Eats

 image via my Instagram at Mamacita

Food. 

So good.

Living in SF means I constantly have access to amazing eats. In fact, keeping up with said amazing eats can be exhausting. Pre-baby, the husband and I would frequent many restaurants on our shared list of "restaurants to eat at." So original, right?

However, post-baby meant dropping that list (for now). Our list still grows, but we're figuring out the best-for-us-sorta-baby-friendly spots in SF. 

So why am I bringing food up now? Well, it's one of those topics that I always wanted to venture out on this blog. Not because I'm some amazing cook or connoisseur of SF dining, but simply to share my enthusiasm with others who feel the same way. I value good ingredients and the efforts that go towards cooking a good meal. I like to cook and I like to eat. And while I'm perpetually perusing the web for fellow mothers who appreciate the art of cooking and the love of dining, I figured that I could share my little knowledge base as well.

It'll be a work in progress for sure. I'm going to balance my personal style with my personal take on food. A little bit of experimentation if you will.


Don't worry, I'm not trying to become a Martha Stewart here. I'll leave that to the professionals. 

But, I sure am going to check off that item on my to-do list I mentioned before.

Damn good sandwich at the Deli Board

 Dining and waiting for pizza at Pizzeria Delfina

Elevated comfort food at Marla Bakery

Surprise! A gifted Kitchen Aid for Christmas means an attempt at deep dish pizza at home!

Wednesday Whim - Symmetry Breakfast

 images via Symmetry Breakfast (Michael Zee) via Instagram

The way to a person's heart is through his stomach. That certainly can be proven by Michael Zee's Instagram feed where he showcases symmetrical breakfast plates he makes for himself and his boyfriend, Mark van Beek. 

By chance one morning, Michael Zee noticed the breakfast plates he prepared (an omlette, avocado, salami and fruit juice) were symmetrical. In a move as simple as snapping a photo and posting said photo online, a social media star was born. Yet, as simple as the images appear, there is still quite a bit of prep work involved compared to his very first food photo post. Michael states that if a food item takes more than 30 minutes to make then he prepares it the night before. Otherwise, he wakes up earlier than normal to prepare the food and ensure a picture perfect meal is made. He posts the photo by 7:30am and they are out the door for the day by 8am. To keep things interesting, Michael researches global breakfast ideas to change up his menu.

More than just a devoted foodie and photographer, Michael continues this photo series because it is "...a declaration of love...both to breakfast and to Mark."

 

Food!

all images my own via Instagram and my iPhone - (above: fresh mochi from Japantown!)

You may recall my words about stepping up my fitness game but, I am no stranger when it comes to eating food. I still enjoy a good meal and even a cheat meal but, I make wiser choices on the daily. It's all about balance, of course. 

My phone has definitely become a part of my dining experience. While I don't want to be that person who slows down the dining experience, I do manage to sneak in a photo before the meal is consumed. Even my husband admits that a photo has come in handy when we repeat restaurants and can't be specific about what we ate (insert photo history here). 

Based on these photos, I don't think my food photo habits are going to die anytime soon.

 Ramen life from a favorite neighborhood spot

Wild boar scissor cut (fresh) noodles and woke seared beef with argulua from M.Y. China

Namu Gaji (handmade noodle with chicken broth and Korean barley tea

Coffee n clothes 

Last of the seasonal fruit

 Wedding reception noms

Marla Bakery fresh baked bread!

Cassava brunch - duck leg confit with summer peach, quinoa and poached egg

Marla Bakery - coffee and bagel

Super Duper Burgers - cheeseburger and fries on National Cheeseburger Day

AT&T Park (SF Giants) - garlic fries

Troya SF - pita bread, falafel, chicken kabab

Wednesday Whim - Foodie

 all images via Henry Hargreaves

When it comes to food, I'm open to trying anything. Being fortunate enough to live in such a foodie city like San Francisco, I love to explore different neighborhoods and stumble upon a new "hole in the wall" or intentionally going to try a gourmet restaurant that's been on my list of places of try (which grows by the day). Naturally, I was attracted to this new series called Food Maps created by New Zealand-based artist, Henry Hargreaves, who collaborated with New York-based stylist, Caitlin Levin, and graphic designer, Sarit Memed, to create these amazing maps made out of food. Literally.

Using food products most commonly associated with a particular country (i.e. spices for India, cheese for France, etc.), the map represents the shape of the country as well as its culture. Despite all the things that make each country different, the language of food is a common ground that roots everyone. 

Check out other countries on Henry Hargreaves' website and the fun "how it came together" video below!

Food Maps from Kiwi and Eagle on Vimeo.

Wednesday Whim - Creative Cupcakes

all images via Alana Jones-Mann via Colossal

Apparently, I have been living under a rock. I came across blogger, Alana Jones-Mann, only recently and to say the least, I. AM. OBSESSED. Beyond being a beautiful blogger, she is an extremely talented DIY-maven and self-taught baker. For this particular post (originally posted April, 2013), she creates these stunning cupcakes. I mean…c'mon...how genius are these? Although food art is not new, these thoughtfully designed desserts are so precious that they are too good not to share and inspire others. With time, patience and an eye for detail, Alana Jones-Mann gives a tutorial on how she created these wonderfully curated pieces. If keeping plants in the home gives you any anxiety, you can at least keep these temporary and edible "plants."

Wednesday Whim - Samantha Lee

 all images via Samantha Lee via Huffington Post

I must have been living under a rock because this is the first time I've come across Samantha Lee's edible work. How amazing is this stay at home mom who has created art out of everyday food? The Malaysia-based mother of two wanted to find a way to get her daughters excited to eat food and began her first Bento in December 2008. Despite not having a culinary background (and calling herself "ordinary and average"), she has made food be edible art. Samantha Lee even provides step-by-step instructions of how she made her plates so other parents (or non-parents) can recreate her work! She has had numerous press features and a big following on Instagram so if you haven't already seen her work, I highly suggest spending some time perusing her work!