The evening of fun started at this restaurant in the civic center / tenderloin reataurant, a few blocks from the bar that was the next stop. Yelpers claimed authentic Thai food. Unfortunately, my Thai friend couldn’t make it to judge. But IMHO, the flavor were stronger and more complex than the typical Thai-americanized restaurant.

We shied away from the more adventurous options (frog, alligator), but our dishes were still delicious. In paricular, the fish cake appetizer, the spicy catfish and the spicy beef (#93) were fantastic. Unfiltered sake helped to wash it all down.

The atmosphere is friendly and clean, though not particularly unique (sort of like chinese restaurants). Prices are very reasonable, $8 -$10 for most entrees. I’d definitely go back!

730 larkin b/t ellis and olive

I was starving. (Note: going to a slightly nicer place for brunch is not the most cost-effective way of filling a post-run hypoglycemia.) So L split the beef carpaccio with me as an appetizer. I have previously had a negative experience with beef carpaccio, but this one was a keeper. Exquisitely thin slices of beef seemingly papered in one fine layer on the plate, served with mache, a few potato chips and a mustard aioli. I’ve had some carpaccios where the aioli is thickly slathered on or otherwise too rich; this one was just right. I ate most of it…

I ordered the poached eggs atop duck with frisee. There was a certain seasoning to the duck that I no longer recall and a very interesting berry type of ingredient as well, that made it just a bit different from a standard poached egg dish. Everything was well-done and delicious in my dish, but I have to say that I didn’t feel that it all melded together smoothly. At least in comparison to L’s entree, which I think won the entree contest. She ordered the Champagne and Chanterelle omelet with truffle oil and cheddar. It was heavenly. A light scent of truffle, woodsy chanterelles and a creamy consistency – decadently delicious. I am usually wary of ordering omelettes, which often disappoint me, but in this case, I would have ordered the omelette if I were to do it all over again.

They also have an interesting drink menu. We tried the fellini (grapefruit juice and a bit of Aperol instead of peach bellinis – delicious) and the elderflower drink (elderflower liquer + champagne + something else?). The elderflower drink was a bit watery in my opinion, so I would avoid that.

Oh! And they have an oyster bar. I didn’t sample it today, but it looked quite good with lots of local options. Standard oyster pricing.

Our bill was a little high with the drinks and the extra “I’m-starving” appetizer, but if you were to go a more standard entree + alcoholic brunch drink, you’d probably end up around $30-35 including tax and tip.

Entrees ~$10-15, Brunch cocktails ~$10

Mission b/t 21st & 22nd

Three lovely words. Well, I feel a little ambivalent about “chicken.” But modified by “fried”…well, that’s pretty close to heaven.

I went there for a mid-week study break back during my boards days with one S.L. Running late per my usual norm, I found S already setup at one of BB’s whimsical old-school ironing-board tables with fried chicken sandwich and lemon ices ready to eat. I was only sad that I got to eat only half of that fried chicken-y deliciousness. Better for my arteries I suppose. But as I’ve learned in med school, my aorta already has a nice creamy layer of atherosclerosis. So I might as well…bring on the fried chicken!

If you somehow have managed to not have a fried chicken sandwich yet (e.g. if you are some ridiculous “vegetarian” of sorts), it comes heaped with a spicy slaw on a fresh, crusty bun. And you might also get to finish your meal with a free cookie that Bakesale Betty (an Australian native, I learned) herself might pass out to you while you wait in line.

Don’t be too cowed by the line — it moves rapidly. And head inside to check out the fried chicken factory line when you’re done. Take home some delectable baked goods too!

Fried chicken sandwich ~$7

Bakesale Betty, telegraph & 51st

Their niche offering in this strip of pseudo-gentrifying/hipster-fying San Pable Ave seems to be their single-cup drip coffee, a la Philz coffee, albeit with a fraction of the coffee bean selection. They also offer a homemade, well-spiced chai tea, crafted by one of the owners’ brother who spent some time in India.

They offer a small selection of baked goods (often fresh), sandwiches and other cafe-like fare. I’ve only tried some of their baked goods, which have been quite satisfying (I quite like their pear-ginger muffins).

My only quibble about local 123 is the occasionally faulty service (they’ve forgotten about my coffee a couple of times) and a weird phenomenon where their caffeinated beverages never seem to wake me up quite enough. Either that or I am consistently extra tired when I come here for my morning jolt. I still prefer Leila’s atmosphere, but if you’re a San Pablo Ave local, it’s an easy pop-in for coffee.

Single cup drip coffee $2, lattes $2.25-$3.25, teas $2-$3, baked goods $2-3

Local 123, San Pablo just south of University

Okay, so I didn’t really make it. Chez Panisse itself is entirely out of my budget. But the cafe is not! So I invited G along and went to sample their dinner. (Note to self: catch-up dinners are not the right kind of dinners when you want to pay attention to the food — the food ended up being a bit of a blur since talking required some effort.)

It started off on a great note, with a good waiter’s recommendation of the Barbera d’Asti over the Rioja (if only I could remember more details about the label in order to get it again). I ordered the quail ($24), which was from some local farm whose name I didn’t recognize and was accompanied by polenta, figs and sage, and some sort of sauteed pepper/onion medley. The polenta had actual pieces of corn in it. Truth be told, I would have preferred it without. But the quail was absolutely delicious. Perfectly done in terms of moistness and filled through and through with flavor. None of that “in-the-middle-of-the-chicken-dry-and-flavorless-spot.” Although I suppose it’s quite a bit easier to achieve when it’s a tenth of the size of a chicken.

Dessert, unfortunately, was a flop. It sounded good on paper: rhubarb tart and strawberry ice cream. But it came out looking oddly like a slice of pizza and far too sugary sweet. The strawberry ice cream, while undoubtedly freshly homemade, just made me think of those Pocky strawberry sticks. Same color, same flavor. I had to pass on the dessert in the end.

The decor is a bit generic American. Quite nice but a little bland. And the noise level is a bit high for having a conversation, at least if you’re two relatively word-swallowing individuals. I realized, while sitting there though, that it’s been quite a while since I’ve been to a nice restaurant not with my family. Such is the life of a grad student…

Still, I’m glad I went and in some ways I’m glad that it didn’t live up to my imagined hype. Perhaps the dining room downstairs would wow. But at least now I don’t feel entirely out of the know when it comes to Alice Waters and I don’t feel a desperate compulsion to get myself to the dining room.

Cafe menu: changes daily, offers a fixed menu ($25-26), appetizers $9-15, entrees $19-25, dessert $9-10

1517 Shattuck b/t Cedar and Vine

I do believe I can consider myself a 3.5 week Berkeley resident (goodness!! have I really been studying for that long???), but aside from my many many hours spent in Cafe Leila and Local 123 (both to be commented upon eventually), I can’t say that I know Berkeley very well.

But tonight was a good night for pretending to be Berkeley. I biked up the hill to Cheeseboard Pizza where their daily pizza (which is their only pizza, so far as I can tell) was: Fresh Corn, Onions, Zucchini, Mozzarrella, Feta, Garlic Olive Oil, and Cilantro Limes. I’m not sure I recall any zucchini. But, it was pretty good.

And at $5 for a slice and a beer, it was like being in heaven. Or some Brooklyn equivalent.

Expect thin crusted pizzas (apparently you can ask for some less baked version – I found it a little overly crispy) with delicious, interesting toppings. Also expect a line. We got there at 6 pm without too much of a wait, but from about 6:45 until 7:45 while we were there, it was a line out the door, down the sidewalk scene. You can also take a whole pizza to go…mmmm. I’ll definitely be heading back before I leave you, Berkeley!

P.S. Next door is the cheeseboard. I didn’t get a chance to go tonight, but will have to go try their cheese at some point.

1512 Shattuck (Gourmet Ghetto)

Charming perhaps for a neighborhood coffee and paper read.

But, less amenable to the laptop worker. A veritable army of outlets is hidden next to the coffee counter and accessible only by one table (mine). Also, there’s no wifi for the cafe — just spotty wifi picked up from who-knows-where that is currently frustrating me to pieces.

And the latte I ordered this morning is bitter and terrible and was still $3.29. Could be bad luck. But it’s hard to forgive a bad latte at 8:30 in the morning.

I’ll be going back to Cafe Leila tomorrow. Or maybe this afternoon.

Caffe Trieste. San Pablo @ Dwight

It’s kind of quirky and VERY SF with sustainable fish and even a suspicious fish dish! (We weren’t adventurous enough to try a dish where they give you “hints” about how it’s prepared but tell you nothing else.)

It’s a tiny little space that seats maybe 25, waitressed by wannabe hipster missionites, with food that is reasonable and reasonably priced but by no means a go-out-of-your-way find. I had the blackened catfish with mango salsa, which was good (but I could have made it…and I mean that in my amateur cook sense). We split two side orders (you order separately) of mashed yams with coconut milk and spinach sauteed with raisins and shallots. I have to say the mashed yams carried the dinner by far. The white sangria was kind of mediocre (I would just try a glass of wine next time), but the ginger lemonade was exquisite by J’s description.

Overall, kind of a cute place with some gimmicks that I might recommended were I in the neighborhood around dinner time with a couple of friends, but nothing particularly special.

Fishes $9 each, sides $4 each, sangria $6. Also offer fish and chips, tacos, and vegan entrees.

Weird Fish, mission & 18th (2193 Mission Street)

p.s. I forgot that I now own an iPhone. I’ll try to start taking pictures! Amazing technology!

In any case, potrero has a small selection of decent/good restaurants, and I’m quite familiar with almost all of them. Last night, L & I ate at a pizza place (post pending) and then headed over to Aperto for dessert, wine and more fun hanging out (L, I’m so glad you moved to SF!). I’ve been to Aperto many a time with my sister and other friends, and it’s a good staple. It probably won’t blow you away, but the food is always good and reasonably priced (pastas in the teens, entrees in the low-mid twenties, reasonable wine list). I’ve liked pretty much everything I’ve tried there. Last time I had dinner there, I had their spicy pasta dish. (I think it has bacon in it.) It was delish.

It’s easy to get to, a laid-back, cute little place with good food and (for me) good company, so I vote for Aperto. Also, it has more seating than Chez Maman across the street.

P.S. My weird issues with potrero hill geography/orientation are slowly resolving. I’ll get there eventually.

18th & connecticut

But it’s high time that I started reviving my old (and still current but buried) self to be a whole person again.

No, I don’t get to explore fun eateries as much as a grad student, but hopefully an occasional posting or two now and then.

I’ll also eventually get around to fixing the links and creating my own header. Fun projects!

To get started, let me tell you about the phenomenal bakery that you all know about (or should), Tartine. I’ve been here multiple times, and quite frankly, nothing makes me happier than having spent the night in SF and stopping by Tartine on my way home to pick up a coffee and morning bun (delicious orange glaze!) to snack on on the way home. Yes, not terribly a safe driving habit, but at least a delicious one.

Expect a loooong line on weekend mornings (but not too bad – maybe a pleasant 20 minute chat with friends) and weekday lines sometimes too.

Delicious (if pricey) pastries, quiches, tartines (for lunch) and desserts. I’ve had the lemon tart, which is the best I’ve ever had, and their membrillo and (some sort of) cheese tartine is surprisingly amazing. Great for a lazy weekend brunch with friends (walk over to Dolores and soak in the sun) or a quick pick-me-up mood-upper if you’re just dropping by.

Guerrero & 18th; http://www.tartinebakery.com/