The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen – Long Wait for Soup & Sandwich

I was initially skeptical about The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. While I love grilled cheese sandwiches, I didn’t know if a restaurant could serve one worth paying $8 for since homemade ones are so good and easy to make. And second, the whole concept of taking fast food items and calling it "creative" by adding gourmet ingredients has been way overdone. The food scene in San Francisco has been too much about taco stands, food trucks, burger joints, and pizza places for far too long. I’m ready for something new and innovative to excite me again and show what a great culinary city this is!! Come on, people!

Anyways, I digress…back to The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen. There was a long and very slow moving line in front of the restaurant (they only have one register and are working on getting another one). At least the staff was friendly and apologetic about the wait.

I ordered their special which included a small Mousetrap Sandwich (Tillamook sharp cheddar, havarti, and monterey jack cheeses) and a cup of Smoky Tomato Soup with crème fraîche. Simple yet tasty. I thought the tomato soup was actually better than their grilled cheese sandwich. The soup was layered with nice flavors, comforting, and relatively light. And in my opinion, a necessary complement to the thick, crusty bread.

B and I also split the Jalapeño Popper Sandwich. It was interesting with the bacon, goat cheese, and apricot-jalapeño chutney, but I preferred the simple grilled cheese with the tomato soup.

Since it had taken so long to get through the line, I figured I also might as well try one of their desserts while I’m here. And as a gal from the South, I always get excited when I see bread pudding on a menu. Their Sweet Buttermilk Bread Pudding with bourbon-butter sauce was delicious. What I enjoyed most was how moist the bread pudding was and how the buttermilk formed these delicate flan-like pieces on top. Makes my mouthwater just thinking about it!

So was the grilled cheese sandwich worth the 8 bucks? Only of it’s served with the tomato soup.
Was it worth the 45 minute wait? No, very few things are with so many options in SF.
Will I come back? Maybe, but only after they get another register.

BITE METER: The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen – 3.0 bites (out of 5)

Himawari – Stick with the Classics

I haven’t found any great ramen places in San Francisco, so I usually head south of the city when I’m jonesing for a large, warm bowl of ramen. Not in the mood to wait in a long line at Santa Ramen, I decided to check out Himawari which I had recently noticed on my way to Sushi Sam’s. Similar to most ramen joints, Himawari is a small restaurant with poor ventilation. The décor is a bit strange, but I was just happy I only had to wait 10 minutes for a table.

I love clam miso soup, so I thought the Asari (Clam) Shio Butter Ramen would be interesting. Sadly, the broth didn’t have any of that rich clam flavor. It was drowned in butter, and I quickly became bored of its one-note taste. The noodles were good, but didn’t have that chewy hand-made texture of those at Santa Ramen.
Lucky for me, B got a bowl of the Chasu Ramen which was MUCH better. And being the generous hubby that he is, he switched bowls with me so I could enjoy the other half of his ramen. The chasu pork was tender and meaty without being too fatty, and the broth was full of flavor and depth but didn’t feel too greasy. I also appreciated the contrast of flavors and textures provided by the strips of crunchy seaweed and pickled ginger. A well-balanced bowl of ramen!
Lesson learned - Stick with the classic pork ramen at Himawari and you’re golden.

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

Sushi Sam’s Edomata – My Favorite Sushi Place in the Bay Area

Every time I eat at Sushi Sam’s Edomata, I am filled with happiness…it’s like coming home. Their sushi is so damn good, and the people there are like family. I’ve been frequenting Sushi Sam’s for years, and am amazed that they still have new kinds of fish I haven't eaten before. Sam has contacts with top fish purveyors around the world and always has an impressive selection of high quality fish.

The restaurant doesn’t try to be fancy or trendy; it’s a laidback, family-run establishment that purely focuses on serving fresh fish in its best form. The preparation is more creative than traditional sushi, but still very much in harmony with the fish. The toppings and sauces accentuate the seafood without competing with it…and whatever you do, do not dip your sushi in the soy sauce! The chef has prepared it in the exact manner it should be eaten. Also, you MUST sit at the bar and order the omakase if you dine here. I repeat, DO NOT ORDER OFF THE STANDARD MENU! Put yourself in their skillful hands and enjoy as they wow your tastebuds with incredible sushi (the special sushi is listed on the board behind them).

Koichi and Sam - the sushi masters

I never want my meal to end when I’m here. So many tasty seafood morsels, so I just keep eating and eating…and eating...

Blue Shrimp – Firmer and more savory than amaebi. Perfect with the dash of citrus and special salt
Bonito – Super fresh with beautiful ruby color. Tastes similar to tuna, but soooo much better

Fried Blue Shrimp Heads – Like eating crispy shrimp chips!
Needle Fish – Firm texture with slight metallic finish, but not as oily as other silver fish (e.g. mackerel)
Amberjack – Clean flavor, yet meaty texture
Black Cod – Smoky char, buttery flesh, and sweet kiwi slices…love it!
Baby Lobster – Succulent lobster tail with sweet Japanese mayo and crunchy almond slivers
Baby Shrimp – Sweet little pearls of shrimp with a touch of soy and a creamy sauce
Unagi - Now this is how unagi should taste! Savory and peppery with a hot, crispy skin

Alfonsino – Firm with clean flavors, similar to other white fish but much more colorful (like plump strawberries!)

Saiwara – Cross between butterfish and tuna with slight smokiness
Baby squid – Soooo tender and scrumptious, brightened by the tangy and sweet sauce
Bonito – I couldn’t resist getting another piece :-)
Copper River Salmon – the MOST INCREDIBLE SALMON…rich and intense flavors. CRS is only in season during the summer, and Sushi Sam’s serves the best I’ve had anywhere.
Seared Toro – Always a mouth-watering delight! Slightly seared so the fish just melts in your mouth, while the salt and lemon juice helps to cut the fat
Crab – Sweet crab meat topped with rich, unctuous crab butter
And unlike many sushi places, Sushi Sam’s has their own pastry chef who always whips up new and delicious desserts. I was treated with THREE of her delectable sweets! Miso & Sesame Cake, Pina Colada Parfait, and Almond Tofu - all had a great balance of flavors and textures. What I appreciate most is that the desserts completely satisfy my sweet tooth without feeling too heavy. (I already feel heavy enough from indulging in all that sushi!)
Despite the fact that Sushi Sam’s is located in San Mateo (~30 minutes south of San Francisco), it’s usually packed with a crowd of people waiting outside (yes, it is *that* good). So I’d recommend coming on an off night if you can. The fish will still be just as fresh and mind-blowing…especially their bonito, seared toro, and of course, the Copper River salmon when it’s in season!

BITE METER: Sushi Sam’s Edomata – 4.5 bites (out of 5)

Humphry Slocombe – It’s All About the ‘Secret Breakfast’

Humphry Slocombe has *the* most unique and interesting ice cream flavors….Boccalone Prosciutto, Peanut Butter Curry, Szechuan Strawberry, Balsamic Caramel…and the list goes on. It’s so fun to try all the creative flavors, but the key is to find one that you’d want to eat a whole scoop or two of. For me, it’s all about the Secret Breakfast – bourbon ice cream with little crispy chunks of cornflakes. Such creamy goodness! The bourbon provides a nice punch but isn’t too strong, and I love the textural contrast of the crunchy cornflakes scattered throughout the ice cream. The Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee ice cream is a close second. It’s the BEST COFFEE ICE CREAM I’ve tasted….intense coffee flavor infused with rich creaminess. Mmmmm. Now if only they’d have their Foie Gras ice cream in the rotation during one of my next visits…I’ve been dying to try it… BITE METER: Humphry Slocombe – 5.0 bites (out of 5)

Taqueria Agave – Tasty Tacos

B and I took a day trip to Santa Cruz / Capitola. I had only visited the crowded Boardwalk during my previous trips to Santa Cruz, so it was nice to see a more chill part of the area. We strolled along a gorgeous ocean-side path and then hung out in the town of Capitola.
Being near the beach always makes me crave fish tacos, so we had lunch at Taqueria Agave. It’s a tiny no-frills restaurant in Capitola that makes some of the tastiest tacos around. Their tacos are much larger and piled with more meat/toppings than those served at taco stands in San Francisco, yet they are also every bit as lip-smackin’ good!

Fish Taco – much more hearty and savory than other fish tacos I’ve had. It tasted like the fish had been cooked in a rich seafood bouillabaisse. Delicioso!!
Carnita Taco – the shredded pork was really tender and a tad too fatty, but the flavors were excellent.
Nachos – the salsa was fresh and vibrant, but the cheese was overcooked and formed this hard, congealed layer. I recommend sticking with their free chips and salsa bar.
The best part was that this whole meal cost only about $10! Great food for such a great price! I’m definitely coming back for the tacos when I’m down in Capitola again.

BITE METER: Taqueria Agave – 4.0 bites (out of 5)

Credo - I'm a Believer

Credo, Italian for “I Believe”, is a cute spot in the Financial District. The quotes on the wall are fun to read. They have good wines by the glass, and their caesar salad was delish! If you come here, you *must* order the Sedanini alla Credo – it’s like pasta pot pie! You may be intimidated by its enormous size, but don’t be scared...you will finish it. I wolfed it down - large tubes of rigatoni pasta and slices of Italian sausage mixed in a zesty tomato sauce, covered by a thin layer of crispy pizza dough. Like I said, pasta pot pie! Watch out for the pancetta though, it tasted more like soft cubes of fat. That’s a little much, even for me.

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

Fleur de Lys – A Special Place in the Heart of San Francisco

Walking into Fleur de Lys is like being transported into somewhere far, far away. It’s sexy and romantic, people speak in hushed tones, and there’s plush crimson draping everywhere…like being inside a luxurious Moroccan tent. The dining room is like no other place in San Francisco, or anywhere else I’ve been. B and I were dining with some close friends, so we appreciated the great corner table – it added to the intimacy of the restaurant.

The service was excellent. Our waiter knew every obscure detail about the wine and food and gave us fantastic descriptions as we fired away questions about the various menu items. In addition, the entire staff was so welcoming and pleasant. Fleur de Lys is THE FRIENDLIEST FRENCH RESTAURANT I’ve been to…still puts a smile on my face. :-)

In regards to the food, it was good but some of the dishes relied a little too much on “luxury ingredients” to make an impression. Almost everything on the menu had foie gras in it. Being a foie-fanatic, that’s almost always a good thing, but the foie gras was unnecessary in some of these already rich dishes and just weighed them down. I was actually more impressed by Chef Hubert Keller’s more innovative interpretations on French cuisine than his preparation of the classics.

Amuse bouche – chilled asparagus soup and cherry tomato “cocktail” and cauliflower salad

Symphony of choucroute fondant (watermelon, avocado with caviar), sesame beef tartare, foie gras and smoked duck “burger”, golden panisse fries, red and golden beet salad – so many things going on in this appetizer, but all of it was beautifully executed. Very creative with so many different tastes and textures. I especially enjoyed the combination of watermelon, avocado, and caviar – sweet, salty, and refreshing!
Pan seared artisan foie gras with rhubarb, corn fondue, and truffle sauce – surprisingly, I enjoyed the truffle popcorn more than the foie gras in this dish. The foie was interesting with corn and the flavors were great, but it was a tad overcooked…it lacked that plump, lusciousness that I love about foie gras.
Wild jumbo prawns with brioche crust, sweet and sour radicchio, cannellini bean emulsion, crispy pork belly – the least interesting dish of the night. It was good, but tasted like any standard shrimp in cream sauce. Also, these prawns weren’t really what I’d call “jumbo”.
Boneless quail stuffed with sweetbreads, roasted parsnips and young leeks and foie gras, lightly smoked apple flavored veal jus, pine nuts – absolutely sublime! This dish brought me back to France. It was rich and complex with many layers of flavors. The combination of tender, savory quail with the unctuous sweetbreads was pure heaven. The crisp parsnips and leeks added a nice contrast (while the foie didn’t do anything for the dish). My favorite dish of the evening.
Grand Marnier soufflé – I’ve been crazy about Grand Marnier soufflés ever since I had my first at Gary Danko’s almost a decade ago, but this soufflé was too eggy and thick. It didn’t have that ethereal fluffiness that makes soufflés so heavenly.
Fleur burger and caramel-banana milkshake – fun to look at and even more fun to eat! The “burger” was warm chocolate ganache between a golden beignet “bun”. (The waiters were amused when B asked for mustard after they brought this out. Such a cheeseball!). This dessert was delightful, and I enjoyed washing down all that food with a cold, frothy milkshake.
Chef Hubert Keller greeted us after our meal, which made our night. He was so gracious and kind. He truly sets the tone for his restaurant, as his staff was just as warm.

Fleur de Lys is a special restaurant, and I’d like to come back. However, I would order differently next time, focusing less on the classic French dishes (with the exception of that mouth-watering quail!) and more on the newer, creative menu items. The prices are also fairly reasonable for a fine dining experience.

BITE METER: Fleur de Lys – 4.0 bites (out of 5)