Ten Things: Dizzyingly-Good Gourmet Bites in San Francisco, Under $20
Friday, May 8, 2009 at 7:53PM I know that’s quite a title, but it’s true. I don’t have a lot of pocket money these days, so I’m all about finding simple pleasures on the cheap. Luckily, some of my favorite things to eat out are well under $20 (most of them are under $10, actually,) so I thought I’d cook up a list as a Ten Things post.
It’s also true that each of these things make me absolutely dizzy with delight. Sometimes I even get tingle-y and have to say “DAMN!” Just to make sure the universe hears my pleasure. Without further ado…;)
Miette Chocolate Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream $3.50
It’s not enough that all of the Miette shops are utterly adorable in that vintage-French sort of way, but all of their pastries are adorable too. Perfectly frosted with little dashes of sprinkles, or wear a simple smooth cap of marshmallow crème. But the cupcakes put every other cupcake to shame. I know that’s a bold statement, but I’ve had the Magnolias, the Karas, the Sprinkles…I know my cupcakes people, and I’m telling you these are the IT. Perfectly moist and spongey chocolate cake is paired with the smoothest, creamiest buttercream in the world. And, it’s all organic! None of this weird latent cornstarch-transparency on the frosting, nor the teeth-screaming saccharin sweetness. No. Just pure perfection.
Miette Patisserie – Ferry Building, Chestnut St., and Octavia St. near Hayes
Blue Bottle Coffee Cappuccino $3.00
I know the coffee purists are upset about this, wanting me to cite the siphon-drip method or pure black good goodness, but I am not so pure. True, I only drink my coffee black, no lattes or mochas, or blended frapp-amateurish crap, just gorgeously black. On the off chance I want a coffee with some milk, it’s a cappuccino, and hopefully it’s one made by Blue Bottle. Not to big, not too small, not to milky… The espresso and milk reach an alchemy that sets off both parties to their best advantage. A true treat, and you don’t even need a sugar cube.
Blue Bottle Coffee - Mint Plaza, Ferry Building and Linden St. kiosks, and now at SFMOMA.;)
Out the Door Beef Noodle Soup $9.50
Sometimes, when I get this soup (which is actually a Pho,) I feel like I’m going to cry it’s so delicious. It’s like you can feel the broth doing good things for your body and soul. Charles Phan knows a thing or two about delicious Asian food, and while I’m a big fan of Slanted Door, I often think the true beauty comes in his cheap eats at Out the Door. Balanced flavors, the right amount of noodles, lovely slices of beef – everything is fresh and considered, right down to the little leaves on the basil garnishes.
Out the Door – Ferry Building and Westfield Shopping Centre
Mixt Greens Porky’s Salad $10.95
When my coworkers and I used to get this salad, I couldn’t even join in the lunchtime conversation I was so focused on the deliciousness. I should apologize for mentioning this at this time of year because Mixt Greens is all organic and keeps its menu very seasonal. This is fantastic, but for the fact that the Porky’s Salad can only be obtained during the fall and winter months. Boo! At least it’s something to look forward to though! Leafy organic greens are dressed with apples, bacon, and roasted butternut squash, and topped with slices of succulent roasted pork tenderloin. Then, you get a littler drizzle of some spicy sauce over the meat and voila… paradise in a recyclable container.
Mixt Greens – 120 Sansome St., 475 Sansome St., and 560 Mission St.;)
Nick’s Crispy Tacos – Baja Fish Taco Nick’s Way $4.00
So the whole “Nick’s Way” has become a bit of a phe-nom in the not-so-authentic Mexican dining world these days. You go into the most random places and now they offer their tacos with a Nick’s Way option. For the uninitiated, this means the crispy taco is layered with an outer soft tortilla with cheese in-between. Then, the whole thing is given a dollop of guacamole. Yes, like everyone else on this side of SF, I’m a sucker for Nick’s Crispy Tacos, and yes, I too like the baja fish the best. Let’s just call it a classic and leave it at that.
Nick’s Crispy Tacos – Broadway and Polk St.
Bittersweet – Spicy Hot Chocolate $3.50
I may have mentioned this treat before, but it’s certainly worth mentioning again! I took a friend to Bittersweet the other day and implored her to try a sip of my Spicy, promising “It will change your life…” It is sort of life-changing hot chocolate. Rich, delicious, small, and perfect. The chocolate is spiced up with cinnamon and cayenne, which may sound strange but it’s just unbelievable. It hits your mouth and your whole palette tingles with a little bit of gentle fire.
Bittersweet Café – 2123 Fillmore St., between California & Sacramento, also in Danville & Oakland;)
Aperto – Tagliolini Pepati $14.00
One of my closest friends loves to do “Pasta Fridays”… Aperto is such an easy choice since it’s so quick to get there from downtown, but it’s also a no-brainer because of the Tagliolini Pepati. A signature pasta with garlic, smoked bacon, jalapenos, roasted tomato sauce, arugula, and cheeses. There is just nothing like this pasta – spicy, tangy, hearty, and begging to be paired with a big red wine. Fridays don’t get any better!
Aperto – 18th Street & Connecticut
Pizzeria Picco – Specialized Pizza $13.50
Tucked away in Larkspur, Picco is a gem of a pizza place. Fresh, organic, wood oven, and even some amazing soft serve for desert! All of the pizzas are named for different types of bikes – a nod to the huge cycling community in Marin County. I love the Specialized because it’s got the pepperoni and sausage, which are pretty classic. I do love the Della Santa just as much though, with its bitter broccoli rabe and roasted peppers. It’s a tough call. One thing that’s always great is to get your pizza with the salad on top – making your slices into mini sandwiches with fresh greens or arugula in the middle. The best place to stop in after a long hike on Mt. Tam.
Pizzeria Picco – 320 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur, CA;)
Taylor’s Refresher – Grilled Ahi Burger $14.99
Definitely on the pricier side for lunch, but this is an amazing sandwich. The ahi is seared rare with a spicy ginger-wasabi mayonnaise and an Asian slaw all on an egg bun. I know people swear by Taylor’s Western Bacon Blue Ring, which is awesome, but Taylor’s is always a treat so I like to go ahi… and, with their sweet potato fries I’m never sorry!
Taylor’s Refresher – Ferry Building, Napa, CA or St. Helena, CA
NOPA – Rotisserie Chicken $18.00
Roasting chicken is an art. Some people do it better than others, but I find that it’s especially difficult to find a roast chicken worth eating when eating out. Fortunately, NOPA’s Rotisserie Chicken has put an end to all of that. Always done up with seasonal vegetables and herbs, the effect is juicy, succulent, and so delicious that a clean plate is the end result. It’s so basic and simple, yet everything you could ask for…
cheap eats, food, restaurants in Foodie Chic, Ten Things 
Reader Comments (7)
That & I REALLY want a spicy chocolate from Bittersweet!
- morning buns from Tartine
- the macarons from Miette
- Rocky Road ice cream from Mitchell's
- scoop of balsamic strawberry from Bi-Rite Creamery
Jesus. I just realized that those are all sweets...