Spacca Napoli

Spacca Napoli is about a ten minute walk from our apartment, which we have lived in since June. We've been trying to have dinner at Spacca Napoli since then. Finally Kelsey and I got in Friday night for a 6pm reservation, like an 83 year old couple :) Safe to say, we get why this place is constantly packed with families, big groups, and dates: Spacca Napoli is authentic and amazing. 

My date, clearly going very well and starting off the evening by being the obnoxious people in the place! We each had a glass of Barbera and decided to split some appies before deciding on which pie to get. The fresh chunk of burrata brought us back to the buffalo farm in Campagna and the fried zuchinni blossoms reminded me of home, since they are one of my dad's specialities. I guess it really showed we had lived in Italy when we both ordered our own pizzas, and finished them, after splitting two starters.

We went with two specials of the day: the most incredible mountain of burrata with olive oil and toast and fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with roasted peppers, ricotta, and a hint of anchovy. 

Come on... so delish! 

The cheese and flowers could have been a meal on their own if I wasn't splitting, but the pizza was just too tempting.

Kels was clearly quite eager to dive into that Puttanesca, which comprised of San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte (cow's milk mozzarella), grape tomatoes, anchovies, black olives, capers, parmigiano reggiano, and extra virgin olive oil.

I had the Bufalina, which is simple and fresh – blended San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. 

Honestly, you could get any toppings on these and it wouldn't matter because it's all in the dough. Thin, with an amazing crust, reminded us of our trip to Naples to visit the home of pizza (seen here). 

Clearly working really working on that beach body – boy oh boyyyy do I love my heritage and the fact that Kels and I devoured these with two judgmental girls looking at us as they split one pizza :)

This spot is really a hidden gem (I mean that, it's kind of on a dead street), but I hope to get to again before we move out! 

xx

Sunday Suppers

Healdsburg's Shed (also written about here) continues to fascinate me each visit I make, but Sunday's visit takes the cake. The last Sunday of each month, a Sunday Supper is held on the second level, in the Grange. Not only is the space beautiful on a warm summer evening, but having someone prepare fried chicken and all the fixin's and knowing each item is homemade using local resources makes the evening all the more enjoyable. 

heirloom tomato salad

grilled eggplant + zucchini

freshly baked bread 

(the olive bread was divine)

arugula salad with shaved radishes 

buttermilk fried chicken with lemon

homemade pies for the pie eating contest

an incredible plum galette for dessert (by far one of the best desserts I've ever tasted) with Shed's vanilla ice cream

getting a chance to see this incredible space empty was a total bonus! 

words to live by

xx

Front Porch

Front Porch is easily one of San Francisco's best kept secrets which is surprising because it's a slice of southern comfort food in Bernal Heights. I was sold once I saw that they serve water out of 40's with stickers that say "fucket get a bucket" and offer the option of adding fried bacon to any dish...

bite size corn bread to start

seriously delicious fried okra with jalapeño aioli 

a literal BUCKET  of fried chicken + mashed potatoes & gravy + biscuits

on my next trip, I'm considering trying out their weekend brunch and having chicken and waffles, collard greens & bacon, shrimp and grits, or just a bowl of cheesy grits. What sounds amazing to you!? 

xx

Florio

Here's a scenario: an Italian Restaurant meets a French Bistro and the two decide to have a have a baby restaurant and raise this new gem, named Florio, in Pacific Heights. Oh wait, it's been done, and it's been done real well my friends. A combination of local, fresh, seasonal menu offerings with classics like delicious bread, pommes frites, roasted chicken, and fresh fish, Florio is a perfect spot for dinner for two.

prosciutto with burrata, apricot, and grilled batard 

sautéed Monterey Bay squid, black plum tomato, sea beans, sauce vierge, aged Balsamic 

Oven roasted Coho wild Salmon, fennel, zucchini, lemon cucumber, spicy pickled baby artichokes

Pan roasted white California Sea Bass with fennel and celery root puree with spinach, capers, and nicoise olives 

xx

Nopalito

If you love Mexican food, try to live sustainably, and don't mind waiting around for a table for a while, definitely check out Nopalito. 

Nopalito (noun) means a slice of nopal, or cactus leaf, used in Mexican cuisine

we split Totopos con Chile: Tortilla chips, salsa de arbol, cotija cheese, crema and lime

and Taquitos de Papa con Espinaca: Crispy rolled tortillas, potato, spinach, jalapeño, onion, guacamole, crema, queso fresco and salsa brava 

housemade strawberry lemonades + hibiscus-valencia orange

two orders of Carne Asada con Nopales y Chorizo: Grilled sirloin steak, cactus, chorizo, refried black beans, queso fresco, and salsa pasilla negro 

+

two orders of Quesadilla Roja con Chicharrón: Mulato chile-corn tortilla, crispy pork belly, salsa cascabel, jack cheese, queso fresco, onion and cilantro 

it tasted great, but wasn't the most photogenic order around. On my next visit, Ceviche Nayarita (Marinated fish, calamari, lime, cucumber, carrot, avocado,

salsa piquin and tortilla chips) needs to happen, as well was the carnitas!

xx

Taco Tuesday

Taco Tuesday has been a particular favorite of mine, as I'm sure it's one of yours as well– who doesn't love great tacos, especially when they're at a lower price than usual?! Although Mamacita wasn't offering a two for one deal or discounted drinks or anything of that nature, I'm making a bold claim in stating the following: these were probably some of the best tacos I've ever had. My friend Nini told me about Mamacita and I've walked past it at least one hundred times but have never tried it; it's trendy and always packed, so they must be on to something right? Their commitment to maintaining a local, sustainable kitchen also caught my eye, so we decided to check it out for a belated birthday dinner and were overly impressed! 

dangerously addicting chips, salsa, and guac to start

3 crispy carnitas tacos for moi

three huge chicken tacos for Nini

my lovely date, Nini, devouring her chicken tacos!

Check them out, but make sure to make a reservation!

xx