Edible Excursions Eats
Photo taken by Glenn Ramit on Edible Excursion’s West Berkeley Wine Block Tour.
Guests are always asking us where we like to dine and drink, so we’re sharing recent favorites here.
This month’s items come courtesy of Edible Excursions founder Lisa Rogovin. Enjoy.
The 5 Best Bites We’ve Had This Month
El Buen Comer, Mission District, San Francisco
Try: Chilaquiles with in-house made tortillas. I dare you not to over order on the tortillas.
Why: Neighborhood comfort cooking at its best.
Who: La Cocina alum Isabel Caudillo, her partner, and five sons have a special place in my heart. They were a part of a Valentine’s Day proposal custom tour a few years ago now.
3435 Mission Street @ Kingston Street, San Francisco
Wed.-Thurs.: 10 am-8pm; Fri.-Sat.: 10 am-8:30 pm, Sun.: 10 am-3pm.
Instagram: @elbuencomer_sf
Luke’s Local, Cole Valley, San Francisco
Try: Passionfruit Danish
Why: Delighted that this terrific neighborhood market carries these beauties. The danish had me at passionfruit and it did not let me down. Tangy, tropically transporting, and just a tad sweet.
Who: The Midwife and the Baker, husband & wife dynamic duo Mac +Jaime run their Mountain View bakery biz together. They favor freshly-milled, whole grains like kamut, rye, and spelt.
Find their airy, crusty breads & standout pastries all over the Bay Area at cafes, grocery stores, and farmers markets, including the Sunday Temescal farmers market.
846 Independence Avenue, Mountain View
Mon.-Sat.: 7am-12:30pm.
Instagram: @themidwifeandthebaker
Hinodeya Ramen Bar, Japantown, San Francisco
Try: House ramen for the win.
Why: Ramen is one of my go-to foods, especially in cold and foggy weather. And the dashi (broth) on this version charms with its light yet complex flavors of bonito flakes, kombu, scallop bouillon, and pork fat. Plus: Will you look at all those lovely fixings?
Who: Now a regular on our Japantown Tour, this fourth-generation family business, which began north of Tokyo 140+ years ago, sees esteemed chef Masao Kuribara at the helm.
1737 Buchanan Street (Japantown Mall), San Francisco
Every day: 11 am-10pm.
Other Bay Area locations include Union Square and Downtown in SF, as well as Campbell in the Silicon Valley.
Instagram: @hinodeya_sf
Good Good Culture Club, Mission District, San Francisco
Try: Egg roll stuffed chicken wing with orange glaze, mom’s lao sausage, and fried whole petrale sole.
Why: Filling, meaty, full-flavored food. Did we mention this place is a party and has values we can get behind?
Who: Chef/owner Ravi Kapur and his crew know what’s up. Kapur’s Liholiho Yacht Club combines his diverse cultural heritage and culinary chops and exudes energy and good vibes. The same can be said for its sister location, GGCC.
3560 18th Street, San Francisco
Tues.-Sat.: 5pm-9pm.
Instagram: @goodgoodcultureclub
Two of Livia’s great loves: Tiramisu and the Golden State Warriors. Go Dubs!
Masse’s Pastries, Berkeley
Try: Tiramisu. We’re talking Italian espresso soaked sponge cake, mascarpone mousse with marsala, chocolate ganache, all wrapped in lady fingers, and covered in dark chocolate curls.
Why: Dubbed THE best birthday cake by a 12-year-old super taster.
Who: This place is an institution, founded in 1997 and beloved for its quality, artistry, and decadent special occasion cakes. Owners Paul and Marcia Masse met working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago and brought their European-style patisserie expertise to North Berkeley.
1469 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
Wed.-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun.: 10am-4pm. Mon.: 10am-1pm for pre-ordered pickup only.
Instagram: @massespastries