Rotunda has probably one of the best interior designs among the restaurants in the city. The ceiling mosaic somewhat reminds me of Brussels' Passage Du Nord. Don't you think?
However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to Rotunda's location. It is convenient while shopping around Union Square but inconvenient for non-shopaholics. Parking could also be deadly at any given time of the day. Because it is also in a high-end department store, expect to pay higher prices for a lunch or mid-afternoon snack.
Ceiling of Neiman Marcus/Rotunda |
Free popover with strawberry butter. Metls in your mouth! |
Complimentary chicken bullion |
Pastrami sandwich with sweet potato fries |
I didn't Yelp this restaurant but instead I followed my instincts while walking on Irving St. I later found out that Manna is one of the newest popular Korean spot in town. Kudos to my skills in sniffling good food! ha!
I support family-run businesses that are genuinely trying to uphold good service and high quality of food. Manna is one of them. In fact after much thought of my other favorite Korean restaurant also in the Sunset, Manna surpasses them in all aspects- price, cleanliness, customer service and food! We also didn't need to wait for our seats even though it was prime lunch hours during a weekend.
I've favored SGD Tofu House in the South Bay for anything that is tofu soup. But now, Manna is a heavy competitor in the city so no more trips for me to the South just to get a warm pot of soup. Thank goodness.
I do hope that Manna doesn't inflate their prices soon.
I support family-run businesses that are genuinely trying to uphold good service and high quality of food. Manna is one of them. In fact after much thought of my other favorite Korean restaurant also in the Sunset, Manna surpasses them in all aspects- price, cleanliness, customer service and food! We also didn't need to wait for our seats even though it was prime lunch hours during a weekend.
I've favored SGD Tofu House in the South Bay for anything that is tofu soup. But now, Manna is a heavy competitor in the city so no more trips for me to the South just to get a warm pot of soup. Thank goodness.
I do hope that Manna doesn't inflate their prices soon.
Sizzling seafood tofu soup |
I saw my glimpse of David Beckham and his two adorable kids at Harajuku Crepes! Gahh!!!! I am one happy customer :D
Besides from the celebrity sighting, this place does deserve its high rating. Even though it can only serve a few sit-in guests, you can customize your own crepes and choose from a variety of options, including many Asian ingredients, such as green tea and red beans as well as genmaicha.
A good ending to an eventful night.
Besides from the celebrity sighting, this place does deserve its high rating. Even though it can only serve a few sit-in guests, you can customize your own crepes and choose from a variety of options, including many Asian ingredients, such as green tea and red beans as well as genmaicha.
A good ending to an eventful night.
Vanilla, strawberry and red beans |
Kiwi with vanilla |
I keep coming back to Jin Sho even though it was not the most ideal pit stop for dinner- I had to pick up my dining partner at the Caltrain station. I tried different special rolls and the shrimp tempura udon. Between the rolls and the udon, I highly recommend the rolls, which are filled with fresh seafood and just the right amount of rice.
I then cleansed my palette with the fruity exotic bomba.
I then cleansed my palette with the fruity exotic bomba.
Spicy tuna |
Unagi |
Shrimp tempura udon |
I don't understand what's the fascination of Porto's in Los Angeles. This is my second time at the Glendale branch on a weekend, and the line was super long even though they had different lines for pick-up, coffee, pastry orders, etc. This time, I waited for 20 minutes just to get a few pastries!
As usual, I picked the popular guava strudel, which has somewhat of a cult following at Porto's. While looking back at my photos, I realized that they actually spelled 'strudel' incorrectly! So why the fascination with Porto's? Is it because guava is considered an exotic fruit in the U.S.? I grew up with a guava tree at home so I don't find anything special with guava in a puff pastry. Someone please enlighten me. Is it because it is a legendary bakery? Yelp reveiwers say it is cheap, which is debatable depending on how you analyze the cost, and there's a tons of assorted goodies, but not as inventive as the also popular Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland. There's got to be more than that to have legions of followers. What say you?
As usual, I picked the popular guava strudel, which has somewhat of a cult following at Porto's. While looking back at my photos, I realized that they actually spelled 'strudel' incorrectly! So why the fascination with Porto's? Is it because guava is considered an exotic fruit in the U.S.? I grew up with a guava tree at home so I don't find anything special with guava in a puff pastry. Someone please enlighten me. Is it because it is a legendary bakery? Yelp reveiwers say it is cheap, which is debatable depending on how you analyze the cost, and there's a tons of assorted goodies, but not as inventive as the also popular Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland. There's got to be more than that to have legions of followers. What say you?
Halloween monster cupcakes |
Cheesecake |
Please spell STRUDEL correctly!! |
My guava strudel |
Cheese roll |
Updated on February 17, 2016
I've been asked this question too many times by many people both locals and out-of-towners alike. Thus, this page will serve as a link where I can direct those who will ask me the same question again.
I usually break down people's request on the following factors:
- How many times have you been to San Francisco?
- If you ask me where to eat in SF, I assume that you are a foodie or, at least, someone who appreciates good food.
- Budget?
- For how many people?
- When? Weekend or weekday?
- Where? Are you willing to venture out of the usual streets?
So without further ado, here are my picks on where to dine in the city of San Francisco:
Brunch:
- Nopa
- Universal Cafe
- The Grove
- 15 Romolo
- Park Tavern
- Central Kitchen
Cheap eats:
- Burgers: Roam, Umami, Super Duper
- Pizza: Tony's, Golden Boy
- Mexican: Nico's Tacos
- Asian: The Chairman
Dining with a specific cuisine in mind and doesn't break the bank*:
- Thai: Lers Ros, Osha (the original branch)
- Chinese: R&G, San Tung
- Californian Asian Fusion: The House, B Star B
- Italian: Cotogna, Delfina, La Ciccia
- American: Zuni Cafe
- Mexican: Cha Cha Cha, Nopalito
- Vegan: Millenium, Greens, Shizen, Gracias Madre
For the ballers/special celebrations:
- Too many to mention since SF is filled with many high-end restaurants. Please search on Yelp the triple dollar sign or search for my Food is a Luxury blog series, such as Aziza, Commonwealth, Coi, etc.
*I've left out many cuisines, especially Japanese, Chinese dim sum, Indian, Korean, etc., since I feel that the best restaurants that fall under these categories are found outside of San Francisco. San Mateo for Japanese and South/East Bay for dim sum, for instance.
Happy eating!
First and foremost, congratulations to the newly awarded Michelin star restaurants in the SF Bay Area! Kudos to Chef Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn for being the first female chef to get two Michelin stars in the U.S. Go women empowerment!
Now back to regular programming... Here's my blow by blow account of what went down in the 13-course Early Autumn dinner at the two star Michelin rated, Manresa.
Abalone and figs, sesame and lemon jelly. Hmmm now I'm really in a Japanese resto. I'm so confused at this point. Err... |
My eating buddy on his first try on iphone food photography. I am a good influence on my friends. Next time, he'll be joining IG (shameless plug: follow c3lsius on IG) or putting up a food blog :) |
My chum's meaty meal, while I got the substitute duck below. |
Duck roasted in salt crust, fig and wild fennel confit. I found the duck too raw and hard to chew. A bit disappointing since I've had better duck than this (hello Peking duck from Hong Kong). |
cupcake. Sad to say, the cupcake, which I ate for breakfast the next day, was dry and had only a slight hint of pumpkin.
For a high-end restaurant, I already expected a well trained staff and nice ambiance. The service was exceptional with military style of serving in which everyone was in synch from walking to serving down the plates. However, the bathroom (yes, I always check out the bathroom!) is not at par with other restaruants of its class. Is it because it is located in the suburbs? I hope not. Please take some notes on five-star hotel bathrooms.
I now understand why the French Laundry is a cut above many restaurants in the Bay Area. For Manresa albeit the meticulous preparation and presentation, I found the cuisine a bit confusing. I was not prepared to eat Japanese food half-way through the meal. And as inventive as it sounds, edible dirt is not something I'd like on my plate again. Overall, I had a good evening at Manresa and would come back here if I was already in the Los Gatos area.
I did find myself in
this town again a few weeks ago for dinner at the Michelin rated Manresa
(write-up to come soon).
Interior of Southern Kitchen |
Hot cocoa |
Smoked salmon scramble eggs for brunch |
Cotogna deserves whatever accolades it has gotten! I actually don't know why I haven't been here even though I've passed by this restaurant, which is just a 10 minute walk from my place, a million times. I blame it on reservation challenges during peak dining hours.
A few weeks ago, I finally reserved a spot during lunch hour. To my surprise, the bill came out more than I thought ($70+ for 2, including beverages), but the all the food was well worth it.
Overall, good service and ambiance, unique Italian rustic food, and very accommodating to an active kiddo. A must for every foodie.
I also want to thank the host for giving me a well lit seat by the window. All photos below are unedited.
Tip: In order to save on some dough, convert your credit card points to a Cotogna gift certificate.
A few weeks ago, I finally reserved a spot during lunch hour. To my surprise, the bill came out more than I thought ($70+ for 2, including beverages), but the all the food was well worth it.
Overall, good service and ambiance, unique Italian rustic food, and very accommodating to an active kiddo. A must for every foodie.
I also want to thank the host for giving me a well lit seat by the window. All photos below are unedited.
Tip: In order to save on some dough, convert your credit card points to a Cotogna gift certificate.
Spinach sfogato- I liked this the most! |
The free bread was devoured by the kid |
Pasta. I must come back to try the pizza. |
Cotogna's interior |
Feeding the kiddo with bread. |
Celebrate the third year anniversary of DeLise with a a free scoop of ice cream this Friday and Saturday, October 26 to 27, at 327 Bay St. (between Powell and Stockton St.), San Francisco, from 11 am to 4 pm. While at it, sing an advance happy birthday to chef/owner Gabriel, who will also turn three on December.
Expect some of DeLise's most popular flavors, such as malted vanilla bean, cookie crunch, roasted banana, coconut pandan sorbet, tangerine, and so much more! See you at DeLise!
Expect some of DeLise's most popular flavors, such as malted vanilla bean, cookie crunch, roasted banana, coconut pandan sorbet, tangerine, and so much more! See you at DeLise!
Happy 3rd! |