Suzu

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Suzu is a Japanese noodle house that serves both ramen, soba, and udon.  Their combination platters allow you to choose a noodle soup and a don dish (rice bowl) when you can't decide if you feel like soup or rice.

A menu map complete with arrows helps you to choose your options.

croquette

The crispy, freshly fried croquettes are always a great way to start off your meal at Suzu.

ramen

The ramen here is probably one of the better ramen options in San Francisco Japantown.  The ramen is a shoyu broth with a slightly chewier noodle. 

chicken curry don

Majority of Japanese restaurants make curry straight from the prepackaged boxes!  This one is no different.  The curry here is a little on the bland side.  Also, the fukujin-zuke (pickle) lacks the essential crunch.  The positive thing about this dish is the curry to rice ratio is perfect.  I never have plain rice left over in my bowl.

udon

The udon here comes in a slightly sweeter broth.  The noodles are chewy and soft which equals good texture for udon.

tonkatsu don

Tonkatsu don consists of fried pork cutlets on top of a bowl of rice.  Suzu gives you a pretty generous portion of tonkatsu considering this is only supposed to be a combo.

Suzu isn't the best ramen or noodle house, but it is consistent in the quality.  Also the variety of combo options cover all the bases.

Address:                            Suzu
                                                 1825 Post St.
                                                  San Francisco, Ca
      

Type:                                    Japanese, ramen
                                                  casual

Piccino

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Piccino is a cute little brunch spot in the sunny part of the potrero hill district of San Francisco.  Famous for its pizza and brunch dishes, this popular spot can be hard to score a table. 
 

Baked egg with melted leeks, roasted mushrooms, and crescenza

 

A nice crispy cracker to dip into the runny egg which is hidden under all the fresh veggies.

Margherita pizza with fresh basil, tomato sauce, and mozzarella

This popular pizza did not disappoint.  The thin, cracker-like crust held the fresh ingredients well.

Address:                  Piccino
                                 1001 Minnesota St.
                                 San Francisco, CA

Type:                        brunch, pizza

                                  casual 

Dumplings & Buns

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Dumpings and Buns

 A new addition to the Fillmore area of San Francisco.  The Fillmore area seems to be defined by overpriced Asian food stores - some successfully so and some not.  Usually I tend to stay away from overpriced Asian food, but the super bright light from this store pulled me in.  Dumplings and Buns is a Chinese owned grab and go store that sells small dumplings and sweet and savory buns. 

combo of veggie, chicken, and pork dumplings

I opted to get a combo so I could taste and critque each flavor they offered.  According to the website there was an option of either a soy or a peanut dipping sauce - I didn't receive this option and ended up with neither.  The dumplings were lukewarm when I got them - not promising.  The skins were quite thick and oily.  I'm not sure if they brush the dumplings with a soy type dressing or the filling is heavily soy based, but that is the predominant flavor in all three dumplings.  All three were below average especially considering the cost.

Chocolate custard bun

I admire the playfulness on the traditional Chinese pineapple buns, but this pastry was dry and heavy.  The chocolate was extremely pastey and thick.  It lacked a solid chocolate flavor. 

Another overpriced Asian themed store that isn't even worth half of what they charge you. 

Address:                           Dumplings and Buns
                                                 2411 California St.
                                                 San Francisco, CA 94115

Type:                                  Chinese
                                                 casual

Pass:                                    everything

Ad Hoc - 7/4/10

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Another Ad Hoc post!  What can I say...it's my favorite restaurant.  This meal is actually my favorite meal I've had at Ad Hoc to date.  I'm obsessive about checking Ad Hoc's daily menu so when Lobster Rolls showed up I had to hurry up to Yountville an hour before opening to try to score a seat at the bar. 

damnation beer

mango soda

Frisee and Melon salad with yellow and red watermelon, sharlyn galia melon, d'avignon radish, feta cheese, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette

Ad Hoc always takes salads to the next level.  This salad is no exception.  Summery and light, each bite was tasty and refreshing.

corn on the cob with red potatoes and cabbage cole slaw

Corn on the cob, potatoes, and cole slaw was the side of the night.  Yes there is a lot of butter in this dish, but its so delicious, it only enhances the fresh vegetables more.  I had to remind myself not to finish it so I could save room for the lobster rolls.

Maine lobster rolls on toasted bread, pickled onions, and shaved celery

Two sandwiches come with each portion.  More than enough for one sitting and one to take home for a late night snack.  These lobster rolls were lightly toasted (with more butter!) and stuffed with huge chunks of fresh lobster.  Only fainty mixed with mayo, you can actually taste the sweetness of the lobster.

Wisconsin Sheep dante with white nectarines and toasted marcona almonds

A light fruit and cheese dish to balance out the heaviness of the prior dishes.

bowl of buttermilk sorbet with fresh strawberries, and blueberries

red velvet cupcakes

Address:                                 Ad Hoc
                                                       6476 Washington St.
                                                       Yountville, CA

Type:                                         American
                                                       casual

Chomp worthy:                Everything!

Dosa

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paper masala dosa - rice and lentil crepe served with tomato & fresh coconut chutney and sambar

Dosa is one of my favorite Indian spots in San Francisco.  A little fancier than your normal chaat place and a little more pricy, but the food is worth it.  Dosa has one of the best sambars I've ever had - chunky and  well seasoned.  The paper masala dosa is light and crispy and absolutely delicious!

Address:                    Dosa

                                     1700 Filmore

                                      San Francisco, CA

      

Type:                            Indian
                                      casual                                               

Chomp worthy:            dosas

la mar

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mixed "chips" of fried yucca, sweet potato, potato

dipping sauces for the basket of chips

Cusquena - peruvian beer

pisco sour - Peru's national drink

ensalada tiradito

Thinly sliced tuna with fried wontons, onions and sesame passionfruit vinaigrette

Cebiche tasting

cebiche mixto - yellowtail from Mexico, calamari, and shrimp in an aji amarillo leche de tigre with cilantro, red onion, habanero with Peruvian corn and yam

Cebiche nikei - tuna, red onion, Japanese cucumber, daikon, avocado, nori, and sesame in a tamarind lech de tigre

cebiche chalaco - yellowtail from Mexico, mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, red onion, cilantro, and cancha in a rocoto leche de tigre topped with fried calamari

Cebiche clasico - California Halibut in a classic leche de tigre with red onion, habanero, Peruvian corn and yam

causa pulpo

grilled octopus on top of whipped potatoes with basil cilantro oil 

carne anticuchos

Grilled skirt steak, fried potatoes, Peruvian corn, spicy panchita and rocoto sauce

trio of desserts

Address:                                   La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
                                                   Pier 1 1/2
                                                   San Francisco, CA

Type:                                        Peruvian, seafood

Roli Roti

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Roli Roti truck at the farmer's market

The line for Roli Roti truck is probably the longest food line in the SF Farmers market, but well worth the wait.  If you only want chicken and potatoes then you can cut ahead .

Rotisserie chicken - notice the roasted potatoes on the bottom

Porchetta Sandwich at Roli Roti - #11 on 2012 7x7 SF's Top 100 Eats

Apparently offered year round only at the SF farmer's market, this popular item sells out quick.  I recommend getting here by 11:30 to secure one.  Each sandwich is lovingly made by rubbing the  Acme bread with the juices and fat of the pork.   

Roasted potatoes

The roasted potatoes are the perfect side to the porchetta sandwich or the rotisserie chicken at Roli Roti.  Roasted with rosemary and cooked on the bottom of the rotisserie where all the juices of the meats drip all over these savory sides.  A sprinkle of sea salt perfects these potatoes.

Address:                         Roli Roti
                                        Ferry Building Farmers Market (Thurs and Saturdays) 
                                        San Francisco, CA 

Type:                               food truck
                                         casual            

Chomp worthy:               roasted potatoes, porchetta sandwich, rotisserie chicken

Random facts:                 

• Also found at other farmers markets
• does catering services

Curry Up Now

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Okay, I admit it.  All this time, I've been too lazy to track down the Curry Up Now truck.  So when they finally opened up a storefront in downtown San Mateo, I had to hurry down and see the hype for myself.

tikki masala fries

close up of tikka masala fries

An Indian twist on my beloved carne asada fries (San Diego must eat).  Although it sounds delicious, its poorly executed.  First of all, I'm not a fan of criss-cut fries.  The flavor of these sweet potato criss-cut fries detract from the masala flavors.  It seems like they used criss-cut fries to take on the weight of the sauce, but it stil ends up soggy.  Everything clumps together in a one big goopy mess.  Very disappointing - I had high hopes for this dish. 

chicken tikka masala burrito

Chicken Tikka masala with chana masala (garbanzo beans) and pickled onions wrapped in a La Palma tortilla.  Another confession - I actually had this exact burrito the week before and I had to come back for another because I couldn't stop thinking about it.  It's that good.  The perfect ratio of spiciness, rice, and meat all rolled up into one delicious surprise.

goat biryani burrito

Goat biryani burrito was the special item of the day.  Love goat biryani and not too many places serve it regularly.  Its mostly seen as a rotating special item.  The goat biryani here is pretty tasty, but I think I prefer it as just a biryani dish.  There wasn't much else in the burrito - just goat biryani wrapped in a tortilla.

Address:                              Curry Up Now

                                       129 S. B Street
                                       San Mateo, CA                                    

Type:                                      Indian, burrito
                                                     casual

Chomp worthy:          chicken tikka burritos

Pass:                                       tikka masala fries

Ragazza

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view from inside Ragazza

Gialina's sister restaurant located in the NoPa area of San Francisco.  I haven't been to Gialina (yet), but I am aware of their cult following so I was eager to taste their pizza when Ragazza opened up in a more accessible part of the city. 

antipasto platter with prosciutto, cheeses, and olives

A little disappointed that the only cured meat on the plate was prosciutto.  Also, the first time I've seen olive oil on a cured meat platter.  Pretty standard antipasto plate -nothing spectacular.

roasted brussel sprouts

Roasted brussel sprouts should be soft with a slight crisp from the broiler.  These were a bit too mushy and somewhat flavorless.

Margherita pizza with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato

The standard whenever I try a new pizza place.  This one was slightly too thin - the inner part of the pizza was too crispy and hard.  I prefer my pizza with a slight crisp and softness to it - think Delfina, Pizetta 211, Pizzaiolo (Oakland).   

flourless chocolate cake

 Chocolately and dense, this cake was probably one of the better items I ate during this meal. 

Nutella pizza with mascarpone and amaretti

 Ending the savory portion of the meal feeling totally unsatisfied I opted to get two desserts. The nutella pizza was huge, but delicious.  A unique take on a dessert pizza, this "pizza" was tastier than the savory pizza.  A yummy dessert, but probably best served as a smaller portion.

Address:                             Ragazza
                                                   311 Divisadero St.
                                                   San Francisco, CA

Type:                                     Italian, pizza       

                                       casual       

Santouka

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Santouka Ramen

The first Northern California location.  This Japan based ramen chain is the leftmost storefront inside Mitsuwa Marketplace. 

Every Asian person has some special place in their heart for noodles.  Many of us have grown up on some type of instant noodle and I'm no exception.   I have fond memories of my dad making instant ramen noodles on weekend mornings with various Chinese vegetable toppings. Having to make two batches:  one without egg for me and another with egg for everyone else.

noodles and the broth

Tokusen Toroniku Ramen - the toppings

Tonkusen Toroniku Ramen is Santouka's signature ramen (Although, I think all the ramens here are delicious.)  This pork based ramen is served with toppings plated separately.  The special pork slice that is used for this particular ramen comes from the cheek (jowl) of the pig.  The jowl is known for being one of the more flavorful and tender parts of a pig.  The broth is magical with depths of flavor.  Some may think the broth is too salty, but thats what flavorful ramen broth should taste like (you can ask for a cup of hot water at the counter if it really bothers you).  The noodle has the perfect chewiness.  Think of the movie Tampopo - the perpetual quest for the perfect bowl of ramen.  The only negative I can possibly see is that some prefer a soft boiled egg in their ramen which Santouka doesn't offer.  I used to be one of those people who arrived at Ramen Halu 15 minutes before they opened just to eat their ramen.  Santouka's ramen is my benchmark these days for good ramen. 

Address:                                             Santouka Ramen
                                                                   inside Mitsuwa Marketplace
                                                                   675 Saratoga Ave.
                                                                   San Jose, CA

Type:                                                    ramen, Japanese

Chomp worthy:                           Tokusen Toroniku Ramen

Random facts:                     

•  There are branch locations in Hong Kong!
•   Cash only!