SPQR

SPQR
Category: Italian (Roman-style)
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
Price Range: $$$

After having read so much about SPQR and after trying their Pork Soffrito on top of ridiculously Creamy Polenta at the Wine & Wishes event that I attended a few weeks ago, I finally got to try it and let me tell you, SPQR did not disappoint.

This place is great! I've gone for Dinners and recently for Brunch and I seriously love the Food. How can you not?

Some may contend that they dislike the no reservation policy and the long waits. I am of another school of thought, in that, if the Food is great, then I do not mind waiting for it. One night of the nights that I went, I met some girlfriends for dinner there at around 8pm and although it was packed, we waited at the bar and had a glass of wine. The wait went by quickly, which I think was all of 20 minutes, perhaps even 30, but I just didn't notice, because I was enjoying myself chatting with my friends and learning about the different Italian wines at the Bar. The place is certainly lively and although I loved the dark, romantic vibe of its predecessor, Chez Nous, not just for the atmosphere, but also for the Food, which was mostly small plates-style as well, and always perfect for a date…

SPQR is the opposite in its liveliness and I love it.

Let me share my experience with you...

The Antipasti are a sweet deal at $7 each, or a choice of three for $18 or five for $28 from a Menu which consists mainly of Small Plates which is broken down into 3 categories of Cold, Hot & Fried, giving you much to choose from...

This particular evening, the girls and I decided to go for the fiver deal, plus a Pasta Dish & an Entrée to share amongst the three of us.

Here’s what we had:

We started with the Chicory Salad with Anchovy and Lemon, which was a great start with its Crisp Chicory, combined with the Saltiness of the Anchovy Bits and the Tartness of the Lemon. It whet the appetite nicely and prepared us for what was to come…

Our next 4 Plates consisted of the following:
-Tender & Flavorful Broccoli Rabe (Rapini) sautéed in Garlic & Olive Oil and finished with Lemon.
-A beautifully tender Calamari that was prepared with Tondini Beans, Capers & Fried Bread Crumbs. A seriously yummy preparation... Embarrassingly enough, when some of it fell on the table, we quickly battled to get to the Fried Bread Crumb Goodness so as not to waste it, it was that good...
-The Brussel Sprouts with Garlic, Capers, Lemon and Parsley were as good as prior reviews had indicated. The Brussel Sprouts were fried and incredibly light, that they were like Popcorn, you couldn’t have just one. And how could you go wrong with the combination of Garlic, Capers, Lemon and Parsley to accompany it? Seriously now. It is that good.
-Veal Meatballs with Arugula and Lemon. Tasty…

For the Pasta Dish we had the Cannelloni of Pork Sausage, Ricotta and Pecorino. The Pasta was freshly made on site and the Dish was Absolutely Delicious! Definitely My Favorite of the night…

Our Entree was a Dish of Bay Scallops with Roasted Cauliflower, Rapini and Olives

All of it was so good, that we practically licked our plates clean. You gotta try it. It is well worth the wait and I personally could not wait to go back for more...

So I did...

Brunch:
Went back for Brunch and I just had to tell you about it...

I had the Chicken Livers with Pancetta, Potatoes, Fried Eggs & Salsa Verde, which was quite good, but my companion’s Dish was to die for!

He had the Cellini Beans with Pork Soffrito, Chiles & Two 'Fried Eggs' Dish which was truly incredible. It was something completely unlike anything I had ever had or even seen before. When it first came out, we both were a bit perplexed as the Dish (pictured above) was laid on the table before us. I should have taken a shot of what it looked like when it was broken into.
Essentially, the clever play on ‘Fried Eggs’ was boiled soft with a yolk that seeped out when you put your fork through it. The Soft Boiled Eggs were rolled in Fried Bread Crumbs and perhaps flash fried to keep the Fried Crumb Bits on.

Hmm… Now that I think about it, I wonder if they were dredged in Flour and then dipped in Egg first? Interesting, if that was the case…

So anyway, these Bad Boys, and yes, they are Bad Boys, were placed atop a bed of Cellini Beans - Tender on the out, and Creamy on the inside Cellini Beans and SPQR’s incredibly yummy Pork Soffrito.
Oh, there’s that Pork Soffrito again… It is so damn Good, I can't stop thinking about it! Mmm…

Creamy…Tender…Savory? Now that is one sexy Dish if you ask me!

All this and it's Unbelievably Delicious... I must go back for more!

And I’m going to get one just for myself and that’s no joke.

Mangia, People. Mangia.

Aqua Impressions...

Aqua

Category: Seafood

Neighborhood: Financial District

Price Range: $$$$

Grabbing a glass of Wine & a Nibble or two after work has become my M.O. as of late. Around 2 or 3pm some days, I find myself wondering where I could go to satisfy this urge. I do have a few places that are quick go-to spots for me in the FiDi - Les Amis being my top place and Perbacco, Frisson, the Bubble Lounge & Aqua are other faves.

The reason I felt the need to write a quick review of Aqua even though I haven't offically dined there for Dinner, is because I find myself there after work for a glass or two of wine & apps quite often lately, as it is on my way to Bart. And though it is a bit pricey and bustling full of suits (of which in the FiDi, you don't have much of a choice), I have grown to love going there.

Because I have become a bit of a regular there (thanks to my friend, Melissa) the bartenders and staff have come to know or at least recognize us to the point of even remembering what types of wine we each prefer and some even know us by name.

And I cannot complete this review without mentioning the charming and hospitable, Jean Claude Persais, the VP of Operations. You can usually find him walking around the restaurant with a huge smile, welcoming people & inquiring as to how they are and if there is anything that they need. And although the Restaurant, in all of its elegant & beautiful splendor, can be intimidating, one can't help but feel at home with Jean Claude's warmth & hospitality, not to mention the loveliness of the staff as well.

Tuna Tartare has become one of those predictable, if not obsolete Dishes at most Restaurants.

At Aqua, Tuna Tartare is their Signature Dish for which they are well known even before Tuna Tartare became popular, and some may even say that they were the original creators of the Dish. Whatever the case, it is undoubtedly a step above the rest.

A little tip for those that are unaware, there are two styles of preparation - One being the 'Classic or Original' and the 'New Moroccan-inspired' Style which is described on the Menu as the Tartare of Ahi Tuna with Moroccan Spices, Lemon Confit, Fresh Herbs. Both are great, but the Classic is no longer shown on the Menu and must be requested. I am a fan of both.

Aqua is definitely one of, if not, the quintessential must-try dining experiences in San Francisco, if money were no object for the Power Lunch or for those very Special Occasions, for both locals and visitors alike.

I, myself, have been for lunch a few times, but I have yet to go there for Dinner. And even though it has been on my Bucket List of places to eat in SF for some time now, it has certainly moved up that ladder.

Taking Mac & Cheese To New Levels...

Mac & Cheese. I love Mac & Cheese. And I know I am not alone in this...
I have been making my own Mac & Cheese for the last couple years (and I'm not talking about the stuff that comes in a box either) and it has always been a hit amongst my friends. The photo above is one of my standard Mac & Cheese that I prepare.
But after awhile, I got tired of doing the same ol' recipe, so for our Superbowl Party this year, I decided to take it to another level. And another thing was that my boy, Raz, said that although he loved my Mac & Cheese, he said that he loved Smith & Wollensky's Truffled Mac & Cheese more.
What?!? Better Mac & Cheese than mine? Hmph!
I'm not mad at it, but I definitely accepted that challenge...

I sampled two new recipes - a new Cheddar Mac & Cheese and a Truffle Mac & Cheese. Technically, I kicked up my Old Recipe for the first and then tried a whole New Recipe for the other. How I went about it was that I searched for 4-5 Recipes for each and then took bits & pieces of each to make New Recipes. It all turned out very well.



What I came up with for my standard Mac & Cheese, which as you can see from the photo above, looks essentially the same, but in flavor I kicked it up a little by adding Cayenne, instead of Nutmeg and I also added some Dijon Mustard. People liked this much more with the change in spices and I am glad that I tried it.



As for the Truffle Mac & Cheese, I couldn't have been happier with the outcome. I mean, how do you go wrong with Truffle? Needless to say, it was a huge hit and I cannot wait to make it again soon. Lucky friends, huh? You bet...

I need to go write down the Recipes now.

Back in Range... And So Happy To Be There...

I've always liked this place. Since they got their Michelin Star last October, this place has been doubly as packed which makes for reservations that are a little hard to come by at times. Of all of my Dining Experiences here at Range (you can read about the other times here), I have decided that this has become one of my 'go to' places, and I've also learned that my favorite place to sit & dine there is at the Bar. Let me share why...
That particular evening we walked in without a rez on a Friday night at around 9pm. We were told that it would be a 45 minute wait until they could seat us. In the meantime, we decided to grab a drink at the Bar. By the time we finished our 1st cocktail, the Bar opened up and we opted to sit there for Dinner. I have to tell you, the Staff is really friendly and very knowledgeable about their Food and Libations, which is why I enjoy eating & drinking at the bar. You get more interaction and I personally like being in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.

As for the Food that Evening...


We started with the Raw Hawaiian Tombo, sliced thin Sashimi-style atop creamy Avocado, a refreshing Tangerine Broth and finished with Fresh Tangerine Slivers and Radish Sprouts. Simple and Delicious. This is a great start that awakens the Palette and this is how I typically like to start off my Meals. If there are Oysters, or some type of Crudo, Tartare or Sashimi on the Menu, I usually order it. I like Raw Food.



We then shared the Butternut Squash Stuffed Pasta topped with Parmesan, and drizzled with Lemon and Olive Oil. I thought that the mild saltiness from the Cheese and the crisp tartness of the Lemon worked well against the creamy sweetness of the Butternut Squash. A Very Nice Dish.



I chose the Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder with a Parsnip Puree, Sauteed Green Chard and Marinated Scallions for my Main, which I enjoyed, although I have to admit, not as much as the Coffee Rubbed Braised Pork Shoulder that I had at one of my previous visits to Range.


My companion had the Roasted Chicken with a Fennel and Bacon Bread Salad and drizzled with a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, a Dish which we both liked very much.

To sum it all up... We had a Great Meal and a Great Time sitting at the Bar, chatting with other Diners and the Bartender. FYI - the Menu changes daily and does a wonderful job with Fresh Local Ingredients. I love their Food...
Range has become one my favorite go-to Restaurants and I look forward to going back again very soon...

Foreign Cinema's 8 1/2 Year Anniversary Party...

I attended Foreign Cinema's 8 1/2 Year Anniversary Party the other night and it was a blast! The Event was in Celebration of their 8 1/2 Year Anniversary. The cost was only $40 for what seemed like endless Appetizers, Open Bar, Live Music & Perfomers, and 100% of the proceeds went to Street Smart for Kids. The evening itself was well worth it...



As I walked in, my first encounter is with an Oyster Bar. A Perfect start from the getgo...
The Joint was crowded and bustling and I'm feeling the excitement from the moment I walked in.
As I'm loading up on Kumamotos, I glance around and notice in the distance, the Fellini movie '8 1/2' projecting onto the Back Wall, with Live Music and Live Performers such as Acrobats, Fire Jugglers & Contortionists performing on a stage in the Central Courtyard. As it turned out, the entire night had a very Felliniesque Vibe to it - Surreal, Exaggerated Imagery mixed with a little Comedic Absurdity.


We move into the Main Restaurant to find some Drinks and there were 2 long tables with little Appetizer Plates of various Dishes ranging from Seared Beef, Duck and Pork with various Preparations, as well as Individual Salads and Couscous Dishes. While my friend went to grab us some Martinis, I staked out at the tables with the Appetizer Plates seen in the photos above. The Food was Really Good.
Honestly, after having been to FC many times for Dinner, Brunch & Special Events or Occasions, I have come to the conclusion that FC's Food is much better at Events than the Meals I've had whilst sitting down for one. If you read me regularly, you may know that I have written about this before. This Event just proved again, how much better their Food is when it is done in Small Plates or Passed Hors d'Oeuvres-Style. Take it from me, if you can go to one of their events, I highly recommend it.



As we moved out onto the Courtyard, we walked past the Acrobats & Performers to the back corner where we found a huge Grill ablaze with Delicious Little Mini Burgers, as well as Lamb & Chicken on Skewers being fired up. I had the Mini Burgers which were yummy and the Lamb Sirloin which was placed atop a bed of Israeli Couscous. All of it Delicious.
As we traversed onward to the Modernism Gallery to explore what else was in Store, we ran into yet another Oyster Bar & opportunely procured some Sparkling Wine along the way. As the night wore on, we had made another few rounds around the Place, Eating and Drinking all the while...

All in all, it was a Fantastical, Dream-like Night filled with Great Food, Jazz Music & Performances reminiscent of a Fellini Film. How Appropriate and Memorable it all was!
Bravo Foreign Cinema and Happy Anniversary and 1/2...

Cafe de la Presse

Cafe De La Presse

Category: French
Neighborhoods: Union Square, Nob Hill

Price Range: $$

I have been here several times for Lunch, Bloody Mary's and Mimosas, and I have to say that I really dig this place. It is situated right off Union Square and it's a great spot to stop for Lunch during a day of shopping, or even just to meet a friend to catch up.

I love the Atmosphere and the Design of the Space with its Old World wood panel walls and Cafe chairs and tables. Not to mention that they have a great offering of international newspapers & magazines. It reminds me of my college year abroad in Marburg, Germany and the particular cafe that it reminds me of was a place there called Cafe News. Ah, looking back, they were some Good Times...
I have not had a chance to try Dinner here, but it is a definitely a Great Space during the day. It is situated right across the street from the Chinese Pagoda Gate entrance to Chinatown on Grant & Bush Streets, and if you get a table by the window, it's a great spot to People watch.

As for their Food, I l frequently get their 'Poulet Roti' which is a Roasted Organic Chicken au Jus & Frites. It is SO good! The Chicken is Crisp on the outside and deliciously Juicy on the inside. Perfectly prepared. The Frites are no joke either... I have also tried the 'Tartare de Saumon' - Salmon Tartare, Haricot Vert Salad, Pomme Gaufrette recently which I absolutely loved. The Combination of the Flavors & Textures of the ingredients together is really really good...

A definite Must-Try.

The Menu has a lot to offer as far as Parisian-style Bistro/Cafe Fare, such as Steak Frites, Salad Nicoise and Salad aux Petit Lardons.

One more thing that I have to tote is their Creme Brulee - the carmelized sugar on top is light & crisp and the Creme is perfectly Creamy & Smooth. Damn, it's good! One of the best creme brulees that I've ever had... Well Done.

Recently renovated, I just learned that the Restaurant came under Aqua management by Laurent Manrique, Jean Claude Persais & Charles Condy in the fall of 2005, which says something as far as the Food is concerned. Gotta remember to come back here for Brunch one of these days and put CDLP through the Raptor Brunch test (Eggs Benedict-style)...

Wine & Wish Impressions...

This Gourmet Food & Wine Event was this past Saturday evening and it was a pretty spectacular event as you can imagine. It was held from 5-7:30pm in a sprawling Space on Treasure Island, in which the walls were swathed in dark velvet which showcased the Stars of the Event - the Wine & the Food.
Although it was raining heavily that night, neither rain nor sleet nor snow would have kept me away, and let me tell you it was worth every minute...
I have to admit that I was a bit starry-eyed upon entering... It was almost like a red carpet event for Food. Quite dramatic actually, and people were dressed to impress, some in semi-formal attire even...
Over 70 participating Wineries & Chefs / Restaurants presenting a Taste of what they have to offer... And all for a great cause. The Make A Wish Foundation.
It's a win-win situation. You simply can't go wrong.
I really must urge you to attend when this event comes back around next year if you have never been. I know I definitely will...


Here are the Raptor Highlights...

The Food:


These 3 Restaurants prepared the Tastiest & Most Memorable Morsels of Food which had me wanting to go to each of these Restaurants to try more...


SPQR had my favorite Dish of All...
A Savory Mouthwatering Pork Soffrito atop a Deliciously Creamy Polenta.
*sigh*
SO good...
I have to try SPQR soon.


The Wine:


Holdredge Wines was one of my faves. The knowledgeable husband and wife team of John & Carri Holdredge were there and one could tell that they were really into their Wine. With good reason, I might add... They said that they tended to stick to making their Favorite Wines, such as Pinot Noir, Syrahs & Zins, which just happen to be my Faves as of late as well, and I thought their Wine to be Delicious. I was even invited up to their Winery in Healdsburg for a Private tasting, or I can just come to their Tasting Room on the weekend. My favorite was the Mazie Rose Pinot Noir, which I was able to remember thanks to Carri for writing down on the back of her card. I also want to mention that they had a great 2006 Late Harvest Pinot Gris, a Dessert Wine called Grace's Cuvee, named for their daughter Gracie.

Other Favorite Wines offered were Nicholson Ranch and Enzo Wines which we may try to go to one or more of these when we do our French Laundry weekend this month.


Some Honorable Mentions...





Limon had their Signature Ceviche in these pretty little shot glasses, which although a cute idea, it suffered in logistics and a was a bit difficult to eat. Good Ceviche nonetheless...

The Marin French Cheese Company had a great Table offering many of their Award-Winning Artisan-crafted French Cheeses. A great place to stop by as you are sauntering around wine glass in hand. I love the Gold Award wining Rouge et Noir Triple Crème Brie. And they had little recipe cards for Dishes that you can prepare with their Cheeses...

Farallon was simply offering up Freshly Shucked Oysters with either a Mignonette or Tartar Accompaniment.
Could you imagine non-stop shucking for 2 1/2 hours? They still did it with a smile...

Millenium had these Papadums topped with a savory topping whoes Flavors just burst in your mouth...

I even wrapped the evening up with one of Kara's Cupcakes Cute Mini Cupcakes- I liked the Sweet Vanilla, but I heard that the other offerings of Ghirardelli Chocolate, Coconut & Passion Fruit were just as good...

There were a wealth of Foods offered, too many to mention here...
I guess you will just have to go next year to see for yourselves.