As a food lover, I love the people and places that painstakingly supply my needy tongue and stomach. The fishermen, the butcher, the grocery bagger. The farmer’s market, the local supermarket, the open at 5am donut shop. Missing that feeling of culinary wonder in sleepy San Mateo, I heard of little grocery store in the Mission that serves up some swell deli treats and is conveniently located next to the Dolores Park for a nice Sunday picnic. There stands Bi-Rite Market, which prides itself on being a community-oriented grocery market. I think they’re doing a pretty good job of living up to the billing.
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I love hamburgers. Big, small, greasy, cheesy, chili-filled. I would even argue that nothing else represents American food in the summer than the hamburger (ironic that it’s got a German name though, haha). Can’t say I’m not always in the mood for them, but when I want one, the feeling is fierce. Since my friend and I wanted to check out the sweet threads and kicks at HUF, I decided that a stop at Pearl’s in Nob Hill was necessary. Quite a nice little store, very clean for a neighborhood burger joint – maybe too clean – and with some very tasty offerings. I love the menus with the removable plastic letters. I don’t know why, but it gives places a homey feel.
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Okay, I have been pining to check out Tajine for a long time. I have always been a fan of Moroccan cuisine with all their hearty flavors and the multitude of aromatic spices. The liberal use of lamb doesn’t hurt either. They recently moved to their new digs on Polk, but I have heard nothing but glowing reviews of this place and their incredible cook. Finally had time to make my way out there and I came out a pretty happy man (pretty full, too).
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Nestled in Lomita of all places is a pretty good steal for very different lunch. iL Chianti is a Japanese Italian restaurant. Yes, you heard it right. Japanese Italian. No, it’s not penne with natto or pasta carbonara alla tofu, but Italian for people with a Japanese palate. Since noodle making is a staple of Japanese cuisine, pasta seems like a obvious and natural extension for the Japanese.
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While we’re still trying to decide on a site name as well as finish designing the look, we figure we might as well start writing some reviews and such now, especially because memories tend to fade quickly. Enjoy!