Fried Fridays - Hangtown Fry

What is in a name? If we're talking about the Hangtown Fry, plenty. Invented in nearby Placerville, California, the Hangtown Fry is basically an omelette that was made famous during the California Gold Rush. According to folklore, the dish was created when a gold prospector struck it rich, headed to the Cary House Hotel, and demanded that the kitchen make the most expensive dish it could provide. They didn't disappoint, blending together eggs, bacon, potatoes, and oysters.

By today's standards, the value of these simple ingredients are lost to us, meaning that such a dish would not be considered expensive. But, in the mid-1800s, eggs were not readily available in a mining town, bacon was shipped from the East Coast, and the oysters were brought in on ice from San Francisco, which was over 100 miles away and more than a week's journey.

With that said, there is much to appreciate in this homegrown delicacy. Not only does it pack bold flavor combinations and textures with each bite, but according to the El Dorado County Museum, nothing epitomizes California and its Gold Rush era more than the Hangtown Fry.

It's certainly become one of our favorites with the most common version found at Cafeteria 15L, where their Hangtown Fry consists of oysters, a poached egg, bacon, potatoes, and a rich Tabasco Hollandaise sauce.

So, if you are looking for something truly unique and time-tested, go no further than the Hangtown Fry. Enjoy!

In this photo: The Hangtown Fry from Cafeteria 15L in Sacramento, CA

Thirsty Thursday :: Cricket Cola

While on vacation in the upper northwest, we discovered Cricket Cola while visiting a local joint in Vancouver, Washington called Pop Culture. My wife was the first to notice the attractively bottled soda from the many others housed in the cold case. In her profession as a marketing exec, packaging is almost as important as the product itself, and this one certainly caught her eye with its colorful label and the two large asterisks bookending the shaded words "serve COLA chilly."

Digging a little deeper, i.e. reading the label, my wife was pleasantly surprised to note that Cricket Cola is in fact a healthy one. The creators have left out phosphoric acid, high-fructose corn syrup, and many other not-so-good-for-you ingredients that the larger companies use in their cola recipes. Rather, they have chosen to use real cane sugar, real kola nut, and instead of using chemical-form caffeine, they stir in a blend of freshly brewed green tea. A great tasting, healthy alternative to regular cola was born.

And cola aficionados are singing its praises. The Washington Post proclaims Cricket Soda as the next "below-the radar drink for hipsters." BevNet.com, a beverage industry review site, singles out Cricket Cola as one of the cleanest colas ever tasted by their experts, who categorize green tea colas as "the most unique innovation in carbonated soft drinks to hit the market in the past decade."

Yet, the question is, did my wife like it? Not only does she like it, but the kids took to it as well!

Cricket Cola is produced in San Francisco and is distributed to all major markets across the states. Pick up a bottle and tell us what you think.

Wordless Wednesday :: Good Luck Dim Sum

In this photo: Pork siu mai from Good Luck Dim Sum in San Francisco, CA

Good Luck Dim Sum

736 Clement Street

San Francisco, CA 94118

415.386.3388

Tasty Tuesday :: Hobee's Coffee Cake

For those of you who have visited the San Francisco Bay area, you may have already tasted the coffee cake at Hobee's. If you haven't, it is definitely worth a trip.

Hobee's piping hot, streusel-topped, blueberry coffee cake is a meal onto its own. Many who live in the area consider this a fundamental part of their diet, and rightly so. Legend has it that it is considered the Official Coffee Cake of Mountain View, CA. This may be fiction...but what is fact is the epic portion of a single order. One order is enough to feed a small family or a very hungry Stanford or San Jose State student.

For those who are just visiting and don't have a Hobee's nearby, don't fret...Hobee's sells them by the panful for you to take home and share.

Hobee's has restaurants in various locations in the Bay Area:

Campbell

Cupertino

Los Gatos

Mountain View

Palo Alto

Redwood Shores

Sunnyvale

Bob's Big Boy | Burbank, CA

On a cold afternoon in February 1964, hundreds of screaming teens and young folks crowded the tarmac to New York's John F. Kennedy airport to be among those to witness an event that would become synonymous with rock-n-rock history, a moment that was much anticipated ever since disc jockeys began broadcasting their songs over the airwaves. In fact, they already conquered most of Europe with perennial hits as "Please Please Me" and "Love Me Do" as well as a freshmen turn as the backup band to Tony Sheridan's "My Bonnie." But what happened after that day not only had an immediate impact on American music, but the Lads from Liverpool would arguably change the face of music and the recording arts as a whole. The Beatles had finally arrived on U.S. soil.

Now, being a huge follower of The Beatles, I'd like to think that once they got past their first press conference in the U.S., they got right back on the plane and headed west to Los Angeles. And shortly after landing, they made a bee-line to Burbank, California, and climbed into a booth at Bob's Big Boy, where they proceeded to order up four double-deckers and crispy fries. That would have been something, but we all know that didn't happen. Rather, their visit to the restaurant didn't happen until much later, and years after that, I find myself getting chills whenever the opportunity to sit in the booth that has been dedicated to them comes up.

But I'm straying from the real task at hand, and that's telling you about one of our favorite burger destinations whenever we visit Los Angeles. Originally coined Bob's Pantry in 1935, founder Bob Wian opened his first hamburger stand in Glendale, California. Business was moderate to start, and its potential was yet to materialize as two very fateful things needed to happen before Wian's iconic path was set in motion.

The first occurred one night in 1937, when, according to those who recall, a regular customer felt a little more hungry than usual. Not one to disappoint and let his customer leave unsatisfied, Wian asked whether or not doubling the size of his cheeseburger would fill the bill. It did, and Bob's signature double-decker, featuring two patties with American cheese, lettuce, and their famous special sauce on a sesame seed bun, was born.

The second was when Wian was introduced to a portly six-year-old boy dressed in overalls. The boy was a fan of Wian's hamburger stand, and the two became inseparable friends whenever the boy stopped in with his parents. Soon, the youngster began helping out around the stand by sweeping up the floors. In return for his hard work, he was rewarded with a free hamburger during each visit. But Wian's honor went one step further when he chose to name his signature burger the Big Boy. It wasn't long after that regulars of Bob's Pantry began calling the stand Bob's Big Boy. The name stuck, and the rest became history.

Now, for those of you who have not yet visited, Bob's Big Boy offers All-American fare. Breakfasts include everything under the rising sun from omlettes and various off-the-griddle favorites to speciality combos that include chicken fried steak and eggs or corned beef hash and eggs. Their packed lunch menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, the aforementioned original Big Boy burger, and the Super Big Boy. And their dinners will keep you warm and well-fed with items that include chicken, beef, seafood, pasta, and house favorites like oven roasted tri-tip, sauteed tilapia, and their classic chili spaghetti.


There are approximately 248 locations across America, and as I mentioned above, when we are in Los Angeles, we try to stop by our favorite located in Burbank, which is less than ten miles north of downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1949 by local residents Scott MacDonald and Ward Albert, this location is considered the oldest Bob's Big Boy in the states. And with its unique architectural design, it is known for its towering Bob's Big Boy sign and its life-sized smiling character figurine as it is for its food and friendly staff.

And the Beatles aren't the only celebrities who have walked through the doors at this Bob's location. Talk show host and car enthusiast, Jay Leno, frequently stops by during Bob's Friday "Classic Car Hop" night to meet fans. Director, David Lynch, was once said to claim a spot at one of the booths as he mulled over story ideas and people watch. And with Disney Studios a mere two minutes away, their cache of young stars from Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and members of the High School Musical clan have all come in for a bite. If you're into "star" gazing, you're chances here are certainly as good as any other in tinseltown.

So, the next time you are feeling a bit nostalgic and are looking for a non-expensive alternative for wholesome American fare, look no further than a Bob's Big Boy. With over 70 years of tradition and history behind the restaurants, you won't be left disappointed or be left hungry.

Bob's Big Boy

4211 W. Riverside Drive

Burbank, CA 91505

818.843.9334

January 27:: National Chocolate Cake Day

It was recently brought to our attention that today is National Chocolate Cake Day, and as an homage to this holiday, we decided to commemorate this occasion by highlighting DeLessio Market and Bakery's German Chocolate Cake. What makes DeLessio's version so special is that its made with organic ingredients from the layered chocolate sour cream cake to the decadent Swiss chocolate ganache. And it's all finished off with a classic caramel, coconut, pecan icing.

DeLessio Market and Bakery (2 locations in San Francisco)

1695 Market Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

415.552.5559

302 Broderick Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

415.552.8077

Wordless Wednesday :: Woodhouse Chocolates

Handmade chocolates at Woodhouse Chocolates.

Woodhouse Chocolates

1367 Main Street

Saint Helena, CA 94574

800.966.3468

Tasty Tuesday :: French Toast at the Tower Cafe

The Tower Cafe's award-winning breakfast menu is highlighted by its one-of-a-kind Famous French Toast. A secret recipe that has most Sacramentans flocking to its location on Broadway near the historic Tower Theatre and voting it as Best Breakfast and Best Sunday Brunch in Sacramento Magazine. It is made with giant slices of french bread soaked overnight in the cafe's own homemade custard and baked in the oven to create a crispy exterior that gives way to a velvety smooth interior. Unless you are extremely hungry or want to nosh on leftovers as a midnight snack, a half order is usually plenty. On our last visit, we had our order topped with the seasonal fruit compote (also made in-house at the cafe).

Tower Cafe

1518 Broadway

Sacramento, CA 95818

My Taco | Highland Park

Even before we stepped up to the counter to place an order, the kids already fell in love with My Taco. The reason? They learned that Taboo and aple.d.ap of The Black Eyed Peas are frequent visitors of this family-owned restaurant, and the proprietors have the pictures to prove it ... Not that they need to, of course.

But, as cool as it was to note that members of one of our favorite bands are fans of My Taco, it took a little bit more to win me and the Mrs. over. Needless to say, it didn't take long once our orders began making their way to the table. Take, for example, the Carne Asada Fries, which were piled high with steak, guacamole, sour cream, and melted cheese. Then, there were the Pork Belly Tacos. They were every bit as good and succulent as they looked on the plate next to a generous helping of beans and rice.



The real attraction that grabbed hold of us, however, was their house specialty: The Barbacoa de Borrego. In simple terms, this is a very rich lamb stew that's made with a secret blend of seasonings combined with a variety of different chiles and a goat consomme. And it's paired nicely with corn tortillas, chopped cilantro, diced onions, and a yahualica salsa. Share it with friends or keep it to a personal party for one, this is a styrofoam bowl of heaven that will warm your soul.

The inspiration behind My Taco is its owners, Jorge and Maria Gardano. They opened their kitchy taco stand in 1994 in Highland Park, a neighborhood known affectionately as the "Taco Capital of Los Angeles" with over thirty different taco stands, food trucks, and eateries dotting a 3.9 square mile area. As you can imagine, the competition was pretty stiff, but the Gardanos placed a lot of faith and value on hard work. With the support of their families, including their own children, their success was inevitable.

As noted in Inside Pasadena, the Gardanos describe My Taco as a place where their customers can experience "homemade tastes with a traditional family environment. Many of our recipes are compiled from favorite dishes that we make at home. We hope you enjoy our restaurant and food."

BTW, if the weather is warm during your visit, be sure to order any one of their freshly made agua frescas. There are as many as three to choose from, such as horchata and tamarido, and they're a very cool alternative to compliment the spiciness of their food and their flare!

My Taco

6300 York Blvd., Suite 4

Los Angeles, CA 90042

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Ninth Day

On the ninth day of christmas, my true love gave to me:

Nine french macarons

In this picture: Macarons from Bouchon in Napa Valley, CA.

Unlike the macaroons that are made of coconut, french macarons are cookies traditionally made with an almond flour, whipped egg whites, sugar, and flavorings, sandwiched with light, delicate buttercream in the middle.

OOTK's Top 10 | BURGERS

Our foodie kids have come up with their own top 10 recommendations for 2010.

Following is their top 10 list for burgers:

10. Gott's Roadside (AKA Taylor's Refresher)

Napa, CA & San Francisco, CA

9. The Counter

Various locations

8. Nickel Diner

Los Angeles, CA

7. Barney's Gourmet Hamburger

Various Locations

6. Bob's Big Boy

Toluca Lake, CA

5. Oinkster

Eagle Rock, CA

4. Tommy's

Eagle Rock, CA

3. Dinky Diner

Clarksburg, CA

2. The Squeeze Inn

Sacramento, CA

1. Five Guys

Various Locations

In this photo: Cheeseburger from Five Guys in Elk Grove, CA.

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Eighth Day

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Eight s'more lollipops

In this photo: S'more lollipops from Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates.

Made with Ginger Elizabeth's own house-made graham cracker and vanilla bean marshmallow, this decadent snack is a favorite in our household. Make to sure to call ahead, because these bittersweet chocolate-dipped goodies aren't made everyday and once they are gone, they're gone. You'll have to wait to get...s'more.

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

1801 L Street, Suite 60

Sacramento, CA

916.706.1738

Lillie Belle Farms Handmade Chocolates | Central Point, OR

According to a recent posting on Yahoo's news blog, The Lookout, there's a new sheriff in town when it comes to the hottest chili pepper in the world. Developed by Gerald Fowler of the Chili Pepper Company in Cumbria, England, it's said that the Naga Viper chili pepper is so hot, its effects can be felt for "an hour after taking a bite, and you just don't want to talk to anyone or do anything." Aptly put, given that the Naga Viper clocks in at 1,359,000 heat units on the Scoville scale and outdistances the previous champ, the noted Ghost Chili (a.k.a. Bhut Jolokia), by more than 400,000 heat units. To put it another way, eating one Naga Viper is equal to eating 440 jalapeno peppers. That, my friend, is HOT!!!

So, why am I bringing up heat units and spicy peppers? Well, during a recent trip to Southern Oregon, we had the pleasure (and pain) of being introduced to a very unique chocolate bar with the ominous-sounding name, Do Not Eat This! That should have been enough to keep us away, but the little devil inside urged us to break off a piece.

Now, eating the Do Not Eat This! bar starts out simple enough as the sweetness of milk and dark chocolates coats your tongue. But that euphoric feeling fades in a hurry as the heat from three chilies -- the Aji Amarillo Chili, the Arbole Chili, and the Ghost Chili -- kicks into gear and doesn't let up. I tried to put on a brave face, but I was soon begging for a tall glass of anything to put out the fire that reached all the way down to my core.

The megamind behind this inventive confection is Jeff Shepard, a self-trained chocolatier who created his own company, Lillie Belle Chocolates, as a way of making "people happy with my creations. To brighten their day, even if it's for only a moment, with something I made with my hands."

Jeff got his start six years ago making chocolates and other organic products out of his home. Then, as business starting booming via word of mouth at various farmers' markets and specialty stores, he and his wife, Belle, began renting commercial kitchen space at local restaurants to keep up with the demand. But even that wasn't enough, especially after they began to attract attention beyond their Applegate Valley location.

Soon, Lillie Belle Chocolates was opened in December 2007, and what began with just four truffle flavors turned into an award-winning operation. They now offer countless varieties of flavor-packed fare such as bons bons, ganaches, and specialty bars. Even more exciting is when convention is uniquely twisted with imagination. Your choices quickly expand to include chocolate-covered pears, cayenne caramels, chocolate-covered bacon, smokey blue cheese truffles, and red velvet almonds which hits you with a bit of heat on their own.

Jeff once said, "Making chocolates is a lot of fun. I treat it like an art form. I do everything by hand, including the chocolate paintings." That's right, when visiting Lillie Belle Chocolates, take more than just a look around. Their "gallery" showcases a variety of paintings and sculptures that are not only made entirely of chocolate, but they are completely edible too.

Lillie Belle Chocolates is located in Central Point, Oregon, and is open daily to visitors whether you live in the area or just passing through. And when you do stop in, be sure to ask about their organic berry farm. It's not regularly open for visits, but should you happen to catch either Jeff or Belle behind the counter, they won't mince words or stories about their modest 2-acre establishment, especially since it provides most of the ingredients that go into their confections.

But that's another blog for another time ...


Lillie Belle Chocolates
211 North Front Street
Central Point, OR 97502
551.664.2815

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Seventh Day

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

7 different kinds of vintage, hard-to-find, imported soda

In this photo: Plantation Style Mint Julep Soda from Galco's Soda Pop Stop. With over 500 different kinds of pops on the shelves, Galco's is the mecca for all soda pop enthusiasts.

Location:

Galco's Soda Pop Stop

5702 York Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90042

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Sixth Day

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Six orders of chili & spaghetti size from Bob's Big Boy

In this picture: Chili & Spaghetti size from Bob's Big Boy in Toluca Lake, CA. Piled high with cheese and onions, this classic dish also consists of chili, noodles and a hamburger patty at the bottom. The Toluca Lake location is open 24 hours which makes this dish a great go-to meal after a long night filled with club and bar hopping.

Location:

Bob's Big Boy

4211 W. Riverside Drive

Toluca Lake, CA

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Fifth Day

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

5 pounds of Chez Panisse House Blend from

Blue Bottle Coffee Company

In this picture: Pounds of coffee from Blue Bottle Coffee Company at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Blue Bottle Coffee Company is one of the best coffee we have ever had. Blue Bottle takes their roasting seriously, making only small batches at a time and using only the best certified organic coffees. Our favorite is the Chez Panisse Blend which is perfect for this time of year, going great with any holiday dessert. When visiting the city, I make sure to stop by one of their cafes so that I can grab myself a fresh cup of their New Orleans Style Iced Coffee. Mixed with sugar, milk, this chickory-laced-with-a-hint-of-chocolate-laced concoction will certainly hit the spot.

Locations (partial listing):

Blue Bottle Coffee Company

300 Webster Street

Oakland, CA

Ferry Building Marketplace, Shop #7

1 Ferry Building

San Francisco, CA

SFMOMA

151 Third Street, Fifth Floor

San Francisco, CA

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Fourth Day

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Four pork belly tacos

In this picture: A pork belly soft taco from My Taco located in the Highland Park neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. A true local gem, My Taco is a great spot to get some Mexican soul food as well as their delicious carne asada fries. If the weather is warm, make sure to order an agua fresca made fresh on premises.

My Taco

6300 York Blvd, Ste 4

Los Angeles, CA 90042

323.256.2698

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Third Day

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

Three chicken dinners from Giusti's on the Delta

In this picture: Fried chicken dinner from Giusti's. Giusti's is the oldest bar and restaurant in the California Delta. They have served the community for over 100 years, spanning four generations. All the dinners are served with fresh Puglaese bread, their famous vegetable - minestrone soup, tossed green salad with their special house dressing, olive oil & garlic garbanzo/kidney beans and a salami plate. You can reach Giusti's by car, boat and some have even arrived by helicopter!

Giusti's

14743 Walnut Grove - Thornton Road

Walnut Grove, CA 95690

916.776.1808

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The Second Day

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

2 bottles of UC Davis Olive Oil

In this picture: Two bottles of the 2010 vintage of UC Davis Olive Oil.

This was UC Davis' third year of olive oil production, which began as a way to capitalize on the trees that have been part of the campus for decades. Before UCD decided to harvest these olives, the trees were considered a campus nuisance when dropping fruit turned the pavement around campus into a potential accident zones.

It is now an award winning olive oil that has been ranked as one of the best artisanal olive oils in the country. It is sold on campus and online.

OOTK's "12 Days of Christmas" | The First Day

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

A single scoop of "Secret Breakfast" ice cream...

In this picture:

Humphry Slocombe's Secret Breakfast ice cream.

Owner Jake Godby makes this ice cream with bourbon and toasted cornflakes, including so much Jim Beam that the scoops always run soft.

Humphry Slocombe

2790 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94110

415.550.6971