San Francisco is known for its fine dining - take the top ten restaurants here and it'll stand up to the top ten from any city (including New York). If you're on a budget, however, it seems like you have to settle for greasy burritos with pre-cooked carne asada, or a slice of bland pizza that's neither as robust as those from Chicago nor as crisp and tangy as those from New York. But fortunately you don't need to compromise quality when you want a little treat in the Bay Area. This is, afterall, the Fertile Crescent of America. So here are my five favorite things to eat (or drink) for under $5 in the Bay Area.
Canales at Boulangerie de Polk
Canales originated in the Bordeaux region of France. Bite into one and you’ll sense that it’s unlike anything you’ve ever had. The uniquely crunchy, crackling shell is achieved by coating a copper mold with a mixture of butter and beeswax. And just inside the shell is a moist, almost creamy (although it’s solid) cake that is often compared to crème brulee for its modest sweetness and luxurious egg-and-cream richness (in fact, canales are sometimes referred to as the portable crème-brulee). I’ve had them at several places, but the best ones are at Boulangerie de Polk and its sister shop Boulange de Cole. They pair deliciously with a tall cup of light Darjeeling tea (no cream or sugar needed). $1.75
Boylan’s Cola
Once in a while, a product comes along that totally jars the entire category. You think you know cola, don’t you? Who hasn’t had a coke or a pepsi? In fact, the top three soft drinks in the world are Coca Cola, Diet Coke, and Pepsi. They’ve become so ubiquitous that there’s very little questioning what cola should taste like. We think we know. Enter Boylan’s Cola. It’s a small bottler based in San Francisco and they’ve been around for quite some time, but without quite the marketing muscle of its larger competitors. Just try it. Open a bottle, listen to the fizz, and take one sip. As one friend (who is known to be the model of self-control) emphatically exclaimed “It REALLY tastes like COLA!” And there you have it. It really tastes like cola.
$1.25 - $1.75. Available at a variety of fine markets throughout the bay area, including BiRite in the Mission District.
Shanghai Dumplings at Koi
A friend told me that a long time ago an Emperor in China called on every region to bring the finest examples of their region’s best dish. They all gathered together and the Emperor feasted on every morsel, and that event gave birth to what we now call dim sum. And of all the foods he ate, he declared that the dumplings from Shanghai were the best. And I’m not one to argue with emperors, especially one that loves food and can have you quartered by horses with a mere gesture of the royal hand. Shanghai dumplings are essentially a dollop of minced pork wrapped in a thin but dense flour-based wrap. What makes them so special is that a small solidified cube of a rich stock, which melts in the steaming process, is placed with the minced pork, creating a “soup” wrapped inside the dumpling. The Shanghai dumplings at Koi are my favorite because they have a pure pork flavor that is unobstructed by an abundance of garlic, chives, or ginger, as is the case in many other restaurants. Here the dumplings have a clean, delicate flavor and the subtle sweetness of the pork comes through. Dip it in the house vinegar, and you have a match made in heaven… er, Shanghai.
$3.90 for 4 dumplings. But order at least 10. No, make that 20.
Dark Chocolate with Burnt Caramel confection by Michael Recchiuti
If you’ve read my blog entry “I’m a Snob” you know by now that I love chocolaty confections, and Michael Recchiuti’s Dark Chocolate with Burnt Caramel is the finest confection I’ve ever had. (And trust me, I’ve had lots of chocolates from all over the world.) No wonder it’s his signature confection (his initials are printed on the chocolate). Mr. Recchiuti cooks his caramel just up until it’s about to burn, resulting in a mild bitterness that adds depth and complexity to his confection. There are others, and I’m certain you’ll find your favorite. Perhaps the Piedmont (hazelnut), or the Kona (kona coffee), or any number of other confections infused with a variety of other ingredients including pink peppercorn and jasmine tea – all bold yet refined. I’m getting a hankerin’ just writing about them right now.
Approximately $1.25 - $2.00 per piece. Available at the Ferry Building, Neiman Marcus, and Confetti stores.
Frosted Mocha at Café Borrone
It’s a mocha shake with whip cream. But put down that straw and bring out the steak knife and fork. This is thick and serious. Drink one a week and within a month you’ll start to see some hair growing where it has no business being. Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream, ground espresso beans, chocolate, and perhaps a few drops of milk are blended together. Then placed on top is a curl of whipped cream, whipped in some secret manner that produces the thickest, smoothest whipped cream available anywhere. This was mandatory drinking when you had to pull an all-nighter in school, but I say it should be mandatory drinking for everyone at any time.
$4.95, Café Borrone (Menlo Park)
