No Ordinary Food Court Saturday, April 5, 2008

Courtesy of www.wichcraftnyc.com

You’re probably wondering why on earth I would write about a food court, but the term “food court” really doesn’t do this place justice. It’s not like any other stereotypical one you’ve seen in the standard American mall. Thankfully, there’s no Sbarro, Panda Express, or Hot Dog on a Stick anywhere in sight.

A couple of weeks ago I stayed at the Hotel Palomar in San Francisco for a few days (great boutique hotel with exceptional service, btw). That meant being right next door to the San Francisco Shopping Centre (!) and an endless source of meal options in their famous food court and supermarket, Whole Foods knockoff, Bristol Farms.

I’ll list out only the places I tried.

WICHCRAFT - Fans of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” are familiar with this restaurant chain’s owner, Tom Coliccio. Unfortunately, this place falls into the typical celebrity chef trap: all style, no substance and overpriced. It bugs the crap outta me that the food here was fresh, conceptually inventive, the elements were individually good, but the result was less than memorable. Head to this next joint for a better soup and sandwich…

SAN FRANCISCO SOUP COMPANY - This chain makes delicious homemade soups that are consistantly good and made with top notch ingredients. It’s the best soup you’ll have, and I’ve been to four of their locations in the Bay Area. The Tomato Bisque, Turkey Chili, Tortilla Soup, and New England Clam Chowder are all exceptionally good, along with their Spinach Salad. They have about five regular soups, but also have quite a good selection of specials that change daily.

CATCH ISLE - I loved my first dish here so much that I went for a return visit. I tried the Linguini and Clams (I know, at a food court!) and was wonderfully surprised. It was comperable to a higher end joint and I’d definitely have it again. The flavors were clean, fresh, and came together nicely. Service was consistantly nice too, which helps. I had the Fish and Chips on another visit and a mixed green salad. It was good, but not great. My search for decent fish and chips in the Bay Area continues…

BUCKHORN GRILL - I love this place because they know how to treat a good piece of angus beef! It’s always cooked perfectly, marinated and flavored well, and surprisingly juicy. Order anything with the tri tip beef and you’ll be good to go.

PASTA MOTO - They had a real pizza oven and some tasty roasted veggies. And the Margherita Pizza was pretty tasty for a food court (but it’s no Pizzeria Delfina, of course). But on average…it was average. The weakest meal next to Wichcraft I had here.

ANDALE - There are various locations of this small Mexican chain in the Bay Area. They do a cross between Mexican street food items with a more Californian spin on preparation. I love the Shrimp Fajitas.

BEARD PAPA - You know how I feel about this place… Go!

There are many other restaurants here, including “Out the Door,” by the owner of “Slanted Door” (again, overpriced and overhyped), and some other more standard choices. But all in all, this food court has better options than some higher end restaurants I can think of. All this variety, affordability, and you get some good food to boot.

The Food Court @ The Westfield San Francisco Shopping Centre - 805 Market Street, S.F. - 415.512.6776

It’s That Time of Year Again… Saturday, March 15, 2008

Courtesy of CAAM

Well, this year the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is celebrating the 26th year of the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. I’ve been coming to this shindig for 12 years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how much talent there is in the Asian indie film circuit. It also makes it painfully obvious how Hollywood has no idea how much talent they’re passing up in the Asian American community…

But I digress…

This year’s lineup is in my opinion, the strongest it’s been in over five years, which really excites me. There are many great films to check out and shows that still have tickets available. Here are some that are generating buzz…

“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” - I hate even mentioning this one, but I guess I gotta. The damn show’s already sold out! Your only hope is additional screenings that may be added or the rush line for last minute tickets.

“A Battle of Wits” - This one stars Hong Kong’s Tom Cruise, Mr. Andy Lau. He’s a real dynamo when it comes to Cantopop and badly dubbed over Cantonese movies. This one, however, is an epic drama and looks pretty good.

Spotlight on Filmmaker Wayne Wang - I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne a few years ago, and I’m glad to finally see him being celebrated at the Festival. He will be giving a talk and they’ll have screenings of a few of his films including “Joy Luck Club,” “Life is Cheap But Toilet Paper is Expensive,” “Princess of Nebraska,” and his new film, “A Thousand Years of Good Prayers.” He may have gone mainstream, but he’ll always be the king of indie Asian American cinema to me .

“The Killing of a Chinese Cookie” - I had to mention the documentary about food! This film takes an interesting and funny look at the origins and evolution of the beloved (and very American) fortune cookie.

There are tons more documentaries, films from America and abroad, short films, lectures, and even celebrities! Check out the schedule of films and find out how you can be a part of this fantastic event.

The Festival runs from Thursday, March 13th through Sunday, March 23rd in San Francisco (two locations), Berkeley, and San Jose. www.asianamericanmedia.org

I Heart Paris: Fave Districts & Shopping Sunday, March 9, 2008

There’s almost no other city in the world that is spoken about with as much love as Paris. And after experiencing it for myself for a week, I finally understand why.

There is a certain charm, sophistication and class that can’t be replicated anywhere else. Add to that their fabulous food, fashion, art and history, and you’ve got an unbeatable combination!

There are so many different sights to see and places to go in Paris. The city’s many different districts all offer a different vibe, which is remarkable in itself. Here’s a list of four that J.Low and I enjoyed most and would recommend for shopping and just getting lost in.

MARAIS

There’s a wealth of fabulous boutiques here on Rue des Francs Bourgeois (between Rue Payenne and Rue Vielle du Temple), like Mellow Yellow for the cutest shoes without totally breaking the bank. They’ve got beautiful patent leather flats in adorable shapes and funky bright colors. Then on the same street, head to La Chaise Lounge for the most fun gifts you’ll find (I got a pair of movable robot cufflinks for my husband there), Les Petits for the most stylish in wearable current fashion, and nearby Muji for sleek Japanese housewares.

Nearby on Clos des Blancs-Manteaux there’s also Les Touristes for drapes, table runners, and cosmetic bags (J. found a large cosmetic bag for only 8 euros in an adorable French provencal fabric), as well as Romane, a boutique that carries chic sophisticated women’s fashions. This was my favorite district in Paris. Great food, shopping and interesting people.

SAINT GERMAIN

Besides Le Bon Marche (the department store real Parisians shop at) and its Le Grande Epicerie (the king of all gourmet food stores), there’s one street for bargain hunters that can’t be missed: Rue Sainte-Placide.

J had a great time finding a pair of ballet flats for 29 euros, boots for 75 euros, and a lined trench coat for 20 euros. Great prices, especially for this part of the world. Stores like Rudy’s and Mode offer good deals on cool shoes, both designer and not. And Le Generale Pharmacie sells European skin and haircare brands like Phyto, La Roche Posay, Roger & Gallet, Klorane, Weleda, Biotherm and Rene Furterer for as much as half off U.S. prices, and slightly less than other Parisian pharmacies, which made me happy.

Rue Sainte-Placide is not a long street so browse around and you’ll find some bargains.

LATIN QUARTER

Alleyways to get lost in, pubs to chat in, and bistros to linger in. Plus, a great array of little boutiques in those alleyways and larger chain stores near the main roads like Promod (similar to H&M) and Minelli for shoes and handbags (where I got a lovely “leather-esque” metallic silver handbag for 49 euros).

RUE de FAUBOURG SAINT HONORE

If you’ve got the cash, you can plunk it down here. This famous street right behind the Louvre has a storefront for every name brand European designer you can think of. A little rich for my blood, but if you’re into window shopping, it’s worth the trip.

As for the usual department store suspects like Galleries Lafayette and Printemps, I wouldn’t suggest it for most shoppers. It is such a madhouse in there that it’s enough to make you run for the hills. I’m an expert shopper and it made me run for cover. And there are much more interesting items to be found in the boutiques around town anyway.

It’s easy to love Paris. But by the time I left, I felt like it could love me back. And that was the best part.

I Heart Paris: The Food Saturday, March 1, 2008

I was fortunate enough to visit the glorious city of Paris for a week recently with pal, J.Low. I fell in love with the city, it’s people, the culture, the landscape, all its character, and of course, the food and shopping.

For this post, we’ll talk about the food. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the cuisine at the fancy joints or the brasseries that impressed us most (though they were definitely charming and the food wasn’t anything to complain about). It was the street food that made us swoon!

LADUREE - Various locations

Macaroons to absolutely DIE FOR! These aren’t the coconut butter shortbread numbers we have here in America. These are like a soft yet crisp, light wafer cake with flavored cream, jam, caramel, or fudgy chocolate filling (depending on the flavor). They have a crazy array of flavors and colors like chocolate, rose, vanilla, coffee, raspberry, cherry, strawberry, and on and on… But my faves were the caramel w/fleur de sel (wonderfully chewy caramel filling!), cassis & violette (it totally captures the flavor and essence of Paris), and the fragrant and delicate orange blossom flower.

They have various locations throughout Paris, but the one on the Champs Elysees can’t be missed. The restaurant’s decor, boxes, and details bring every tea party fantasy you’ve ever had, to life. Both beautiful and magical.

L’ENTRECOTE - Champs Elysees

The hype with this restaurant is in its ”green sauce” that goes over their steak frites (and that’s pretty much all they serve, by the way). But tasting is believing because the hype is worth it! I’m still trying to recreate the sauce at home. We were trying to figure out what was in it and we’re pretty sure it’s a dijon base, along with porchini mushrooms and a little melted butter. Add that sauce to their perfectly cooked steak and crisp fries and we were in heaven.

CHEZ HANNA - Marais District

This kosher middle eastern restaurant was actually our second choice when we arrived in the delightful Marais district. We were looking for the world famous L’As du Fallafel, but they were closed since it was Saturday. But J. and I didn’t care because the falafel sandwich we had at Chez Hanna was simply the best we’d ever had!!! It was a warm soft pita, hummus and a tomato chutney, lightly vinegary shredded red and green cabbage and diced cucumbers, perfectly crisp falafel balls made fresh that didn’t taste full of additives, and some delectable roasted eggplant slices with olive oil. It was fantastic!

STREET CREPES - All over Paris

This, of course, isn’t a restaurant but what is arguably Paris’ most popular street food. J. and I were so addicted to these puppies we had six of them in six days! And trust me, I would’ve had more if I could :). I’m personally a fan of the savory crepes stuffed with shredded white cheese, ham, and sometimes egg or mushrooms, fresh and warm from the griddle. Mmmmm….

For a sweet crepe, I enjoyed the Nutella but actually prefered the ones filled with apricot or strawberry jam.

LA BALZAR BRASSERIE - Latin Quarter

It’s this place’s atmosphere and charming waitstaff that are worth the visit. Our waiter, Jean, was the most darling older gentleman and he was making jokes all night in his heavily accented English. I’d recommend this place simply based on the experience and less for the food. Definitely order the French Onion Soup with its wonderfully thick layer of melted cheese, but skip the tough and overcooked escargots.

AMORINO ITALIAN GELATO - Various locations

I have to trust J’s word on this one because…I’m not a huge fan of ice cream. (I KNOW I’m gonna get tons of grief for that statement.) But she didn’t say a word while she was eating it and that pretty much says it all. She loved it and thought the flavors and texture were out of this world. They let you choose as many flavors as you want for one price and then even shape the ice cream into a lovely rose. Leave it to the French to make something as simple as gelato/ice cream so beautiful.

By the way, if you want reservations to a Paris restaurant before you leave the States, check out www.bestrestaurantsparis.com to make them online!  Piece of cake.

Next week, I’ll talk all about some of the lovely districts we visited and the great shopping we found…

Group Dining at the Social Club Sunday, January 27, 2008

A get together of friends over dinner was in order, and I was once again, on the lookout for a restaurant that had three elements: 1) reasonable parking, 2) reasonable prices, 3) the ability to accomodate a table of 10-12 people without paying for a private room. These three criteria can be difficult to fill in San Francisco.

So a friend suggested the Presidio Social Club in San Francisco. Because of the location, there was going to be ample parking, the pricepoint was right (entrees $17-$32), and they could accomodate a large table like ours without charging an additional room fee. And the food was good!

We ordered multiple dishes between us and all were solidly tasty (Cabbage Soup, Chopped Salad w/Avocado), but the highlight of the appetizers seemed to be the Frisee and Endive Salad with Bacon and Fried Egg. Both rich and fresh.

For entrees, we ordered several Flat Iron Steak main courses w/Fries (perfectly cooked meat and fabulous fries!!!), White Cheddar Mac & Cheese (not nearly as good as Home Restaurant in SF, but acceptable), and the Oxtail Stroganoff (wonderfully executed with its homey egg noodles). But the standout was the Kobe Beef Sloppy Joe! The meat was fabulously juicy and tender, and that sauce had a great vinegary kick. Just excellent. And those fries again…YUM!

Desserts we ordered included the seasonal Cranberry Sorbet (fresh, sweet, and light) but it was the Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Parfait that made us all swoon. The cakes were full of chocolatey flavor that was deep and rich. And that creamy parfait was the best thing of the night!

Being the dorks that we are, we weren’t interested in the wine list the waiter offered. We were MUCH more excited about the selection of sodas! They have Bubble Up, Mexican Coca Cola, Stewart’s Root Beer and Creme Soda, and a few more that we didn’t get to. Frankly, I think they should advertise this more on the menu since sodas like these are hard to get in the Bay Area. Some of us want to go back just for a soda and that cupcake dessert!

The setting is classically fun and so is the menu, and the waiter was extremely accomodating and friendly. Though we had to wait longer than we wanted for our reserved table, we were apologized to repeatedly and the food, service, and selection more than made up for it. It’s a great place for a comforting American meal, a group dinner, or even some dessert and a retro soda at the bar.

Presidio Social Club - Bldg. 563 Ruger St. - The Presidio in San Francisco - 415.885.1888

Welcome 2008! Saturday, January 5, 2008

Happy New Year!

Sorry for the long absence VB readers.  I’ve just returned from a trip to Shanghai and will write an entry or two in the next few weeks about a couple of my food experiences during my time there.  I’m still trying to get over the jetlag.

In the meantime, you shopping fanatics know this is arguably the best time of year to score bargains.  I’ve just updated the Sales and Coupons page, but here are some of the best sales out there:

Neiman Marcus - Online After Christmas Sale.  Additional 25% off already sale merchandise.

J.Crew - Final Sale of up to 80% off.

Banana Republic - More than 50% off winter merchandise and new markdowns were just taken.

L’Occitane - Up to 50% off select merchandise for a limited time.

Ikea - Winter Sale with up to 60% off select merchandise.

Jeremy’s - Additional 60% off already sale merchandise.  Weekends throughout the month of January should have some good sales in general.

Elephant Pharmacy - Up to 75% off a wide array of seasonal and discontinued merchandise, as well as 25% off all body care and cosmetics!

The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend is traditionally the last big push that retailers will make to get rid of their winter merchandise.  Therefore, that will be your last weekend to score great bargains.  I know this may sound crazy to many of you, but it’s also the perfect time to do some X’mas and gift shopping.  It’ll set you up for the rest of the year. 

After that, the bargains will be few and far between.

The Most Wonderful Sale of the Year… Monday, December 24, 2007

It’s the sale I wait for ALL YEAR LONG…  People ask how I can afford a premier designer bag.  This once-a-year sale is the single reason I can…

It’s the Saks Fifth Avenue After Christmas Sale!

From the moment they open on December 26th in the morning until 12 noon ONLY, they’ll take an additional 50% off ALL already sale merchandise for a total of up to 70% off!!!  One year, I got a Hogan leather handbag for only $250 (original price was around $1000), and a pair of Stuart Weitzman shoes for around $75 (original price was around $300), and my husband got a Hugo Boss suit for $250!  You can’t afford not to go!

But this sale is for the serious designer shopper, so you’ll need some inside tips:

1.) The sale is advertised to start at 8am, but it DOESN’T!  IT STARTS AT 7AM!!!  (San Francisco and Phoenix stores only.  All others nationwide do open at 8.)  You can thank me later .

2.) You cannot arrive to this sale any later than 6:30am.  Why?  There’s a line that starts to form outside the store.  Trust me, it is THAT worth it.  And if you arrive after 7:30am, you might as well stay home.  Seriously.  All the good handbags and shoes will totally be gone.

3.) Once the doors open, it will be a madhouse.  You’ll want to hit the handbags first, shoes second.  That said, go to the handbags and pick up the bags that are already on sale.  These are the ones that will be marked down an additional 50% off.  Sometimes, there’s only one of each bag (the Guccis and Pradas, especially), so don’t waste time lingering.

4.) At the SF location, we forget that they’ve moved some of the designer bag labels (Juicy, Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs) upstairs to the Contemporary department.  If you love handbags as much as I do, you may want to head there before everyone else does to avoid the crowds.  You may be able to score a Kate Spade for 100 bucks or less!  Again, you can thank me later.

5.) The shoe salon will be just as chaotic, if not more.  Pick out all your shoes, and I mean ALL of them, and then go get the salesman to help you.  Again, plan wisely.

6.) Last, head upstairs to apparel.  At the top floor is the newly remodeled Contemporary Women’s department.  You’ll find labels like Nanette Lapore, Marc Jacobs, Vince, Rebecca Taylor, Theory and all the others.  Selection will be vast and a lot of it will be 70% off.

7.) The best advice my Mom ever gave me when it comes to serious sales: “Buy first, think later.”  At Saks, you can return your sale merchandise, with receipt, within 30 days.  If you like it even remotely, buy it.  You can return it later.  Because if you linger too long, it’ll be gone…

This sale will take stamina and patience, and only the most serious of shoppers will survive. 

I know you’re laughing, but I’m serious! 

This is not for the faint of heart, so wear comfortable shoes, don’t wear a big coat (it’ll get hot in there with all the people), and eat a good breakfast.  But you’ll be rewarded with some fantastic finds.

I know this is probably the most shallow entry I’ve ever written, but I don’t care.  A serious sale is seriously fun.

Oh, and you’re welcome.

Super Sales for Fashionistas Tuesday, November 20, 2007

See, this is another reason why the Holidays are my favorite time of year. SALES! I don’t care if I sound shallow and materialistic. It’s fun, it’s a hobby, and it’s only this good once a year!

Also check my Sales and Coupons page for daily updated coupon codes, promotions, and sales.

LIZ PALACIOS | Annual Sample Sale | December 6th thru 8th, 10am-4pm | 1251 Howard, S.F.

Her Sample Sales are legendary and happen only once a year. If you’ve ever shopped in the accessories section of Nordstrom, you’ve seen her jewelry. Fabulous handmade pieces made with Swarovski crystals that are perfect for the holidays. They make great gifts that people will love you for! Prices will be close to wholesale, which means you’ll save big. Go to www.lizpalacios.com for a sample of their collections.

CARROT & STICK PRESS | Second Annual Private Studio Sale | Saturday, December 8th, 10am-4pm| 6050 Lowell St., Studio 102, Oakland

This line of fun, sophisticated stationery and paper products have been featured in women’s and bridal magazines like InStyle, Lucky, Martha Stewart, and many more. Their products have whimsical designs in bright colors and are made by antique printing press! You’ll save 50% on discontinued and overstock merchandise at this yearly sale. Go to www.carrotandstickpress.com for a catalog of their entire line of products.

Burberry Private Sale | Select merchandise on sale through this link only + Free shipping with $195 purchase or more online | Expiration unknown | http://www.burberryusaonline.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2284855

Stila Cosmetics | Their first Virtual Warehouse Sale with items up to 70% off, coming soon! | Sign up at this link to get special access to the sale when it starts: http://www.stilacosmetics.com/special_vws_signup_2007.asp

H&M Friends and Family Coupon | 25% off your entire purchase | Valid December 7th-9th, ONLY | Please use this link to access the coupon: http://www.hmfriendsandfamily.com/

Bath and Body Works | $10 off your purchase of $30 or more, online or in-store | Valid only until December 3rd | Please use this link to access the coupon: http://f.e.bathandbodyworks.com/i/34/528207786/110507A_coup.html

Italian in Mountain View Friday, November 16, 2007

Courtesy of www.dongiovannis.com

If you’re ever in downtown Mountain View, specifically Castro St., you’ll never have any trouble finding a good Asian restaurant. There’s a wide selection of Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese joints all up and down the street.

Unfortunately, my friend and I weren’t in the mood for Asian food. And our options didn’t look good, until we saw Ristorante Don Giovanni.

I was a little afraid upon entering the place because of it’s stereotypical Italian bistro decor of peach colored walls, dime a dozen Italian posters and the pungent smell of garlic. The place needs a facelift to make it more modern and give it some distinction.

Upon opening the menu, I noticed an abundance of typical Italian favorites you’d expect to see like pastas and scallopinis. Nothing terribly innovative or exciting, but there were a lot of choices.

If you love veal, you’ll love this place. There is a ton of veal on this menu and not as much in the way of chicken or beef. I decided on the Veal Scallopini with Marsala and Mushrooms. I LOVE marsala dishes, so I was hoping for the best.

But first, my friend and I shared the crab cake appetizer. There are so many ways to screw this dish up, but fortunately, it exceeded my expectations. The crab meat was flavorful, fresh tasting, moist, and the breading was light and crispy. A solid dish.

My friend ordered the ravioli stuffed with ricotta in meat sauce. She loved it and practically licked the place clean. And my veal marsala was surprisingly good. The veal was pounded thin and was moist and tender. The mushrooms and marsala sauce were sweet and tangy, just like it should be. It was simple, but delicious.

At one point we both stopped ourselves in mid meal realizing how fast we were eating! We enjoyed the food thoroughly, and the service was friendly and attentive. The menu and decor could stand a little more imagination, but the simple food was hearty, yet not heavy, and solidly good.

If none of the Asian restaurants on Castro are calling your name, you could do a lot worse than this place.

Ristorante Don Giovanni - 235 Castro St., Mountain View - 650.961.9749

SPECIAL OFFER: On Thanksgiving, November 22nd, 2007, Ristorante Don Giovanni will be serving their annual FREE Thanksgiving meal, as a thank you to all their loyal customers! Just show up between 11am-4pm to get a free turkey meal! Not valid on takeout orders, while supplies last. Please call the restaurant for more details.

Fashion Bargains: Spring/Summer 2007 Sunday, July 22, 2007

At the end of every major sale season, I like to look back at some of the loot I was able to score at more than half off the original price.  Smart shopping takes work and I like reaping the rewards.

And I’ve also included some shopping tips to help you score the best bargains during next season’s biggest sales:

*Kate Spade Elan Handbag in Black / Original price: $365 / Sale price: $170

WHERE: www.katespade.com during their special “Sample Sale”

TIP: I know getting spam that clogs up your inbox is a drag, but theirs is one email list you REALLY want to sign up for!

*Molton Brown London Shower Gels / Original price: $25 / Sale price: $6.25

WHERE: Bath and Body Works Stonestown Galleria, S.F. (I got three bottles and should’ve gotten more!  Hey, if they’re good enough for Madonna, they’re good enough for me.)

TIP: Eventhough they’re all part of the same chain, certain stores carry some items that others don’t.  Check often during the sale season and go to different locations.  And items like this make great gifts for any occassion, so buy extra.

*Theory Silk Brocade Deep Purple Cropped Jacket / Original price: $425 / Sale price: $40

WHERE: Jeremy’s Department Store, S.F. during their massive spring clearance in May

TIP: If you’re in the Bay Area, this is another email list you REALLY want to be on!

*J.Crew Linen Middy Jacket / Original price: $148 / Sale price: $22.50

WHERE: J.Crew Stonestown Galleria, S.F.

TIP: No matter what the sale price is online, it pays to get out of that chair and haul your ass over to an actual store.  And with some chain stores, eventhough there may be several locations in your area, their sale prices can easily vary from store to store.

It’s hard, but I try not to buy something just because it’s on sale or ridiculously cheap.  The key is to actually like what you’re buying. 

Otherwise, it’s just a waste of money.