Bi-Rite Creamery

Salty ice cream? You bet. I'm a big fan of sweet-salty snacks: kettle corn, apples and brie, melon and salt, maple bacon donuts....wait, that's a whole other post to talk about!)  

I discovered the salted caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery when I first moved to SF and I've been a changed woman ever since. For the better. But your tastebuds will be ruined for all other ice creams.

There is even a cake version! We picked up this decadent chocolate cake with salted caramel mousse at Bi-Rite Market down the street:

There are some seasonal changes in flavors but for the most part, the menu stays consistent. Although Mr.S sorely misses his Fresh Cream ice cream from seasons past.

Sampling is a must!

Service: In spite of the massive lines, the staff is so friendly. Who wouldn't be if you worked around such delicious treats all day? Although if I worked there, I'd probably be let go the first day after they found me face down in a vat of salted caramel....

Ambiance: Smells like sugar! Small, but recently expanded next door. There is now soft serve! Limited flavors depending on the day of the week. On popular weekend evenings, spend anywhere up to 20-30 minutes in line.

Other Flavors: Strawberry balsamic (**hand trembling..), honey lavender (I am personally not a fan, but some swear by this), earl gray tea (tastes just like the real thing!), toffee chip cookies, coffee toffee ice cream cake (the crunchy toffee bits are the standout)

Important: Pick up a frequent-buyer card, and you can get your 10th ice cream scoop for free! And take home a pint for $7- pricey but worth the value.

Hours: Sun-Thurs until 10pm, Fri-Sat open late until 11pm

Bi-Rite Creamery

3692 18th Street

(at Dolores)

San Francisco, CA

Spices!

Má là. Not your garden-variety spicy. This kind of spice comes from the Sichuan peppercorn, and its numbing effects can become quite addictive.

My remedy for an overly bland diet (which tends to happen when I overload on salads and sandwiches throughout the week) is overwhelming my tastebuds with a meal at Spices on the weekend. We also like to bring friends here, to show them what a truly authentic Sichuan meal is.

Here are some of my favorites...

Fried Chicken with Explosive Chili Pepper! ($8.95) (Seriously, there are "!!!" written on the menu.) These are mini chicken thighs, flash-fried then wok-tossed in a heaping mound of red chili peppers, garlic, ginger and scallion. Great with a Qing Dao beer!

Sizzling Lamb with Cumin ($9.95) These arrive nested in a foil lined hot plate, sizzling and encrusted in smoky cumin:

Fried Stinky Tofu ($4.25) On certain days, you can smell this pungent dish from around the block. People always ask me what it tastes like. Well, it's hard to say- it's like describing a well aged cheese. Ripe, a bit ammoniated, a creamy center surrounded by a crispy, light shell. Try it and even if you throw up a little in your mouth, you can at least brag that you've eaten fermented curdled soybeans.

Spicy Fish Filet Bowl with Flaming Red Oil ($9.95) Don't be surprised if you get the flaming red runs after eating this. Hey, if that's a sign it's good, I'm in!

Dry Braised String Beans ($7.95) The BEST vegetarian dish here- it's "dry" because they are flash fried over such a high heat, with no sauce, so the beans stay tender and crispy, with a smoky garlic finish.

Sichuan whole fish with hot chili bean sauce ($12.95) What a steal for a whole fish. I usually go for the head first - the best part.... This is not so spicy. The sauce is actually somewhat sweet and sour, and surprise! full of garlic.

Wontons in Flaming Red Oil (aka hong you chao shou) This is a great appetizer, or side dish, or just order two and make it a meal! As you can see, the flaming red oil sauce is ubiquitous throughout the menu.

Service: It will seem speedy and abrupt... if you are not Chinese. Dishes arrive as they come out from the wok - really in no apparent order. If they get a break, the petite Chinese girl servers will take a breather and chat away in Chinese. It's like being in China! (btw, I'm throwing my fingers up in a "V" sign.)

Ambiance: Small and packed on the weekend. Although clean, do not expect a fine dining establishment! You are here for Sichuan flaming red oil! Our favorite is the owner- Taiwanese pop star extraordinaire (picture flowing hair, shirt open a few too many buttons, and a Gucci mens carry-all) but so nice.

Other Must Tries: "Lion's Head" braised giant meatball, numbing spice beef tendon (appetizer), hot and spicy beef combination (fu qi fei pian) (appetizer), Shrimp "twin style"- spicy and walnut creamed

Neighborhood: Inner Richmond

Spices

294 8th Avenue

(at Clement)

San Francisco, CA

sebo

Everything you've read or heard about Sebo is probably true. And there has been much written and talked about since it was featured on No Reservations. 

The fish is clean and fresh to the point of being sweet. The izakaya dishes are simply composed, with hand picked ingredients that allow the seafood or meat's natural flavors shine. And yes, the portions are small, and after a few courses and a couple rounds of sake, your bill will leave you a poorer, albeit well-fed, diner.

The 5 Piece Chef's selection of sashimi ($14):

Assortment of nigiri:

Our favorites: the hotategai (scallops) are sweet and literally melt on your tongue, toro (fatty tuna), tai (sea bream) and mackeral. The fish is served at room temperature which maximizes the natural oils' flavors.

A plate of house-made pickles (daikon, lotus root, kobacha squash, carrots) ($5) were somewhat bland, but still quite interesting- very toothsome: 

Although not on the menu that night, this grilled yellowtail collar was specially made, upon request:

On Sunday nights, the menu is all izakaya-style: delicious cooked small plates. Be sure to get there early, as the more popular dishes run out fast.

Grilled whole shrimp: 

Seared big-eye tuna with a tomato consomme:

A salad of big-eye tuna and okra: (a bit slimy)

Service: a bit on the slow side, but we've never had a complaint.

Ambiance: small and minimal, with warm, polished woods. There are only a few tables, but if you are lucky to arrive early enough, find prime seating at the bar for a first-hand look at the chefs in action. (We hear that Wednesday evenings around 6 are the least crowded.)

Menu: constantly changes, so you may not find that same dish you so loved from a previous trip. And suffice it to say, do not expect to find a dragon roll on the menu, nor any such combination of spicy sauce, avocado, and cream cheese packed into a roll!

Sebo

517 Hayes St.

San Francisco, CA

The Sentinel's Reuben Sandwich

MMMM with capital "m's." That's how good this sandwich is. (However it's still remains my 2nd favorite Reuben in the city.... I will reveal my top choice in a later post.)

I'm fortunate enough to live and go to school within 3 blocks of the Sentinel's sandwich counter. I am, however, not fortunate in that I live on a law student's budget, which is to say that I cannot afford an $8.75 sandwich every time I have a craving for delicious corned beef and gruyere, and that is pretty much everyday.

For those of you in the know, aka those who work within a 5 block radius of the small counter in SOMA, the Sentinel's limited menu of sandwiches and daily special are legendary. There are both cold and hot selections, most of which change with the seasons. The Reuben however, remains a constant, and is described as "corned beef with cabbage, russian dressing and swiss." (sometimes it is gruyere) 

What the menu fails to tell you is how delicious the bread is! It's like a perfect marriage of a ciabatta and focaccia- soft chewy innards, crisp and salty on the outside....warmed.

I don't understand why some sandwich places make Reubens with pastrami, but luckily, this version is made with thin sliced corned beef - the best. 

Service: Fast, unless there's a line around the back.

Other Must Tries: muffins in the morning, egg salad sandwich (although overpriced at $8.25)

FYI: Hours are 730 am to 230 pm.

THE SENTINEL

37 New Montgomery St.

(next to House of Shields)

San Francisco, CA

Universal Cafe

We are a city of brunch-ers. In other words, we are a city who really likes to wait in line for 45+ minutes nursing a bloody mary, waiting for that coveted table at our favorite brunch locale, which just happens to be everyone else's in your neighborhood as well.

Vacillating between the #1 and 2 positions on my list of favorites (depending on the day and wait time) is Universal Cafe.

My go-to dish is the soft scrambled eggs with seasonal vegetable (asparagus, fava beans, spring onion yuuum) - the creamiest mountain of melt-on-your-mouth egginess I have ever consumed. However, it's not pictured here. I'm sort of on a kick to try new things.

From the lunch menu, the Grass Fed Flatiron Steak with Frites and Salsa Verde ($18.75):

The salsa verde was both herby and salty.

Grilled Flatbread with Spinach, Artichoke and Chevre ($11.75). Crispy and light crust. Toppings were fresh and did not cause the crust to be soggy.

And so healthy... bring me seconds! (any combination of the words flat, bread, and cheese gets my heart racing)

A salad that is both bursting with sweetness and savoriness- Little Gem Lettuces with Pickled Beets, Creamy Balsamic dressing, and cheddar ($8.25). I asked for the dressing on the side so I could taste the sweet earthy flavors of the golden yellow beets.

And finally, some brunchy dishes!

Yes that's a delicious side of bacon in the back there ($5.50). There is always a French Toast with seasonal fruit and Chantilly cream ($12). Here it is an orange marmalade with slivers of candied orange peel. Our favorite has been a thick huckleberry compote (with a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar of course).

This was the special egg dish that day- Fried Eggs with grilled asparagus, salsa verde, and prosciutto cotto- a delicious cooked ham ... It was a beautifully composed dish, but I sorely missed my soft scramble.

This is a rare shot. Normally on the weekends, there is a crowd outside and in, of all sorts of eclectic urbanites. Great for people watching and for spotting a celebri-chef every now and then. (We ran into a Top Chef contest here once, and spoke for almost an hour!)

Service: fair, but nothing to rave about

Ambiance: Like stepping into a friend's home for a (very crowded) brunch party. Opt for sitting at the bar that looks on into the open kitchen to see the weekend crew expedite the hell out of all those egg dishes!

Other Must Tries: Plate of local fruit with toast, fromage blanc, cinnamon and honey, and start your brunch with a generous slice of the toasted house banana bread with cream cheese

Neighborhood: Potrero Hill/Mission


UNIVERSAL CAFE
2814 19th Street
(between Bryant and Florida)
San Francisco, CA

Chez Spencer

C'est mon favorit. Chez Spencer will always hold a special place in my heart and on my palate. 

We have now dined here for my past 2 birthdays, in addition to other special occasions, as well as a private new year's eve seated dinner in the renovated loft next door.

Drinks: French inspired cocktails with an old school feel. Must try: Saint Germain Infirmary is a refreshing blend of elderflower liquor, cucumber juice, lemon and soda served tall.

I literally have dreams about this appetizer. Sauteed Veal Sweetbreads with sherry vinegar, truffle vinaigrette, watercress and a Parmesan crisp ($17). What are sweetbreads, you might ask? Well, before I tell you, you must promise that it will not deter you from trying it. They are the thymus glands of a young cow, lamb or pig. Chez Spencer's version is lightly pan-fried. They are meaty and somewhat buttery, but not unctuous due to the peppery baby watercress and acidic sherry vinegar dressing.

The Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with Morels in Cream, Shaved Truffles and Truffle Butter ($29). Is there a single word in that sentence that sounds wrong? I think not. The meat was beautifully cooked, and the morels were like small sponges that released an explosion of woodsy deliciousness and cream delicately flavored with truffles.

This is the Arctic Char Papillote with Braised Vegetables and Truffle Emulsion ($28). Honestly if the truffle emulsion had not reared its tempting head under the menu description, I probably would not have ordered this dish. I was disappointed with the lack of flavor. As the veggies and fish steam in the packet, they release an excess amount of moisture which watered down the truffle flavors. Moreover, the emulsion broke/separated with the heat. The fish was also slightly raw in the middle.

I feel like I am criticizing a dear friend, but I honestly was not happy with the presentation either. (However, I suppose there really is no attractive way to plate a piece of fish cooked in a foil packet though!)

We ordered the Steamed Asparagus with Truffle Emulsion and Shaved Parmesan ($11) appetizer as a side. Always a favorite.

For dessert, the Warm Apple Almond Tart with Cider Caramel and Glace au Lait ($8). Flavor was spot on, but I would have liked more apple texture.

Service: Not really fair to say when we personally know one of the servers, but it has always been consistently polite and attentive.

Ambiance: Has always reminded me of a cozy ski lodge. (Chef Laurent's father used to be a taxidermist.) The vaulted ceilings are bolstered by warm wooden beams. As you enter through the gates, you walk through a tucked-away patio area, as if you were entering a secret garden of sorts. A set of heavy drapes separates you from the crackling wood-burning oven within and soulful piano medleys (on Friday evenings). Parting them aside brings you into another world.

Other Must Tries: Pan Seared Sea Scallops with hearts of palm and sauce verte, Foie Gras Torchon with vanilla scented blackberry sauce, Hazelnut Parfait a la Neige, Escargot Puff Lollipop (Spencer on the Go Truck)

CHEZ SPENCER
82 14th Street
San Francisco, CA


SPENCER ON THE GO TRUCK
300 7th Street (parking lot)
(at Folsom)
San Francisco, CA

Anchor and Hope

Nothing beats a juicy Maine lobster roll. I've been on the hunt for a good left coast version. They appear on several menus throughout SF- Nettie's Crab Shack, Woodhouse Fish Co., and at Anchor and Hope.

A crusty pull-apart epi with salted butter arrived first at our table:

Barbecue shrimp over a flaky biscuit. Props to A&H for leaving the heads on these lovely little guys smothered in smoky, sweet sauce. If only this appetizer could come in an entree sized portion!

And the main event.... the Lobster Roll on a sweet brioche roll, served with old Bay kettle chips and cole slaw ($24):

It was a fair sized portion of lobster meat, but unfortunately not a generous amount. However, it was sweet and fresh tasting, and lightly dressed. The kettle chips were perfectly salted and crispy.

Mr. S's love of scallops was rekindled by this dish- Spice Crusted Scallops with Israeli Cous Cous, Shaved Fennel, Madras Curry Sauce and Citrus Salt ($28): (curry sauce was rich and savory, served table-side and not shown here)

I call these "crack fries"- habit-forming and carb-fabulous served in a paper cone- fries tossed in salt and Old Bay ($6):

For dessert, a warm Apple Crumble with vanilla ice-cream ($8.50):

Ambiance: Renovated warehouse in SOMA. Warm woods, mixed crowd, unpretentious, and a beautiful brushed steel bar. Good selection of draft beers to pair with seafood.

Service: Our server was helpful, bubbly and attentive.

Thoughts: I came for the lobster roll and I got myself a delicious one, for an affordable pricetag of $24. The brioche roll was sweet and buttery, which complemented the savory meat. It left me only wanting more! (No lie, I wanted to order a second roll.) Bonus: the chef is straight up from Boston.

To try next time: Lobster roll (again), Old Bay fries, Warm Sea Urchin with dungeness and lemon beurre blanc served in the shell (appetizer), "Angels on Horseback" - bacon wrapped oysters with remoulade sauce (appetizer), and Jonah crab claws (oyster and shellfish menu)

ANCHOR AND HOPE

83 Minna Street

(between 1st and 2nd)

San Francisco, CA