Smitten

Smitten, San Francisco, CA

Blood Orange w/ Pistachio

Hands down to Robyn Fisher who created this San Francisco gem. One of the top ice cream shops in the Bay Area with unique flavors made using liquid nitrogen technique. 

The founder Robyn wanted to create a smoother texture by freezing ice cream at low temperatures while keeping a freshly packed product. The flavors come at 4-5 at a time/day which is great because they focus more on the flavors and taste without creating a disruption by making dozens of different flavors.

I ordered their blood orange w/ pistachio cookie bites and their homemade brown sugar caramel drizzled over the top for the price of $6.25. The process is something I've already seen before but Smitten serves unique and creative flavors with interesting toppings. Their friendly and exciting staff are full of joy and have a blast making one of the city's best ice cream destinations.

The ice cream was creamy and kept it's freezing content the whole time we were eating it. The flavors were all there! Smitten has become a local favorite to many and one of the most influential ice cream shops in the Bay Area with it's liquid nitrogen process. 

Photo by: Allister de Vera
Smitten, San Francisco, CA 

Miette

Miette, San Francisco, CA

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Miette has always been a charm to my eye. This pastry shop has got to be one of the best if not the best out there. It's definitely SF's most charming pastry shop. Everything is organized and kept clean. It's like an old fashioned candy shop with a modern twist of soft pastel colors. 

Miette is also like a jewelry shop with finely made pastries in the glass shelves. There are fresh chocolate bars and treats neatly placed in tables. There are recipe books and other things that are used in the kitchen or home. Its like an Anthropology apparel shop but instead a pastry one. Everything is pretty much unique and prices are decent. People can tell how much effort and detail come with these pastries just by the look of them. 

One thing they're known for is their famous ice cream sandwiches. The delicate packaging and flower-like sandwich is fresh and tasty. They come in a couple flavors which are sure to keep you hooked for more. For $5 these ice cream sandwiches are Miette's top must-try item. 

So when in San Fran, make sure to make a stop at Miette and enjoy what it has to offer. This is a great spot to come after lunches or early dinners to fulfill that sweet tooth. And lastly, I recommend trying the pastries that aren't common in pastry shops; the unique combinations, the imported ingredients, the popular must-haves, etc. 

Have fun!!


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Miette, San Francisco, CA

Sam's Chowder House

Sam's Chowder House, Palo Alto, CA.

Fish N' Chips and Calamari

Sam's Lobster Roll

After waiting 2.5 years to dine inside Sam's, I finally had the opportunity today. Its so nice and convenient to have their highly popular restaurant placed in the heart of downtown Palo Alto. 

After work today, my friend and I came for an early dinner. The place itself is spacious with lots of seating. The tables are neatly arranged with crystal clear wine glasses, tightly folded napkins, silverware strictly coordinated, etc. The team does a great job maintaining the cleanliness of the restaurant. I can see each individual taking part in their roles. As I walked around the restaurant, I can smell the fresh scent of shellfish and the aroma from the chowders from the kitchen. It was as if I was walking through a pier in San Francisco!

I already knew what I wanted to order and that was Sam's famous lobster roll with a side of homemade thinly sliced potato chips and creamy coleslaw with a nice cajun kick. The buttered brioche roll was thin with a nice moistened inside and a light crunchy texture. The amount of lobster was more than generous for its handful size. The lobster meat was finger sized with a juicy & tender texture. The lobster meat is marinated or dipped in melted butter which is infused inside the meat. The meat is juicy period!! straight worth it! Sam's special lobster roll is truly special. This has got to be the most authentic lobster roll in the SF/Bay Area region. It doesn't get better than this.

* Sam's Lobster Roll - Selected Top Five "Best Sandwiches in America" by NBC's The Today Show

Photo by: Allister de Vera
Sam's Chowder House, Palo Alto, CA.