SF Underground Market...Shhh

There are very few things I'll wait in a line around the block for. Primarily a concert, a James Franco kissing booth, and a building full of food vendors. The latter happened last weekend at the SF Underground Market, a nighttime food festival and farmers market hybrid organized by ForageSF. The market allows budding food businesses to sell and show off their products, even if they aren't working out of a commercial kitchen yet. For vendors ForageSF has created an awesome market opportunity, and for eaters it's an extravaganza of home cooking, at your fingertips and in your backyard for a $5 entrance fee. My favorites:

Banh Mi Burger by Kitchen Sidecar- Tender pork belly, fancy mayo, and a perfectly crispy bun.

Pulled pork sandwich by Bay Area Urban BBQ- Weirdest picture of Essence, but the sandwich was certainly radiant. We stood in a dark staircase and inhaled this.

Chicken and Waffles from Angry Man Eats- I'm not sure if this was the best venue for chicken and waffles, but it does add a sick twist of indulgence to eat two sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, and then remember that your chicken and waffles will be ready in five minutes. Dessert?

Wood- fired pizza. 

 

On a grill?! Pizza Hacker modified a weber grill into a mobile traditional pizza oven. I actually didn't try the pizza (you can't go to pizza after chicken and waffles, you might just die) but I plan on tracking it down soon.

Got the travel bug?
http://foragesf.com/ Sign up to find out when the next market is.

Head East... To Oakland!

America getting you down? It's been a year since I left the country, so you know I'm getting anxious and I have a feeling a few of you are feeling the same way. But, if you can't drop everything and head overseas here are two spots to alleviate your red, white and blues:
Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant

I'm gonna call myself out right now and admit that I don't know much about Ethiopian food nor do I consider it one of my favorite cuisines. The spongy bread injera has never done it for me and I can't say I've had a dish that's been memorable. But this week I went to Ensarro, and it accomplished what few restaurants can do- it opened my snobby little mind. A huge, family style platter arrived at our table, the yellow of the pigeon peas matched the wall to my right, the turmeric set off the amber drapes on the ceiling, and I noticed that there's something special when the hues of your food and your environment combine harmoniously. I enjoyed every flavor of the Yetsome Beyaynetu (veggie combo) and the Bozena Shirow (finely grounded splot peas, and chickpeas simmered in minced beef). Look at me knowing the names. 

Oasis Market 

One of my favorite things to do when I lived in Istanbul was take the tram to the spice bazaar and walk through the piles of turkish delight and saffron, past the coffee roaster, and up through the districts of fabric stores and electronics as they twisted and evolved into the Grand Bazaar full of antiques, carpets, and hookahs. My other favorite thing to do was stumble out of bars at 3 a.m. and follow the scent of döner, a rotating spit of lamb sliced off and served to order- especially good after a long night out. Oasis Market fills those two gaps in my life as best as any market could. Call it what you like, shawarma, gyro, al pastor, rotating roasts hit the spot and you can get a good one there with freshly baked pita and all the fixings (tahini, humus, onions, etc.) for $8. There's also an entire selection of pistachio and date-filled pastries, savory pies, feta cheese, and mezzes. And, in case you wanna get freaky, there's the classic freak-eh soup:)

They also have fresh veggies (yay for more fresh veggies in Oakland!), a huge selection of middle eastern staples, and hookah supplies. Afiyet olsun!
Got the travel bug?
Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant
Oasis

Winter Drinking Hole: Rickhouse

Had I known that such a great winter bar existed just around the corner from my work I would've come here more often on my lunch break. Err, I mean happy hour. Rickhouse reminds me a little of Dram Bar in Williamsburg but crunchier. Dark wood, a fireplace, punch bowls, an endless and complex cocktail menu, and lots of warm bodies to keep you toasty. There are two bars, a balcony, and a space for live music (wasted on folksy white boys singing Desmond Dekker, whywhywhy?) The bartenders didn't have any interest in talking to me, wear suspenders, and make strong, twisted drinks, which places them among my favorite bartenders. 
Got the travel bug?
http://www.rickhousebar.com/