Most of you know that I am a California transplant living in London. While I'm trying to love it, London has not yet found a special place in my heart. While it's a tourists heaven with museums, parks, theater, and shopping, as a resident it's gloomy, it's cold, it's a tax for this and a tax for that - but still nothing works properly, and nobody likes to smile. I spent the latter half of December at home in California and it was so nice to see the sun and visit some of my old stomping grounds.
First stop, the San Francisco Ferry Building. What other place in the world can you get Mexican, sushi, caviar, chocolate, beignets, coffee and burgers all under the same roof? Not to mention there's also a gourmet kitchen store, fresh oysters, hot pastrami sandwiches, organic produce, and a farmer's market!
Second stop, Fillmore Street for my favorite cup of Special Dutch hot chocolate at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Probably not a true hot chocolate connoisseur's drink but it's a flavor that can't be recreated anywhere else.
Heading towards the water to Chestnut Street for some shopping and dinner with a dear friend at A16. A16 has been on my list of favorites since the night it opened and I've been a loyal fan ever since. There's something relaxed and cozy about the restaurant and the food. While they serve Italian food and wine, at its heart it is truly San Francisco. SF is a place unlike any other. Apart from its amazing location in the universe and in the great state of California it's people make it a wonderful town. The people are multicultural, friendly, well-versed with politics, the environment, food and sustainable living. It's a smart town, but not pretentious and snobby. It's down to earth, but not rough around the edges. The patrons you see at A16 are just that - its cool, but not too cool. It's Meatball Mondays, but Brunello wine. It's pizza, but finished with chocolate budino and vanilla semifreddo. For dinner I had a beet and potato salad with radicchio, pizza with fennel sausage, and a semifreddo with chestnut.
Since a part of my heart must be here in London with my significant other, I made an A16 inspired dinner. You can see A16's cookbook on my list to the right. These exact recipes are not in there. Savory cookbooks give me ideas, but rarely do I follow them to any degree.
For dinner tonight we had a roasted beet and potato salad with goat's cheese and a baked haddock with lemon and basil. These recipes are easy to make for two or one (scale up for more) and use the oven only.
ROASTED BEET AND POTATO SALAD WITH FRESH GOAT CHEESE
Peel and cut up two large beets and one large potato in a large dice. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and three medium garlic cloves (whole) and put them into a 400 Fahrenheit/ 200 Celsius oven. Bake for about 25 minutes till potato is throughly cooked and has formed a light brown crust. A few minutes before its done throw a handful of fresh walnuts over top to toast. As soon as the potatoes, beets, garlic and now walnuts come out of the oven transfer to a bowl and pour one heaping tablespoon of maple syrup over top. Squeeze 1/4 of a lime or lemon. Add bits of fresh goat cheese. Toss together with a handful of bitter mixed greens. Don't worry about leaving the garlic whole - they should be roasted and mild and have a bit of brown crust on them as well. The goat cheese will melt - creating the most delicious dressing for the salad.
BAKED HADDOCK WITH LEMON AND BASIL
Clean and skin haddock fillet (or any fish you like). Slice one lemon. Lay out a piece of aluminum foil and a piece of parchment over it. Spread lemon slices in two rows. Put fish on top of the lemon. Sprinkle a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. Sprinkle whole basil leaves over top. Fold the parchment and foil over the fish and pinch the ends tight so no liquid is lost from the fish as its cooking. Place on baking sheet and bake in the same 400 Fahrenheit/ 200 Celsius oven for about 10 minutes or until fish is done. Serve as is in the parchment - there are delicious fish juices there that flavor the fish and keep it moist.
Tips: As soon as the beets and potatoes come out of the oven have the fish ready to go. By the time you assemble the salad and have a few sips of wine the fish should be ready. Clean up is a breeze with only one roasting pan, maybe two if you've lost some fish juice.
Basil Leaves - these were from the freezer! This summer I froze individual leaves and then put them in a plastic bag. This is a great way to save over-producing summer basil plants. Use in instances like this fish bake or stirring a few into pasta sauce during the winter months. Basil is also very easy to find in stores all year round.
I lived in SF (Daly City, actually) during high school and unfortunately, have not been back since. I'm obviously missing a lot! Glad you were able to go home for the holidays.
I've had borscht before but never beets on their own - this looks like a great recipe for me to try.
Please check out my most recent post - I have something there for you!
Posted by: Tangled Noodle | Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I lived in SF for about a year and a half once, though it's a long time ago and I've hardly been back since. Your post is getting me all nostalgic for that wonderful city!
Posted by: Daily Spud | Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 01:12 AM
Tangled Noodle - I becoming a bigger beet fan every day. Pureed beets is great too. I even eat sliced beets on toast with a little butter.
Thanks for the Fabulous Award!!!
Daily Spud - Congrats to you for the gift from Tangled Noodle!
Posted by: Gastroanthropologist | Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I'm going to try the potato/beet roast. Don't have all the ingredients, but the thought of the earthiness of the root veggies is quite intriguing. Thanks for posting it!
Posted by: Betty | Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Next time you go to A16, let me know! My good friend Nick works there, and you two would love to meet, I'm sure. Miss you!
Posted by: Lena | Monday, January 12, 2009 at 05:25 AM
Yay I'm the dear friend!! Miss you.
Posted by: Jen | Monday, January 12, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Lena - Is he a cook or front of the house? I plan to come back home for two weeks in April!
Jen - Yes. You are the dear friend. (For those who don't know my roommate from Freshman year of college). We've been through some major changes since then! Miss you too!
Posted by: Gastroanthropologist | Monday, January 12, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I love living in SF. There are so many little spots and places that are home to me. GLad you were able to come and visit for a bit. A16 is awesome!
Posted by: lisa from dandysugar | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Since I was around for the original potato/beet salad at A16 dish I gotta say that Adrienne's version looks even better - so take that Nate Appleman!
Posted by: Jen | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Isn't SF amazing? I've lived here (10 min outside) for ages but I'm still discovering it. A16 is great and I walk to the Ferry Building for lunch every day. I know, I'm a lucky gal.
Posted by: Deelish Dish | Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Dandysugar and Deelish - Yes, SF is amazing. Moving away only reinforces that. At least I'm able to get back every few months and I have your wonderful blogs to remind me how awesome it is!
Posted by: Gastroanthropologist | Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 03:06 PM
You gave Tangled Noodle food envy with this post. She and Mr. Noodle were on the phone with me this weekend to determine the best time for them to visit. I think she'll have a checklist based on your post of where she wants to go.
Posted by: OysterCulture | Monday, January 19, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Oyster - Having lived nearly all my like in SF or surrounding bay area (East and South) I've got a favorite for everything type of food and activity. I'm sure you'll steer them the right way but if you need any suggestions let me know!
Posted by: Gastroanthropologist | Monday, January 19, 2009 at 09:12 PM
I suspect no effort will be required on my part. She'll come equiped with a list, and I'll probably learn something.
Posted by: OysterCulture | Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I understand why London hasn't found a special place in your heart! I agree that the weather makes people so depressed - gloomy, cloudy, grey and rainy! And yes, people don't smile - they are very reserved! I have been living in London for 5 years now, believe it or not, I don't have English friends. People that I get along with are not from this country but like Australia, South Africa, Malaysia, France...
Posted by: mycookinghut | Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 03:16 PM
By the way, I LOVE San Francisco!! I would love to visit there again!
Posted by: mycookinghut | Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 03:17 PM
my cooking hut - I know...the same is the case for me. None of my London friends are originally from London! I love San Francisco too - but I know that's obvious since I'm gushing about it all the time.
Posted by: Gastroanthropologist | Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM