Susan Says

whenever i'm home, i look forward to my morning routine of going for a walk as i head to Arizmendi Bakery to get my coffee and occassionally, breakfast. i don't know if it's b/c i get to spend quality time with my family dog (who i only get to see twice a year) or b/c i get my dose of caffeine along with a warm pastry. their pecan rolls are decadent and i really like their corn cherry scones. their sesame baguettes are also wonderful...it was from Arizmendi's sister cooperative in Berkeley (The Cheeseboard) that i learned to love the combination of bread and cheese (particularly brie). Arizmendi's has a bread and pizza schedule - they bake and sell a variety of yummy goods which changes daily.

Crepe Vine
624 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122-2402
(415) 681-5858

Crepe Vine is a place where my friends and I have been going for years. they make awesome crepes, period. sweet or savory, they make it well. we usually go to the Crepe Vine for a weekend brunch. several of us are spread throughout the country now so it's a rare opportunity (usually only once or twice a year) where we gather around and catch up. of course we keep in touch via phone calls and email but nothing compares to actually spending time and sharing the comforting presence and companionship of old friends...

we order our crepes at the counter, then bring our drinks to our table and wait for our food to be brought to the table. brunch crepes are like omelettes in a crepe - think sausages, eggs, cheese, etc. the breakfast crepes come with a side of roasted potatoes. it's a hearty meal so it's difficult to finish.

one of my favorite dessert crepes is the Sunset - imagine -nutella spread on a warm crepe, filled with strawberries and banana slices, topped with whipped cream AND with a side of french vanilla ice cream. this crepe is one of the ultimates in comfy, feel-good desserts. the warm crepe brings out the sweetness of the fruit, the warm gooey melted nutella balanced the cool richness of the vanilla ice cream. my friends and i have been known just to go to the Crepe Vine in the evening just to share and indulge in a Sunset.

Bubble Tea

Wonderful Foods Co.
2110 Irving St.
415-731-6889

Double Rainbow (right next to Wonderful Foods)

Bubble Tea or Tapioca Milk Tea or Pearl Milk Tea is sweetened tea with milk, usually served with large black tapioca balls (hence the name). people usually either love or hate this drink. if you like British style tea with milk, you'll probably like this tea. however, i'm not sure whether or not you'll like the tapioca balls. i think some people like the idea of having to drink and chew this drink while this is too weird for others. this drink is somewhat addictive. as in, every now and then, i need my bubble tea "fix". it's not the same as needing a caffine "fix" but nonetheless something that i require every now and then for my sanity, health and happiness. =)

i'm not sure what the origin of these drinks are (taiwanese or Hong Kong?). but i was introduced to it years ago and have tried many bubble teas since. these drinks are becoming very popular and prevalent (even found in shopping malls in the west coast!). however, unfortunately, there are few places that make it well. one of my favorite bubble tea places is the Wonderful Foods Co. they make it well, consistently. and they have a huge variety, catering to tea, coffee and fruit lovers alike. you can get the traditional milk teas or your watermelon slushies, etc. the best part is, they use real fruit and ice cream in their drinks. none of that artificial flavor powder stuff. i remember once, i asked my dad to stop by Wonderful Foods on the way home straight from the airport... (hey, i figure i was patient enough, having to wait half a year to get my fix).

Double Rainbow right next door to Wonderful Foods on Irving St. is also very good.

Others:

Yank Sing (went there for my friends' wedding banquet - food was awesome)

Hing Lung (one in Chinatown makes the best thousand year egg/pork porridge - one of the ultimate comfort foods)

R & G Lounge (haven't been here yet but i've heard many good things from many friends. their seafood is supposed to be really good.)