Monique's BLOG 肥加菲日記

I fist saw this cookbook last time I was in a San Francisco bookstore. They featured it because Tartine is a bakery in the city, opened up by a bakers couple.

This time, as I saw it again, I decided to look up the bakery's location and add it to my Food Tasting Adventure. The same evening as our Mexican outing, we went to try out Tartine Bakery, located in the same Mission neighbourhood.

The shop closes at 7PM and we arrived at 6:30. There're no close-up specials but customers kept lining up for the pastries! When I ordered my Lemon Cream Tart ($5.50), there were 5 left in the fridge. By the time we settled down at a table to eat, there were none left.

After I took a bite at the tart, I'm not surprised. This is absolutely DELICIOUS! The sweet tart shell is crisp (remember it's almost closing time so not 'fresh') and just the right thickness. The best part is the lemon cream, totally silky, totally creamy, totally decadent! The filling tastes just right, not too tart, not too sweet, and most important, it is not set stiff but just enough to be soft and melty. I was in heaven eating that tart. And even H, who doesn't like tartness, found it amazing.

H wanted to order the Banana Cream Pie but there were none left by the time we arrived at the start of the line. The last two were taken by the people 2 spots in front of us... So, he settled for the Chocolate Pudding instead. We weren't expecting much, but at the first scoop: yummy! Such a rich and deep chocolate flavour and so creamy.

It was indeed a great experience and I even thought of returning on the following day... but resisted the urge. I had to leave some space for others! But I have to say, Tartine was the best of them all.

Before we tasted the goodies, I said to H: "I'll buy the book if I like the desserts". After my first bites, I was at the counter asking for the cookbook! And now, p.49 (Lemon Tart), p.54 (Banana Cream Pie), p.177 (Chocolate Pudding) are already bookmarked!

Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St.
415.487.2600

Last year, we wanted to check out the newly opened Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts during the Doors Open, however, the lineup was so long, we had to give up. Knowing that this year, we arrived 15 minutes before the opening time (10AM) and waited to enter to start our visit.

When we arrived, there was already quite a few people waiting... look how mad H was!

The building is very pretty, with lots of natural lights and glass.

This is an open area where people can sit for free music performances. But I checked their schedule and these concerts are from 12 - 1PM during the weekday! I guess only retired people and housewives can attend?

The auditorium is built according to the highest standards of accoustics and is certified so.

The little holes on the chairs' supports help with air flow to cool down the room.

And once again, I went for a visit of the washrooms!

Because I had my Pie Class on Sunday, we only had time to visit 1 site of Doors Open.

May 26 & 27 was the weekend for Doors Open Toronto, an event where 150 buildings open up for the general public to visit.

On Saturday, we visited The Gooderham House (a house built in 1889 that is now converted into a restaurant), the HOK studio (an architecture office that received the LEED-CI Gold award for its environmentally friendly components). The 2 locations didn't leave a big impression but the following Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex took my heart away! I have found my dream wedding reception venue... unfortunately, 8 months too late!

The Governor's Room with its 27' ceiling and 300-800 people capacity!

The Artifacts Room was decorated in a modern way with long tables and a very dim decor.

Look at these cupcakes!

The complex has 4 different reception halls and they were all occupied and being decorated for evening events.

Even the washrooms were spacious and comfy!

My favourite is the Courtyard, the perfect place for my dream outdoor wedding ceremony!

After that, we went to see the newly open BMO Field, which has 20,000 seats. I'm not a soccer fan so I don't think I'll ever see this place again, even when David Beckham comes this summer!

The Mission is not a place to be late at night... it doesn't have a good reputation in terms of security and it is mainly populated by Mexican immigrants. However, it is a great place for cheap eats!

I meet up with H after he finishes work and we take the BART so that he can show me this neighbourhood. We start with 2 Chicken tacos ($4.50) at Papalote. We share the dish and take up a table for less than $5! How they make a living, I wonder... The tacos are totally fresh and yummy!

After a long walk, we restaurant-hop to another taqueria, El Farolito, which is located right beside the BART station. It is even more populated than the previous one and the food looks even yummier!

The kitchen is visible from the window and all I can see is meat, meat and more meat on the grill!

We order a Chicken Super Burrito ($4.95) made with beans, rice, chicken, tomato, sour cream, avocado, etc. It's huge but delicious and we can't finish!

Also, we try a Steak taco and a Pork taco ($1.95 each). I find these more delicious than the ones we had at the Papalote. There're 2 soft shells, lots of cilantro and it's so juicy!

Papalote
3409 24th St.
415.970.8815

El Farolito
2779 Mission St.
415.641.0758

Once again, I have to clarify that my trip to SF isn't only about eating. Although... food was the main target!  To prove to you that I did something else than eat on this trip:

After lunch on the 2nd day, my sons and I headed to Golden Gate Park to visit the Chomp! exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers. The conservatory isn't big but contains many species of flowers and has some georgous orchids as well as water plants.

Finally, I reach the special exhibit of carnivorous plants. I learn that there're actually different types of carnivorous plants. The most well-known one is the snap trap ones, which are also often featured in cartoons. Then, there's the one that has beads of glue on its 'arms' to trap insects. Finally, the third type is in the shape of a tube and it waits for its victims to fall in.

Thanks to H's co-workers who are real foodies, H has been introduced to quite a few good restaurants on his previous business trips to SF. And this time, it is his turn to show those restaurants to me.

On Day 2, I met H for lunch and we had Indian food at Mehfil. It seems that San Franciscans seldom bring their own lunches because most restaurants are packed during lunch time and there're line ups everywhere for take out orders. Mehfil was no exception and I'm sure the daily-changed lunch menu makes them even more attractive.

We order 2 set lunches, which include lentil soup, salad, balsmatic rice and naan bread.

H orders a Mango Lassi for me, knowing that I love mango. He appreciates it too because the yogurt based drink helps him fight the spicyness of the food! 

The tandoori chicken breasts are huge, strongly spiced and just... too dry.

This other chicken dish (I forgot the name) goes great with rice and naan and is seasoned with cilantro and curry.

Mehfil Indian Cuisine
600 Folsom St.

Continuing on my Food Tasting adventure, I was excited to start Day 2 because the bakery I was looking for is located near the California cable car line. Unfortunately, as I got to the station, I was told that the cable car is out of service. Apparently, the cable snapped or something and the entire line wasn't working. Such disappointment! Still, the city is very efficient and there was already a shuttle bus in service.

Lotta's Bakery is smaller than I expected, and in an area that isn't all that 'glamourous'. Nevertheless, I go in (and I'm probably the first customer of the day) and first take a look at the little store front. There isn't much on display but I still have a hard time deciding on my order.

I ask for the store's specialty and more than once, the person suggests this Raspberry Coffee Cake ($1.95). I'm not a raspberry fan and was at first hesitant, but since he insists so much, I decide to trust him. And what a right decision! The cake is wonderfully moist, faintly sweet and has a little crunch from the crumble on top. Wow, it is a refreshing change from the bad experience I had the previous day. My faith in my foodie search had been restored.

Since I travelled all the way looking for that bakery, I couldn't possibly just leave with one little piece of cake. I also get an assortment of Cookies ($5/dozen) that includes: ginger, peanut butter, choco chip, oatmeal, cornmeal, coconut, etc. They have a very homemade feel to them. Not bad.

This ice cream parlour, Polly Ann, is located in Outer Sunset, a totally residential area. Apart from me, I'm not sure anyone would make the trip all the way to get an ice cream cone. But I was in the area and plus, the magazine 7x7 San Francisco made an 'Editor's Pick' mention of it, so it must be tried! When I get there, I discover that the 52 year-old shop is Chinese owned. It is full-packed with kids finishing school and I must be the oldest client there.

I order a Champagne Sherbet ($1.95) that very refreshing and not overly sweet. But with the chilly weather and wind (it is very close to the shore), I have to double wrap my scarf around my neck. Ah... what wouldn't I do for my tasting adventure!

The same day, I also tried Tartine Bakery but that place is worth a mention on its own so I'll do so in a later blog entry!

Lotta's Bakery
1720 Polk St.
415.359.9039

Polly Ann
3138 Noriega St.
415.664.2472

Unlucky me missed week 3's class, which was a Banana Layer Cake. And on week 4, we made these 2 simple and basic cakes. I would have prefered missing this class instead!

The Angel Food Cake came out really well. Fluffy and high and so light. This is my first time making this cake, and really, I was never interested by it. First, I find it way too sweet. Plus, it uses too many egg whites and I wouln'd know what to do with the remaining egg yolks!

A little accident happened when we made the Orange Chiffon... I forgot to put in the sugar and had to add it at the very end... While mixing the batter, I already knew that something was wrong, but couldn't think of an explanation... *sigh* I'll blame it on my too talkative and not hard-working enough partner.  (Sorry A moon, this chiffon was a real disappointment! )

I've done so much walking the past 2 days... my body and my legs are screaming for rest. Plus, I'm planning on a trip to the outer-city tomorrow, so I've decided to take it slow today. After a morning-early afternoon spent at Pacific Heights and Japantown, I'm now back at the hotel for a break.

Also, I feel bad to be updating my blog in the evening when that's the only time I get to spend some moments with my sweet H.  So, might as well catch up on some posts during this time on my own!

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For our 3rd Pie class, we started with the Pumpkin Pie, which really should be served in autumn only. People seem to be quite weary to see this pie outside of that time frame.

I haven't tasted it but feedback from my classmates weren't great. Although... my co-workers and H finished it all up. It is best served with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream on the side.

The Lemon Meringue Pie is a spring-time favourite. Lemon is the flavour of choice for its freshness when the weather warms up. The tartness of the lemon curd combined with the sweetness of the meringue is a perfect match. The combination balances each other and the meringue is so fluff it reminds me of marshmallow. Of course, the browning of the peaks gives an amazing effect to the whole pie. 

One of the main goal of this trip is FOOD. I want a taste of the local food, concentrating on the pastries! And there're so many bakeries in San Francisco, it's unbelievable. At the rate I'm eating, I've got to cross my fingers I don't gain a few pounds after this trip!

Yesterday, I started at the Westfield SF Center, the magnificent downtown mall that I'm head over heel in love with. The shops are amazing, the mall itself beautiful and the food court so yummy. Unfortunately, the snacks I had could have been better.

Cocola

After much walking, I took a rest at this coffee shop, located on the 4th floor of the mall. It is very nicely decorated and has a Victorian feel to it with its big chandelier. I didn't get to try it out last time so decided to do so this time.

The Strawberry Eclair ($4.60) was chewy and soft and has probably been sitting there for a few days or so. The berries were rare and at this price, it is a total rip-off! The Hot Chocolate ($2.40) wasn't really hot and taste bitter. Plus, it was served in a paper cup even though the salesperson at the counter asked me if it was for here or to go.

Tom's Cookies

The cookies looked amazing and there was such a big variety! We ordered the Chelsea Cookie ($2, bone shaped) for Olaf and the Almond Truffle ($2) for H Bear Bear. Neither were too amazing...

Only after 6 months, I'm back to San Francisco.

Because H needs to be here for his work, and because this would be his last visit before heading out to Australia, we decided that I should tag along for a short vacation. So, here I am, for a few days. Since H has to work during the day time, I will mostly be wandering around town on my own, trying to get a feel of life as a 'local'. We did all the main touristy attractions last November so this time, I want to spend more time looking around, tasting foods, visiting shops and relaxing.

I have already started doing so by visiting a high-end supermarket inside the SF Center. I find there're so many products that we don't carry in Canada! And finally, I got my hand on some instant espresso coffee, a baking ingredient I've been looking everywhere to buy. Yes, I know, I'm totally crazy, totally addicted!

It is so nice to come in the summer, when the sun sets much later. I still remember when we were here last time, we always had to rush our days because day light only lasted till 5PM. Ok, my break at the hotel has been long enough and I should enjoy the sun out there now. See you soon!

Tomorrow, H and I will board an early flight (5-somthing AM?!) to San Francisco and with my Cake Class tonight, I probably won't have time to update my blog. Therefore, I'm using my lunch break to post this entry.

Don't worry, I'll still be blogging while in SF, so see you soon!

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Last Friday, a few of us went out for lunch to celebrate co-worker C's birthday. We decided on this Nando's restaurant, which serves Portuguese grilled chicken. Delicious!

You can order your chicken in different level of spiciness but they also have sauces on the table for you to add an extra kick! I ordered my chicken legs in medium-hot but it was quite mild so I kept pouring the HOT Peri-Peri sauce!

This is my 2 legs with spicy fries. The chicken is grilled on open fire, very juicy and tasty!

The chicken can also come with salad, yummy!

These are sauces for purchase. The ones int he back are cooking sauces, the ones on the left for marinade, and the little ones are chili sauces of different hotness.

Co-worker C is an EXTREMELY picky eater. He eats a lot, but only certain food. Before our lunch, we were worried whether or not he'll like it. And the meal got his approval! This says a lot on the quality of the food.