Mission Mission

Whenever I’m with new people at Beretta and I order the margherita with burrata, I find myself having to explain burrata. I do okay, but not as good as the Cheesemonger:

Burrata means “buttered” in Italian. It’s that rich. What it really is, though, is fresh cheese at its best. At first glance, burrata resembles a ball of mozzarella. But upon further scrutiny, it’s clear that this round of cheese is softer, and indeed, when cut, has an interior that spills out, revealing soft, stringy curd and fresh cream. If you’re a lover of mozzarella, ricotta, or really anything that’s straight-up creamy, this cheese is so what you want.

Let’s get one thing clear: Burrata is not mozzarella. And burrata is not buffala mozzarella, although it’s made from buffalo milk. Burrata is its own thing entirely, and you’ll know this the second you taste it. Perhaps some of the confusion has come from its tradition, which tells of a cheesemaking process that was born from another: burrata was made in order to rescue the little scraps of mozzarella di bufala that were leftover in the cheesemaking vat.

And there’s lots more to it too. Read on.

(Thanks, Brittney!)

[Pic by Camden Swita]

According to a Pacifica news source I just learned about, the Pacifica Patch, there’s a better spot for “Mission District burritos” than The Mission (Rob Schneider probably reads that, he grew up in Pacifica!). Well, maybe not better, but just as good, and closer, if you live in Pacifica (like author ZZ Packer!). Camden Swita claims that Guerreros Taqueria “offers everything taste-wise as Taqueria Cancún and more” (Adolescents lead singer, Tony Cadena, probably agrees, he’s also from there!).

Anyway, I don’t mean to spark a debate, there’s no reason a taqueria 12 miles away from this neighborhood couldn’t have burritos that are just as good (former first baseman Keith Hernandez would know, he grew up there too!). Personally, I think it’s hard to find many bad burritos around here and I leave it at that (Carlos Santana probably wouldn’t, he grew up in The Mission!).

It was great to see Ryan and Kat serving up southern specialties at Mission United on Saturday. (I was too busy anticipating Frito pie in my mouth to take a good picture, sorry.) The food was amazing as ever, and business was booming, but it was bitter sweet knowing that this was just a one-off appearance. What if I want another Frito pie next week? Or five more whoopie pies right now?

I guess the best we can do is keep a close eye on the Gypsy Kitchen Twitter feed, so as to not miss anymore one-offs.

Previously:

• Kat and Ryan part ways with Bruno’s

Apparently the Republicans are trying to mess with something almost as important as NPR. Cupcakes for Choice plans to combat this injustice:

By now, most people have heard about the U.S. House of Representatives voting to bar Planned Parenthood health centers from all federal funding for Lessina birth control generic pills, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving care.

Well, a lot of us think that’s bullshit and we’re pissed. So we’re taking our frustration and turning it into something good. Enter: Cupcakes for Choice!

Their inaugural event is today! Go buy some cupcakes, already! RSVP and invite your friends here!

I think we should all take a cue from my man Jean Hackman. Rather than getting all caught up in a big blustery debate, Jean got inspired and cooked up a tasty rolled taco dinner. Yum, and yum.

*While supplies last! So get to Public Works early!

More reasons to get there early:

1. Ryan who used to chef at Broken Record and Bruno’s will be dishing up free barbecue.
2. $2 tequila shots and $3 beers from 8-10.
3. Admission is only $5 before 10. $10 after.
4. Primo goes on pretty early I think.

RSVP and invite your friends here.

Full event details after the jump:

[Photo by Emily]

(more…)

This just in:

papolote brothers, winners of something vs bobby flay.  24th and alabama.  now selling their salsa at casa lucas market ( a store that the brother shopped at while growing up) and bay area whole foods.  they are out there giving out free samples and straight chillen with the locals.   Lovely Natasha featured in photo.

(Thanks, Nathan!)

As many a southern transplant knows, it’s damn near impossible to find a decent plate of rolled tacos in San Francisco. Primarily the provenance of SoCal surf shacks, those golden cylinders of high-octane awesome heaped high with cheese and guacamole are few and far between in The Mission’s culinary burritoscape.

For everyone who’s ever craved a clutch of fried taco glory, Taqueria el Buen Sabor has you covered. All of the essential components are there – crispy deep fried tacos inundated with a wanton mess of lechuga, crema, guacamole, and queso.

(more…)

When Ramblas Tapas closed, I figured my days of devouring fancy churros dipped in molten chocolate on (or near) Valencia Street were over. Not so! I’ve just been informed that Regalito does the same thing, and that they do it well. I shall soon see for myself.

(Thanks, KCM!)

[Photo by Regalito]

In what could prove to be a serious shake-up in the SF food scene, Mission Chinese Food may today become the place to be not only for the gnarliest Chinese in the city — but possibly the most bomb barbecue as well. They imported a special smoker all the way from the dirty south, they perfected some recipes, and the new menu debuts tonight!

SFoodie tells us all about it:

It’s got barbecue, all right, marked “Chinese”: smoked beef brisket, pulled pork trotters, Xi’an lamb cheeks. All served with smoked Cola BBQ sauce, pickles, and white bread ― uh, Chinese-style maybe? There’s also kung pao corned beef (not sure if that’s the same as the kung pao pastrami Bowien described in an e-mail as “fucking amazing.”)

That sounds pretty good. Read on.