Monday morsels: Michael Bauer's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants and curry at Jovino

Michael Bauer's Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants for 2009 is out. I'm glad to see some of my favorite spots on the list like Aziza, Bistro Aix, Bix, Boulevard, H.O.P.R., Foreign Cinema, Kokkari, La Folie, Nopa, Perbacco and Slanted Door. Check out which restaurants got the boot to make room for some newbies.

Tonight is vegetable curry rice bowl night at Jovino. Everyday there's a different dinner for $9. Tuesday is chicken cacciatore and polenta, Wednesday is meat or veggie lasagna, Thursday is beef stew, Friday is fried chicken with mashed potatoes, Saturday is spaghetti with meatballs and a glass of house wine, and Sunday is meatloaf with cheddar mashed potatoes.

Specials on drinks and eats for SF Giants Opening Day

Opening day at the ballpark is right around the corner, and lots of nearby businesses are ready for the excitement. Check out what these places near AT&T Park are doing on April 7th. Go Giants!

Epic Roasthouse: Join fellow Giants fans for the first Epic Launch Party on the spacious patio from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sponsored by Blue Angel Vodka, this BBQ will be grooving to lounge music by DJ BKR and loaded with Executive Chef and co-owner Jan Birnbaum's tasty take on stadium food like grilled sausages and hotdogs, potato salad, and coleslaw. Drinks will be flowing from four satellite bars. If you prefer, settle in at the stately Pat Kuleto designed bar appointed with leather seats and catch the game on two flatscreen TVs. Or, grab dinner in the main dining room from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Epic Roasthouse, 369 The Embarcadero. 415.369.9955.

Momo's: The bar and kitchen will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They will offer a condensed menu. When the Giants are away, they will bring back their $4 martini happy hour with $3 appetizers, Monday - Friday, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. They will also feature $4 beers on tap, wines by the glass and shots. By the way, Thursdays are Singles Night from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Enjoy Martini Hour specials plus $1 oyster shooters and $1 Jell-O shots. Momo's, 760 Second Street. 415.227.8600.

Paragon Restaurant & Bar: They will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., serving their full menu all day and bar menu from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. They will have a satellite bar on the patio which seats about 50. Go for $9 mojitos and large selection of vodkas. Paragon Restaurant & Bar, 701 Second Street at Townsend. 415.537.9020.

Tres Agaves: This purveyor of Jalisco-inspired cuisine and tequila, tequila, tequila is taking over three Mexican food concessions formerly run by Compadres at AT&T Park. In addition, they will serve their Opening Day bar menu all day in "La Plaza del Agave" in the rear of the restaurant. It offers two bars with two 10' TV screens and items like their bacon-wrapped all-beef hotdogs and tamales. To accommodate the anticipated crowd, they are also setting up a tent in the parking lot with a satellite bar. Did you know Tres Agaves is opening in Roseville later this month and in Las Vegas in 2010?! Ole! Tres Agaves, 130 Townsend Street at Second. 415.227.0500.

21st Amendment: For those of you who are really hard core, the bar opens at 9:30 a.m. and the kitchen opens at 10:00 a.m. Don't miss the release of their "Opening Day IPA" which they only brew once a year. View the Opening Day menu along with the rest of their menus on their web site. Of course, the ever-popular Build Your Own Burgers are featured on all but the brunch menu. Open until midnight. 21st Amendment, 563 Second Street. 415.369.0900.

Waterbar: Take a seat at this Pat Kuleto and Mark Franz project (Epic's sibling) and sip "A Spa in Cabo," their special $5 happy hour drink made of Jose Cuervo Reserve tequila, lime and cucumber. Happy hour is from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also get $1 local oysters from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a Down the Line prix fixe dinner for $40. Add a bottle of red or white wine for $20 more. Waterbar, 399 The Embarcadero South. 415.284.9922.

No trip to Japantown would be complete without a stop at Benkyodo, a coffeeshop run by brothers Ricky and Bobby Okamura in Buchanan Mall. This is no ordinary coffeeshop. Ricky and Bobby are third generation manju makers, part of a dying breed of artisans who make these traditional confections by hand each day. Benkyodo celebrated its 100th anniversary in June 2006. If you stop by on a Saturday, be prepared to wait in line and go early because they can sell out fast. It's kind of amusing to see how East meets West here, for my kids often look forward to ordering a hotdog with their kuri goma manju, baked manju with smooth white beans and sesame seed garnish. When I'm there, it's hard to resist my childhood favorite, dorayaki, a pancake style manju filled with whole red beans. Benkyodo also has fun flavors like strawberry, peanut butter and chocolate marshmallow mochi! Benkyodo Co.,1747 Buchanan Street. 415.922.1244. Monday - Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


Another popular place is Sophie's Crepes in the Kinokuniya Building. Especially in the evenings, crowds converge to watch the simple yet mesmerizing wonders of their paper-thin crepe being made through the storefront window. They have lots of savory and dessert varieties. My kids love the one filled with vanilla ice cream, strawberries and whipped cream, both with and without chocolate sauce drizzled on top. Sophie's Crepes, 1581 Webster Street. 415.929.7732. Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Closed Mondays.

If Sophie's Crepes is too crowded, try Belly Good Cafe & Crepes next to May's Coffee Shop in Kintetsu Mall. They make deliciously soft crepes. Belly Good Cafe & Crepes, 1737 Post Street. 415.346.8383. Open 7 days a week.

Don't forget the Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, a little gem tucked away in Super Mira market on Sutter Street between Buchanan and Laguna. It is run by Thomas "Moses" Yasukochi and his wife Hatsy. They make an assortment of treats, including guava cake and their famous coffee crunch cake. They now have a chocolate crunch cake, chocolate cake and whipped cream covered with chocolate crunch. Here's a cool fact: Moses was one of the original members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo which is the oldest and largest professional taiko group in the Western world led by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka. Yasukochi's Sweet Stop, 1790 Sutter Street. 415.931.8165. Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.


At Murata's Cafe Hana in the Kintetsu Mall, you will find beautiful pastries, chocolates and a variety of ice cream flavors including green tea. They also sell stuffed animals, candy and small gifts, and make lovely floral arrangements. There has been exciting news for owner Carol Murata recently. In February, she unanimously won a bid with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission to run the concessions at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I can't wait to see how she infuses her traditional Japanese touches and artist eye to the garden! Murata's Cafe Hana, 1737 Post Street. 415.567.9133. Monday - Thursday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

There are several other places to satisfy your sweet tooth in Japantown, but these are our family's favorites. Make sure to save room for dessert while you're taking in the Cherry Blossom Festival over the next two weekends. 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 11 & 12, 18 & 19, 2009. Queen Program, Saturday, April 11 and Grand Parade, Sunday, April 19.

As a native San Franciscan and Sansei, or third generation Japanese American, the Cherry Blossom Festival holds special meaning to me. I look forward to those two weekends in April when Japanese, Japanese Americans and the greater community gather together in San Francisco's Japantown to celebrate cultural heritage and pride. During childhood, I participated in the Cherry Blossom Parade as a student at Morning Star School and girl scout in a Japanese American troop. When I was in my 20's, I had the pleasure and honor of representing Northern California as the 1991 Cherry Blossom Queen. That year was filled with invaluable learning experiences, including a goodwill trip to San Francisco's sister city, Osaka, and meetings with key individuals and companies in Tokyo. It spawned new and meaningful friendships, greater self-confidence and interpersonal skills, and a deeper appreciation of my ethnic roots.

This year, the Festival takes place on April 11, 12 and April 18, 19th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highlights include the Cherry Blossom Queen Program on April 11th at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, a Karaoke Song Festival, cultural exhibits, an anime costume competition, and live entertainment including taiko performances and martial arts demonstrations. On Sunday, April 18th, the Grand Parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Civic Center and ends at Fillmore Street in Japantown. Actor George Takei, most recognized for his role as Mr. Sulu in Star Trek, will be the Grand Marshall. Of course, there will be plenty of food booths. A total of 29 groups will sell snacks including BBQ ribs (Asian American Recovery Services and Asian Firefighters Association), Teri Burgers (Kimochi, Inc.), pineapple hotdogs (Cherry Blossom Festival), gyoza (Miwa Kai Dance Group), shaved ice and fried mochi (Kagami Kai).



If you're looking for more of a sit-down experience, try these casual spots that are easy on the wallet for lunch or dinner. For traditional soba and udon, Mifune in the Kintetsu Mall is the place to go. They have slurpable bowls of noodles in tasty broth with various toppings. You can also get shabu shabu, sukiyaki, donburi and crispy korroke, or Japanese potato croquettes. My kids love the cold zaru soba and unagi don. Admittedly, service can sometimes be lackluster, unless you get Maya who is a sweetheart, but remember you're there mainly for the food. Mifune's sibling, Mifune Don, is located in the Miyako Mall upstairs and has a similar menu but also serves good okonomiyaki, savory Japanese-style pancakes. Izumiya in the Kinokuniya building is also known for their okonomiyaki. There is piping hot ramen that hits the spot at Tanpopo in Buchanan Mall. They have assorted shoyu (soy sauce) and miso ramen as well as some non-noodle dishes like mackerel and gyoza. You can eat at the counter and watch Japanese TV. The only unusual thing about this place is that they don't serve hot tea unless you order it from a can or bottle which is displayed on the counter. They will heat it up for you and serve it in a teacup. It's odd, but I can overlook it since the ramen is so satisfying. If you're craving sushi, Fuku-Sushi is open for dinner in the Kinokuniya building. Toraya across the street from the Japantown Mall on Post Street also serves good, fresh sushi. Nothing fancy, in fact, it has been there since I was a kid and could really use a facelift, but it serves decent traditional fare and is relaxed and spacious enough for larger groups and kids. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article which will cover desserts!

For more info: 42nd Annual Northern Cherry Blossom Festival. (Photo of cherry blossoms courtesy of AP/Haraz N. Ghanbari).

Coming up: gala dinner and tasting event - Taste of the Nation San Francisco

On April 23rd, enjoy great food, spirits and wine from some of the most exciting chefs and mixologists at Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation event to end childhood hunger in the U.S. The Tasting Reception ($75) includes sweet and savory bites from more than 20 of the Bay Area's best restaurants plus signature cocktails, wine and beer in the Field Club Lounge at AT&T Park. Some participating chefs are Charles Phan (Slanted Door, Heaven's Dog), Mark Sullivan (Spruce), Jason Fox (Bar Tartine), Michelle Mah (Midi), Jordan Grosser (The Alembic), Scott Youkilis (Maverick), Liza Shaw (A16),and Tasting Event host Jamie Lauren (Absinthe). Participating bars include Elixir, 15 Romolo, Beretta, Bourbon & Branch, Conduit and Heaven's Dog.

Tickets to the VIP Gala Dinner and Tasting Reception ($250) include early admission to the tasting event and a multi-course dinner at ACME Chophouse hosted by Traci Des Jardins (ACME Chophouse, Jardiniere, Mijita). The impressive line-up of dinner chefs also includes Chris Cosentino (Incanto), Iron Chef Michael Symon (Cleveland's Lola/Lolita), Gavin Kaysen (NYC's Cafe Boulud), Koren Grieveson (Chicago's Avec) and Host Chef Thom Fox (ACME Chophouse). Chef Elizabeth Falkner (Citizen Cake, Orson) will provide dessert.

This event benefits Foodrunners, Children of Shelters and Sports4Kids San Francisco. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised over $70 million to make sure kids in America don't grow up hungry. For more info: Share our Strength.

La Folie opens Russian Hill lounge today!

One of my all-time favorite special occasion restaurants is opening a lounge adjacent to its upscale Russian Hill eatery, and I can't wait to check it out! La Folie Lounge opens today from 5:30pm-1:00am and will serve French-inspired cocktails and nibbles. Thrillist got a copy of their bar bites menu which isn't posted on the La Folie web site yet. Mmmm, it looks like this will be a great way to enjoy chef/owner Roland Passot's exquisite cooking without putting too much stress on the pocketbook. I am counting down the hours until they open!

La Folie Lounge, 2316 Polk Street. 415.776.5577.

Moveable Feast showcases collaboration between local chefs and farmers

Every first Tuesday of the month, Moveable Feast showcases a farmer from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and two local chefs. There are five remaining multi-course, seasonal dinners out of a series of six. The first event took place on March 3rd at Luce in the InterContinental San Francisco, hosted by Luce's executive chef Dominique Crenn and Chris Krenner, formerly of Slow Club and Serpentine. They showed early spring produce from Louis Iacopi of Iacopi Farms.

On April 7th, One Market's executive chef Mark Dommen and Lark Creek Inn's executive chef Erica Holland-Toll will combine talents at One Market, highlighting farmer David Retsky of County Line Harvest.

On May 5th, Bruce Hill, executive chef of Picco and Bix, will team up with Ame executive chef Greg Dunmore and David Evans of Marin Sun Farms at Picco in Larkspur.

On June 2nd, executive chef Mark Sullivan of Spruce and guest chef Loretta Keller of Coco500 and The Moss Room will join Kristie Knoll of Knoll Farms at Spruce.

On July 7th, executive chef Mourad Lahlou of Aziza and James Syhabout, formerly Chef de Cuisine of Manresa and soon to open Commis, will focus on farmer Jesse Kuhn's produce from Marin Roots at Aziza.

The final dinner will take place on August 4th at Americano with its own executive chef Paul Arensam and Incanto's guest executive chef Chris Cosentino, featuring Joel Schirmer of Dirty Girl Produce.

Tickets for each event are $80/person, $100/person with wine. A percentage of each ticket will benefit CUESA, the Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture, operator of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. All dinners start at 7pm. Purchase tickets here.

For more info: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market