CHINATOWN, SAN FRANCISCO

03.03.14

chinatown-guide-top Chinatown is probably one of the most touristy neighborhoods in San Francisco, but definitely worth visiting, for tourists and locals alike. There is no real plan how to explore this colorful, exotic, crowded, quirky neighborhood. Just start at the Dragon Gate on Bush Street & Grant Avenue and drift into the biggest Chinese Community outside of Asia. Lined up with all kind of stores Grant Avenue is Chinatown’s main drag for shopping kitschy stuff, SF souvenirs, Asian dinner ware, tea& herbs. Chinese- style buildings and later decoration on the streets will give you the feeling Jeannie just winked you to a different world. If you are on a look out for some exotic food then your destination is Stockton Street, just one block parallel to Grand Avenue. This is the groceries street of Chinatown. But be prepared to get into the crowd and to discover food you haven’t seen or smelled before. Beyond shopping and food Chinatown also has some cultural spots to offer. Many Chinese Temples and Churches are open to the public and you can have an insight into fortune cookies factory. Every now and then I would make stroll, just browse the shops for some styling props, take few pictures, grab some dim sum to go and just get inspired. EAT
You will find tons of food spots in Chinatown and it seams to be super difficult to pick one. My tips for you guys are:

Delicious Dim Sum – one of the best dim sum places I have been to. Shrimp dumplings are my favorites. They don’t have seating, it’s only take out and only cash.
752 Jackson St San Francisco, CA 94133

Golden Gate Bakery – even before the doors open there is a line to get some of most delicious Chinese pastries. The egg tarts are definitely the winner with their buttery and flaky crust and the soft filling inside. They have quite strange opening hours, so if you see it open, get in line, you won’t regret it.
1029 Grant Ave San Francisco, CA 94133

SHOP

Wok Shop – super cute, small store for all your asian cooking needs. My favorite.

Canton Bazaar – they have everything. From the waving cat to kimonos.

Peking Bazaar – same things as in Canton Bazaar, but this is the house with the most lanterns.

all on Grant Avenue

SEE

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory – this is the only factory that still makes the cookies by the hand. You can have a look inside the factory for free, but if you want to take a picture, it’s 50 cent.

Don’t forget to look up while strolling Chinatown. You will some great architectural details.

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Looking to discover more SF neighborhoods? Check out Noe Valley, Inner Richmond,
Potrero Hill, Divisadero

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MOUNT TAMALPAIS HIKE

02.24.14

Hi friends, hope you all had a great weekend. I’m kicking off week with some pictures from our first real hike this Saturday. You are asking why real? Because it took like 5 hours and solid shoes were involved. That’s real hike for me. We crested the Mount Tamalpais and it was just beautiful. The nature, the views and the air are amazing there. You don’t really feel like walking forever as there is always something spectacular to see. I think I got a real hike fever. Already planning the next one. We started our trip at Equator Coffee & Tea in Mill Valley, 244 Shoreline Hgwy, directly on the junction to Stinson Beach. My new favorite stop before hitting the highway 1 north. They have great coffee, a very good hot chocolate and some pretty delicious pastries. Plus their store looks really cute.

Well supplied with hot drinks we drove the windy Highway 1 to Stinson Beach. Be prepared for some nausea. Even if you have the strongest stomach this street might get you. Arrived in Stinson Beach our hike began at the Dipsea Trail. As soon as you step up the stairs curved trees, narrow paths and small creek make this part feel like you are wandering the enchanted forest.

After the enchanted forest there will be some amazing views of the Pacific followed by the even more amazing Redwood forest and again ocean view and again forest. I can only say, give yourself a push and do this hike. It’s really super fun and even if you are not a big hiker you will love it. I’m pretty sure. Check out the full hike on EveryTrail. We ended our hike on the Stinson Beach with some beer for the fellowship and soft ice cream for me. Absolutely exhausted we made it back to SF and I can tell you, there is no better tiredness as tiredness after a really long hike.

If you have any hike tips here in the Bay Area, send them my way. I’m already preparing for the next one.

Not feeling the urge to hike. Check out my day trip to Stinson Beach.

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SMØRREBRØD BREAKFAST

02.21.14

Hey folks, It’s been awhile since the last international breakfast inspiration to jazz up your breakfast
routine. Yeah, we all love scrambled eggs, but from time to time we need a different menu to enjoy on a lazy Sunday. After French and Portuguese we are going today further north. To be exact Denmark. I love Denmark. I have been already couple of times to Copenhagen and we even had our honeymoon weekend there. It’s a great city to spend couple days and to discover the amazing and thriving food scene, but my favorites are still smørrebrøds aka open faced sandwiches. A base of buttered sourdough rye bread topped with fish, cheese, cold cuts, eggs, veggies and different spreads. Smørrebrød is great because you get to try out all the different and tasty combinations. Best thing, you can come up with your own ideas, there are no special ingredients required. Sure you can get the sourdough rye bread, but every other bread will be fine two. Here are some of my creations we had for breakfast couple weeks ago. Get inspired and get smørrebrød for breakfast this weekend.

Tuna Cream & Carpers Smørrebrød

- 2 slices rye bread
- 3 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 can tuna
- 3 tbsp carpers

Mix tuna, including the water, and cream cheese together. Spread it onto the bread and top with carpers.

Salmon & Horseradish Smørrebrød

- 2 slices rye bread
- 3 tbsp cream cheese
- 2 tsp horseradish from the jar
- 2 slices smoked salmon
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- some dill leaves

Blend cream cheese and horseradish together. Spread it onto the bread and top it with salmon, lemon zest and dill.

Apple & Goat Cheese Smørrebrød

- 2 slices rye bread
- 1 peeled and sliced apple
- 2 tbsp goat cheese
- handful micro greens
- honey

Spread the goat cheese onto the bread, top it with apple slices, drizzle with some honey and add some micro greens on top.

Boiled Eggs Smørrebrød

- 2 slices rye bread
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbs minced chives

Blend mayonnaise and chives together. Spread the mixture onto the bread, top with sliced eggs and sprinkle with some more chives.

Serve some slices radishes or cucumber with smørrebrød as a mini salad and enjoy your danish inspired breakfast.

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TUNA CREAM CHEESE

02.19.14

It was at a colleagues potluck dinner when I first time tasted the most amazing tuna cream cheese spread ever. It tasted so delicious, not to intense, not too salty, the right amount of creaminess and it went so well with everything! Bread, crackers, veggies – you name it. I started to lookout for the tuna cream spread maker to draw the ingredients from him or her and luckily I found him. He told me he didn’t have anything else at home except cream cheese and tuna, so he mixed that two ingredients together and that was it. That was it!? No super secret ingredient?! Only a can of tuna and cream cheese, not even salt! A little bit doubtfully, but ready to give it a try I bought some tuna and cream cheese next day and there it was – the amazing tuna cream spread. No salt, no pepper, nothing and it tasted great. This mix became my go-to spread for parties, picnics, breakfasts, snacks, sandwiches – you name it. And the fun thing, without bragging, nearly everybody who tasted it wanted the recipe and couldn’t believe that there actually is no recipe. Only important thing, it has to be cream cheese, not sour creme, not ricotta and not creme fraiche. Just cream cheese will blend perfectly with the tuna. From time to time I add some other ingredients and here are my favorites for you.

TUNA CREAM SPREAD

What you will need:

- 1 can tuna in salt water
- 3 tbsp cream cheese

What to do:

1. In a larger bowl mix the tuna plus the tuna water and the creme cheese together until spread is creamy and kind of smooth.

You can add to the amount above:

1 tbsp minced chives for some onion-y flavor
or
1 tbsp carpers for more Mediterranean style
or
2 tsp horseradish for more spicy flavor

If you make it let me know what you think. Or is it just me crazy about this tuna cream spread.

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SUCCULENCE :: BERNAL HEIGHTS, SF

02.18.14

I’m so happy when I accidentally discover places I have been planing to visit for months. This happiness occurred couple weeks ago when I stumbled upon Succulence shop in Bernal Heights. For all us succulents, terrariums and pretty things for your greens lovers, Succulence is a must-stop place. You will find plants in all shapes and sizes, garden tools, glass terrariums, books, seeds and an enchanted backyard with string lights and lush greenery. Owners, Ken & Amy, have created a true garden gem to supply and inspire us when it comes to plant life. Interested in building your own terrarium or vertical garden? Sign up for their classes. I haven’t done it yet, but it’s definitely on my list. They are pretty affordable and Yelp reviews are great. Time to bring the succulent knowledge to the next level.