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ABOUT ME:

Name: Gutenberg

Location: Somewhere near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Occupation: BRPR (Bunrab public relations.)

 
the BUNRAB blog spot
 

Do you need to answer back? You can send me comments if you want to.

If I want to, I'll post 'em in this very blog.

-Gutenberg



 

May 9-16, 2006

 

go to next week's blogs

 

 

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Blog jam


Bloggers (even ones like yours truly who are normally not political) are banding together today to spread the word about a potential re-jigging of the Internet.


Check out
http://savetheinternet.com/
for the scoop.

The reason why the Qwerty keyboard has it’s odd configuration of letters is to intentionally slow the typist down so they won’t jam the metal shafts as they swing toward the paper. This is an old school solution to a problem that no longer exists (unless you are seriously retro.) This intentional impediment was intended to better serve the user by channeling movement to be even and effective.

The intentional impediment that the big phone and cable companies are putting into motion isn’t to allow for information to be channeled evenly and effectively, it’s to push their greedy agendas by accelerating information that lines their pockets while putting road blocks up to the sites that don’t pony up. This directly threatens the blogging community. Access to our sites would be either slowed or blocked. Politics and money would dictate what content would be quick and intuitive to locate (or even available.)

If this pisses you off too, sign the petition and take action.


This is a big deal that directly effects you, no kidding.


-G



 

 

 

Monday, May 15, 2006

 

Why did the Bunrab cross the road? To get to the Poulet side.

“Momo , Shekuwa” sounded more like I was at my human beat box lesson than placing a lunch order.

Unfortunately, I was told that there was Nomo Momo (at least the veggie kind that I had ordered.)
The chicken momo ($7.95):

... had a thick dumpling wrapper which encased ground chicken, green onion and herbs. They were steamed so they were slightly doughy. The tomato chutney provided some needed acidity to the mix, they weren’t bad they just weren’t my thing.

The shekuwa ($8.50):

... is classified as a appetizer on the menu. It was served room temperature (which seemed weird for a meat dish.) The chunks of lamb were tender and well seasoned, but the big hunks of red onion trumped the chopped bell peppers and meat to dominate this dish.

I was one of the only people in the restaurant who didn’t go for the lunch buffet ($6.95.)

I considered it, but it was a little tired looking with limited options (in comparison to Lotus or Bombay in San Rafael) so I decided to go with a la carte.

After a little people watching, it became clear that this is a student refueling station. There were a bunch of backpack laden guys who came in and made multiple visits to the steam table. It seems like a good calorie to dollar ratio and the students left with their backpack weight offset by their full bellies.

The people who work here are very nice and parking is easier here than at their San Francisco branch but the benefit of being in this nabe is crossing the street to pick up some dessert from Poulet where Shuna (of Eggbeater) is making some fine sweets.

Today I got a slice of cornmeal rhubarb cake ($3.00):

... which I loved. It’s coarse crumb stood up to the tang of the rhubarb and it had the perfect hint of sweetness.

I also picked up a couple of cookies ($1.50 each):


The chocolate chip trumped the German chocolate in my book. I’m a believer in flat CCC’s (those doughy ones never do it for me.) I would buy this one again.


Taste of the Himalayas
1700 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA
510.849.4983


Poulet
1685 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA
510.845.5932




 

 

Sunday, May 14, 2006

I went to get my sneakers x-rayed in Oakland:

I will never happily accept this ludicrous exercise in Simon sez security. During my wanding, I took comfort anticipating brunch in a restaurant I never eshew.

Campanile has always been one of my favorite places to eat in L.A.:

... even though I have experienced sticker shock on grilled cheese night (a top notch cheese sandwich and a bottle of wine can add up!) Over the years, I have had some mighty tasty dinners in this renovated structure originally built for Charlie Chaplin.

Chubby got the fish griddle ($16.00):

... which had a Magritte-esque juxtaposition of an iron pan against a paper doily. They displayed their skillet cooking with this salmon, roasted pepper and potato combo capped off with a poached egg which acted as a saucing mechanism. This preparation required some sopping up with the pain next to the pan.

Their offshoot business of the La Brea Bakery creates their crusty, well textured loaves. Although their bread is available in the Bay Area, it’s nice to have it at the source.

The item that jumped out at me from the brunch menu was the hash ($15.00):

Perfectly poached eggs topped with freshly snipped chives hovered above a meaty terrain. Sadly, the beef brisket was a little bland and was lacking the crispy bits that normally make even a low-brow hash delightful. The eggs and sourdough toast consoled me, and I’m hoping this was just a fluke from a place that I really love to eat.

(Roll over the image above to see how bustling the place can be.)


Campanile
624 South La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca
323.938.1447

 

 

Saturday, May 13, 2006


I would have understood if the counter person told me that I was restricted to the lunch menu at 11:10 a.m. this morning, but he turned toward the small open kitchen and asked, “desayuno?” They were very cool about allowing us a grace period so I quickly ordered a huevos con arroz ($4.50):

... which was a simple and satisfying mound of white rice with two perfectly fried eggs on top. I busted them up and splashed them with a generous shower of the house made, vinegary, hot pepper sauce. I’m not big on the soft, French loaf that they use for toast because it doesn’t have enough textural interest or flavor for it to work solo. It is serviceable as a backdrop for their sandwich de hamon, queso y huevo ($4.50):

... which is what an Egg McMuffin wishes it could be. They cook the hormone and anti-biotic free eggs til they are solid (intentionally) along with Swiss cheese and ham. Chubby washed his down with a café con leche ($2.00) which was sweetened more than he likes so he insisted on stopping at Peet’s for a black coffee to neutralize the sweet effect. I’ll bet if he asked for his black next time, the accommodating people at Sol Food would deliver.

A very nice breakfast, served by very nice people. Check out what Chubby had to say about their chow in the p.m.


Sol Food

732 Fourth St.
San Rafael, CA
415.451.4765


Chubby got some email about his Kiss Sushi omakase dinners:


Dear Chubby,

I was wondering what the prices were like at Kiss Seafood. Loved the review, as always, but was left wondering about the prices. With a three carrot rating, it seems like a must visit.

Thanks,

Aaron


Chubby replies:


Dear Aaron,

Yes, Kiss is a must visit (3 carrots is darned good on the bunrab scale) and the prices are extremely fair for a meal with pristinely fresh seafood, perfectly prepared.

In the review, you see two different omakase menus. One at $42.00 and the other $60.00. The biggest difference between the two is that the more costly one has the fancier of the sashimi and chawan mushi, but both are fantastic. You can also order a la carte.

Shoot us a comment after your dinner and let us know if you liked it.


Your pal,

Chubby



 

 

 

Friday, May 12, 2006

 

Once, a pawn, a Thai…



I needed to stop for lunch on my way to Whole Foods market and Thai Smile caught my eye. It’s a little place just a few blocks away from the market and sitting outside seemed appealing. That was a mistake. Too many car fumes from people pulling up in front of the pawn shop next door.

Who knew that so many people in Mercedes and SUVs go to pawn shops? I guess they have to buy that expensive gas to put in their guzzlers…so buhbye Patek Phillipe watch.

The vegetables in the Jungle curry ($7.95 plus $1 to sub brown for white rice):

... upped my health index (to compensate for the petrol fumes.) This sort of curry is made without coconut milk and has a nice hint of heat against the herbaceous Thai basil. Crisp bell peppers, carrots, bamboo shoots, eggplant, mushrooms, zukes, broccoli, cilantro, green beans and onions were supplemented by slices of pork (you can choose chicken or tofu with this dish if you prefer.) It was a good meal, but not trip worthy. It’s a good place to keep in mind if you want a late lunch (they serve straight through to dinner) before braving the Whole Foods crowd or pawning your diamond encrusted grill to swap your gangsta smile for a Thai one.


Thai Smile
534 Fourth St.
San Rafael, CA
415.454.2626



 

 

 

Thursday, May 11, 2006

 

Urban Myth:


With a name like Myth Café, it’s a little disappointing not to have unicorns and centaurs behind the counter (if the café did indeed actually exist.)

I came here not only out of curiosity, but necessity. Lunch is over too early in this city but this corner offshoot of Myth restaurant dishes out chow until 4:00. Sadly, they were out of their bag lunch ($5.95) which consisted of a roast beef sandwich, potato salad and a house made Hoho. I scanned the menu and decided on the half sandwich and soup ($8.00):

... which sacked my disappointment over the bag.

The ginger carrot soup had bright, pronounced, fresh flavors which were smoothed by the mint cream. Crispy bits of fried sweetbreads were hidden beneath in the bunrab friendly soup with a little bite from the ginger. The chicken salad had a dice of red onion, slices of ripe avocado, cilantro, chili and mango encased in an Acme roll. This was a tasty lunch at a reasonable price.

In addition to the soups and sandwiches, they make a variety of salads, an “adult” mac and cheese, quiche, house made truffle potato chips and nothing on the menu exceeds eight bucks.
They also make their own doughnuts (including jelly filled), muffins and other pastries. I picked up some cookies ($1.36 each):

The oatmeal currant cookie had a good oatey flavor. I liked the use of currants instead of raisins which dispersed the dried fruit flavor in a subtle and even pattern. The middle was nicely moist with crispy edges.

The chocolate chip was good, but nothing noteworthy.

The texture of the marshmallow on the s’more inspired cookie was a little rubbery. This was a dealbreaker for me on an otherwise decent, chocolate chip imbedded disc.

The coconut and white chocolate wasn’t my thing, but it was okay.

I was worried that the small sized cupcakes ($1.50):

... were going to be dry from overcooking, but I was wrong. They had a tender crumb and were moist with chocolate shavings on top of a cloud of frosting. Of all of the confections, this is the one I would buy again.

You order at the counter, pay and take your letter on a wire stand to your table in the light and airy dining room or outside to the small patio. If you brought your laptop, you can take advantage of their FidiWifi otherwise there are magazines and newspapers or just old school people watching.

Now that it’s getting sunny, the salads and house made sorbets and ice creams are enticing. I will definitely come back to check them out.


Myth Café

490 Pacific Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415.677.4289



 

 

 

Wednesday, May 10, 2006


Food bloggers around town:


When Shuna (at Eggbeater) blogged about her gig at Poulet, I realized that I hadn’t been there in about a century and went to check out what she was cooking up in the pastry department.

The caramel cake:

... and snickerdoodle:

... were mighty good, but my fave was the lemon cream:


Poulet
1685 Shattuck Ave.
Berkeley, CA
510.845.5932


As I was hopping out the door of a local eatery, I ran into Stephanie who is trying her best to stick to the nearby chow, but finds it ain’t easy. We determined that eating at a local restaurant counts.

Zuni’s normally stellar roasted chicken ($39.00):

... with bread salad, currants and pine nuts fell short tonight. The meat was deliciously moist and flavorful, but the seasoning and bread salad was out of balance. Normally, there is a pronounced vinegar tang in the salad, the bread was mushy without that nice rough texture here and there for added interest. It was okay, I guess it can’t be perfect all the time.


Zuni
1658 Market St.
San Francisco, CA
415.552.2522



 

 

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

The occupational safety and heath administration aka OSHA hasn’t gone into the restaurant business. Perhaps the owners of OSHA Thai chose the name to instill a feeling of security or maybe it’s because Worker’s Comp. Thai doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Whatever the case, when you get together for lunch with other food bloggers, it’s like paparazzi for chow.

How many bloggers does it take to photograph a dessert of Sticky Rice with Mango ($4.95)?


As we were beginning to tuck in to the Pork Rib Stew Noodles ($6.95):

...we reflected on how odd it was that we were given chopsticks. Maybe they got a lot of requests from customers who think all Asians eat the same.

We shared a bunch of dishes which were all good. Another was the Roasted Duck Curry ($9.95):

... but nothing that blew our collective socks off, I get the feeling you have to know what to order here.

It’s a modern, airy space with an Asian accent.

The space is all about hard, flat surfaces. If you are plotting a criminal conspiracy, you may want to have your meetings where the neighboring agents wont hear you loudly dictate your plans.

Amy mentioned that each of the three Osha restaurants have varying degrees of deliciousness. I will have to give the other Osha’s an inspection.

Osha gives way to ocean's in Chubby's book. He took me to see the beautiful seafood at a little sushi hideaway. Check out his latest on Kiss Seafood.


Osha Thai
149 2nd St
San Francisco, CA

 



 

 

 


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