FOOD FASHIONISTA

Macarons de Paris at La Boulange - San Francisco

In the last couple years, La Boulange in San Francisco has become a cherished neighborhood stop. For your morning caffeine, fresh baked pastries, salads, sandwiches, or a box of macarons, this restaurant with 10 (and counting) locations in the city is always a fresh, affordable alternative. The Hayes Valley La Boulange is a particular favorite.

La Boulange Bakery & Cafe

Samovar Tea Lounge's Cherry Scones - San Francisco

Brief Dish Blurb:  The captivating aroma of fresh baked, just out-of- the oven Cherry Oat Scones will have you in a dreamy state of mind at this tranquil escape in the midst of bustling San Francisco.

 

The Dish:  Topped with oats and sprinkled with sugar, with yes, cherries on top, the Cherry Oat Scones at Samovar Tea Lounge are prepared with love daily. The hearty, delicious Samovar version of the Scottish-originating scone arrives with a side of caloric and thick Devonshire cream – a double-clotted cream that is decadently delicious and a rarity to find in the city.  A berry jam is also served which varies seasonally from strawberry, raspberry or blackberry. On occasion, apricot or pear ginger jams are also featured. For breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these flaky, filling and flavorful scones are a hearty snack. Complete your Samovar Cherry Scone experience by pairing them with a suggested Earl Red or Lychee Black tea.

 

Key Ingredients:  oatmeal, cherries, butter

 

The Place:  On the Upper Terrace of SOMA’s Yerba Buena Gardens, Samovar Tea Lounge sources their high-quality environmentally sustainable tea and seasonal herbal fusions from small family farmers, who they call “artists of the leaf”. This relaxed urban getaway is the ideal retreat for those needing some quiet time to wind down during the often hectic and fast-paced city life. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it is an ideal setting during both chilly, and those rarely warm SF days (and nights). Complementing the extensive tea selection and service are a variety of salads, sandwiches, and sweets.  Vegan and gluten-free options are also available upon request.

 

Other menu musts:  Hence the name, the tea is the ultimate must-have at Samovar Tea Lounge. The sweet, spicy Masala Chai is a favorite.

 

Extra facts:  In addition to the Yerba Buena location, there are two other Samovar Tea Lounge escapes in San Francisco including one in the Mission-Castro neighborhood, and one in the San Francisco Zen Center (how fitting).

 

Samovar Tea Lounge

 

Originally featured on HeardAbout.com

Okonomiyaki at Namu - San Francisco

Brief Dish Blurb:  Namu’s version of the popular Japanese savory grilled pancake (aka Okonomiyaki) blends the Lee brother’s Korean roots and homemade kimchee with egg yolk, shredded cabbage, scallions, ground beef, a topping of kewpie mayo and dancing bonito flakes.

Fashion Bites Brunch on Rodeo Drive at The TASTE, Beverly Hills

 
What could make one of the world's most glamorous strips of retail real estate even more attractive than it already is? Well, add some fabulous food, wine, and cocktails to the mix. That is what occurred this past Sunday as Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine's THE TASTE took over posh Rodeo Drive. Brunch bites from many of L.A.'s favorite brunch spots, along with bellinis, mimosas, and Bloody Mary's filled the streets of 90210 and provided a good excuse for a little retail therapy along the way. With a backdrop of Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford, YSL, and Brioni paired with a generous sampling of lobster sliders, apple pancakes, quiches, and gazpacho, the Fashion Bites Brunch was just what the Food Fashionista ordered.

  
                    Fashion Bites Brunch +  FENDI  

  

Egg Croissant Sandwich + Pork Belly & Egg + Gazpachos -The Farm
               

             Lobster & Brie Slider from NineThirty at the W Hotel

 
     Ciroc cocktails flowing at Fashion Bites Brunch (tiffany rose )

                    Quiche w/marinated tomato from Breadbar
 
                                Chanel on Rodeo Drive    

 
             Factor's Deli - Bagel & Lox w/tomato & red onion

                                 Wine at THE TASTE 

                        Mini Sprinkles Carrot Cupcake

 
Gordon Ramsay at The London's Chicharron, quail egg & black brioche

                              Cartier & Sprinklesmobile

 
                            THE TASTE & Mont Blanc 
                                             PRADA

 

-For more Fashion Bites Brunch and THE TASTE photos, visit our Photo Albums

-Check back for more photos and features of THE TASTE weekend!

 

 

Hong Kong Milk Tea at Slanted Door - San Francisco

 

 

Brief Drink Blurb:  Blue Bottle may be just around the corner, but Slanted Door’s fresh brewed Hong Kong Milk Tea is an ideal caffeine fix for those with a sweet tooth.  

 

Food Fashionista Loves Good Food

 

There's nothing quite like a great-tasting dish. It can spark a smile from the grumpiest of faces and has the ability to strike a sudden conversation among strangers. Food is a common bond we all share. It doesn't matter if you are living in California or Zimbabwe. Eating is a shared habit and necessity we all participate in across the mighty globe. If you are on Facebook, join our page and get in on our daily culinary conversation.

Food Fashionista on Facebook

Zero Zero - Good Food, Good Friends, Good Times - San Francisco

Here are some photos from SOMA hot spot, Zero Zero in San Francisco. More pics will be added later today to our Zero Zero album on Food Fashionista on Facebook.

 
        Sweet Pea Agnolotti, Pancetta, Meyer Lemon, Chili, Mint 

Zero Zero has only been open for less than a year, but has already built a fan-following for their comforting local and seasonal Italian-inspired cuisine. From fried Squash blossoms, to the Daily Crudo, Chef Bruce Hill and team have already hit the mark with what San Franciscans want to eat. The multi-level space is masculine with dark woods and a touch of industrial. In addition, Zero Zero has become a popular destination to grab cocktails after work or after a ball game. On a recent evening, I spotted a few of SF's top mixologists socializing over drinks at the bar. Although quite popular for the pizzas, I actually found other dishes on the menu to shine brighter on several different visits. Definitely opt for family-style dining, so you can try a myriad of dishes. Save room for dessert - Straus Dairy choose-your-own-toppings Sundaes are sinfully good and sinful to miss.

 
                         Pisco Sour & Hot Pink Roses

 
                                 Meatballs (Fall Menu)

             Kimber + Mika + Kelly - before we chow down!
 
        Wild Arugula, California Strawberries, Easter Egg Radish 

 

 
      Tomato Braised Chickpea Bruschetta with Burrata & Rosemary

 
                                            Crudo

 
            Prosciutto, Grilled Bread, Arugula, Marmalade Jam

 

     Martina + Krista + Amy (& a stalking-swine in the background)

 

                                                Pizza

 

       Straus Dairy Vanilla Sundae with Caramel & Cinnamon Apples

 
                   Zero Zero Exterior + Folsom Street

 

                     Quilted Chanel + Sparkling Prosecco

 
                             Dowstairs Bar + Mixologists at Zero Zero

 

For more info on Zero Zero, visit HERE

 

Yank Sing - Get Some, Dim Sum in San Francisco

 
So today I dropped in to an old favorite I've been going to for years. Actually, the former location on Battery is the one I enjoyed dining at most back in the days, but since that one shuttered,  I've frequented the Stevenson Street and Rincon Center sites. Yes, the dim sum is pricier than many other spots serving this Cantonese form of communal small plates, but I'm always left full and satisfied with the cuisine, quality, and the professional service. On any given visit, you can find over 60 various types of dim sum made and served fresh daily. Upon arrival at your table, order a pot of hot jasmine tea and prepare your own dipping concoction with a small spoonful of hot mustard, chili paste, and a splash of soy sauce.

 
Shanghai Dumplings w/ minced Kurobuta pork, ginger, scallions

This visit to Yank Sing was with my dear friend Michele who surprisingly had never been there before. It was a shocker since this woman is a Bay Area native who knows the local dining scene like Idaho knows Potatoes. I suggested it, due to the fact that we both delight in trying a multitide of flavors and dishes, and I needed my SoMa San Francisco dim sum fix. From fried to steamed, barbecued pork to vegetarian, it was all on our table. The Chicken Stuffed Mushrooms (pictured above) are always stamped on my dim sum order along with the Red Cabbage Salad with jicama and candied walnuts. If you are a dim sum newbie, don't get overwhelmed when the rolling carts of food arrive at the table. Start off with a few dishes, and keep in mind that the others you have your eye on will come back around. It's better to indulge in fresh dim sum while hot and steamy, rather than cold and dried out from sitting on the table too long.

 
            Rice-flour Sesame Balls w/sweet yellow bean puree

Make sure to save some room for dessert. If you prefer sweets on the lighter side, opt for the silky, refreshing Mango pudding. Served chilled, you can request a layer of condensed milk on top (which I highly recommend). If you have strategically managed to save more room in the stomach after the savories, the Sesame balls (above) and the sweet Egg Custard Tarts are a great way to top off the dim sum experience.

 

Locations:

Yank Sing

101 Spear St
(between Howard St & Mission St)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA

(415) 957-9300

Yank Sing

49 Stevenson St
(at Ecker Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Neighborhood: SOMA

(415) 541-4949

 

CUBE Marketplace & Cafe - Los Angeles

 

Earlier this month, I met up with my old school, fellow former new wave lovin' friend Pam aka Daily Gluttony for a Summer lunch at Cube Marketplace and Cafe in West Hollywood. It was a splendid formal reunion of sorts since we hadn't really seen each other in many, many years with the exception of a brief encounter at Urban Spoon Happy Hour a month before. When deciding on places to meet, we both had yet to dine at Cube, and heard lots of wonderful things about it, so it was the obvious choice. 

              Fourme D'ambert with Montepulciano Jam

You wouldn't guess it from the outside, but Cube is a triple combo of a contemporary cafe with a strong Italian, California influenced menu, a cheese bar with over 85 varieties from around the world, and a gourmet marketplace where you can stock up on everything from wine, cookbooks, antipasti, and kitchenware.

             Heirloom Tomato & Fresh Peach w/Mozzarella

                                      Oxtail Ragu Pasta

The food was delightfully fresh, full of flavor and fun to photograph. We also had fantastic service from Shane aka The Supper Hero. With camera perfect day lighting, Pam brought along several of her cameras and I toted my point and shoot. I'm usually the only one photographing food at the table, so it was fun comparing notes, and photos with a fellow food shutterbug.

              Black Truffle Mozzarella Pizza with Fried Eggs

If you love to eat, photograph food, and are in the Los Angeles area this Saturday 7/31 , you are in for a treat. For only $50, you can attend a Phototasting workshop at Cube Marketplace and Cafe where Daily Gluttony and others will guide you through an afternoon of food photography tips and lessons along with food sampling and tasting of some of the items above. You can purchase tickets at Phototasting at Cube.

You can also tweet + comment your way to WIN a 35" Black and Tan Camera Strap from Phat Straps from Weezermonkey. 

                                 Wine & Cheese at Cube

CUBE Marketplace and Cafe 

615 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2013
(323) 939-1148

St Regis Monarch Beach - Cuisine & Views

 

Just returned from another visit to the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort hotel and spa. Located just approximately an hour and a half drive from Hollywood, this first class luxury resort in Dana Point, Orange County is the perfect relaxing luxury getaway. Whether it's going to the spa, dining, lounging by the pool, golfing, or staring at mesmerizing sunsets, they have it covered. I prefer all of the above...although my golf clubs have gathered a bit of dust lately, so this is always an excursion I look forward to. Away from the hustle and bustle of busy Los Angeles, this resort offers a perfect weekend retreat or mid-week escape offering a range of cuisine from healthy at Poolbar and Grill, champagne brunch at Motif, or world class comfort food at Stonehill Tavern.

 

                            Fruit Bowl & Strawberries (Poolside) 

                    Veggie Sandwich on Wheat (Poolside)

 

                    Lounging with Monica at poolside cabana

                              Sesame Crusted Ahi Salad (Poolside)

                             Courtyard & Poolside Exterior

                     BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders ( Stonehill Tavern)

                Braised Kurobuta Pork Shortrib (Stonehill Tavern)

 

                         Cheeseburger Sliders (Stonehill Tavern)

                                          Sunset + Palm Trees

                         Lobster Pot Pie (Stonehill Tavern)

Palm Trees & Ocean Views Galore at St. Regis Monarch Beach

St Regis Monarch Beach

One Monarch Beach Resort,

Dana Point, California 92629