Volcano Curry, SF

When Tutu and I go out to eat, we usually look at Yelp and that determines what we eat.  The 3 recommendations in bold that Yelp gave us were chicken katsu curry, chicken karaage and potato croquette.  We ordered almost all that, except instead of chicken katsu we got pork katsu since we already got chicken karaage.  For the curry spiciness level, one can choose mild, medium, hot or volcano (something like that anyway) and we chose volcano.  The curry itself was pretty good, and came with some carrots and potatoes.  It was spicier than we expected, but I think we both didn't mind/liked it.  The katsu was well breaded and was yummy too.  Sadly, the chicken karaage was one of the worst I have ever had, the breading was not crispy and the chicken itself didn't taste that great.  The potato croquette was mediocre and meh.  So I say, if you are in the area, come for the curry, but everything else was really whatever.

Shabu Club, SF

Do not go here.  I repeat, do NOT go here.  At least not for the ramen burger.  Ever since Tutu showed me the ramen wings article, I have been a bit obsessed with ramen-y things, especially since Hot Sauce and Panko deprived us of ramen wings when they took it off their menu permanently.  So when we heard about the ramen burger, we thought we had to try it.  We had originally identified Nombe, but it had such bad reviews.  Shabu Club had pretty bad reviews too, but was a tad better than Nombe.  So, after much waiting and anticipation after being out of town, off we went.

The restaurant actually looked really nice for a shabu place in the Inner Richmond, so we were pleasantly surprised and had high hopes!  We ordered the kamikaze wings and the Kobe beef fries.  The wings tasted alright, but both the Kobe beef fries and the ramen burger were extremely disgusting.  They had a huge dollop of mayo which wasted weird.  The meat tasted like it was just minutes shy of going bad.  The ramen bun of the burger tasted like it had been fried hours ago, and was somewhere between being crunch and super soggy.  The fries themselves were fine, but just the sight of the meat and the mayo just made me sick.  I rarely waste food, but there was no way I was going to finish any of that crap.  We barely finished, got the check, and left feeling very ill.

Do.  Not.  Go.

Trouble, SF

Like I said, there is this toast craze in SF.  The Dawg and I went to the Mill a week or so ago, and then Trouble this past weekend with Lingon in tow.  The 2 experiences could not be any different.

The Mill is this nice airy cafe place in Alamo Square.  Tastefully decorated with vintage cool articles and loaves of bread, high ceilings, airy, lots of natural sunlight, it felt like the ultimate yuppie place.  As we were in line outside Trouble (the original location in the Outer Sunset), we heard super loud rap music blasting from inside the shop.  The moment we entered, we just stopped talking since we did not want to yell at each other.  The store was sparsely decorated with a toy horse hanging from the ceiling.  Very classy.  Seemed more,,, hippy?

Trouble had only one type of toast, I believe it had butter, cinnamon, peanut butter, honey, and maybe a couple of other things.  The bread they use is made offsite, at some French bakery whose name they refused to reveal.  Once it got toasted, the interior was soft and fluffy, and with the toppings nice and rich.  Basic plain flavours, but very delicious.  I tried taking a picture of the bread, but the guy yelled at me and said no photo.  It's not like the bread had a brand on it that would identify it anyway.  Luckily I already took the picture, though it was kind of blurry.

The Mill has more artisanal bread.  The toppings are less traditional, more unique, and they had more flavours.  When we went there were 3 different kinds.  Some of their toppings are homemade.  For more description see the Mill post here.

I enjoyed both toasts.  However the experience at Trouble left much to be desired.  The people were not nice, the music was too loud, felt like the place was trying too hard.  I probably would go back to the Mill and try different flavours, but I doubt I will go back again to try the same thing.

To sum it up, go when you are in the area, but for $3.50-4.00/slice, just make your own at home.

The Mill, SF

It was just a matter of time before I visited this place.  Having heard so much about it, I knew I would have to show up to try this famed super expensive toast.  I had 2 friends who came separately a couple of weeks ago and had some jam toast which they highly recommend (one was the Dawg, actually).  The Dawg, Lingon and I keep thinking of visiting after dinner, but again places in SF close early which is just SO frustrating.  Anyway, the Dawg and I finally made it here.

Sadly the bread that the jam toast was spread on was out of the weekly rotation.  So, we ordered:
1)  Cream cheese with ground pepper and sea salt on dark mountain rye and
2)  Dark brown sugar and cinnamon with butter on cinnamon raisin bread.
The breads used here for the toast are made by Josey Baker Bread.  The mountain rye was dense and nutty flavoured, and the cinnamon raisin bread was soft and fluffy.  Both were delish!  The loafs were sliced, and the placed facing downwards to prevent the bread from drying out.  The slices were sliced just before they were put in the toasters, so no mass slicing.  Some slices got the honour of being put in a couple of different toasters, to toast to perfection.  Then the spreads on both toasts were lovingly spread by the toastmaster (I'm sure that means a different thing).  (Read: the lady took FOREVER to spread the toppings on the toast.)  It was clear that the toppings were of higher quality, and the combinations were killer.  But would I pay $3.50-$4 for toast again?  Maybe, to try different flavours.  Maybe I would find my dream toast.  Maybe I should The Mill to kaya!!

Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant, SF

It was the day after a very very long day at work, up on my feet the whole day, running up slopes and hills and stairs.  The body felt tired to the bone, the eyelids could not really keep fully up, the throat a bit scratchy, the mouth and brain were uncoordinated and words felt slurred.  Sort of like a hangover, but with zero alcohol.  It was a pho day!  Soupy foods have always been a comfort food.  I had initially suggested Turtle Tower, but the Dawg had vetoed that.  We had been to Golden Star together before and that was acceptable to us both.

I had some filter on, so pardon the look of the photos.  I had beef and beef ball pho.  The soup was a lot clearer and lighter than I remembered it to be, which was great especially for such a day.  This was probably the first time too I ever had pho without hoisin sauce and/or sriracha!  It was delicious and a perfect cure for my poor body.

The Dawg ordered a pork vermicelli noodles with imperial rolls.  I had a taste of the pork, which had some amazing marinade and was delish.  The imperial rolls were pretty good too.

This place definitely cures a pho or vermicelli noodle craving.  It's a great cheap meal if you're in the Chinatown area!

Toy Boat Dessert Cafe and Loving Cup, Dessert in SF

After a savoury dinners, the urge for something sweet presses.  Who you gonna call?  Erm... no one?  It's no secret that San Francisco's dessert scene is somewhat dismal.  Plus the fact that things close early, and dessert occurs after dinner, the choice is sparse.  Faced with the brain's screaming for dessert and the limited choices, we hit up Toy Boat Dessert Cafe and Loving Cup (on separate occasions).

Toy Boat Dessert Cafe is an interesting place.  It looks like a diner with a bunch of toys.  Yes, exactly that.  We had a chocolate cake and an olallieberry pie.  I wasn't impressed.

Loving Cup is a fro-yo and rice pudding place.  I have tried both on 2 separate occasions.  While both are fine, they are by no means great.

No pictures of these, unfortunately, but you're not missing much.

Side note, when we went to Sweden, the supermarket sold rice pudding that was really good.  I'm going on a supermarket hunt tomorrow for this!

Pizzetta 211, SF

I forgot why I wanted to visit Pizzetta 211.  Usually I read about food in SFGate, or UrbanDaddy, and I get inspired.  Anyhow, this place had been on my list for possibly years, and Lingon and the Dawg had pizza cravings, so off we went to the (gasp) Outer Richmond.

One of my biggest issues driving to such neighbourhoods is the lack of parking.  I used to live in Snob Hill and not own a garage spot, so I think I have paid my dues in circling and searching for parking.  Plus this place doesn't have a garage, so there's NO back up!  I got dropped off to put my name down, but the other 2 Musketeers continued circling for a while.  Thankfully we found a spot right outside the restaurant.

The wait was not long.  We were there on a Wednesday night, and there was only 1 party ahead of us.  We had already chosen our 3 pizzas while waiting:
1)  Braised Lamb Ragu, Eggplant, Pine Nut, Feta, Mint
2)  Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil with White Anchovies
3)  Farm Egg, Roasted Corn, Pasilla Pepper, Cherry Tomato, Bacon
In addition, there was a appetizer special which was burrata with broccolini  which we ordered.

The appetizer was delicious.  The pizza toppings were very unique and I think very well paired.  A good solid pizza meal, but for driving all the way out here, and the stress of having to search for parking, I don't really think I would do it again.  There are many other pizza places that I want to try!

It just occurred to me that I should really start a Mushroomin  Guide (geddit?).  I'm reviewing all these places and saying whether it's worth a detour or a trek out to a faraway neighbourhood, or good to eat if you are in the area, etc.  Heh heh!  Next money making venture??