Short Trip

to Pasadena

Right after the plane took off from Oakland Airport.

Almost at Burbank Airport.

I think it was my shortest trip (about 4 hours) to LA.

But I got to see the old town of Pasadena and Rose Bowl for the first time. I would love to go back there and take time to explore beautiful Pasadena.

EURO 2008 Final

Since I don't have cable, I had a difficult time watching games for last Worldcup in 2006. Well... actually there are few bars that you can go, like Kezar Pub, Irish Bank, Chieftain, and Mad dog in the fog. But I think the best place to watch the soccer games in San Francisco is North Beach. Panta Rei, Steps of Rome, Amante, Maggie McGarry's... if you name a few.

So this morning my friend B and I went to Panta Rei to watch the final game of Euro 2008, Spain vs. Germany.


I was very lucky to get the nice spot to watch the game.
Most of people in the restaurant were rooting for Spain so we were very happy!


People were watching the game on the street outside of the restaurant.

We had Capricciosa, a pizza with prosciutto, mushrooms, artichoke and olives and it was excellent! But I was so into the game, I forgot to take a photo.

Our favorite player Fernando Torres finally made a goal at 33rd minute and it was a winning goal. Its first major title since 1964 for Spain. They deserve it!

Panta Rei
431 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
http://www.pantareirestaurant.com/

The Moroccan fare

Tajine

I just happened to find this authentic Moroccan restaurant while strolling down Polk Street on Saturday afternoon.

Hanging lamps are all in different shapes.

Beet salad

I love beets!!!

Mint Tea

It came with very cute pot and a glass not a cup.

I should have ordered a large pot instead of small, it was very minty and sweet.

Chicken Bastilla

It's baked with fillo dough stuffed with chicken, almonds and egg topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

It seems like it's one of the popular dishes in Tajine.

However, it would have been better without powdered sugar. The sweetness was overpowering the stuffing.

Vegetarian Couscous

It had turnips, carrots, pumpkins and zucchini with tomato sauce.

It's yummy and healthy. I loved this dish!

The staff was friendly, the food was wonderful, I really enjoyed the meal!

Except I had to run to the ATM since they take cash only.

Tajine

1338 Polk Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

http://www.tajinerestaurant.com/

Great Lunch Spot is found!

Split Pea Seduction

I usually bring my own lunch because there are not many lunch places near my work. But I found this great take-out joint recently!

Facade of the store

Their color is chocolate brown and pea green.

The menu changes everyday.

They prepare the food on site using seasonal ingredients purchased directly from the small farms.

Mini Bacon, Shrimp and Gruyere Tart

So I picked 12oz. soup and half of Crostata for my lunch.

Puree of Broccoli with Crispy Toast soup was so good!

Baby Beets, Beet Green and Gruyere Crostata with soft cooked Egg.

The crust was little too soft but it was tasty!

They also serve sweet crostata, homemade granola and fresh coffee for breakfast.

Split Pea Seduction

138 6th Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

http://www.splitpeaseduction.com/

Farmer's Market at the Ferry Plaza

Part 2

The Ferry Building was re-opened in 2003 as a marketplace.

Inside, there are boutique food shops and restaurants.

Organic Farmer's Market is held Tuesdays and Saturdays outside the building.

Dungeness crab in a tank at San Francisco Fish Company.

They not only have fish and seafood but also prepared take home dishes.

Cowgirl Creamery Artisan's Cheese shop

They carry premium farmstead cheeses from France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Canada along with their own cheeses from Point Reyes.

I think it's comparable with Beecher's cheese shop in Seattle.

Cookies at Miette

Love their packaging! They also have awesome macaron.

Outside Farmer's Market is always crowded especially when weather is nice.

Fruit and vegetable stand

Frog Hollow Farm is my favorite!

Their apricots and peaches are the best. They also have a pastry shop in the building. Just thinking about their galettes makes me craving...

Yes, figs are in season!

I can't wait to bake some fig tarts!!

Shoofly?

I wonder where the name comes from...

What a great way to spend your Saturday morning!

It's also nice to support local farmers.

Grab your canvas bag and go to the Farmer's Market whenever you can!

Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop

1 Ferry Building Plaza, shop 17

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/

Frog Hollow Farm

1 Ferry Building Plaza, shop 46

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.froghollow.com/

Miette

1 Ferry Building Plaza, shop 10

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.miettecakes.com/

Farmer's Market at the Ferry Plaza

Part 1
My favorite thing to do on Saturday mornings is going to the Farmer's Market.

The weather has been so beautiful in San Francisco lately and this weekend was no exception.

There is always a long line at the Blue Bottle Coffee stand.

Fresh flowers and Lavender

Organic Fruits

This Italian donut, Bomboloni is very tasty, especially the custard one.

I just love the sound of Bom-bo-lo-ni!

I Preferiti di Boriana

1 Ferry Building Plaza, Shop 33

San Francisco, CA 94111

http://www.borianafoods.com/

Blue Bottle Cafe

I'm not a coffee drinker but I love Blue Bottle's coffee!

They opened a cafe in SOMA.
Now you can sit down and enjoy their coffee and food!


Breakfast
Poached farm eggs on Acme white toast with whipped butter and sea salt.
The thick toast with perfectly poached egg, it's to die for!

Siphon Bar
This famous Siphon coffee machines are imported from Japan.

Their Drip Coffee is the best, also I like New Orleans Iced Coffee and Cappuccino.

The interior of the space is very chic, minimalist design with monotone color.

It makes you feel like you are in a hip coffee shop in Berlin or Vienna.

Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint Street, San Francisco
http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/

Photos from Wind City

Cloud Gate

Stainless steel sculpture by British Artist Anish Kapoor at Millennium Park.
The city truly cares about Architecture and Art.

I love Chicago!

Blueline

Very early morning ride from O'Hare Airport to Downtown Chicago.

Marina City
This building was built in early 60's and it still looks very modern.

Designed by Bertrand Goldberg who studied at the Bauhaus.

A bull on Michigan Avenue

Trump International Hotel and Tower

It's under construction. Design by SOM.

A Street Musician and a Lion

In front of Art Institute

Museum of Contemporary Art
Designed by German Architect Paul Kleihues

If you visit Chicago, check out these Museums.

The Art Institute of Chicago

111 South Michigan Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

http://www.artic.edu/aic/

*The new modern wing (Designed by Renzo Piano) is under construction and it's scheduled to open in 2009.

MCA

220 East Chicago Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

http://www.mcachicago.org/

June Baking Class

Dacquoise Cake with Fresh Fruits.

This Dacquoise Cake is fresh out of the oven.

A perfect cake for this season. I put lots of peaches, plums, apricots, berries and kiwis on top of custard cream and mascapone cheese filling.

Thanks for the private class, Binko san!

I've been thinking about having my own blog for a long time and finally I'm starting today!

Hope I can share many beautiful things with you...