The hottest brunch spot in town

I now understand why the brunch wait is about 2 hours on the weekend at the Mission Beach Cafe.  I finally got to try this hot spot on a weekday for brunch...and yes it was all that!  Located in the mission district, a small and very casual corner spot with a little bakery inside.  Everything we had was unique and outstanding! 

Grapefruit mimosa...would you like a regular or a huge?  HUGE of course!

Candied bacon...bacon alone is heaven so just imagine what it's like candied!

Huevos with rancho gordo yellow beans, salsa rojo, tomatillo pico de gallo, cojita cheese

Braised short ribs and sweet potato-apple hash, two fried eggs, horseradish cream fraiche, au jus

Wild mushroom benedict with spinach, carmelized onion, truffle mornay sauce, potatoes

A tiny little spot in the FiDi

Situated right next to Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern is a simple modern little spot called Wexlers.  Very minimal table seating along with a small bar that seats a few as well.  A simple menu with a southern flare.

There most raved about item is the BBQ Scottish Eggs - burnt ends, house made hot sauce, sweet tea gastrique. Perfectly lightly crispy shell on the outside but soft juicy egg in the inside along with braised short ribs stuffed in between that.  One of the most tasty things I've had in my life...to die for!

Pan fried Quail - very tender and well seasoned

Pork Chop with red cabbage slaw - the pork was way too salty, the waitress was nice enough to take this off our tab after kindly mentioning it to her.

Smoked short ribs - braised greens, bourbon plumped apricots, mashed potatoes, BBQ au jus. The meat was super tender, just melts in your mouth,

Tried three different kinds of pie for dessert, all of which were surprisingly outstanding!

Sour Cream Apple Pie - aged winchester gouda, creme fraiche

Chocolate Smoked Chili Pie - pretzel toffee, whip cream

Bourbon Banana Cream Pie - Dulce de leche, fleur de sel

Re-visitng the Food Network TV Star

Can never get enough of Tyler Florence!  Once again, back to Wayfare Tavern but for HH this time.  To accompany our bubbles, we ordered his very favorites! Both of which are to die for...mmmmm....

Steak Tartare - fresh chopped filet, french mustard dressing, egg yolk, garlic toasted popovers

Poutine - fries topped with short rib and melted cheese

A neighborhood spot revamped!

The old Emporio Rulli in the Marina district went through a complete renovation and is now the Ristobar.  A cute trendy italian joint with a long bar seating area as well as an outdoor patio seating area.  They have a great selection of salami and cheese plates, small pasta plates and great pizzas to share.

We started off with the Formaggi plate with 3 different cheeses

The vesta pizza - tomato sauce, ricotta, fennel sausage, speck, rucola

Paperdelle with a home made wild boar ragu

Underrated Pizza Joint

Pizza Inferno on Fillmore is casual little pizza joint on the corner of Fillmore Street right before Japantown.  This place has been around for years...since I was a kid and is still surviving!  They have changed their pizza styles over the years and recently I went back and was very impressed.  It's been years since I've been there and they have now hired a chef from Naples who makes excellent pizzas for much less than what you would have to pay at Delfina a couple blocks up.  Great pizzas, great quality, great variety and great price!

Pesto Chicken with sun dried tomatoes

 

Spicy Italian Sausage ,roasted Peppers ,mozzarella

 

Special of the day -  

House made potatoes, chopped roma tomatoes, smoked mozzarella and fresh basil

 

Complimentary Dessert Pizza filled with nutella and raspberry jam...

only because I was flirting with the chef ;) and also because the owner was super friendly!

Hole in the wall's are the best

Tani Kitchen in Westlake is your typical hole in the wall...a very tight spot that only seat about 15 people with the kitchen right in front of your face.  This little Japanese spot is known for their curry and donburi bowls.   So we ordered one of each...both of which were very good taste wise and price for the portion is great!

Katsu Curry - 

 Very tasty curry but not enough rice and not enough meat as half of it was fat!

Beef Donburi - 

Very good...one of the best donburi bowls I've had!

Brunch in the burbs

The Metro in Lafayette is what you call merging urban sophistication with a relaxes suburban attitude.  Sitting in an older strip mall, the place may not look trendy from the outside but the inside is quite stylish with a nice big bar in the front area.  The menu consists of a your very common contemporary American fare. Overall, the food is decent, nothing special but a fun spot if you're ever out in the area and have no idea where to go.

For brunch, they have a 3-course prix fixe meal for $33 which includes an appetizer and your choice of entree and an alcoholic beverage.

We started off with the Zeppole with Lemon Curd...basically donut holes
 but super tasty dipped in the lemon curd

 

Bacon wild mushroom tartine with gruyere

Corned beef hash with poached eggs