Specialty's

Occasion: Lunch from Allergan Reps. 02/2011

I've always been a fan of sandwiches, especially specialties.  I think its yummy and perfect for lunch.  We had lunch  prepared in individual lunch boxes which were really cute.  There were a combination of things. Sandwiches, chips or salad chips.  Every box came with a fruit and a cookie. Yummo.  I had some kind of cranberry turkey sandwich and salad of some sort with a delicious strawberry vinaigrette. Soo good.

Hong Kong Lounge

5322 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94121

Occasion: Post Chinese New year's dinner with family and grandma. 02/2011

Quail

Decent, but definitely not the best I've had.  The meat wasn't moist and juicy, but the skin was golden and crispy. Egh!

Peking Duck

My sister loves this dish for some reason.  OMG...let me tell you.  First off, I'm not a big fan of Chinese duck because they make it so greasy and fatty.  Not my style.  Secondly, the buns were not even hot and steamy.  Thirdly, some of the meat were undercooked.  That's just not the business. How disappointing.

Peking Duck...my artsy pic of it.

Mushroom abolone snowpea sprouts

Mama's fav veggie. It was another mediocre dish. Not memorable.

Brocolli with a potato cake of some sort

Brocolli was whatevers and the potato cake was actually delicious. Mom and grandma did not like it.

Tofu stirfry of some sort

You can tell that I wasn't too impressed by this place. Oh dear...who's idea was it to come here? Not it...THERESE!

Delfina

3621 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Occasion: Sophia's belated bday dinner foodie/catch up session. February 2011!

Insalata di Campo

bitter greens, pancetta, walnuts, Parmigiano and balsamic vinaigrette

We were originally going to go for the little gem salad, but I'm so glad our waitress recommended us  otherwise.  Pancetta definitely seemed to be the main flavor of the salad. I like my salads with balsamic vinaigrette so I had no complaints and the fact that it had walnuts in it was awesome.  Loved having a crunchy something to bite into. This plating right here is half of our salad.  The chef was nice enough to have split it up for us.

Spaghetti 

with plum tomatoes, garlic,extra virgin olive oil and peperoncini

Another recommended dish by our waittress.  I know it's simple and you feel like you can make it at home, but the sauce really was very good.  It was more on the sweeter side rather than being a bit tangy.  It wasn't drenched in sauce, but instead the sauce seemed to have been cooked into the pasta.  Kind of a gourmet ish kind of spaghetti and definitely not your normal typical poor college student's sphaghetti.  Don't get me wrong... I love tomato sauce and all, but sometimes they over do it in spaghetti.  Though it is a simple dish, it was a very flavorful dish.

Roasted Fulton Valley Chicken

olive oil mashed potatoes and king trumpet mushrooms

I think we had a lot to catch up on and were talking too much, so by the time we actually touched this dish, it was pretty cold.  But I do remember digging in and trying a piece when it was fresh out of the country.  Their chicken was pretty moist and juicy.  Skin cooked to a slightly crisped golden brown.  We had a piece of dark meat as well as the white meat.  I usually don't like the breast part of it, even though it's healther because the meat is not as flavorful and tender.  I usually find the breast to be overcooked and too dry, but not here, which made me like this place more.  Mashed potatoes made me even fuller than I was.  It was good, but nothing to rave about...also it wasn't chunky, the way I like it.

Profiteroles

with Coconut Gelato, Warm Chocolate Sauce and Candied Almonds

No idea what exactly this is, but I'm so glad Sophia picked this.  Loved the crunchy candied almonds as well as the coconut gelato drizzled with what seemed to be a warm chocolate syrup.  No matter what, I always make room for dessert, though I was pretty full. Satisfied my sweet tooch craving for the night.

San Tung

1031 Irving Street

San Francisco, CA

Occasion: After a long weekend (Saturday morning workout, cooking/ preparing for AK's surprise bday and napa, surprise bday get together for AK, night time festivities at Rosewood, Sunday morning drive to Napa, superbowl sunday in San Leandro), I had dinner with my sister and my dad. 02.06.11

Dumplings

A little appetizer to start our meal off.  I love dipping it with some vinegar. Yummos.  Nothing to be crazy wowed about maybe because I grew up eating these.  It's good don't get me wrong, but there were other items on their menu to rave about.

String beans with chicken

You always got to get some fiber in your system.  I wish we had ordered just straight string beans.  It was very filling especially with the chicken mixed in.  I think string beans is always a must here.  I mean c'mon now, who doesn't like string beans?

 Black bean sauce noodles

also known as Ja Jang Mien.  Love love love it here.  It's just a tad bit spicy, but their sweet and savory sauce is amazing mixed with noodles.  It's one of my favorite things to order here.  I think it's safe to go with this dish, of course unless you don't like noodles or a bowl of goodness.  We were all very satisfied with this.

Dried fried chicken wings

It never fails me.  It's the fried, glazed sweetness of the chicken wings that I just can't seem to get too much of.  I don't eat it often, but when I do, it's definitely a big treat.  There's just something about the way san tung makes it that sets it aside from all the other copy cats and wannabes out there.  It's absolutely delicious.  If I wasn't so full, I would have eaten a lot more.  Oh and it's on the SF BIG EATS 2010: #36. Dry-fried chicken wings at San Tung.

Napa Picnic Lunch

Occasion: Second part of AK's surprise birthday. Went wine tasting in napa and enjoyed home made food for a picnic lunch. I helped Jenny in making lunch for everyone and I made some yummilicious orzo salad.  So proud of myself. haha. 02.06.11

Introducing...our sandwiches...

 Cured ham and sliced cucumber sandwich  on wheat bread

The salty cured meat combined with the refreshing slices of cucumber were delicious. Simple, but good. My favorite sandwich between the two.

 Smoked salmon with cream cheese on white bread

Costco bought smoked salmon that were seasoned with Philadelphia cream cheese.  I thought it would have tasted better, but the salmon was just way too salty for my liking.  It was still good don't get me wrong, but I much preferred the cured ham with cucumber over this one. 

Orzo Salad

with feta cheese,chopped onions, cherry tomatoes, spinach, mixed greens, craisins, sunflower seeds, lemon juice, olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Yummilicious...maybe I'm being biased because I made it.  But it really was good.  It was refreshing and tasty with different textures and a variety of flavors.  There was the sweetness of the craisins, saltiness of the feta and the sunflower seeds, tartness of the cherry tomatoes.  It was just a very well balanced flavorful salad. 

 Sandwiches cut in triangles

Chicken Salad

made with rotisserie chicken meat, yogurt(for mayo substitute), chopped celeries, dijon mustard, salt and pepper

Really simple, but very good. Jenny loaded up on the celeries because she loves them.  It tasted good and healthy. I really liked it.

Chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting

They're delicious and were pretty darn good considering the fact that Jenny made them late at night after going out for AK's bday celebration with a few drinks in her system.  I am not going to lie, but I definitely doubted it for a bit.  They were so good that I wish I had made more room in my stomach for another one.  It was finger licking good!

Fruit Salad

with diced pineapples, watermelon, honeydew....grapes too, but it wasn't added.

 Not everything was in season, but it's a  great refreshing and healthy snack to have around to munch on.

Our Napa picnic feasting=]

Surprise Bday Potluck

Occasion: My contribution to AK's surprise Birthday Potluck with his homies and dental school friends. 02.05.11

Chicken Pesto Pasta

with Bowtie pasta noodle, sundried tomatoes and pesto garlic sauce

I made it once before not exactly the same.  I forgot the exact procedures, but I did remember the ingredients.  Instead of using chicken broth though, I used water.  It still worked out fine and I thought it was pretty scrumptious. =]

Roxie's

1901 San Jose Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94112

Occasion: My treat after my Saturday morning workout 02.05.11

Roxie's Special on Dutch Crunch Super sized (too big for one person, must be shared)

came with salami, ham mortadella and artichoke hearts with jack cheese 

It took longer than usual for our order, but then again it was during lunch hour. SO worth the wait and I can not wait until my next visit.  The dutch crunch is pretty soft and very scrumptious which made the sandwich that much more amazing. I'm a sandwich lover and have actually been craving sandwiches for a long while now.  I just haven't had the opportunity to go try a good sandwich place. So glad I finally did. Thank's AJ for the recommendation.  I wish I lived closer, otherwise...I'd be here everyday. My new favorite sandwich spot for sure!!!!!!!!  Writing this review makes me crave for one. YUM!!!! I need my fix soon!

The Boiling Crab

6910 65th Street
Sacramento, CA 95823

Occasion: After our day trip to Tahoe...this was what I was looking forward to. January 2011.  You just gotta get dirty and use your hands.  I usually do not like using my hands to eat, but this is the only way with food at boiling crab.

Sweet Potato Fries

I much prefer this over regular fries. I love love love them and they were delicious.

Clams

First time having clams at boiling crab.  I usually have shrimp, crab, oysters and crawfish...but never clams.  Let me just tell you one thing. It was good and it soaked up a lot of the spiciness of the sauce.

Shrimp with corn and sausage

Yummo.  Shrimp is my all time favorite!! It did not do me wrong.  The corn and sausage were super spicy after being soaked in the sauce.

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
They said that it doesn't taste as good as the ones from San Jose, but I thought they were still very good...except that it was a little bit on the spicy side.

Candy Bar

1335 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA

Occasion: Night time dessert after an hour of looking for parking...finally got there. January 2011.

Mango Tango Bellini

Sparkling wine, mango syrup and mango sorbet

My drink. Very mangolicious.  I was excited to eat the sorbet, but it wasn't as good as I had thought it would be.  I probably should have mixed it in with the drink.

Blueberry Pomegranate Fusion

Sparkling wine, blueberry pomegranate juice, soju

Cutesy, but strong in taste (well for me it was)

Japanese Cheesecake

Graham cracker streusel, honeydew, champagne granita, guava sorbet

It kind of reminded me of spongecake, definitely not like your all american rich and heavy cheesecake made of cream cheese.  For those who are not familiar with Japanese cheesecake, it's a light fluffy spongecake like cake.  Loved the variety of texture, the crumbly graham cracker, cold juicy diced up cubes of honey dew and the smooth guava sorbet.  I am usually not a big fan of honey dew, but I'll still eat it.  I think because it was chopped up in a different shape and size, it made it more enjoyable to eat.  Presentation as well as the variety of flavors were amazing.  Flavors were exotic.  Out of the three desserts, I'd have to say that although it was very nicely put together, it was my least favorite.  I guess I was looking for something different from my norm or something completely different from what I've had.  Not saying that I've had something like this at all because the combination of ingredients I definitely have never had.  Just the fact that the cheesecake reminded me of a thicker and denser sponge cake.

Apple a la Mode

Hazelnut crust, cream cheese filling, caramel and gingerbread ice cream

When we ordered it, I automatically thought it would somewhat resemble a mcdonald's apple a la Mode, but boy was a I wrong.  It was all nice and fancy and delicious.  Just the right amount of apple.  Loved taking each bite with the gingerbread ice cream, which to me wasn't too strong in flavor. My second favorite dessert of the night.

Lavender Honey Creme Fraiche Semifreddo

Nutella powder, almond brittle, cantaloupe

My favorite dessert of the night.  Loved the texture and the flavor as well as the presentation.  Lavender flavor of the pastry cake was suble and not too overpowering where it actually tasted like the aroma of the flower.  It had some kind of buttercream like texture filling and it was sooo delicious.  The almond brittle went perfectly with it.  Loved how it added sweetness and a crunch to each bite.  The cantaloupe balls added a different type of refreshing sweetness to it.  Surprisingly all the flavors worked out great.  Once again, combination of flavors really amazed me.  Some might not like it due to the unique combinations and pairing of certain flavors, but I found it artistic, creative and unique. I liked it alot!

Candybar lemon drop shot

soju, frozen lemonade

Nothing too special...a shot is a shot! Just shove it down your throat.  I didn't think there was anything  spectacular about this.  Just sounded cool.

House of Prime Rib

1906 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109

Occasion: First time at House of Prime Rib.  Never wanted to try it and never have been a big fan of red meat, but finally decided to give this place a try.

The English Cut : some feel that a thinner slice produces the better flavor.

My choice. Definitely more my type of meat. First of all I am not too fond of too much meat anyway.  I liked this because it was thinner and a lot easier to chew.  It was more enjoyable because it reminded me of beef carpaccio.  The meat was cooked medium rare and very flavorful.  I mean I don't know what all the hype is about, but I finally came here.  Egh...maybe I'm just not a big meat person. Thank goodness for the variety of food it came with.

King Henry VIII Cut : extra-generous, thick cut of prime beef, for king size appetites.

It was a huge chunk of meat. So glad I did not get this because it is so not my type of cut.  It was super thick and I had to keep on chewing and chewing before I could swallow.  My jaws had a good workout after one small piece of meat. Egh.  I guess there's something that meatlovers/ prime rib lovers see that I don't.=X

Our Prime rib came with the following (we basically got one of everything so that we could try everything out):

The Salad Bowl

A colorful mixture of healthy, crisp, seasonal greens prepared at your table, tossed in our unique house dressing.

Not the best salad I've had, but it was entertaining watching our waitress prepare it.  Yes I've got to admit the house dressing was pretty good.

Mashed Potatoes

 served with thick brown gravy

Not the chunky kind of mashed potatoes that I like, but it was still yummy! Love potatoes made in all shape, size and form. 

Baked Potato

 A superior sized Idaho potato served with butter and sour cream, with a sprinkle of chives.

Loved this more than the mashed potatoes. It was stuffed with sour cream, butterliciousness chives and bacon bits which I was not too fond of...but you mush and mix everything together while it's still hot and its so delicious.  Ok maybe I'm exaggerating, but it was very satisfying.

Yorkshire Pudding

Straight from merry olde England! Light, airy batter baked to a golden brown dome, with a fluffy interior to soak up those savory beef juices.

Probably my favorite part of the meal.  When I had read this on the menu, I literally thought...PUDDING.  It was like a light fluffy pastry bread filled with moist goodness.  It was savory and super tasty. YUM!

Creamed Spinach

Needed some veggies to balance out all that meat and potato goodness.  It was decent, but not the highlight of the night.

Creamed corn

 between the creamed spinach and creamed corn. I have to say the corn was the better of the two.  That's probably because I love love love corn. Yummo.