San Francisco IX: A16

The morning after Monsieur P arrived in San Francisco, we took the bus to meet up with his friends for coffee/pastries at La Boulange in Filmore...

...at first I though La Boulange was a cute little French cafe, but then quickly found out that it was actually a big chain with a location in what seemed like every neighborhood of San Francisco. Sigh, how easily I was deceived by the charming, cozy decor. At least the cannelés were decent ;)

Post-coffee we strolled around Pacific Heights and Marina, stopping by the Palace of Fine Arts, and then...

...Crissy Field beach for some sun time!

We swung back though Pacific Heights for a late lunch at A16. The place was still bustling half an hour before lunch service was to end.

Bread and olive oil (upon request only) to start...

We decided to share a pizza and salad which turned out to be the perfect amount for two (I eventually added a pasta dish to our lunch, but more on that later!) First up, a Roasted Mushroom and Snap Pea Salad with radishes, nepitella and pecorino.

Many pizza options to pick from...click to see bigger.

We finally chose the Carciofi, an ideal combination of artichokes, with ricotta, smoked mozzarella, onions, prosciutto cotto, garlic, basil and chiles. I almost enjoyed the topping combination more than the pizza itself. Would love to use those same ingredients in a pasta dish...

An upskirt shot for you! Pizza is one of my favourite foods, as I've mentioned numerous times in the past, and I always make pizza an eating priority when visiting other cities. I enjoyed both Defina and A16 on this visit, but neither come close in delivery of final product to NYC pizza places, and were just as pricey. Perhaps I should stop attempting to compare, huh? ;)

While eating I couldn't help but notice that practically every diner around us had, in addition to pizza, the Cavatelli pasta, either as an appetizer or entree. I was so intrigued that by the time we wiped out the pizza and declared fullness, I placed an order for the housemade Cavatelli. It's okay right? We skipped dessert after all ;) The cavatelli was served with cannellini beans (both whole and blended in the sauce), tomato, chiles and pecorino. Nothing earth shattering nor delicious as we had hoped for. I wouldn't be inclined to order it on a return visit, but it sure did satisfy our curiosity.

Note: We sat at the bar, which definitely enhanced our lunch experience. Monsieur P loved watching them construct pizzas in the open kitchen and I couldn't get enough of the guy who just kept on turning out the cavatelli, pasta by pasta. Same twist, turns, rolls and cuts, over and over again for the entire hour we were there...mesmerizing!

Oh boy, looking at these vacations photos has me all wistful...summer in NYC is a disaster in terms of weather.. Would give anything for cooler temperatures and time away from work :) Hope you all have a wonderful upcoming holiday weekend!

A16
2355 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA 94101
(415) 771-2216

NYC: Weekend Review...Po, Luzzos, and Grand Sichuan

Just some outtakes from a super relaxed, uneventful, but perfectly delightful weekend :) It's been a while since we've had one of those!

Friday evening pizza delivery from Luzzo's + The Godfather + lots of air-conditioning. The heat in NYC has been unbearable for the past few weeks...have been trying to stay indoors as much as possible. Does this summer seem much hotter than our past summers, or is it just me??

We tore apart that Quartro Formaggio Pie from Luzzo's pretty quick. A wealth of mozzarella, gorgonzola, provolone, and parmesan. Caesar salad on the side, but that was secondary. I was really craving pizza from Artichoke...but alas, they don't deliver!

Saturday morning shopping + coffee with Lauren. We met at Caffeteria, but they were unfortunately closed for electrical repairs (will reopen on this Tuesday, 6/29). So we went a few doors down to Once Upon a Tart, for a bit of air conditioning, iced coffee for Lauren and Strawberry-Lemonade for myself.

White Bean Bruschetta

On Saturday night, Monsieur P and I had an early dinner at Po in the West Village. I've made a post on my first visit to Po about just a year ago. Since then, I've returned numerous times, for both lunch and dinner. It ranks high on my list of go-to eating spots in the city. My favourite table? Still that street facing nook to your right as you enter the restaurant. Food is excellent, and always reliable, plus I'm a complete sucker for that complimentary, super garlicky White Bean Bruschetta they start you off with. It's $2 for an additional serving ;)

We kept our meal light that evening, sharing a pasta and a fish dish of the Porcini Crusted Cod. On the side was borlotti beans with kale and sweet red pepper vinaigrette. Lovely, but in general, Po does a better job with meatier dishes.

And then the pasta! OH MAN. This White Bean Ravioli is an insanely wonderful dish, and I have to thank Zubair for introducing me to it. The ravioli, about ten to an order, are simple luxe triangular folds stuffed with pureed white beans, garlic and cheese. And if that wasn't heavenly enough on it's own, the pasta is bathed in a just thick-enough-to-coat balsamic brown butter sauce. A little basil and parmesan to finish. Make sure to save some bread to soak up any sauce left on the plate!

For dessert we went up the block to L'arte del Gelato. Maria was working the night shift, hooray! Ever since they opened the Chelsea Market shop I haven't seen Maria at the West Village location which I like more. We split a small with strawberry sorbet and coffee gelato. Not the perfect pairing, but Monsieur P wanted coffee and I wanted strawberry, and that's how we made things work!

Sautéed Chinese Broccoli

Sunday was a fun - Monsieur P took me to B&H Photo to pick out my birthday present! Whee!! But I can't open it till the day of my actual birthday...will make a post on that next :) In the afternoon we had a late lunch/early dinner at Grand Sichuan. Man, we go to this restaurant at least twice a week. It's really starting to feel like home.

We usually get the same dishes: wontons in hot oil, cumin beef, Cold Cucumbers in Scallion Oil (above photo), sautéed pea shoots...but we're trying our best to switch things up. So hard though, when you have tried and true favourites!

This time we kept the cold cucumbers in the mixed but added Minced Pork Vermicelli Noodles...

...and the Meatball Casserole with noodles, fungus and cabbage.

Am tucking in for an early Sunday evening...hope you had a great weekend! :)

Luzzo's
211 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 473-7447

Po
31 Cornelia Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 645-2189

Grand Sichuan
23 Saint Marks Place
New York, NY 10003
(212) 529-4800

Hawai'i: dinner @ town

[If you haven't read the Hawai'i post on dessert tasting at Nobu Waikiki, please do that first and then come back to this post. It'll make more sense :)]

Below is a photo breakdown of an incredible dinner at town in Kaimuki. The feast was organized and hosted by Reid of Ono Kine Grindz, thank you Reid!! At the table was Alan from Manoa, Robyn and myself. Much aloha to Chef/owner Ed Kenney who customized a truly memorable family style dinner for us. Not just a dinner really, definitely a FEAST!

I always visit town on every trip back to Hawai'i, and have made posts before...early 2010 and twice in 2007... though this particular meal, as you can tell by the photos, was the most memorable by far.

Almonds, Cantaloupe, Pancetta

Focaccia, Baguette

Butter and Olives

Ahi Tatare, Risotto Cake, Balsamic Vinegar

MA'O Organic Lettuces, Pancetta, Manchego, Cherry Tomatoes, Walnuts

Seared Ahi, Milton's Potatoes, Long Beans, Scallion Vinaigrette

Gnocchi, Hamanalo Baby Corn, Grape Tomatoes, Sage Brown Butter

Kulana Striploin, Roquefort Butter, French Fries, Arugula

Blue Lotus Duck Egg, Polenta, Ali'i Oyster Mushrooms, Roasted Tomatoes

Fresh Flaked Ahi, Potato, and Olive Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

A Whole Rabbit...

...done six ways!!!

Gigante Beans

Grilled Lettuces, Parmigiano

Grapefruit Campari Sorbet

...and then we were off to Nobu Waikiki for dessert!

town
3435 Wai'alae Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 735-5900

Sugar Rushed...

...for the week at Serious Eats New York. Plus Lunch for One at Bo Ky and Cha An :)

Lunch for One: Summer Set at Cha An

Sugar Rush: Espresso Frappé at Grom

Sugar Rush: Rice Pudding at Russ & Daughters

Lunch for One: Chicken Curry Noodles at Bo Ky

Sugar Rush: Lemon-Blueberry Turnovers at Grandaisy

Sugar Rush: Raspberry-Almond Croissant at Bouchon Bakery

Sugar Rush: Raspberry-Yogurt Cakes at Le Pain Quotidien

Enjoy your weekend! :)

Hawai'i: Nobu Waikiki

[Ok man, now I think I'm going to start mixing my Hawai'i May 2010 trip posts with the San Francisco June 2010 trip posts, otherwise I'll never catch up with the NYC posts all before the next vacation! Whew! :)]

The most exciting meal I had on my last trip home was a two-part, five-hour, feast organized and graciously hosted by Reid of Ono Kine Grindz. [Super thank you, Reid!] Alan from Manoa was at the meal in addition to Robyn and myself. Reid's blog was the very first food blog I've read back in the early 2000s, so it was such an honor to meet him in person!!

Our evening began with dinner at town followed by dessert at Nobu Waikiki. And when I say dinner and dessert, it wasn't just dinner and dessert...it was, man, seriously something out of this world. We're going to work backwards. Dessert in this post, and dinner in the next.

At Nobu's, pastry chef Rachel Murai prepared a special six-course tasting for the four of us. An array of eye-opening sweets to say the least, I had no idea there they were turning out such wonderful desserts at Nobu Waikiki of all places. I was in love! Am going to let the photos do the talking, breakdown below :)

Sous Vide Watermelon & Umeshu, Lime Granita

Azuki Panna Cotta, Matcha Sorbet, Tapioca Pearls, Kuri Tuile

Creme de Mascarpone, Honey Caviar, Almond Olive Oil Crumble, Passion Coulis, Shiso Syrup

Pistachio Ice Cream, Coconut Foam, Caramelized Goma

Gianduja Cremoso, Peanut Praline Powder, Frozen Raspberry Bits, Cacao Nibs

Espresso Snow, Sweet Milk, Cardamom Ice Cream, Financier Crisps

Nobu Waikiki
2233 Helumoa Road
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 237-6999