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March 4, 2008
CA, What we ate, Part II
In addition to Jai Yun, we enjoyed the following culinary adventures in the Bay Area:
Chez Panisse Cafe
Finally! Comparing this meal with our experiences at Suzanne's and Auberge in the first part of our trip, it is clear what makes Chez Panisse classic. While everything could be said to be cooked perfectly at all three restaurants, and the style of the dishes were all quite similar, Chez Panisse stood out because of the harmony of flavors on the plate. The side dishes were simple, but perfectly matched to the flavors and cooking technique of the meat, and a simple sauce served to further unify the parts into a whole. To top it off, our waiter was super-nice, and the meyer lemon ice cream BLEW MY MIND.
Ferry Building and Farmer's Market
I can't imagine anything more decadent than the morning I spent here. I spent an hour walking around, taking photos and buying fresh, delicious things, and then about four hours sitting in a wine bar inside the Ferry Building with friends coming and going, drinking red wine and eating rabbit terrine, rich yogurt and sourdough.. and then champagne, oysters and stinky cheese... and then white wine, pastries, and sausage... and then milkshakes, blood oranges and Vietnamese dumpling soup. Seriously, a spa could package this treatment.
El Farolito
When it comes right down to it, I am not a mission burrito fan. For some reason they always seem a little bit bland... I think part of it is a lack of lard - refried beans are not standard, and I never remember to request them. Anyways, El Farolito was great, just not my style.
The Pork Store
The perfect hangover breakfast, and really fantastic sausage. Pretty good hashbrowns too.
Boudin Bakery
I ate a loaf of dutch crunch for dinner. Just dutch crunch. It was that good. I need to find a recipe for this.
Pacific Catch
Fish. It was fried.
Tartine
The best croissant I have ever had. Ever. Also, I do not like cinnamon rolls, unless they are the one Greg had at Tartine. Wow. Might move to San Francisco and gain 40 lbs.
Swann's Oyster Depot
I love oysters, but the highlight here was a fresh sea urchin, served in its shell... like nothing I've ever tasted. Smooth and creamy to the point of sensory deprivation, incredibly mild with no hint of the ocean, and an aftertaste of flowers.
Fraiche
Looking to piggyback on Pinkberry, this place serves frozen yogurt with fruit, but it should ditch the overly-sweet frozen stuff and focus on their excellent fresh yogurt, which is rich and tart.
Ewia
This Mediterranean restaurant in Palo Alto has gone downhill since we were there last, but they still serve a number of tasty appetizers, like tender octopus, small sweet beets, and rich soft beef tongue. They also serve real Greek frappes, even black (although the waitress thought I was crazy), which are probably my favorite way of drinking coffee.
About Food, by Erica McDaniel at 9:09 PM
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