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NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show 2013 Photos - San Francisco

The Winter Fancy Food Show - the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast, arrived in San Francisco for its 38th year. Food Fashionista was there to capture all the latest products and the action on the show floors. 80,000 items from 35+ countries and regions were represented by 1,300 exhibitors from all over the world.

See all of our photos + more to be added on album below: 

Hakkasan Restaurant Arrives in San Francisco

In a city packed with Chinese restaurants, you’d wonder if we really need another one. When they come in the distinct shape and form of Hakkasan, you’ll know this isn’t your average, typical Chinese dining room or fare. From the hugely successful London-based restaurant group arrives the newest arrival of the world famous Hakkasan destination at One Kearny in San Francisco. Indulge in Roasted silver cod with champagne and Chinese honey sauce and Truffle braised noodles with crabmeat and scallops. Hakkasan isn’t take-out Chinese. It’s take your date out to Chinese kind of food.

Hakkasan

1 Kearny Street  San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 829-8148

King Valley Tea House Dim Sum - Pinole, California

If you find yourself craving dim sum in the East Bay, look no further than King Valley Tea House in Pinole. On Saturdays, there's even a local, year-round Farmers' Market right across the street where you can grab fresh produce, kettle corn, pizza, and artisan gifts. Who knew?

 

King Valley Tea House

795 Fernandez Ave
Pinole, CA 94564

(510) 724-1668

CHAYA Scallop and Oyster Food Fair - Fleet Week & America's Cup Dining - Now through 10/14 - San Francisco

Could the weather be any more gorgeous in San Francisco this week? I think not. Indian Summer is finally here and the weather Gods are brightly shining down upon us. While the rest of the country is talking pumpkin soup and butternut squash ravioli, we in the Bay Area are finally reaching for our shorts and sandals. The timing couldn't be any more perfect with the arrival of Fleet Week and the 34^th America’s Cup World Series back to our city. Many are in a celebratory mood, and with this in mind, CHAYA Brasserie is offering a limited-time special menu ($12-$28) celebrating two of our favorite delicacies from the sea - Oysters and Scallops.

If you have guests coming in to town for Fleet Week, or just want to indulge in some satisfying cuisine and cocktails along the waterfront, CHAYA is your answer. Seeing the items on the menu below literally made my mouth water. Gosh, we are so blessed to live in San Francisco. Especially during this time of the year.

          

                                                     

Starters

Seasonal Half Shell Oysters

Classic accompaniments

 

Scallop Tartare

sesame chili ponzu, apples, tobiko, nori flat bread

 

Scallop Ceviche

red onion, cilantro, leche de tigre

 

Oyster Shooter Sampler

seaweed, ponzu, quail egg, radish, yuzu-yellow chili, shallots, mignonettes

 

Entrées

Scallop Pot Pie

wild mushrooms

 

Live Scallop Two Ways (market price)

sashimi and nigiri

 

Quick Smoked Scallops

lemon chive yogurt, cucumber salsa verde

 

 

CHAYA BRASSERIE SAN FRANCISCO

132 The Embarcadero

San Francisco, CA 94105

415.777.8688   

Matcha Affogato at Ippuku - Berkeley

If you are craving a taste of Tokyo, but don't have the time or funds to get on that plane to Narita at the moment; a visit to Berkeley's Ippuku just may do the temporary trick. Specializing in Izakaya cuisine, this authentically-decored space with a Japanese aesthetic and staff serves items not standard on American restaurant menus. Expect to find bites such as Chicken Tartare and Bacon-Wrapped Mochi.

Although you'll notice that a visit to Ippuku can be drenched in all things Nihonjin (Japanese), you'll be reminded of the fact that you are in the Bay Area. Especially, when you see the repeated use of local ingredients. One such example, is the Matcha Affogato ( green tea over Straus Organic soft serve vanilla) dessert. I'm an avid fan of Straus, making special visits to San Francisco's Super Duper and Zero Zero just to order it. The combination with the matcha was a perfect Ippuku ending. The only thing that could've made it better, was maybe a small dollop of azuki beans with a few fresh mochi on top. Reservations highly suggested.

Ippuku

2130 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 665-1969

Dolsot Bibimbap at Be Bop - Berkeley

I orderd the Mushroom Dolsot Bibimbap with a fried egg. This dish is served in a scorching hot stone bowl, so do not attempt to touch, fondle, or lick the bowl. As with most Korean dining establishments, you receive complimentary banchan (side dishes), and it was a welcomed sight to see sliced burdock served. As usual, bibimbap is satisfying and filling, and usually quite the deal. This version was under $18 with gratuity. Staff was super gracious and sweet considering we had an active (understatement) 18-month old with us. In hindsight, I'd definitely not recommend ordering this dish if a child's hands are in close proximity to the bowl, but cravings over safety (nah, just kidding). Just keep the bowl far, far away.

Great casual spot to go with a friend or yourself while shopping on eclectic, charming College Avenue.

 

Be Bop

2975 College Ave
(between Webster St & Ashby Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94705

(510) 848-8081

Albacore at Ebisu - San Francisco

I hadn't been to Ebisu in a while, but enjoyed some dinner there last night. This was the Seared Albacore with tobiko, ponzu & onions. Already triple-digit likes on Instagram and counting...
Bonus points for high-protein and freshness.

Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival #LAFW 2012 Countdown

The second annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles ’premier culinary extravaganza, is taking place next week August 9-12 in Downtown, Hollywood , Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. Headquartered at L.A. LIVE, the event, which benefits St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, features culinary experiences, demonstrations, and exclusive dining experiences. 

The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival also revives the Celebrity Chef Power Lunch Series, featuring notable chefs Wolfgang Puck and Charles Phan at WP24; Joachim Splichal and Hubert Keller at Patina Restaurant and Ari Rosenson and Lydia Shire at CUT.  Santa Monica plays host to Summer At The Shore Hosted By Graham Elliot and, in Beverly Hills , I Heart Champagne & Caviar will take place at The Montage Beverly Hills. 

Rounding out the weekend are the marquee events hosted at L.A.  LIVE; Giada's Festa Italiana hosted by Giada De Laurentiis, Asian Night Market hosted By Andrew Zimmern, Lexus LIVE On The Plaza With Wolfgang Puck & Friends featuring a musical performance by Third Eye Blind and Saturday and Sunday’s Lexus Grand Tastings. Presented by Coastal Luxury Management (CLM), Los Angeles Food & Wine spans the length of the city and offers guests the chance to sample the cuisines and products from some of the world’s most prominent epicurean influencers, while enjoying the sights and sounds of the entertainment industry’s brightest film and musical talents.

For more info and to Purchase Tickets, visit  www.lafw.com

See Food Fashionista's photos from last year's LAFW LEXUS Grand Tasting HERE

Let Them Eat Cake in Japantown - San Francisco

Princess cakes & Strawberry shortcake & Fruit Tarts. Oh my!

Originally shot on Food Fashionista's Instagram

Murata's Cafe Hana

1737 Post Street #368  San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 567 9133