Rita's Water Ice - The Philly Cheesesteak's Happy Ending...

Pronounced 'Wooder Ice'...
Rita's Water Ice is the UFM Rec for the perfect summer 'Happy Ending' after a Philly Cheesesteak or Cheesesteak Stromboli (see previous post)

Water Ice + Custard = Gelato Happiness

If you're watching your 'girlish' figures, you can Slenderina instead of Gelato, but why would you wanna do that?

Philly's Answer To The Perfect Food - The Cheesesteak Stromboli

Ok.. So I'm back in Philly.. Again.

And I thought it appropriate to write about one of my Favorite Foods - the Cheesesteak Stromboli - A Stromboli Filled With Meat & Cheese that comes with a Side of Pizza Sauce...

A Little Bit of Philly Brilliance if you ask me...

So what's the difference between a Stromboli and a Calzone, you ask?

Well, according to Wiki, both are made from Pizza Dough pockets which are filled with Cheese and/or your choice of Meat and Toppings that are folded over, but the Calzone is folded over once, sorta like a giant Empanada, in a half moon shape, and the Stromboli is rolled into a Loaf, sorta like a flattened Burrito. The picture above is a photo of a Cheesesteak Stromboli and the pictures below are ones of a Cheesesteak Calzone that I had at a place in Atlantic City, that was actually called a Cheesesteak Stromboli on the Menu.

Either way..

Meat + Cheese = YUM!

Now get this...

Someone in SF once told me that after drinking on a gluttonous night in Philly, they bought a Jim's 'Steak on South Street and then went and got a Slice at Lorenzo's Pizza and proceeded to wrap the Slice around the 'Steak and eat it. I kid you not.

Now seriously... That sounded just plain ludicrous to me!

First off, it throws off the whole Trifecta of Meat to Cheese to Bread Ratio with too much Bread...

And Secondly, why go to TWO different places, let alone spend the money for TWO separate items??? All they had to do was save the time, money and effort, as well as the extraneous carbohydrates and find themselves a Cheesesteak Stromboli...

In the West Coast, some people's idea of the 'Perfect Food' is the Burrito. While in the East Coast, we have our Pizza (NY) and Cheesesteaks (Philly). The Cheesesteak Stromboli is the best of ALL worlds wrapped into One!

For the Happy Ending to this Piece, Grab yourself a Rita's Water Ice!

In lieu of my last post about Blue Crab over Dungeness, this article is pretty hilarious!

Click on the title link to read the article...

Crab Nabbed, Circumstances Fishy: West Coast Crustacean Found In Atlantic Waters

UFM Food Porn - Blue Crab Fest

A LOVE LETTER TO BLUE CRAB
Corny, I know..

Dearest Blue Crab...

Blue, How I've Missed Thee!

How I've Missed Your Sweet, Delicate Flesh...

I know.. I know...

There may have been others over the years...

Dungeness, Alaskan King and even Faux, I am ashamed to say..

But you have to know, that you have always been my Favorite.

No other Crustacean could ever compare!

Sure, they were bigger, but bigger doesn't always mean better.

And although they were easier to eat,

I honestly can say that I missed the satisfaction of having to work harder for you.

It just wasn't the same...

And I know...
I've been gone a really long time..

But it's not like you've been there either...

You've been so... so... unavailable in the West Coast.

Yet, I still found myself longing for you.

You have to know that I've thought of you often.

And I am so happy to be reunited at last.

So there you have it..
I'm much closer now,
which means that I can find you much easier..
And this makes me very happy!

Until we meet again, Old Friend...

Yours In Food,

The Urban Food Maven aka The Raptor

San Francisco Street Food Festival This Saturday August 22nd

La Cocina in the Mission District in San Francisco is hosting a day long block party in the form of the first ever San Francisco Street Food Festival this Saturday August 22nd. Admission is FREE, People! Although Food and Drinks will be sold by each vendor, ranging from $3 to $8 at most. You can Buy a passport for savings and the freedom not to hassle with an ATM.
In addition to Delicious Eats, the festival will feature a beer and spirits garden, roving street musicians, street art projects and a hands-on children's play area, as well as multi-lingual services for attendees.

The event is a benefit for La Cocina and is a collaborative project with a special focus on the transition from informal to formal food businesses. Through partnerships with both non-profits and highly regarded restaurants, this event will work to connect communities throughout San Francisco's spectrum of class and culture to the everyday food that SF eats and loves.

So, Go to this Festival, and Eat Street Food!
Viva La Bacon Dog Cart!

The Urban Food Maven's First Two Months Back In The East Coast...

I've been back east for two months to the date today, but I have barely been in NY, which why I am only now getting to writing.  
So what have I been doing since I moved, you ask?  As I expected, I kept getting drawn down to Philly, NJ and the DC area to see family and friends.  I do have to say that, after being gone for the past 14 years, it feels damn good to be back.  It feels like coming home...
How does the ol' saying go?  You can take the girl outta Philly...  yadda yadda.
So needless to say, I've been literally On The Road, Jack Kerouac-styles since leaving San Francisco - Boltbus-ing, Greyhounding, MegaBus-ing and ChinaTownBus-ing to and fro NYC to Philly, Atlantic City, Washington DC and Virgina for the past couple months and have been living the true life of leisure.  As a matter of fact, I am writing this on the MegaBus from DC back to NYC as we speak.
Enough with the travel already, it is now time to catch up on my writing, and more importantly, to share what I've been eating On The UFM Road...

I have yet to really delve into the World of Food here on the East Coast.  As you can imagine, I have my work cut out for me!  I am a bit overwhelmed, but truly excited.  It definitely doesn't suck to be me right now.
I am so behind with the writing, that I still have to finish and publish some of my write-ups of some of my final meals in San Francisco, which I will publish in both SFFoodMaven and here.  Stay tuned for those...
For now, you will be seeing little blips and blurbs here and there, of my travels, in the form of Urban Food Maven (UFM) Food Porn.

So that's the dilly...
Blips and Blurbs..
UFM Food Porn..
Stay Tuned.
And Of Course..
Enjoy!

Yours In Food,

The Urban Food Maven

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. This Week In San Francisco

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. is happening in this week in San Francisco at Union Square from August 6th through the 9th.  It's going to be an amazing four day Food & Wine event of bacchanalian proportions, celebrating the unique and diverse bounty that San Francisco has to offer.

Proceeds from this event will go to four SF charities - Feeding America, a leading supporter of the SF Food Bank, Meals On Wheels, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship Fund and Project Open Hand.

Another great aspect of this event is that they will be partnering with the SF Conservation Corps to try to achieve a zero waste event creating no landfill, by using recyclable products such as silverware and wine glassware made of corn resin.  How cool is that???
So, you have NO idea how BUMMED I am to not be attending.  My 3 favorite things and all in my old 'hood and I'm here in NY!  Go Figure.  Were I there, I would be attending, and if I didn't already have plans on this coast, I would've bought a ticket on Virgin America to fly out to attend. Trust.
So perhaps, my West Side Foodies would like to represent for me?
Here's hoping so...
Holla at me if you are interested.
Otherwise click here for the ticket deets.

Tickets run for $150 for a Day Pass and then it varies according to various Events - such as Receptions, Suppers and even an Urban BBQ.  Damn!  Just writing about this pisses me off that I can't go!

Whatever the case, if you're into Food and Wine and can make it, then I say, Go!

Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival This Weekend...

So Atlantic City is holding its annual Food & Wine Festival. I'm not much of a gambler, so who knew that the A.C. would have something to offer the Urban Food Maven?
Bring it on...

If any of you are interested in partaking in the bounty of this epicurean festival, tickets are available here.

The UFM Game Plan?
Friday's Taste Wine Like A Sommellier Event and Saturday's Grand Market Tasting.

See you there!

New York, New York...

Start Spreading the News...

It's official, I have taken the plunge and have moved to New York. I cannot tell you how excited I am! After 11 Delicious years in San Francisco, I felt that it was time to move back east to 'bring it home' and explore new possibilities.
The prospect of a new place, let alone a place such as New York and the myriad of new places to eat is both thrilling and intoxicating...

I'm getting ready to Eat NYC!

Now.. Who's gonna eat with me?

UFM Food Porn - Hunan Lion Peking Duck

Hunan Lion  
2070 Chain Bridge Rd
Vienna, VA 22182

Hours:

Lunch
Mon-Sat:11:30am-4pm
Dinner
Mon-Sat:4pm-10pm
Sun:11:30am-10pm

Hunan Lion at Tyson's Corner in Vienna, VA is known for its Peking Duck.

I came.

I ordered.

I ate.

Still love Sang Kee in Philly, but it was pretty damn good at Hunan Lion.

This is a special Soup that they make with the leftover Duck with Cabbage, Tofu and Clear Noodles. YUM.
 

ar2mhuby3i

Technorati Profile

Eating My Way Out of San Francisco: The Final Week

My Final Week...
I can hardly believe it.
Realization sets in...
I won't be able to hit every place on my list!
Ah well...  It's not like I'm not gonna be back, right?
So here goes...


Brothers II Korean BBQ with Cris.
Don't be jealous...  
View actual photo below and weep.

I heart Panchan...



We decided to wrap our Brothers II Lunch at Genki with a Nutella and Banana Crepe.  
Me Raptor.  
Me SO happy.




Baby Blues BBQ with G and Billy

Original one in Venice, CA and the brothers who own them are originally from Philly.  Woot!
Anyhow, see spread below.



 

 

Pulled Pork, Corn Bread and Mac&Cheese

Memphis Ribs and Baby Back Ribs with Corn Bread and Sweet Potatoes

Sushi Groove with Nee

Needed something a little on the lighter side to break up my final week...


The Slanted Door

Here were the highlights...

Hamachi with Crispy Shallots and Thai Basil

 

Niman Ranch Shaking Beef with Cubed Filet Mignon, Sausalito Springs Watercress, Red Onion and Lime

 

Oven Roasted Sonoma Liberty Duck Breast with Cherries, mint and Sausalito Spring Watercress

Delfina
My Last Supper with Nad & Murph and Kuya Mel & Tim.
We came.
We ate.
It was Aweseme.

Some highlights below...  
Full review to follow soon. 

Green Garlic Sformatino with Mussels and Fiorelli

Prosciutto-Mascarpone Ravioli with Lemon Herb Burro Fuso

Pancetta-Wrapped Rabbit Saddle with Farm Carrots and Fava Beans

Tartine
Murph was adamant, that I could not leave SF without having the Morning Bun.
He hunted.
He gathered.
We ate.

Morning Bun on the right and Gougere to the left

Croques Monsieur

And so...

In Sinatra's word more or less..

The End is Here.

And I'm glad to say
I did it 'My Way'....

Thank You San Francisco for all of your Gastronomic Bounty!
I Came.
I Ate.
And I Loved it All...

So Long San Francisco

 and
       Hello New York!

As you can see, UrbanFoodMaven.com up & running now...

Eating My Way Out of San Francisco: Week Two...

Eating San Francisco continued...

Mango Cafe in Palo Alto



Hot Curried Goat Roti at the Mango Cafe in Palo Alto.


Pho at Turtle Tower in the 'Loin



Pho with Rare Beek & Well Done Flank.


Sushi Groove South



A Selection of Nigiri.


Quince



Above is their selection of Breads - Bread Sticks, Bread with Star Anise and the wheel-shaped one with Olives and soaked in Olive Oil, which was a Favorite at the table...



A surprisingly good Paine Farms Smoked Squab with Black Cabbage-Porcini Mushroom Strudel and Sunchoke Crema.


Beretta



Eggplant Caponatina with Burrata.



Margarita Pizza with Burrata Cheese and Sausage

Last but not Least,





the Infamous Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog from one of the Bacon Dog Carts in the Mission...

Eating My Way Out of San Francisco: The First Week

Since I made the decision to move to NY, my time has been dominated by packing up, selling and donating my stuff, as well as farewell and birthday Lunches and Dinners, leaving little time for writing anything elaborate or extensive. So all I can do is just do what I can, right?

It is now mid-May and the plan is to chronicle my Meals as I eat my way out of San Francisco during the last 30 days before I leave in mid-June. Since we're a week into it, I'll get right to it...

My first Meal was at Postrio and although the majority of the Meal was nothing to write home about, one Dish stood out enough to make the blog.



Postrio - Poached Egg atop Angel Hair Pasta, Wild Mushroom and Frisee Appetizer.
Ok, now that I look at it, the Dish was a bit of a hodge podge and perhaps the best part of the Dish was the perfectly Poached Egg...



Next was a Medium Rare Prime Rib at Houston's...
That's the way, uh huh uh huh.. i like it.



I had Ryoko Sushi, of course, and was getting down with the Jumping Tuna and some serious Hamachi - both Sashimi- and Kama-styles...



Then I had Pho at Golden Star on Walter U. Lum Place with my friend Billy, who's eyes have always been WAY bigger than his stomach. hahaha...



Crustacean was next on the list and I had yummy Roasted Crab and Garlic Noodles...
It got messy..
It was worth it.

First week down, 3 more to go.
So who's next and where?

Ch-ch-ch- Changes...

Ok.
It is Time.
Time for what you ask?
Time to make that move back east to the NYC.

This move has been on my mind for a year and a half now and I almost made the move exactly a year ago. But the timing was not right. A year later, I still feel the same way and it is time for this Food Maven to move on after 11 years in San Francisco.

So what does that mean? Obviously, I cannot be the 'SF' Food Maven any more and naturally, I had been toying around with changing my name to be something broader. My new name will soon be the Urban Food Maven and the site will change over to UrbanFoodMaven.com. Nice, eh?

So, I will keep you posted on the changes as they come...

As Always, I really do appreciated your continued support!

Yours In Food,

The SFFoodMaven, soon to be
The Urban Food Maven

Lulu's

This is just a quickie...
Went to Restaurant Lulu for dinner with friends last week and I just had to share a few pics and the SFFM Fave of the Evening...

Sardines atop a Fennel Salad.
How Beautiful is the Dish?

And the Winner is...
The Roasted Duck.
Crisp Skin.
Juicy, Tender and Falling Off the Bone kinda Delish.
Although, I have to say that it has not surpassed the Roasted Duck that I had at Osteria Mozza.
Still good nonetheless...