Train Ride from Boston to New York

B and I headed to New York for the weekend to visit our friends (thanks for being such wonderful hosts, D&N!). Maybe because I’m so used to flying around the country, I’d never thought of taking the train until B suggested it…I’ve been missing out! The train ride from Boston to New York was filled with gorgeous scenery as we passed through Connecticut and Rhode Island. It was so much more pleasant than sitting in a cramped airplane and actually took about same amount of time as flying (if you factor in time to/from airports, checking in, and security lines). The best part was that the Amtrak ticket cost half of what our plane tickets would have cost…sweet, more money to spend on food! :-9
One of the picturesque towns in Connecticut
Hello, Concrete Jungle!

Masse’s Pastries – A Berkeley Treat

After pigging out at the farmers’ market, B and I were craving something sweet and wanted to check out one of the East Bay’s dessert shops…which brought us to Masse’s Pastries in Berkeley (one of the few open on Sundays).

The woman behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. Because it was our first time there and the display of beautiful desserts weren’t labeled, she actually walked us through each of the pastries. What nice service! It was difficult to choose with so many alluring pastries calling out to us, but we finally decided on:

Passion Fruit Mousse Torte – totally hit the spot. I wanted something *relatively* light, but substantial enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. The passion fruit was bright (but not too tart) and tickled my taste buds among the layers of creamy mousse and moist cake, while the white chocolate wrapping provided a decadent element. That amount of white chocolate was too sweet for me, but I appreciated the pretty packaging and peeled part of it off…like opening a present! B also thoughtfully reminded me that this dessert tasted a lot like our wedding cake (awww, I was so touched that he remembered when I didn’t!)…oooh, we could get one of these when celebrating each anniversary!

Salted Caramel and Pistachio Macaroons - I love practically anything salted caramel (especially the Bi-Rite’s salted caramel ice cream and Starbelly’s salted caramel pot de crème), so I was thrilled to see it in macaroon form. However, these macaroons tasted a little flat and didn’t capture the depth of the salted caramel flavor. The pistachio macaroon actually tasted better. Overall, not the best macaroons I’ve had, but pretty good.

I look forward to trying more of Masse's Pastries the next time I'm in the area.

BITE METER: Masse’s Pastries – 3.8 bites (out of 5)

Jack London Square Farmers’ Market

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, so B and I decided to check out the Jack London Square Farmers’ Market in Oakland (Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market in SF is closed on Sundays). Similar to the Ferry Plaza, this farmers' market has tents set up along a waterfront, giving it a beautiful backdrop. There’s also a soon-to-open plaza/building for permanent local vendors.
What I liked about this market:
- Has more of a festive vibe and family-oriented atmosphere than the one in San Francisco
- The prepared food stands were excellent! My favorites were the Indian food stand (forget name, but not Sukhi’s), East & West Gourmet Afghan Food stand, and Cholita Linda’s taco stand.
- Tons of seating on the lawn and along the water with gorgeous views
- Parking was surprisingly easy

What I didn’t like about this market:
- There were only a few produce stands and the selection was slim. (Keep in mind, that I’ve been spoiled by the size and number of vendors at the Ferry Plaza for several years)
- It's relatively small and doesn't take long to cover the whole market
- They don’t proactively give out of free samples and let you try the fresh produce/food

Chicken Tikka Masala Naan Roll – my favorite eat of the day! You must come to the Indian food stand and get one. I forget their name, but make sure it’s the one with a portable tandoori oven. I was really impressed that they actually had a tandoori oven at a food stand to ensure the quality of their naan…and you can definitely taste the difference! It’s warm, soft, and a little bit crispy on the outside, but not too doughy on the inside - basically, awesome. There were many different types of naan rolls, but I chose the one filled with savory and spicy chicken tikka masala…DELISH!! [Tip: the naan rolls are large and quite filling, so I recommend sharing one if you want to eat at more than one food stand]

East & West Gourmet Afghan Food – I was smitten as soon as I tasted a sample of their spinach bolani (thin, stuffed flat-bread) topped with their garlic mint cheese spread and sweet jalapeno jelly. YUM!! I loved the interplay of the cool mint and creamy cheese with the sweet spice of the jelly, and the bolani was the perfect canvas. Of course, I had to buy some!
Cholita Linda – their mint limeade is a must! Refreshing and thirst-quenching. I also liked their spit-roasted chicken taco (the fish taco was just ok), and appreciated the side of tortilla chips with oxacan cotija cheese.
Golden Nugget Mandarins – I’ve never seen such wrinkly and bumpy oranges before. Fortunately, they taste better than they look.
Organic Strawberries – Beware of this stand! The strawberries looked beautiful when we purchased them, but went bad and molded the very next day...grrr.
BITE METER: Jack London Square Farmers’ Market – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

Lafitte (Pricy Petite Portions) with a Cozy Finish at Candybar

Since our schedules have been so crazy, I decided to take B out on a date to Lafitte, which just opened this month (yes, guys deserve to be taken on dates too!). Chef Jackson Russell is best known for his underground supperclub, so I assumed the daily-changing menu at Lafitte would be an extension of his talents. Sadly, it was a big let down – the food was just ok, and some of the portions were comical. Our waiter was also too soft spoken and didn’t describe the menu items very well – perhaps he was new and was very unsure of himself. Oh well, at least we had a snug corner table to enjoy each other’s company even if we didn’t entirely enjoy the food…

Manila Clams, Lamb Sausage, & Pain de Mie – ok, I will happily pay any amount for good food but if you're going to charge $14 for FOUR small clams and a flimsy slice of bread, it better be damn good! But alas, it was not. And the phallic-looking piece of dry sausage didn't help either. The clams and broth did have a nice, spicy kick though – too bad I hardly had any bread to sop it up with. That was another annoying thing…at least serve bread with the meal if your appetizer portions are going to be so small!

Sautéed Quail with Braised Artichokes – the quail was well seasoned, but the skin had a jelly-like texture and needed more of a sear. The artichokes were overcooked. So really, all I got was one puny piece of mediocre quail….there goes another $14.
Sautéed Breast of Duck, Beet Greens, Rutabaga Puree with Brandy Whole Grain Mustard Sauce – I thought it was impossible, but they somehow managed to make duck unappetizing. This duck was unevenly cooked and rubbery. The brandy mustard sauce was decent, but not good enough to disguise the chewy duck. I did like the rutabaga puree though; it was like a lighter version of a sweet potato mash. Bye, bye $26.
Roast Loin of Pork with Fingerling Potatoes & Spring Onions – the only dish that I thought was worth the price ($24). The pork had been sous vide and was tender with an elegant flavor. The potatoes and spring onions were also nicely cooked and tasted fresh.
Needless to say, I was still hungry and unsatisfied after our meal, so I decided to take B somewhere else for dessert. No way was I going to order any more food from Lafitte!

We headed to Candybar, a “dessert lounge” (thanks for the recommendation, N!). We shared the Apple a la Mode (hazelnut crust, cream cheese filling, topped with caramel, layers of thinly sliced apples, and gingerbread ice cream)…yummmmy! It was so good, we devoured it in 5 seconds flat. The dessert was rich, sweet, and perfectly complemented by the spicy gingerbread ice cream.

Believe me, we were tempted to order another dessert but the wine from dinner had made me sleepy. There are very few dessert-focused eateries in SF and I was very happy to find Candybar. I loved it’s cozy atmosphere – part art gallery, part café, and part bar. I will definitely be back for more sweets!

BITE METER: Lafitte – 2.0 bites (out of 5)
BITE METER: Candybar – 4.0 bites (out of 5)

Ironside - Iron Solid Lunch

Ironside is a casual restaurant serving creative and tasty sandwiches and pizzas. For lunch, order at the counter and they bring your food to you. The restaurant has an industrial shed feel with a bit of Texas flair, and the staff is very nice.

Grilled Snapper Sandwich with Jalapeno Aioli, Pickled Onions, Butter Lettuce, Cilantro, & Thai Basil – lots of components, but delectably cohesive taste. All of the ingredients worked together to make a great sandwich. The grilled snapper was served hot right off the grill with a nice, smoky char while maintaining its moistness. The bread was light and soft so it didn’t distract from the fish, and the jalepeno aioli was restrained. The sandwich comes with a small side salad, but the piggy in me would’ve have rather had a side of crispy fries.

Roasted Mushroom Pizza with Béchamel, Kale, Roasted Garlic, & Thyme – the flavors of the mushrooms really flourished, while the béchamel sauced added a rich, creamy dimension to the pizza. The roasted garlic wasn’t too strong and provided a slight sweetness. And just when I wanted some saltiness to cut the richness, I’d taste some of the little salt crystals sprinkled on the pizza…Mmmmm, just right.
My lunch at Ironside intrigued me enough to want to come back and check out their dinner.

BITE METER: Ironside – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

Firefly – Like Eating at a Friend’s Home, Only Nicer

Firefly has been on my list of restaurants to try for years, but it kept slipping my mind until a coworker reminded me of it recently (Thanks, C!). I thought Firefly was really cute from the outside and was immediately enchanted as soon as I walked inside – it felt so welcoming and relaxed. And the staff was just as easygoing and kind. I felt so comfortable, like I was having dinner at a friend’s place.

And in step with their warm atmosphere, was their terrific food. Firefly serves an updated take on traditional American food. It’s down-to-earth, straightforward, and delicious. I came here to catch up with a friend, and this place was the perfect setting for long conversations over wine and food.

Shrimp and Sea Scallop Potstickers with Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce – I was a bit skeptical about this random Asian dish on the menu, but R assured me they were good…and man, was she right! The plump, thinly-wrapped potstickers were filled with moist chunks of shrimp and scallops. They had a perfect crispy sear on the outside, and filled my mouth with sweet, succulent seafood as I bit into them.

Wild Mushroom Pot Pie with Leeks, English Peas, Fiddlehead Ferns and Frisée–Pickled Shallot Salad – simply delicious. Without overcomplicating the food, I could really taste freshness of each ingredient…sumptuous mushrooms, firm peas, the crisp frisée. The pot pie was comforting, yet surprisingly light…there wasn’t a lot cream, and the crust on top was nice and flaky, but not greasy. I usually find frisée to be too bitter, but the citrus-pepper dressing and the pickled shallots kept the salad bright and tangy.
Roasted Irish Sea Trout with Asparagus, Pea Leaves, Toasted Nori and Creamy Lemon–Sesame Vinaigrette – I had a bite of R’s dish, and thought it was very well executed. The Irish sea trout was rich and meaty like salmon, and the skin side had a lovely crisp.
Fromage Blanc Panna Cotta with Poached Rhubarb and Graham Cracker Shortbread – such an understated, elegant dessert. The thick and creamy fromage blanc panna cotta had a subtle sweetness, which was enhanced by the poached rhubarb. The flavors were light and well-balanced as well as the textures.

I enjoyed my entire experience at Firefly and can see myself frequenting this restaurant. I will definitely be coming back for their Prix Fix Menu on Sundays through Thursdays - any appetizer, entrée, and dessert for only $35 / person…definitely a bargain for their high quality ingredients and spectacular food.

BITE METER: Firefly – 4.5 bites (out of 5)

Tacolicious – True to Their Name

I finally had a chance to have lunch at the Ferry Plaza’s Thursday Market (it’s hard to get away from that thing we call work). I had been hearing about Tacolicious’ stand for the longest time and am sooooooo glad I finally tried it. True to their name, their tacos were deee-licious!!

For $9, I had 3 soft tacos which consisted of 2 layers of corn tortillas and a generous pile of meat:
- Shot-and-a-beer braised Petaluma chicken
- Traditional carnitas
- Guajillo braised beef short rib


Both the chicken and carnitas were excellent – moist and layered with flavor. Not too salty or greasy either. The beef short rib was a bit too dry, so I wouldn’t recommend it. I also really liked avocado sauce they serve with the tacos – adds a smooth, creamy element.

I’d also recommend enjoying the tacos with their citrus punch – light, refreshing, and just a touch of sweetness.

FYI - Tacolicious recently opened a permanent restaurant in the Marina…not as fun as a taco stand, but it offers a larger menu. If only I could find more time for lunch on Thursdays…

BITE METER: Tacolicious – 4.0 bites (out of 5)

NOPA – No Ordinary Porkchop Ambitions

NOPA was much larger than I had expected. It’s a open loft-like space with high ceilings and gigantic windows. The restaurant was packed at 6:30pm on a weekday – a diverse mix of diners, families (a rare sight in most SF restaurants), and folks at the bar. Unfortunately, the service suffered. My friend and I waited over 15 minutes for our waitress to take our order, and finally flagged one down someone so we could at least order a drink.

Little Fried Fish & Sauce Romesco – the fish had a slightly unpleasant metallic taste and could have used more seasoning, but the sweetness of romesco sauce was a nice complement.

Shaved Asparagus Salad, Bacon, Sherry Onions, & Poached Eggs – baconlicious! The thick cuts of bacon were so tasty, and the oozing yolk from the perfectly poached egg pulled all the components together…hearty and flavorful, just like I like my salads.
Housemade Tortelloni, Fava Bean Puree, Wild Mushroom, & Ricotta Salata – the pasta had a nice, firm texture, but overall this dish was bland and uninteresting…even the earthiness from the mushrooms seemed watered down.
Country Pork Chop, Artichoke Hearts, Kumquats, & Polenta – WOW! This pork chop was lip-smacking good! It was thick, juicy, and packed with savory goodness. They brine the pork, which keeps it tender and locks in the flavors. This is one of THE BEST pork chops I’ve had in a very long time. The polenta and artichokes were also good, but I couldn’t focus on anything other than that beautifully seared hunk of meat!
NOPA does a phenomenal job with their meat dishes (particularly pork), but the other items I had were lackluster, so I would say come here and be a carnivore…and definitely do NOT eat here without having the pork chop! Oink, oink, baby!

BITE METER: NOPA – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

Red Crawfish – Feast for Forty Bucks

Living in the Bay Area, one of the foods that I miss most is crawfish. Unfortunately, good crawfish joints are quite rare out here. So I was thrilled when B’s aunt told me about Red Crawfish last year. Since it’s crawfish season once again, I went back to here to chow down. The taste and quality of their crawfish is a bit inconsistent, but their set dinner specials are GREAT deals and hard to resist.

For $40, you can easily fill up 2 people with:
- Garlic Bread
- Sweet potato fries
- 3 lbs of crawfish
- Garlic noodles
- Beignets and vanilla ice cream

Beware of squirting crawfish sauce - a bib is a must!

The crawfish were smaller than expected and cooked in too much oil; nevertheless, I still enjoyed biting into these spicy little critters.
I love how they batter their sweet potato fries. Just a sprinkle of salt and cayenne pepper would’ve made them perfect.
You can never go wrong with garlic noodles..such buttery goodness. Just don’t kiss anyone afterwards!
My friends also ordered a Dungeness crab. I was impressed by the huge size and freshness…will definitely have to get myself one next time!
Basically, don't expect a nice place or spectacular service, but do expect good food at a great price.

BITE METER: Red Crawfish – 3.5 bites (out of 5)