Tag Archives: san francisco

The Stinking Rose- San Francisco

1 Feb

On Christmas night, after spending the day seeing a movie at the Castro, wandering that neighborhood, then making our way up to the painted ladies and then strolling through the Civic Center area, we found ourselves at our evening destination: The Stinking Rose. Mike and I LOVE garlic… and I mean LOVE.  We roast heads and eat the whole thing and add at least twice as much garlic as is called for in any recipe.  So what better than an entire restaurant themed around garlic?

We started with a pot of roasted garlic.  It was a LOT of garlic but, surprisingly, not really garlicky.  It was wholly disappointing compared to the ones we roast up in our oven (cut the top of the head off to expose the cloves, brush with olive oil, wrap in tin foil, put in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, scoop or squeeze out the cloves… you’ll thank me).


We ordered drinks and I know Mike got his new favorite, Anchor Steam beer.  I went with the blueberry margarita.  It was okay, but I wanted more blueberry!

For my entree, I chose the garlic prime rib.  What could possibly be bad?  Weeeellll… it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either.  It was just… bland.  How can THAT much garlic be BLAND?

Mike got the Porterhouse Pork Chop, pan-roasted with sweet garlic relish and caramelized apples… and well… the apples were good.

We decided we would go for broke and try the garlic ice cream. Why not?  This was actually the BEST part of the meal (by far).  The sweet garlic was flavorful without being overpowering and the caramel sauce on top just added the right kick to it.  We really enjoyed this… and only this.

Without getting too personal, I must confess that the aftermath of so much garlic (regardless of how weak it tasted) was NOT pretty.  I think both Mike and I were thankful we weren’t a new couple!

Overall, The Stinking Rose was completely boring.  My theory is they rely too much on their gimmick to worry about fresh and well cooked ingredients.  It has so much potential and it just fell entirely short.  It was fun though!

Total Nom Points: 4 out of 10

Sears Fine Foods- San Francisco

29 Jan

We had no idea what to do on Christmas Day.  We knew it would be tough to find places to eat and our only plan was to have a merry Jewish Christmas at the movies (specifcally to see “Nine” at the famous Castro movie theater!)  We asked the concierge where we might find a place open for breakfast and they recommended Sears Fine Foods right up the street.

The place was kitschy but cute.  Very diner-like with a theme revolving around getting a token as you leave to spin a slot machine for a free meal.  (We didn’t win) 

We went all-in for the breakfast.  Mike got 2 eggs, 2 strips bacon, 2 sausages with 2 pancakes.


I went with the “Sears’ World Famous 18 Swedish Pancakes” (with a side of sausage).  They were actually quite tasty!  I still like my own better, but these were still good.  Light and flavorful.

Though I’m not sure if I’d call them “world famous.”

Overall, Sears Fine Foods was exactly that… fine.  I wouldn’t go out of my way to go there again, but if it’s the only place open on Christmas Day, it’s not a terrible option.

Total Nom Points: 5 out of 10

Nomming along the San Francisco Waterfront

27 Jan

Our first day out in San Fran was Christmas Eve.  We were worried that a lot of things would be closed, however, we lucked out for the most part (and even Alcatraz was open).

Our first stop was in the ferry building where I got breakfast and coffee from the famous Blue Bottle Coffee Company.  I got the New Orleans style coffee and a cinnamon brioche.

They did a very pretty leaf on the top of the coffee.

Both the coffee and brioche were delicious.

The brioche was perfect.  Buttery and perfect balance of cinnamon, nuts, and pastry. 

Our next stop was outside the Fisherman’s Wharf.  When I iPhoned the restaurants on the wharf, all reviews were pretty abysmal.  I also knew that dungenous crab is popular in SF AND it was in season.  So I figured the little huts along the water would be a fun place to eat some authentic crab.

I was wrong… both the crab sandwich and the lumb crab meat were… bland. At best.

Perhaps I’m too used to New England crab and there is a big difference, otherwise the crab just wasn’t great.

And we were still hungry… so we both decided to have our first In-N-Out Burger experience.

I know it was animal style. And it was delicious.  I managed 2 bites before my arteries started to protest.

The Animal Fries, however, wow!  They were delicious, fast food, gross goodness.  I had a few more bites of this than I intended.

While the food left a lot to be desired (I think a lot had to do with our selections), it was a beautiful walk and I just loved the waterfront.  Our trip to Alcatraz was also awesome.  I was really impressed with the tour.  Sure it’s touristy, but it’s fun and interesting.  Next time I’ll do some more research or stick to the restaurants on the inner part of the peninsula.