Went to Ideale in North Beach for the first time in years. We’ve been going to chef Maurizio Bruschi’s restaurants for over 40 years, starting with Pazzia on Third (still going under new owners).
We had a delightful time. The three Italian waiters are super-friendly and create a great atmosphere.
That means “poisonous” but it was a delicious Pecorino.
It’s the kind of place where you can order an artichoke appetizer even though it’s not on the menu, since they roast artichokes for the vegetarian plate. Very good.
Neglected to take a photo of that, or of the spaghetti alla carbonara, which was not emulsified (maybe because Maurizio was visiting Rome) but tasty anyway and we were having such a good time that it didn’t matter.
Tried Seven Hills for the first time. A friend from SoCal had a night at her Nob Hill timeshare she couldn’t use before it expired, so we stayed overnight in the City, which made the location more convenient than usual (parking is miserable and it’s a schlep on public transit). We went there and back on the cable car.
Galette at Grande Crêperie in the Ferry Building: the real deal. Next time I’ll ask for extra butter, it was on the dry side (common problem in the US).
First visit to New Gold Medal in a while. Last time I tried to go they had been closed by the health department. Might be the best food in Oakland after 2:00 am.
Best walnut prawns I’ve had, first version I liked, usually there’s a gross amount of mayonnaise. I don’t really get why they’re served with candied walnuts, but these were very good.
This was a great meal but with a restaurant that’s open 17 hours a day six days a week and 14 hours on Tuesday, I’m skeptical that you’re always going to get a chef that can cook at that level.
Oh, I’m an idiot. I didn’t notice the service charge and tipped $40. At least there was no corkage.
Gary Danko lost its Michelin designation after 17 years as a one-star San Francisco restaurant. Barndiva in Healdsburg, Sushi Shin in Redwood City, and Sushi Yoshizumi in San Mateo all lost their star rating as well.
a couple richmond spots that might be integrated with a visit to arsicault and/or coffee movement on balboa taisan huakee: claypot rice - the thin layer of crunch they get at the bottom of the rice is perfect - just the right thickness, just the right crunch, not hard. the protein options for the rice are adequate but not exceptional. pineapple king bakery: warm bolo bao (pineapple bun) with a healthy pat of soft butter - perfect and consistent every time. they also have other ‘inventive’ bolo bao variations as well as egg tart variations, but the classic bolo bao remains the best choice. cash only but you can order online…
The Village Pub. Flawless cooking with impressive nuances. Wonderful wine list with the best half bottle list I can remember seeing and a terrific wine by the glass list. Quiet and classy. I would eat here once a month if it was in LA. This is what I want from a restaurant.
I was disappointed in the curtido at La Santaneca on Sunday. Didn’t seem as fermented as usual and had less oregano. Still good, just not crazy addictive good like usual. Still one of the best values in the City.
I just walked by there the other day and remarked on how weird it is that Slanted Door never reopened. Funny to go back to that relatively small space but maybe they’ll expand into the next storefront, which also looked vacant.
First I’ve heard that he opened a branch in France.
Tried Saffron Kitchen in Rockridge. A few years back this space was a very popular beer pub, then reportedly the landlords wouldn’t renew the lease, took it over, and reopened their own beer pub as Golden Squirrel, which I think a lot of former customers boycotted. Liquor license changed hands and the new owners turned it into an Afghan restaurant.
Drank a lovely Ch. Musar Jeune Viogner-Vermentino-Chardonnay blend ($52).
Chutneys (come with entrees): the green sauce was so spicy I wonder if the kitchen was used to “tamed” jalapeños and got a spicy batch. Anyway once I got used to how spicy it was it was delicious. Cilantro, tamarind, and I don’t know what else (little or no vinegar).
Ferni ($9) was excellent. I’m not sure I’ve had it before. Cardamom, maybe a hint of rosewater, almonds for texture, dusting of pistachio on top. A must order.
family still on site, quality has managed to transfer to the bernal location. be aware the duck is now default deboned (which i think is not as good as the duck on the bone). i will say - at $33/half duck, the increased quality vs. ming kee is not commensurate to being double the price (and at ming kee you can get the duck in a combo over rice whereas at hing lung when i asked whether duck could be over rice, it was only as a half duck over rice).
the pork belly quality may have actually increased following the move?? - it is definitely the best pork belly in the bay area and the price differential from ming kee is not nearly as significant as for the duck (the small is ~3.5"x5" slab of pork belly).
$8 for rice/greens is not economical if also going to ming kee, unless you have a specific necessity for gai lan rather than ming kee’s cabbage. all the sauces, however, are outstanding.
