I really didn't start exploring the Mission District until I started college. As an Asian American kid growing up on the western end of the city, I spent most of my childhood on streets that were formerly sand dunes, rollerblading up and down the Avenues while the fog rolled in and obscured our area of the City from tourists and the Downtowners, sticking mainly to the edible Chinese fares on Noriega and Clement. That was my childhood and teenagehood. The world of pupusas, sushi, pad thai, injera, and more didn't really cross my path until my college years.
But now, post-college, I find myself discovering areas of my hometown which I really hadn't explored. I really can't begin to explain in words the feelings of happiness I get when I eat a delicious new food. Well, maybe I can. If you've ever watched Ratatouille, you'll remember the scenes in which our protagonist Remy shares the almost-hallucinogenic and magical effects of devouring a new blend of foods. There's the scene when Remy eats a piece of cheese and a mushroom together and the background is all black, and then there are colorful fireworks and explosions as the tastes meld perfectly in his mouth. That pretty much sums it up!
Anyway, enough chit-chat...I'll get right into this weekend's food explorations. I went with Emily and Stephanie to Balompie, a little cafe in the Mission serving Salvadorean food. Their little blurb on their site describes it as: "Scrumptious, authentic Salvadoran food. Get your fill of empanadas, pupusas, pasteles de puerco and curtido, all the favorites!!" This is a pretty popular spot for brunch, and after coming here twice, I can see why. Their pupusas are pretty terrific. The dough is thick and hearty, and the insides of the pupusas are warm, cheesy, happy-tasting. Happiness-inducing foods always make my list of foods that YOU should eat! Here are some pics from our excursion.
One of my pupusas was filled with chicken and cheese, and the other contained zucchini and cheese. The dough is chewy and the fillings are generous. I feel like making these things is an art. Aren't they beautiful in the light?
A close-up so that we can all admire the art that is pupusa-making.
I've added some salsa and slaw for that extra bit of spice and zest. Nice colors, eh?
My friend Stephanie ordered a side of plaintains, and these things are crispy on the outside, hot and sticky and chewy on the inside. These would go great with a side of vanilla ice cream, don't you think so? Although, even on its own, it's already very good.
After lunch, we walked to Tartine Cafe, a famous little French bakery. I must say, the prices are a bit too hefty, and I am not in a position where I can easily plop down $7 for a little dessert tart. That said, I can still walk into these places and enjoy all the eye candy and absolutely beautiful art that is pastry making. And maybe get a little somethin' somethin' that won't burn a whole in my wallet. Also, just a little side note: if you've been following the latest and hottest trends on the internet, you'll know that Stuffwhitepeoplelike has been the internet blogosphere darling for the past several months. Tartine Bakery deserves an entry on that site.
Some eye candy for you:
This is Emily's double soy latte. It was so large that we had to take a picture of it next to her hand for some perspective!!
And lastly, on our edible journey today: Dinner! My parents have been living in the United States for over 25 years, yet over those last two-and-a-half decades, they've always stuck to Chinese food when eating out. Lately, my sister and I have been trying to get them to eat more different foods. We live in one of the most diverse food cities in the country, and it makes sense to take advantage of this. I feel like I've been extremely lucky in this respect, and I want my parents to access that too. So, last night, we all went to Assab Eritrean Restaurant. I've been here before and liked it. The food comes out on this giant family-style platter. The mixes of curries and meats sit on thin pieces of flat sourdough bread called injera. You rip off pieces of the injera to scoop up the food with your hands. What I like best about this cuisine is the way all the different flavors - the sourness of the injera, the cooling taste of the yogurt, the spice of the meats - blend together. Not to mention, the visual flare of the plates is really something to admire.
We ordered the meat combination platter, the alicha beggee (lamb), and the kantisha (mushroom dish). The meat combination sampler had top round beef, cooked with onions, tomatoes, and hot pepper; skinless chicken leg on the bone; and mildly seasoned cubes of lamb mixed with potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.
A closer look at the lamb, my favorite!
My parents' verdict after eating at Assab: We are never coming back to this place ever again! My sister and I personally love this stuff! Please don't let my parents' opinions change your sense of adventure because this really is very good. During the entire dinner, my parents kept saying, "Chinese food is the best food in the world." I don't think I will ever change the nationalism they feel or change their political stance, but I think I can keep trying when it comes to new foods. Maybe one day I'll strike jackpot, and my parents will finally see that there are other foods in the world that are worth eating other than Chinese food!
I leave you with some fun pictures, some tasty, some not-so-tasty.
You know, I have absolutely no idea what this is. I think it was for a bagel shop in the Mission. Whatever it is, I had to take a picture of it because when else are you gonna see an alien riding in a bagel spaceship?!
This is for Stephanie. She loves the Coffee Bean.
The view from the top of Dolores Park. The setting for most of our adventures today. When the sun comes out, the people start roastin'!
So, if you're in the neighborhoods, and you want a bite to eat, hop over to these place!
Balompie Cafe
Neighborhood: Mission
3349 18th St
(between Capp St & Van Ness Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tartine Bakery
Neighborhood: Mission
600 Guerrero St
(between 18th St & 19th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Assab Eritrean Restaurant
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
2845 Geary Blvd
(between Collins St & Wood St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Signing off, now!
Peace, love, and new adventures!
