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Grant Achatz' Alinea Cookbook
"this volume is not meant to be cooked from as much as it is intended to provide amazement, inspiration, and guidance."
But someone IS cooking from it -- every single recipe!
www.alineaathome.com
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I say skip House of Nanking -- somewhat touristy and all the sauces taste the same (probably because they use only one mother sauce). Instead, head out to San Tung in the Inner Sunset. Their dry fried chicken is legendary (order diced!).
Grant Achatz' Alinea Cookbook
"this volume is not meant to be cooked from as much as it is intended to provide amazement, inspiration, and guidance."
But someone IS cooking from it -- every single recipe!
www.alineaathome.com
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I highly recommend the Mexican food at Guaymas in Tiburon.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
As a former Seattleite (Bainbridge Island, actually), I heartily agree with all the recommendations. We had an amazing meal at the Steelhead Diner last year. I also love Shanghai Garden in the International District. If you have a few hours, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and have brunch/lunch at the Streamliner Diner, about 3 blocks from the ferry terminal. No matter how good or bad the weather is, the 35 minute ride is beautiful. Have a great visit!
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
May I suggest in Seattle...(in no particular order)
Bakeries / Sweets:
Top Pot Doughnuts
Macrina Bakery
Sugar Rush Bakery
Trophy Cupcakes
Hiroki
North Hill Bakery
Sugar Bakery + Cafe
Not just bakeries:
Kingfish Cafe (soul food / killer red velvet cake)
Roti (Indian food)
Lunchbox Laboratory (craziness as detailed above by another user)
Bimbo's Bitchin' Burrito Kitchen
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I also looooove La Mediterranee. I frequent the location in Berkeley, but I know they have one in SF with a slightly different menu, and close and trusted friends who have visited both tell me that the one in SF is tastier.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I second the Cheeseboard in Berkeley... it really is amazing. And if you're in Berkeley, then I also suggest Brazil Cafe. As for SF, skip House of Nanking. As mentioned above, many of the sauces used taste the same.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I just got back from a trip to Portland last week and let me HIGHLY recommend the Clyde Common recs on here, i had a fantastic meal there. The chicken entree was good, as was the pork belly app. For a good burger, check out slow bar.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
cheeseboards for sure and north berkeley's gourmet ghetto is a great place to explore for good food.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
In Pike Place Market, if the Clamdigger Restaurant is still in business, go in for lunch and have their Devil on Horseback sandwich.
In Portland, go to Jake's and get the barbecue crab legs. Awesome.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
If you're right by Pike Place, I second El Puerco Lloron on the Pike Place steps. The machaca is fabulous and you can watch them make the fresh tortillas. I am very bummed to have just found out that my other favorite place closed over a year ago. :( Guess that's what I get for moving away. :( Ivars at any location is good! LOVE the clam chowder. And if you ask "which kind?" don't bother going. :) Oh, and if you want really good coffee (and some mighty tasty baked goods) Cafe Vivace off Broadway is great and a nice break from the worldwide hometown brew. Vivace has another location I haven't tried, and speaking of S-bucks, the original flagship store is right there at Pike Place, too. :) I watched Spoon-man perform right outside there. :)
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Just moved to SF for college, and we've been exploring the city in search of good, cheap food. Our finds:
-For really good, inexpensive Indian/Pakistani food, check out Shalimar on Polk.
-Obviously North Beach has the best Italian, and for really gooey, amazing pizza, check out North Beach Pizza on Grant.
-Really good pizza on the outskirts of the Tenderloin: Supremo Pizza on O'Farrell.
-For really amazing truffle chocolates, hot chocolate, etc, Coco-luxe Confections on Haight is spectacular.
-Squat and Gobble on Haight serves amaaazing crepes but also breakfast, lunch, sandwiches, etc. We go to S & G probably twice a month at least.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
No one has mentioned it yet, but Ten-01(which is right across from Powells) has a "power lunch" for $15. A first course, a second course and then a tray of asst' cookies, truffles, and gelees. A real bargain at in a beautiful space.
Pok Pok is also affordable and somewhat unique.
And, there are tons of happy hours here that offer excellent food, including Ten-01 and Clyde Common(also near Powells), which, I think I would normally put in the "pricey" category if I was an intern.
Biwa and Tanuki are also extremely affordable, japanese, izakaya style restaurants(although the owner of Tanuki considers it a bar. But excellent food).
I also recommend Sahagun chocolates if you're around Wed-Sunday in Portland. Excellent hot chocolate, great chocolates plus homemade sodas and ice creams.
Have a great trip.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Sushi in Portland should be at Murata and Hiroshi. Le Pigeon, Toro Bravo and Sel Gris are also great restaurants on the eastside. These aren't the most budget conscious I admit, but they are all outstanding.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I should've known how hard this would make everything be... now I have to sit down and make some SERIOUS decisions. Luckily I am traveling with a friend with an appetite. We'll be eating little bites from as many places mentioned as possible!
In Seattle, we're staying at the Green Tortoise right across the street from Pike Place Market–looks like I'll be spending at least a good day in there.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I read in the comments about Cheeseboard, and that reminded me of Arizmendi's Bakery in the Sunset District of SF. It's a coop bakery that has creative pizzas and the BEST scones! A must for a delicious breakfast or brunch.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Hopworks is great in portland for an amazing ipa, and the best soft pretzel sticks... ever. I haven't tried the rest of the food, but im sure it's good. The enviroment is really cool too. I recommend
Andina in the peral is awesome Peruvian food, it's a bit expensive though.
Esparza's has amazing texmex in se portland. great tamales and mole.
For cheaper lunch food, Laughing Planet on 21st and also on Hawthorne is a favorite of mine-- lots of veggie stuff and interesting burrito combos.
Pok Pok is always popular.... you should probably go there too.
Ah, I miss portland already..
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Portland memory came to me when thinking of an Asian-food story for that contest thread - go to Saburo for sushi. It's really wonderful.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Just got back from San Francisco, and had great food at Chiaroscuro, Destino, Frascati, and Regalito (in the financial district, the Castro, Russian Hill, and the Mission, respectively).
None are incredibly cheap (my boyfriend and I alternated between eating granola bars and eating at restaurants), but none are outrageous.
There is also a place called The Little Chihuahua on Divisadero Street, which is quite decently priced, and quite good.
Links (their descriptions are better than mine would be):
http://www.chiaroscurosf.com
http://www.destinosf.com
http://www.frascatisf.com
http://www.regalitosf.com
http://www.thelittlechihuahua.com
Highest on my list are the sandwiches served at lunchtime at Chiaroscuro, and the bread pudding at Frascati. And a baby burrito at Little Chihuahua will stave off hunger for many many hours :)
You may also want to try the baked goods at Miette (in the Ferry Building and another location which I cannot remember).
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I agree with emilydev that Fire on the Mountain in Portland is the best place for wings, microbrews and fun. Their "soon to be famous peanut sauce" is addictive! And everything else is good too. Ever have a fried twinkie- if not go and enjoy one. You won't be sorry. The Burnside location is bigger and newer.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
I agree with emilydev that Fire on the Mountain in Portland is the best place for wings, microbrews and fun. Their "soon to be famous peanut sauce" is addictive! And everything else is good too. Ever have a fried twinkie- if not go and enjoy one. You won't be sorry. The Burnside location is bigger and newer.
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
If you're in the Ferry Building in SF - The Slanted Door has wonderful food.
We like Yank Sing for Dim Sum and Brad Ogden's restaurant in the San Francisco Center close by Nordstrom and Bloomindale's is a great place with good service and delicious food -
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Higgins is my favorite spendy restaurant in Portland, but this is the best town for cheap eats! Toro Bravo has AMAZING (and well priced) tapas, and you shouldn't miss a local brew pub (Lucky Lab is very Portland.) Stumptown Coffee is great for a pick-me-up and the Stumptown Annex (on Belmont) has daily cuppings. My favorite hidden gem is a total pit of a taco shack on SE 82nd near Woodstock called Urapan- the best salsas and tacos al pastor I've ever had. Have fun!
Must-Go Places in San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle
Portland - I was just out there and went to some great places. Pokpok & Le Piegon and two place I would go to for sure. Teardrop is a great place for cocktails. Any of the Macminnimans are great too, I really liked the Kennedy School. Be warned through, a lot of places are closed sundays or mondays or both!! And many places stop serving dinner much earlier than any NYer is used too.
Grant Achatz' Alinea Cookbook
What a beautiful cover...
the point is made, but it's really clean. Very appealing
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About vmacsf
Location: San Francisco
About: Living food and eating life.
Favorite foods: Really good artisan bread, summer vegetables, pasta, dolmas, homemade tzatziki, spicy genoa salami, Humboldt fog, lemon curd, anything gratin, dark chocolate, soup on a rainy day, mac n cheese, anything Provencal, ramen (the real kind).
Last bite on earth: How about last meal: Simple mesclun and frisee salad with goat cheese and a lemony vinaigrette; Mac and cheese with bits of lobster and pancetta; 2 dozen kumamotos; either a stone fruit or lemon curd tart; a coffee or cappuccino from Blue Bottle
I say skip House of Nanking -- somewhat touristy and all the sauces taste the same (probably because they use only one mother sauce). Instead, head out to San Tung in the Inner Sunset. Their dry fried chicken is legendary (order diced!).