bi-rite

Bi-Rite Creamery = one of my absolute favorite spots in SF.   L-O-V-E.  

NYE twenty-ten

I was lucky enough to ring in the new year with wonderful company and INCREDIBLE food -- the only two things I really require in life.



Dinner at the cafe of Chez Pannisse.  Speachless.  This is only the second time I've eaten here and I felt like I was glowing when we left dinner -- really just a magical evening.
 



Sheep's milk ricotta with blood oranges, and green olive vinaigrette -- light, simple, fresh.  So good.


Carpaccio of grass-fed beef with mustard sauce, shallots and radishes!



Lasagna verde with chanterelles, spinach and thyme. This dish was earthy and rich, but somehow light and delicate at the same time.  My goal is to recreate it at home -- will let you know how it goes.


Grilled Lagier Ranches goose with chestnuts, potatoes and chicories salad.



Dinner was followed by a record-setting game of Timber (aka Jenga), too much wine and cheese.  All in all, a successful evening.

 

vodka + grapefruit

I had a super long week last week (the reason for the lack of posts, sorry about that) -- unexpectedly busy getting ready for the upcoming holiday and also trying to catch-up on school work...uuugh.

I met up with friends Friday night at a bar in the city that I'd never been to before -- Bloodhound.  I really liked the decor - quirky lighting and birds painted on the ceiling.  Plus, they serve beer out of mason jars (love that!) and their signature drink is the "bloodhound," a take on the classic greyhound -- with Hangar 1, campari and grapefruit juice.  

Definitely worth checking out if you've never been there before! 

farm fresh

Photos from this weekend's Ferry Building Farmer's market.  I can't seem to make it past the Blue Bottle Coffee cart without stopping for a much needed cup of joe.  And these rotisserie chickens looked and smelled so good!




Lots of lovely flowers! How gorgeous are these kale blooms?




 
And of course -- I had to check out the goods at Happy Girl Kitchen Co.  I'm a bit obsessed.

Much more to come -- stay tuned!!

date night

We decided on a much needed Friday night out and opted to stay close to home due to the dreary weather.  Nothing quite does the trick like the perfect spaghetti with meatballs, so the decision was easy -- Emmy's Spaghetti Shack!  (I think I'd pretty much love any place that calls itself a "spaghetti shack")

First off -- the food is EXCELLENT.  You might be asking "what could be so special about spaghetti?"  WELL the meatballs at Emmy's are just so savory and delicious -- they're piled high with pasta that's been coated in a sauce that provides the perfect balance of spicy and sweet (nicely complimenting the afformentioned meatballs), finished off with fresh shaved parmesan and parsley!

But beyond the food -- I also really love the atmosphere -- from the quirky decor (aprons and other random objects hanging from the ceiling) to the Friday night DJ.  

 

They start you off with really yummy focaccia bread and balsamic dipping oil!





For dinner we shared a ceasar salad and the spaghetti with meatballs (duh) -- plenty (honesty, plenty) of food for two people.  But the best part?  Dinner only cost us $21-- you really can't beat that!

sugar rush

Hope everyone had a happy halloween!   In the spirit of the recent holiday, I thought I'd share one of my favorite places in SF -- Miette! The store is filled with gorgeous displays of artisan candies in lovely glass jars, organic pastries and loads of other treats (very Willy Wonka-esk).  These are some photos from a recent visit.  I'm pretty convinced this could be one of the happiest places on earth.  I especially love their macaroons -- Amazing!!  Visit Miette in the Marina, Hayes Valley or on Embarcadero.

i heart pumpkin

Fall is officially here (can't believe Thanksgiving is only weeks away) and lately I've had pumpkin on the brain -- dreaming of pumpkin pie topped with pumpkin ice cream...or maybe just eating them separately.  Either way pumpkin is just sooo delicious. My personal favorite fall-time treat is the pumpkin ice cream at Mitchell's. Or, you can make your own -- came across this recipe for pumpkin pie ice cream that sounds really good!

Photos: via Christie's Corner

burrito in my belly

I probably eat at Papalote (at least) once a week -- basically whenever I'm feeling too lazy to cook...which usually happens around mid-week (i.e. today).   

Insanely good burritos, tacos -- the list goes on.  This place is a must for visiters and locals alike...if you haven't eaten here PLEASE check it out!

shotwell's

Friday = happy hour at one of my favorite Mission bars, Shotwell's. Low-key, great beer selection, juke box, pool tables, pin ball, mixed crowd (+ people watching)....a good time. See you there!