Foodie weekend in San Francisco

This was our view from our San Francisco hotel,the Westin St. Francis, over the weekend. It was sunny Friday afternoon so we walked towards the Yerba Buena Gardens  and the Mission neighborhood after my conference was done for the day. The Foreign Cinema was recommended to us, by a friend,  and we were delighted that we had dinner there! We had delicious West Coast oysters, a fresh salad with cucumber and goat cheese, fancy fried chicken, and also salmon and green beans.For dessert, we had peach pavlova! On Saturday, I was in a conference for most of the day but they did have wonderful desserts in the lunch buffet! Late Saturday afternoon, we took a trip the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, it was soo foggy that you couldn't really see the bright orange bridge! It was refreshing to be on the Pacific Ocean again! For dinner, we had another great dinner recommendation. At Barbacco, we had yummy beet salad, delectablepasta with lemon olive oil cake with strawberries. 

On Sunday morning, we got breakfast at a cute diner called, Cozy Cable Car Cafe!We loved getting sweet and savory crepes before going to the airport.We stopped by a few statues in Union Square before checking out of the hotel. Kuky even made the trip to San Francisco.We felt so pampered and really enjoyed all this wonderful food for our anniversary weekend!

Restaurant Week:Sushi Samba rio

A week ago, we went to Sushi Samba rio for the last day of restaurant week. We loved the colorful interior and atmosphere. Mr. F and I were happy to split all our options. For the first course, we had the 

Tuna Serviche with jalapenos, avocado and garlic chips and Pork Belly Gyoza with enoki and ginger broth. We were  surprised by the Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian take on cerviche.It was delicious. For the second course, we had theChef Shige Sushi Plate sushi nigiri assortment and taisho roll (shrimp tempura, shishito pepper, cilantro, red onion, spicy mayo)and the Braised Short Ribs with 

aji panca, sweet corn arepa, lime crème fraîche.

 And for dessert, we had Mochi, soft japanese rice cakes filled with ice cream in red bean, mango and green tea flavorsand

Cafe com Leite Parfait milk chocolate-hibiki mousse, coffee ice cream, milk foam. Both were absolutely stellar. We had a great time and enjoyed every course. 

Having mochis always make me think of my grandmother. She always has them in her freezer, especially the mango flavor! 

My husband's birthday dinner at Cantinetta

Last Friday, we went to a restaurant we've been meaning to try for awhile, Cantinetta! It's a romantic, Northern Italian place in Wallingford. We noticed their spectacular wine selection online and knew we had to order a Cayuse or Quilceda Creek for a special occasion. Mr. F's birthday was the perfect excuse to order one of these amazing Washington wines!

 We had buffalo mozzarella with oil and vinegar and arugula to start! The mozzarella was so creamy and delicious! 

 Mr. F had the steak with extra kale!

I had the hearty risotto with mushrooms. Mmmm, it was so rich that I saved half of it for lunch the next day!

 We were initially told that the Cayuse had sold out and Mr. F was very disappointed. The manager heard that we were interested in this wine and drove over a bottle from the Bellevue restaurant! It was the perfect gift for Mr. F. They even put it on a plate with a candle! 

Dessert was too delectable to describe. I suggest you go here to try the food for yourself!

It's my birthday!

Mr. F, my parents, grandparents, my sister and her boyfriend all went to dinner with me, the night before my birthday! We went to Cicchetti in Eastlake. We got to try out my new birthday camera too, so some of these photos are quite creative, due to the lack of flash.

 I had the amazing and unique Butternut Squash Salad!

 I also had the pan fried chicken with quince-ginger glaze and minted green beans! (Yes, there is a food setting on the camera that helps enhance and saturate the food!)

 I also blew out the candles on ricotta fritters with huckleberry sauce! They were delectable. 

 Of course, we had flour-less chocolate cake too! My sister, dad, grandmother and uncle are all chocolate fiends. My mother and I love all desserts, so we always pick a few options!

 Uncle Tom, me, Tootie and Mom

 Mom and Dad and me

If you're ever in Seattle, I highly recommend this Mediterranean restaurant, in addition to its Euro-Italian sister restaurant next door, Serafina!