Category: Hot Picks

Being the hedonist that my partner is, particularly when it comes to food, it's a rare occasion when I introduce something she's never had before. Not long after arriving in San Francisco in January, I had the opportunity, and I relished the fact that I'd found them before her as much as the delicious discovery itself.

One afternoon, a colleague arrived at work with a yellow cardboard box and a giant smile on his face. "Beard Papas!" he exclaimed. "What? Beer poppers?" I had no idea what he was talking about. He set down the box and opened it to reveal six wax paper wrapped pastries dusted with confectioners' sugar. Cream puff style pastries, from what I could tell. Well that's cool, I thought; I've never met a cream puff I didn't like, so sure, I'll try one.

One wasn't enough. The three of us at work that day made it through the entire six before we headed home. Every bite was punctuated with a wide-eyed exclamation or a guttural moan of delight. Full to bursting with a unique blend of vanilla bean custard and whipped cream, each pastry was light and crispy on the outside but slightly doughy on the inside, containing the filling with the perfect blend of consistencies.

The Beard Papa story is told on their website in a cute animated short. It all began in Osaka, Japan, with a small bakery where a man the people of Osaka called "Beard Papa", because of his fluffy white beard. After being asked to create a new sweet, Beard Papa was prompted by this nickname-inspiring feature to create the world's most perfect cream puff. Beard Papa now has locations throughout Japan, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, Singapore and the US, serving the "World's Best Cream Puffs" in a variety of flavors as well as éclairs, cheesecake sticks, and fondue au chocolat. Always available for Beard Papa fillings are chocolate and the original vanilla bean, and on a rotating weekly schedule are green tea, strawberry, caramel, tiramisu, and pumpkin. Each puff is filled when you order it, ensuring that the pastry itself is still crisp and light.

You can find Beard Papa in the Westfield Center, or at the nearby storefront on Yerba Buena Lane between 3rd and 4th streets. Try just one, if you think it'll do the trick, but I'd suggest having a cup of coffee and eating it nearby – there's a good chance you'll end up going back for a yellow cardboard box full for you and yours.

I'm a big fan of the "don't blink or you'll miss it" sorts of places – shops, restaurants, coffee houses, art galleries – any variety of place where, were it more noticeable, I'd have a hard time getting in and out with my sanity intact. San Francisco is full of such out of the way nooks and crannies; right in the heart of the busiest neighborhoods, you can find these tiny places only by either knowing that they're there, or entering each door on a street, hoping you aren't busting into someone's home uninvited.

One such place is Castro Cheesery, located at 427 Castro. With just room enough for two or three people to stand side by side, and a street side window that's obstructed by shelving, this storefront may well be one of the easiest places to miss, particularly amid the brightly colored signage of Castro's surrounding businesses. You'll want to make sure you find this covert operation, though; particularly if you live in the neighborhood and need caffeine to jump start your day, or if you're visiting the Castro and could use a midday pick-me-up.

Despite its name, Castro Cheesery sees more customers for coffee than for cheeses, though their selection there is admirable and well priced. Signs around the shop categorize both coffee and cheese by type, strength, and location of origin, and the family members who staff the cheesery are knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. You can get freshly ground or whole bean coffee by the pound, or have a drink made for you in moments. Grab a package of madelines or one of many flavors of biscotti, and your morning (or afternoon) is off to a running start. The prices are lower by far than those at chain coffee shops, and that combined with the knowledge that you're supporting an independent business is usually more than enough to make it worthwhile for any local SFer.

I've tried several of the standard coffee drinks here, and have yet to be disappointed. Their dark roasts in particular are robust and not as acidic as those I've found elsewhere, and the additions to the sweet beverages temper the coffee just enough without overwhelming the brew. If you're looking to get your fill of great coffee without emptying your wallet, be sure you don't miss this spot.

Meatloaf and macaroni and cheese? They said they wanted to go to a really nice restaurant. Are you sure about this? "Just trust me." With a completely unconcerned smile, my partner whisked me out the door and propelled me towards the car.

My friends had come from the East Coast to visit me here in San Francisco. Their week in town had nearly ended, and as a thank you for housing them while they were here, they insisted on taking us out for a wonderful dinner. At the time, I had only lived in the City for a few months, and as any transplant who works for a living can tell you, there aren't too many meals that cost more than ten dollars happening at first; San Francisco may be a foodie's wonderland, but the cost of living sure comes as a shock for a girl from Portland, Maine. So of course, I turned to my partner for a recommendation for a fancy dinner; as an eleven-year resident, and a hedonist like myself, she knows where to get the best in anything and everything around San Francisco. Her selection? The Blue Plate Restaurant.

The few tables in Blue Plate are occupied when we arrive, which is no wonder; its seating capacity is limited and intimate, but we don't mind waiting on the back patio. We are led to a table in the garden, where our host pays us exquisite attention despite the fact that we are the only people seated outside. Our wines arrive, and we are apologized to repeatedly for the wait; it seems the people inside are lingering over dessert. No worries, we assure the staff, but we are treated to an appetizer of Gnocchi in a garlic cream sauce for our trouble. The sauce is perfectly balanced, the Gnocchi perfectly cooked, and before we know it, we're being ushered to our table.

At my partner's insistence, we order the meatloaf and the macaroni and cheese to share. All I can think of are the meatloaves and macaroni and cheeses I've seen thus far, and for the life of me, I can't imagine any of it arriving on a plate at an upscale San Francisco restaurant. When the Blue Plate meals arrive, however, it all makes sense.

The portion of meatloaf is enormous, and it's pretty. Have you ever seen pretty meatloaf? No? I'm telling you, it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. The greens and potatoes round off the meal brilliantly, and with every bite, I can imagine the look on my face – caught somewhere between, "Are you kidding me?" and "Can we eat this every night? Please?" The macaroni and cheese is as far from the boxed stuff as you can possibly dream; served in an earthenware bowl, you know that they just finished melting the drunken goat cheese on the pasta and spread the breadcrumbs over the top only seconds before it hit your table. My friends were every bit as impressed with their meals as I was with mine, and my partner was able to wear an "I told you so" smirk all night long.

The portion of meatloaf is enormous, and it's pretty. Have you ever seen pretty meatloaf? No? I'm telling you, it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. The greens and potatoes round off the meal brilliantly, and with every bite, I can imagine the look on my face – caught somewhere between, "Are you kidding me?" and "Can we eat this every night? Please?" The macaroni and cheese is as far from the boxed stuff as you can possibly dream; served in an earthenware bowl, you know that they just finished melting the drunken goat cheese on the pasta and spread the breadcrumbs over the top only seconds before it hit your table. My friends were every bit as impressed with their meals as I was with mine, and my partner was able to wear an "I told you so" smirk all night long.