Blogs

By Meredith Brody

I’ve probably spent a few hundred dollars, all told, in Starbucks, (Faute de mieux, as the French would say), but its stores were never my first choice for caffeination. In fact, a standard joke was that my retirement plan was never to pay $3 for coffee. (And, of course, if you go nuts and order a latte or one of their kindergarten-friendly milkshake-like drinks, that $3 is left behind in the chocolate dust.)

I find their coffee over-roasted (to put it politely; burnt is more like it). But occasionally necessity (such as a movie screening when I’m feeling a little groggy) and the fact that a Starbucks was visible on my path conspired to lure me in.

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By Catherine McCulloch

Good vegan ice cream is hard to come by…if you don’t live in San Francisco! Since I became interested in vegan food everyone has been telling me to go to Maggie Mudd, which supposedly hoards the best vegan ice cream in town down in Bernal Heights.

I decided to make the trip on a Wednesday afternoon and found Maggie Mudd’s, on one of the neighborhood's many quaint streets, bustling with business. There was a small line and people were seated at every table in the tiny shop. The five people ahead of me somehow translated into a 15 minute wait. Maybe they should have more than one person working behind the counter? But, I really can't complain because it took me a long time to decide which ice cream I wanted from the extensive vegan options (the flavors rotate everyday).

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Karaoke, free chicken wings, and $3 cocktails? Sounds like a plan to me. Starting tonight, Thursday, July 24, Japantown newcomer O Izakaya Lounge (1625 Post St. at Laguna) in the Hotel Kabuki is kicking-off the first of what promises to be a great Thursday night scene: All night happy hour with $3 cocktails, karaoke, and a late night menu (served until midnight) devised by Chef Nicolaus Balla. Needless to say, isn't your average deep-fried bar gruel: Pork belly yakimono (grilled skewers), the infamously tasty O Lounge Burger with shichimi spiced fries, and the aforementioned spiced chicken wings with togarashi citrus honey. The wings will be complimentary during tonight's debut only. It happens every Thursday night from 9:00 to midnight. Check O Izakaya's full menu here.

-- Brian Bernbaum

(Click the photo for a drink by drink slideshow)

42BELOW Vodka World Cup
Cafe Du Nord
July 22, 2008
Notes and photos by Crystal Akins

Last night, Cafe Du Nord hosted 42BELOW's vodka world cup where 11 Bay Area bartenders competed for a trip to New Zealand where their drink would compete internationally. After enduring a shattered "42BELOW" ice sculpture, unsanitary tastings and a perverted MC, a shy Joel Baker emerged as last night's winner.

But let's meet the contestants:

Adam L: aka 8-Nap (because he takes eight naps a day when surfing in Indonesia, apparently), concocted a drink he called "The Cure." Pushing six ingredients, this ginger-infused drink gained positive head nods as judges were granted their own drinks and the crowd sipped communally from one cup with their straws. Adam L, who also works at Teatro Zinzanni, dressed accordingly, and was the most verbose out of the bunch. His fans loved him as they chanted his name and yelled about how hot he was.

Joel Baker: was last night's winner as he mixed drinks to Danity Kane's newest hit, "Damaged." His "Pear Sonata" reigned supreme in the hearts of the judges and crowd. Topped with a foamy whipped cream (of some sorts) and grated cinnamon, this pear explosion looked like something straight out of a Martha Stewart magazine. Hailing from San Francisco's Bourbon & Branch bar, Baker will go on to compete in New Zealand. During his photo-op, he awkwardly held his winning certificate, balloons, and of course, a bottle of 42BELOW.

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The excellent New York Times Wednesday food Section, Dining In/Dining Out, has a couple of articles in today's section of special interest to those of us here on the Left Coast. First, an article by ex-San Francisco Chronicle staffer Kim Severson on Slow Food Nation 2008, Slow Food's ambitious Labor Day weekend celebration of all things slow and delicious. And a tempting piece by Marian Burros about soft-serve ice cream, Stand Back, Mister Softee: There's a New Swirl in Town, that starts with a Bay Area treat -- the soft-serve available at Pizzeria Picco in Larkspur, which also is the source of the luscious-looking spiced-cantaloupe-atop-voluptuous-soft-serve pictured on the front page of the section, and also the blackberry-laden version illustrated online -- and continues its tour with Berkeley's Sketch Ice Cream on Fourth Street, featured among other places in New York and Atlanta. Pizzeria Picco's vanilla soft-serve in a chocolate shell from El Rey of VenezueIa! Sketch's "creamsicle" of white nectarine granita nestled next to jasmine tea soft serve in a cup! I predict long lines -- even longer than usual -- at both.

--Meredith Brody

Direct from the Slow Food on Film Festival 2008 in Bologna, Italy, Slow Food San Francisco invites you to the U.S. film premiere of Strawberry Fields at the Delancey Street Theater (600 Embarcadero) this Friday, July 25. In the film -- which snagged the Special Mention of Honor for Best Documentary -- Israeli filmmaker Ayelet Heller chronicles a day in the life of Palestinian farmers in Gaza. More from the Slow Food folks:

"When we think of Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea we remember the news reports about Israel's decision in 2005 to disengage from the strip and withdraw its settlers....and all the drama that that entailed. But how often do we, so far away, get a real sense of life on the ground, for ordinary people? What is life like for the more than one million Palestinians in that fertile but troubled strip?"

The screening starts at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by a reception at 9:00 p.m. where some gourmet goodies will be served: Fra'Mani Salumi, Harley Farms Cheese, dessert, and wine by the glass. It'll cost you $15. Buy advance tickets online here.

-- Brian Bernbaum

This Friday, July 25, Jovino (2184 Union St. at Fillmore) in the Marina is hosting another one of their excellent Monthly Wine Socials. Plunk down a measly $20 and get a pass for unlimited tasting. This month they're pouring a selection of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Salinas Valley's Carmel Road Vineyards "where the air is crisp and the tempo is relaxed and measured." And so I ask: Is there any better way to modulate your tempo than with a few glasses of wine? I think not. The tasting happens from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Reserve your spot by calling 563-1853.

-- Brian Bernbaum

Around Town:

A lot of people still haven't experienced much Japanese cuisine beyond the standard sushi dinner and occasional ramen bowl, which is partially why the tiny (25 seats) non-sushi Japanese eatery Halu (312 8th Ave.) in the Inner Richmond is turning so many heads. Opened by husband-and-wife team Shigemi and Mimi Komiyama in June, Halu specializes in the seemingly infinite variations of yakitori (grilled skewers), kushi katsu (deep-fried skewers), and handmade ramen. "All are very popular in Japan, but not in San Francisco. Not yet, anyway," says Mimi Komiyama. "Everybody knows sushi, but people misunderstand. They think Japanese people only eat sushi. People have asked me that question many times. We don't serve any sushi at Halu." But if it can be grilled or deep-fried and stuck with a skewer ($3.50-$5.50 for two), chances are Halu serves it: everything from fried chicken with basil to beef tongue to scallops with bacon to stuffed mushrooms, not to mention chicken hearts, livers, gizzards, and thighs, as well as plenty of vegetarian offerings and a wide selection of cold sakes. Halu is open for dinner. For more info call 415-221-9165.

Want to read the rest of the 7-Day Dish? Of course you do, so just hop on over and subscribe to the weekly email newsletter

Has the tanking economy got you down? Have rising gas and food prices cut into your slush fund (by which I mean drinking money)? If so, Mediterranean/American spot Cafe Rouge (1782 4th Street at Virginia) in Berkeley feels your pain, they really do. That's why they've announced Recession Tuesdays. Er, yay! I guess. The special, I mean. Not the recession. In addition to their Wednesday $1 oyster night, Tuesdays are now fair game for excessive drowning-of-sorrows. Stop in for $1 off all draft beers and $2 off cocktails, all day, every Tuesday -- that's tonight. For info. call 510-525-1440.

-- Brian Bernbaum

As if you really needed another good reason to kick back a cocktail or three, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco (757 Market Street) has started its annual Cocktails For A Cause summer program to benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer -- yes, I know this year's Walk happened a few weeks ago. I'm a little slow on the uptake, but the good news is that the booze will be flowing all summer long anyway. Seasons Bar & Lounge Master Mixologist Sierra Zimei has whipped up a batch of specialty cocktails for the occasion, which will be served every Monday (that's tonight!) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. through the end of the summer. For more info. call 633-3000.

-- Brian Bernbaum

I was ambushed by a sickness a couple weeks ago, and took swift and immediate actions to reverse the situation. I mainlined water, ate lots of fruits and vegetables, and slept for hours. I also abstained from alcohol for a whole four days. (I know, I know. I'm waiting for my award in the mail.)

The four scant days off the sauce were enough to lower my tolerance and this is how I came to have my ass kicked by the Spiked Mango Lemonade at Emmy's spaghetti shack.

The spike in the Spiked Mango Lemonade is whiskey, and plenty of it. I'm a proponent of mixing lemonade with all kinds of booze, and the added taste of mango makes this a substantial cocktail. The bartenders at Emmy's don't scrimp on the whiskey and the concoction is served in an impressively tall glass.

Short people be warned, sitting in the low slung booths at Emmy's with one of these cocktails looming over you will make you feel a little bit like the kid whose dad lets them sit at the bar.

-Andy Wright

This Saturday, July 19, the Italian wine/cheese/meat purveyors extraordinaire at Uva Enoteca (568 Haight at Steiner) continue their series of wine education classes with a refresher Introduction to Italian Wines. It covers the fundamentals winemaking, wine tasting, and some no doubt fascinating history. Only 15 "students" are being admitted this time, so hurry up if you want in. Class starts at 3:45 p.m.; $35 a piece, with plenty of hands-on tasting practice in store. Call 415-829-2024 or email info@uvaenoteca.com to sign up. Then next Sunday, you can put all that education to good use when Uva Enoteca hosts a regional Italian tasting: Wines of Emilia Romagna, in northern Italy. It also starts at 3:45 p.m.; $40 per person. Same sign up procedure. Kapeesh?

-- Brian Bernbaum

Nick Fasanella of Nick's Crispy Tacos in Russian Hill and the new La Spiaggia Delicatessen in North Beach is working on yet another joint, Underdogs Sports Bar & Grill (1824 Irving at 19th Street) in the Sunset. But apparently the whole bulldog-in-a-football-jersey thing isn't exactly his cup of tea, so he's doing what any self-respecting new bar owner would do: get everyone liquored up and throw a contest! He's offering a $500 bar credit for the best new name/concept. Just show up tonight between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, make your best pitch to Nick, and then unwind from all that performance anxiety with $1 Buds, $2 bourbons, and $1 pulled-pork sliders. North Carolina singer/songwriter Brent Jordan will perform at 8:00 p.m.

-- Brian Bernbaum

Around Town:

If you hang around downtown San Francisco or follow foodie pursuits, you'll know there has been a huge influx of frozen-yogurt shops lately. An informal survey finds at least half a dozen in the last six months alone. Why so many? To find out, we asked a pioneer of the froyo wave. Racquel Armandpour, owner of Yogurt Bar, opened her first location a year ago in the Marina (2760 Octavia at Union) and a second in SOMA earlier this month (680 Mission at Third St.). "People just really like the idea of all-natural frozen yogurt," she says. "It's a real yogurt, kind of tart flavor. It's definitely become quite a trend. I think it made its way up here from Southern California." What makes Yogurt Bar stand out from the rest of the pack? "We offer a little more variety than some of the other frozen yogurt places in town," she says. "We always have four flavors, where most places typically only offer two. Our customer service is also excellent!" To celebrate its grand opening and first anniversary, Yogurt Bar is offering a deal: Buy one and get the second for 50 percent off through Saturday, July 19.

Want to read the rest of the 7-Day Dish? Of course you do, so just hop on over and subscribe to the weekly email newsletter

By Catherine McCulloch

At Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant, an Asian joint in the Tenderloin’s little Saigon, I enjoyed a delicious vegan meal with a side of propaganda. See, the owners of the place are disciples of spiritual leader Ching Hai (a.k.a. The Supreme Master), and the restaurant displays pamphlets and posters that promote vegetarian ideas like “Go Veg! Be Green! Save the planet.”

I don’t know about the Supreme Master but the food borders divinity. Now don’t get me wrong! A meal at Golden Era can feel pretty sinful when you factor in all of the deep fried food and greasy sauces. But, a bit of indulgence can be good for the soul.

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