View from my window seat
In typical local fashion, I had never been to the Cliffhouse in San Francisco. Venturing out to Ocean Beach only to freeze to death by the salty sea never appealed to me and so the historic Cliffhouse remained a mystery. Like with all famous towers, inside holds an elegant restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows to reveal breathtaking views of the bay. When I discovered that Sutro’s at the Cliffhouse was offering a Dine About Town menu, I jumped at the opportunity to make reservations for lunch. I was lucky to get a window seat on a beautiful day in June. The first course was a creamy asparagus soup topped with slivers of almonds and lavender petals, making it almost difficult to plunge my spoon into such a work of art. This was followed by a grilled-chicken breast sandwich on a
Asparagus Soup
local dutch-crunch roll served with crispy fresh fries. For vegetarians, they offered a tasty spring vegetable pasta, which looked like a farmers’ market in a bowl. Two courses for $17.95, plus unlimited viewing of the waves beneath the tower was the best meal deal I’ve had in a while. Normal menu options and prices are a bit steeper, but still manageable for special occasions. They offer a wide range of local seafood and organic produce fit to satisfy both locals and our guests.
Chicken-breast Sandwich
Spring Veggie Pasta
Sutro’s at the Cliffhouse
1090 Point Lobos Ave (between Great Hwy & Merrie Way)
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-3330
www.cliffhouse.com/sutro/index.html
Mon-Sat 11:30 am – 9:30 pm Sun 11 am – 9:30 pm
$$$
If you have ever tried to eat out on a public holiday such as July 4, you may know what a difficult prospect that is. This year, after a long July 4th weekend of eating, drinking, and sun exposure, my fiancé and I still had a couple guests in town and wanted to show them the Chicago dining scene. We were tired of pizza, hot dogs, and grill outs at the beach, and while all those things are lovely in their own right, we were in serious need of some refinement.
When the first restaurant we tried was not open, we started walking, trying to find something else close and delicious – to no avail. Then I made phone calls to a few of my favorite restaurants in the City – those that I knew were sure to please. Nothing was open. There was, however, one restaurant that has been on my radar for a while – The Publican. It was my last shot, and they were open for regular hours! As fate would have it, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while and it turned out to be the perfect place to show off Chicago and our fabulous food (warning: this is a picture-heavy post; the food was just so photogenic!).
The menu is organized by meat, fish, or vegetable and by the size of the serving, with smaller portions on top and the largest portions on the bottom. Everything is served family style, so we ordered an array of choices from small, medium, and large plates. The service was outstanding as well – we told our server what we wanted to eat, and he quickly organized our entire order into courses. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the fantastic beer list – one of our guests claimed the beer he ordered was the best he has ever had.
We started out with a small portion of the daily pickles – sweet cucumber pickles, pickled onions, and giardiniera. The first course also included a dozen West Coast oysters and some serious pork rinds. They were crisp and light with a perfect dusting of a more perfect seasoning. While I have not eaten many pork rinds in my life (a travesty, I know!), I feel I can safely say these will forever be the standard by which I measure these little treats.
The next course – tuna escabeche – was equally satisfying. The tuna was served with big, juicy, extremely satisfying tomatoes and a rich – but not overpowering – olive oil. The tuna itself was, of course, high quality and perfectly seared. After the first course, I expected nothing less.
For me, the highlight of the meal was the third course. I was not yet overly fully so as to diminish my tasting experience, but also, the flavors – the flavors! – of the third course were utterly addicting, completely extravagant, and well, let’s just say food no longer tastes the same. I’m talking about the trout. A deboned, whole trout served with white and green cauliflower. The skin – flawlessly crisp – and the luscious, explosion-of-flavor flesh were only matched in greatness by the saucy drippings on the plate – all of which were soaked off the plate with bread to the point that you’d think we licked it. We didn’t. But I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say we wanted to.
Our final course – duck hearts, lamb sausage, and pork belly – were all rich and satisfying and put me into a food coma beyond comprehension. The duck hearts were served atop crusty bread with apricots and mushrooms. The lamb sausage would have been my favorite meal of the evening if I hadn’t been completely stuffed to the brim by the time I ate it. And the pork belly, served with a chocolate sauce, was divine. At the table, I described it as being the lightest, most refreshing chunk of fat I’ve ever eaten – if that’s possible.
In conclusion – go to Publican. This post is full of superlatives and what-may-seem-like exaggerations, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. The service, the beer list, the food, the ambiance – it all adds up to one great experience that highlights Chicago at its best.
The other day I was meandering home in my ‘hood in downtown LA, which some might call The Nickel, when I happened upon a lovely little diner called, you guessed it, The Nickel.
This place is everything an old fashioned diner should be–and more! The Nickel Diner takes traditional greasy spoon fare and vamps it up to a whole new level. They’ve re-imagined burgers, sandwiches, cupcakes, and sodas to beat the band.
While they serve incredible breakfast dishes up until 3 pm (see photo below if you don’t believe me),
I opted for one of their amazing cheeseburgers, served with avocado and bacon on a fresh and light bun. This baby really hit the spot. (And for 10 bucks, it was more than enough to fill me up.)
Another thing I really love about this homey place is their sodas. They have an impressive selection of fun, all-natural sodas ranging from rootbeer and creme soda to apple soda. I only wish they sold beer and wine, but if you are nice to your server, you could probably BYOB. It’s that laid back.
The atmosphere here is rich with that old diner feel, featuring wood walls covered in diner signs and comfy upholstered booths. It can get somewhat crowded and lively during weekend brunch time and also in the evenings when the hipsters come to Downtown to take over the bar scene. No matter what though, this meal is worth the wait.
And to finish up that delightfully cheesy dish of Smac ‘n Cheese or Mama’s Spaghetti and Meatballs? Yup. They have bacon and maple syrup donuts. These succulent delicacies will have you tossing in your sleep for more.
If you try only one thing at The Nickel Diner, be sure to indulge in one of their creative desserts. Not into bacon? That’s okay, try the Cher cupcake (sprinkled on top with strawberry poprocks) or the luscious red velvet cake or the s’mores cake, which your server will actually LIGHT ON FIRE next to your table. You know, just to make sure the marshmallows are nicely toasted.
I am so lucky to have this spot in my neighborhood. The restaurant is entirely run by a team of women chefs who support women in small local businesses. And if my post isn’t enough to compel you to make the trip, check out the review of The Nickel Diner at 10PM Monday, October 19th on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives“ with Guy Fieri. But don’t worry–no matter how big The Nickel gets, it will always have that humble, down-home feel.
The Nickel Diner
524 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-623-8301
Hours:
Breakfast and Lunch:
Tues-Sun: 8 am-3:30 pm
Dinner:
Tues-Sat: 6 pm-11 pm
Closed Mondays
I first heard about the Doughnut Plant on the Food Network when the owner Mark, had a Throwdown with Bobby Flay. After seeing Mark win with his Tres Leches doughnut I decided I needed to try one, and boy am I glad I did. The Doughnut Plant makes the best doughnuts I’ve ever eaten in my life! From the outside the shop looks like nothing special, with its small store front and plane jane sign. Even the inside is too small to have any seating.
I tried 6 kinds of doughnuts all which I would kill just to have again. First, the famous Tres Leches doughnut. It was like nothing I’ve ever eaten. Its a cake doughnut infused with a creamy milky filling. This helps make the doughnuts super moist and delicious. My second favorite was the blackout doughnut. It’s pretty much the chocolate version of the Tres Leches. Each bite had a burst of chocolately goodness. The Valrhona chocolate one was their version of a chocolate frosted doughnut except it was bigger and fluffier than normal. Even the next day (I couldn’t eat all 6 doughnuts in one sitting) each one was delicious and better than Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme. You can tell that their products are all freshly made. They close up shop when they run out of goods.
The variety of doughnuts depends on the time of year you go. The glazes are made with whatever fresh fruit is in season. For example, the glaze on the blueberry doughnut had little pieces of blueberries in it. One of the reasons why these doughnuts are so special is because they’re not drowned in the glaze. The glaze is gently poured over each doughnut by hand ensuring none of the air escapes by pressing it down. This makes sure they’re still extra airy by the time they reach your mouth. And just to add to the fun, some of the doughnuts are square. Each doughnut is around $3 which is a little more pricey than your average doughnut shop, but it is worth every penny.
Doughnut Plant
379 Grand Street NYC
www.doughnutplant.com
Another burger, another city. Yet this place, Good Stuff Eatery, was different. Maybe it was because of the diverse menu of burger creations or that the owner is Spike Mendelsohn, a favorite from the Chicago season of Top Chef. Or that the restaurant practices smart sustainable actions and gives back to the community through a variety of charitable organizations. But, I really think that it comes down to the good food: burgers, fries, and shakes. Plus, the condiment bar with a variety of flavored mayos and mustards.
Hoping to capture the moment in this picture, I chose the blazin’ barn burger (pickled daikon radish, cilantro, mint, carrots, Thai basil, lettuce, and spicy mayo) and a small order of the village fries (fresh thyme, rosemary, and black pepper). The burger packed a mountain of flavor that was spicy yet clean at the same time; the beef was fresh and crumbly, not packed. The fries were hot, hand cut, and herb-a-licious. I actually wonder how long it takes a prep cook to chop the herbs each day; I got a peek at the container holding the herbs on the line, and the container was overflowing. The rest of the menu has traditional and not so traditional burgers (chicken can be substituted), wedge salads, and shakes. Go get in line now!
Details:
303 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
There’s no mistaking this summer event because it’s all in the name: Outdoor Cinema Food Fest L.A.
Billed as “the ultimate picnic” with “no basket required,” here’s the breakdown:
Outdoor – Downtown’s Exposition Park is where most take place; Grand Hope Park and Beverly Hills’ La Cienega Park will also host.
Cinema – Swingers, The Big Lebowski… View schedule online.
Food Fest – 60 food trucks on rotation throughout July and August.
Among the 10 trucks set for this weekend, I’m saving room for a cone from Lake Street Creamery, L.A.’s transient ice cream makers who have our streets a-buzz this summer for Donut-flavored scoops. According to their Twitter page, there’s a new flavor named Don Draper; like the man himself, this flavor could be yours only if you can track him down.
Outdoor Cinema Food Fest
Los Angeles, Calif.
Saturdays, July and August 2010, 6-11pm
Admission $8 each or 4 for $5 each (plus extra for parking)
OutdoorCinemaFoodFest.com
A couple weeks ago I had a group of friends in town to have a little celebration known as a bachelorette party. Yep, I’m getting married in two weeks. Wow! The foodie that I am, of course I wanted to have a great dinner to celebrate and say goodbye to my last few weeks as a (technically) single woman (let’s be real – “single” was a word I quit using long ago). When you have 10 people all going to dinner, though, the options start to limit themselves quickly. Different budgets, different palates – it’s hard to find the perfect restaurant that everyone will like.
Fortunately, La Madia aims to please. The almost ridiculously reasonable prices despite the downtown location, quality food, and crowd-pleasing menu made them an obvious choice. Who doesn’t love pizza? And while Chicago is known for pizza, La Madia’s pies are a far cry from the greasy, fatty deep dish pizza that we usually rep’ in this city. The crispy thin crusts and unique, almost exotic combinations of flavors, not to mention the cute, modern interior and wood-burning oven that is visible from the dining room all make this place a pizza destination in its own right.
Cracked Organic Egg, San Daniele Prosciutto, Caciocavallo Cheese & Black Pepper Pizza
Coach Farm Goat Cheese, Melted Leeks, Garlic, & Pancetta Pizza
We ordered an outstanding array of food, and while the pizzas were excellent, the appetizers stole the show. The special of the evening – squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta cheese and an array of herbs served with a side of La Madia’s classic pizza sauce – was easily the crowd favorite. Other starters included the Oven-Roasted, Prosciutto-Wrapped Medjool Dates Filled with Gorgonzola Dolce and Oven-Roasted Globe Artichokes, a personal favorite and something I order every time I go to La Madia.
My advice is to be adventurous with your pizza order. Forget the pepperoni and try something new because La Madia is sure to do it right and you’ll be sure to gobble it down.
La Madia
59 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL
312.239.0400
First I’m going to start off this post with a disclaimer. Bahama Breeze is a chain restaurant, from the same company that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster. It’s not quite as widespread as those chains, but I’m sure it would like to be someday. Also, Bahama Breeze is an advertiser in the magazine that pays my bills, and I’ve written articles about the restaurant designed to tempt people inside. But they’ve never invited me to dine there, and I have never actually walked into the place, until this past Saturday for dinner with a friend. I guess you could say the propaganda I was writing for them actually worked on me (boy am I good!), and I’ve wanted to try the place for a really long time.
Bahama Breeze is located in Schaumburg, which is about halfway between my home and one of my friend’s homes. This makes it a good place for us to meet. I think we were expecting something a little more Cheeseburger in Paradise, not that I’ve ever been to one of those places, but Bahama Breeze gives off a more elegant and classy tropical vibe. It actually does remind me of the upscale resorts I’ve been to in the Bahamas with a semi-outdoor eating area, hurricane-style window shades, steel drum music you can hear from the parking lot on many nights and an extensive drink menu. I suppose I was expecting more pastels, but Bahama Breeze is really more Tommy Bahama.
I’ve heard iffy things about the service, just from online reviews and such, but we had no problems at all. We waited a few minutes for a table, but I was late anyway and my friend was seated before I arrived–and they’d given her a free appetizer of Island flatbread to boot. I’d almost say the service was too fast. We weren’t ready for our entrees when they came, because we were not even halfway through the spinach dip. The dishes are what you might call American with a touch of island flavor–the shrimp is breaded with coconut, the black bean soup is Cuban-inspired, the baby-back ribs come with a guava barbecue sauce. I had a special, scallops in a lemon cream sauce on corn cakes, and my friend had salmon with a shrimp saute. Both were cooked really excellently. I love seafood, and I have to admit I’ve been eating it lately as if it’s going out of style. Probably because I expect the BP spill to limit my access to such delicacies in the future…anyway, we also sprung for a dessert of chocolate mousse on fudge brownie island in milk chocolate sauce and vanilla bean anglaise (hey, what can I say, we were discussing the bad behavior of men at the time).
Really, I should have taken more care in ordering my drink. I got a White Russian, but that was mainly because I totally forgot I’ve always wanted to try one of Bahama Breeze’s signature pina coladas. They come with a strawberry swirl. Bahama Breeze actually presses its own spearmint and sugarcane and uses all sorts of homemade mixes and such, and if I’d not been frazzled by my day I would have remembered to try something that takes advantage of Bahama Breeze’s purported excellence at cocktails. Well, maybe next time. The White Russian was totally fine. I don’t drink a lot, so it was actually enough to get me slightly buzzed.
In any case, I liked Bahama Breeze even better than I expected. And let’s face it. When you’re home, and have a small child, you can’t eat out at uniquely local places all the time. Frankly, I’ve been needing a vacation and my friend and I were joking that this was probably as close as we were going to get to a tropical paradise anytime soon. It’s not quite the same as sunning yourself on a beach in Jamaica, but having a pleasant and casual dinner with a friend here is a really pleasant way to wind down the week.
Bahama Breeze
406 E. Golf Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(847) 884-7060
www.bahamabreeze.com
Exciting foodie news! Soho eatery Snack passed my hummus test today. As far as I’m concerned, a restaurant’s hummus is a great indication of its quality.
I often frequent Snack for lunch takeout, and I have never been disappointed. The picture below shows the chicken and artichoke salad, which includes potatoes, toasted bread, arugula and an olive dressing. It is very hearty but I manage to finish it, as I usually do with all my favorite dishes at Snack.
The vegetarian souvlaki is full of tzatziki, feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and butter beans. Beware: it’s messy but incredibly delicious!
Go the extra mile and order the grape leaves too. They won’t ease your post-lunch food coma, but they will certainly put you in a satisfied mood. Enjoy!
Snack
105 Thompson St., nr. Prince St.
New York, NY 10012
212-925-1040
Monday-Wednesday 12-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-11pm, Sunday 12-9pm
Prices: Appetizers $5-12, Sandwiches $7.50-9.50, Lunch Entrees $13, Dinner Entrees $17-20, Dessert $4
After six hours at the Fancy Food Show, I continued my day of pleasure at Kefi. I have been there for several meals, and I enjoyed each time more than the last.
My favorite appetizer is the grilled octopus, which is placed on top of a delectable bean salad. It is cooked to the perfect consistency, and the beans are flavored with lemony spices that complement the fish. A close second is the house-made Cypriot sausage, accompanied by tzatziki, radishes, cucumber and warm pita bread. I was so eager to try it that I only managed to capture an image of the last few bites of the dish…
The grilled branzino and the pan-seared striped bass come with a few of my favorite ingredients: olives, capers, tomatoes, fingerling potatoes and string beans. If you’re in the mood for a meat dish, the braised lamb shank is to die for.
For a unique glass of white wine, I recommend the Retsina, which has an earthy flavor because it is kept in pine barrels.
My meals at Kefi have been greatly enhanced by the décor. A diner on the first floor feels as though she is in a small Greek house, being served simple, delicious food by someone’s grandmother. I tried to capture the atmosphere in the below picture, which shows porcelain plates and royal blue shutters on the walls. The basement floor has stone walls and dark wood beaming.
Tonight was certainly not my last trip to Kefi.
Kefi
505 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10024
212-873-0200
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday and Saturday 5pm-11pm
Lunch: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-3pm
Brunch Sunday 11am-3pm
Prices: Appetizers $6.50-9.95, Sandwiches $10.95-13.95, Main $9.95-17.50, Dessert $3.95-7.95
