A Taste Of Ethiopia

Walia Ethiopian Cuisine, San Jose, CA

Ethiopian Coffee

Meat Combo

Injera

Craving for Ethiopian food? Come here to Walia's where the service is friendly, the restaurant is spotless, and the food is tremendous. The smell of the spices are in the air; sweet tamarind chili powder,  the aroma of freshly made curry, and the scent of lamb racks, accumulate the air. The experience with ripping off a piece of injera, creates an experience when scooping the lentil beans or meat with the bread. The texture of the injera is spongy with a sour taste to it. The Ethiopian coffee is sweet and chocolaty with a hint of nutty flavors to it. Having to stir the coffee with this herb plant,  gave the coffee citrus taste to it. Walia carries a team full of kind employees and maintains a great experience for new comers like me.

Top of It All

Top of The Mark, San Francisco, CA

Ahi Tuna Melt

Smoked Duck Pastrami

Chandon Rosé

Cab Red Wine

Top of The Mark is the definition of class and luxury. From walking in, dining, to walking out; makes you feel accomplished. It's the feeling of visiting a wonder of the world. The service is efficient and swift on their feet. The food is excellent and the taste is even better! Their ahi tuna melt is fresh and crisp and the honey pastrami dutch crunch sandwich is right on the money. After eating, head to the full service bar and grab a martini or champagne to clean the palate. While drinking down, look at the astonishing views of San Francisco; there's nothing like it. You know you're at the top when only heavens right above it! 

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Top of The Mark, San Francisco, CA

Afternoon Delight

Tea Time, Palo Alto, CA.

Masala Cocoa Chai

They say the influence truly came from the British empire. Yes, this is tea time also known as low tea in which it is traditionally held between 4-6 pm. In this case, most people break the law and attend early noon. With the freshly baked scones and spreads, the tiny cake bites, and well...the milk and sugar. The perfect thing about modern tea time is that you can just have it your way. This is what Tea Time in Palo Alto CA. allows you to do. Now it could be a bit uncomfortable knowing that you're not doing it right BUT hey, why not just enjoy the tea rather than spending money on the tiers. Your tea will be poured in by an employee and is neatly served with a Biscoff cookie. You'll be within an old-fashioned vintage type atmosphere, Mozart-like music in the background, and the feeling of being inside a modern victorian home. It's a great way to enjoy a conversation with a friend or family member here at the tea house. Students also come for the calm environment and do work. If you want to experience a whole different scene and sip on some imported tea, come to Tea Time!

Photo by: Allister de Vera

Tea Time, Palo Alto, CA.

CREAM NATION

CREAM, Palo Alto, CA.

White Chocolate Macadamia cookie w/ Butter Pecan ice cream

CREAM has finally arrived in downtown Palo Alto and already has become an opening sensation. This location is much more organized and clean compared to the original spot in Berkeley. There seems to be more flavors of cookies and ice cream at this location too. I enjoy the friendly service here a lot! With this type of business, you need a group that can work as a team and get through the task. The ice cream is rich and perfectly made while the cookies are warm and made to the right consistency. The ice cream has a fluffy texture to it with it's true color presented all around. The cookies are pretty moist but stiff to the right texture where it holds the ice cream together. The idea of choosing a cookie and ice cream to have has your ice cream sandwich is a great one! For $2.50 you can get your self one! If you want to switch it up, you could also get a brownie or taco shell fill up with ice cream too. Everything here is freshly made. Get ready because the lines can build up quick so prepare yourself! 

Photo by: Allister de Vera

CREAM, Palo Alto, CA.

East Bay Spice Company

East Bay Spice Company, Berkeley, CA.

Honey Saison IPA

The Royal Charter

New discovery has been made here in Berkeley, CA. Once again, another bar opened up right across from the UC Berkeley campus. This gem has a space inside but can accommodate a larger group upstairs. This bar is a great spot for social hours and gatherings. The bittered slings here are the star of the show. They have about 6 different cocktails that integrate different ingredients. Their cocktails are a one of a kind. From coconut chai syrups, bourbons from different regions, to even sugar cane juice! It’s all in the mix here and the bartenders don’t play. Come grab a seat at the bar or at the high tables before 5pm hits. It can get a bit crowded here so make sure you reserve your seat. Also, start off with their Indian a la carte menu and top it off with a beer from the local area! I recommend the Honey Saison straight out of San jose, CA. Great IPA with a honey finish. This bar is my favorite so far and I still need to catch up and order all of their slingers! 

Photo by: Allister de Vera
East Bay Spice Company, Berkeley, CA.
Taken by: iPhone 5

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.