San FranCelia

San Francisco has a way of being innovative without even trying, and for that reason, it continues to be the pinnacle of cool.  Last night I experienced another example of this original city when I visited Mission Street Food after a friend’s show.  It’s this incredible idea for an eatery, and is in fact a hole in the wall.  Mission Street Food is a travelling restaurant that takes over the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant called Lung Shan’s in the Mission each Thursday and Saturday night.  Starting as a taco truck originally, thiship place was hosting lines running three hours long and so came to the conclusion that they needed a real live space.  Trying to keep overhead low, they rented a place that if you looked at it during the day is the epitome of a Chinese dive restaurant.  Posters of random scenery (no frames, mind you) and Chinese artifacts are sprinkled throughout.  But, somehow, with a few twinkle light and candles and all the other lights off, you get a slightly romantic and wholly fabulous feel.

As you sit in the completely packed space, you are given a menu that consists of about eight choices that change depending on the night.  Mission Street Food hosts guest chefs each night, and so every visit is ensured to be a different experience.  They are almost like tapas, where everything is mini – this keeps it affordable, as well.  We had a vegan wonton miso dish, wonton shrimp in a crab bisque sauce, short ribs with mashed potatoes (the beef literally fell apart… delicious!), and salmon cakes with polenta, among other delights.  Each was delectable and different, leaving us wanting more (which we quickly satisfied by ordering a second and even third round).  We even brought two bottle of wine and paid a really minimal corkage.  Amazing.  You get the meal of a high-end restaurant  (chefs come from places such as Gary Danko’s) and the vibe of the Mission.  Can’t get better than that.

The pièce de résistance of this wonderful hot spot is the giving aspect to their little operation.  While they are raising money for newer kitchen equipment through private donation now, all of the proceeds of the restaurant, above and beyond the cost of the food, goes to a charity of the guest chef’s choice.  Servers only work for tips.  How amazing is that?!  It’s a full-time charitable restaurant.  Now that’s a true San Francisco innovation.  Enjoy!

Peace and love Xo

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Everyone’s heard of Mama’s; if you haven’t, it’s time to get on the bandwagon, and I mean now.  For those of you in the dark, it’s a super famous (and deservedly so) brunch spot in my favorite neighborhood, North Beach.  This tucked away treasure is not on the main drag, but well worth the detour.  Their food has been featured several times on the Food Network®, as the massive line outside can attest to.  While this wait can be up to an hour and a half, there’s always a way to get through this and still stay excited for the upcoming deliciousness.  Try bringing your own mimosas like we did.  While they are $7.50 for a small glass inside (and don’t get me wrong, I AM encouraging ordering them), you can fill up on the cheap with the B.Y.O.M. method.  On a sunny day in North Beach, nothing beats a little day drinking with friends, even while standing in line.

Once in, you order straight away (cash only, keep in mind) so your food can start to cook before you sit (how efficient!).  It’s the cutest place too – small and quaint, with hints of old world charm.  Then the food comes out and all other stimulus turns into white noise.  Gorgeous presentation combined with mouth-watering ingredients makes for a spectacular Sunday brunch experience.  A

favorite of my group, and a must try, was the Monte Cristo sandwich.  Ham and turkey on warm bread, toasted with cheese, then egg battered and fried – they pair this delight with a sweet jam for the perfect savory/sweet blend.   I mean, are you kidding me?  It’s perfect!

All this and the service is impeccable, too.  They are friendly, fast, and your glass is never empty, whether it be water, coffee, or something stronger.   I can’t recommend this place enough.  Go try Mama’s if you haven’t, and if it’s one of your favorites too, I’ll see you in line.

Peach and love Xo

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It’s officially Oscar season, and while I don’t usually enter pools or contests surrounding this illustrious period, I’ve found some great contests through my friend Jamie that are fun and easy.  Why not win something for time online that you know you’d have normally spent messing around on StumbleUpon?

Factery Labs, which is a cool site that delivers ‘just the facts’ of any given news story is giving away $25 iTunes gift cards daily all next week, and all you have to do is provide them with your juiciest Oscar fact in answer to the daily question on their Facebook or Twitter page (half of you probably know more than you think – you know how the Oscars go…. Sometimes it feels like the whole year is awards season with us talking about who wore what well into the next season.  Its great.  Sick a little bit, but GREAT!).  Just be sure to use #Oscars and #FacteryLabs if you’re on Twitter.  Super simple – and again, why not enter a contest via Facebook or Twitter instead of stalking that guy you knew in middle school who just started dating that new girl and now you know ALL about their budding relationship even though you haven’t talked to him in 10 years (yes, we all do it, but a contest is way more productive and fun, right?!).

Another site giving into our Oscar lust is Square Eyes, which gives great articles and introspection on shows that we’re watching.  Their Starry Eyes Oscar prediction contest starting on March 2^nd gives you a chance to win 6 months worth of Netflix.  I know I always have an opinion, so why not get something free out of it?  Just be sure to visit their site on the 2^nd to get all the details.

These two contests seemed fun and easy, and are a great way to bring the excitement of Oscar season into your daily life.  Plus winning free stuff is always awesome.  Good luck!

Peace and love Xo

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