Saturday, December 23, 2006
Dinner at The Barking Frog, Woodinville, WA
Alexis' parents took us out to dinner at The Barking Frog, the sister restaurant of The Herbfarm. There were some enormous hits and a couple of sad misses, but overall, it was a great meal. Ther service was friendly and informative, if a bit slow/oddly paced.
Sourdough and Herb Bread (gratuit)
Tasty, although the butter was rather cold.
Ocean Trio $18
A huge miss. The prawns were overcooked. The oysters were, strangly, missing their juice and the cake was slathered in a sauce that was far too sweet. For this dish alone they dropped to a Food: 1.
Bittersweet Crab Salad $14
This was amazing. The bitter flavor of the grapefruit enhanced the richness of the crab.
Clams with Chorizo $15
A solid, flavorful dish with a sauce worthy of bread-dipping.
Kobe Beef Tartare and Carpaccio $20
Although this surely was Waygu and not Kobe, it was very respectable. The acidity of the minced tomato was nice with the buttery beef.
Crusted Walu with Pineapple Sauce and Garlic Long Beans $27
Although the sauce was a bit sweet, the dish was very, very good. The beans were perfectly cooked with lots of slivered garlic and the walu was perfectly cooked. Even the rice cake under the fish was tasty.
Trio of Cremes $10
None of these were very good. The ones on the end were fruit flavored and the creme brulee ice cream (center) was good, but the flavor was a bit off from the superfluous coconut underneath.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 1
Website
Sourdough and Herb Bread (gratuit)
Tasty, although the butter was rather cold.
Ocean Trio $18
A huge miss. The prawns were overcooked. The oysters were, strangly, missing their juice and the cake was slathered in a sauce that was far too sweet. For this dish alone they dropped to a Food: 1.
Bittersweet Crab Salad $14
This was amazing. The bitter flavor of the grapefruit enhanced the richness of the crab.
Clams with Chorizo $15
A solid, flavorful dish with a sauce worthy of bread-dipping.
Kobe Beef Tartare and Carpaccio $20
Although this surely was Waygu and not Kobe, it was very respectable. The acidity of the minced tomato was nice with the buttery beef.
Crusted Walu with Pineapple Sauce and Garlic Long Beans $27
Although the sauce was a bit sweet, the dish was very, very good. The beans were perfectly cooked with lots of slivered garlic and the walu was perfectly cooked. Even the rice cake under the fish was tasty.
Trio of Cremes $10
None of these were very good. The ones on the end were fruit flavored and the creme brulee ice cream (center) was good, but the flavor was a bit off from the superfluous coconut underneath.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decor: 1
Website
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, regional American, restaurant, Service: 1
Breakfast at Alexis' Parents' House, Bothell, WA
Salami, Bell Pepper, Onion and Cheese Scramble
Cold Pizza
Nice pesto instead of tomato sauce.
Labels: breakfast recipe, eggs, homemade
Dinner at Alexis' Parents' House, Bothell, WA
Our flight was very last but Alexis' mom had food waiting for us.
Baked Chicken, Roasted Vegetables with Goat Cheese and Cous-Cous
The veggies were very tasty and the chicken coated in a nice spice.
Baked Chicken, Roasted Vegetables with Goat Cheese and Cous-CousThe veggies were very tasty and the chicken coated in a nice spice.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Pre-Flight Snack at Oakland Airport, San Francisco, CA
Chicken Strips and Fries $6
The chicken was moist, but the fries were soggy.
Chili $4
Too many beans and that flavor was flat.
Lunch from Mehfil Indian Cuisine, San Francisco, CA
We grabbed some lunch at our favorite Indian place before heading to Seattle.
Meatballs $5
The sauce was rich and flavorful and the meatballs were tender and delicious.
Saag Paneer $8
As good as always.
Chicken Makhni $10
Way more meat than usual and the sauce was even better than usual.
The Whole Meal
Meatballs $5
The sauce was rich and flavorful and the meatballs were tender and delicious.
Saag Paneer $8
As good as always.
Chicken Makhni $10
Way more meat than usual and the sauce was even better than usual.
The Whole Meal
Labels: Indian, restaurant
Breakfast at Home
Steak and Eggs with Spinach
Leftover steak from last night cooked up with spinach and eggs for a tasty breakfast.
Labels: beef, breakfast recipe, eggs, homemade, spinach
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Dinner at Home
Pan Fried Steak with Garlic Sage Butter and Cheesy Cauliflower
New York strip steaks marinated in worcestershire and steak seasoning, then pan fried for a few minutes on each side.
Labels: beef, cauliflour, dinner recipes
Lunch at Work
Breakfast at Home
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Dinner at Umami, San Francisco, CA
We decided to give Umami, a very new (as in a few weeks at most) place on Webster and Union, a shot. It was surprisingly good. Because they are new they are still suffering from a few hiccoughs, mainly in the form of mis-timed serving, lack of a dessert menu, and slightly clumsy service. However, in a few months, we think this place could be great all around.
Garlic Noodles with Chicken $8
Very tasty, very garlicky, and homemade tasting.
Miso Black Cod $17
Although this was a standard preparation, it was executed well and was very tasty.
Chicken Salad $8
Brightly flavored with nice texture contrast.
Vietnamese Style Meat Balls $ 10
These missed the mark. They were definitly the worst thing we ordered. The noodles didn't add anything and the meat itself was fairly flavorless.
Scallops $15
These were well cooked, if a bit salty. I bet they would have been perfectly salted if they hadn't put form before function and scored the scallops on both sides creating crevices for salt to sit in.
Edamame $2
Very plump and almost sweet. Delicious.
King Crab Roll $12
Although we usually don't like sushi rolls, this was was actually very good. Light on the rice and heavy on the flavor.
Kobe Beef Tartare $17
Although this was most likely Waygu and not real Kobe, it was utterly delicious. The flavor profile and the textures were perfect. The best tartare we've had in a while.
Kanpachi Carpaccio $15
Thin, super-fresh and topped with a tart sesame dressing, this was also an amazing dish.
Website
Too new for health code violations
Garlic Noodles with Chicken $8
Very tasty, very garlicky, and homemade tasting.
Miso Black Cod $17
Although this was a standard preparation, it was executed well and was very tasty.
Chicken Salad $8
Brightly flavored with nice texture contrast.
Vietnamese Style Meat Balls $ 10
These missed the mark. They were definitly the worst thing we ordered. The noodles didn't add anything and the meat itself was fairly flavorless.
Scallops $15
These were well cooked, if a bit salty. I bet they would have been perfectly salted if they hadn't put form before function and scored the scallops on both sides creating crevices for salt to sit in.
Edamame $2
Very plump and almost sweet. Delicious.
King Crab Roll $12
Although we usually don't like sushi rolls, this was was actually very good. Light on the rice and heavy on the flavor.
Kobe Beef Tartare $17
Although this was most likely Waygu and not real Kobe, it was utterly delicious. The flavor profile and the textures were perfect. The best tartare we've had in a while.
Kanpachi Carpaccio $15
Thin, super-fresh and topped with a tart sesame dressing, this was also an amazing dish.
Ratings:
Food: 2
Decor: 2 (the coolest bathroom sinks we've ever seen)
Service: 1
Food: 2
Decor: 2 (the coolest bathroom sinks we've ever seen)
Service: 1
Website
Too new for health code violations
Labels: Decor: 2, Food: 2, fusion, restaurant, Service: 1
Lunch from Manhattan Hub, San Francisco, CA
Cheesesteak and Salad $8
Tasty combo.
Chicken and Steak Cheesesteak $12
Whoever the lunch chef was today put lots of meat on these sandwiches.
Previous Post
Breakfast at Home
Low Carb Breakfast Burrito
Soft scramble 3 eggs and put equal parts along the center line of a low carb tortilla. Top with cheese, roll up and sautee for a few minutes on each side, until crispy. Top with fresh salsa.
Labels: breakfast recipe, eggs, homemade
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Dinner at Home
Tofu Stir Fry
A quick weeknight meal made from odds and ends in the fridge and cabinets.
-1 block firm tofu, cubed
-1 head brocolli, cut in flowerettes
-1 can baby corns, but into bite size pieces
-1/2 onion, thinly sliced
-1 tb chili black bean sauce
-1 tb chili garlic sauce
-2 tb soy sauce
-2 tb oyster sauce
-1 tb hoisin sauce
-2 tb rice vinager
Marinate the tofu cubes in the soy, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, hoisin sauce and rice vinager. Sautee the onions in the black bean sauce over medium low heat until beginning to soften. Add the tofu and marinade and simmer for a few minutes. Add the baby corn and brocolli and cover. Simmer until brocolli is tender.
-1 head brocolli, cut in flowerettes
-1 can baby corns, but into bite size pieces
-1/2 onion, thinly sliced
-1 tb chili black bean sauce
-1 tb chili garlic sauce
-2 tb soy sauce
-2 tb oyster sauce
-1 tb hoisin sauce
-2 tb rice vinager
Marinate the tofu cubes in the soy, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, hoisin sauce and rice vinager. Sautee the onions in the black bean sauce over medium low heat until beginning to soften. Add the tofu and marinade and simmer for a few minutes. Add the baby corn and brocolli and cover. Simmer until brocolli is tender.
Labels: brocolli, dinner recipes, homemade, tofu
Lunch at Bistro Burger, San Francisco, CA
BBQ Sandwich (sans bread) $10
A bit sweet, but plentiful and juicy.
Caesar SaladServed with the sandwich above. Not very flavorful.
Breakfast at Home
Monday, December 18, 2006
Dinner at Home
Low Carb Chicken Fajitas
Usually we make these with steak, but we have been eating A LOT of steak lately.
-6 chicken thighs
-cumin, salt and pepper to taste
Season meat on both sides. Place in a hot pan over medium heat and cover. Flip after a few minutes. Cover and cook until done. Dice meat and set aside.
-2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
-1 onion, thinly sliced
-6 cloves garlic, minced
-salt and pepper to taste
Sautee all ingredients over medium low heat in a bit of olive oil until carmelized. Set aside.
Pile meat, onions/peppers, avocado, tomato, salsa, cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt on a low carb tortilla.
-cumin, salt and pepper to taste
Season meat on both sides. Place in a hot pan over medium heat and cover. Flip after a few minutes. Cover and cook until done. Dice meat and set aside.
-2 bell peppers, thinly sliced
-1 onion, thinly sliced
-6 cloves garlic, minced
-salt and pepper to taste
Sautee all ingredients over medium low heat in a bit of olive oil until carmelized. Set aside.
Pile meat, onions/peppers, avocado, tomato, salsa, cheese and sour cream or Greek yogurt on a low carb tortilla.
Labels: chicken, dinner recipes, homemade, Mexican
Lunch at All Season Restaurant, San Francisco, CA
We heard that there was a dim sum place in the financial district, something we've been trying to find ever since the relocation of Harbor Village, a quality dim sum place that used to be in the Embarcadero Center. Sadly, All Season, didn't quite fit the bill. It was more of a buffet/lunch counter and was sort of sub-par greasy Chinese food. For 3 people, way too much food (including half of a duck) it was about $35. We think most people spend about $5 here.
Steamed Pork Buns (dry), Har Gow (falling apart), Potsickers (standard)
Sui Mai
Not terrible.
Roast Duck
Not bad, actually.
BBQ Pork
Lots of it. This was the best thing we had: juicy, flavorful and not grisly at all.
No Website
Health Code Violations
Steamed Pork Buns (dry), Har Gow (falling apart), Potsickers (standard)
Sui Mai
Not terrible.
Roast Duck
Not bad, actually.
BBQ Pork
Lots of it. This was the best thing we had: juicy, flavorful and not grisly at all.
Ratings:
Decor: 0
Food: 0
Service: 0
Decor: 0
Food: 0
Service: 0
Health Code Violations
Labels: Chinese, Decor: 0, Food: 0, restaurant, Service: 0
Breakfast at Home
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Dinner at Home
Fennel Soup
A nice, subtle soup made richer with beef stock.
-2 turnips, peeled and chopped
-1 large fennel bulb, chopped
-5 cloves garlic, peeled
-1 /2 onion, chopped
-4 cans stock
Sautee all veggies in a bit of olive oil. Add stock and bring to a boil. Simmer until veggies are tender, then puree with an immersion blender. Strain to get out any fibrous bits and serve.
-1 large fennel bulb, chopped
-5 cloves garlic, peeled
-1 /2 onion, chopped
-4 cans stock
Sautee all veggies in a bit of olive oil. Add stock and bring to a boil. Simmer until veggies are tender, then puree with an immersion blender. Strain to get out any fibrous bits and serve.
Rib-Eye with Garlic-Sage-Orange Butter with Green Salad
This was a juicy steak pan fried in a bit of butter and olive oil and topped with a compound butter made from a bit of fresh orange juice, minced garlic and minced fresh sage.
Labels: beef, dinner recipes, fennel, homemade, soup
Brunch at Jillian's, San Francisco, CA
Breakfast Burrito $10
We asked for bacon on the side but they misunderstood and put it in the burrito. It was a serendipitous event and thus turned out alright.
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