Work It, Berk: February 2018

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Work It, San Francisco: Donovan

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Work It, San Francisco: Peter

Monday, February 26, 2018

Work It, San Francisco: Helen

Friday, February 23, 2018

Eat in San Francisco: Las Tinajas Restaurant

Carne Asada with gallo pinto (pinto beans and rice) and fried plantains

Maduros (sweet plantains)

I visited Las Tinajas Restaurant, a cafeteria-style Nicaraguan restaurant located on Mission between 19th and 20th, for the first time this past weekend.

I ordered the Carne Asada with a side of gallo pinto (rice and beans) and two types of plantains, one fried like chips and the other sweet (maduros). Everything was really good. The carne asada was cooked perfectly and had a lot of flavor. The rice, beans, and plantains complemented the meat well and provided great texture. I would definitely stop by again.

If you've visited Las Tinajas Restaurant, what do you recommend trying?

Las Tinajas Restaurant
Yelp

2338 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Monday - Saturday 10 - 4:30

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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Eat in San Francisco: Bi-Rite Creamery (Pt. 3)

Chocolate and Vanilla soft serve ice cream

I've done it again! I'm reviewing Bi-Rite Creamery's soft serve a second time and the ice cream shop overall a third time.

I don't have much of a status update, however. Their soft serve is still delicious and those delicious flavors I've vetted include Chocolate, Salted Caramel, and now Vanilla. Now I've given you an alternative to waiting in the über-long line for their ice cream a few feet over. Phew!

What's your favorite ice cream flavor at Bi-Rite?

Bi-Rite Creamery
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

3692 18th St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Daily 11am - 10pm

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Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Eat in Oakland: Grand Lake Kitchen (Pt. 2)

Smoked Salmon with cream cheese, red onions, capers, lemon, and chives on a Beauty's Everything Bagel

Right: Latte

It's been a while since I reviewed Grand Lake Kitchen, one of Oakland's best brunch spots, back in 2014.

When I returned this weekend, I ordered the Smoked Salmon with cream cheese, red onions, capers, lemon, and chives on a Beauty's Everything Bagel as well as a latte. The bagel was everything (get it?) I wanted in a smoked salmon bagel and then some. They added some special goodness that upgraded this classic open-faced sandwich. Since I've last stopped by, they've added an espresso machine where they made my perfectly prepared latte.

If you've visited Grand Lake Kitchen recently, what do you recommend trying?

Grand Lake Kitchen

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

576 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610
Open: Daily 9am - 10pm

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Eat in Berkeley: Ippudo

Shoyu Ramen made with pork belly chashu, scallions, nori seaweed, soft-boiled seasoned egg, menma, and naruto

Sake

I finally visited Ippudo, the popular ramen place on Shattuck at University in Downtown Berkeley, after seeing its line wrap down the block for weeks.

I tried the Shoyu Ramen made with pork belly chashu, scallions, nori seaweed, soft-boiled seasoned egg, menma, and naruto as well as a delicious shot of sake. The ramen was good although to me the main event was the sake. It had a rich flavor I enjoyed. While I forgot to write down which type I tried, they have a decently-sized selection you should be happy with.

Ippudo is very popular, but we were lucky in that the line wasn't too bad for a Saturday dinner. I'd recommend bringing good company.

If you've visited Ippudo, what do you recommend trying?

Ippudo
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

2015 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704
Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 11pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 12am, Sunday 11am - 10pm

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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Eat in Oakland: Hawking Bird

Sandwiched Hawking Bird: fried chicken sandwich made with chicken thigh fillet, mayo, chili jam, and cabbage slaw in an egg bun

I finally tried Hawking Bird this weekend after hearing so many good things from my favorite food bloggers and writers the past few months. Started by James Syhabout, who brought us the delicious and always inspiring Thai cuisine served at Hawker Fare, Hawking Bird is its casual counterpart known for their fried chicken and Khao Mun Gai poached chicken dish.

I tried the Sandwiched Hawking Bird, which is a chicken thigh fillet marinated in garlic and ginger, dipped in a rice flour batter, and double fried. I had this "sandwiched" with mayo, a homemade charred chili jam, and cabbage slaw in an egg bun. It was worth the wait. The fried chicken was juicy on the inside, and flaky and surprisingly light tasting on the outside. The chili jam had a nice sweetness that accentuated the sandwich's already dynamic flavors.

They also serve the sandwich, or fried tofu, over salad or rice. The next time I visit I want to try one of these combinations, along with a side of garlic noodles.

If you've visited Hawking Bird, what do you recommend trying?

Monday, February 5, 2018

Work It, San Francisco: John

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