El Toro Loco

Upon my arrival back to Richmond, VA I was craving fresh Mexican Food. Well close to where my car was being inspected is El Toro Loco. I was craving a chicken burrito with fresh salsa and crunchy corn chips. WOW! Was I wrong. What I received was a bland burrito covered with a cheese sauce (which was not good) all served with stale corn chips and water like salsa. UMMM UMMM Good, NOT! Never will I return.

Dos Pinas Taqueria

It took me 11 weeks to find a good Mexican Restaurant and it was four blocks from my trainer’s gym. This lip smacking eatery at the foot of Potrero Hill on Rhode Island and 16th was hmmm hmmm good. The best nachos I have had in a while, topped with fresh salsa, guac, s.cream, beans and cheese. They were not greasy, it all tasted fresh. MOLE! A burrito with mole and beans, avocado and chicken hit the spot.

I am so sad I am leaving because this place is so good I would return. Authentic Mexican food that is not greasy is very hard to find. One can find it at Dos Pinas.

Delessio Market

Sure this is not a true restaurant. They do have food you can buy and there are table, just no body is serving you. I say, who needs it! WOW WOW WOW, I have found the best Mac and Cheese in town, HANDS DOWN!!! It is cheesy, you can taste the cheese, the pasta is tender, its shells and you get your serving our of a cast iron skillet. LOVE IT!!

Their free range chicken is delicious, I have been known to eat the entire bird in one sitting. Dessert you ask? Where do I begin? Well get your happy little butt to Delessio Market on Broderick Street and eat till your heart is content. My first trip there I told the women ringing me up she was evil for all this food. Her reaction? A quick little smirk as she said "yes, I know."

Sauce

I have not been excited to visit a restaurant in a while like I was about Sauce in Hayes Valley. On the radio they raved at how delicious the Mac and cheese is and they use homemade pasta. Well, I am not one to turn down Mac and cheese let alone homemade pasta. This dish sounded interesting as it was served with asparagus and chicken. Well for $19 dollars I was hoping for the best.

My first bite.... hmm is there cheese in this? Second bite.... is this American cheese? Third bite...wow this sucks! How can one screw up Mac and cheese. Honestly, I would have been satisfied with Annie's Box Mac and Cheese.

My conclusion is that San Francisco has concentrated on healthy food or California cuisine for so long, that no one here can make food that is flavorful and rich. I suppose I will go back to my grandmother's recipe for Mac and cheese made with sharp cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs.

Oh and by the way their signature dessert of PB&J, well I could taste the jelly, but it was as though the peanut butter was just blown onto the plate because I could barely taste it. I would not return to Sauce.

Betelnut

Betelnut-Betelnut-Betelnut

My first impression was how good can an Asian Restaurant be in an area that is a bland as Vanilla icecream? Well this little hot spot on Union Street proved me wrong. The overaly down trendy boutiques were stale compared to this restaurant. With that said I can see why some love this area nestled close to the Marina. The atmosphere of Betelnut was high energy, techno playing in the background, the tables intimately close to your neighbor; you almost wanted to reach over and try their food.

Before you read on, do no order the entrees!! Order the apps and starters, they are half the price and the same size. This way you can try more dishes for the same money. The dishes are considered "family style" no not Italian Family Style; I asked. The dishes are small, and come out when they are ready. It is almost like a SURPRISE!

With all that said, you still should try the Pork Entree, wrap the pork, carrots and cucumbers in the lettuce leaves. YUM YUM!! The spring rolls were fried, but not too greasy. The scallops with coconut rice cakes had a spice to them. My dark and stormy drink was great the first time and the second time.

I would go back to Betelnut, but not on a weekend, the area is not my flavor.

Range

Simplicity, Fresh Ingredients, Knowledgeable Service encompasses the experience I found at Range in the Mission. The restaurant is slightly narrow, with the main dining room in the back (a little loud at times, especially if there is a loud mouth woman behind your table). Mirrors adorn the walls so those facing the wall can see around the restaurant. Our server helped us out from the cocktails to our entrees and it was an explosion of delight with every bite. If you like spirts then you need to try the Dark and Stormy, I liken it to an Arnold Palmer with a BIG kick!

Heirloom Tomatoes with Sheep's Milk Ricotta and Basil Oil - so soft yet firm tomatoes, the basil oil is to die for
Roasted Chicken with a sausage, gypsy pepper and cornbread dressing, lemon herb jus - who knew chicken could taste so good
Slow Cooked Pork Chop with Peruvian Beans, Broccoli Rabe and Herb Glaze - Let me tell you that you will not want to share this and the Herb Glaze you may want to drink in a glass. YES! It was that good. Fear not, the beans taste like little potatoes.

For dessert, Bittersweet chocolate - armagnac souffle. I have never had a souffle. It came out as I imagined, in a souffle cup, so delicately risen over the lip. I skipped the bittersweet sauce and oh heaven, it was as thought I was eatting whipped chocolate.

I would run back for the opportunity to eat at Range, well once a month since the menu changes often.

Escape From New York Pizza

You Say Potato. I say potato. Me thinks I hit the holy grail of pizza. Flat crust, pesto sauce, roasted garlic, mozz cheese and seasoned red potato. Yes potato. I have never had potatoes on pizza and if you haven't then you should. What could be better? Well a little grilled chicken of course, everyone needs protein.

Spork

Remember when KFC served a spork with the potatoes and gravy, hmm do they still? Who cares, because in the Mission there is a great place called Spork and rumor has it the building used to be a KFC. A spork was served with my dinner, in fact anything you order can be eaten with a Spork. These are not the old plastic sporks, they are new, metal and have some weight to them. The beer list is interesting, do not try using the spork, it is not effective; of course I tried.

Tuna, Pork, Peaches and Goat Cheese, Ricotta and Fresh Fruit.....it can all be eaten with a spork. Of this place is grand. Try the bread with the butter....you were warned!