Recent Discoveries

To make up for my blogging hiatus, I'm presenting some yummy finds that I've recently discovered and loved. Warning: It's probably not a good idea to read this post on an empty stomach! More posts to come soon, I promise!

Duck Confit Ragout | chive-potato cake, poached eggs, béarnaise sauce | Absinthe Brasserie & Bar (SF) 

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich | eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, pesto, and Fontina cheese on ciabatta bread | Fontina Ristorante (Pleasanton)

Peking Duck | Great China (Berkeley)

24Hr Pork Belly Rice Bowl | Berkshire pork tom kiem style, five spice and sweet soy, preserved vegetable mustard | Hawker Fare (Oakland)

Uni Nigiri | Sasa (Walnut Creek)

Beef Wrap | Liangs Kitchen

 Spring Rolls | rice paper, poached tiger shrimps, pork, bean sprouts, mint, hoisin peanut sauce | La Sen (Fremont)

Kimchi Fried Rice | Toyose (SF)

Super moist and sweet cupcakes from Smallcakes (Fremont)

And finally, the Pinkberry 25 oz take-home size, so we can enjoy the best froyo right from the freezer!

Élevé

One of the things I miss about living in San Francisco is the Little Saigon area. I was never far from a satisfying bowl of phở, a ridiculously cheap bánh mì, or some tasty spring rolls – ranging from hole-in-the-wall places (Turtle Tower) to trendier upscale venues (Le Colonial). So I'm glad I discovered Élevé in Walnut Creek; I became hooked on this restaurant after working in the area. Modern, "elevated" twists on classic Vietnamese fare, with super fresh ingredients and pretty presentation.

Shrimp Spring Roll | soft rice paper, lettuce, cucumber, mint, vermicelli, peanut sauce

Càri Chicken Sandwich | curry spice rub, lemongrass, cayenne, toasted french roll

Summer Squash Vermicelli | yellow crookneck, eggplant, tomato, cashew, caramelized plum, toasted peanut

Roasted Chicken Salad | cabbage, red onion, pickled carrot and daikon, cilantro

 Even good for take-out!

All the above photos were taken and edited with the Camera+ app on the iPhone. It's a great app for getting decent food photos when you've left your regular camera at home!

Élevé

1677 N. Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

www.eleverestaurant.com

Latest Bites

Long time no post, but just a few quick words on what I've been enjoying in the past month...

Filet mignon at Ruth's Chris for Dine About Town 2010. I figure I should just go here for DAT every year from now on, since almost every time I try a new, supposedly great restaurant, I'm left feeling underwhelmed. Ruth's has never disappointed me yet, even on a regular night.

In the noodle world, I finally went to Santa Ramen in San Mateo again...

...and also rediscovered my love for Turtle Tower in San Francisco.

For our sixth month anniversary, the boyfriend and I hit up Chapeau again. The food was wonderful as usual, especially this silky-soft black cod prepared to perfection.

And some new things I've discovered?

Some damn good pork belly at Oyaji -- sweet, savory, and fatty. Who could ask for more?

And finally, thanks to a fellow co-worker, I have fallen in love with the seared ahi tuna wrap at Cafe La Taza. Something about the combination of fish, mushrooms, cucumber, and sweet sesame dressing just makes any work day a little better.

Headed for Vegas this weekend! Ready to hit up slot machines, buffets, and Bouchon!

A Vietnamese Affair

I have a tendency of always having something to nibble or sip on in the midst of studying for finals. I like to think it helps to keep me focused. Anyway, I'm grateful to be within walking distance of two great Vietnamese places in the Tenderloin where I can grab a quick meal to go. The first is Tu Lan, which is literally a hole in the wall on Market and Sixth serving quick, cheap, greasy, and oh-so-good Vietnamese fare. Their prices are low but they give you very generous portions of rice and noodles. I usually get their pork combo rice that comes with a salad and imperial rolls, to go because I don't really like sitting down to eat there. Granted, it's not the best pork or imperial rolls ever, but it's decent enough for 6 bucks. And they always stuff my takeout box with so much rice, pork, and salad until it's almost impossible to close.

The second place I love is Saigon Sandwiches on Larkin in between Eddy and Turk. Best Vietnamese sandwiches (banh mi) I've ever had. I ordered the combination special sandwich, which was somewhere in the $3 range. The fresh crusty baguette was lined with a pate spread and stuffed with a variety of meats, pickled daikon and carrots, and cilantro. And if you're in the mood for some good iced coffee with condensed milk, I suggest hopping across the street to Lee's Sandwiches (I don't like their sandwiches, but their coffee is great).

Tu Lan
8 6th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 626-0927

Saigon Sandwiches
560 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 474-5698

Turtle Tower

The first time my friend Helen told me about Turtle Tower, a place for Northern Vietnamese food right in the Tenderloin where I live, I immediately thought of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (for the "Turtle Power!" cheer). I was also a little wary about going to a Vietnamese restaurant with a name containing words I could actually pronounce. But since I'm an equal opportunity food fan, and since the Yelp reviews were so good, I had to give it a try.

The restaurant is located on Larkin Street in between Eddy and Ellis Street, so it's not in the best of neighborhoods, and it definitely isn't pretty to look at on the outside or the inside. But this was the best pho I've ever had in San Francisco - even better than Mangosteen, which is just a block away from Turtle.

Pho with beef flank, tripe, and brisket ($6.30 small, $6.95 large)

As you can see in the photo, Turtle makes their pho in the Northern Vietnamese style, while most places make it in the Southern style. At Turtle, they use flat, wider white rice noodles and a clear broth. They also don't add bean sprouts or onions, and lemon (or lime) and green chili are the only condiments you can add. (Note: Helen once asked for hoisin sauce to add to her pho, and they looked at her as if she had sprouted horns. So to avoid incredulous looks, don't ask for hoisin sauce.)

Aside from these differences, the pho was absolutely delish. I loved the soft texture of the noodles, and the broth was more complex and less salty. I was never a fan of onions or bean sprouts in my pho anyway, so I didn't miss those much. I was wondering why there aren't more restaurants that make pho in this style, and one of my Vietnamese friends told me it had something to do with the Northerners fleeing to the South after the Communist takeover. They developed their own style of pho and stuck to it, since the Northern style reminded them of the enemy.

Anyway, I went back for another lunch at Turtle today and tried their Imperial Rolls as well. They were super crispy and filled with yummy pork, herbs, and veggie bits. It came with a side of cold rice noodles and of course, fish sauce.

Imperial Rolls (don't know price, but it should be around $5)

So I've officially been converted into a Turtle Tower fan. All they need is actual turtle-themed decor and it'd be perfect.

Turtle Tower
631 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 409-3333