Edible Excursions Eats
Welcome to Edible Excursions Eats.
No surprise here: As a group, we get out and about to eat around the Bay a lot.
Guests are always asking us about where we like to dine and drink, so we’re sharing recent favorites here.
This is the first post in a regular feature where we highlight the best bites (and sips) we’ve had lately.
This month’s items come courtesy of Edible Excursions founder Lisa Rogovin and her dog Ozzie. Enjoy.
The 5 Best Bites We’ve Had This Month
Automat, NOPA, San Francisco
Try: The garlicky pretzel focaccia.
Why: It’s a beautiful marriage between a New York-style street pretzel and a California baking sensibility.
Who: Former Lazy Bear sous chef Matt Kirk’s baby; bread program began with Tartine alum Casey Wentworth.
1801 McAllister @ Baker. Day: 8am-3:30pm, Tues.-Sun. Night: 5pm-9pm, Tues.-Sat.
Matcha Cafe Maiko, Japantown SF
Try: Lisa can’t resist the green tea matcha soft serve boba from our Japantown partner.
Why: The right combo, says Lisa, of chewy balls, concentrated green tea, and brown sugar syrup. OK then.
Where: Japantown mall. The Korean-inspired bakery Jina Bakes is right across from Matcha Cafe. Just saying.
1581 Webster Street, Suite 175.
Image courtesy of Aron Pruiett
Damansara, Noe Valley, SF
Try: The laksa, obviously. We also loved the flaky curry puffs and the chef’s rendition of fried chicken.
Why: Living in foggy San Francisco, we could all use some fiery tropical spirit and feisty flavors from Asia.
Who: The first brick-and-mortar from La Cocina alum Tracy Goh, who developed a following for her Malaysian food through communal pop-up dinners via her Laksa Project. Find her on IG @eatwithtracy.
1781 Church Street @ 30th, Wed.-Sun. 5pm-9pm.
Photo courtesy of Dolly Valdez Bautista
Hawker Fare (RIP), Mission District, SF
Try: Farewell BBQ chicken, Brussels sprouts, and crispy rice ball salad.
Why: A send-off to our former Mission tour partner and cocktail tour collaborator Dolly Valdez Bautista, who carried us through COVID with her fabulous virtual cocktail classes.
Where: Find Dolly mixing drinks now at Villon (inside the Tenderloin’s Proper Hotel), Mission Bowling Club, and ODC cocktail classes. Follow her on instagram @modern.mixologist for up-to-the-minute pop-up events.
For fans of the menu at Hawker Fare, try Hawking Bird, its Lao Isaan twin location in Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. This EE partner survived the pandemic via it’s walk-up takeout window; it will re-open for indoor dining mid-March.
Hawking Bird: 4901 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. Tues-Sat: 11:30-8:15; Sun 11:30-8.
Hummus Bodega, Richmond District, SF
Try: The must have here in Lisa’s mind: halva mousse.
Why: Possibly the best dessert Lisa’s ever eaten. Sesame is her weakness and this creamy mousse, with a not-too-sweet nuttiness and chocolate layer on top is, she says, sublime.
Who: Run by Israeli immigrants, Issac Yosef and Din Beid, the bodega serves up both happiness and second chances. The owners have made it a practice to hire formerly incarcerated people to work here and its SOMA-based sister location, Frena bakery.
5549 Geary Street @20th. Mon.-Thurs. 11am-8pm. Saturday: Closed. Sun. 11am-7pm.