For some time now the dreamboat has wanted to swing by It’s Tops over on Market for brunch, so this weekend we finally did it. Turns out its one of the least vegetarian friendly places I have ever been in my life, which I suppose is to be expected from a diner/soda fountain that’s been around since before it was hip to not eat meat, but still pretty good.

Based on photos the dreamboat showed me I went in expecting to love the atmosphere, and as expected, I did. This place is so adorable and so cozy. You walk in and there are old photos and awards on the walls and oldies playing over the speakers. Each booth has a mini juke full of what one can only assume to be top 40 oldies because only the artists are listed and that’s what was playing (sadly there is a review on Yelp that says they don’t work). I love the element of surprise in that! The waitresses wear cute 50s inspired tops along with coffee and syrup stained aprons. The seats are comfy and most of them look out onto ever entertaining Market Street.

The menu is very meat centric, which is great for almost everyone. You want bacon or sausage in your waffles? You got it! An egg breakfast with 3 kinds of meat? You got that too! On the veggie side they have a few things also. I had a hot chocolate, a plain buttermilk waffle (they sadly didn’t have bananas for walnuts inside bananas on top waffles), a scrambled egg and fried potatoes. Nothing mind blowing, in taste or presentation, but a filling “American” breakfast. The two things that made me happiest food wise were the delicious hot chocolate, which is really chocolaty and the perfect amount of sweet, and the maple syrup, which I’m told they make themselves, but I’m not 100% sure of that.

I’m totally going to order a strawberry malt for breakfast next time.

photographs taken by Mike Fischer and Wiseacre used under creative commons.

It feels like I haven’t been the the farmers market in forever. As of late the weekends are an ideal time for my immune system to get all out of whack. The Alemany Farmers market is my market of choice, but this isn’t about that. This is about my first market, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is lovely with its bayside setting, good food, and its beautifully designed building full of deliciousness, but its also by far the stodgiest of the farmers markets that I have been to.

For me this market just doesn’t have the sense of community that the other markets I’ve been to have. It is very different depending on what part of the market you’re in. The vendors in the front of the Ferry Building don’t really seem all to interested in the people who are there to purchase their wares. They are more concerned with talking to each other, and taking money, than answering questions about the things they are selling. The vendors in the back of the building however, are lovely people! They answer my questions, help me pick out exactly what I am looking for if I need assistance, and they are all around friendly, personable people. I don’t know if they have a lottery for spots, but you would think the people in the front would be chipper seeing they have a better chance of attracting lots of customers.

It’s not all bad though. I do recommend this market if you want to purchase a lot of homemade treats, like honey straws, jams and dried fruits. I also like that each vendor displays a sign saying where in California they’re from and a bit of the history of them and their farm. It’s also beautiful on a sunny day, and when you’re done purchasing healthy things you can go inside and get yummy gelato from Ciao Bella or a beautiful cupcake from Miette. Delish!

Ever get those serious cravings for something delicious, salty, and fried but have no idea what you should get or where you should get it? Well ponder it no more! Frijtz is my favorite place in San Francisco for a quick greasy pick me up. Their Belgian fries are by far the best fries that I have had… ever. I mean that 100%. They are thick, well salted, and cooked to a crunchy but “soft” perfection; unlike most thick fries that tend to get overly mushy. They have all kinds of random creative dipping sauces as well. Balsamic Mayo, Strawberry Mustard, and Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch are my faves, while the dreamboat is partial to their Smokey Honey Mustard, Tamarind Cashew Ketchup and having our fries drizzled truffle oil. It’s a nice little place to stop on a sunny weekend afternoon for brunch (they have salads, sandwiches and crepes too!) or swing by for a tasty bite before a night of bar hopping and dancing in the Mission and/or Hayes Valley when they open that one back up. (Is it back open yet? I should call and check…)

Where do you go when you’re craving something that you can’t quite put your finger on?

“Well let me tell you something mister, if I had her money I’d be richer than she is, because I’d keep the candy store!” - Miss Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

While I don’t know anything about keeping criminals in Sing Sing on the side for extra funds, I do like to think I know a little something about candy, and candy stores. After all, candy has been my favorite “food” since I was a kid. For the next few weeks I plan on making a trip to all the Candy Stores I can find in San Francisco. I’ve been to the 3 that I know of, one being an adorable shop that I visit once a month. I will put my sleuthing skills to action, and try to hunt down some more. I’ll report my findings here at DF.

Until then, what’s your favorite sweet spot in or out of the Bay Area?

Try 20 new brands of beer minus Newcastle, my beer - So i’m finally done with this one. YAY! I have a feeling i probably tried more than 20 new beers, but these are ones i actually remembered to keep track of. Some were horrible, some not so horrible, and then there were the ones that were just damn good. On to the list!

1.Pete’s Wicked Strawberry Blonde -Not too classy, but ok. Lacking on the berry front.

2.Blue Moon -I forgot to write down anything specific for this one, but i remember liking it. Not too bitter with a tang of citrus.

3.Fat Tire -YEAH!! This has become my second favorite beer. Those i’ve introduced to it have loved it, even the French! Go try it. Now!

4.Red Stripe -Eh, nothing great. At least they have “hooray” in their ad campaign.

5.Hatachino Nest Red Rice Ale -A tasty, somewhat bitter Japanese beer. Its pink!

6.Stella Artois

7.Negro Modelo- Very full and dark. Far better than Corona or Dos Equis as far as Mexican beers go. I couldn’t find a website, ill triple check for one when the sun is up.

8.Salvation -This beer is damn good, and the label is awesome. If you decide to try it please make sure you buy the right one. Its made by Russian River Brewing. Theres another one made by Avery, but i haven’t had that one. This one has awesome shears on the bottle. TRY IT!, and dont be scared because their website is frightening. Thanks to Mr. Os Neskali for introducing it to me!

9.Anchor Steam -Awesome San Francisco brewed beer that treats you right.

10.Pyramid Hefe Weizen -A smooth, tingly, beer with a tang of citrus. This one gets foamy, so pour it smartly.

11.Full Sail

12.Hakim Stout -This beer is from Ethiopia. I don’t like it too much, but the dreamboat loves it. To me its a tad bitter and has a strange licorice/anise taste, but eh, many seem to like it.

13.Lindemens Cherry Lambec -Oh my goodness!! Get your hands on any of the Lambecs from these people! I started with Cherry, but heavens, they’re all so tasty. So sweet and amazing. Not really a tough, ooo football, grunt and ass slap kinda beer, so i wouldn’t really take it to pre game tailgating or anything. Its more of a picnic in the park kinda beer. If you’re like me you’ll forget its got alcohol in it wonder why you’re tipsy after a couple glasses.

14.Butte Creek Brewing Co Organic Porter -I had this one at Nopa. I remember liking it, but thats about it.

15.Pacifico -Much like Corona, but with a different name and more whiz-bang label.

16.Saint Peters Cream Stout -Definitely creamy, kinda bitter, kinda strange, but the bottle is beautiful.

17.Sapporo -This ones good! Slightly Newcastle like in my opinion. Not too sweet, not too bitter. A little cheesy on the webgirl front though.

18.Chimay Red -A++. This beer goes well with so many things. Fries, tapas, Indian food. Its all in there.

19.Meta -Now this is an Ethiopian beer I can get with. A little sweet and not too carbonated. Bring on the Messer-Wot and the Meta, add extra Injera please.

20.Racer 5 -If you want a beer with an in your face personality this is it ladies and gents. Talk about opinionated. It was honestly the worst beer i’ve ever had, yet i still had 4 glasses of the stuff. It gets better as you get more “mellow”. If you’re all about the hops, than this is for you!

and one to grow on…

21.Sanctification -This taste like Kombucha Tea and sweatsocks fermented for 90 days in old dish water. Its made by the same people who brought us Salvation up at the beginning of the list so i was expecting something similar and that was not the case. This one is very unique.

I am definitely more of a beer drinker now, and im digging it.