Luna Park

694 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Occasion: August 2010. I know it's long over due. But I just got hold of these pics, so I'm updating it=] Catch up and foodie session with my BIG SIS! **Pics courtesy of my big sis**

Mixed Berry Mojito

with Strawberries, Blackberries, Mint and Light Rum

We started our night to some drinks. If it weren't for the pictures I would have almost forgotten that I actually enjoy mojitos.  It's the crushed mints that make the drink taste refreshing. The mixed berry flavor definitely made it taste better. Just what we needed to start our evening off before our catch up session=]

Marinated Hawaiian Tuna “Poke” with Fried Wonton Chips

My big sis knew that I love love love raw diced up tuna tossed in any kind of sweet sauce...whether it be called tuna tar tar or poke...this dish did not do me wrong.  It was also on their happy hour menu (I believe). Anyhow, these were delicious and did not disappoint.

Carnival Corn Dogs with a trio of mustards and a trio of fillings (Kielbasa, Andouille, and a Chicken Apple sausage)

I don't think it's something I would usually order, but am glad I did.  It might look simple but it brings back childhood memories when we'd used to heat up frozen corn dogs from costco.  I think that was the best part of having corn dogs...it brings me back to reminisce about my childhood.  They added a twist to it by using different mustards and using different flavored sausages. That way we can pick and choose our dippings and play around with the flavors- I like that.

Painted Hills Braised Short Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms, Pearl Onions, and Horseradish Sauce

Picture might not do much justice for this dish, but the meat was pretty tender and flavorful.  Not a big fan of red meat, so I only had a little bit of it...but from what I can remember I still enjoyed it.  As for the mashed potatoes...it's not that its not good, it's because I just really really really like chunky mashed potatoes.  Sorry, it's not you it's me.  Overall, the dish was decent.

Breaded Pork Cutlet Stuffed with Mushrooms and Swiss Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Braised Carrots and Cranberry Applesauce

Don't know what got into me because I don't usually choose pork entrées, but I'm so glad I did.  This wasn't your normal tonkotsu like deep fried pork cutlet, but stuffed pork cutlet.  It was the combination of the cheese and the mushroom stuffed in the pork that made it so much better for me.  it was different, flavorful and very enjoyable.  I loved biting into the pork to find more goodness within the meat.  Mashed potatoes were decent, though I am a big fan of chunky mashed potatoes.

Bananas Foster with Banana Ice Cream

It must have been my first time having it.  The bananas were warm and drizzled with some kind of sweet caramel sauce.  It was alright. Nothing spectacular.  Though I did enjoy the ice cream....when do I ever not (unless it's some super duper unbearably disgusting flavor).

Make Your Own S'mores - Molten Marshmallow, Bittersweet Chocolate, and House Made Graham Cookies

Love Love Loved it. I think it's pretty cute and fun. What's better than making our own smores to girl talk and catching up?  It was simple and delicious.  Brings back those bonfire memories at Ocean Beach. haha

Nizario's Pizza

279 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133

Occasion: Late night craving for golden boy, but they sold out right when we got there so we were in search for another pizza place. 12.30.10

Combination Slice

with pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers and mushrooms

Didn't satisfy the way Golden Boy's would have, but I guess it was good enough to satisfy the late night munchies.

Chaya Brasserie

132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco,CA 94105

Occasion: Random thursday night dinner with Henry. 12.30.10

Strawberry D'Amour

Grey goose vodka,muddled strawberry and basil,lime juice and black peppered rim

His Drink.

Chaya Vitamin V Infusion

vodka infused with fresh mango

My drink. I love mango everything, well almost.  It was pretty good and pretty strong because it got me buzzin!!

Kumamoto Oyster Shooters

with momiji oroshi, quail egg, wasabi pickles and ponzu sauce

Delicious! Loved the sweet flavor of the ponzu sauce mixed with the tartness of the pickles and the gooey slimy texture of the quail egg. Something worth trying.

Rainbow Sashimi and Seaweed Salad

Ahi tuna tataki, hamachi, scottish salmon, wasabi pickles, citrus dill, salmon caviar and yuzu pepper garlic vinaigrette

You know you ordered the right thing when the waiter says, "good choice." Definitely not your typical Japanese sashimi, it had a asian fusion twist to it.  Enjoyed the combination  of sashimi it came with. Between the three fishes, salmon was my favorite because it's the most rich in flavor, well to me at least.  It went really well with the crunchy seaweed.  The combination of textures were very pleasing to the sensations of the mouth...the fish that melted in you mouth, crunch of the seaweed, the juicy cherry tomatoes that squirted in your mouth. Definitely delightful little appetizer.

Seared Day Boat Sea Scallops

parsnip puree, crispy onions, sugar snap peas, herbed pesto mustard sauce

Nom nom nom. Love ordering seared scallops.  The parsnip puree reminded me of mashed potatoes-yum! Texture of the crispy fried onions were amazing as was the flavor when it was complimented to the scallops- scrumptious! 

Roasted Monkfish

with wild mushrooms, Jerusalem artichokes, pancetta, brussel sprouts and wild mushroom ragout

Our waiter was right, this dish was definitely richer and a lot more flavorful that our other dish (below).  It was a bit on the salty side for my liking, but still good.  I'm a big fan of mushrooms so that made me happy, as did the brussel sprouts!  There were just a lot of flavors going on in this dish!

Cripsy Yellowfin Tuna

Onion marmalade, Sugar snap peas, Hijiki Salad, Balsamic soy glaze

A recommendation by our waiter. I am so glad I went for it because it was freaking amazing.  The hijiki salad was so good and so refreshing with the balsamic soy. That alone I thought was delicious already, but when I tried the tuna...I fell in love.  It was crusted with little rice krispy pebbles.  Imagine the flavor of those japanese  rice cracker in the form little small pebbles crusted over.  I would have never thought for it to be prepared in such a way.  I was just amazed that someone could think of something so delicious and creative. Definitely a favorite of the night and I would highly recommend giving this a try!

Warm Milk Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

with caramel ice cream

Divine. Perfect. Amazing...orgasm in my mouth.  It's funny...I've never been a big fan of bread pudding until my last holiday party, where I had the best bread pudding ever.  Something about the messy look of it never attracted me to it...until I finally tried it and fell in like with it.  Saw that it was a hot topic on yelp, so I was really looking forward to trying it. So glad I did.  Seriously, I think there's something about using croissant that makes it that much tastier.  I was so full from dinner already, but I tried my best to stuff myself with every last bite I could.  It was that good!!

Great Eastern Restaurant

649 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Occasion: Family dinner, minus one (again)<---what's new! Our go to Chinese restaurant in Chinatown! Good food and cleaner than most Chinese restaurants in SF, Chinatown. December 2010.

Appetizer with jelly fish, bbq spareribs and duck

Loved the crunchy texture and taste of the jellyfish. Delicious and juicy bbq spareribs. Mediocre duck; I just don't like how duck is prepared in a Chinese restaurant.  Nice little appetizer to fill our stomachs before we get our grub on.

Snow Pea shoots with garlic

Our favorite veggie order, well mainly my mom's request!  We just all enjoy eating this veggie the most! Crunchy stem, soft chunks of garlic and leafy leaves.  It didn't do us wrong this time.

Quail

Another family favorite. My parents would much rather order this than poultry.  I guess they like birds more...or think they're healthier.  For me, I always enjoy the crispy golden skin (that's full of fat and probably lacking nutrients.  The meat itself is juicy, sweet and flavorful.  I always like eating this!

Salted fish, eggplants and chicken claypot

We usually love ordering eggplants, but this dish was way too salty.  Enjoyed this the least out of all our dishes. 

I forget what type of fish already, but we always get fresh fish.  It's just steamed with ginger and green onions.  Tender meat and just the right amount of sauce.  Chinese restaurants usually steam it and make it very simple since fish already has it's own natural sweetness.

Brenda's French Soul Food

652 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Occasion: Brunch/ catch up session with my bAbiE Tiff on another day off. 12.28.10

Crawfish Beignet

Always a must when I come here. I just absolutely LOVE it. Served fresh and hot, best on a cold winter day. The cayenne powder did add a kick to it, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.  I just took bigger gulps of their watermelon ice tea, which by the way allows for unlimited refills (sweet).

French Toast 

Three thick slices of cinnamon-battered toast, topped with powdered sugar
Top with warm, buttery toasted pecan sauce

Best french toast in the city!! I love how it's drenched with the buttery toasted pecan sauce. Definitely fulfilled the sweet tooth craving.

Fried Shrimp Po'Boy

With chipotle rémoulade on toasted French roll

I've been meaning to try this and was kind of disappointed. Maybe I'm just not a big fan of sandwiches with deep fried fillings.  Definitely over hyped for me.  

Also on SF BIG EATS 2010: #42. Fried-shrimp po’boy at Brenda's French Soul Food