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King of Falafel - San Francisco

If you are craving a casual Middle Eastern spot in San Francisco for a quick bite with a friend or solo, look no further than the King (of falafel). I've been coming here for years and after a re-visit this week, it was still as consistent as I remember. For approximately $8, I was fully satisfied with a vegetarian falafel sandwich and a sparking bottled water. They do have a generous selection of salads and sides to complement any order.

King of Falafel
1801 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA

Chef Mourad Lahlou Book Signing at Green Apple Books 11/19 - San Francisco

Last night as I was strolling Clement Street, I had to share one of my favorite San Francisco spots with a dear friend. After some time spent at Inner Richmond gem Green Apple Books, I spotted Chef Mourad Lahlou front and center right on the doorway. The talented Iron Chef winner and Michelin-starred chef just recently released his much-anticipated cookbook, Mourad: New Moroccan and Green Apple Books will be hosting a book signing event this Saturday, November 19th at 1pm.

"Mourad is anything but a dutifully authentic documentation of Moroccan home cooking. While the recipes therein include the great Moroccan classics--the basteeya, the couscous, the preserved lemons, and much more -- Lahlou adapts them in creative ways that take a Moroccan idea to a whole new place." states Green Apple's website.

In addition to a meet and greet with Chef Lahlou himself, samples of Moroccan bites and drinks willl be served. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it since I'll be in Napa that day, but for all of you who are in San Francisco, I highly recommend you attend. And if you can't make it to the signing, check out Mourad's restaurant Aziza which also calls the Richmond District home. 

 

Mourad Lahlou Book Signing

Saturday, November 19th 1pm

Green Apple Books

506 Clement St

San Francisco,California

 

Privy's L.A. Dining Guide featuring Mika's Top 5

Trans-pacific focused social network Privy.net, just launched their local Los Angeles dining guide with food-centric cosmpolitan cities New York, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Beijing, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo to soon follow. The "top five" guide is a list of must-visit dining spots which helps visitors and locals discover the best L.A. has to offer. It has a particular focus on authentic Asian cuisines such as Korean Barbeque, Shanghainese, Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup, Dim Sum, Japanese Sushi, Hotpot and Vietnamese Pho. The Privy 5 Guide also showcases top-picks from a group of 50 local Los Angeles Asian-American celebrities, entrepreneurs, socialites, community leaders and artists. 

Some familiar faces featured in the member "top five" list include Kelly Hu ("X2", "The Scorpion King"), Lisa Ling ("The View", "Oprah"), John Cho ("Harold and Kumar", "Star Trek"), Justin Chon "Twilight"), Liza Lapira ("Fast and the Furious", "21"), Russell Wong ("Romeo Must Die", "The Mummy 3"), Archie Kao ("CSI"), Aaron Yoo ("21", "Disturbia") and Robin Shou ("Mortal Kombat").

I was also asked to contribute my top five to Privy's guide which was slightly difficult to narrow down for this vast, dynamic city. It would've been much easier to come up with a top fifty list, but despite the title of a "top five", my Privy 5 is best described as a slimmed down, eclectic group of eateries that all differ in price point, ethnicity, and ambiance but will fit a varying mood, taste and budget.

 

See Food Fashionista / Mika Takeuchi's L.A. Privy Top Five HERE

See Privy's Los Angeles City Guide HERE

 

 

 

I-Talian, I-Ranian American Spaghetti Feed, San Francisco Cocktail Week

 

 
Negronis paired with gargantuan Kufteh Tabrizi? Sounds like an unlikely pair, but it all made perfect sense at the I-Talian, I-Ranian American Spaghetti feed at newly renovated Long Bar in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights district. Thrown in conjunction with San Francisco Cocktail Week, this merging of cultures brought Long Bar chef Erick Hopfinger with Zare Fly Trap chef Hoss Zare to create Italian and Iranian themed dishes paired with cocktails from local star mixologists Jacques Bezuidenhout and Carlo Splendorini.

Communal tables were packed, but we scored the best seats in the house with front row views of Jacques and Carlo (above) stirring, shaking and pouring their own signature libations at the bar for the jovial, laid-back Sunday night crowd. It was delightful observing their love and passion for what they do, and do well. San Francisco has their fair share of some of the top mixologists and this evening was no exception. Jacques and Carlo's Negroni was the celebrated star of the night, but we also sipped on fresh mint and cucumber infused Pimm's Cups along with Grappa and a yet to be released '08 La Maialina Chianti Classico.

 
                       Chef Erick Hopfinger & Reza Esmaili

Just like a visit to an Italian or Iranian friend's home, Long Bar's Reza Esmaili along with Chefs Zare and Hopfinger made sure the crowd were well-fed, while enjoying a comfortable, convivial experience. Fit for the occasion, some even showed up in their Jersey finest tracksuits and elastic high-waisted pants.

First course included a simply presented but packed with flavor chilled yogurt cucumber soup with dill, mint, hazelnuts, rose petals and cumin. This was followed by a salad course of Hopfinger's traditional antipasti and Zare's Mediterranean chick pea with young grapes, pine nuts and the popular Iranian spice turmeric. Main courses were family style and meat friendly. Hopfinger served a straight forward plate of Spaghetti and meatballs with his version of garlic bread, which was might I say...an addictive perfect pairing to absorb the cocktails. Zare's Kufteh Tabrizi was a sight to be seen and deliciously distinctive with a stuffed concoction of braised duck, foie gras, apricot and prunes. No Italian or Iranian meal would be complete without a finishing dessert course of ladyfinger soaked Tiramisu or Faloodeh with Persian lime sorbet, rice noodles, pistachio and limoncello.

 

Just like the rich cultural heritages of these two countries, the first annual I-Talian, I-Ranian Spaghetti Feed will be an event that we hope will be around and cherished for ages. 

To view ALL photos from the I-Talian, I-Ranian American Spaghetti Feed, visit HERE

For more information on SF Cocktail Week, visit HERE

Marouch Lebanese Restaurant- Fresh and Delish!

Kimber at Marouch

Located in a dive strip mall in a no frills neighborhood in L.A., Marouch is what I call -a don't judge a book by it's cover restaurant. The neighborhood is a bit off the beaten path, but I don't come to Marouch to see and be seen. I come to Marouch to eat. And that to me, is the reason to go to a restaurant. I would much rather go somewhere that is not so visually stimulating, but serves a fantastic meal, than a place that has all the flash in the pan, but the food is.. ugh...lacking. I guess it's the same way I choose everything else in life. Good quality...always welcome. No quality...no thanks!

 

Marouch's Fattouch Salad

Okay, back to Marouch, I first heard of this place from a Middle Eastern friend who really loved it. He said Marouch was as close to authentic Middle Eastern home cooking that you will see in these parts of town. And once I visited, I would definitely have to agree. I now get Marouch cravings at least once a week and find myself driving through L.A. traffic just knowing that there is a Lebanese light at the end of the tunnel. Open for lunch and dinner, Marouch is a great Hollywood hole in the wall place to visit, eat and escape from the craziness of L.A. life.

 

Falafels at Marouch w/Tahini Sauce

Marouch has an extensive menu and everything is made fresh right there on location. With a great selection of Meza (appetizers) and entrees, the menu is well rounded with a variety of choices of meat, seafood and veggie dishes. Marouch has all the traditional items such as Falafel, Shawarma, and Kababs, but also offers savory specials every day of the week including a Wednesday night Moughrabiyeh - cous cous topped with boneless chicken and homemade gravy, served with chunks of beef and garbanzo beans and a Friday night Meshi Kousa (dolmah) - squash, eggplant and grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef, cooked with lemon juice and tomato sauce.

 

 

Marouch's Vegetarian Plate

I always start my meal with the oh so satisfying and comforting homemade lentil soup and the Fattouch- a Lebanese salad with crushed toast bread, parsley, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, seasoned with lemon juice and olive oil. Yum! I am getting major food cravings as I am writing this.

 

Baklava Dessert at Marouch

If you are in the L.A. area and looking for some delectable Middle Eastern food, Marouch is a nice casual place to go with good friends for a great Lebanese meal.

Open for lunch and dinner Tues- Sunday 11a.m.- 11p.m.

Marouch

4905 Santa Monica Blvd (at N Edgemont St)

Los Angeles, Ca

(323) 662 9325