Regular readers of this blog will remember my review of Tuttimelon in West Portal last month. If you live on the Peninsula or want to make the trek this weekend, Tuttimelon is offering a free small frozen yogurt with two toppings at the grand opening of their newest location in San Mateo.
Print out the coupon on Tuttimelon's website and head over for a free treat. It is only available this Saturday, April 4th.
Tuttimelon
165 E. 4th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 863-0886
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
$1 Oysters and $4 Draft Beers Every Tuesday
This is my first food vlog. I went to Woodhouse Fish Company in the Castro with two friends last Tuesday. Watch the video below to see what we ordered.
Because it was a little noisy in the restaurant, I have provided a transcript below in case you can't understand what I am saying.
Student Foodie: Hello, the Student Foodie here coming to you with a live food blog. I'm standing in front of Woodhouse Fish Company at 14th and Market Streets in the Castro district of San Francisco. It's Tuesday night and it's packed inside because every Tuesday from 4 PM to close, Woodhouse offers $1 oysters and $4 draft pints. It's really a great deal and I'm hungry, so lets go inside and meet up with some of my friends.
The oysters being offered tonight Blue Point and Hood Canal. We got here at 7:30 and they had already ran out of the Blue Point Oysters, so we ordered a dozen of the Hood Canal. They're from Washington State. Let's give them a try. They're very good and $1 a piece is a great bargain. I also got my $4 pint of Sierra Nevada, which is delicious, and Hilda ordered the Anchor Steam. Cheers!
Hilda ordered the half Dungeness Crab.
Hilda: Here's the half Dungeness Crab - $10 for a half or $20 for a whole. I love Dungeness Crab and we get coleslaw, lemon and some nice butter sauce with it. So, it's quite delicious.
Student Foodie: We also ordered the fish and chips. It's $12.50 for a three piece. The fish is Alaskan Cod and it's beer battered in Anchor Steam. How can you beat that? It's so delicious. It's flaky and crispy at the same time. I've got to try one of these chips. I love the fries here. They're perfectly crispy and they're my favorite kind of fries - the thin, little shoestring fries. So crispy and so delicious.
Dinner was great and the bill came to $48. With tip, that's less than $20 per person. We had a dozen oysters, a half Dungeness crab and a three piece fish and chips - and beers, you can't beat that. This is as close as you can get to the East Coast without leaving San Francisco. Woodhouse is opening a new location in Pac. Heights in a couple of months. They hired the executive chef from Swan Oyster Depot, so that's something to be on the lookout for. Woodhouse Fish Company at Market Street and 14th in San Francisco, come here and have a great meal.
Woodhouse Fish Company
2073 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 437-2722
$$
Because it was a little noisy in the restaurant, I have provided a transcript below in case you can't understand what I am saying.
Student Foodie: Hello, the Student Foodie here coming to you with a live food blog. I'm standing in front of Woodhouse Fish Company at 14th and Market Streets in the Castro district of San Francisco. It's Tuesday night and it's packed inside because every Tuesday from 4 PM to close, Woodhouse offers $1 oysters and $4 draft pints. It's really a great deal and I'm hungry, so lets go inside and meet up with some of my friends.
The oysters being offered tonight Blue Point and Hood Canal. We got here at 7:30 and they had already ran out of the Blue Point Oysters, so we ordered a dozen of the Hood Canal. They're from Washington State. Let's give them a try. They're very good and $1 a piece is a great bargain. I also got my $4 pint of Sierra Nevada, which is delicious, and Hilda ordered the Anchor Steam. Cheers!
Hilda ordered the half Dungeness Crab.
Hilda: Here's the half Dungeness Crab - $10 for a half or $20 for a whole. I love Dungeness Crab and we get coleslaw, lemon and some nice butter sauce with it. So, it's quite delicious.
Student Foodie: We also ordered the fish and chips. It's $12.50 for a three piece. The fish is Alaskan Cod and it's beer battered in Anchor Steam. How can you beat that? It's so delicious. It's flaky and crispy at the same time. I've got to try one of these chips. I love the fries here. They're perfectly crispy and they're my favorite kind of fries - the thin, little shoestring fries. So crispy and so delicious.
Dinner was great and the bill came to $48. With tip, that's less than $20 per person. We had a dozen oysters, a half Dungeness crab and a three piece fish and chips - and beers, you can't beat that. This is as close as you can get to the East Coast without leaving San Francisco. Woodhouse is opening a new location in Pac. Heights in a couple of months. They hired the executive chef from Swan Oyster Depot, so that's something to be on the lookout for. Woodhouse Fish Company at Market Street and 14th in San Francisco, come here and have a great meal.
Woodhouse Fish Company
2073 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 437-2722
$$
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Holy Mole!
I first saw mole on a restaurant menu last year in New York City. The description went something like this: "Chicken bathed in a spicy chocolate and cinnamon mole sauce." Wait! Chicken and chocolate? That can't be good, but the adventurous eater in me had to order it. Guess what. It was to die for.
Photo by Aaron Gustafson on Flickr.
Back in San Francisco, the mole experience had slipped into a far corner of my mind until one night when a friend suggested we eat at Velvet Cantina in the Mission. As I slipped into a cozy booth and scanned the menu, the dish leaped from the page. "Tender marinated chicken drenched in a rich, mildly spicy mole sauce with hints of chocolate and cinnamon" ($12.49). Sold!
The dish was everything I remembered and more. Velvet Cantina's take consists of three tender chicken legs that are indeed "drenched" in a perfectly spiced mole, topped with cilantro. Completing the plate are generous helpings of rice and your choice of beans. I recommend the refried, which are made without lard and are relatively more healthy than most. The dish is served with three warm tortillas, with which to make your own chicken mole tacos. The entree is very filling and I usually end up taking leftovers home.
Also included in your meal are endless chips and salsa. Velvet Cantina's chips are perfect: warm, crisp and freshly fried. The salsa is also very good.
I have eaten at Velvet Cantina four times. On each subsequent visit, I have contemplated ordering something other than the mole, but I just can't do it. The menu includes other tempting entrees like chili verde ($10.99), achiote steak tacos ($12.49) and shrimp diablo ($13.99). Entree prices range from $10.49 - $15.99.
A house margarita ($6) or a seasonal fresh fruit margarita ($6.50) is a nice accompaniment to your meal. Velvet Cantina serves stiff margaritas made with fresh juices. No sickeningly sweet drinks here. These margaritas pack a punch.
Bottom line: Velvet Cantina's delicious chicken mole keeps me coming back for more. As hard as I try, I cannot stray to other menu items. Why mess with a good thing?
Velvet Cantina
3349 23rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-4142
$$ (without alcohol)
Photo by Aaron Gustafson on Flickr.Back in San Francisco, the mole experience had slipped into a far corner of my mind until one night when a friend suggested we eat at Velvet Cantina in the Mission. As I slipped into a cozy booth and scanned the menu, the dish leaped from the page. "Tender marinated chicken drenched in a rich, mildly spicy mole sauce with hints of chocolate and cinnamon" ($12.49). Sold!
The dish was everything I remembered and more. Velvet Cantina's take consists of three tender chicken legs that are indeed "drenched" in a perfectly spiced mole, topped with cilantro. Completing the plate are generous helpings of rice and your choice of beans. I recommend the refried, which are made without lard and are relatively more healthy than most. The dish is served with three warm tortillas, with which to make your own chicken mole tacos. The entree is very filling and I usually end up taking leftovers home.
Also included in your meal are endless chips and salsa. Velvet Cantina's chips are perfect: warm, crisp and freshly fried. The salsa is also very good.
I have eaten at Velvet Cantina four times. On each subsequent visit, I have contemplated ordering something other than the mole, but I just can't do it. The menu includes other tempting entrees like chili verde ($10.99), achiote steak tacos ($12.49) and shrimp diablo ($13.99). Entree prices range from $10.49 - $15.99.
A house margarita ($6) or a seasonal fresh fruit margarita ($6.50) is a nice accompaniment to your meal. Velvet Cantina serves stiff margaritas made with fresh juices. No sickeningly sweet drinks here. These margaritas pack a punch.
Bottom line: Velvet Cantina's delicious chicken mole keeps me coming back for more. As hard as I try, I cannot stray to other menu items. Why mess with a good thing?
Velvet Cantina
3349 23rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 648-4142
$$ (without alcohol)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Gialina: My favorite pizza in the city
I am a fan of Italian-style thin-crust pizzas. I have been to many pizzerias in San Francisco that are touted as having the best. For me, Gialina takes the pie.
The owner grew up in a tight-knit Italian family, to which she attributes her love of food. In homage, family photos adorn the walls. The feeling of family translates to the cozy restaurant. The staff is always friendly and attentive and diners often eye one another's dishes, interact and make recommendations.
The menu at Gialina, which changes daily, features a number of perfectly crisp, thin-crust Italian pizzas ($11.50-$17) made with fresh local (and often interesting) ingredients. Wild nettles, dandelion greens, figs, heirloom tomatoes, speck, and Italian sausage are just some of the ingredients featured on the pies.
Photo by Lauren Y. on Yelp.
The menu also features excellent salads offered in small personal sizes ($8-$9) or a larger shareable size ($16-$18). There are also many small plates which are great for sharing. I love the hearty autumnal farro and butternut squash salad. If you are lucky enough to see it offered when you go, you must order it. Also offered are one or two roasted meat options (approx. $17), but I mainly go for the pizzas and salads.
The wine list features a selection of affordable Italian wines. The staff is very knowledgeable and can make great recommendations. If you can't make up your mind, they will provide you a couple samples from which to choose.
There are many desert selections. On a recent visit, a friend and I ordered a gigantic piece chocolate truffle cake ($7) that was sinfully delicious. I also love the affogoto ($5) with two little scoops of vanilla ice cream and a double espresso poured on top. It is the perfect combination of caffeine and sugar. A selection of ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery ($6) is available each night. No Mission-trek or line waiting required.
Gialina is a little off the beaten path for some San Franciscans, but definitely worth the trip. They do not accept reservations and on the weekends there can sometimes be a lengthy wait, which can be avoided by arriving early or late. The restaurant is open until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:00 p.m. all other evenings.
Gialina Pizzeria
2842 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 239-8500
$$$
The owner grew up in a tight-knit Italian family, to which she attributes her love of food. In homage, family photos adorn the walls. The feeling of family translates to the cozy restaurant. The staff is always friendly and attentive and diners often eye one another's dishes, interact and make recommendations.
The menu at Gialina, which changes daily, features a number of perfectly crisp, thin-crust Italian pizzas ($11.50-$17) made with fresh local (and often interesting) ingredients. Wild nettles, dandelion greens, figs, heirloom tomatoes, speck, and Italian sausage are just some of the ingredients featured on the pies.
Photo by Lauren Y. on Yelp.The menu also features excellent salads offered in small personal sizes ($8-$9) or a larger shareable size ($16-$18). There are also many small plates which are great for sharing. I love the hearty autumnal farro and butternut squash salad. If you are lucky enough to see it offered when you go, you must order it. Also offered are one or two roasted meat options (approx. $17), but I mainly go for the pizzas and salads.
The wine list features a selection of affordable Italian wines. The staff is very knowledgeable and can make great recommendations. If you can't make up your mind, they will provide you a couple samples from which to choose.
There are many desert selections. On a recent visit, a friend and I ordered a gigantic piece chocolate truffle cake ($7) that was sinfully delicious. I also love the affogoto ($5) with two little scoops of vanilla ice cream and a double espresso poured on top. It is the perfect combination of caffeine and sugar. A selection of ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery ($6) is available each night. No Mission-trek or line waiting required.
Gialina is a little off the beaten path for some San Franciscans, but definitely worth the trip. They do not accept reservations and on the weekends there can sometimes be a lengthy wait, which can be avoided by arriving early or late. The restaurant is open until 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10:00 p.m. all other evenings.
Gialina Pizzeria
2842 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 239-8500
$$$
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Deal Alert: Oatmeal for $1 at Jamba Juice
Got a buck? With the coupon below, you can trade it in for a wholesome bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and brown sugar at your friendly neighborhood Jamba Juice.
I haven't taken Jamba up on this deal yet, but what's not to love about a healthy organic breakfast on-the-go for a buck?
Photo courtesy of Jamba Juice.
Just print out the coupon from oatmealforabuck.com and head to your neighborhood Jamba Juice before 3/31/09.
Jamba Juice
Find a location near you
$
I haven't taken Jamba up on this deal yet, but what's not to love about a healthy organic breakfast on-the-go for a buck?
Photo courtesy of Jamba Juice.Just print out the coupon from oatmealforabuck.com and head to your neighborhood Jamba Juice before 3/31/09.
Jamba Juice
Find a location near you
$
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Home Prices Are Inflating
When did eating at Home become a luxury?
I've been eating at Home Restaurant off and on since they opened. The concept of the restaurant has always been affordable comfort food with an urban sensibility.
Having not been in a while, I went back last night for a late dinner. It seems prices have been creeping up lately and it was hard to see any hint of the original Home concept on the menu. There is a reason the restaurant does not publish food prices on their website: the entrees are severely overpriced.
I ordered the pork chop with greens and sweet potato gratin ($19). The chop was edible, although a bit overcooked, dry and drizzled with butter to compensate. The sweet potato gratin was the best, and unfortunately the smallest, thing on the plate. The greens were overly spiced and salted. I woke up with dry mouth this morning even though I chugged down three glasses of water while eating. All-in-all, the plate is not worth $19, and certainly not a healthy dinner option.
My friend wanted to share the poutin ($7), which is essentially a bowl of french fries with cheese curd and gravy on top. I felt like I should have been wasted to truly enjoy it.
I want to love their early bird special ($13), which is served from 5-6pm and includes a three course meal (salad, entree, dessert) and a glass of wine. The last few times I have ordered it, however, it seems the entree is whatever they are trying to get rid of in the kitchen - usually a stew of some sort as a vehicle to clear some mystery meat from the kitchen. On one occasion, the desert was a piece of cake that looked like something they had run across the street to buy at Safeway. If the early bird special included actual menu items (possibly in smaller serving sizes), it would be a better deal.
On the upside, service last night was impeccable and the staff generously accommodated us even though we walked in five minutes before closing.
Bottom line: Home's non-rent controlled prices have inflated above the quality of their food.
Home Restaurant
2100 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 503-0333
$$$
I've been eating at Home Restaurant off and on since they opened. The concept of the restaurant has always been affordable comfort food with an urban sensibility.
Having not been in a while, I went back last night for a late dinner. It seems prices have been creeping up lately and it was hard to see any hint of the original Home concept on the menu. There is a reason the restaurant does not publish food prices on their website: the entrees are severely overpriced.
I ordered the pork chop with greens and sweet potato gratin ($19). The chop was edible, although a bit overcooked, dry and drizzled with butter to compensate. The sweet potato gratin was the best, and unfortunately the smallest, thing on the plate. The greens were overly spiced and salted. I woke up with dry mouth this morning even though I chugged down three glasses of water while eating. All-in-all, the plate is not worth $19, and certainly not a healthy dinner option.
My friend wanted to share the poutin ($7), which is essentially a bowl of french fries with cheese curd and gravy on top. I felt like I should have been wasted to truly enjoy it.
I want to love their early bird special ($13), which is served from 5-6pm and includes a three course meal (salad, entree, dessert) and a glass of wine. The last few times I have ordered it, however, it seems the entree is whatever they are trying to get rid of in the kitchen - usually a stew of some sort as a vehicle to clear some mystery meat from the kitchen. On one occasion, the desert was a piece of cake that looked like something they had run across the street to buy at Safeway. If the early bird special included actual menu items (possibly in smaller serving sizes), it would be a better deal.
On the upside, service last night was impeccable and the staff generously accommodated us even though we walked in five minutes before closing.
Bottom line: Home's non-rent controlled prices have inflated above the quality of their food.
Home Restaurant
2100 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 503-0333
$$$
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Deal Alert: 99¢ FroYo in West Portal
As a frequent visitor to Los Angeles, I have grown to enjoy the delicious and guilt-free goodness of Pinkberry frozen yogurt. The chain has not yet invaded San Francisco, but similar concepts have been popping up around the city in the last few years. None however, have managed to stem a FroYo craze to rival that of Southern California. I have twice been to Jubili in the Fillmore. Their yogurt is good, but a little too out of the way for me to enjoy on a regular basis.
Last week while riding the M line, I noticed a new FroYo shop called Tuttimelon in the heart of West Portal. Imagine my giddiness when I noticed the sign proclaiming a 99¢ grand opening special on frozen yogurt!
Tuttimelon's take on the original tart flavor is a bit more dense than Pinkberry, but perfectly delicious nonetheless. It is available in three sizes: Small 5 oz. (99¢ for a limited time, $2.45 regularly), regular 8 oz. ($3.45) and large 13 oz. ($4.45). If you have not tried this style of frozen yogurt before, imagine the tartness of regular yogurt in a frozen version. It is fat and guilt-free at only 30 calories per ounce.
Fresh fruit, grain and candy toppings are available for an additional cost (95¢ for one, $1.25 for two, $1.55 for three).
Tuttimelon in West Portal currently offers two flavors: Original tart and pomegranate (an additional 50¢). They plan to add more flavors soon. Other Tuttimelon locations in San Francisco and the Bay Area also feature green tea, mango, blueberry, and sugar-free chocolate.
It is yet to be seen if San Francisco will join in the FroYo craze, but with Tuttimelons popping up all over the city, chances look promising. An employee says the 99¢ special will likely last another month or two. If you have never tried the tart treat, now is your chance. If you already love it, what are you waiting for?
Bottom line: A guilt-free treat at under a buck. What's not to love?
Tuttimelon
44 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
$
Last week while riding the M line, I noticed a new FroYo shop called Tuttimelon in the heart of West Portal. Imagine my giddiness when I noticed the sign proclaiming a 99¢ grand opening special on frozen yogurt!
Tuttimelon's take on the original tart flavor is a bit more dense than Pinkberry, but perfectly delicious nonetheless. It is available in three sizes: Small 5 oz. (99¢ for a limited time, $2.45 regularly), regular 8 oz. ($3.45) and large 13 oz. ($4.45). If you have not tried this style of frozen yogurt before, imagine the tartness of regular yogurt in a frozen version. It is fat and guilt-free at only 30 calories per ounce.
Fresh fruit, grain and candy toppings are available for an additional cost (95¢ for one, $1.25 for two, $1.55 for three).
Tuttimelon in West Portal currently offers two flavors: Original tart and pomegranate (an additional 50¢). They plan to add more flavors soon. Other Tuttimelon locations in San Francisco and the Bay Area also feature green tea, mango, blueberry, and sugar-free chocolate.
It is yet to be seen if San Francisco will join in the FroYo craze, but with Tuttimelons popping up all over the city, chances look promising. An employee says the 99¢ special will likely last another month or two. If you have never tried the tart treat, now is your chance. If you already love it, what are you waiting for?
Bottom line: A guilt-free treat at under a buck. What's not to love?
Tuttimelon
44 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
$
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