FOOD FASHIONISTA - OFFICIAL SITE

Sunset Magazine Garden & HQ Tour Celebrating their March All-Food Issue

Yesterday, myself and other members of the media visited Sunset Magazine in Menlo Park, California for a tour of their exquisite gardens and work place. To say the least, it was impressive. When your work surroundings consist of exotic cacti, plump grapefruit trees, and a massive outdoor kitchen, we think you've got it quite good.

From mini Umami Hatch Burgers, to Chicken Tinga Tostadas, it was a night to remember. After all, this is the first time in Sunset's 115 year history that they've dedicated an issue entirely to food. Although the first, I have a feeling this won't be the last. With Food Editor Margo True, the staff at Sunset are pros when it comes to all things food and drink. Their wine cellar is a vino lover's dream.

See more photos from the event HERE.

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: 

Jurlique To The Rescue for the Holidays and New Year - San Francisco

Did you know that Christmas is less than a week away? Yes, you heard me right. The 25th is here in six days, and 2013 will be here in just about two weeks. With the year end and the holidays fast approaching, I'm sure most of you can relate to the twelfth-month stress syndrome! During this time, we are trying to connect with friends and colleagues at holiday parties, while coordinating those last-minute travel and family-visiting plans. On top of all this, we're still not done with holiday gift shopping, and we're attempting to tie up all those loose ends to start the new year off fresh. 

With all this going on, it's no surprise that we aren't looking quite as fabulous as we could be. With late nights come festive times, which translate to lack of sleep, and not-so attractive dark circles. We're also probably not drinking as much water or getting as much sleep as we should be. I know I'm guilty of this. And like Madonna, my skin is screaming..."Rescue Me". 

Good news, is that there is a helpful solution. For those of you who live in or near San Francisco, you can visit the Jurlique Wellness Day Spa and store at 2136 Fillmore. Enjoy a spot of tea and lavender cookies, while browsing all the holiday gift sets, or enjoying a much-needed beauty treatment. Jurlique gift sets are a true token of love, and your gift recipient (and their skin) will thank you for it. In addition to a flexible price point for every shopper, the gifts come beautifully wrapped and make quite the luxurious statement.

 

Now that I've helped with those last-minute gift ideas and beautifying-treatment tips, you'll have to figure out who's giving you that much-needed ride to the airport. Sorry, can't help you there. 

Holiday Sets are specially priced from $39-$225 (Regularly $56-$473)

A top seller includes the Age Defying Set 

Purely Age-Defying Essentials

What every woman wants… luminous, more youthful-looking skin. Treat your skin with high performance anti-aging plant botanicals and potent natural ingredients to help to smooth wrinkles, firm and strengthen skin to deliver you youthful, even toned and luminous skin.

• Specially Priced at $125.00 Valued at $180.

The Set Contents:

• Facial Serum, 30ml

• Ultra Firm and Lift Cream, 50ml

• Eye Cream, 15ml

Key Ingredients:

• Beech Tree Bud Extract is rich in peptides, helps to strengthen the structure of the skin creating a firmer, healthier looking complexion.

• Rock Samphire Extract is rich in mineral salts and essential vitamins, is known for its retinoid-like ability to help support skin thickness and  reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Jurlique 

2136 Fillmore Street  

San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 346-7881

Delarosa's Fried Brussels Sprouts + Beet & Arugula Salad

After revisiting Delarosa recently, I must admit...I'm hooked. It's a great spot to grab a fun and fulfilling lunch or dinner with a good friend. The food is delicious, affordable and best shared family style. I love that they have great vegetarian options to complement the carniverous ones. And although consistently busy, the wait isn't ever usually too crazy. If it is, just grab a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar.

The two dishes above are always on the table when I eat there. 

 

Delarosa

2175 Chestnut Street  San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 673-7100

Off the Grid Presidio Picnic - San Francisco

Living in San Francisco couldn't be better. Not only was SF recently listed as the best city in the U.S. to live in, but last night, our beloved Giants swept the Tigers to become the World Series Champions - a title they've earned twice in the last three years. Indian Summer continued to bless us with radiant weather, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Sunday with friends than at Off The Grid's Picnic at the Presidio. It was, unfortunately the last event of the season, but exciting news is that they'll be back in Spring when the weather will once again be picnic-worthy.  

The sun was beaming down all day. (Pictured) - Wing Wings Fried Chicken (what heaven tastes like), Matt Cohen of OTG , Fresh Bloody Mary fixings

    Halibut Tacos & Beans from I Love Blue Sea & The Whole Beast

(Clockwise from Top Left) Beer, Bloody Mary + Mimosa Kits for Sale, Cucumber Mimosa, Bloody Mary Lawn Views

 

Held in partnership with The Presidio Trust, OTG Presidio Picnic is quintessential San Francisco and the location couldn't be any more ideal. Not only were there incredible views, but a variety of excellent eats and liquid libations. I wish I could've tasted a plate of food from everyone who was vending. The restaurants/chefs were high-quality and included local favorites Roli Roti, Chotto, Wexlers, Stag Dining Group, Nopalito, Bar Crudo, Humphry Slocombe, Dixie, The Whole Beast, Del Popolo, I Love Blue Sea, and more. 

(Clockwise from Top Left) - Dolly's Doughnuts, Frog Hollow Farms pears, Friend Shadows, Three Babes Bakeshop Pie

We enjoyed lounging in the hot sun, drinking brunch-like cocktails, and indulging in Wing Wings finger lickin' good Fried Chicken. This all happened while watching people play Bocce ball and listening to the DJ spin old-school jams (Salt n Pepa's Push It, Prince's Kiss...). Presidio Picnic is a casual, yet sophisticated outdoor event for friends, family, children, and canines - all of the above are welcome and from what I witnessed first hand yesterday, a fun, flavorful and festive time for all. Can't wait for Spring.

Off the Grid Picnic at the Presidio

Love Apple Farms Fall 2012 Schedule Announced

Love Apple Farms announces its fall workshop schedule as well as its farm dinner events. Whether you’re looking to learn the basics of ice cream making or take up winter vegetable gardening, there are plenty of exciting classes available this fall!

Featured events include:

 

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

Food Fashionista at Eat Real Festival in Oakland

Some photos from this past weekend's Eat Real Festival in Oakland's Jack London Square:

Mason jars of Anchor Steam Beer ($6). Very useful ERF souvenir.

                        Rolling in the Alter Eco Food Tuk

         Vegan BBQ "Chicken" Sandwich at Whole Foods

          Chef John Fink (The Whole Beast) & his lamb gyro

Food Fashionista's Popular Food Photo of the Week

With over 150+ likes on Food Fashionista's social media pages this week, this Quail egg with bacon atop a black rice pudding cake was one of the top food pics I shot from my iPhone this week. This passed hors d'oeuvre was just one of the dishes at Macy's Glamorama fashion event created by San Francisco's Taste Catering. Not just a pretty dish, this protein-packed bite of pure edible enjoyment was worth a second, third, and fourth visit. This is definitely an appetizer I am going to recreate for a future dinner party.

'Tis the Season for California Strawberries

For so long now, I've had a love affair with strawberries. As a child, I had a thing for strawberries with milk. Years later, it was chocolate-covered strawberries. These days, it's all of the above and pretty much anything containing this vibrant fruit. From glancing at frequent past blog posts, I realize I talk about strawberries a lot. Therefore, when the California Strawberry Commission asked if I'd like to learn more about this berry addiction of mine at San Francisco's Cotogna, my answer was duh, hello. I mean yes, of course. 

 

Burrata Pizza with Fresh California Strawberries at Cotogna

From cocktails to canapes,the talented team at Cotogna served us everything (I mean, everything) with a strawberry element. The burrata pizza was worth a quadruple serving, but sorry to report friends, it's not on their regular menu (although, it should be).

Strawberry Spring Hill -Spirito della fragola/campari/annise hyssop/seltzer

I didn't realize that 88% of the U.S. strawberry production is harvested here in California. Here are a few other interesting details:

-One serving of eight strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange and is packed with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients including potassium, folate and fiber.

-For strawberries to stay fresh, do not wash them right away. Refrigerate them as soon as possible in the original clamshell or in a container with a dry paper towel at the bottom. Separate the berries by layering them with paper towels to maximize freshness. Just before using, wash strawberries with the caps attached under a gentle spray of cool water.

-For best flavor, serve strawberries at room temperature.

-Most studies to date show that organic and conventional strawberries are equally nutritious

 

 

Learn more about California Strawberries HERE