4505 Meats is run by chef and artisan butcher Ryan Farr. Ryan formerly was executive chef at Fifth Floor. He teaches butcher classes and serves up food at the San Francisco Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. We saw them at the Eat Real festival in Oakland. They create homemade relishes, multi-national ’Zilla sauce, and even bacon-dressed chocolate desserts.

Read the rest of this entry »

Chairman Bao is a San Francisco food truck that serves Chinese steamed and baked buns with a variety of fillings. Their truck can be found all over the San Francisco area (SF, Emeryville, Brisbane) with locations broadcast over Twitter. We tried their buns at Oakland’s Eat Real Festival. Chairman Bao is backed by corporate food truck company Mobi Munch. Incidentally, The Chairman is the name of a well respected Hong Kong restaurant.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tony’s Coal-Fired Pizza and Slice House is a new San Francisco North Beach takeout place from Tony Gemignani, 9 time Champion Pizza Tosser, certified pizziaolo. He also runs Tony’s Pizza Napoletana next door. This location serves a wide range of food; New York-style pizza, Roman-style pizza, Chicago-style Italian Beef Sandwiches, and New York deli sandwiches. Read the rest of this entry »

We recently finished up our latest culinary tour of China in the Summer of 2010. Hong Kong is a world class city full of great food. Most of the Chinese food was superior to that in the San Francisco Bay Area and even Vancouver, BC Canada.

Here are some quick mini reviews of places we ate at, so you can understand how Hong Kong food compares, and so you select the best places on your visit. We have full reviews for places we deemed important enough;

Read the rest of this entry »

Jia Jia Tang Bao (佳家汤包) is a small but popular Shanghai steamed dumpling or Xiaolongbao shop in Shanghai. There was a short line when we went there. The cheapest dumplings are also some of the most delicious but small pork dumplings. (RMB$9)

Read the rest of this entry »

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao is an casual dining sitdown Chinese restaurant located near the arrivals area at the Hong Kong International Airport. Established in 1991, they have several styles of restaurants and many locations throughout China, Singapore, and other Asian countries. 9 of these informal restaurants in Hong Kong alone. We decided to stop there and have a quick dessert after having dinner at marginal Chao Inn. Crystal Jade was touting their Michelin Bib Gourmand rating and dumplings.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dumplings worth flying across the ocean for…

Yang’s Fry Dumpling – Chinese name: 小杨生煎馆 or xiao yang sheng jian guan – is a small but popular fried dumpling shop serving pan fried pork bun or Sheng jian bao, a Shanghainese Chinese dish. It was formed in Shanghai in 1994 by Mrs. Yang, who still keeps her recipe secret. They have over 20 locations in Shanghai and are opening another 10 shortly. We went to the convenient location near People’s Square. Yang’s had a line when we went there, as is the case most of the time because the dumplings are cooked in batches. Read the rest of this entry »

Speederia Pizzeria is located in the Laurel St shopping district in sleepy San Carlos. We have been here several times with our last visit in August 2010.

Read the rest of this entry »

Prather Ranch Meat Company is a boutique firm that raises grass fed and pastured cattle in North California’s Mt. Shasta area. Read the rest of this entry »

Alice’s Restaurant is located in the San Francisco coastal mountain range at the intersection on Highway 35 Skyline Blvd, and Highway 84. They are “Home to the best specialty burgers in the world”, as they put it. Lots of motorcyclists stop here on the weekend as well as hikers, bikers, and those touring the area. We have eaten here several times, the last time in June 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Roam Artisan Burgers is a new Burger joint on Union Street in the Marina district. They focus on humanely raised, grass feed meats, sustainable produce, organic ice cream salted caramel milkshakes, wine on-tap, and agave-sweetened sodas. Even their menu is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper or using green energy. All their packaging is hundred percent compostable. Read the rest of this entry »

Jeffrey’s Hamburgers is a popular burger joint in downtown San Mateo open since 1997. They also have a location in Menlo Park. They serve American fast food including burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, salads, fries, and shakes. Seems like every town has a place like this, San Francisco has its Mel’s Drive in. We have been here several times over the years. Read the rest of this entry »