Josephine in SF

RN74 is the newest brain child to the Mina Group. Michael Mina and Raj Parr premiered the first casual restaurant/wine bar to their portfolio. With a more laid back approach, waiters in jeans, paper placements, and more affordable pricing, some people are wondering, can MM really do casual?  The prices may feel more normal in this tightened economy but the expansive wine list including over 80 pages is quite overwhelming with several high end gems. Something I don't think Parr could stray from even if he tried.

The restaurant space itself is gorgeous. I loved all the extra detail that went into the layout, upholstery, bathroom fixtures, and the train station board. It totally took me back to eating at Otto in NYC where they have a European train station board that flips with all waiting reservation names. This one donned a wine list with vintage and price. I thought it was a fun touch to hear the board clicking every half hour.

 Onto the food, for our first course we shared the Hamachi Sashimi ($16) with hearts of palm, green apple, pumpkin seed and lime. The tender pieces of fish were so fresh and I loved the textural change in my mouth with the hearts of palm. We also had the Sauteed Pork Belly with Manila Clams ($15) with spring garlic, smoked paprika and parsley. This was served in a very complex broth and had we not had sourdough bread (ick), I would have sopped that up! The pork belly was tender and juicy with just enough to satisfy my pork belly quota for the month. There wasn't anything on the appetizer menu I wouldn't eat. We were also debating between the Salad of Jumbo Green Asparagus with Quail Egg, Frisee and Serrano Ham Vinaigrette ($13), Grilled Mushrooms ($14), and Foie Gras Terrine ($22).

For our main course, I knew immediately I would order the lamb loin ($31). Hardly ever do I see it on menus and when I do, I always order it. It was served with morel mushrooms, fava beans, turnips and pearl onions. The meat was exquisitely prepared in presentation and flavor. My number one reason to go to cooking school is to learn how to make this sauce. The other dish we got was the Liberty Farm Duck "cassoulet" with barley, shitake mushrooms, sweet carrots, and spinach ($27). This was cassoulet deconstructed with the duck confit laid on top of the bed of vegetables, sans the beans. The duck was amazing with it's crispy skin! There were Maine Sea Scallops ($29) which I spotted on the way to use the ladies and these were the biggest scallops I've ever seen. I think they were pushing on a 3" diameter! Also on the menu was an olive oil poached wild caught halibut ($24) and grilled prime beef rib eye ($28).

For dessert we had the Chocolate Delice with Roasted Bananas and Brown Butter Cashew Ice Cream ($9). This delicate chocolate mousse was filled with the most decadent caramel and the chocolate, caramel, banana and ice cream were heaven in my mouth. And the waiter pulled through and gave me an extra scoop of ice cream (at the objection of the pastry chef). The other desserts included a vanilla gelato, white sesame pot de creme, and kumquat confiture sponge cake. 

RN74 was delish and I definitely want to go back again soon. For the location downtown, I can see how it would be a popular spot to grab drinks after work along with a few nibblies. Definitely a winner in my book!

So our quick getaway weekend or as I renamed it "faux vacation" landed us in Palm Springs. I can't recall the last time I experienced 100 degree weather. Despite the unbearable heat unless poolside, we had a great time and all the research I did planning our dinners turned out to be a success!  I was able to get a head start with some recommendations from a friend. I diligently looked up all the menus, Open Table availability, and distance from our hotel. I narrowed it down to 3: Amore Ristorante, Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar, and Arnold Palmer. Ok, I know, Arnold Palmer, isn't that a drink?  The menu looked good, ok?! After getting a recommendation for sushi from our waiter at Okura, coincidentally enough it was one of my picks.

Amore Ristorante turned out to be this Italian restaurant right in La Quinta. The restaurant was huge, the staff was friendly, and they had live music that night. The place wasn't totally filled up on the Friday night but regardless, I think would be very accommodating for groups. It took us a bit to relish over the menu. It is chock full of appetizers, pastas, salads, meats, and seafood. Before getting started on food, we knew we needed a bottle of wine. After talking over a couple of Italian reds with the sommelier, we settled on a rather decently priced bottle of wine. I had vaguely recognized the name and sure enough when it came, it was a bottle I had purchased for my own collection. With the wine out of the way, time to focus on food.  We actually ended up starting off with just a simple salad – hearts of romaine, cucumber, tomato, fresh mozzarella with a balsamic vinaigrette ($8) and then went with the two specials of the night – a seafood linguine and halibut. The salad ended up being so-so. I wasn't about to downgrade the place just off their lettuce. But when the pasta and halibut came, boy was I impressed. Amore was like the Buca di Beppo of La Quinta. The portion sizes were absolutely enormous and way too much food for two. The linguine was cooked in a rich tomato sauce with all kinds of seafood including calamari, clams, and rock shrimp. We were so full but kept reaching for one more bite after another. Finally stopping, we doggie bagged it and man, that cold pasta was still good the next day. One of the best seafood pastas I have ever had. I imagine myself craving that at odd hours of the day in my near future…  The halibut was also equally as good. Served with spinach and topped with a mixed cherry tomato sauce. Everything was fresh, flavorful and perfectly seasoned.

The next night we were debating between what could be another pedestrian American food experience and sushi. Well, 9 times out of 10 I'm going to pick Japanese. That's my stranded island food. So when our waiter at Amore recommended Okura, I remembered that was the one I had narrowed down in our 3 choices and on top of that, it was in the top 10 on Open Table. Okura was a large and hip sushi bar and very trendy for La Quinta I must say! Slightly bar and loungey in the front with a dim and modern dining room. It reminded me much like Umami or Ozumo in SF.  After ordering a lychee martini and cucumber gimlet, we studied the menu via candlelight. Note to self: Don't plan on dining solo with a book or mag!

We started off with a miso soup ($4), Takosu "Octopus" Salad ($9) and Hamachi Carpaccio ($12). The salad came with thin slices of octopus, cucumber, seaweed and served with a sweet vinegar dressing. This was the perfect salad to start off with. Light, refreshing and a fairly good portion size. I thought the hamachi was excellent. Served with a fresh ginger, chives and shallots in a soy-lemon vinaigrette, it was very complex in taste. For the warm apps, we were eyeing the hamachi kama (yellowtail collar, $10) but alas, they were all sold out for the evening. Our back up of pan seared tuna with soy butter and an assortment of mushrooms and baby greens ($13) turned out to be my favorite of the evening. I love the dressing and again, light and fresh. They also offered Robata skewers of beef and chicken ($9-12), spareribs ($16) and crispy soft shell crab and tuna ($12 each). 

Okura certainly offered more than just sushi. With so many hot appetizers, grill items, and seafood and meat entrees, this would be the perfect match for any group where some wanted sushi and some didn't. There was something for everyone. We definitely wanted to try the sushi that night so skipped the entrees and instead ordered 3 rolls: Red Spider Roll, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe ($15 each). All the sushi was exceptionally good and beautifully presented.

Service and atmosphere at Okura was exceptional but it could have also been that the restaurant was only 2/3 full. I've forgotten what it's like to not have to cram 10 tables in a 10×10 box with your neighbors hanging onto your very last words.

Despite the heat, the "faux" vacation was complete with relaxing pool time, two great restaurant finds, a trip to the famous Cabazon outlets, and I came back with a rockin' tan!

Amore Ristorante Italiano
47474 Washington St
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 777-1315

Okura Robata Grill & Sushi Bar
78370 Highway 111
Ste 150
La Quinta, CA 92253
(760) 564-5820

Saturday night date nights are nice – especially when you don't have to plan anything! The bf did a great job and planned a "pre-show" dinner at Jardiniere and afterwards walked just down the street to enjoy the San Francisco Symphony. I have been to Jardiniere before and despite their convenient location for opera/symphony go-ers, Traci Des Jardins is cooking up some fantastic fare. I did write about their Monday night prix-fixe not too long ago and ended up going for the cioppino night. Moderately disappointed by the meal and severely disappointed by the cioppino. I'm sorry if you went. This experience to Jardiniere not only turned around my last recollection of the food but was able to introduce this classic restaurant to a new person.

We weren't terribly hungry and knew we wouldn't want to doggie bag it to the symphony so went a little lighter and started off with the Lettuce Gem Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Purple Asparagus, Farm Egg and Ricotta Salata ($15). This was my favorite dish of the night and I want to replicate this at home. The salad presentation was full, the dressing light, and full of veggies. For our other starter we had the Jardiniere Charcuterie Platter with mortadella, country pate, sausisson de Paris, lonza, toscano and spicy coppa ($17). I believe these are all house cured and were delicious! It even came with a cheat sheet so we could remember what we were eating. Definitely a must have to share for two people. Among the apps also included a Terrine of Duck Foie Gras ($25), Maine Diver Scallos with Meyer Lemon Emulsion ($23), Burrata Cheese, Crispy Artichokes, and Fava Beans ($17), and Zuckerman Farm Asparagus with Jamon Iberico with a Sunny Side Egg ($30). I had my eye on the Iberico if it weren't for the price tag!

For our 2nd course, we went with the pappardelle with snap peas and morel mushrooms. The pasta was delicate and the pork ragu was rich although a bit salty after a few bites. For the entree, we got a Bluenose Seabass with Sugar Snap Peas, Fingerling Potatoes and Pancetta with a Mustard Buerre Blanc Sauce ($35). The seabass was perfectly seasoned and flaky. We were also debating between the Alaskan Halibut with Crawfish Jus ($36) or Duck Breast with Smoked Bacon ($36).

I don't normally order dessert but along with a glass of port, a chocolate dessert seemed like the way to go. The chocolate brioche bread pudding was very rich. Served warm with a candied kumquat ice cream, it hit the spot with the port and an espresso.

Jardiniere is always a lovely dining experience. Go a little more casual and enjoy their bar and lounge area or experience the dining room for beautifully presented food and attentive service. I will say the wine list is very pricey with most bottles in the upwards of $60+. I counted less than 5 on my hand under $50. Don't get me wrong, great wine selection but expect to spend a lot of coin. We managed to score a Nebbiolo for $63 that we were super pleased with. Beware of the $35 corkage. I definitely recommend Jardiniere if you're headed to a show or for a special occasion.

(415) 861-5555

My quick jaunt to NYC entailed a wedding, 4 meals, and a nap in Central Park all in under 24 hours. My first food stop was Norma's located in Le Parker Meridien Hotel. My brother has been wanting to take me to this brunch spot for over a year now. He claimed everything at Norma's was good and for the prices they charge, it better be  good! My $23 omelette had chicken, mushrooms, bell peppers and onions and came with roasted baby potatoes. The French toast was eggy and sweet and the blueberry pancakes were a home run with the blueberries baked into the pancakes plus topped with a powdered sugar and blueberry compote. The serving sizes were huge! I would have shared the dish had I known the portion sizes were going to be for football players! The food quality was definitely worth the wait but the service was a little spotty. I don't know if they were just understaffed but the waitress was slow and had to be reminded a couple times for requests. Not to mention water took about 30 minutes to get. Norma's was certainly delicious but the NYC price tag was inching up towards SF dinner prices. Is everything this expensive in NYC?

After a stroll through Central Park and subsequent nap on a park bench, I was still full from brunch but was willing to make some room on the dessert shelf for my favorite dumplings at Joe's Shanghai. Unfortunately, we arrived 30 minutes after they had already closed up for lunch. Grrr…. I just flew 3,000 miles for these soup dumplings! The sinking feeling in my stomach when I approached Joe's and the lights were out was so disappointing. I was already devising how I would be able to get some later. We walked just a few doors down the street and spotted a tiny ramen house. We ended up ordering just one ramen bowl and gyoza. The food came out fast and we enjoyed the light skinned gyoza that was pan fried. The ramen noodles were also very good and cooked perfectly. While the broth was decent and came with the usual accompaniments including chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and green onions, at $8 a bowl, it was the perfect afternoon snack. This ramen house wasn't knock your socks off good but it had variety, pleasant service and was clean. I wish I had a ramen house like this within walking distance of my house!

Next on our dining escapade and to celebrate the occasion, we went to Tocqueville for dinner located in Union Square. This French restaurant had a beautiful decor with a full bar and small dining area in the front and then the formal dining room in the back. We were warmly greeted by a row of staff welcoming us to the restaurant.  The food, wine, service, and ambiance were all exquisite!

We started off with the Wild Ramp, Fava Bean and Mushroom Risotto ($18/$32), Cured Veal Breast with Shaved Fennel, Baby Turnips, and Confit Tuna Caper Sauce ($17), and ladies and gentlemen, yes, a suckling pig terrine. This was a special appetizer offered that evening and boy was I having food envy! For my entree, I wanted to get something I don't normally get at home so savored on the Poached Lobster with Braised Chard, Wood Smoked Crispy Pork Belly with a Port Wine Lobster Reduction ($38). Wow! Juicy pieces of lobster with crispy pieces of pig. How could you go wrong with that combo? Others got the Schmaltz Roasted Country Chicken ($27), and Seared Diver Scallops and Foie Gras ($36). Entrees also included and Artic Char with Black Truffles ($29), Roasted Colorado Rack of Lamb ($39), and Thyme Roasted Dry Aged Sirloin of Beef with Port Wine Shallot Compote ($38). 

Now even though these prices seem a little steep, it's probably more the norm for NY. However, if you're looking to experience this exquisite place on a budget, check out their 3 course pre-theater menu for $44 ($59 with wine pairing). Available from 5:30-6:30pm.

Oooh…so full but that's right folks, at this point I still haven't gotten my dumplings! You're probably thinking what more could I have eaten after that amazing meal? Well, dinner ended just in time for me to get an order of my dumplings to go! Some of the "soup" dumplings got punctured in transit but they were still as good as I remember. If only I could have these back in SF…

That ends my whirlwind 12 hour eating fest in NYC. Next time, El Papasito's, here I come!

Norma's
118 W 57th St
New York, NY 10019
(212) 708-7460

Tocqueville
1 E 15th St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 647-1515

I read about this quirky guy, Jake Godby (pastry chef: Coi, Boulevard, Fifth Floor) that recently opened up an artisan ice cream shop in the Mission. What I remember from the article is that he tattooed 31 flavors on his arm before starting up this business venture and he also was going to serve bacon ice cream. I did not get to meet the brains behind all this ice cream magic but did get to taste me some prosciutto ice cream. Eck! No thanks! I'll stick with the other boring 30 flavors, thank you very much! The 1930s retro shop is featuring ice cream for grownups with flavors including salt & pepper, bourbon, dulce de leche, and yes my friends, foie gras! I savored the Blue Bottle vietnamese coffee and although not as good as Bi-Rite's Coffee Toffee I still licked my cup dry! They serve up 10-12 flavors a day and are soon extending their hours to 9pm everyday. Check out their website for a full list.

(415) 550-6971
www.humphryslocombe.com

I just went to check out Schmidt's Deli, the new German deli that just opened up in the Mission. Bringing beer and sausage together in your own Oktoberfest everyday of the year! The corner space is spacious and barren and lined with beer filled fridges and cabinets satisfying every homesick German with everything from sausages to mustard to jarred herring. We were kindly greeted and seated immediately. The menu has changed with new additions since their May 6th opening. We definitely had our eye on the braised sauerkraut ($4) and a grilled sausage of some sort ($8). When we asked about the veal schnitzel sandwich with chive sour cream, red onion, and spring lettuce ($10), it came highly recommended, especially with the fried egg on top (add'l $2). We decided to split the schnitzel sandwich and the smoked wild boar sausage, also a recommendation from the lovely German waitress. The sausage was delicious with spicy mustard and a huge helping of potato salad. The veal which was breaded and fried was very good, although the thick dark bread was a little dry. I see why they recommend the egg. We also had the mache with sliced asparagus, pistachios and shaved gruyere ($4.50, $9, add chicken $2). That was also very tasty. in addition, they offered a schinken teller which was a selection of cured meats, mustards, pickles, and onions ($8) and a potato, kohrabi, rutabaga and spring onion gratin ($9). Schmidt's was a fun & new place to try out for some casual German cuisine. When I'm craving a bratwurst and want an authentic feel, I'll be sure to return to Schmidt's.

(415) 410-0202