Tamal de Queso Estilo Corunda

Nopalito
(1) 415 – 437-0303
306 Broderick Street
(between Oak and Fell)
San Francisco, CA 94117

www.nopalitosf.com

Open Hours:
Daily 11:30 am – 10:00 pm

Nopalito, the smaller offshoot of Nopa, presents local and organic Mexican cuisine with authenticity.  There are plenty of vegetarian options and the meals are exquisitely tasty without being heavy and greasy.  The ultimate test is passed by the house hot sauce provided with each dish;  peppers are peeled then charred, giving a delicious and gentle smoky flavor.

The service was friendly and fairly attentive.  We loved the fact that they took our cell number so we could wander the neighborhood while we waited for our table.  This is so simple I’m amazed I come across it so rarely.  I poked my head into Nopa (about 2 blocks away) and it looked like the large upscale eatery that it is- next trip to San Francisco!

The dish that surprised us the most was the Sandia con Chile y Limón.  Which is slices of  sweet crimson watermelon, chile de arbol, chile guajillo and lime.  This is one of those combinations that I never would have thought of, but makes oh so much culinary sense.

The Tamal de Queso Estilo Corunda (Housemade masa, queso cotija, grazzini squash, poblanos, tomatoes, manzanos chiles and crema) was another soft delight.  The masa really contains a quality that speaks for dedication.

The dish that we ordered twice was the Quesadilla Azul de Hongos (Blue corn tortilla, mushrooms, corn, poblanos, jack cheese, queso fresco and salsa de molcajete).  The mushrooms were deep and flavorful – and this combined with the smoked hot sauce was stunning.

Mexican cooking is on the west coast is an entire step above that on the east.  We really enjoyed the variety and effort that was put into bringing this wonderfully diverse deliciousness to our plates.  Nopalito a true taste of contemporary culinary artistry!

Corn Salad

(above photo © Nopalito)

Quesadilla Azul de Hongos

Sandia con Chile y Limón

Hazelnut Powder Cookies

(above photo © Nopalito)

Blue Bottle Coffee Co.
(1) 510 – 653-3394
315 Linden Street
San Francisco, California 94102

66 Mint St. (corner of Jessie)
San Francisco, CA, 94103

1552 Beach St. #R
Oakland, CA 94608

1 Ferry Building, Market Shop #
San Francisco, California 94111

www.bluebottlecoffee.net

Open Hours:
7:00 am – 7:00 pm  Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm  Saturday
8:00 am – 4:00 pm  Sunday

This San Francisco Institution is named after Central Europe’s first coffee house “The Blue Bottle” in Vienna.  It helped pioneer the new coffee era of small-batch artisan Microroasting.  Serving espresso drinks, drip coffee, French Press along side a nice array of cakes, and biscotti, Blue bottle deserves its reputation.  While it has opened many locations, Blue Bottle seems to be staying true to its roots- serving organic Dairy and remaking coffees; we saw the barista remaking a couple of lattes that had gotten cold as the customer had wandered away and left them on the counter too long.

We visited the Blue Bottle in the excellent Ferry Terminal- home to many excellent local, artisanal restaurants and shops.  Aside from their fare, they also offer a very attractive array of coffee accouterments from french presses and packaged foods to espresso makers.

Caffe Cortado

Arborio Rice Cake, with St George Spirits Sauvignon Blanc Brandy

(above photo © Niall Kennedy)

Il Cane Rosso
(1) 415 – 391 7599
1 Ferry Building, Market Shop #41
San Francisco, California 94111

www.canerossosf.com
www.twitter.com/canerossosf

Open Hours:
8:00 am – 8:30 pm   Monday  – Saturday
10:00 am – 9:00 pm   Sunday

Headed into town with friends we were invited to join them at The Ferry Building.  As we approached, we stifled an inward groan.  From outward appearances, we were expecting another corporate infused feeding trough, where the most exotic thing to be found would be a Pizzera Uno or Boston Market- similar to South Street Seaport in NYC or Fanual Hall in Boston.

Well, we were WRONG! The Ferry Building is a magnificent piece of localvore culture, brimming with excellent shops and eatieries.  We over ate, but it was all worth it and one of the excellent excellent stops was Il Cane Rosso.

Il Cane Rosso is a casual, rotisserie and sandwich shop fronted by beautiful antipasti and headed by a rustic menu.  Kudos to Chefs Lauren Kiino and Daniel Patterson- who have created the perfect “mall” restaurant.  Quick and homey, and very reasonably priced- would all food court restaurants achieve such an admirable combination.

Funny thing – here in NYC there are hundreds of great restaurants, but none that cater to the masses (expect maybe Le Pain Quotidian chain).  This excellent eatery, Il Cane Rosso, and the  entire ferry building is a testament to the food culture that  pervades the city of San Francisco.

If I was a commuter, taking a ferry in and across the bay daily, Il Cane Rosso would be one of the places I walked by each trip to check the days menu!  Their website and twitter account also broadcast the days menu and specials.

Once again – this Ferry Building is where the city of San Francisco really catches my interest.  Perhaps it is the access to the best ingredients in the world, or the general expectations of the populace or maybe it is some excellent city planning?  This really is a foodies’ town.

Some of the dishes we experienced:

MARIQUITA FARM ROASTED PEPPER AND HARICOT VERT SALAD
These peppers really stood out; excellent smokey flavor, with sliced garlic and tomato vinaigrette

GRISTMILL POLENTA WITH PARMIGIANO AND SAGE BROWN BUTTER
This dish made us come back for seconds

ROTISSERIE HERB-RUBBED SOUL FOOD FARM CHICKEN
HERB AND GARLIC ROASTED MARIQUITA FARM POTATOES
Delicate and aromatic with excellent presentation.

MARIQUITA FARM EARLY GIRL TOMATO PANZANELLA
These were some of the best tomatoes we’ve ever had; served with cucumbers,
red onion, arugula and red wine vinaigrette to create a really really tasty salad.

WARM SOUL FOOD FARM EGG SALAD
A lovely open faced sandwich with bagna cauda butter and aged provolone

HEIRLOOM ORGANICS CARROT SOUP
Deep carrot flavor in a lighter then expected soup, served with dill goat cheese.

(above photo © Steve – jetbluestone)

Longleat
(44) 0 198  – 584 5420
(44) 0 198  – 584 4400
Longleat, Warminster,
Wiltshire, BA12 7NW  England

www.longleat.co.uk

Longleat House Opening Hours:
10:00am   –   5:00pm  Monday – Thursday
10:00am   –   5:30pm  Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays

Safari Opening Hours:
10:00am   –   4:00pm  Monday – Thursday
10:00am   –   5:00pm  Friday – Sunday & Bank Holidays
14th February- 22nd February,  Open daily
28th February-  29th March,  Weekends only
4th April – 1st November, Open daily

.

Set deep beyond the forests edge, past the rolloing lawns is Longleat House, one Britain’s most beautiful and stately homes and among the best examples of High Elizabethan architecture.   The first private residence to open its enormous doors to the public, Longleat is located near the towns of Warminster in Wiltshire and Frome in Somerset.  Built by Sir John Thynne, mainly designed by Robert Smythson, in 1580, Longleat recalls countless storybooks and postcards.  It is now home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, a direct descendant of Sir John Thynne, who is an artist, mural painter and sponsor to many aspiring artists.

Longleat House is set within 900 acres (400 hectares) of magnificent Capability Brown landscaped parkland.  A further 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) of woodland, lakes and farmland surround the estate!  In the late 13th Century, a priory belonging to the Black Canons of the Order of St Augustine occupied the site where Longleat House now stands.

As you enter the property during spring, the road is bordered by a most beautiful garden of rhododendrons blooming in every colour.  There are many different activities to partake in, including the House tour, Longleat Hedge Maze, the Safari Animal park, Safari Boat ride, Longleat Railway, Grounds & Garden Walks.  The Library is also quite expansive, where books range from early medieval manuscripts to 19th and 20th-century children’s tales- much like air Longleat itself!

(above photo giraffe © Steve Williams)