Nopalito – Freshness You Can Taste

Fresh is the first word that comes to mind when I think about Nopalito. You can truly taste the freshness of their ingredients, which bring their Mexican dishes to life. Nopalito’s food has a contemporary California flair, but still stays true to traditional Mexican flavors.

Taco de Pescado al Pastor (seared fish in adobo, chile ancho, orange, salsa de morita y tomatillo) – pretty good, but the taco could have used more fish. The tangy orange was a nice contrast to the spice.
Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón (chile mulato corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa guajillo, jack cheese, queso fresco) – my favorite dish. The crunchy tortilla had a vibrant corn taste, while the flavors of the savory pork belly were accentuated by the little crispy bits of fried pork skin. I also appreciated how the quesadilla had a lot of substance without being too heavy or greasy.
Enchiladas de Mole con Pollo (tortillas, shredded chicken, sauce of chiles, chocolate, and nuts with queso fresco and refried pinquito beans) – B’s more of a mole fan than I am, but I enjoyed the subtle sweetness and spice of this mole. A simple and well-balanced dish.
WARNING: Bathroom goers beware! Nopalito only has ONE bathroom for its 60 guests, requiring a lengthy wait for those with small bladders. Not a good idea to drink too many cervezas here!

BITE METER: Nopalito – 3.5 bites (out of 5.0)

Roli Roti – Their Porchetta Sandwich *is* Worth the Wait!

Alright, I’ve converted. I was wrong for resisting so long. Roli Roti has won me over with their ridiculously amazing porchetta sandwich. I had their rotisserie chicken years ago and thought it was bland and dry, so I was baffled when I saw long lines forming in front of their truck at the Ferry Plaza over the past year. When I found out it was for the porchetta sandwich and not the chicken, I was still skeptical…but no longer. I have finally experienced the bliss of that delicious pork!! And I want more!

I arrived at the Farmers’ Market relatively early one morning and saw the line in front of Roli Roti wasn’t very long yet, so I thought might as well see what so many people have been standing in line for. Now I know…THE BEST DAMN PORCHETTA SANDWICH KNOWN TO MAN! Thick slabs of oh-so-juicy roasted pork, seasoned to perfection with rock salt and rosemary, topped with bits of crunchy pork cracklings, caramelized onions, and fresh arugula…all in a big, crispy roll. I tried to keep my cool, but I was swooning inside as I ate this.
I have little patience and find very few things worth waiting for with so many great food options in San Francisco. However, Roli Roti’s porchetta sandwich *is* worth the wait. I’m just sorry I’ve missed out on this for so long because of my skepticism. My advice to all of you would be to GO, AND GO EARLY!

BITE METER: Roli Roti (porchetta sandwich only) – 4.5 bites (out of 5.0)

Toro – Small Plates Packed with Big Flavors

Toro is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Fun, laid-back atmosphere, a menu filled with lots of tasty food, and outdoor seating on a warm, summer evening. I always look forward to Chef Ken Oringer’s scrumptious sea urchin creations (which he features in different forms at all of his restaurants)…he’s like Boston’s Uni King! Toro is Chef Oringer’s take on Spanish cuisine. My only pet peeve about this place is that they serve wine in water glasses – call me a snob, but proper stemware *does* make a difference in the taste of the wine.

Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho – ahhhhh, so refreshing on a hot day. The gazpacho was served really cold (rather than just chilled) and effortlessly balanced the sweet and salty flavors.

Escalivada Catalana – this blend of wood-roasted eggplants, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and olive oil tasted wonderful spread over bread. It was thick, slightly sweet, and whet my appetite for the procession of small plates to come.
Uni Bocadillo – WOW! I relished in the bold flavors of this pressed uni sandwich with miso butter and pickled mustard seeds. Although the uni could have been fresher, it tasted soooooo good with the miso butter…biting through that hot, crispy bread into buttery, ocean flavors with a sharp zing from the mustard seeds. Mmmm!
Za’atar and Honey Glazed Pork Ribs – the sweet honey was a perfect complement to the Moroccan spice. The meat was a bit dry, but still fell right off the bones. The yogurt also added a cooling touch to the dish. Overall, the flavors brought a lightness to the otherwise heavy ribs.
Panza de Cerdo (crispy pork belly with sunchoke, escargot, fava beans and smoked maple crumble) – a fiesta of flavor! So many ingredients and tastes, all enhancing one another. The pork belly was cooked to perfection…meaty and fatty with a super, crispy layer of skin. The escargot was tender and smoky, adding a unique element to the dish.
Erizos en Suquet (Catalan stew of sea urchin, lobster and crab meat) – it was like a rich and thick seafood bouillabaisse. While the taste of shellfish was evident in the stew, it was so salty that the sweet flavors of the lobster and crab meat were lost. I did appreciate the stew’s creamy, unctuous undertone from the sea urchin though.
Toro is my place to eat, drink and be merry in Boston!

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