SFO: Blue Bottle from the Non-Avid-Coffee-Drinker POV

I don't really drink coffee.
But I still wanted to know what all the rave surrounding Blue Bottle Coffee is all about, so since I had time to wait around for a friend after landing in SFO last time, I took the BART down to Blue Bottle.

I had a hard time finding it since Mint is this tiny street that leads into a plaza and furthermore the entrance is not actually even on Mint (just go around the corner!)

The cafe is small, with a big rectangular table in the middle where people can sit on stools and enjoy their drinks (and no, there's no wi-fi).
You can see their fancy machineries, chemex filters etc through a glass divider.

Again, I'm not really a coffee drinker, so I ordered the mocha - made with Recchiuti chocolate.
Just before this I finally tried out LaMill's (LA Mill? which is it?) mocha, made with Valrhona chocolate!
Both are very good. I prefer the richer taste of the Valrhona, but coffee-wise? I can distinguish between bad coffee and good coffee, but not the variations of good coffee, so ...

I was merely enjoying time to myself on a cold day, and can't tell you much about their coffee!
Their pastry selection is limited and pricey. When I was there the wait was not too bad until this group of coffee businessmen from overseas came and placed a giant order!
Their staff is very friendly and helpful. Overall it was a great experience!

Oh I did finally take my laptop out into the plaza - where they have free wi-fi :)

Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St.
San Francisco, CA‎
(415) 495-3394‎
www.bluebottlecoffee.net

Kiriko: Fresh Sushi and More

Someone suggested Kiriko on Sawtelle to us for great sushi. Actually, it was (one of) my hairdresser(s), who is Japanese and know a lot of places and Japanese chefs - including Totoraku!

When we went Kiriko was fairly empty with only two other patrons there. They actually had quite a nice selection of cooked items both on their regular and their specials menu.

We browsed through the specials menu for the night and got the blue crab sunomonoNice flavor and refreshing, although it did mask the flavor of the blue crab a little, which is kind of a shame. I did like the flavor and texture combination with the cucumbers though.

As for the sushi, I started with pretty much my standard, including salmon and hamachi (below)
The sushi here is fresh and they gave me pretty fatty hamachi pieces, which made me happy :)
Good fish/rice ratio too.

I also got some hamachi kama (yellowtail collar)
Delicious. Tender fatty kama - very flavorful. I especially loved the parts near the bones, as usual :)

I also ordered a sushi from the specials menu and .... since I don't take notes, and this is a backpost (I need to start taking notes! Seriously!)
WHO CAN IDENTIFY THIS MYSTERY FISH??
Anyone? Anyone?

For some reason I was craving a kani maki, so I finished off my meal with one.
The crab roll was quite nice! Overflowing with sweet crab with a nice texture. A nice way to end the meal.

The sushi at Kiriko was pretty good and they also have some great cooked items. Definitely one of the gems on Sawtelle blvd. I wonder why they are not as busy as I think they should be! But I'll be back to give them more business.

Kiriko
11301 Olympic Blvd #102
West Los Angeles, CA
(310) 478-7769
http://www.kirikosushi.com

Christmas Dinner?

Eating out on Christmas? Where will you go?

Providence restaurant is again hosting La Vigilia - The Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The dinner costs $115 per person ($165 with wine pairing).

Crudo di Ricciola
Amber Jack

Capesante al Tartufo Nero
Sea Scallops and Black Truffles

Triglia alla Griglia (Rouget)
Olio di Oliva, Carciofi, Finocchio, Limone

Una Don Strazza
Risotto with Japanese Eel, Truffle and Nori

Tai Snapper all’Acqua Pazza
Calamari, Octopus and Mussels

Panpepato
Spiced Chocolate Bread, Gianduja Ice Cream

Struffoli

Not sure yet if I will go to this, but for Christmas day itself, I am opting for one of the cheaper options. Gino Angelini's La Terza is offering a 3-course menu for $40 from 3pm-8pm.
Here's the menu:

First Course

Mixed baby green salad with grapes,celery,

pecorino cheese and saba dressing

or

Lentil soup

~~~~~~~

Second Course

Cappelletti in brodo

Chicken cappelleti in capon broth

or

Grilled salmon with sauteed spinach

or

Brasato al Barolo

Braised beef short ribs marinated in barolo wine with polenta

~~~~~~~

Dessert

Ricotta Frittelline

Ricotta fritters with chocolate sauce and pears

or

Torta della Nonna

Pinenut tart with vanilla bean gelato

Coffee, tea and soda included