Noshtopia

One of the hot local sandwich chains in the Bay Area is Ike's Place. I heard about Ike's from some friends and their Facebook page is pretty bustling with photos and love from their customers.

When I first saw the menu, I noticed that the prices of their sandwiches range from $8.98-$11.11 and that is without any extras. That's pretty pricey for a sandwich. I can get a cheaper sandwich at the Whole Foods deli and that's saying something. But now, I can personally say, the Ike's sandwich is worth it!  And so do other people because the place had a non-stop line the hour I was there and it was off peak lunch hours at 2pm.

I ordered a vegan version of their Pilgrim sandwich and added avocado and red onions. The sandwich has vegan turkey and soy cheese with cranberry sauce and sriracha sauce which sounds like it would be a gross combo but holey moley, my first bite into this sandwich was palate bliss! The Pilgrim also comes with the vegan version of “Ike’s Dirty Secret Sauce” which is amazing and of course a secret.

Phoenix bestie @ElizabethHannan was in town visiting. After taking a loop around the Ferry Building to enjoy delectable Blue Bottle lattes, we walked over to The Plant Cafe at Pier 3, an organic cafe, to enjoy happy hour with a couple of appetizers and glasses of wine. 

I had brunch with the family recently, and dad got one of the specials which was this linguine pasta dish with lobster, mussels, clams, and shrimp. The dish was big enough food to feed three adults. I had to take a photo of dad's dish just because I was so fascinated with the seafood.

This dish reminded me of the East Coast and visions of fisherman coming into the harbor with their catch before most of us are out of bed.

My friend Maria @Studio747 was in town visiting last night, and I had to take her to Source SF. I haven't been able to stop thinking about that place and their Beet Red Quinoa salad. I was dying to try the brick oven pizza at Source because they can make any of their pizza vegan. It's challenging to find a really good vegan pizza.

The search is over...

OMG! You know that feeling when you put food in your mouth, chew, and literally you can feel the happiness going down to your tummy. That is how I felt when eating the vegan version of their Grilled Veggie pizza. Pure joy, I tell you. What I found interesting is that they use a cashew based cheese, so the pizza is soy-free. Cool!

The Grilled Veggie Pizza has grilled squash, eggplant, artichoke hearts, assorted mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, plum tomato sauce and fresh cut basil sprinkled on top. The crust was exactly how I love it, slightly crispy with a soft inside. 

The pizza is pretty big too. I'd say three people can eat well with a side green salad. I had some wonderful cold pizza leftovers today.

Maria ordered the vegetarian version of their Smashed Potato pizza which has fresh mozzarella, provolone, parmesan, swiss, romano, herbed potatoes, garlic sauce, and fresh cut basil sprinkled on top.

If you are in San Francisco, you must visit Source. I'm telling you, they have some of THE best plant-based food I've ever eaten.

If you want a good place to ease into vegetarian and vegan food, Source in San Francisco is an excellent restaurant to visit. It's located down the street from Zynga headquarters. With all the plant-based foods at Source, it should be the digital restaurant in Farmville. It was my first visit to Source, and was a spontaneous decision after hanging out at the New Living Expo with a friend all day. Lots of walking made me hungry.

Saw these pretty red and white beans at the SF Ferry Building farmers market. The beans sitting among the fresh cilantro and garlic inspires me to make some chili.

Samovar Tea in the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco is one of my favorite places to chill because it's a tea adventure in there, and the food is splendid.

One of my favorite teas is the Apple Ginseng Oolong because one, it just looks so pretty, and two you pour hot water into the bowl with the chunks of apple, spices, and loose leaf tea. Let steep for literally a few seconds, and then pour into your tea cup.

White ginseng harks from the Panax root and is known to promote “vital energy and libido.” ...so says the menu. Not sure about the libido part, but this tea definitely makes me happy.

This weekend I participated in the first Food Hackathon in San Francisco. One of my favorite foods during the event were these self-made vegan, gluten-free sushi tacos.

My plate before and after the feast. Gastric joy! If I was at my house, I would have licked the plate clean, but in other people's homes, manners. Continuing on from our healthy Indian Afghan feast from yesterday, here are the remaining three dishes going clockwise starting from the 30 minute position.

If I had to pick a favorite of the six dishes it would be this one, grilled Turkey Kababs made with organic Turkey and spices, and is gluten-free. Turkey is a leaner meat compared to beef or lamb, and I dig the idea of blending a popular American meat with Indian spices.

Next up is Indian Aloo Paratha which is potato stuffed dough filled with spices accompanied with organic yogurt dip with more spices.

And to finish up, we have Afghani Pulao, a rice dish called Golden Sela cooked Afghan style with spices. This dish is what mom is most famous for because she has cut much of the fat out from the traditional version yet retains the flavor experience. This rice dish is also gluten-free. This was my first time to try Pulao, so I can't compare. All I can say is that for a first time experience I had three helpings.

Demand for mom's cooking from family and friends has become so popular she started a catering business in the Bay Area. She has even served some of her incredible food at local schools which I think is awesome because it is introducing children to different global cuisine and a blending of cultures. I have no doubt the turkey kababs are a hit with the kids. I could eat a whole plate of those kababs.

Next time mom and Amrita are cooking, I'm coming over. Good times!

Tonight for dessert was simple, a scoop of Luna & Larry's Organic Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, made with coconut milk topped with crushed walnuts and a tablespoon of Mountain Fruit Co. Red Duet fruit spread which is simply pureed strawberries and raspberries mixed together. This fruit spread is heavenly and remarkably only 5g or sugar per serving.