Tag street food

You Could Really Eat at the Eat Real Festival 2010!

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in For Fun, General, Go Green, News & Events Tagged with cheap food, Demonstrations, Eat Real Fest, Eat Real Festival, Food Carts, Gourmet Food, street food, Sustainability August 31st, 2010 @ 11:29 am

Where were you this past weekend? I hope, for the sake of your taste buds and your wallet, that you made it out to Oakland’s Eat Real Festival. For all those who could not attend, you’re in luck! Heck, even for all those who did attend, but want to reminisce about the smorgasbord of fine food, host of good people, and hours of informative demonstrations, this blog is for you.

August 27-29, Jack London Square was taken over by dozens of food vendors, eager to get their gourmet menu items to the public. At $5 and under, I felt like I was actually stealing food all day! The slogan, “Putting the food back in fast,” could be seen everywhere. And for good reason! Eat Real’s mission, according to the event website, is making real food as accessible and affordable as fast food. It was truly refreshing to find that nothing was overpriced, and I could actually afford to try many of the items calling my name! It’s not often that I can satisfy my cravings and still have money left over.

Crowd favorites included the much buzzed about Chairman Bao truck, Gerard’s Paella made in GIANT paella pans, Tru Gourmet’s variety of organic dumplings, and the 51st State’s cactus fries that sold out twice before I could try them! I fell in love with the sweet potato pie from Uhuru Pies that seemed to have healing powers, and was lucky enough to snag some delicious lumpia from Senor Sisig before they disappeared.

Favorites from the Parties That Cook office included mushroom empanadas from El Porteno, Homeroom‘s mouth-watering Trailer mac and cheese, and almost anything from Jim n Nick’s BBQ (sadly, not local).

The demonstrations, though informative, were also entertaining. On Saturday, one could have learned how to milk a goat and make ice cream on the same stage! We now have our own bitters expert in the office thanks to a Sunday demo on Homemade Bitters with Greg Lindgren of San Francisco bar Rye. Knowledgeable and friendly presenters opened up to the crowd, sparking interest in sustainability and encouraging an exploration of the do-it-yourself lifestyle. Even our friends from FarmCurious were there! Check out our blog on Urban Homesteading for more information!

Overall, the fun-and food-filled weekend was a success! I will be sure to never miss another Eat Real Festival as long as they keep happening!

Fast Food Goes Gourmet: Takeout Roundup San Francisco

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in For Fun, General Tagged with delivery, dinner, lunch, street food, take-out February 23rd, 2010 @ 10:50 am

With the explosion of the underground street food scene and mobile food carts in San Francisco, it seems that no one actually sits down at restaurants anymore. Food has become an adventure – a quest to find the newest, hippest, and best that the city has to offer. And while it’s all good fun, I’m not always in the mood to chase my dinner down after a long day at the office. So how can I find the newest and coolest eats without a Twitter account? Our takeout roundup helps you find San Francisco’s best fast food – gourmet style.

You can find a street food inspired lunch for under $10 straight out of the garage door of Kitchenette SF. Using fresh local ingredients, chefs create daily lunch menus featuring items such as the Slow Roasted Niman Ranch Pork Sandwich and Roasted Beet and Fromage Blanc Baguette. The window is open from 11:30-1:30 M-F, and supplies are limited, so arrive early for maximum dining pleasure.

For soul food served fast, check out Farmerbrown’s Little Skillet on Ritch St and Townsend. With menu items like Fried Chicken and Waffles, BBQ Pork, and a Po’ Boy of the Day, there’s something here for everyone. As full as you may be, don’t skip dessert here, the Mini Pecan Pies and Red Velvet Cupcakes are worth every calorie.

They may have just opened a new sit down location in the Mission, but the original Rosamunde Sausage Grill on Haight St has been providing San Franciscans with lunch and dinner to go for years. Famous for meaty options like the Beer Sausage, Nuernberger Bratwurst, and Chicken Cherry, Rosamunde also offers a daily Vegan Sausage like the Smoked Apple Sage.

Want to take your taste buds on an adventure? Green Coriander offers meat, vegetarian and gluten free friendly options with healthy organic Indian takeout. Order online before noon for same day pickup or delivery after 6 pm. You can be home enjoying Baigan Bharta and Chicken Curry before Jeopardy starts!

To satisfy your sweet tooth after a power lunch in the Financial District, grab a Walnut Fig Scone or Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin from Batter Bakery. Though small, this tiny kiosk stationed outside of the Bank of America Building is packed with goodies. Open M-F 7:30 am-4:30 pm, Batter Bakery has your breakfast and afternoon pastry needs covered.

With takeout options like these, it’s easy to enjoy the best of the San Francisco street food scene without the scavenger hunt. Just pick up, sit back and relax, and savor every bite.

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