With the way I eat, I will rue the day my metabolism slows down; until then, I shall happily eat away without a care in the world; well, maybe not TOO carefree, after all, diabetes does run in my family.
Here are my favorites when it comes to food (a collection of both local and international flavors):
- Best bang-for-your-buck-dish that's close to campus: Lime Tree (450A Irving St, between 5th and 6th)
It always boggles my mind how long the lines are at Subway when there's a LOT of affordable and tasty restaurants nearby. Singaporean Curry Noodles is the best food your six bucks can buy anywhere near campus.
- Hole-in-the-wall Thai/Vietnamese/typical Asian food: Citrus Club (1790 Haight St)
It's usually busy during lunch time, or any time for that matter, for a reason: cheap, tasty, and generous servings. What to get: fresh spring rolls, peanut noodles with chicken or spicy curry tiger shrimp and for dessert, citrus-fried bananas w/ ice cream.
- Americanized-Thai Food: Osha Thai (4 locations in the city)
My litmus tests for good Thai restaurants are their tom kah soup and their green curry and this place passes with flying colors. What makes Osha even better is the presentation and the ambiance; I feel like I'm eating at a fancy-pants restaurant at reasonable prices ($12-$15 an entrée). Also not to miss: Pumpkin Curry and Pineapple Fried Rice.
- Indian/Pakistani: Restaurant Taj (19, Rue Roquette, 75011 Paris)
I must've eaten at this Indian/Pakistani restaurant in Paris at least once a week while I was studying abroad there. My favorite dish here was the "Poulet Taj", chicken with curry sauce, crème fraîche, cashews, and almonds.
- Filipino Fusion restaurant: Pomelo (92 Judah St)
I realize that the competition here isn't that many, but hey, this is my list. Plus, any restaurant that has a Malbec on its wine list gets 4 bonus cool points in my book. Dishes to try here: Koh Samui, Manila, and the Chiang Mai
- French Diner: Chez Maman (1453 18th Street)
This small and charming diner at Potrero Hill has that feeling of a neighborhood restaurant. French portions (small yet diabolically tasty) are the norm, yet you leave this place fully satiated. I was there for breakfast, and their Eggs Florentine with sautéed spinach and gruyere béchamel sauce was amazing. Darn those Frenchies.
- French fancy restaurant: La Terasse (215 Lincoln Blvd)
As much as I want to put "French Laundry" in here, I can't, since a three-course meal would set me back a mortgage payment. La Terasse, in the picturesque part of the Presidio, has stunning views. Their sommelier gives great recommendations with regards to wine pairings. What to get: Foie Gras Torchon, Duck Confit, Prawns Provencale and Moules Frites (mussels and French Fries). Tip #24: to save money, you can buy restaurant.com gift certificates. For these, at times, you can find 80% off coupons, so a $50 gift certificate will only cost you $10.
- Mexican: restaurant near our cottage, Bahia de los Angeles, Mexico
During my junior year of college, my International House buddies and I took a glorified road trip down to Mexico for Thanksgiving. In addition to getting stung by a jellyfish and the sordid details about my friends' lives, the thing that I most remember about this trip is how well and how we ate. Bahia de los Angeles is a small fishing village on the Gulf side of Baja California; they had one main restaurant, where we basically ate fresh seafood to our hearts' content.
- Pho: Phuong Trang (San Diego)
For me, the standard to which I judge pho is how non-greasy their broths are. And I haven't been able to find pho as good as I've gotten here. Another bonus is the large portions and the reasonable prices.
- Hot Chocolate: Angelina's (226 Rue de Rivoli 75001, Paris)
Two words that describe their oh-my-god-i-died-and-went-to-heaven-good hot chocolates: melted chocolate. Pair that with their scrumptious macaroons, and you've got yourselves 2 pounds that goes straight to the hips; a minute on the lips, forever on the hips! But what a lovely minute that was!
- Crepes: random street vendor, somewhere in Paris
Yes, crepes do deserve their own column. And yes, you almost can't go wrong with any crepes street vendor in Paris; it must be something in the water.
Runner up: Crepevine. Serving size is enormous, and I'm always beyond stuffed every time I eat here! Tip#38: When eating with another person, order 1 savory and 1 sweet crepe and split it between the two of you; that way, you'll have best of both worlds!
- Desserts: Schubert's Bakery (521 Clement Street)
Their Mango Mousse is to die for. I've been here three times now, and every time I go, I always get this; perhaps next time I'll try something different, because they're all scrumptious, but I guess, why mess with a good thing, right?
- Ice cream: Bi-Rite (3962 18th St)/Mitchell's Ice Cream (688 San Jose Ave)
What can I say: I really love ice cream! Bi-rite has that mom-and-pop feel going on, and most of their ice creams are made with organic ingredients; my favorites here are peanut butter with a fudge swirl and Honey Lavender. Mitchell's ice cream has those Filipino-only flavors (they have the BEST ube, quezo real, and mango ice cream!), plus an oddball flavors like Avocado.
- Hangover food: Carne Asada Fries
It's a pity that this heavenly concoction is only available in Southern California (or at least, that I know of). In essence, it is like a nacho supreme (beans, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole) but in a bed of French Fries instead of chips.
Runner up: Corned Beef Hash - best place to get these would be Pork Store Café (two locations: 1451 Haight St, and 3122 16th St). There's something about greasy food that makes your stomach feel THAT much better after a rough night out.
- Brunch with mimosas: Lime (2247 Market St)
At times, Saturdays and especially Sundays, the restaurant feels like a club, with techno or electronic thumping in the back ground and the Castro boys recovering from the night before, nursing their bottomless mimosas for $6. That's what usually draws the crowd, though the food's not so bad.
- Happy Hour food: TGI Fridays
During my heyday in college, my friends and I used to go at least once a week to the point that the hostess and servers knew what exactly I order each and every time: Jack Daniels Chicken Strip, Spinach Dip, and Brownie Obsession for desserts, all for half-off!. 4-7pm and after 10pm! Those were the happy days.
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