After all that food we decided to take a walk down to The French Laundry. http://www.frenchlaundry.com/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/french-laundry-yountville One day I will be back! What was cool is the garden was across the street and we were able to walk around checking everything out. There were signs up for each plot w/ a brief description of what was growing there. I guess mice is a big problem in the garden as there were traps set up and cats running around. There was also a greenhouse w/ even more vegetables.
And finally to the main event of the day, Ad Hoc. http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/ad-hoc-yountville-2 We made a special trip on a Monday because it was Buttermilk Fried Chicken night! The first course was Warm Cabbage & Apricot Salad w/ Wilted Savoy and Red Cabbage, Jobbs' Bacon Lardons, Toasted Pistachios, Shaved Carrots. All I can say was that the bacon was delicious! Not to say that everything together wasn't also. It was paired with Palladin Toast with Peppered Goat Cheese. Not a big fan of goat cheese so I let the others enjoy my portion. And then there was this, Buttermilk Fried Chicken. I was amazed at the portion that they brought out. I'd say there was a good four pieces of chicken per person at least. What's there to say about this besides it was delicious. The skin was tasty and the meat was juicy. My only gripe was that it was a bit salty for me. Maybe I'm just too sensitive to salt. The chicken was paired w/ Baked Sweet Potatoes, Creme Fraiche, Spring Onions, Romano Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Green Garlic Dressing. I really liked the spring onions, romano beans and the tomatoes. Next course was Beehive Cheese Co's Barely Buzzed, Little Gems, Fennel-Fig Compote, Spiced Walnuts. The cheese was a cheddar from Utah w/ coffee powdered on the rind. It wasn't as sharp as other cheddars and the coffee wasn't overpowering on the rind. We were all amazed at how the cheese tasted differently when eaten w/ the different things that it came with. The dessert of the evening was a Mixed Berry Shortcakes w/ Lemon Curd, Whipped Cream, Strawberry Sorbet. It's funny how the shortcake looked like a breakfast egg biscuit w/ the yolk running out from the middle. Never had a shortcake using a biscuit before and it was quite interesting. And yes, those are some giant berries. So, how was the meal? It was delicious. I'd highly recommend trying the fried chicken from Ad Hoc when they are serving it. I'm also fond of the fact that it was all prix fixe and I don't have to decide on what to order. I wish Ad Hoc was closer so I can just stop by to eat whenevers after seeing the menu for the day. Too bad we didn't get Sonic on the way home.
For the record, I sent a food drunk txt to a friend last night as I fell asleep that just said "I feel destroyed. It's amazing." I felt that way this morning. It didn't help that I ate 2 cookies and a chocolate croissant when I got home.
here's my favorite thing to eat in japantown: Modern Yaki at Izumiya (which is right next to Sophie's Crepes). It is a bed of yaki soba with a seafood & beef okonomiyaki on top. the menu says it notes that it takes 15 minutes to make (that's because everything else takes 12 minutes). I think I've eaten this about 10 times.
Wow, Ad Hoc looks delicious! Everything looks farm fresh, cooked perfectly, and amazing. Shortcake (biscuits) is pretty traditional, but i know what you mean, I prefer cake. REDD looks incredible. I have to stop drooling and wishing I was in N. California for awhile. great photos!
Took my roommate out for a birthday dinner at Limon Peruvian Rotisserie. http://limonrotisserie.com/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/limon-rotisserie-san-francisco Glad I made reservations earlier because the place was packed. The place is known for their Pollo a la Brasa. A Peruvian favorite. Chicken marinated the “traditional way” and slowly cooked in our rotisserie. The skin was mighty tasty and the meat was nice and juicy. Definitely a recommendation. This came w/ two side dishes. We chose the Vegetales Salteados & Sweet Potato Fries. The vegetables were good, the fries were whatevers. Another entree we ordered was the Anticuchos de Res. Beef heart anticuchos grilled and served with choclo-on-the-cob and yucca. Loved it! The meat was nice and tender and mighty tasty. And always love to eat giant corn! The least favorite dish of the three we got was the Seco de Costillas. Braised beef short ribs with huacatay and cilantro, served with potatoes, carrots and English peas. It wasn't bad, tasted good. The short ribs were nice and soft w/o being too dry. It just wasn't amazing enough for it to stand out. We also got the Ensalada Mixta. Organic mixed greens, cucumbers, and radishes tossed in fresh lime vinaigrette. It was overly dressed and for some reason spicy. A salad is a salad. Or rabbit food too. Was excited to try dessert. First we got the Chocolate Bandido. Limon’s favorite! Flourless chocolate cake, with brandy chocolate sauce and lucuma crème anglaise. It was chocolatey and sweet. Can't go wrong with that. I was super excited to see that they had a Raspberry Panna Cotta. Raspberry cooked cream with mango coulis. I've been on a panna cotta kick lately after the one I had at Il Fornaio. This one was good, wasn't great compared to others that I've tried lately. Wish it was a little colder. Overall, I liked dinner tonight. I'd recommend people to try it especially for the rotisserie chicken. I think half a chicken & 2 sides was $9.50. Really can't beat the price of that. One thing like I said, make reservations as the place gets packed.
It is Summertime, and all this food talk is making me miss the Côte d'Azur and the fine resturants that I used to go to while vacationing over several summers at a friend's family vacation château in Cap d'Antibes around two decades ago. I really miss that time of my life, and despite living in California, the beaches in the south of France remain, in my opinion, unmatched, as does the food. They say life only gets better, so who am I to argue? Anyway, to the point: Do any of you have recommendations for the best Foie Gras in the Bay Area presently? Or at least very good Foie Gras? It is so hard to get it served just right. I used to go to Masa's Resturant for the Foie Gras, but have not been recently. Suggestions?
This one's for you Alex. Took my friends that are in town to Marlowe last night. http://marlowesf.com/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/marlowe-san-francisco-2 Started with Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips (Meyer lemon, sea salt). Great stuff! Definitely recommended. Love the sweet & sourness of the meyer lemon w/ the bitterness of the brussel sprouts. And always a must get, Roasted Bone Marrow (Salsa verde & fine herbs). Disappointed with this compared to what I've had before. The bone marrow were tiny portions despite what it looks in the pic. I'd still say my favorite spot for bone marrow is at RN74. First entree we got was the Seared Black Cod (Sauteed spinach, spring vegetables & bagna cauda butter). This was whatevers for me. The fish was nice and fresh but a tiny little piece. This is an easy pass for me next time. We also ordered the Poulet Vert (Fingerling potatoes, olives & chicory). The chicken was nice and tender. I liked this dish and would order it again. And finally, the Marlowe Burger (Caramelized onions, cheddar, bacon, horseradish aoili & fries). Best burger in San Francisco? Hmm...I'd say it was pretty damn good. The meat was nice and fresh. The horseradish aoili was a nice pairing to everything. For dessert we ordered the TCHO Dark Chocolate Bar Pudding (Creme fraiche, maple pistachios). Nothing special, but a good end to a nice meal. Overall I enjoyed the meal at Marlowe. The burger itself is worth a trip. Their menu isn't very big so the selection is very limited.
3 things: 1. Joe, you're a motherfucker for going without me, I'll remember that. 2. I'm with Alice, I think you don't like 80% of the food you eat. Your new nickname is Flynn. its always "alright","not bad" or at best "pretty good". 3. I'm still full from Ad-Hoc.
not poking fun but you west coasters tickle my ribs silly with your cuisine, a double stacked luther for lunch and some ridiculous shit I would F' up ordering by name big time for supper, I know the weed in cali is not THAT good you guys would probably be amused by the greasey spoon paradise that is the midwest, we do have some killer confectioners hidden around here and there though, when I make it out that way one of you will have to show me the ropes, and I will even cover the bill you will just have to help me clean up when I shit myself after seeing the bill from what I have heard from cali dining
best thread ever. thanks a bunch joe for reports & fotos. toycollectors wearing shirts ...so cute. ...please show andy some good places to eat. been to england twice - food was horrible.
1. I'm not a West Coaster. 2. I've been to the midwest quite a bit and dined at many different places there. I promise that if you flip the bill, I'll do my best to make you shit your plants. 3 I personally haven't paid more than $50 bucks for a meal since I moved here. If that seems like a lot then you probably shouldn't be buying toys.
do the shirtless masses have any plans for labor day? All you need to do is show up hungry. http://perks.urbandaddy.com/catalog/pro ... ategory/13
By shirts..I'm assuming he means...5 buttons and a collar versus the standard "t-shirt." Anyway..how far in advance do you need to make a reservation at Ad Hoc? And lame question number 1..Any chance to get a copy of the menu that night?