Healthy, easy, peanut-free lunches for your preschooler

From time to time, I will write about my passion for cooking, using fresh, healthy, seasonal ingredients. Some of you have expressed an interest in seeing recipes on my blog, and your wish is my command! I hope you will find some of these food-related posts inspirational in your day to day cooking.

As the mother of two school-age kids, I am constantly trying to make lunch a meal that the children enjoy and that I can feel good about giving them. By spending just a few more minutes each week, planning, grocery shopping and preparing meals in advance, kids can have a healthy meal everyday. All of my meals are peanut-free since one of us has a life-threatening allergy to all peanut products. We make it a rule to not stock items in the house that have peanuts outright or may be cross-contaminated. My older son attends a peanut free elementary school so these menus which were originally created for my three-year old daughter have come in handy on days when my son opts to bring a lunch rather than eat cafeteria food.

Here are some of my kids' favorites which can be easily mixed and matched, and swapped for seasonal ingredients. I always pack either milk or 100% fruit juice slightly diluted with water. They love apple, white grape, cranberry and pomegranate sweetened with a little stevia, acai, and strawberry-banana. Be sure to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold in appropriately insulated containers.

In future posts, I will share my recipes for several of the items listed below. I often cook with gluten-free products so you will see these indicated accordingly.

1. -soy nut butter sandwich, (jam or thin banana slices optional)
-fresh fruit cup using your child's favorites e.g., grapes, oranges,nectarines,
strawberries, peaches, blueberries
-string cheese

2. -ham and spinach pinwheel with onion and chive cream cheese spread, cut into thirds
-small container of barley soup
-a couple of strawberries with chocolate chips

3. -broiled salmon teriyaki atop brown rice
-steamed broccoli florettes
-dried fruit such as craisins, pineapple, prunes

4. -grilled cheese sandwich, (thin slice turkey or ham optional)
-baked sweet potato chips
-apple slices, (caramel sauce optional)

5. -turkey and Swiss slices with crackers
-boiled egg
-applesauce

6. -Chinese chicken pasta salad
-trail mix using peanut-free items such as almonds or walnuts, cereal (Rice Chex
and Cheerios work well),raisins, dried mango, banana chips,chocolate covered
sunflower seeds, flax seeds

7. -fried rice loaded with your kid's favorite vegetables
-cherries
-yogurt

8. -homemade macaroni and cheese with cauliflower florettes
-zucchini and blueberry bread

9. -baked pasta with turkey meatballs
-small container of black olives and Gherkin pickles
-blueberries

10.-bagel with your child's favorite cream cheese flavor
-apricot

11.-sliced ham and pineapple lightly tossed with your favorite BBQ sauce and broiled for 5 minutes, atop rice - carrot and jicama sticks, (Ranch dressing or hummus
optional

12.-sliced, roasted chicken (my kids love rosemary-garlic-lemon) with orzo pasta or
better yet, quinoa (add vegetables such as corn, diced red bell pepper)
-cottage cheese with fresh fruit

13.-homemade chicken noodle soup with crackers
-banana
-popcorn

14.-veggie sushi rolls - try cucumber, takuwan, avocado
-small slice carrot-raisin bread
-nectarine

Darla's - kids eat free on Tuesdays

Darla's is a traditional American eatery in the Inner Sunset that offers burgers - 'possibly one of the best in SF' - sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfast items like omelettes, pancakes and breakfast burritos served all day. For dinner, they have comforting plates of prime rib, pork chops, chicken fried steak and fish and chips which all come with salad, fresh vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes and are priced between $10 and $16. They make homemade milkshakes and rootbeer floats, too.

Every Tuesday past 5:00 p.m., Darla's serves up to two kids under the age of 12 free off the kids' menu with the purchase of an adult entree. If your child brings in a colored picture from their web site, he or she gets a free kids' meal any day of the week with the purchase of one adult entree. Youngsters can enjoy classic kiddie fare such as corn dogs with french fries, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mini burgers. They can have milk, apple juice or lemonade to wash it all down.

There's a patio in the back which is nice when it's good weather. And, how about that little signature chocolate chip brownie that comes with your bill? How cute.

For more info: Darla's, open 7 days a week. 822 Irving Street at 9th Avenue. 415.753.3275.

Foreign Cinema: A year-round favorite in the Mission

For years, my husband and I have loved the unique Cal-Med style food, professional service and "industrial chic" environs at Foreign Cinema. We've enjoyed romantic champagne brunches - they carry one of my favorite bubbles, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé - many a dinner with friends, and a few family meals with the kids. After 10 years in business, this place still impresses.

It was around 1:00 p.m. when we arrived last weekend and both the dining room and courtyard were packed. Good thing we had reservations. The hostess, coffee server and waiter were all friendly and performed their jobs seamlessly. The food was great, as always. I like that they change their menu everyday, it keeps each visit interesting and fun. Our three-year-old daughter seemed to enjoy our brunch as much as we did. And, she had a good time drawing with crayons on the white butcher paper they conscientiously placed over our white tablecloth.

During the day, the patio is a bright, cheery space and after sunset, a flicker and glow emanate from nightly films they project onto the brick wall. The dining room has a warm yet urban feel and casual elegance that makes dining here feel like a treat. Whether you sit inside or out, it is a hip place to hang out and break bread with friends any time.

This Mission District destination is also a cool setting for private parties. There are several options, including a spacious art gallery adjacent to the patio, a mezzanine and a small Director’s Table. Lazlo bar located in front of the restaurant is also available for buyouts. My friends and I have often boogied to the grooves of the DJ and enjoyed late night drinks there.

Here is the line up of food we ordered:

Baked eggs in chicken hash ($15) - Oooh, my kind of dish! Two eggs sat atop chicken hash, kale, tomatoes, onions, and chickpeas in a spicy red sauce. I loved all the ingredients and especially liked that it packed some heat. The grilled papad, or thin Indian flatbread, was nice although a hunk of French bread would have soaked up that sauce better.

Madras curry roast chicken ($16) - Another delightfully spicy dish. There was a perfectly roasted half chicken with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. It was accompanied by basmati rice with golden raisins, red onion raita and broccoli rabe. Mmmmmmm.

Fruit "pop tarts" ($6.75) - There was a choice of apple and strawberry that day and we opted for apple. It looked kind of like a pop tart dusted with confectioner's sugar but tasted much better. Unlike the sickeningly sweet kiddie version, this was like a warm apple turnover.

Kids' portion of French toast with a side of slow-cooked brown sugar smoked bacon - Our daughter had two pieces of baguette French toast with maple syrup and an order of delectable, chewy, slightly sweet bacon. Mommy had no self control and ate half of the bacon, oops! The kids' menu ($10) consists of a three course meal starting with fresh fruit and ending with two scoops of homemade ice cream with whipped cream. Besides French toast, entree choices included scrambled eggs and a grilled cheese sandwich.

I also give them thumbs up for serving delicious decaf coffee from Caffé Roma in North Beach.

Foreign Cinema is always worth the trip to the Mission District.

For more info: Foreign Cinema. 2534 Mission Street, between 21st and 22nd Streets. 415.648.7600.

Juban - fun, do it yourself grilling in Japantown

This yakiniku, or "grilled meat" joint is a good place to take people for an interactive eating experience. Bigger kids especially love being able to cook their own food. There are 16 grills at the tables and 8 more built into the circular bar at the center of the large dining room. That's a lot of cooking going on at the same time, but it never gets too smoky or hot which is a huge plus. They have a pretty extensive Asian menu with a la carte meats, veggies, seafood and accompaniments which are served family style. They also have a handful of soups, and rice and noodle dishes. If you prefer, you can opt to have the prix fixe menu for $62.25 or $82.75 which feeds two to three people each.

Juban is not a fancy place, but it's a fun spot for casual celebrations like birthdays. I also like the little touches, like special plastic kids' dinnerware and utensils (my daughter was thrilled to get a Winnie the Pooh set) a small bucket of ice to keep my bottle of sake chilled, and wet napkins at the end of the meal for everyone.

Two favorites are the miso salmon ($9) and sea scallops ($11). The beef tataki ($7.50) actually tastes better heated up and cooked through on the grill; it brings out the nice, strong ginger flavor and makes the meat more tender. The onmen ($7.50),hot somen noodles with egg, spinach and shittake mushrooms, is apparently a favorite among young children, but the beef broth was very subtle and proved to be too bland for my preschooler. She enjoyed the grilled items over rice much more.

They didn't have lobster tails the night we went, so my son ordered the rib eye ($9.50 instead and was very happy with it. He also ordered the green tea mochi for dessert but they didn't have it, so he got green tea ice cream ($3) which he enjoyed. They do carry top of the line Wagyu beef which we will have to try the next time we go.

Juban Yakiniku, Japantown, San Francisco. See web site for other locations.

La Terrasse - French fare in the Presidio

One of our favorite places to go for Sunday brunch is La Terrasse, a French eatery nestled in the historic Presidio. They have a lovely patio with umbrellas and heat lamps with a scenic view of the Bay. La Terrasse offers simple, satisfying, consistently good food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Our three year old daughter enjoys coming here after her swimming classes nearby because the greet her with a big, warm welcome, often give her a coloring book with crayons and sometimes turn their bar TV to the cartoon channel. She loves their wood fired mozzarella pizza, sans basil, as well as their French toast smothered in maple syrup.

At lunch and dinner, this place makes delicious classics including rainbow trout almondine over spinach, nicoise salad with grilled ahi tuna, and mussels in garlic/butter/white wine Pernod sauce.

They make interesting cocktails like the Golden Gate ($10) which has champagne, cointreau, brandy and orange and lemon juices.

Some of their best dishes:

Smoked Salmon Benedict ($14). This is my favorite kind of eggs benedict here although the crab and California (bacon/tomato/avocado) are good, too. The salmon is plentiful and topped with tobiko caviar. Underneath sits a large poached egg sauteed spinach, the perfect amount of Hollandaise sauce and a soft brioche.

French Toast ($12). The crunchy, chewy bread makes this dish so unique. I'm not even a big fan of French toast in general, but this one is absolutely addicting. The batter consists of Brandy, sugar, milk, and vanilla. It's sweet but not too sweet, and leaves you wanting more, even if your brain tells you you're full.

Huevos Rancheros (I don't recall the price). They added several Mexican style brunch items a few months ago. This tasty one has two eggs prepared your way with black beans, salsa, diced potatoes, cheese and two flour tortillas (I substitute corn tortillas).

Cheeseburger ($15),$13 without cheese. A big beef patty on a hearty bun with onions, tomatoes, lettuce and your choice of gruyere or roquefort cheese. It comes with french fries which can be substituted for a small green salad.

Kokkari - Greek fare good enough for the gods

Several years ago, when I was still working in an executive briefing center for a high tech company, my friends and I used to meet at Kokkari from time to time and have dinner before heading out for late night dancing and drinks. It was always bustling with attractive people, the food was consistently tasty, we loved the rustic and inviting atmosphere, and it was spacious enough to accommodate our larger numbers without feeling cramped.

It had been awhile since I'd been back, but last week, my girlfriend and I met there for lunch since she works nearby. Immediately, the friendly hostess and warm Saloni, or front room, with a large stone fireplace and dramatic bar, beckoned me. We were seated at a cheery table by the oversized window along Jackson street in the Kouzina, or kitchen dining area, with high ceilings. Although two different people asked us what type of water we wanted, the rest of lunch service was seamless. The food was better than I remember.

We shared grilled lamb riblets ($9.25) lightly seasoned with oregano and lemon which were hearty, finger-licking starters. We split dolmathes ($7), a plate of grape leaves stuffed with rice, dill and mint. I loved the lemony flavor and dill. We also had the oven roasted prawns ($12.75) with creamy tomato sauce and a nice little zing from feta cheese. My friend had the colorful Kokkari salad ($8) with arugula, cherry tomatoes, super crunchy Cretan rusk croutons and myzithra cheese in a vinaigrette. The croutons had a characteristically dry and hard texture which I imagine would be good for teething babies to gnaw on. Nevertheless, my friend enjoyed her salad. My charcoal-grilled octopus salad entrée ($14.50) with Greek peppers, frisée and white wine vinaigrette was fresh, filling and flavorful. The octopus was plentiful, had nice smoky flavor and tender, chewy texture.

They have a number of good wines by the glass, like a dark, deeply fruity, deliciously easy to drink Melville syrah ($13) from Santa Barbara.

This is still a wonderful place for both personal and business dining. They have multiple seating arrangements including: a grand hand-carved, wooden chef's table that seats 24 in the Kouzina; a 30-seat private Oenos, or wine room, adjacent to the Kouzina; and a lovely Hania room that seats 10 just a short elevator ride downstairs. Even their restrooms, located beyond the Hania room, are charming, although I wouldn't recommend dining there.

For more info: Kokkari Estiatorio, 200 Jackson Street at Front, San Francisco, 415.981.0983. Their sister restaurant, Evvia Estiatorio, is located at 420 Emerson Street in Palo Alto.

Hot diggity Woeuf dog

Forget breakfast sandwiches, go for a Woeuf Dog at Let's Be Frank on Steiner Street this weekend. Only on Sunday and Monday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, you can fill up on a frank, brat or "hot" dog with griddled onions, scrambled eggs, Devil Sauce, and maybe a slice of bacon for good measure, all tucked into an Acme organic bun. They also have Party Packs in three sizes for your Memorial Day barbecue. Become a fan on Facebook to receive special deals including a free jar of Devil Sauce when you buy three 12-oz. packs of dogs or brats this Saturday through Monday. 3318 Steiner Street between Chestnut and Lombard.

Monday morsels: Gnomes, frog legs, Sweet 16 and more!

Today, "Flavors of San Francisco" kicks off Small Business Week at City Hall, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Great networking along with nibbles from restaurants like Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Chez Papa Resto, Meze's Taste of Greece, and Nectar Wine Lounge. Registration required.

Suppenküche is celebrating its Sweet 16! In honor of this occasion, they are hosting Gnome Gnight, a costume ball on Thursday, May 21st, from 5:00 - 11:00 p.m. Dress up like a gnome and enjoy beer and food specials, music and dancing.

There were several exciting openings in the past few days, including Flour + Water where they are turning out fresh pastas and pizzas; farmerbrown's sibling little skillet, bringing you comfort food like chicken and waffles; and Chez Spencer's new French take-away truck, Spencer on the Go, where you can get fancy snacks like frog legs and curry, escargot puffs and truffle boeuf bourbuignon terrine. Looking forward to checking them all out.

Have a lovely week, people!

Tajine - solid Moroccan food in disco environs

The other night, my husband and I joined a couple of foodie friends for dinner at Tajine which reopened on Thursday on VanNess at Pacific. We were in the mood for something casual, inexpensive and relatively kid-friendly since we were bringing our three year old daughter with us. We had never eaten at Tajine’s previous locations but had heard good things about the food.

Let’s see. There’s friendly staff including chef/owner Mohammed Ghaled personally welcoming us at the door? Check. You can bring your own wine without a corkage fee? Check. They have decent, if not large, portions of affordable Moroccan food? Check. Kid-friendly? Check.

Those are the pluses. The decor and seating configuration, on the other hand, reflected more of a lounge vibe and was not very conducive to having a relaxed, liesurely dinner. Or maybe I’m just an old, forty-something fuddy-duddy. There were black and silver couches, orange ottomans, disco balls, spotlights and a glowing, neon-lit bar. My husband and I sat on the sofa and towered over a very low standing table to eat while our friends sat opposite us on round ottomans that were better suited to the height of the table, but were seemingly not very comfortable. My friend said it reminded her of the way people crouch and eat at street vendors in Asia.

Tables around us were literally folded up and rolled away just before 10:00 p.m. to make way for the nightclub that Tajine transforms into on Friday and Saturday nights. It was a little off-putting to see and hear the staff putting away furniture as we tried to finish our meal. I imagine it would have been better if we sat on the floor on pillows, because we all would have been at the same eye level with each other and it would have felt a tad more homey.

That night, it appeared that more emphasis was placed on the Heights nightclub aspect than on the restaurant itself. It’s unfortunate because most of the food was delicious. We all agreed that one of the highlights were Merguez sausages which were flavorful, slightly spicy sausages atop cucumber slices. It was the perfect size to share between two people and whet our appetite for the entrees. We also enjoyed the lamb tajine, succulent pieces of lamb, that were moist, tender, and falling off the bone. Prunes added sweetness and brightened the dish. The chicken with olives and preserved lemon was a winner, too. There were really tender pieces of chicken bursting with flavor from the briney olives and tangy preserved lemon. You have to soak up the sauce with the bread they pass out, delish! Our friends also thoroughly enjoyed the chicken bastilla which was enormous! It was made of phyllo stuffed with ground chicken and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

The two dishes that fell short were my lamb couscous which had generous portions of couscous and vegetables but no so much lamb and was pretty bland overall; and the lamb kababs which also came with couscous and veggies. The two skewers looked good but were overcooked and dry.

I might go back with a group since it’s inexpensive, you can bring your own wine and it’s kid-friendly, but not on a Friday or Saturday night.

Cafe Nordstrom has good, quick eats

I just got back from running errands at Stonestown Galleria and grabbing a quick bite at the cafe at Nordstrom. I have been craving their caesar salad with salmon lately and I finally got my fix.

It’s always clean, efficient, and consistent here so when my kids want to eat at the food court, my husband and I order food to go from the cafe and bring it over there. My husband likes their tuna melt on marbled rye bread. One of these days, I want to try their French dip sandwich and the lime & cilantro chicken salad. But for now, I always find myself ordering that same citrus salmon caesar salad – guess I’m a creature of habit. It's refreshing and satisfying and always has the right amount of dressing.

It felt nippy out this morning so a cup of tomato basil soup sounded good. It was nice and hot, and had a rich and tangy tomato flavor. It was served with a big piece of cheesy, crusty bread which was perfect for dipping. I tend to like my tomato soup a tad sweeter and with a bit of melty cheese on top so that’s why I can't rave about it.

In addition to their regular menu, they serve breakfast all day and have a kids’ menu with familiar items like macaroni and cheese, a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, chicken breast tenders, a turkey sandwich, and buttered noodles.

They also have a dessert menu featuring carrot cake, chocolate turtle cake, New York style cheesecake, tiramisu and red velvet cake.

They’re open Mon-Sat from 11:00am to 7:00pm and on Sundays, they close at 5:00pm.

Kingfish serves Creole-inspired food in a cool setting

Executive chef Tony Flier is running the kitchen again at Kingfish and last week, the San Mateo eatery launched his new, all-day menu. It is more focused and has fewer items than before but the way the menu is laid out, it seems like there's tons more. During my single days, I used to head over there after work with friends for happy hour. But after I left my job in Silicon Valley, I just stopped going there, for no particular reason other than there were so many other fun places closer to home in San Francisco. Yesterday, my girlfriend, her three-year-old son and I met there for lunch and it was nice to see that the space, decorated throughout with colorful, whimsical art, still has its Southern charm and lively vibe.

My girlfriend is a healthy eater, she's studying to become a registered dietician and used to be my personal trainer. So I exerted some self-control and opted to go on the lighter side - I figured I'd save the gumbo and blackened catfish with cheesy grits for when I'm alone and feeling skinny. We both ordered from the "warm and field good salads" section of the menu. She got the King Louie Salad ($16.50) with poached shrimp, Dungeness crab, boiled egg, cucumbers, radishes, capers, red onions, and watercress in classic louie dressing. She substituted other greens for the iceberg and asked for dressing on the side. I had Tony's Grilled Calamari Salad "Goombah Style" ($12.95) with cannellini beans, oven ripened tomatoes, frisse, mache and watercress in a lemon vinaigrette.

My friend enjoyed her dish which looked good; light and fresh. Unfortunately, I didn't care for mine. The calamari was soft, almost mushy. And there wasn't very much of it, which in this case, was a good thing. The rest of the salad was mediocre because the ingredients didn't seem to mesh well together. I also had the grilled artichoke ($8) which came with two types of Creole remoulade. The artichoke was steamed to perfection but lacked smokiness from the grill. One dressing was like a sweet relish that was too chunky to spread onto the artichoke leaves, it kept falling off. The other looked like classic tartar sauce but was milder. It may not be fair to compare, but I have to say that Pacific Catch on 9th Avenue is still the one to beat for great grilled artichoke, especially because it comes with that yummy basil aioli. But that's another story.

Our server brought my friend's son a mini sketch board to keep him occupied as he waited for his order of corn bread ($6). They do have a kids' menu, but my friend decided to share her shrimp salad with her youngster. When the corn bread arrived in its cute cast iron pot, our little eater dug right in with gusto. But halfway through, he scrunched up his face and exclaimed that it was too spicy. When my friend took a taste, she realized that it did pack some heat. Oops, it would have been nice if our server had mentioned that when we placed our order. Nevertheless, our server was super nice, conscientious overall, and quick on her feet. She immediately brought a small cupful of maraschino cherries which cooled down the young tyke's tastebuds and brought a smile to his face.

Some prices seem a bit high - a couple of the fish dishes that caught my eye range between $21 and $27, a tad too steep for lunch. But, they do have a slew of lower priced items such as po' boys between $12.50 and $19.50, bowls of beer crab bisque and clam chowder for $9.50, steamed mussels and clams for $14, and sushi rolls for $9.50 to $11.50. They also have a bunch of affordable appetizers like potato skins with a tasso ham-jalapeño fondue ($8.50), filet mignon potstickers ($8.50), salt and pepper calamari ($9), three lil' boys hamburgers ($10) and crawfish dumplings in coconut curry sauce ($9.50).

Based upon today's samplings, I have to say I was a little disappointed but I will most likely be back. The thing is, I want to like the place because it's a pretty cool spot and holds special memories of good times spent with friends. Besides, what's not to like about a restaurant whose motto is "Eat like a King, Drink like a Fish" and boasts an artsy setting with cozy booth seating, an oyster bar with a TV, three cocktail bars with sports TVs, occasional live music, a private Estate Room perfect for smaller dinners, a pretty King's Room and spacious Mezzanine upstairs? Since they are only a week into their new menu, I'll cut them some slack and revisit them down the road.

Kingfish will have a Mother's Day brunch buffet from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $35.95 adults, $12.95 children; and buffet dinner 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., $39.95 adults, $12.95 children.

Magnolia has new chef, service lacks attention to detail

Last week, Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery announced that sous chef Ronnie New is now executive chef. He has already infused New Orleans and Southern influences in dishes such as these on the dinner menu: Bourbon glazed spare ribs with corn bread and potato salad ($19), Bluenose bass with roasted sunchokes, artichokes and beet relish ($20), pan-fried pork chops with red eye gravy and mashed potatoes ($18) and mushroom ravioli with sage brown butter, dino kale and Grana Padano ($15).

Taking advantage of the fact that our daughter was down for a long nap after a fun Easter egg hunt at a friend's house, and that our son was at Grandpa and Grandma's house for dinner, my husband and I made our way to the Haight last Sunday to check this place out. We were excited to see that their touted housemade sausages were still on the menu ($12 with two sides). We tried the Portuguese linguisa, a salty, slightly spicy thin sausage that paired well with sides of German potato salad and tender rainbow kale. The bratwurst was okay, we had it with roasted sweet potato and sauerkraut.

Oddly enough, the beers and wine on tap seemed a little off. The two beers we sampled - Big Cypress Brown and Dark Star Mild - tasted almost identical and were lacking malty flavor and depth. And I am not a wine snob, but after an initial taste, I had to send back their special Sutton Cellars "Magnolia Blend" of syrah (60%) and carignane (40%) because it was slightly sour. The Tin Barn zinfandel proved to be a bit better.

As far as service goes, both the bar and kitchen had missteps during our meal for which our server graciously tried to take the blame. My first glass of wine came out completely dirty, covered in lipstick and remnants of pulpy orange juice from brunch-time mimosas. Our server said she saw the bartender wipe my second glass clean, but it still had lipstick on it. And after I inquired about the preparation of one of the dishes, our server asked the kitchen. She came back and explained it would be done one way, but to our surprise, it was prepared another. Hmmm. It was at that point that we decided not to try anything more.

I know Magnolia has a loyal following, so for those individuals, there will be a collaboration dinner with buddies from The Linkery of San Diego on May 11th. It is a beer/salumi "simul-dinner" showcasing cured meats from The Linkery and beers from Magnolia, starting at 5:00 p.m. in both places. Also at Magnolia every Tuesday, house beer is $3 all day. They have fried chicken on Thursdays starting at 5:00 p.m. until they run out, and Ronnie's Beer Dinners happen every last Wednesday of the month featuring a three-course dinner with beer pairings.

Overall, the sausages and sides were good, but the rest of the experience was less than impressive. Unfortunately, I'm not going to rush back to try the new menu, sorry chef New! It's sort of like comparing apples and oranges, but if my husband and I were in the neighborhood, we would definitely grab a seat at the bar at The Alembic instead. The food there is amazing, and they have a fun and unusual wine and beer list. But that's another review...

The Taco Shop at Underdog's is a great sports bar and tacqueria rolled into one

I recently reviewed Underdog's organic hotdogs, but aside from the common name and Irving Street location, this "Underdog's" eatery is a completely different, and honestly, even more compelling reason to head over to the Sunset if you don't already live nearby. Last September, Nick Fasanella, of Nick's Crispy Tacos fame in Russian Hill, and his friend and business partner Doug Marschke, teamed up to present all the things that a great sports bar and taco shop should have. I'm talking about lots of flat screen TVs; local sports team memorabilia and banners; a dartboard in the front; a coin-operated free throw basketball hoop in the back; several classic arcade games like Ms. PacMan, Galaga and Centipede; a jukebox; high-top tables for adults and wooden picnic tables in the back for families with kids; casual but friendly and attentive service; a variety of Mexican, domestic, imported and micro-brewed beers; margaritas and sangria; and oh-so-tasty Cal-Mex food.

Fassanella, who was trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York's Hyde Park, sold his namesake eatery on Broadway in 2006 and opened The Taco Shop at Underdog's Sports Bar & Grill, his fifth restaurant venture in San Francisco. Other local projects include Tortilla Heights on Divisadero at Bush which has strong appeal with the single set, and an Italian deli in North Beach called La Spiaggia. Word of mouth is spreading that those beloved taco's made "Nick's Way" - one grilled crispy corn tortilla and one soft tortilla filled with fresh ingredients like steak, pork, chicken, pinto beans, pico de gallo, Monterey Jack cheese and guacamole - can now be found across town. They also have a variety of affordable burritos and quesadillas, tortilla soup, elote con queso (white corn brushed with lime salsa and dusted with cotija cheese and cayenne pepper), nachos, chicken wings, chips and salsa, and a grilled corn and black bean taco salad. Everything is made with local, organic ingredients for under $10, so you get good value for your buck. No wonder this place has such a loyal following already, especially among neighborhood residents and students.

If that's not enough, they have free Wi-Fi, frequent events and special deals. On Taco Tuesdays, grab $1 street tacos from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Thursdays are college night, so with school I.D., get $3 well drinks after 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, April 18th, they will televise UFC 97 Redemption at 7:00 p.m., $15 cover. Check their web site for more happenings.

Now I'm craving a Carnitas Taco, Nick's Way. By the way, if anyone has an allergy to peanut products, this place is peanut-free! For more info: The Taco Shop at Underdog's 1824 Irving Street. 415.566.8700.

Woodhouse Fish Co. is a great catch in Pacific Heights

The two brothers behind Woodhouse Fish Co. on Market Street, Dylan and Rowan MacNiven, have opened a second location in Pacific Heights. Just Tuesday, these Peninsula natives opened their doors for lunch, and what a welcome addition they are to the neighborhood. Located on Fillmore Street near Pine, this seafood haven is more spacious and offers a more evolved menu than its sibling. It's a bright, comfortable, simple yet well-decorated spot executed with the help of Jamis MacNiven, their dad. Jamis owns Buck's of Woodside and has built restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe which used to be on VanNess Street. When you go in, check out the big fish overhead and the framed flat screen featuring a boating and fishing video. Rowan and Dylan, whose middle name is Woodhouse, were friendly hosts who were rolling up their sleeves alongside their employees, greeting, seating, serving customers and answering phones. Gotta love that.

Chef Jon Hearnsberger, formerly of Anchor Oyster Bar, turns out some seriously satisfying grub. My parents and I had a great meal there yesterday. The cup of clam chowder was very flavorful, creamy, and filled with clams. It wasn't as piping hot as it could have been, but the recipe is a winner. The crab cakes were pleasingly light and crispy on the outside, filled with crab and had a nice crunch from chopped celery and green onion. Two crab cakes come with salad greens, tomatoes and beets in a light vinaigrette. The crispy calamari was equally impressive. Again, it had a perfectly light and crisp coating that wasn't greasy or heavy, and the squid was incredibly tender. The Ipswich clam roll and lobster roll were both piled high on a hearty toasted bun and came with thin-cut fries and slaw. Hearnsberger uses local and sustainable ingredients wherever possible so you can feel good about indulging.

Look at their chalkboard for daily fish specials. Yesterday, they featured health-conscious dishes such as halibut prepared in parchment light on the oil, as well as grilled salmon with asparagus. They don't have their wine and beer license just yet, but for now, you can order a make-your-own lemonade to wash down all that tasty goodness.

I can't wait to go back with my husband and kids and try everything else on their menu! They will be open for dinner service soon, once they get that liquor license. And they're not taking reservations right now, so feel free to walk right in. For now, their lot of two-tops and four-tops and 10 stools at the bar are enough, but once word gets out that they're open for business, I can imagine lines out the door.

Woodhouse Fish Co.
1914 Fillmore Street and 2073 Market Street
415.437.CRAB (2722)