Red Mango

When I visited Korea a couple of years ago, one of my friends insisted on taking me to Red Mango. I thought why a frozen yogurt place? It's not popular in the U.S. anymore... But sure enough, it was surprisingly tasty. And a month later, I went to Los Angeles and found out there was a copycat store called Pinkberry. Their yogurt was very yummy, too!

So when I read the article about a Survivor winner (who's from the Bay Area) is planning to open a Red Mango store in San Francisco, I was so happy! But North Beach district didn't approve it since it is a franchise. I'm supporting 100% for not having a franchise store in North Beach but at the same time I was hoping he would find another place to have it. Well, it didn't happened.

That's why I made a special trip to University Avenue in Palo Alto.

It was a perfect, warm day for the yogurt treat.


Their cute logo.


The shop was busy but staff was very friendly.


I got original with peaches and strawberries.
The yogurt was tart and refreshing and the fruits were so fresh and sweet!
I was almost sad finishing up the last spoonful, knowing that I can't find the same taste in San Francisco. I really hope that they will find a home in San Francisco.

Red Mango
429 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
http://www.redmangousa.com/

Sadao Watanabe @ Yoshi's

Alto Saxophone player Mr. Sadao Watanabe came to San Francisco with his band this weekend. He is one of my favorite Japanese Jazz musicians but I've never seen him perform in person so I was so excited to find out he's coming to Yoshi's for his first stop of his US Tour. (Plus, I really wanted to dine at the new Yoshi's San Francisco.)

We got to Yoshi's little early to enjoy their bar menu with a drink.

The Jazz Club was a perfect size and all the seats have a great view.

Japanese beer goes well with Agemono type of Japanese food!

Tori no Karaage - Deep Fried Chicken

Agedashi Tofu

Vegetable Croquette

Negi Hama Tempura Roll

Chocolate cake with caramel ice-cream

The Bar/Lounge menu offered many choices, but I wasn't so impressed by the food much.

I liked the karaage and the dessert though.

Maybe I need to try the restaurant for the full review.

Mr. Watanabe's performance was great. He brought his band members to U.S. for the first time and they were very enthusiastic players. The 90 minutes of performance went by very fast.

His other U.S. tour destinations are Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington D.C., New York and Boston. I hope that I will see him again soon.

Sadao Watanabe

http://www.sadao.com/en/index.html

Yoshi's

1330 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

http://www.yoshis.com/

Cupcakes

There are a couple of cupcake shops I like.
One is in my neighborhood, Kara's Cupcake.

Kara's Cupcakes in Ghiradelli Square.

They have regular cupcakes and filled cupcakes.

This is my favorite, Meyer lemony lemon.

Their Ghirardelli Chocolate one is also yummy.

The other one is little far from me but I love their cupcakes the most!

Teacake bake shop is in Emeryville.

From their open kitchen you can watch how they bake their cakes and cookies.

Chocolate cakes with chocolate frosting.

This one is a special package for Valentine's day. How cute!

Kara's cupcakes has only cupcakes on their menu. They are planning to open two more stores in the South Bay.

Teacake bake shop offers cupcakes and cookies. I hope they open a store in San Francisco sometime soon.

Kara's Cupcakes

Ghirardelli Square

900 Northpoint Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

http://www.karascupcakes.com/

Teacake Bake Shop

5615 Bay Street

Emeryville, CA 94608

http://www.teacakebakeshop.com/

Oakville Grocery

This old fashion grocery store is a great stop for a delicious sandwich or picnic items on the way to wineries in Napa.

Interior of the store

Deli Stand

Beautiful desserts

My Lunch

Chicken gruyere sandwich with pancetta and balsamic onions and asparagus salad.

Napa Valley Wine Train was passing by right front of the store.

It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon.

Oakville Grocery Store

7856 St. Helena Highway

Oakville, CA 94562

http://www.oakvillegrocery.com

Where to get macarons?

My very first Macaron was from Sadaharu Aoki in Paris.

I didn't know back then but he's the one who made Green tea macaron so popular in Paris.

Last March when I went to Tokyo, I happened to find Sadaharu Aoki's store in Marunouchi. Of course I wouldn't miss the chance to try his macarons again.

Raspberry and Chocolate Macarons at Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki

I also made some macarons in my baking class last year.

Chocolate macaron with ganache and Green tea macaron with red bean paste

There is also a great place to get macarons in Venice Beach, California.

Variety of macarons at Jin Patisserie

Rose and Green tea macarons

Well, if you are in Wine Country, Bouchon is the best place for this little French cookie. (Although Bouchon's are twice bigger than most others.)

Macarons at Bouchon Bakery

In San Francisco, you can get them at La Boulange, Miette and Patisserie Phillipe.

Boulangerie Bay Bread on Pine Street

Their beautiful and tasty macarons.

My mission is trying the best macaron in every city I visit.

Is it mission impossible?

Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki

35 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris

3-4-1 Shinkokusai Building, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

http://www.sadaharuaoki.com

Jin Patisserie

1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Venice, CA 90291

http://www.jinpatisserie.com

Boulangerie

2325 Pine Street

San Francisco, CA 94115

http://www.baybread.com

Banana Island

This weekend, I had a chance to visit Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City. I couldn't believe how much the mall has been transformed. I used to go there for a burger and a slice of pie at Nation's when I was in college. And I kind of miss the old fashioned street mall. Now there are mega stores with crazy traffic at the parking lot. But I guess it is a convenient one-stop shopping for the locals.

Anyway the reason I went there was to revisit Banana Island restaurant.

Well, to be more exact, I was craving for their Roti.

Roti Canal

This paper thin crepe like bread is so good!

I thought I could have hundreds of them... if there is a Roti eating contest I will definitely try it.

Sizzling Tofu Platter

There was egg splashed on the bottom of the platter that made it taste interesting.

Thai Fried Rice

It comes with shrimp, chicken, bean sprout, basil, egg and scallion.

Skipped the dessert for Sheng Kee Bakery nearby.

Sheng Kee Bakery

One of their stores is now opened at Westlake Shopping Center.

All the pastry I got from them.

It's one of my favorite Chinese bakeries in the Bay Area.

Banana Island

416 Westlake Ctr.

Daly City, CA 94015

Sheng Kee Bakery

526 Westlake Ctr.

Daly City, CA 94015

http://www.shengkee.com