April 26, 2010 5:42 pm

Bossa Nova: Gol! for Good Brazilian on a Budget

It wasn't easy, but I finally convinced my husband to accompany me to the musical Wicked, playing at the historical and beautiful Orpheum Theatre located in San Francisco's historical albeit-it-less-beautiful Tenderloin district. We bought discount tickets for the show and in the spirit on budget-consciousness, we decided to find a reasonable dinner spot in the area. A vegan restaurant just around the corner from the theatre caught our interest but when we arrived they were closed! A quick Google search on our phones brought us to Bossa Nova, a funky Brazilian locale just a couple of blocks down, south of Market.

We walked in to a colorful and eclectic hole-in-the-wall, complete with Brazilian futbol theme. After seating us, our server suggested a glass of the Alma Mora Malbec from Argentina, which we thrilled to learn was the happy hour special! The Malbec was earthy, full-bodied and smooth, and paired easily with the myriad of tapas-style small plates that decked the menu. Tip: To stay on budget when ordering tapas, order 3-4 plates for two people to start and hang on to a menu. You can always order more if you're still hungry.

I was immediately drawn to the Beet Salad with Crispy Fennel and a Piquant Honey Citrus Vinaigrette. The Sautéed Black Tiger Prawns were served with crunchy garlic bread in a buttery, garlic sauce with notes of citrus and cilantro. Yum! We weren't impressed with the Chicken Croquettes but the Lamb Skewers more than made up for the disappointment. Cooked medium with a nice sear; served with three salsas: a spicy mango, a tomatillo and a mild picante; and paired with coconut rice, this dish disappeared quickly! Tip: Make your own coconut rice at home by combining coconut milk, shredded coconut, water and rice, and cooking rice stovetop or in rice cooker as usual.

Bossa Nova
139 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.558.8004

Photo credit: Courtesy of Kevin Bond, zagat.com

— Written by Cia Court Rosenberg

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Tags : Bossa Nova San Francisco, SOMA nightlife, Brazilian restaurants SF, Cia Court Rosenberg, Behind the Burner

March 14, 2010 10:43 pm

High-End Food Court: Where to Find Not So Fast Food in San Francisco

Picture your local mall's food court. On one side you have Panda Express, across the way Burger King, Sbarro and, of course, Hot Dog on a Stick. But modern times and palates have evolved traditional fast food choices and many shopping centers have thankfully embraced gourmet. At the Westfield San Francisco Centre, you can find a diverse assortment of cuisines that don't involve deep-frying or their employees muddling a bucketful of lemons with a giant pogo stick. On a break between two 3-hour voiceover classes, I decided to try Catch Isle and their Grilled Salmon with Tarragon Spinach Risotto.

My food was ready within 10 minutes of placing the order but it didn't taste like it was made in a hurry. The salmon was tender with a slightly crispy sear from the grill and beautifully presented atop a bed of creamy risotto. I could taste a hint of butter, olive oil and pepper on the fish. My first bite had me swooning and mumbling "Oh my gawwww...." around my fork. Then I dove into the risotto, strewn with thick leaves of spinach and tarragon. A string of earthy Parmesan trailed from plate to fork. The rice was perfectly al dente and had just the right amount of "chew."

The portion was generous but at $10.75, the price was definitely smaller than comparable restaurant cuisine. Tip: While you'll give up ambience this quick dining destination, you'll get a delicious and healthy meal that your wallet and watch will love.

Catch Isle
845 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-1923
415.882.1699

Photo credit: Cia Court Rosenberg

— Written by Cia Court Rosenberg

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Tags : Westfield Shopping Centre San Francisco, Catch Isle, Hot Dog on a Stick, mall food court, upscale mall food, Sbarro, Panda Express, Burger King, Cia Court Rosenberg, Behind the Burner, Hot Dog on Stick lemonade, salmon risotto