Follow the yellow light... for FiDi takeout at Golden West

You could almost walk by Golden West without noticing it. And I selfishly hope you do so I don't have to deal with anymore lunch hour lines in the FiDi. But unselfishly, I hope you do walk down the shady Trinity alley, spot this neon sign, and step up to the window. The owner, Dennis Leary (also responsible for The Sentinel and Canteen), is hustling in the back putting together a great takeout menu. So far I've tried the steak salad and a vegetarian sandwich, both were delicious.  I like meals that have plenty of fresh veggies and herbs (basil in the salad!) and still please my inner fat-kid, i.e. huge strips of steak in my salad and a thick layer of goat cheese on my sandwich. I'm not one of those Americans that gets all hyped on big portions, but damn, they sure don't skimp and it makes me happy (for two days). Affordable, interesting, and substantial? I might have to wander down dark alleyways more often...


Got the travel bug? 
Golden West: 8 Trinity Place. Just opened a month ago!

Saving the world one microbusiness at a time!

Sometimes the greatest inspiration is right under your nose... or over your nose? Sylvia Rosales-Fike was my boss at AnewAmerica Community Corporation and last night was awarded the San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Award. I have to say that I've heard Sylvia talk a lot over the past few years (she likes a loooong Gala program), but this speech went above and beyond- In a few minutes she told her story, her home country's story and the story of anyone in this country who is considered an "outsider." It was a powerful reminder of why many of us wake up every day to fight poverty (even though it sometimes feels like you're just sitting at a desk). Check out this video done by CitizenFilm:

And of course, it takes a village- so props to my homies at AnewAmerica! Read more about their work empowering new American communities in the Bay Area.

Oakland's Best Dance Party

I've been hearing about The People party for a long time and my cynicism has kept me from checking it out. A dance party put on once a month that has a great crowd, good music and is always fun? Really? Every month, every time?

Yes. It's all true. The People, you are the cherry on top of Oakland's revamped nightlife. The venue, New Parish, was perfect for a hot night- a big sweaty dance floor, a balcony, and a beautiful, cool outdoor courtyard. I've never been around a nicer, more dance-happy crowd in Oakland (or a nicer looking crowd- so that's where you're hiding!) DJ Spinna was dope, the pretentious but talented dance circle was super entertaining, and even though I don't know how to dance to house music (I just followed Yeshi) it may have been my favorite dance party of 2010.

As my friend said while we were walking home, "Oakland hasn't been this hot since World War II!" Dance on Oakland, dance on.
Got the travel bug?
The People: http://thepeopleoakland.com/ Every 4th Saturday of the month
New Parish: http://www.thenewparish.com/

The Block is Hot

Yes, we all live on the same block in Oakland.

Yes, we make a good breakfast on Saturday mornings.

No, that wasn't our fancy stoop.

Got the travel bug? 

www.giveusyourstoop.com

Late Night Sushi in Temescal

You had a long happy hour. You just realized you've had three margaritas and no dinner and it's 11 pm. And magically, right when you grudgingly start going through your fridge to make a sandwich, the boys call for Sushi. Not just sushi, but Koryo sushi.

My favorite sushi spot in the town, and it's open late. The music is always too pop or too hard, but the food is always on point. If you're into the crazy rolls I recommend the 49'ers roll (pictured above), the titanic (tastes like it sounds-epic), and the poki roll (heh heh, poki). Keep coming back and you'll make friends with these badass chefs pretty quickly.

Got the travel bug?
http://gotsushiandsake.com/

FiDi here I come!

How does a restless, globe-hopping gal like me wrestle the monotony of a 9 to 5 in the Financial District (stupidly nicknamed FiDi, I've since learned)? Lunch! And if you're like me and can't really afford $10 lunches every day there's always...sun? Never thought I would be so excited about a glimmer of sunshine, but when I spot one on the shady streets of San Francisco, mark my words, I will push over the next girl in a power suit and sit my ass down.
Here's my Friday lunch spot:

Chez Carla- Great, HUGE spicy chicken sandwiches on focaccia bread that come with a salad, usually a long line but it moves pretty fast thanks to a very fine man who I now refer to as the Chicken Nazi. He keeps everyone in the kitchen moving pretty fast and he's got these deep, tough-love eyes. Ladies, hopefully he'll engage you in the same conversation he had with me the first time I ordered:
Chicken Nazi: First time? (with those sexy eyes)
Ferronlandia: Excuse me? (frazzled)
CN: First time (more sexy eyes)... First time here? (smile)
F: Oh, um... why, yes. (you naughty chicken nazi)
CN: Well then, you get a free... (please say kiss, say kiss) soup.
F: Oh, great. Soup. (damn!)
Unfortunately, the last few times I've been I haven't seen him around. But the other guys are quite charming and if you pick up on any of their inside jokes they'll give you some great customer service (like free mangos on your salad!)

Got the travel bug?
Chez Carla: http://chezcarla.com/ Chicken sandwich about $8 (it's worth it).
Sunny rooftop to eat your sandwich on: 343 Sansome St. Take the elevator to the 15th floor. Lots of seating areas and a small view of the Bay (sigh, good luck making it back to your cubicle).

Wine Country (off the stuffy, tour bus path): Mazzocco

So you know about wine, you know what you like, and you know how to bullshit well enough to thrown in the occasional "blackberry notes" and "barnyard nose" commentary if absolutely necessary. But if you're like me, you only really want to schmooze about wine and stand at a counter listening to tourists or annoyingly sophisticated people schmooze about wine if it'll get you some free pours. Which it will, if you're a cute girl and/or slightly charming and down to earth. Here's one way (and there will be many more ways from Ferronlandia) to enjoy the best of the wine country without compromising your wallet or your company.
If you're a Zin lover like me then Mazzocco Winery is for you. Zinfandels are their specialty and they get better and better as you go down the tasting list. My favorite was Maria, she's full-figured and berrylicious, I'd curl up with her and some dark chocolate any day.

And speaking of food (oh, were we not talking about food?), before you stop at Mazzocco you should continue on and make a left on Dry Creek Road to stop at the Dry Creek General Store. They've got all the essentials: Salami, truffle tremor, gourmet popcorn, baguette and... well, if you feel the need to balance that meal, a delicious beet salad. Take it all to Mazzocco and ask to bring your wine glasses outside (they'll even let you borrow a knife for your cheese cuz they're cool like that). Sit in the picnic areas that overlook the vineyards and indulge. Cheers says Danny.

Got the travel bug?
Mazzocco: http://www.mazzocco.com/  Free tastings, bottles range $30 and up.
Sto': 3495 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA‎ (707) 433-4171‎

Antiquing in Alameda

Walking into the Alameda Flea Market is how I imagine Aladdin felt walking into that treasure cave. Who knew that through the Webster tunnel, across from Oakland's own dinosaur crane habitat, there existed a sprawling treasure trove of antique goodies? Beware, you're going to get an intense adrenaline rush, leave your friends behind, and four hours later wonder what the hell you've been staring at the whole time. Basically, you're going to feel like you're doing mushrooms again. Except after this trip you'll end up with a cookie monster cookie jar, a copper table, a giant lantern, a mini guitar, tacky gold jewelry (hey- I'm gonna be Jewish grandma someday) and... a rhino head? Some chickens?

But seriously, the antiques run from undervalued to overpriced, barely functional to beautifully restored, international to retro American. People will bargain a bit if you're nice about it. I went in August looking for furniture and got four amazing pieces for very fair prices, went this month and walked away with a dress and a necklace for $8. This is not for the novice thrifter, be prepared to dig and go with a goal in mind. I recommend heading there after 9 am ($5 entrance) and when in need of a refreshment getting down on some beans, rice and plantains at the African food stand. Happy thrifting!


Got the travel bug?
Alameda Point and Collectibles Fair, first Sunday of every month: http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/index.php

Cocktail Recipe for a Broken Heart

Here's the deal: I recently had my heart broken. We all have our methods of coping and mine certainly have to do with eating and drinking. I get snobby about it too. Yes, I self-hate by eating things that are bad for me, but I do it with style. To name a few, in the past week I've had Queso Fundido at Tamarindo, truffle fries at B Restaurant, homemade donuts at Camino, and the burger at Zuni. Fatty fatty boom boom, is what you're thinking.
But, the real secret to mending a broken heart is a cocktail. One that takes you away to a tropical place, one that has a lil' kick to wake you up, and one that has something new and surprising. I made a foray into Fruitvale for some ingredients and while I was buying limes the checker leaned over and said in a soft Spanish, "powerful."
Huh? The debit machine? Is it new?
"No, you."
Oh yeah?
And then he said smiling, "You're happy too. You're a very happy person."

He didn't strike me as the psychic type, but I decided that regardless, he was right. And I was in the mood for a little flattery.  I catwalked my happy ass down Fruitvale Ave like "I'm powerful, I'm happy, and I got hella limes. Can't stop me now!"

La Margarita Ferronlandia (isn't this just a tamarind margarita? NO, shut up.)

 

Ingredients:

Tequila (I recommend Espolon, not too expensive and high quality. You can get it at BevMo for $20)
Triple Sec
Lime
Tamarind Juice (See below for info on Tamarind)
Pico Limon (Get at Mi Tierra)
Sugar

Agave Syrup

To make:

Throw equal parts tequila, triple sec, and lime into a shaker. Triple the tamarind juice. Add agave syrup to taste. Shake it all up with a bunch of ice. Pour sugar into a low bowl and, depending on your chile tolerance, pepper with pico limon. Dip the rim of the glass into a bowl of water and dip into your pico/sugar mixture to create a rim (or half a rim). Put ice in the glass and pour in the shaker contents. Drink. Invite more happy people over.

About tamarind: Tamarind is a unique sweet and sour fruit that's used a lot in Mexico (and other parts of the world, but that's where I've had it). The fruit grows inside a brown pod and unless you're a savage like my aunt Denise (who makes a mean margarita) you won't go through the effort to make the pulp. If you want to make the attempt you can get a bag of pods for $2 at your local Mi Tierra market, or if you're lazy like me, you can buy the juice for $3 also at Mi Tierra. Gringos, just say "Tienen tamarindo?" and you'll be fine.

Got the drinking bug?
Mi Tierra: The closest one to me is on Fruitvale Ave, near E 29th.
Los Hermanos: Just a few blocks down from the Mi Tierra, on Fruitvale and E 18th. Limes  are 8 for $1 and they'll throw in a boost of confidence!

Food Truck Nation

Have you ever seen a sight so glorious?

They're out there, five of them at a time. Today Hapa SF was serving up those same delicious tacos I had at the Eat Real Festival.

And guess what? They rotate. Choose from a different food cart every week.  In front of Civic Center on Fridays, 11-2:30.

Got the travel bug?
Stay in the loop with these geniuses: http://offthegridsf.com
Facebook page here