Hot Doug’s – Heaven in a Bun

My heart quivered when I first heard about Hot Doug’s foie gras and sauternes duck sausage dog. It sounded too good to be true. From then on, I knew I had to make my way to Chicago and eat here before I die.

I made sure to arrive early at 11am, so the line wasn’t too long... only about a 20 minute wait. There were so many different types of hot dogs, it was difficult to choose. A friend and I were finally able to narrow it down to 3 of the specials to share (I would have ordered more but knew I had a 20+ course dinner at Alinea that night. I had to exercise *some* self control!)
The Order:
• Foie Gras & Sauternes Duck Sausage with truffle aioli, foie gras mousse, and fleur de sel
• Cognac-Infused Lamb & Pork Sausage with spinach raita and manchego cheese
• Saucisson Alsacienne Bacon Sausage with crème fraiche, carmelized onions and tomme de savoie The Foie Gras dog was my favorite by far. It was rich, juicy and deliciously sinful with the creamy foie gras mousse. The Lamb & Pork sausage was quite good – great meaty flavor, and I especially liked the cool contrast of the yogurt from the spinach raita topping. The only dog I didn’t particularly care for was the Saucisson Alsacienne – it was too dry and salty.

Foie Gras & Sauternes Duck Sausage = Heaven in a bun!
Note: They are CASH ONLY, and make sure to check their hours online before you come.

BITE METER: Hot Doug’s – 4.0 bites (out of 5)

Scotty’s Beachside BBQ – Casual Lunch with a Fantasic View

On our way to the airport from Princeville, B and I stopped at Scotty’s Beachside BBQ for a quick lunch. It’s a casual restaurant with a fantastic view of the beach, allowing us to enjoy one last look at the beautiful blue waters before our flight (it's always so hard to leave Hawaii!). I also appreciated how the dining room is tiered so everyone in the restaurant has a view - great thinking!
Sandwich Sampler with Grilled Chicken, Pulled Pork, BLT, and Beef Brisket. The tender pulled pork sandwich was my favorite, so I’d recommend just ordering with that and a side of their tasty baked beans.
Great view, efficient service, and decent food for a reasonable price.

BITE METER: Scotty’s Beachside BBQ – 3.5 bites (out of 5)

BIX – An Oldie But Goodie

I have always liked BIX but haven’t been in several years, so I was delighted when B surprised me with reservations as a start to our Valentine’s weekend. BIX has been around for over 20 years, and there’s still no other restaurant like it in San Francisco. Hidden in a small alley, entering BIX is like going back in time. The restaurant is a throwback to the supper clubs of the 1940’s and creates a swanky, jazz lounge mood with its dark mahogany walls, plush booths, and tuxedo-dressed waiters.

Steak Tartare – still *THE BEST* steak tartare I’ve ever eaten. It’s meticulously prepared table-side with a medley of shallots, capers, and mustard, and served with slices of black olive toasts. It’s meaty but light and satiny, and the flavors are fresh and vibrant.

Seared Scallops with Butter Beans – Mmmm, butter beans. I’ve never had butter beans before and these were soft and creamy. I actually enjoyed the beans more than the scallops. The scallops were nice, but could have used more of a sear on the outside.
Black Truffle Burger with Truffle Fries – they don’t mess around with burgers here. This open-faced burger was huge with a generous layer of truffle shavings. The burger was thick and juicy, but I couldn’t really taste the truffles. The truffle flavor was actually more pronounced in the fries, which were delish! I looooooooove truffle fries dusted with parmesan cheese – seriously, one of my favorite things to eat in the world.
Bananas Foster with Dark Rum & Vanilla Ice Cream – I was surprised they didn’t prepare this table-side…must be a fire hazard. I wish they had caramelized the bananas more, but the dessert still satisfied my sweet tooth.

To sum it up, BIX is a classy restaurant serving classic food.
[TIP: Request one of the booth upstairs – it’s much cozier.]

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