caribbean Jerk Style, Korean BBQ Style, Parmesan Garlic
Made a quick snack with crackers, cheese, & Bold Bites Parmesan Garlic flavor.

For my low-carb days, I substitute the cracker for fresh cucumber slices. I used the Bold Bites with Chile Verde Seasoning because I thought it would pair nicely with some guacamole.

Bold Bites are made with whole chicken breasts which makes them a healthy snack option.
They do not include artificial colors, flavors, nitrates, or nitrites.
Bold Bites makes taking a snack break so easy.

If you are on-the-go, these Bold Bites make a great high-protein snack. When I feel like munching on something on my low-carb days, these are perfect. The Bold Bites that I tried are moist, juicy & packed with flavor. My favorite flavor is the Garlic Parmesan!

The other day, I introduced my friend to these Bold Bites because she was interested in my low-carb days & I turned her onto these as the perfect snack option; her favorite is the Korean BBQ.

#BeBoldAnywhere & try these Bold Bites now! They are currently sold in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, & Hawaii.

Visit Foster Farms to find a retailer near you.

***

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BAY AREA EATS, FOOD + BEVERAGE, PRODUCTS, REVIEWS

SF | Bayonne Ham induction Ceremony + Launch event

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This post is sponsored by: Bayonne Ham

Bayonne Ham is now in the US!

What is Bayonne ham?

There is ham & there is Bayonne Ham. It is unique because of these 3 reasons:

  • Bayonne Ham earned the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in 1998, a label that guarantees the quality & geographic origin of a product. This dry cured ham is so inherently special & inimitable that it must come from Southwest France to be called Bayonne Ham.
  • Four ingredients are essential to the production of Bayonne Ham: pigs, salt, air & patience. To qualify for production, the pigs must be born + bred in Southwest France & fed natural products.
  • With a moderate saltiness & creamy finish, Jambon de Bayonne is unique + stands out among the rest.

I was lucky enough celebrate their launch with an induction ceremony at Bask, a restaurant in San Francisco.

01/13/19 The event took place @ Bask in SF.
They handed out berets and handkerchiefs for the event.
The French Bayonne Ham team during the induction ceremony.
The inductees! {Roland Barthélémy, Cathy Strange, Kelly Cosgrove, Ray Bair, Ron Schinbeckler, Angela Rihacek, Tyson Danilson, Benat Ibarra, Stephanie Ciano}
Look at this beautiful ham! And the accordionist in the back makes things even more festive.
Cutting that Bayonne Ham for everyone to taste. This ham was amazing!
And of course, we had food paired with Bayonne Ham.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtACDAnntDu/
Hamming it up!

Thank you for a lovely time, Bayonne Ham!

Now that you know more about this mouth-watering ham, run to your nearest grocery store & ask for Maison Agour, Delpeyrat, Mayte, Salaisons de l’Adour or Pierre Oteiza, some of the most beloved brands that are available in the United States.

***

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PRODUCTS, SPONSORED

sponsored | feel alive with nature’s way alive! multivitamin gummies

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this post is sponsored by Nature’s Way Alive! Multivitamins

the end of the year is approaching and i know what that means: another year has passed & i will be another year older when the new year arrives. getting old is not easy & i realized that i need to take care of myself better. i need to #OwnTheMorning and savor each moment.

these gummy vitamins help support converting food into cellular energy.

i was gifted Nature’s Way Alive! Premium Gummies for women which is perfect for me because I JUST LOVE GUMMIES. the thought of taking vitamins in pill form is something i dread at times because of the taste. but since this is in a chewable gummie-form, what is there not to like?

the daily serving size is 3 gummies for 16 vitamins/minerals with choline & inositol

these gummies contain vitamins and minerals at 100% or more daily value than leading brands & contain nutrients to keep me energized throughout the day*

they are made with a premium formula with Orchard Fruits™ & Garden Veggies™ Powder Blend

 

share them with a friend before a meal to support each other’s hair, skin, bones & heart health.*

would you try these to #OwnTheMorning? don’t worry, there’s one for the whole family. Nature’s Way Alive! Premium Gummies are also available for men & kids. Use 15ALIVE1 for 15% off here.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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PRODUCTS, RECIPES, REVIEWS, SPONSORED

recipe | summer strawberry watermelon smoothie bowl that Outshines all others

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this post is sponsored by Outshine

When I think summertime, I think of watermelon and strawberry ice pops. Both sound so refreshing! Ice cream month just came to an end but you can still enjoy watermelon & strawberries all summer long with this quick & easy strawberry watermelon smoothie bowl recipe. This is a great way to keep cool while enjoying a healthy snack.

 

Outshine Strawberry Fruit Bars are made with real fruit.

 

Here are some of the toppings I will be adding to my smoothie bowl. I like berries & chia seeds so I will add them as my toppings.

 

I chilled some of the fruit toppings because I need this to be extra cold & refreshing on a hot summer day. I also added mint to add an extra bit of freshness.

 

I think using the watermelon as a bowl is a creative & fun way to present smoothie bowls for guests. And not to mention, it saves you from doing a dish or two. Enjoy this easy recipe on a hot summer day because #TheresAnIceCreamForThat!

 

serving: 2 bowls

ingredients

1 mini watermelon

2 Outshine Strawberry Fruit Bars

juice from 1/2 of a lime

garnish

watermelon balls

handful strawberries, whole or sliced

handful blueberries, whole or sliced

handful raspberries, whole or sliced

tablespoon chia seeds

sprig of mint

slices of lime

* drizzle of honey [optional] for added sweetness

*any toppings that you would like

materials

melon baller

blender

directions

1. Cut watermelon in half & scoop out the inside. Use the melon baller to scoop out round balls for some pieces and set those aside for garnish. Save the empty halves, for they will serve as bowls for your smoothie.

2. Freeze the watermelon scoops for one hour or until frozen.

3. Place the frozen cut-up watermelon pieces, lime juice, and Outshine Strawberry Fruit Bars into the blender & blend until it becomes thick & smooth in consistency.

3.  Put the contents into the hollowed-out watermelon halves.

4. Garnish with toppings of choice & enjoy!

 

Let me know what toppings you would add & how you liked my recipe!

*Outshine comes in a variety of flavors and right now you can stock up and save.

Save $2 when you buy 3 or more Outshine or other Nestlé ice cream products. Find the offer here:
http://lynk.to/HEEJINLEE

 

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FOOD + BEVERAGE, RECIPES

recipe | Maple Hill strawberry yogurt no-bake pie

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this post is sponsored by Maple Hill.

it’s national strawberry month! i know it’s almost the end of the month but it’s still not too late to celebrate.

i will be sharing a recipe for a no-bake strawberry yogurt pie using Maple Hill’s strawberry yogurt to end this month on a berry sweet note.

 

Maple Hill is 100% organic grass-fed dairy. the strawberry flavor is a part of their new blended yogurt series.

 

ingredients

crust:

5 oz graham crackers

6T melted butter

filling:

2  5.3oz Maple Hill strawberry yogurt

1  5.3oz Maple Hill plain yogurt [*optional or use strawberry yogurt]

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 T gelatin

1/2 cup water

garnish:

fresh strawberries

materials

6″ spring form pan

food processor [optional]

directions:

crust:

using a food processor, process the graham cracker until they are fine, similar to the consistency of sand.

if a food processor is not available, filling a zip lock bag with graham crackers and pounding them would also work.

mix in the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.

pour the graham crackers crumbs into the pan, and press down firmly. make sure the layer is 1/4″-1/2″ in thickness.

refrigerate crust while making the filling.

filling:

heat up the water and dissolve gelatin.

add the gelatin mixture into a bowl with the strawberry and vanilla yogurt. make sure the gelatin is completely mixed into the yogurt.

whip the whipping cream into stiff peaks.

fold in half of the whipped cream into the yogurt & pour into the pan.

refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm.

top with fresh strawberries and any leftover whipped cream & enjoy!

 

100% grass-fed dairy products have higher naturally occurring levels of beta
carotene, omega 3s and CLAs.

 

 

hope you enjoyed this simple no-bake recipe!

 

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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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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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