Nopalito, 306 Broderick, Lower Haight EOPB

Prologue:
Rosalie and I have a favorite haunt on "Union Street" that we see as our "virtual" blog headquarters.  Our office is really the first 2 bar stools on the left, but this magic has to start somewhere.  Our favorite waiter at this secret location suggested this latest blog find, "Nopalito".  We may make him a permanent employee with these kinds of recommendations!

Napolito has a double meaning in San Francisco.
 (noh-pah-lee-toe) noun
1: a slice of nopal (cactus leaf) used in Mexican cooking
2: a San Francisco restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine

Nopalito is a traditional Mexican restaurant that boasts it's sustainable, organic fare and it is delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





They have 2 locations and both are usually packed.  You can't make reservations, but you can access the wait list in person or by phone.  There's a community table and open-bar seating, but if you prefer a private table, you can always join the line in front of Fallettis Plaza.

It's worth the wait and this place is set up to seat you as soon as they can, without feeling rushed once you are seated and enjoying your "Bebedas Hechas en Casa" (housemade beverages) & "Cerveza"!

(popsicle, anyone?)

Our staff photographer and I started with our beverages (strawberry lemonade for Rosalie and Tacate' with salt and a lime for me) and an order of  "Totopas con Chile" (chips with salsa de arbol, cotija cheese, crema and lime).
OMG!!!!!!

Moving on..........Rosalie wanted to try something less traditional, to spice up the blog, so she ordered the "Machaca de Camaron con Huevo y Salsa" (smashed shrimp, egg, Serrano pepper tomato, onion, cilantro, refried black beans and salsa ligera de jitomate).  I ordered the very traditional "Carnitas" (braised pork, orange, bay leaf, milk, cinnamon, beer, cabbage salad, pickled jalapeno and salsa de tomatillo).

We were both pleased with our choices and shared soft, hot tortillas and multiple salsas.
That's right!  Delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the end of our food fiesta, our waiter brought  2 almond cookies, rolled in powdered sugar - the perfect bite-sized treat of sweetness & butter.



This little haven has drawn me back several times since our first visit.  Once for Margaritas & crispy pork belly Quesadillas with my sister-in-law, who was visiting from CT.
I even stopped on my way home the other night and ordered the "Pazole Rojo" from "Nopalito's" most convenient take-out counter.  Absolutely fabdelish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This has to stop!  Rosalie is having a problem with my Spanish accent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Definitely 2 thumbs 3 fingers up on this one!

I think I see Burmese food in our future.  Have you heard about "Burma Superstar"?  Rosalie is packing her camera gear and we're off to investigate more fab finds for you, our faithful and patient followers.

I wonder how you say Adios in Burmese?

Sweet Woodruff, 798 Sutter Street, Lower Nob Hill (EOPB)

And how sweet it is at "Sweet Woodruff", the sister restaurant of  Nob Hill's, Michelin starred "Sons & Daughters".  "Sweet Woodruff" is located right downtown at Sutter & Jones.
There's a substantial amount of counter seating, but they offer take-away so you need never leave empty handed, even when the place is packed.
The menu is equally small, but bursting with unique combinations of flavors that have been "artfully" designed by chef/owners Teague Moriarty and Matt McNamara.

The staff is extremely friendly and although they don't take reservations, it's well worth the wait or you can opt for a late lunch and avoid the lines.

The food is great and there's a really nice vibe about this place!
The large open kitchen is a main attraction at this high-end counter service restaurant, and the magic begins when you place your order at the counter.  You can take a daily menu from the "order here" area or make your choices from the large chalk boards that announce the fab fare of the day.

Rosalie ordered the "Artichoke Grilled Cheese" with green olive, Gruyere & white cheddar.  After a lot of deliberation, I finally settled on the "Cardwell", Berkshire ham, applewood bacon, aged cheddar and their wonderful homemade pickles.  Both sandwiches where served with lovely fresh arugula that was lightly dressed and the combination was really fabdelish!  Everything on this menu is sourced from local providers and all the breads, condiments, etc. are made in-house.  "Sweet Woodruff" shares their off-site herb and vegetable garden with their famous next-of-kin, "Sons & Daughters".  This is the garden where they grow all their veggies and the "sweet woodruff herb" that has proved to be a perfect ingredient and a perfect name for this fabdelish eatery.

 

Not that we're that famous or anything (well, maybe a little), but our staff photographer was snapping shots like "Henri Cartier-Bresson"!
The restaurant staff was sure Rosalie had to be a famous photographer, and as a result, we were awarded a lovely surprise at the end of our delightful lunch!

Delish!!!!!!!!! 

The food is fabdelish and the pedigree is proven.
I wish more great chefs and chef/owners had the vision and forethought to create "downward-compatible" restaurants.
"Quince" did it with "Catogna" in the financial district, as well, so we know it works.  We really hope this trend will continue.
Not everyone can afford to dine at "Sons & Daughters", but you can experience and enjoy the same expertise, great ingredients and unique combinations of flavors at "easy on the pocketbook" prices at "Sweet Woodruff".

Even the "Sons &Daughters" pastry chef is creating special desserts for their sister restaurant.

Here are a few examples:

"Vanilla Pot de Crème" (shortbread cookie & berries)

"Lemon Curd Pinenut Cookie"

"Pelt Bread Pudding" (golden raisin & chocolate sauce)

"Strawberry Panna Cotta" (balsamic, pistachio & chocolate)

OMG!!!!!!!

Now, if you want to enjoy one of those fab "Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies", either take Rosalie and her camera with you or go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon between 2pm and 5:30pm.  (They're on the "Sweet Woodruff Afternoon" menu.)

We think that when you blend these daily menus, the unique ever-changing wine and micro brew lists, added to the cool décor of steel blue paint and reclaimed wood, you define "The Sweet Woodruff Success"!

 

So......... go, enjoy, relax, indulge!  This casual spot is not to be missed!!!!! 

Rosalie and I were so impressed, we are awarding "Sweet Woodruff" one "Mula Star".  This is the "More is Less Mula's"  hallmark of fine dining quality award.  (Hope Michelin is open to some competition!)

So CONGRATULATIONS to our first award winning restaurant! 

 

And now...............these 2 ex-PI bloggers are off to investigate for you, our faithful and fabulous followers, more divine finds that are either "EOBP" or "BDYW", giving you options for whatever strikes your pallet and purse.

 

Footnote:

"Henri Cartier-Bresson": (August 22, 1908 – August 3, 2004) was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism. He was an early adopter of 35 mm format, and the master of candid photography.  He has always been a big influence in Rosalie's photography career.

 

 

 

 

Nettie's Crab Shack, 2032 Union Street, The Marina (EOPB)

Okay......This is a DIVINE seafood find!!!!!!  "Nettie's Crab Shack" is not a place you just blog about. It's a place where you quickly become a "regular"!



"Nettie's" has a great patio, right on Union Street and the inside is reminiscent of an East Coast fish house, with huge chunky wood tables & chairs and a large open-kitchen. There are tons of windows so that even though you're inside, it feels like you're still outside.  It's hard to explain how they did this, but go see for yourself!
Rosalie and I were there on a bright sunny day in this city by the bay, and..................while there is never an empty table on that patio when the sun shines, it really was our lucky day!  We got the primo spot!!!
Just to get you in the crab shack mood....... think of oysters, buckets of mussels or clams, crab rolls, even fried oyster po'boys and fresh fish BLT's with fried green tomatoes...... just to name a few of the fabdelish offerings on this mouthwatering menu.

Our staff photographer and I started with a celebratory beverage as we marveled at our "lucky seating".  I had a lovely light & fresh Savignon Blanc and Rosalie enjoyed a perfect, cold & bubbly Presecco.


Deciding what to order was not easy.  Every dish that went by (delivered to another table) looked more scrumptious then the one before.  Finally I settled on the "bucket o' mussels" with andouille sausage in a flavorful broth that was to die for!  Rosalie had the fried oyster po'boy,  fully dressed, with Nettie's famous rosemary shoestring potatoes, that she found delish!!!!!!  I also indulged in numerous slices of fresh-baked sourdough with cold creamy butter, and as a result, these ex-PI's had to pass on dessert, but will definitely return to reinvestigate the unique dessert menu at "the shack". 


Even though we were stuffed it was not an easy decision to walk away.  Why, you ask???????  Try.....dark chocolate & pumpkin cake with hot fudge sauce, a good ol' chocolate chip skillet cookie (a la mode) or warm apple & pear crisp with brown sugar streusel..........  I won't even bring up that butterscotch pudding!!!!!!!!!!  


 The owners of this divine crab shack say it was their dream to create a restaurant that........"would feel completely open and airy by day, but glow with candlelight and wine glasses by night. It would be filled with people that like to eat and drink, people that cared about where their food came from and the people that ate it. A serious place that didn't take itself too seriously."

They certainly succeeded with this casual, friendly and absolutely fabdelish restaurant!!

So.....Imbibe!  Soak up the "crab shack" ambiance! Delight in the local seafood and indulge in "Nettie's" vast and unique selection of beers and wines.

One last look at the po'boy!

Rosalie and I will be back on the streets looking for more great places for you, our faithful followers, to enjoy more for less mula!  However........... according to the "Private Investigator's Code of Ethics", Rosalie and I have an obligation to always investigate anything "fishy", so we'll probably see you at "Nettie's" when you get there!

Salt House, 545 Mission Street, The Financial District (BDYW)

I really like this place!  It's great for lunch and excellent just for a drink, but it's divine for dinner.


It's reputation is that it's a great bar in the Financial District that is also a great grill place, but I think there's a new emphasis on the food instead of the martinis. 






There's a new Chef, Vernon Marales, who has a resume of exceptional experience at some of the top restaurants in NY, Spain and California.  Salt is going through a metamorphosis and seems to be in the midst of getting it's new legs, so service may be a little slow, and the menu may need to be a little more cohesive, but what's hot is hot and Salt House is on fire!!

The ambiance is cool and understated, located in a old warehouse that was used in the early 1900s for printing presses.  The high ceiling and brick interior give it that NY loft effect and the place is always filled with happy, customers in deep conversation and appear to be feeling right at home.




Our staff photographer and I decided to take this experience slow and for you, our faithful readers, we tried all the courses.  We started with  the Pickled Quail Eggs filled with salmon roe and drizzled with horseradish crème.  They were gorgeous to look at and delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to boot.

To begin this feast, Rosalie ordered the "Peas and Heirloom Carrots" with rhubarb jam and pea shoots, served with green goddess dressing.  I decided on "Zuckerman Asparagus" with roasted strawberry,  wood sorrel & Idiazabal cheese.  I would rank this salad as one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life!!  The mix of flavors and textures were so amazing and the presentation was beautiful.

Salt house serves a homemade bread that you know you don't need, but the fresh baked aroma and that heavy cold European butter actually call to you.  Really heavenly!  Just have one bite!  Yeh, right, I know, I know!!!!!!

Our staff photographer conferred with our server and decided on the pork loin for her main course.  The "Coleman Farms Pork Loin" was beautifully plated with spring peas, rye berries, bacon and a black pepper sauce.








I enjoyed the "Double 'R' Ranch New York Steak", beautifully served with shitake mushrooms, asparagus, charred spring onion and potato puree.  Just how good can this experience get?!?

 

Although we knew we should call Uber and leave before we saw the dessert menu, it was too late........this is where we really fell off the wagon.............I ordered the "Olive Oil Griddle Cake" with Swanton strawberries and roasted strawberry ice cream with a red wine glaze. 

Rosalie conferred again with our server and ordered the Urban S'More, brown butter panna cotta, chocolate balsamic gastrique & an espresso marshmallow.

What a fabdelish dinner.  As usual, the pictures are worth a thousand words.  This is one of our top picks so far this year. 
You need to try Salt House because it is trully a fab dining experience. Take your time and enjoy every bite of every course!  A siesta is in your future and the only real exercise you have to do is  "blow the dust of your wallet"!

 

Universal Cafe, 2814 19th Street, The Mission (BDYW)

What a fabulous neighborhood find for " More is Less Mula"!  There are so many good little cafes in San Francisco, but when you come upon "Universal Cafe" on a Saturday morning, you're quickly reminded that cream always rises to the top.....and this place is sweet!!!!









The chef & owner, "Leslie Carr Avalos", has taken fresh, farm-like dishes and made them sophisticated and just different enough to be a newer, fresher, organic version of themselves.

Sitting quietly on 17th and Florida, partly hidden behind a wall of beautiful purple flowers and tall green grasses, is this delightful neighborhood cafe.  It is packed and although you have to put your name on the list and wait to be called to your table (patio or inside preference), no one appears to be impatient.  There's an atmosphere of "it's well worth the wait" and most are waiting with a mimosa in hand.

Rosalie  ordered the "Soft Scrambled Eggs" with tapenade, rapini, ricotta with toasted Acme bread and lettuces.  I had the most delish "Poached Eggs & Sage Sausage Gravy" served on Buttermilk Biscuits with orange marmalade-glazed spring onions and herb salad.  OMG!!!!!!!

Our staff photographer especially enjoyed the coffee and I couldn't rave enough about the fresh-squeezed Valencia Orange Mimosas.  (Was it the OJ or the champagne that I was smitten with?)

 

 

I know you'll find this hard to believe, but again, just for you.....our faithful readers, we also ordered the homemade "Cinnamon Cake Doughnuts" with peach leaf creme anglaise!  Ohhhhhhh yeh we did!!!!!!!!!   OUT OF THIS WORLD!

 

 

You have to try this little cafe in the Mission.  There's plenty of parking and we did leave a few doughnuts for you.

 

Well, we're off again, rolling along the streets (literally) of this "city by the bay" investigating our next food blog-find.  It's going to be tough to top this one!!

This place has just plain fabdelish food, friendly service and an atmosphere that reminded us of some little neighborhood place you'd find in Europe.  Maybe that's why it's named "Universal Cafe"!

 

 

délicieux! delizioso! delicioso! köstlich! вкусный!

 

A16, 2355 Chestnut Street, The Marina (BDYW)

"A16" is a highly-rated Italian restaurant located on Chestnut Street in the Marina.  I enjoyed a fabulous dinner there, but Rosalie and I were sorely disappointed when we chose to lunch-blog this San Francisco "top spot", highly praised for it's southern Italian cuisine, specifically "Campania".

Our staff photographer and I shared the Burrata with olive oil, sea salt & crostinis (that were, unfortunately, not even toasted) and the arugula salad with pickled and dried grapes, fried almonds and pecorino monte poro.  That salad is truly delish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  However............... the service was sooooooooooooo bad, that had we not finally received and started drinking our delightful pinot noir, we honestly would have left.

I ordered the Pizza Margherita, tomato, mozzarella, grana padano, basil and olive oil.  Rosalie ordered A16's famous Pork Meatballs, braised in tomato with basil and grana padano.

My pizza was blahhhhh and not even warm to the touch when I finally got it and Rosalie's meatballs were good, but not great.  A16 has impressive decor, an exceptional wine list, but inconsistent food and service. 

Why oh Why???????????????????????  It looks so fabdelish in the photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If only the food and service matched the wine list, we wouldn't be saying "Ciao" to A16.