Author Archives: Rhys Alvarado

Jan 18 2013
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Like Poke? serves nothing but local catch

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Fried ahi poke, two scoops. Hapai rock, Kahului.

My friends on have been telling me to come here if I wanted some good, Maui catch. Just a few blocks from the airport, Danny Kalahiki is getting his fish the night before from his network of local fisherman.

Just a few blocks from Kahului airport, the Like Poke? food truck was the perfect ending to a beautiful Maui trip of friends, food and a sexy Kihei fling.

The fried ahi poke was a garlicky, salty, sweet combo served with two scoops. The ahi katsu was golden, crispy, cooked medium well. All plates are $10. Along with daily specials, customers can decide what ingredients they want in their made-to-order poke. Kalahiki told me he was drying some poke for the following day’s special. Catch um next time.

Kalahiki said that mahi and ono are pretty much always available, but the ahi doesn’t always bite. And when he doesn’t have tuna, he doesn’t go elsewhere. There’s something admirable about that – a food truck owner who refuses to serve nothing but local.

A fitting meal knowing that the fish was Maui’s and it may be a while before I return home.

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Dec 04 2012
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Crab season is in progress at Sotto Mare’s

 

Image Nestled between a handful of other restaurants and bars it’s easy to walk right past the small hall of a restaurant on Green street.

Luckily the sweet smell of dungeness crab and the busy clang of plates caught my eye. At Sotto Mare’s, crab season is in progress.

The dainty hall that seats no more than about 30 people is a cozy joint with a marbled bar, where locals come for a pint of Anchor and chilled crustacean. Photos of familiar passerby, old signs and a polished sea turtle shell deck the baby blue walls. My date, who says she’s never been into the rich seafood stew San Franciscans have coined Cioppino, decided that we eat chilled claws dipped in drawn butter. Maybe that’s why it never worked out. But hey, when you’re dealing with crab, what’s to disagree about?

We ordered a dozen oysters to set the palate (six west, six east coast). The east coast oysters proved more plump and sweet than those along our coast. That’s because oysters in colder water tend to offer a more fleshy and round product. The chilled dungeness, local and caught just after the opening of crab season in mid November, was nothing short of perfect.

I’ll get the Cioppino next time. When it’s crab season, it all works out.

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Oct 14 2012
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American, Food, marina, picnic, San Francisco, sandwiches

Indian Summer daze

You can’t ask for more while caught in an Indian Summer daze..

Today was beautiful. In celebration of my friend Cam’s birthday, we spent it at Crissy field at the base of the Golden Gate. Boats flaunted their way around the bay, the sun shone brightly, the keg was full, as was our stomachs.
What a spread..
We arrived to pulled pork sliders, quinoa salad and a keg of Trumer Pilsner (Berkeley). The crisp, clean pils was the perfect companion for this Indian Summer day. A day like this, complete with good food, good drink, good friends and a great view, will forever remind me of how fortunate I am to live here.

The only thing missing was her…

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Sep 21 2012
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Lun Ting Cafe – Chinatown Comfort

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Everything here seems to be covered in orange gravy.

On both visits to Lun Ting Cafe, my slow-cooked roast pork and ox tail were swimming in this warm, savory rice enhancer. Located on the 600 block of Jackson, the American-Chinese diner is complete with counter seating, greasy clock, man behind the stove and wife behind the dish pit. This comfort food makes the perfect companion to the cool fall nights ahead. And hangovers. And break-ups. I mean, um, the. perfect. meal. after. a. hard. day’s. work.

A popular lunch hang out for nearby workers, bicycle police and the stragglers that sloth across the alley after cocktails at Red’s Place. Nothing here will cost you more than $10. Every rice plate is served with soup and dessert. Had to turn down the JELL-O though.
That was orange too.

 

Cash only

Open ’til: 9 p.m. T and Th. 9:15 Every other day.

Take out available

<$10

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Jun 10 2012
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BUN MEE

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Wherever there is bahn mi, you will find me.

It’s no surprise I found myself here, salivating at Bun Mee’s door.

After I finished working on a story in the Fillmore, I stepped into the joint looking to try one of their sandwiches. At Bun Mee, I can make you a few  guarantees. No. 1: I can guarantee you’ll never find a bahn mi joint where Method Man is on the playlist while you order. No. 2: You’ll never pay more for a bahn mi ($6.50 for a pork belly bun). Which leads me to point No. 3: This is the only bahn mi shop that accepts plastic.

The dark blue walls, bicycle-spoke chandeliers and praise to Vietnam’s moped, give this place a higher-end feel no other bahn mi shop has. Not that going out to get a bahn mi is supposed to be a fancy thing. But Bun Mee offers salads, fresh baked cookies and even offer a catfish sammie which I’ve yet to try. The pork belly bun I devoured could easily stand up to Saigon Sandwich. The thin bread, stuffed with tons of slow cooked pork, offered a pleasant crunch to compliment the fatty sow. In the business of bahn mi, however, price plays a factor. Although I think Bun Mee perhaps serves thee best bahn mi in the city, Saigon’s price ($3.50 a sando) could edge it out. It’ll take a few more visits to make that ultimate decision.

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Jun 03 2012
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italian, North Beach, pizza, San Francisco

Golden Boy Pizza

One of the few late night spots in North Beach, Golden Boy serves up slices straight from the window.

 

What: Pizza on focaccia. Try the the combo (sausage, pepperoni, bell, onions) or if you’re feeling adventurous, the clam pie.

Where: 542 Green St.

When: They’re open 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. weekdays. Zombie drunks frequent the area from 1-2:30 a.m. on the weekends.

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Mar 10 2012
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Food, inner richmond, San Francisco, sandwiches, vietnamese

Little Vietnam Cafe – Put it Bahn mi

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On my recent stroll through the Richmond, I stopped at Little Vietnam Cafe for a cheap bite. For just about $4 (beat that SUBWAY), these Vietnamese sandwiches make for the perfect lunch that you don’t have to think twice about before buying.
We enjoyed the lemongrass pork and the five spice chicken complete with pickled veggies and cilantro. I’m pretty sure this place uses soft white rolls as opposed to the more traditional, slender, crunchy baguette which I prefer. In 2011, SF Weekly gave this place the honor of “Best Vietnamese Sandwich”. That’s probably because they cook the pork and chicken to order. We’ll see if Saigon Sandwich has anything to say about that!

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Mar 08 2012
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Chinatown, Food, San Francisco

Good Mong Kok Bakery

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Fuck cereal.
This is the breakfast of champions.
On my daily walk to the Powell station, I stop at Good Mong Kok Bakery for their pork and shrimp Shumai. I’m here everyday. Sometimes twice a day. So much that I don’t even have to ask what I want. They already know.
This place is also inexpensive. Three Shumai for $1.60. Also, give their pork and vegetable bun a try. You’ll be glad you did.
Get there early if you don’t want to wait in a long line. Although most of the workers don’t speak English, a hungry eye and a pointing finger will get you your fix.

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Mar 07 2012
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Food, San Francisco, Spanish, Tapas

Zarzuela – Simply Tapas

Four Words: Melt in your mouth.

 

If I ever decided to make serving tables my life-long career, I’d be lucky to be half as enthusiastic as our server Arturo.

Nestled on the corner of Hyde St. and Union St., the intimate setting, passionate service and authentic food of Zarzuela is as close to Spain as it gets. For a Tuesday night, people flocked the tapas bar’s warm-colored walls, white-linen tables and the rich aroma of paella.

The girlfriend and I arrived at around 8:30 p.m., and decided to come back an hour later for a chance at a better table. Be aware, this place doesn’t take reservations. And don’t listen to the highlights on Yelp!. Listen to me. What people are loving on Yelp! are elementary. The main server, Arturo, pointed us in the traditional direction. I recommend you do the same.

Simplicity is the name of this game. The poached octopus over boiled potatoes and paprika changed the way I thought the usually-rubbery, tentacled creature can be prepared. Four words: Melt in your mouth. The sausage and gigante beans was another comforting favorites. My girlfriend told me that the gigante beans are illegal to take out of the country by travellers unless an appropriate tax is paid. This was a food smuggler’s delight.

A couple glasses of CAVA, commonly referred to as Spanish champagne to start, and cinammon-y Sangria to finish. Hint: pair the rice pudding with the sangria. Cinnamon with cinammon. Acid with cream. Great finish to a great meal. Simple yet so satisfying.

Arturo was even nice enough to wave his white rag around on the cold corner to fetch us a cab. Now that’s service at it’s best.

 

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Mar 06 2012
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Food, San Francisco, sandwiches

Ike’s Place – We’re Just Friends

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Ike’s is in the house.

After a year-long wait, Ike’s has finally made it’s way to San Francisco State. The booming San Francisco sandwich chain has instantly become the most popular place to eat on campus. So popular, that more attended it’s grand opening last Thursday than student protesters taking part in the Occupy movement on campus to combat rising tuition rates and injustices to state college education.

“We called it Occupy Ike’s at San Francisco State,” said General Manager Patrick Maniere. “Politics will eventually follow, but students tend to follow their stomachs.”

Don’t let sandwiches like “We’re just friends,” “Menage a trois” and “(Name of girl I’m Dating)” drive you away. These sandwiches are good, despite their kinky names.

I tried Maniere’s favorite (which is not on the menu), the “Friends with Benefits”. It’s a take on the “We’re Just Friends” sandwich with citrus glazed chicken, avocado and jack cheese. The only difference was the cranberry sauce.

It was messy. It was good. And it was gone. Just like “Friends with Benefits” should be.

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