Smokey J's BBQ - 3015 Shattuck, near Ashby, Berkeley, CA

    I stumbled across this place online somehow, in the midst of trying to find out what happened to Flint's, which used to be right down the street. Apparently, all the Flint's are out of business. That's okay, because Everett and Jones is basically the same.
   My friend Ryan not only drove us over, but treated me as well. I went for the Two-Way Brisket and Rib Combo (11.99) with what seemed like a 1/2 lb. of tender brisket and equally tender baby backs, with slaw tucked underneath. Ryan had the same, with chicken instead of brisket, for the same price.
    The rub used on the meats has a nice little kick to it, and there's a shaker of it on the table if you want to add a little more. There's a regular and a spicy sauce, both somewhat similar to E&J's, perhaps not quite as sweet, and the spicy wasn't that hot, at least to my taste, but then again I've been torturing my taste buds for a long time now. The slaw was about as basic as it gets, with a slightly sweet vinegar bath.
   Owner Josh Kemper was kind enough to answer my email request for info on his cooking procedure. He uses a Cookshack Smoker, a commercially made electric device supposedly banned by a number of BBQ cook-offs because it makes it too easy to turn out consistently good meats. A combination of mesquite and apple wood is utilized and average cooking time is 12 hours, 3 hours for the baby backs.
   Visit the website at: www.smokeyjbbq.com
p.s. their vegetarian menu includes "cole slaw and water"                                                                  

Curbside Cafe - 2417 California, at Fillmore St., SFCA

   My second visit in a week, this time for dinner with the fabulous Christine. This time the Groupon was good - if you read the previous post, you'll remember I flubbed by not noticing the voucher said 'valid for dinner only'.
  We kicked it off with the Buffalo Wings (10), nicely cooked but with a Sichuan style spicy peanut sauce instead of the usual hot sauce/blue cheese dressing. I think it'd be nice if they threw in a couple of extra wings for $10. These had been recommended by a friend of Ms. C. and I agree, they're pretty good.
  The lady decided on the Slow Cooked Pot Roast (16), which comes au jus with garlic mashers and seasonal vegetables. This was a beautiful portion of pot roast, just like Mom used to make for Sunday dinner. All I would have needed was a little horseradish on the side. The vegetables were crisp and fresh, the mashers smooth and creamy.
  I went for the Smoked Chicken Mushroom Risotto (16) with shiitake, garlic and parmesan cheese. While there was plenty of chicken and shiitake, it was a little drier than I normally like. The rice was al dente to the right degree, but I didn't get an underlying sense of a sofritto, that mix of wine and seasoning used in most risottos. 
   We had a nice Malbec (24) to accompany things, and finished with room for a little Bread Pudding (7), baked with bourbon, cinnamon, raisins and brown sugar, served with creme Anglaise and caramel. It's good to see bread pudding popping up more often on menus these days. I guarantee you one thing, no two are alike and they're all good, so far!
   I think this a great little neighborhood resto, small and cozy with a simple menu that's got something for everyone. 8+ on the Food-O-Meter.

Sweet Maple - 2101 Sutter at Steiner, SFCA

    I've learned another valuable lesson from this meal: when you order an omelet, ask if it's cooked in a pan or on the flattop. If they say the flattop, order something else. You'll only get a fluffy omelet, the way it should be, when it's cooked in an omelet pan. Pictured here is the Asparagus Omelet (14.5) with the house made 'Millionaire's bacon' and a little Hollandaise sauce on top. The fruit substitute for potatoes costs an extra $1.50, but was worth it to skip the carbs. Add a Mimosa (7.5) and a cup of Decaf Coffee (2.5) and you have breakfast for $26 plus tax and tip. Well, we had the $30 coupon, so we added some Vanilla Gelato (4.5) and an Espresso (2.5) for that balanced, well-rounded brunch.
   I wouldn't make this a destination place, but if you're in the 'hood it'll do. Afterward you can walk down Steiner St. and lament the loss of Winterland and all those great shows you saw in the 70's.

Pizza Wars - Cinecitta, 663 Union near Powell St., SFCA

   Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner; well, for the most part. Looking for thin crust, well done? Got it! Looking for something with more than just tomato, basil and mozzarella for $18? Got it!
   At the top, Pizza Funghi Selvatici (13.75) with wild mushrooms, zucchini, Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes. I decided to go meatless for a change and I wasn't disappointed. Not only was the crust thin and crispy but it had the right amount of scotto, or 'burntness'. These pies are 12" square and listed as individual pizzas, but two people could easily split one with a salad (of which there are eight to choose from) and a couple of glasses of wine for lunch.
   Kimberly went for the Pizza alla Romana (13.95) with sausage, salami and pepperoni. I had one bite and told myself that this would be the one on my next visit!
   One thing we noticed was it took about half an hour to get the food. Normally, if you're using a regular pizza oven at 800 degrees, a pie is done in about 21/2 or 3 minutes. The place is relatively small and it wasn't all that busy, so who knows, just don't be in a hurry.
   Now we come to Mr. Manson and his Pollo Arrosto Panini (11.95). All the panini come with a salad, and he asked for a Caesar. I'm not sure if they charged more for this or not. One thing they did do wrong was not tossing it. That's just standard procedure, folks. The sando itself consisted of roasted chicken with mango, mushroom and mozzarella. How alliterative! The only complaint here was that bun was 'cumbersome' and of course this led to comments about tuxedos, etc. I'm sure you could ask to have some of the bread scooped out.
   I've been to Tony's up the street, and I have to say that I'd rather come to Cinecitta for pizza and go to Tony's for something else, because they have a lot of other good dishes on their menu. 8.5 on the Food-O-Meter.

Hai Ky Mi Gia - 707 Ellis, at Larkin St., SFCA

  This officially makes it 403 Chinese restos I've visited in SF. For the longest time I thought this was a Vietnamese place, simply from the name. But I chanced to pass by it a couple of weeks ago and saw that it said 'Chinese Cuisine' on the front. On one of the rare occasions that I visit Yelp, I discovered a gentleman's post that actually sounded like  he knew what he was talking about. As it turns out, this place serves Chao Zhou (Chiuchow, Teochew - the actual dialect spoken there) style noodles. Chao Zhou is a city in the far eastern region of Guangdong Province, near Fujian, and is part of the Chaoshan area. The owners and staff are ethnic Chao Zhou from Vietnam, where 30% of Chinese speak Teochew.
   I printed out a list of Gregory's (the Yelp poster) fave dishes, complete with what type of noodles to get and just how to use the condiments on the table. Pictured is Sliced Pork with Sen Lek Noodles and Won Ton (7). You ask for the noodles 'dry', but they provide a bowl of broth which you can use to add a little moisture. Also, there is white pepper, salt, sugar, hoisin sauce, Sriracha, hot chile oil, sliced jalapeno in vinegar, vinegar, soy sauce and fish sauce.
   This is a find, and I expect to become a known face here. The initial Food-O-Meter rating is 9. Oh, and I discovered that Gregory was actually there with friends as I was paying my bill. He's going to turn me on to a Chao Zhou resto in Oakland that has a more varied menu. I'm excited because it's hard to find a resto that specializes in this style, and it was my favorite Chinese food in Hong Kong.

Bombay - 2217 Market, at Sanchez St., SFCA

    What can I say about this place? It's in the neighborhood and it's adequate and it's there in case I get, shall we say, 'overwhelmed' during Bible Study at the Lucky 13.
   At the top Chicken Tikka Masala (12.95), probably the brightest orange I've ever seen. The server assured me it was just tomato. Nice chunks of chicken, I would most likely order it 'hot' next time.
   Chilli Nan (2.95) was good but not that spicy, thin and scotto, or burnt just right on the bottom.
   The Navratan Korma (10.95) was described as having nuts in it, but all the nuts are what you see lying on top - a few bits of sliced almond, kind of disappointing. However, we ordered it hot and they didn't let us down there. I want to make this a regular part of my Indian experiences and will be looking for that ideal version. Anyone with a favorite place o get it, let me know.
   Just to add more carbs and fat, we got some Poori (3.50). I just had a bite or two and I still like nan better for a bread choice.
   Not a destination spot, but I rate it 7 on the Food-O-Meter.
   Visit their website at: www.bombayindian.com

Mission Cheese - 736 Valencia, between 18th & 19th St., SFCA

  Tobias labeled the sandwiches here as 'defibrillator' specials. Pictured at right is the California Gold (10), one of four hot pressed sandos currently available. It comes on a nice chewy bread from the Della Victoria Bakery in Petaluma, toasted with olive oil, and has San Joaquin Gold, chevre, prosciutto and fig preserves. The Pork 'n' Cheese (10)  has gruyere, wagon wheel, Framani salami and cornichons. We were both happy with our selections. The mixed greens come with a fairly tart dressing, which helps to cut the heaviness of the sando, as did the beer - Eel River Amber (5) for Mr. T and a Scrimshaw Pilsener (4, bottle) for myself.
   If you don't want a sando, there are flights of cheese,  mac 'n' cheese, a raclette and salad with fruit. In addition to the one bottled beer and a handful of taps, there are a number of wines available. You can also dine al fresco in front of the store.
   If you're just shopping for cheese, there now roughly 70 to choose from, all cut to order.
   To visit the web page, got to: http://missioncheese.net

King of Currywurst - 425 Divisadero, between Oak & Fell, SFCA

  Lured partly by the close proximity to my house, and the description on MenuPages, I had to give this a whirl. For you vegetarians out there, this little hot dog stand only uses seitan (flavored gluten) at the moment. In business for about four weeks now, the King is located near the large corner structure at Oak and Divisadero that is currently being rebuilt on the ground level. If you're doing laundry right there, it's pretty handy. The Chilean Hot Dog (6.25) comes with an Italian seasoned dog, fresh guacamole, tomatoes and a mild garlic aioli on a toasted bun. They have chips and soft drinks to go along with it. Also on the menu is the currywurst, cut in chunks and served in a cup. I will try this on my next laundry day. I'm not a 100% gonzo on the seitan, so I'm hoping they'll have the real deal in the near future.

Curbside Cafe - 2417 California, at Fillmore St., SFCA

   I'm sure I don't need to remind most people who buy coupons that you should always read the fine print. I need to remind myself most of all. We showed up at this place last Saturday with a $60 coupon to find out it's good for dinner only. Well, what the heck we said, we're here and we're hungry, let's eat.
   Justin ordered the Chilaquiles (11). Now I'm not an expert on this dish, but I seem to recollect people telling me that all the ingredients are scrambled together. Doesn't look that way here, does it? Justin said he had no qualms about it and it seemed to satisfy him.
   There are a number of omelettes offered, but Rachel likes her eggs scrambled and they were obliging enough to fix this Scramble (13) with avocado, salsa fresca, jack cheese and sour cream. She said it was 'okay' which doesn't exactly sound like a hearty endorsement. I'm sure the blow would have been softened if the coupon had been good!
    I hadn't had Eggs Benedict (14) since my horrendous experience at the Squat 'n' Gobble in West Portal where the Hollandaise sauce had coagulated into scrambled eggs, basically because it had sat too long on the burner. In NYC the law requires you to make fresh Hollandaise every 45 minutes; I wish they'd do that here, if not already. At any rate, this version came with smoked salmon and it was quite good. I can't say much for the cottage fries, which is pretty much par for the course in SF.
   Curbside does lunch and dinner as well, with soups, salads and sandos. There is a prix fixe for $20 from 5-6pm with choice of appetizer, main and dessert. Box lunches are available for large orders. Wine and a few mixed drinks are at hand - we had a Bellini (6) and a Bloody Mary (7). Justin said the Bloody was light on horseradish and whasthishere sauce, in other words bland. He's been spoiled by the Bloody's at Finnegans!
   To see the website, go to: www.sfcurbside.com

Noodle Bar and Grill - 631 Broadway, between Grant & Stockton, SFCA

    I needed a little break from the Vietnamese, so I figured a little Thai wouldn't take me too far off course. The Fried Won Ton (5) contained a filling of mint, pork, shrimp and onion. I think they slightly overcooked the won ton skin itself, giving it a darker color and that almost burnt taste. The filling didn't really have a distinct flavor, the mint and onion being undetectable. Not a repeater.
   They were out of sole so I opted for the Wok Fried Calamari (9), a pleasant blend of tender squid, string beans, broccoli, red and white onion and bell pepper in a Thai chile paste sauce. In addition to the regular white rice I had, you can also choose brown, jasmine or sticky rice, or you can have garlic noodles for $2 more. If you're with a group you can opt for a 'family portion' for $2 more on a lot of the dishes.
   I had to have the Papaya Salad (7), which you can order 'Thai style', meaning you like that hot touch. This version certainly filled the bill, with a few butterflied shrimp and a little arugula in the mix.
   As with most Asian restos, you can order combo special plates at lunch, ranging from $9.95 to $49 (the high end pertains to groups). They have a decent selection of beer, wine and sake - a Singha was only $3.
  Visit their website at: www.noodlebarandgrill.com

  

Burger and Beer Mondays

   The Royal Exchange, 301 Sacramento at Front St., is now featuring a Monday Happy Hour special consisting of their 1/3 lb. flame broiled burger and fries plus a pint of Kona Longboard Lager for just $10! Come in from 4:30pm to 9pm to get this great deal.

Dosa - 995 Valencia at 21st St., SFCA

  My first visit to Dosa was about two years ago, and I wasn't totally knocked out. I suppose I was just too enamored of the bare bones, inexpensive style of Indian cuisine featured by Naan 'n' Curry and Vik's Chaat House. My friends Justin and Rachel convinced me to have Sunday brunch this last week and I said, 'Why not?'
  Since that first visit, Dosa has expanded, with a second location on Fillmore, and they've just done a little renovation at the original, adding a full bar and new dishes to the menu. I started the day with a Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin Martini (12) at the bar while waiting for my cohorts. With tax and HSF charge, we're looking at $13.67, plus tip. Believe me, I nearly licked the inside of the glass to get every last drop! At the top, you see on the left a Kharbooza (10) and an Expat (11). Don't ask me what's in them. Both were claimed to be quite satisfying, which is what matters. Next, the obligatory Papadum, something I could easily substitute for tortilla chips. Below that, the Rasam "Fire Broth" Soup (4), a pleasing blend of tomatoes, tamarind, lentils and black pepper to be eaten like miso soup. The mix of mild heat and spice was the ideal way to open up the taste buds for what was coming.
   The Lamb Baida Roti (11) consists of roti brushed with cage-free egg and filled with ground spiced lamb, potatoes, peppers and a side dish of raita. Delicate spicing makes this a great starter dish.
   Rachel insisted we have the Pani Puri (8) which I thought I'd had before in London, but I was wrong. If you like to play with your food, get this dish. The little crisp puffs of dough are cracked on top (carefully, I might add) and then you fill them with the chickpeas, sprouted mung beans and potato that are on the side. There is also tamarind and cilantro sauces to add. When you're done building one just pop the whole thing in mouth and savor the flavors!
   Justin ordered the Chicken Thali with a side of Coconut Rice (20). You can order this without any meat if you choose. He said the chicken was perfectly cooked, and he could hardly eat everything on his plate. I can't begin to tell you what's in all the little bowls, but I know there's a wide variety of flavors and textures involved.
   Yours truly had the Habanero-Mango Dosa Masala (11), which comes with a warning about intense heat. The habanero and mango are made into a chutney which is spread on the inside of the dosa, and yes it did have some heat to it. I got slightly flushed under the eyes and that indicates medium heat on my personal scale. Sweat running down the back of my neck indicates DAMN hot on the same scale. The filling was a mildly spiced potato mixture, and you have a bowl of sambar to dip into. I like this dish!
   Another dish I've never encountered is the South Indian Moons (13.5), composed of uttapam, a slightly thicker dough than a dosa, and topped with the chef's choice vegetables, cheese, etc. As with other dishes here, this is visually stimulating. You almost hate to eat it, it's so pretty. It also proves that vegetarian food can be truly exciting if you look around (One of my fave cookbooks is Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian).
   If you visit their website www.dosasf.com, you can read a good commentary on the cuisine of Southern India, which will enhance your appreciation of the dining experience at Dosa. 8+ on the Food-O-Meter.

Bodega Bistro - 607 Larkin St., at Eddy, SFCA

   Bodega Bistro describes it self as "Cuisine Indochine", and they do offer some rather high end dishes such as Tournedos Rossini and Pork Loin in Cranberry Sauce. However, Mr. Manson and I were on the noodle trail and besides, high end is for dinner. So a dinner visit is definitely in the cards.
   We started with the Fried Calamari (8.10) which was more along the lines of calamari steak than your usual smaller squid, so the texture was a little thicker and chewier, but not overcooked and tough. We had no problem putting this away.
   I'd never had just plain Beef Stew Noodles (7.20) so this was a must. It's nice to put a small saucer on the side and fill it with Sriracha sauce so you can dip the meat and leave the broth in its original state, which was full-bodied and palatable on its own. Just a few sprouts and a touch of basil made it perfect.
   Michael opted for the Vermicelli with Broiled Pork, Shrimp and Egg Roll (9), which he said was quite good but could have used a few more shrimp - there were only three. I agree, if you're paying $9 for a noodle dish. The pork was well-seasoned and tender, the egg rolls nice and crisp and not too oily.
   We agreed that this place is somewhere in the middle, between the down home funkiness of the Vietnam Restaurant on Broadway, and the slick pricey world of Slanted Door. 7+ on the Food-O-Meter.

Passion Cafe - 28 6th St., between Market and Mission, SFCA

   Well, this is embarrassing. I got involved in conversation with the owner and lost my focus, so when my main course arrived, I was so busy yakking that I forgot to take a picture of it. But at least you can see my app, a nice little Shrimp Cocktail (6.5), which comes with a snappy house made sauce with a garlicky, spicy kick to it. For the salad, a Dijon-accented dressing (also house made) black olives and grilled eggplant slice.
   The menu here is decidedly French-inspired and created by chef Jacques Andre. For my main I chose the Salmon Pesto (19.5), a nice chunk of fish in a rich butter-cream sauce, accompanied by rice that had the flavor of a well-made risotto, and a small dish of diced cucumber dappled with parsley, a nice cool contrast to the sauce. The pesto comes on the side, so you can add it to bites of fish as you see fit.
   The aforesaid owner, Steve Barton, is a local contractor who has constructed a number of SOMA projects. He has a vested interest in the Mid Market makeover and especially in 6th St., which has been a blighted area ever since I came here. The only reason to go there in the past has been Tu Lan, the ever popular Vietnamese restaurant. Barton took the most decrepit building on the block, well over 100 years old, and transformed it into a little jewel. One of the outstanding features is a rooftop dining area with elevator access. With the some of the weather we've been having recently, this is an ideal spot to take a break from shopping and have a pleasant lunch or happy hour experience.

Pride of the Mediterranean - 1761 Fillmore, at Sutter, SFCA

    Another coupon experience - $20 for $40 worth of food and drinks. If you're into the hookah thing, this might be the place for you. The food isn't memorable, except perhaps for the Baba Ghanouj (6.99) pictured at right. Chunky consistency with plenty of smoky flavor, this rivals the BG I get at A La Turca. To the left of that is the Kubee (7), ground beef with pine nuts, sumac and spices wrapped in cracked wheat and fried. I don't think they were using the freshest beef, if my nose is still working right.
   Tobias went for the Combo Kabob (17.99) with chicken, beef and lamb, served with rice and a salad of tomato and cucumber. I had the Pomegranate Chicken (14.99), which didn't really smack of pomegranate all that much. If any of you ever had the opportunity of trying the pomegranate lamb at the old Helmand Restaurant on Broadway, you'll remember how that flavor really came through, making it some of the best lamb ever served in this city.
   All in all, a less than exciting outing. The two most interesting things here were the Arabic Tea (1.99), flavored with sugar and sage, and the Turkish Coffee (1.99) flavored with cardamom.
    If you have a fave Middle East/Mediterranean resto please let me know.

E Basta Cosi!!

   I just had some onion rings at the Cole Valley Burgermeister and I've decide to swear off the damn things until somebody in SF learns how to make good ones. Pictured at right are the fantastic rings I had at Mahony's in NOLA, on my last visit in May. Simply dredged in corn flour and fried in peanut oil, instead of greasy batter. Isn't there at least one culinary genius in this town that can figure this out? If you find one please let me know and I will beat a path to his/her door!

My Canh - 626 Broadway, between Columbus and Stockton, SFCA

   Have you ever found a dish that would cause you to go back to a place solely for that dish? Well I just found one at My Canh and it's called Jellyfish, Shrimp and Pork Salad (6.95). Talk about a warm weather lunch item that hits the spot. Thin shredded cabbage with the above mentioned ingredients plus mint, peanuts and crispy little nuggets of fried onion and your sugar, vinegar and fish sauce dressing. This is a healthy portion and can easily be split two ways as an app.
   Looking for that ideal counterpart to beef pho, I tried the House Special Egg Noodles (8.95), egg vermicelli with prawns, calamari, fish balls, fish cake and pork in a very light broth that needed a dash of fish sauce and a bit of hot chile oil to suit my taste. I think I still prefer rice noodles, but that didn't stop me from putting a good dent in this dish. With the size of both dishes, I took half of each home for a nice snack last night.

Not-So-Great India - 6127 Geary Blvd. at 25th Ave., SFCA

    Another coupon foray that I don't want to spend a lot of time on, so no prices on the dishes. This wasn't a memorable dining experience, the food being lackluster all around. They don't even serve plain basmati rice. At the top, some Vegetable Pakora. What kind of vegetables, who knows, I couldn't tell. The Lamb Vindaloo had to be just about the most unimaginative curry I've ever had, basically tomato sauce with cumin and cayenne. The Paneer Naan didn't contain a whole lot of paneer (cheese) or flavor either. I had some plain white rice and raita as well, with a mango lassi to drink. It was first mango lassi I've ever had that wasn't the color of, say, a mango.
   Well, another one I can add to the don't-go-back list!