Lisa "I need coffee" W.'s Profile

Color me addicted because like the Black Eyed Peas, I just can't get enough.

The distant memories of their New Orleans Styled Ice Coffee got me shivering profusely from the BBC withdrawal.  I'm experiencing changes in appetite because nothing tastes equally as creamy as their beautifully smooth, individually dripped coffee.  Just thinking about its incredible richness and robust flavors is causing sudden unexplained fluttering in the deep chambers of my heart.  I'm going crazy - too many mysterious changes in my personality with no other reason to attribute to except my constant need for your coffee. My mood swings are uncontrollable and the angry outbursts are more than anyone can bear.

Blue Bottle, you got me good. I'm addicted to your juice and I just can't get enough.

I secretly think my whole office is having an affair with the owner, Adam. OK fine, I'm just kidding but they definitely have an unyielding addiction to Deli Board.

Like clockwork everyday, they march down mechanically as if possessed with money in tow.  Moments later, they climb their way back up three flights of wooden stairs only to plop down comfortably in their office chairs and unwrap the magical deliciousness that is Deli Board.

One bite, two bites, three bites.  The deliciousness is now devoured and they carefully wrap the second half and store for future nourishment.  As the final act, they disassemble the plastic baggy to unveil the crown jewel - the shiny, juicy and ultra vinegary pickle.

Chomp, Chomp, Chomp.  Lunch is over.

And then history repeats itself again.

In a city such as San Francisco, restaurants like Penang Garden are a dime a dozen.  What makes this one so special?

Because Tyler Florence said so.  

The episode of "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" featuring Penang's illustrious Hot & Spicy crab put this seemingly humdrum Malaysian eatery on the map.

Their Hot & Spicy crab was entrancingly aromatic, oozing with the familiar spicy flavors of Asia. A sight to behold, the giant platter was heaping full of large crab pieces and splitting at the seams with savoriness. A true explosion of fried morsels of garlic and all things flavorful. The chunky and viscous sauce was delightfully sweet yet subtly spicy and it paired extremely well with the light crispy bun.

Alas, what a shame. Their infamous hot & spicy crab dish was the only saving grace.  The other two were deplorable imitations of Malaysian fare, essentially Chinese food doused with inordinate amounts of oil, sugar, salt and various other seasoning. Come for the crab, forget all else.

It amazes me how easily my diet goes out the window when french fries enter the picture.

Imagine healthy sized portions of hearty Belgian fries, fried to order to be immediately devoured on insanely frigid Portland nights when only lard can keep you warm.

As I stood there in the midst of a giant parking lot with endless food carts surrounded by tiny clusters of North Face, Columbia, Patagonia clad Oregonian folks, I couldn't help but feel incredibly out of place. Where's my North Face jacket? Where's my hoodie?

Alas, nothing mattered as I took my first bite into the beautiful mess that is the Poutine.  A sinfully decadent disarray of perfectly fried french fries, salty brown gravy and giant cheese curds.  

All was good in the world.

After reading Mireille Guiliano's "French Women Don't Get Fat", I had a compelling urge to overdose on multiple glasses of fine red wine, crusty loaves of french bread, mountains of creamy cheese, platters of fresh pastries oozing with sugary goodness and endless rounds of three course meals galore.

Finally, while on my way to a delightful afternoon spent in the wine country, I decide to make a necessary stop in Yountville for my essential Bouchon Bakery treats and decided to pop into Bistro Jeanty due to their irrefutable reputation of being an authentic French Bistro.

As we strolled in, I couldn't help but gaze at the bright sunshine filtering its way lazily into the beautifully quaint and cozy bistro, giving Bistro Jeanty a welcoming aura. After perusing the menu teeming full of richly flavored dishes, we settled for the Creme de Tomate en Croute, Bone Marrow, Salade de Betteraves and Coq Au Vin with Buttered Egg Noodles.

Creme de Tomate en Croute:
A visual masterpiece.  The ballooning puff pastry shell was light and crisp to the touch and lent a wonderful texture to the creamy soup.

Bone Marrow:
Insanely rich and bubbling with a flavorful brown sauce that made a delightful combination when lavishly spread against the crispy slices of bread.

Salade de Betteraves:
Wonderfully light and slight sweet with a salty hint of cheese from the feta crumbles.

Coq Au Vin with Buttered Egg Noodles:
Simply divine. The tasty concoction of chicken, woodsy mushrooms and flavorful bacon swimming in the bold red wine stew paired well with the butter glazed egg noodles.

The exceptional service and extraordinary food made for an unforgettable experience.  Michelin star or not, Bistro Jeanty is a fine French restaurant deserving of all the glitz and glamour any of his finer counterparts deserve.

I solemnly swear, R & G Lounge, is the best Chinese restaurant in all of San Francisco.  Each dish I have sampled succeeded in surpassing my every expectation, a difficult feat as I am extremely jaded when it comes to truly authentic Chinese fare. I firmly stand behind this rock-solid endorsement as it is none other than the truth.  Anthony Bourdain may have brought indescribable fame to this establishment but their mouthwateringly piquant Asian fare is what induces frequent repeat visits.

Their highly touted world famous salt & pepper dungeness crab is fried perfection, a beautiful melange of savory spices that elicits guilt as it is so good - it feels forbidden.  Their clams baked in egg are pretty and delicate with a slight hint of sweetness enveloping the pungent ocean flavors of the clam.  The mustard greens with braised mushrooms were made exceptionally well, with minimal oil to allow the fresh flavors of the vegetables to truly come out.  

Slightly more overpriced than your average Chinese takeout but well worth shelling the extra dollars for quality.

As a passionate advocate of organic and sustainable agriculture, DW cleverly surprised me with a late night reservation for my pre-birthday celebration 5 days prior as he knew he would be out of town for work on my actual b-date. Smart move, DW, smart move.

Unbeknownst to me, he secretly planned this night weeks before without my knowledge - quite uncommon for him actually.  

On the brisk night of November 4th, our lavish meal consisted of:

An Apertif
Complimentary Bread and Butter
Warm Scallop Salad with Shaved Parm & Brown Butter Vinaigrette
Black Cod a la Nage with Vegetable Julienne & Herbs
Grilled Halibut with Shell Beans, Wild Mushrooms & Young Spinach
Black Mission Fig Puff Pastry Tartlet with Fig Ice Cream

The complimentary bread puffs were delightfully light with the butter pleasantly coating my tongue like a silky eruption. The tender scallops were of adequate size, filled with savory juices and paired extremely well with the salty shaven Parmesan cheese and slightly sweet brown butter vinaigrette.  The black cod was most enjoyable - shockingly moist and surprisingly flavorful when lightly submerged in a delicate yet palatable broth. The wild mushrooms in the halibut dish were dark and woodsy - teeming with deep and hearty flavors. The black mission fig tartlet was airily light and the fig ice cream was creamily cold and made for a wonderful accompaniment to the crumbly puff pastry.

A feast for your eyes as it is a feast for your mouth. Come enjoy Alice Water's slow food movement at its finest featuring the freshest and most seasonal ingredients, from farm to table, from eyes to mouth.

Quite simply the most sickeningly extravagant Sunday brunch one can partake in within the foodie-infested confines of the Bay Area. Their notably bountiful and steady string of elaborately adorned buffet stations were each strategically designed and purposely intended to overwhelmingly seduce your every sense. From a multitude of delicious cheeses and sweet fruits to a wide gamut of beautifully plated hot dishes, my greedy eyes could barely take in the wonder around me.  They finally feasted upon the self serve caviar bar in awe, along with thinly sliced sashimi and the astoundingly large array of freshly caught seafood to my version of an happy ending, the stunning selection of sweet perfection.

All was good in the world.

As I sat in complete and utter happiness staring deeply upon DW's eyes, I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

With a bubbly mimosa in hand and gorgeous panoramic ocean views surrounding me, I blissfully began my descent into eternal gluttony.

Again with the pork.

Their highly touted carnitas as notably mentioned in the SF's 7x7 "100 Places to Try Before You Die" were a massive disappointment. I was expecting succulent and beyond juicy tenderness encapsulated by beautifully caramelized crispness - instead, it was slightly dry and surprisingly flavorless.

The usual warm, moist flesh dripping with well-seasoned savory flavors as a result from extensive marinating in luscious lard and flavorings were missing.  It was nicely presented but imperfectly executed.

We tried a variety of other dishes:
Taco de Pescado al Pastor
Marinated Fish, Lime, Tomatillo, Jalapeño, Cilantro,Avocado and Tortilla Chips
Panucho de Pollo al Pibil
Mole Poblano con Pollo

Nothing worth mentioning, however, it is the only "authentic" Mexican restaurant with a bathroom that doesn't induce hideous gasps - that alone deserves a second visit.

Porkchops have a way of making a (me) grown woman cry  - their beautifully grilled exterior drenched in slippery pork fat has a way of inducing pent up saliva. The encrusted and slightly tarred seasonings make the deliciously moist meat even more seducing. The thought of the juicy flesh dribbling down my heart-shaped chin makes me wish I had an extra tongue to lap up the golden luscious liquid whilst savoring the ultimate carnivore's dream.

Sadly, Nopa didn't make me cry.

Not even close.

To my surprise, it was their ultra succulent Rotisserie Chicken that stood out.  Healthy man-sized portions glistening from the smoldering heat of the wood fire served with farro salad, roasted sweet potatoes, upland cress, tiny bits of pomegranate and salty feta made for a delightful and interesting accompaniment.

Go figure.