La Torta Gorda - 2833 - 24th St., near Bryant. SFCA

   I read about this dish on Chowhound and decided I had to try it. It's called Chiles en Nogada (16.25) and it's a seasonal dish, usually served from late August on. The origin is disputed but most say it was created by Puebla nuns in the 1820's as a tribute to Agustin I, and it's the star dish of Independence Day or Diez y Seis de Septiembre, as it's known in Mexico. It consists of a poblano pepper stuffed with a piccadillo of minced pork, dried fruits and spices, covered in a sauce of walnuts, butter and cream, and topped with pomegranate seeds. The green pepper, red seeds and white sauce symbolize the colors of the Mexican flag.
  I had reservations about this one, and I honestly can say I wasn't all that excited after eating it. The meat tasted off, and hot sauce didn't help kill the richness of the sauce. Not everyone's cup of tea, methinks. I will be going back, however, to sample the 'Mega Torta Cubana', and not by myself!