Trish's Mini Donuts

Trish's Mini Donuts

I’ve been coming here to Trish’s donut stand ever since I was a child. I remember going with my family to mini day trips to the wharf and munching on these mini donuts. I can still remember the taste and my first bite. 10-12 years later, things haven’t changed a bit. The place is still occupied with a busy line, fresh donuts being processed, and most importantly the taste has not gone away one bit.

I like to consider Trish’s Mini Donuts a staple here in the SF/Bay Area. I believe any tourists or whoever, should definitely try these famous cinnamon coated donuts. The texture is fluffy and hot with that cinnamon grind in between the tongue and teeth. The smell is like a sweet sugar factory with that batter fusion. The recipe is still the same and the process of making these donuts haven’t changed either. 

The lines here get pretty full but it moves by fast. With just a couple employees working, the lines are handled with a fast pace without neglecting the portion and taste of these amazing donuts.

This is the best way of experiencing Trish’s according to me: First, you stand in line with that crowd and examine the people anticipating the taste. Second, you smell the aroma of the batter and that sweet cinnamon-sugar in the air. Next you order a bucket of 32 donuts and as you order, make sure to look at the process of how the donuts are made. It all starts with the batter being made in the back then it’s molded into a ball-shaped mini hole. The mini donuts are then passed along the fryer and it crosses the cooling pan where the oil drips. Then finally, the cashier pours the donuts one by one into the bucket then coats and shakes the donuts with their famous cinnamon-sugar. BOOM! the bucket is handed to you in a friendly matter. Walk a couple feet away to the boating area where there are seats available under the shade. Enjoy every bite as you look out into the ocean where boats are going by. This is my way folks..the only way of enjoying the Trish experience!

Photo by: Allister de Vera
Trish's Mini Donuts, San Francisco, CA

Starbucks

Starbucks, Seattle, WA

Yes I am blogging about Starbucks but not just any one, no I'm talking about the original. I'm talking about the motherland. Yes, I'm talking about Pike Place Starbucks in Seattle, WA. Let me tell you about my experience.

As I was walking down Pike St. and around the market place, I knew Starbucks was a few feet away because there was a crowd waiting to enter in the Green Temple. Luckily I got inside the shop within just a few minutes. As I walked inside there were a couple baristas greeting and welcoming us as we entered in. The shop looked like a an old-rustic coffee shop with a museum-like atmosphere. There were old furnitures, pics, beans, that were all preserved and saved. I did feel like I walked right into history. There are more baristas in this location only because its a high volume store for tourists. The menu is the same and the drinks still taste the same like any other location.

Since I didn't have coffee to start my day, I ordered a simple tall bold roast which is my go-to. I took my drink and went straight to the bar to enjoy. I took every minute scanning around the store and breathing in the original beans in the air. Just being here at the original store and sipping coffee was a breath-taking experience. People were taking pictures everywhere; from selfies to front-store gatherings, etc. There is also a talented group of guys singing in front of the shop. They are the ones that draw the crowd with their amazing gospel-type voices. So you basically get the best of both worlds; coffee and a live performance.

One of the main reasons why I also made my trip to Seattle was because I have a deep passion for coffee. I remember having Starbucks for the first time and it was my very first cup of coffee as a kid. I know there's lots of better coffee shops out there but I had to pay my respects and witness the god-father of them all. Starbucks paved the way for local coffee shops around the U.S. so this is a great experience drinking coffee inside The store that started it all.


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Starbucks, Seattle, WA (Original Location)

Elliott's Oyster House

Elliott's Oyster House, Seattle, WA

Oysters

Cioppino

Tea: Hand Rinsing

Located on the waterfront at Pier 56, Elliott's serves the freshest oysters around and is dedicated to local growers. Elliott's is a seafood restaurant that serves steaks, pastas, soups & salads, apps, and most importantly oysters! Their long list of oysters that are local and from different parts of the bordering states are imported and cracked for orders. The list is pretty extensive so I suggest trying a platter full with wine to pair with.

I was greeted and served by this lovely waitress named Chelsea. She did an excellent job educating me about the different types of oysters as well as her personal favorites. Chelsea also gave some info on different types of wines to pair with the oysters. I ended up have three types: Blue Pool; this was sweet and meaty, Penn Cove; this had a slight salty taste but smooth, and Hama Hama; this was meaty and the best of them all. What made the experience even better was Elliott's house-made pink frozen slushy-like topping; this is called the Mignonette Ice. This pink slushy sauce is way better than the typical horseradish sauce and tabasco. This has a citrus and vinegar type bite to it with peppercorn flavors! OMG I was in pure oyster heaven when I poured this on top. I will never ever go back to the basic toppings. (Recipe will be below)

I ordered the Cioppino which had the jumbo shrimps, scallops, dungeon crabs, fresh cut cod, and clams. The tomato bisque soup was creamy and rich with a thick texture, almost like stew. The portion was ideal for one person; they put lots of seafood and soup inside the big bowl. This was the best cioppino I've had so far! I paired my entree with a cabernet sauvignon from Colombia which was ideal for my seafood soup. Everything was served fresh, hot, and in great portions.

My experience at Elliott's was a unique one. Before I started eating, Chelsea prepared a hot brewed tea in a bowl with a lemon slice for my fingers; this was to be used in between cracking and finger licking. This process was much better than the napkin wiping. When I finally finished my lunch, Chelsea then had me do a scrubbing process. I was rubbing crushed saltine crackers in between my hands till it was rough and softened, then she squeezed fresh lemon juice into my cupped hands and I rubbed away. This felt like a soap with the minerals from a bath store! After, she dried my hands with a hot towel!! This was like getting a massage or something. It felt like I attended a spa after eating great seafood! HAHA! The best experience so far!! Thanks Chelsea! I will def be coming back for more whenever I'm in Seattle!

Recipe: Mignonette Ice
- 1.5 tsp. cracked black peppercorns
- 1.5 tsp. crushed pink peppercorns
- 1 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup finely minced fresh shallots
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
- 1 bottle brut champagne


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Elliott's Oyster House, Seattle, WA

Purple Café & Wine Bar

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, Seattle, WA

The Bullfighter: Flight of Red

This is an ideal place to have a fine glass of wine. There is no other place to enjoy a better experience, I'm telling you. Purple Cafe is serves food that combines American style with Northwestern flavors. There is an extensive menu that serves different artisan cheeses, olives, salads & soups, desserts, and main course entrees for great wine pairing. 

If you want to get the most out of you experience here, you must grab a seat at the bar and order a flight. There is no other way!! The wine selection contains over 80 glass and 600 bottle selections. There is a unique spiral wine cellar that starts from the ground all the way to the roof; its almost like a staircase. The atmosphere is great too; the lights are dim, long glass windows for a nice city-street view, candles and fresh wine scents in the air, etc. This is such a breath-taking vibe and I def will be coming back. 

I ordered the Argentina Flight; 3 reds: 

THE BULLFIGHTER · 13
The country with the most vines wins:
Spain has more land covered by vineyards than any other in the world.
DOMINIO DOSTARES ‘ESTAY’ PRIETO PICUDO: Castilla y León ’10 ALBACEA MONASTRELL: Jumilla ’12
COROLILLA ‘CRIANZA’ VIÑAS VIEJAS BOBAL: Utiel-Requena ’10

Each of these reds were amazing. Each had a fruity and floral note to them. There is no rush either, so sit down and enjoy each glass. Swirl the glass, sniff the aroma, and taste the flavors. There is no other place I'd enjoy a glass of wine but here. It's a classy place with sophisticated drinks/food but with such a laid back vibe. No one is here to judge your palate. Just sit down and enjoy the moment. 

* Tip- Order a Flight of White or Red; $15 range 

Photo by: Allister de Vera
Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, Seattle, WA

Rob Roy

Rob Roy, Seattle, WA

My Maple Cocktail

Rob Roy is an upscale yet affordable bar & lounge with a speakeasy atmosphere. This is the ideal place for a cocktail & wine in Seattle. From the plush black leather seats, the dim lighting around the room, the variety of bottles at the bar, to the well suited bartenders, Rob Roy is a gem for sure. 

I sat down at the bar around 1am wanting to try their specially cocktails. So I was greeted and served by Brady; he's a local boy who has 8-9 yrs of bar tending skills so he knows what he's doing. I went ahead and ordered the Oaxacan Rebel: Vida mezcal, Maple, Molé & Angostura bitters, and grapefruit oils. This was almost identical to an Old-Fashioned except that the taste was slightly different. This drink packs a punch: A bitter sip, creamy texture, to a sweet finish at the back of the tongue. Brady even took the time to chisel down an ice block to a cube for this cocktail. 

My second drink ended up being what and how I wanted it. I described a drink that had to have a maple/cinnamon taste but with some espresso scents. Brady took it all down from the head and put together the perfect cocktail for me. He flat-out poured whatever he thought seemed right and BOOM!! there it was! my drink! I forgot what he put into it but it was exactly how I wanted it. 

The skills that are shown here at Rob Roy is superb. In order to even qualify here, you must have the best imaginations as a bartender. Brady has the skill and knowledge of what a cocktail should be like. Here at Rob Roy, they use the freshest ingredients and toppings for their drinks. There are even bowls of fresh peels and fruits laid on the bar! As you walk inside this bar, you automatically smell the fresh fruits and aged whisky in the air. I definitely recommend people coming here for fine-specialty cocktails. This place is Grade-A no doubt. 

* Tip- This place is open till 2am so try to come late  because theres more focus between you and the bartender. You also get more of an intimate vibe between you and your cocktail; this way you can analyze the drink.

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Rob Roy, Seattle, WA

Seattle Coffee Works

Seattle Coffee Works, Seattle, WA

Slow Bar: Vacuum Pot

Brazilian Light Roast: Vacuum Pot Process

Guess what people? theres more to coffee in Seattle than Starbucks! Seattle Coffee Works is a local legend in the streets of Seattle. They are a family ran business that blew the minds of coffee-heads such as me. When I walked inside, I got this true coffee shop vibe. The espresso machine, the drip section, a few pastries/bites here and there, coffee beans from different regions, and of course, the laid back baristas.

Doug is a friendly barista who has excellent customer service and skills to prepare coffee the right way. I knew coming in here, I had to try the Slow Bar which is a vacuum pot process so Doug walked me through it all. He cleaned the system and prepared me my Brazilian light roast. He told me how it works and he even timed the coffee in order to sip the best out of it! Doug has great knowledge of the coffee shop and the coffee itself; this is how every barista should be like.

My coffee was almost like tea! it was light brown with a clear look; it wasn't cloudy or thick. The texture was almost like water. Overall, it was like drinking tea with coffee scents. This all had to do with perfect timing after the process is finished. Doug executed this coffee!

The next morning I walked in, I had to get the single origin espresso from Bali! This espresso was fruity with tangy tones. It was very light too; not heavy on the palate. It's a sour beginning to a sweet finish. It's a great thing that I tried this before it sold out or out of stock.

Seattle Coffee Works is a tremendous coffee shop that is a local favorite and receives great business and true regulars. This is such a friendly shop with skilled baristas. I definitely recommend tourists visiting this spot. Thanks Doug!

Photo by: Allister de Vera
Seattle Coffee Works, Seattle, WA.

Pike Place Chowder

Pike Place Chowder, Seattle, WA

Salmon Chowder

Post Alley

I've been hearing about this chowder house located in post alley right in the heart of Pike place. I knew this was a place I HAD to try while in Seattle. I arrived on a Thursday morning where there wasn't a huge crowd gathered around the shop or even a mile-long line. NO, I was the 5th person in line!! The smell of the fresh chowders and chopped seafood was getting to me and there was a point where I needed it. 

Next up was me. Yes, finally I get to try the best chowder in the Pacific Northwest. I knew I had to try the salmon chowder so I ordered a large pint of it. The guy threw in complimentary sourdough bread along with my soup! what a steal! Right along the wall of the shop are utensils for the food, napkins, sauces, and even sourdough rolls from the top of the bread bowls! I suggest grabbing as much as you can and smearing the butter over it. I don't know why people would even order the bread bowl since they give free bread anyway?! 

The salmon chowder was delicious. Everything about it was on point: The creamy texture, the rich flavors from the spices and salmon, the chunks of the fish and potatoes were just right and there was an even portion, the color of tangerine, pink, cream, and red all mixed together, and it wasn't salty! This chowder was flat-out The best one I've had so far. I've had some real good ones from the Bay Area and Monterey BUT this here is a winner. 

So if you're looking for some serious chowder and want to experience the true taste of what it should be like, GO TO PIKE PLACE CHOWDER! It's no wonder why this business has won awards and has a rich history of it's accomplishments.

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Pike Place Chowder, Seattle, WA.

Wente Vineyards: The Restaurant

Wente Vineyards, Livermore, CA

Grass fed Beef Burger w/ 2011 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon "Southern Hills"

During 1883, a German immigrant by the name of C.H. Wente, purchased acres of land to plant grapes in the Livermore Valley. He realized growing grapes in the area would be ideal for his Wente Vineyard. Over 100 years later, the Wente Estate is still currently being ran by a fourth and fifth generation Wente's.

The Restaurant at Wente's is ingredient-driven using organically grown local ingredients. Most of the ingredients and toppings are from the backyard of the restaurant. Most of the ingredients are only used if it's in season. This is one of the main reasons why Wente Restaurant has become of the most successful family-operated wineries in the country. The menu here also contains more than 1,000 selections of wine and lots of pairings to offer.

I was using the Sunday Brunch Special Menu and ordered the grilled grass fed beef burger. The meat was tender and juicy. The meat was done medium-rare with an undercooked tone rather than the typical feel of medium-rare. The grilled steak onions and house made bacon just complimented the burger even more with the flavors between the buns. I paired my hardy beef burger with a 2011 Wente Cabernet Sauvignon "Southern Hills" which had some fruity notes to it as well as dry finish. It was smooth, the taste was bold-medium, the red color was evenly distributed. One of the best Cabs I've ever tasted.

*I suggest booking a reservation here anytime you plan on dining here. The availability can be ridiculous here especially for steak service.


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Wente Vineyards The Restaurant, Livermore, CA.
Taken by: iPhone 5s