Mission Chinese Food

Mission Chinese Food, SF, CA.

Mouth Watering Chicken

Sizzling Cumin Lamb

Cod Fried Rice

Kung Pao Pastrami

Danny Bowein is a genius in the kitchen. After coming in today and witnessing the experience, I have this memory of these fusion style ingredients embedded in my tongue that'll stay with me for years to come. It's something special when a person who isn't even Chinese can create these dishes out of ingredients that nobody can ever expect and turn them into "Traditional Chinese" style cooking. I came around 5pm and there was already a small line outside. I was stopped by a clipboard outside of the shop presenting the crossed out names from each customer that already stepped foot inside. I must've been #20 something but was escorted inside within minutes. As I entered through, I noticed the dim lighting that darkened the room, the red Chinese New Year dragon hanging across the restaurant ceiling, the yellow walls, a crowded room with people talking and eating up, and the smell of Chinese food streaming across the room. It was a sight to see. The restaurant isn't that big anyway..tight pathways for people to walk through. I ordered the mouth watering chicken which contained smoked chicken, chicken hearts, and sichuan peppers. I had their famous Kung Pao Pastrami which was salty but was very unique. They used up whole slices of pastrami and created this traditional dish using celery and roasted peanuts. The cumin lamb was off the charts. The meat was tender and full of that cumin flavor which also arrived sizzling to our table. My favorite was the Cod fried rice because it had a different type of taste to it. The mackerel confit mixed well with the rice and eggs. My experience here was great! I'd like to come back again and try more! Thanks Danny.


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Mission Chinese Food, SF, CA.

The Blue Bottle

Blue Bottle Coffee, San Francisco, CA.

Kyoto style iced coffee

Blue Bottle is a different type of coffee bean that is processed in a way that will give out a certain taste of it's own. The history behind this company is something unique. On Sept. 13 in the 1600's, the Turks had left bags of useful things and one of them the key to the hidden treasure; coffee beans. It was later said that Franz George Kolshitsky whom was an undercover interpreter had used up his money earned to open up Central Europe's first coffee house which came to be The Blue Bottle. Many years passed by and the shop had opened up in Oakland, CA. where he made a personal vow to only serve coffee less than 48 hrs out of the roaster in order for customers to taste the coffee beans peak of flavor. I have come to enjoy this coffee as well and I enjoy the experience every time I stop by a stand or the Mint Plaza shop in San Francisco. The baristas take their job seriously and will only serve you the best of what they have to offer. I prefer their Cappuccino's, N.O. style iced coffee, and their Kyoto iced coffee.


Photo by: Allister de Vera
Blue Bottle Coffee, SF, CA.

Jang Su Jang

Jang Su Jang, Santa Clara, CA.

Side Dishes

Nakji Dolsot Bibimbop

This Korean restaurant has all the qualities of being a 4-star type restaurant. From walking in to leaving the place, everything in between is an experience. They serve fresh ingredients that are cooked just the way it's suppose to be. You can definitely taste each flavor from every bite and the scent coming from each dish is a unique one. What attracted me a lot were the vibrant colors from each side dish as well as my entree. It's like a painting in front of me. The servers here are quick and presentable with their uniforms. I ordered the Nakji Dolsot Bibimbop which had fresh grilled octopus on top with some red pepper paste. The side dishes here are unlimited too! so take advantage. This is a great Korean restaurant to attend with family and friends for any occasion. You really do get what you pay for here!

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Jang Su Jang, Santa Clara, CA.

Le Macaron

Chantal Guillon, Palo Alto, CA.

My very first time. Oh yes, after barely hearing about this magnificent pastry a couple years ago, I wanted to search for one of the best out here in the Bay Area. And so I began my journey through the streets of San Fran. The popular one was Paulette's which then became Chantal Guillon. Walking inside the shop was like a candy store but instead it was colorful cookies that surrounded the shop with French music in the background, locals walking in for a taste, hot imported tea being brewed, etc. I can easily smell the fresh scent of pistachio, espresso, almond, and lavender fumes in the air that squeezed in between the spaces of the glass that displayed the macarons. After purchasing a whole box, I gently tasted each one. From start to finish, the ingredients really stuck out with a nice chewy texture. What flavor you get is exactly what taste you get and this is very important because you want to actually try that flavor and not some knock-off. I am so happy they opened here in Palo Alto because now I can stop by before work and grab some! Go and please try Chantal's macarons and pair it up with their teas and don't forget to purchase a gift box for a friend or loved one!

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Chantal Guillon, Palo Alto, CA.

Caffe Strada

Caffe Strada, Berkeley, CA.

Mocha Bianca

After coming in 8th place as a best college coffee shop in America in 2011, it's no wonder why it was placed in the list so high! This cafe has got to be the ideal coffee house for UC Berkeley's students. What I see here is a huge community gathered around in the seating area surrounded by the smell of espresso, voices exchanged professors, students, neighbors, outside tourists, etc. The design of this cafe is very unique. The outdoor seating is heated and reminds me of a small forest with a coffee shop in the planted down. The look of it, draws you into studying and sipping brew. They don't really sell hot shot pastries or anything unique at that..just probably their mocha bianca which is sweet and milky with a silky and smooth feel to the tongue. Great drink here! Other than that, I think a lot of students come here to socialize and just study here because of the total comfort zone. Oh and please don't forget cash!! they don't accept credit cards or debit!



Photo by: Allister de Vera
Caffe Strada, Berkeley, CA.

Traditional Brunch & Lunch Bistro

Lemon gingerbread pancake w/ pears

Cote Sud

Bathroom

Once every great moment, I like to stop by at La Note for breakfast. This establishment is a one of a kind traditional French Provencal bistro that cooks up dishes that contain fresh ingredients and is made right when ordered. I enjoy their breakfast items here because the portion is just right and the flavors from each breakfast item is very unique. I like to order the Cote Sud which has 2 sunny side up eggs that are runny (The way it's suppose to be), 4 slices of toast, home fries that seasoned with garlic and herbs, and finally merguez sausages that tastes like spicy lamb meat. You honestly can't go wrong with this entree because you get the most important breakfast items all in one plate but in this traditional French cooking. I also recommend their Lemon gingerbread pancakes that are topped with fresh blueberries and lightly tarted pieces of pears. The pancake isn't too thick but has a rich taste to the batter. The ingredients within this particular pancake is amazing! You can taste the gingerbread filling inside and when you cut through that layer of pear, blueberry, and the pancake all in one, you get these flavors that come together like it were a fruit tart in a pancake form. La Note is one of the best bistro's out here in Berkeley, and I do recommend everyone stopping by and avoiding the rush here just so you can experience the ambiance of this French style home while eating a 4-start breakfast meal and for a great price at that!



Photos by: Allister de Vera
La Note, Berkeley, CA.
Camera used: iPhone 5

BUILD A Pizza

BUILD, Berkeley, CA.

Margherita

Albicocca-Prugna Sour

From the beginning to the end, you get to create your own pizza from BUILD's fresh ingredients, to the crust, the sauce, cheese and meats, etc. Here, you get to use your imagination and taste it yourself. BUILD has a team full of skilled pizza cooks who take down exactly what you want and put it all in the brick oven. You can also pair your pizza with a glass of fine wine or a unique cocktail from their fully stocked bar. I ordered the Margherita pizza with fresh salted anchovies baked on top. The basil showed off its flavor with that natural scent and the mozzarella were chewy and had that hot moist stringy texture that pulled each corner of the cheese every time I lifted my teeth. The tomato sauce was amazingly fresh too and had that ripen taste to it which was sweet. As for my drink, I ordered their Albicocca-Prugna Sour which contained plum and apricot brandies, lime, and egg white with bitters. This drink was sweet and had a tiny bite of that sourness at the top of the tongue. the egg white created this bubbly foam on top of the cocktail that felt like sipping a cappuccino from the start and then with that fruity alcoholic rush. BUILD is a great pizza spot here in the Bay Area that barely opened up but already building a fan base that is soon to build up as each day goes by and for more to come.


Photo by: Allister de Vera
BUILD Pizzeria, Berkeley, CA.