Ramos Gin Fizz

It was my grandmother’s favorite brunch cocktail, and now it is mine too.  I even have the recipe with her original notes on it.  How unbelievably rad is that?

how yum is that

What’s super cool is that Nopa has an incredible Ramos Gin Fizz that I can meander on over and drink any Sunday.  Eff yes.

love their little brunch menu

And we did just.  We also ate an absolutely phenomenal brunch, but the Ramos Gin Fizz an absolute delight.  Definitely the highlight.

I do actually want to make it myself at some point…
Nick, it’s time for a science experiment!

Napa Napa Napa

My parents were in town SO long ago and it’s taken me THIS long to post about it but it was SO much fun.  Jeez they are the best.  Listen to me bragging.

These are some pics from our Napa day, starting with lunch at Bouchon which was pretty effing phenomenal.  I had this insane halibut open faced sandwich with pickled nectarines and pickled onions but my fave was the Coconut Kaffir Lime Pot de Creme that we had for dessert, absolutely saturated in lemongrass.

walk up lunch at the bar at Bouchon

Then a wander through Thomas Keller’s gardens.

these are thomas keller’s veggies

and these are his chickens

and these are his wildly growing artichokes

Then we made a stop at the fantastic Michael Polenske’s Ma(i)sonry before heading to Long Meadow Ranch.  Only a special person could put together a place like Ma(i)sonary.  Hence why Michael could create Mas(i)sonary.

chef’s table

I could eat at that chef’s table every day.  And the curation of the gallery is just insane – from limited edition books from Assouline and Taschen to whale and giraffe vertebrae (have you ever seen one?! it’s incredible!) to gorgeous gorgeous art accompanied by a glass of Michael’s own wine from Blackbird Vineyards.

Such a special day.  Part II coming soon.

Biblioheads in Hayes Valley

On my way home from work is a lovely little area called the Hayes Valley, which is also walking distance from my house – fancy that.  I mean, it is walk that might cause one to breathe heavily due to a large mountain being in the middle of it.  (Large mountain = a San Francisco hill.  I have a tendency to exaggerate.)

bibliohead

Today I got off work a little early and decided to check out a book store in Hayes Valley called Bibliohead.  I saw it when I was shopping Armina the other weekend called and have been thinking about it ever since.  And ugh I love bookstores.  I love the smell of them.  I could spend hours and hours bobbling around… and with floor to ceiling books (new, used, collectible, art, food, fiction, non fiction, philosophical, scientific, etc. etc. etc.) this is definitely a place I’ll be found on a regular basis.  I might even get lost and live on a bookshelf.  I am about the right height.

look at all those books!

I picked up a couple of used books (Comfort Me With Apples by Ruth Reichl, whom I adore was my number one pick) and wandered around the corner at the behest of the owner to Arlequin to pick up some food to go.

chalkboard menu

I think this might be my new spot.  A little garden in the back with a few tables for when it’s nice plus their wine store, the Arlequin Wine Merchant, is connected so you can also pick up a bottle (or two) of wine while you’re there.

doesn’t that window just beckon to you on a sunny day?
photo courtesy of sf weekly

PS My veal + pork meatball sandwich was kind of incredible.  Spicy and delicious on a warm, delectably crunchy yet soft baguette.

Paxton Gate, Miette and Nopa

Paxton Gate is one of the most amazing stores I’ve ever been to.  Ever.  Photography isn’t allowed in the store so you’ll just have to go yourself.  But I did sneak a little picture of an orchid from their greenhouse…

my favorite flower

And I got myself a little something something to commemorate my move here.  But that little beast is so special it deserves its own post.

After some fun shopping at Azalea and picking up a bright red coat at Ver Unica (I’m slowly trying to warm up my wardrobe), Miette was next!  The sweetest little candy store in town.  I felt like we had wandered into a candy store in Paris.  Andrea, Armina and I grabbed some salted caramels (my fave) and chocolate shortbread cookies to tide us over until dinner.

candy flowers

sospiri

little white candies on pink candy stands!

a candy rainbow

delicious shmancy chocolate

a wall of colorful delights

We rounded out the night at Nopa with cocktails, pork chops and the best burger I’ve had in a while.  I think I found my new Village Idiot burger!  It even comes with pickled onions and house made mayo.  Although Nopa’s is a chipotle mayo… mmm spicy… I’m totally down with that… but not sure which I like better.  Maybe I can like them both for their unique qualities.  Fancy that.

Now I just need to find a new Little Next Door and I’ll be a happy girl.

A Day in the Outer Sunset

It’s so fun being in a dense city that’s also so close to the water.  It seems as though everywhere you look there’s some piece of the ocean peeking out from behind a building, reflecting off of a window, or just right there in front of you.

Only problem with a dense city is that I’m sick.  Again.  So many people on the bus with gross germy germs that my poor LA immune system just can’t handle it.  One little bug and I’m done.

Anyway… the Outer Sunset is like how I imagine Ireland to be – a layer of fog caressing everything you see.  Granted it’s not always foggy in the Outer Sunset, but it the day I was there with Armina.  Since it was drizzling and there was a bit of a wait, we put our names down at Outerlands and meandered our way over to Trouble Coffee Company for a lil something to keep us warm.  Incredible coffee, awesome baristas and a cool website.  You should check it out.

she’s trouble

i didn’t capture the best part… the hodge podge wall
guess you’ll have to go and check it out yourself

how cute!  i like.  bite me.  bite me.  bite me.

Then it was off to General Store for a look at some wares.  And some guy outside the door who was convinced his friend was Jesus.  I think it was the drugs.

from the garden looking in

zee garden

a greenhouse for their terrariums i assume…

terrariums!

I love terrariums.  I’m actually taking a terrarium making workshop in about three weeks at Workshop SF and I am so excited!  Yay art project time!

One our time was up we went back on over to Outerlands.  When you walk into this place it feels like it was created to be up in the mountains but also near the water.  Like you’re in a cabin with a fireplace with the fog coming in from over the water.  It feels like they collected driftwood from the ocean and used it to line the walls.  It’s just so cozy.  And the food… OH the food.

They bake all of their bread fresh and it’s just delicious.  Thick cut.  Crunchy crust.  Soft innards.  Perfectly toasted.  Gooey cheese.  Mmm.

Armina also ordered their hot ginger lemon apple cider… I wish I had gotten a picture.  It was the best.  Ever.  I am going to figure out how to make it and make it every time I’m sick.

Armina’s garlic soup and grilled cheese sammie

my fried egg and bacon open faced sammie with mixed greens

phenom cookies and cute menus

PS I heard a rumor that buffalo live in the Outer Sunset section of Golden Gate Park – down by the windmill.  Will someone come and find them with me?

 

The Premiere Weekend…

How much fun did I have my first weekend as a resident of San Francisco?  So much fun!  What can I not believe?  How freaking nice everyone is in this city.

First, I stopped by Hannah Stouffer‘s exhibit at Bell Jar on Friday.  Hannah = awesome.  Hannah’s art = awesome.  Hannah + Hannah’s art = awesome squared.

the flyer

there was even a kissing both

As were my cocktails at Rickhouse with Elizabeth and Marisa.  Btw how are cocktails in San Francisco so freaking cheap.  $8 + $9 for a shmancy cocktail?  Whaaaa???

Saturday consisted of running around the city with Elizabeth and tagging along as she world premiered her AMAZING INCREDIBLE MOVIE THAT YOU HAVE TO SEE called Saigon Electric.  It’s about the hip hop underworld in Vietnam.  Did you know that 50% of the population in Vietnam is under the age of 25?  Crazy!

We had lunch at Tartine (bombdotcom, soppressata salami sammie for E and a pecorino + crushed almond sammie for me) then went for a cocktail at Nopa (can’t wait to eat there!) and ::ahem:: a few more at The Page, my new favorite dive bar.

pecorino + crushed almonds… whaaaaat?

soppressata, fontina + broccoli rabe.  nomnomnom.

 

A Bi-Rite Adventure

So before I started my job, I had a couple of days to explore the city.  Best idea ever.  EVER, really.  Monday I strolled on down to Bi-Rite, this INCREDIBLE market that I’ve been reading about, hearing about, thinking about since I was up here for the initial stages of the interview process.

What did I get?  Well the highlight of my trip were some local cheeses as well as french lentils with duck prosciutto… um, hello delicious deli section.  I love you very much.  And your spicy salami sandwich.  I wanted some ice cream to take home but given the 1.5 mile distance from my house + the meltage factor, I decided it was best to hold off on that for another day.

mmmmmmmmm

so many oranges!

ok this is the cutest thing in the whole world.  so is my nail polish.

OR for when a Bi-Rite moves in a block from my house this summer.

::warm weather preparation::

Nice thing about San Francisco?  I’m walking everywhere so it seems to be balancing out the food that I’m consuming… which has actually resulted in a bit o weight loss.  Awesometastic!

Oh and… also quite awesometastic?  The flowers that were waiting on my desk my first day of work.

❤

Maison Midi + Cafe Midi

Oh oh oh SylvieSylvieCho.  Welcome home from Londontown.  LA always seems brighter when you’re here.  Even if you do bring the London weather with you.  One of my favorite spots in town, my heart fluttered when you suggested we meet at Cafe Midi for lunch.  Spending time with you, and the ridiculously gourmet quesadilla (Smoked Chicken with Fava Beans, Avocado, Tomato, Fresh Ginger & Havarti Cheese) I ordered, made my afternoon.

rows and rows of glassware

colorful plates galore

stacks of fabric

walls of color

and a perfectly set party table

When oh when will I have a space like this to call my own?

 

Pom Poms and Pazzo Gelato

I ❤ productive Saturdays just as much as I love lazy Sundays.

It started off with a project for Cassandra + my Monday night Valentine’s Day dinner party… festive pom poms for the chandelier!  Btw Martha Stewart, you suck at giving instructions.  Really suck.  How vague can you get?  I had to google instructions for your own project!  That’s not supposed to happen.  Whatever, Martha.  I know it was probably one of your peons who posted the instructions but I am mad at you.  And at them.  My first instruction-less pom pom was a DISASTER.

see?  disaster.  crumpled up because i got so freaking mad disaster.

So thank you lovely Nothing but Bonfires for appeasing my anger and giving clear, concise directions on how to make a tissue paper pom pom.

see?  look how pretty.

Decor crisis averted.

Adventure number two?  A fantastic two lap loop around the Silverlake Reservoir with two lovely ladies.  4.6 miles?  Day 4 of 5k training?  Eff yes.

Adventure number three?  A reward for my hard work from Pazzo Gelato… European Yogurt (tart-deliciousness) and Ricotta Sour Cherry Gelato.  I got a small, so it doesn’t TOTALLY undo my workout, does it?

photo courtesy of thisisbrandx.com

Maple Bacon Donuts

Thank you Krista, not only for the fun amazing wonderful mid-week lunch date, but for introducing me to this delightful and ridiculous creation from the Nickel Diner.

My spicy pulled pork sandwich was pretty tasty as well but these donuts take the cake… so to speak.