San Francisco's Pizzeria Delfina in Palo Alto

Pizza is one of my top comfort foods.  But it's not just any pizza.  I love artisan and Napoletana style pizzas.  The best pizzas have a fully-cooked chewy dough (chewy from the high quality of the flour), not soggy in the middle, and can sometimes even have a nice crunch while maintaining the chewy bite.  The toppings don't overwhelm, instead they balance the whole pie with the quality of choice and seasonal ingredients.  The perfect pizza is not about that one perfect bite, it's about that experience of the whole slice.

Being a pizza lover, I have a small, but growing list of favorite pizza restaurants around the world.  Growing up the Bay Area, San Francisco plays a part in that list of favorite places.  Delfina is one spot that will always have my interest.  In its original location in the Mission, it's known for wait times of more than an hour.  Lining up for food in this street in the Mission is worth it.  Food here at Delfina, pastries at Tartine, and ice cream at Bi-Rite.

Now that my home base is away from the Peninsula, Delfina has additional locations around the Bay Area including one in Palo Alto.  Growing up in the area meant frequent meals in Palo Alto.  Sunday lunches at Empire Tap Grill was the perfect spot for nice sunny days.  That perfect place for outdoor eating is now housed by Delfina.  Great food, drinks, and family friendly.  This is ideal for families wanting a nice meal together in a relaxed, casual environment.  While it's good for families, it's also a great place for food and pizza lovers.

Just like its San Francisco location, this Palo Alto location has a selection of antipastis, seasonal vegetables, and pizzas.  They also have some of the tastiest meatballs in the area.  Now you don't have to drive all the way up to the city for a quality slice of great pizza.

21st Amendment's Watermelon Wheat Beer
A local summer brew

Padrones
Local Spanish style spicy peppers

Nibbling around the San Francisco Bay Area

This last trip back to San Francisco was pretty indulgent, a true eat-fest.

Here are pictures from the many other bites that I had during my two week trip.  It was filled with nostalgic eats (like the chicken wings by my alma mater), fun finds while catching up with old friends (which is the root to my love for bar food), and new bites which I can't wait to have again on my next trip (Smore's Pie at Bi-Rite!)

If you cant see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: SF Nibblings

Umami Burger in Palo Alto

In the past, if you wanted to get the best burgers in the SF Bay Area, you'd have to drive up to the city for a quality gourmet burger.  These days, you can stay around the Peninsula.  Umami Burger in Palo Alto is serving up some of the best burgers south of the city.

It's so simple and so quality.  And that makes all the difference.  There are options to really dress the burger up with meats, truffles, the works.  For me, after tasting a few of the different selections, my favorite is the simplest - The Original.  It has all that umaminess that you'll fully appreciate every single bite.

If I were to move back to the Bay Area, this would be one of my go-to spots to eat too often.  This SoCal concept has brought some great burgers up to NorCal.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Umami

Always back for more

When I'm back in the Bay Area, I try to visit as many new restaurants as possible.  New ones pop up every season.  My list keeps growing.

And despite that, I make room in my stomach to visit my favorites.  Every single trip back, I'm always grabbing pizzas at Howie's Artisan Pizza in Palo Alto.  There's something about eating in the Peninsula and at a place like Howie's that makes me feel like I never left.  It's such a family friendly, neighborhood kind of place.  Plus, there's an excellent selection of beers and wines to pair the pizza with - that's always a selling point for me.

I have yet to get some great artisan pizza in Manila.  There are some standout thin crust pizzas, but there's nothing with that chewy-fluffy-baked-crispy pie crust.  It's a true art.  At Howie's the toppings and the crust are so well-researched for quality and execution.  Now I'm counting down the days until my next trip for more of these pizza pies.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show, check out my Flickr album: Howies

Top 10s of 2011: Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in the United States

For close to 25 years, the United States was my first home. These days, it's become my second home. When I go back, my days and nights are filled with dining in favorite restaurants and new/notable restaurants.

In 2011, I went back to the states four times. Three of those visits combined east and west coast cities. My Top 10 lists ranges from casual joints to high brow special occasion dining.

My Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in the United States from 2011:
10. Jaleo
9. Co.
8. Shake Shack
7. Ichiza
6. Howie's Artisan Pizza
5. Benu
4. Wayfare Tavern
3. Wolfgang's Steakhouse
2. Bocadillos
1. Every restaurant in Eataly


Next Top 10s of 2011: Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in the World

Kara's Cupcakes

The cupcake trend is still alive and thriving! Whenever I travel out of the Philippines, I indulge in all the sweets my stomach can handle. (Sweets here in Manila can be waay too sweet because of the Filipino palate. I'd rather not have sweets in Manila and overindulge while traveling.)

While I was living in the Bay Area, my go-to cupcake place was Sprinkles. Light, fluffy, moist cupcakes. They have some really great Red Velvet cupcakes. I had tried Kara's Cupcakes once before, but I found my Fleur de Sel Chocolate cupcake to be on the rich side. Delicious, but rich.

Kara's has done an excellent job expanding, and they are now in the Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.. right near Howie's Artisan Pizza. So after enjoying my soft serve with butterscotch sauce at Howie's, I went right next door to Kara's for dessert, round 2.

All because of one cupcake, I'm a total Kara's convert. I'm in loove with their S'Mores cupcakes!! It's so light, moist, and totally my favorite cupcake right now. Each time I go to Kara's now, I order at least a box of 6 (which is gone in 2 days). It's soo good. I highly recommend this for cupcake lovers, marshmallow lovers, chocolate lovers, graham cracker lovers, and all the above combined.


Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Kara's

Pizza in the Peninsula

Every trip to the Bay Area feels soo short. There's just too much to do. It's a challenge fitting in visits to favorite restaurants and trying out new restaurants. There are some restaurants that we visit everything single stay, even if it's just an overnighter. One required restaurant for every Bay Area visit: Howie's Artisan Pizza.

My family and I have been fans of Chef Howard since his Marche days in Menlo Park. He's a five star chef who has followed the trend of chefs opening up more casual dining experiences. What I love about this trend is that the food is more affordable, the atmosphere is more relaxed, AND the food is still of five star quality. You can't beat that formula.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Howie's

Spanish Tapas in the Bay Area

One of my all-time favorite cuisines is still Spanish food. I love the tapas, the family style dishes, and all the desserts. My favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is a Spanish/Basque tapas restaurant - Bocadillos in San Francisco.

Further down in the Peninsula, Spanish and Latin tapas places have been pretty successful with their authenticity and modernization of tapas. Cascal's in Mountain View is a fun place to eat, especially when it's warm sunny day to eat outside. A couple years ago, I tried a new tapas place in Palo Alto, Joya. Now, a couple years later I went back to try it again.

It's still a fun, vibrant restaurant. It's a great place to dine with a group and enjoy some drinks. When I first went a couple years ago, I was really impressed with their Sangrias. This time around, we enjoyed their wine list - a great selection. As for the food, it's still enjoyable. It doesn't come close to Bocadillos for me, but it's still a fun tapas place to enjoy a meal of food and wine pairing.

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read more about the photos.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album.

Revisiting A New Favorite Restaurant

Before moving to Asia earlier this year, I found a new favorite restaurant here in the Bay Area, and right near my hometown, too! Since it's a new favorite, I had to come here again (twice in two weeks) during my recent visits back to the Bay. Howie's Artisan Pizza competes with some of the best pizza in the San Francisco area - yes, I'd even say those up in the city, like Pizzeria Delfina. From starters, pizzas, to dessert - they are all five star and so reflective of the love Chef Howard puts in all his food.

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read a little more about each picture.

Check out my Flickr album if you can't see the slideshow here.

Bar Food!

When I'm back in the bay Area, I also look forward to pairing tasty beers with some good ol' bar food. But, of course, since it's the foodie-filled Bay Area, bar food is a bit more refined and a lot more delicious.

Old Pro
This is one of my favorite sports bars. I love the set up of large flat screens all around the walls. This is a great place to hang out with friends after work while watching some sports games.

Fresh Monterey Bay Calamari Fritti
With the classic tartar and marinara sauces.

Garlic Fries
Waffle fries coated with chopped garlic bits and parmesan cheese.

Pulled Pork Sliders
Tender and tasty pork topped with some fresh coleslaw.

Slider Bar Cafe
I love sliders! This is a new place on University Ave. in Palo Alto (my hometown hang out spot). The concept is great, the restaurant and menu set up is trendy, and the execution is successful. And, it's cheap! (For SF/Palo Alto standards.)

Baked Fries
Fresh tasting, but it could be a bit more crispy. Served with organic ketchup.

Kobe Beef Slider
Juicy with a pretty good flavor.

Mediterranean Slider
Yum! Great tastes of feta, olives, artichokes, and red onions.

Slider Dog
What a generous portion!

Back in the Bay

I spent a few days in the Bay Area before leaving the country. In those few days, I was able to try out some new places.

Jack's Prime Burger, San Mateo
If you're looking for a local burger and beer place, this is pretty decent.
The Menu

The Beer
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - a classic choice

Sliders with Fries
The fries were pretty good. The bun of the sliders was tasty. I found the patty a bit thin and on the dry side, though.


Bocadillos, San Francisco
I brought my girl friends to my favorite restaurant. We tried a new cocktail, Kalimotxo. Red Wine, Coke, and an Orange Slice. It was refreshing and light.


Fentons Creamery, Oakland
After getting some won ton soup in downtown Oakland, we drove across town and went to Fentons (a la, "Up").
Fentons Special
Made in a tall glass with alternating layers of pineapple, strawberry, chocolate fudge and caramel sauces with Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate & Toasted Almond ice cream. Crowned with sherbet slices, whipped cream and cherry.
I shared this with a friend, and other friends took some nibbling bites. We still couldn't finish it. The portions are huge. The sherbet layers on top were delicious. It took us back to our childhood with comparisons like Flintstones Push Ups, Skittles, etc.


Howie's Artisan Pizza, Palo Alto
When I lived in the Peninsula, one of our special occasion restaurants was Marche in Menlo Park. Chef Howard Bulka was always at the restaurant, and he would greet and get to know his patrons. It's been a long time since we've been to Marche. A couple months ago, we read that he opened up a new place in Palo Alto. It's a great pizza place. Not as good as Delfina or Settebello, but I rank it up there with some of the better pizzas I've eaten.
The Inside

Eggplant Pillows
With ricotta and "salsa verde" of olives. Nice presentation and a good start.

The Pizza
Pancetta, Red Onion, Red Chili. No joke about the red chili. It was pretty spicy. The pie was nice and thin, with a non-greasy well-cooked crust.