A Broad Reference

386 8th St
Oakland, CA 94649
(510) 836-1819

Categories: Chinese, Ethnic Food, Meat Shops
Neighborhood: Oakland Chinatown
5 star rating

"Best Roast Duck in Chinatown" Continuously voted tops by local Chinese newspapers, Sun Hing is a grotty little hole in the wall with gleaming and lacquered roast duck (heads attached), whole roast pigs with cracktastic crackling, and slabs of red char siu (sweet glazed BBQ pork) hanging in the window. The roast duck here has skin so crisp and lite that you'll find other duck disappointingly greasy and pedestrian afterwards. The meat is tender and succulent, redolent with star anise forward five-spice flavor which coats the inner cavity. Ask for extra duck jus which they provide with the meat since this is an excellent source of umami (yummy goodness I could swim in). Another interesting option is the pei pa ap (plum sauce duck) which is butterflied flat and drier than the roast duck yet still tasty and succulent with plum tones.

If you're brave try the house cured sausages - lap cheung (pork, duck liver, chicken) which hang in pairs on butchers twine from a hook overhead - cut into small chunks and steamed with rice, delicious! On the sill lie trays of intriguing (potentially scary) spicy cooked tripe, duck's feet, red-cooked pork belly, soy sauce glazed squabs.

Ps my mom always orders a roast pig (including the head) for family get-togethers.
ps2 so popular you can tell where it is on 8th st by the double and triple parked cars.

Posted by Misty at 03:38 PM | Permalink

382 8th St
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 763-9228

Category: Dim Sum
Neighborhood: Oakland Chinatown
3 star rating

An easy stop for select pastry and dim sum, Sun Sing is conveniently next door to Sun Hing where I get my Roast Duck. Try the shrimp paste wrapped in bacon- pork improves everything- but only when fresh from the fryer, avoid if they look a little sad (coz if you don't, you'll be sad). Delectable Char siu bao ( bbq pork buns) an excellent pork fillling to bun ratio, not too sweet yet tasty and delicious. Great for snacks, simple to reheat in the microowave. Cocktail buns (coconut and creme brulee filling) are in short supply, since 3 cost $1.50 and they're delumptious. Ngoh mai gai (lotus wrapped glutinous rice "tamales") aka jung are filling and interesting.
Avoid the sad looking stuff, it's leftover from the morning crush.
I mostly stop here coz it's convenient but you have to pick carefully not to be disappointed, so I can only give it 3 stars.

Posted by Misty at 03:35 PM | Permalink

I belong to a totally wonderful CSA in Walnut Creek, called Eat Outside the Box. It's like Iron Chef every week! You get massive loads of in season Frog Hollow Farm's "legendary fruit, organically grown" as well as unusual and diverse crops from a 10 acre farm- Knoll Farms, as part of a bundled CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). It's forced me to try fruits and veg that I would never ahve considered at the farmers market. Both supply Chez Panisse and other top notch restaurants, so you know what you're getting is a good deal. One share is good for a single person or a couple that eats out a couple times a week. If you are vegetarian and cook a lot, the shares are on the small size. They have drop locations in Walnut Creek, Lafayette and Brentwood.

My sister is doing FullBelly Farms CSA since they have a drop off point near her work.
http://www.fullbellyfarm.com/index.html
It's also really great, and a slightly different selection of produce.

But here is a list of other CSAs that I researched that all have
delivery in either Berkeley or Oakland (I think they deliver other
places too but I wasn't paying attention to that):

Terra Firma Farm
www.terrafirmafarm.com
has S/M/L options which are all very reasonable. Our vegetarian friends get the large box which they enjoy tremendously

Eatwell Farm
www.eatwell.com
has member days where you volunteer time on the farm in addition to
paying for your box. a friend of mine does this one and likes it a
lot.

This week I got a bunch of greens in my CSA box so I'll be making an indian dish that normally uses spinach and potato. Instead I'm altering my ingredients to match what I have- amaranth and kabocha squash. We'll see how it turns out. I got the recipe from an interesting blog.

http://dailygirlblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/spinach-and-potato-curry-aloo-palak.html
but I've modified it slightly.

Ingredients:
* 3-4 garlic cloves
* Small piece of ginger
* 3-4 green chilies
* 1 Onion cut into small pieces
* 1 Tbs oil
* 1 lb Amaranth
* 1/2 cup Chicken stock

* Kabocha squash
* 1 tsp fresh grated turmeric
* 1 tsp Salt

* 1 tsp of cumin seeds
* 1 Tbs oil

* ½ tsp red chili powder
* 1tsp of coriander powder, cumin powder
* 1tsp of garam masala

Saute the garlic, ginger, green chilies, onions in oil, till onion is glassy and soft.
Add the greens and saute till bright and wilted.
Cool and puree with a food processor or a blender/immersion blender. Add chicken stock if necessary.

Cube Kabocha squash. Add turmeric, salt and mix them.

Sauté the cumin seeds in oil till aromatic. Add the greens and squash, cook over medium high heat. Toast garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, red chili powder over dry heat and add to pot. Cook for 15-20 mins covered until the squash absorbs the flavor and is soft.
Adjust salt to taste.

Posted by Misty at 09:06 AM | Permalink

1300 Battery St
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 982-2000

Categories: American (New), American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Embarcadero
3 star rating

Today I ate all wrong. I think I had some cheese and maybe a couple those trader joe's fake orange sushi. Then I went to the gym and played squash like a fiend (or maybe a whirling dervish). After 2 hours of draining exercise, my sister recognized my total calorie crash (incapacitating me for my drive back home across the bridge) and suggested eating at the diner facing the treadmills and elliptical machines. It had always seemed like a touristy spot, but in my calorie deficient mind I could produce no valid argument against.

We waited for almost 10 minutes for the hostess to appear and seat us. But after seating, service was prompt and polite.
We ordered and split all the items:

Jalapeno corn bread (for carbo loading) light wuth a good crumb, toasty edges and delish tangy sweet pepper relish. Followed by the ceasar salad (so we could pretend to be healthy- hey we were at the gym!) which was a perfect example of said salad- especially the cured anchovy. mmmmm
The macaroni and cheese (carbo loading) creamy and with fun bits of ham and green peppers and a crumb topping. But over salted, and missing that essential cheesy texture. Minus a star for the wrong kind of cheese for the dish. Salt & pepper calamari-both the rings and testicles (did I write that? I meant tentacles), were served with mini onions rings and jalapeno rings (salt & vinegar dipping sauce with spices & herbs). Good crunch on all components, but flavor was kind of bland.
Cleaning away our dishes and sliver, the buser dropped and dragged a dirty fork in an ark across the table leving yucky streaks and then walked away with out cleaning up. ugh.

Dessert was a toss up between the "world famous" tortoise sundae and the Mile High lemon merengue pie. Ultimately the MHLM was mostly ordinary overly sweet pie with a mediocre crust and strange tasting merengue.

Bill came to $55 including tax & 20% tip.
4 stars Over all great for carbo loading in a pinch. What can I say ? it's a prime location.
minus a star for patchy service.
I enjoyed my meal but I can't help feeling that if I weren't so hungry going in, the food would have scored lower. In summary-
Avoid since there are many better places to eat for this price

Posted by Misty at 12:38 PM | Permalink

My sister once ditched life to go be a ski tech in Idaho for a couple of years. Of course I spent a fair number of days on the mountain using her ski pass. There's nothing quite like having a twin for saving on those lift tickets! There were a few places in town that we frequented, and I'll share them with you.

The Pioneer Saloon
308 Main Street
Ketchum, ID 83340
(208) 726-3139
Categories: Steakhouses, Bars, American (Traditional)
5 star rating
MEAT N POTATOES

Top touristy saloon/restaurant where the locals eat at too! The prime rib MEAT is their specialty. The massive floury potatoes are on steroids and are as big as my head (and I'm no pinhead) and served with the works. Salads are humongous and ok if you like generic green salad with carrots and cabbage sprinkled on top. The ribs are superlative but in short demand, since they only serve ribs that came with the prime (if you see what I mean). I'm always too stuffed for dessert, so I can't say. Fully stocked bar which gets crowded inversely proportional to the ski slopes.
This is a must when you visit Ketchum.

Formula Sports

460 N Main St
Ketchum, ID 83340
(208) 726-3194
Categories: Shoe Stores, Bikes
5 star rating

A local landmark- it's the No. 1 sporting goods store in the area!
In the winter:
Serious ski gear for the racers and the speed demons. All the ski teams get fitted here, so you know it's top notch.
Fantastic rental packages for your entire stay. The knowledgeable and friendly shop folk will kit you out with the gear that's just right for your ability and comfort. Stop by for fashonista level yet waterproof outerwear and pick up the inside scoop on where to ski that day.

In the summer:
Bike store extraordinaire, you can pick up any kind of bike thingumy-doodle that you need. While you're at it pick up a T-shirt with a map of the mountain bike trails. That way you'll never get lost.
Edit Remove

Board Bin-Girl Street

180 4th St W
Ketchum, ID 83340
(208) 726-1222
5 star rating

This place totally rocks dude! It's where you go in the summer to stock up on all your snowboarding gear at massively discounted prices. It's where you go in the winter to get the totally kick-ass tune for carving those tight turns down Baldy. Shop here and support small local business!

Ketchum Grill
520 East Ave N
Ketchum, ID 83340
(208) 726-4660
Categories: Pizza, Seafood, American (Traditional), Steakhouses
5 star rating

One of my favorite places to nosh in the valley! The ever changing menu and the short interesting wine list are just great. Food is light and delicious with lots of flavor. It's a stalwart neighborhood choice in a town with lots of touristy options. No earth shattering revelations, but reliable and satisfying. The space is small and tables are intimately close. Atmosphere is cheerful and staff are very accommodating

Sun Valley Company
1 Sun Valley Rd
Sun Valley, ID 83353
(208) 622-2001
4 star rating

One of the best mountains around, this resort has amazing snow, fantastic bowls, steeps and off-piste trails that challenge. Just one run down the mountain can take 30 minutes and have your thighs screaming at the end.
Don't mind all the stars and rich folk who are there to just ski dammit! This resort has something for everyone. Separate runs for beginners and skiers only, the rest of the mountain is rugged and intimidating. Most people pack it in after lunch so you'll have the mountain to yourself. Never lines to get on the lifts, and enough trails to spread out on, if you fall down a tree well you may have to stay there till spring thaw coz it's that empty no one will hear you.
2 grand base lodges in the elegant style, as well as 2 mountain top lodges provide well earned gourmet food. This decadence has a price, it's not cheap to ski and stay here so minus one star. But in this boarder's opinion, there's a reason I'll keep going back for more- the snow is fantastic!

Posted by Misty at 03:42 PM | Permalink

1809 4th St
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 665-5650

Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Fourth Street
5 star rating

Their new format is swirled seasonal flavors (all paired to complement each other) in delicious shatteringly delicate hand made cones. Salted caramel topping and cacao nibs add dimension and crunch. Yumm
Reminds me of Japanese style gelato, with interesting inspired flavors.
I think they ought to have at least a couple tubs of hand scooped flavors- coffee and chocolate, but with all the other taste sensations those are hardly missed. Want to try something extraordinary? Go for the Basil swirl topped with olive oil. I swear it's divine and NOT pesto-y at all.

Ruthie and Eric rock! I love, love, love the gelato. Its creamy and divine, flavorful, heavenly, luscious, spicy, toothsome, yummy without being too sweet. my favorite flavors are
yogurt
earl grey
passion fruit
rhubarb
burnt caramel

pricey but worth every penny!

Posted by Misty at 02:59 PM | Permalink

1546 Bonanza St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 938-5959

Categories: Korean, Fast Food
3 star rating

We've been going here for years. Decent veggie bibbim bap, that you can make almost screamin' good with the extra spicy hot pork on top. They recently started doing hot stoneware and raw eggs, yum. (Will substitute rice with cabbage on request). Don't forget the free kim chee and buckets of hot sauce in squeeze bottles --

Posted by Misty at 03:04 PM | Permalink

2699 Monument Blvd Ste I
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 686-0319

Category: Mexican
3.5 star rating

Affectionately known as "Super sauce", this spot is high in the rotation for lunch choices. Inexpensive and tasty food- Tacos are $1.50. We go for the awesome sauce that comes with the super burrito (humongous!). You can order the super sauce with any of the menu items. Francisco the owner is very pleasant and accommodating.

Posted by Misty at 03:14 PM | Permalink

3501 Clayton Rd
Concord, CA 94519
(925) 682-8176

Category: Mexican
3.5 star rating

Step into the striking yellow walled Salvadorian pupuseria and find yourself a seat along the open counter. You can watch the ladies making the pupsas that you just ordered. Tender chewy corn pillows stuffed with traditional cheese filling, oozing melted cheese and crusty cheese bits- as well as pork, pork , pork-revuelta (pork & cheese), loroco ( squash flowers & cheese), and refried beans & cheese- topped with the curtido-crunchy , tangy, zesty pickled cabbage and hot sauce. One is enough for lunch. Especially if you're ordering other goodies to share like the fried plantain with sour cream or the tamal (creamy and delicate, wrapped in a banana leaf). The meat is fresh, fresh, fresh (walked over in bare hands ) from the adjacent market's meat counter. Skip the burritos, tacos and mole (bleh) as not up to the same gold standard. Popular and supported by the local crowd of working guys on lunch break and families with kids, it can get busy, with long waits for the delicious pupusas. But well worth it

Posted by Misty at 03:02 PM | Permalink

10500 Merritt St
Castroville, CA 95012
(831) 633-8396

Category: Barbeque
5 star rating

After a long day of diving with the sealions in Monterey, on our way back out we like to stop at the Central Texan BBQ. It used to be a real hole in the wall with a Giant Artichoke as a landmark. Now in the new location (has it really been 17 years?), it's still a dive with lots of character and sawdust on the floor. The short and grizzled owner Don Elkins, appropriately topped with a cowboy hat and rearing rattlesnake greets all with amiable heckling.
" What'll it be for you missy?"
"The beef ribs please"
"How about an onion?
"No thanks"
"How about some beans?
"No thanks"
"Ah no farts for you today" With a wink and a nod, chuckling at his own joke, he slams the cleaver into the pile of meat on the counter.
As he chops your order, take a look at his hand where you'll notice he's missing fingers. Perhaps too close a call with the massive cleaver he wields? He smokes all of his own meats and makes his own sausage, and it is absolutely brilliant bbq. My favorites are the beef and pork ribs, and the sausage. If you love bbq, want to sample everything and can eat a horse the "Trail Boss" is the sampler. (You'll have leftovers)
Passing the torch to his son, the food is as good as I remember.
He hates when people don't order food, and will hassle non-ordering folk if they try to sit at the tables. He can get down right ornery when people try to split meals! (His son now helps run the place- more friendly and laidback) Consider yourself warned...

Posted by Misty at 06:23 PM | Permalink

1833 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 995-8015

Category: Mexican
4 star rating

Only the best tacos in New Mexico! It's a tough choice between the chicken and the beef so I get both. I always stop here on the way to the airport. When I get on the plane and start munching away on my tasty treats, people ask (in that slightly jealous and starving way)- "Where did you get those?" I have to grin and say "I got these in Santa Fe at El Parasol."
minus one star for not having a presence in California.
Simple fast food style joint with ample parking.
You can get other stuff too like the tamales...
I haven't really got past the tacos so I can't really say what else is good.

Posted by Misty at 06:22 PM | Permalink