Mission Mission

Sadly, I haven’t talked to my buddy Jake Chevedden much since high school, but apparently this is what he’s been working on lately!

Mosswood Espresso Barrel Aged American Whiskey. Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey aged in a barrel seasoned with locally roasted coffee. Subtle notes of baker’s chocolate, nuttiness, bright red fruit and, of course, coffee spring from the glass. 46% ABV.

Located on San Francisco’s Treasure Island, Mosswood Distillers is comprised of Therese Agnew and Jake Chevedden. While plans for a fully functioning distillery are in progress, Mosswood is barrel aging and blending to bring interesting flavors together in harmonious ways.

Damn, that sounds like it would really hit the spot while huddled inside this weekend hiding out from the rain!

Check it out here.

They call it firewater, but I think the aging process mellows it out a lot because I found this stuff to be very smooth indeed. We did shots to cap off a very nice homemade dinner, and it made for a lovely dessert. I’d drink it all the time if I could.

[Photo by Nattles]

[via Jen Gann]

How would you feel if someone wanted to give you a cupcake?  Like, REALLY wanted to give you a cupcake, as our pal Jimmie relates:

This morning on Feb 1 around 9:45am a man tried to force his way into our house.  I was in the shower and my wife heard our doorbell ring.  Assuming it was the mailman, she opened the door, but found a shirtless white male, about 5’8″ tall with short brown hair and stubble.  He said “Oh hey!” and immediately tried to enter our home.  She pushed him out by forcing the door closed.  Soon after he rang the door bell again and said “I have a cupcake for you!”  By that time we had called 911 and the police showed up soon after.  The man had indeed left a cupcake on our doorstep but was nowhere to be found.  Other neighbors reported a stranger ringing their doorbells or knocking on their doors immediately prior to this event.

Watch your backs, people!

[Cupcake image]

Year of the Horse! How to celebrate? Perhaps brunch tomorrow with Rice Paper Scissors at their new permanent home in the Mission! Just look:

Starters

Fried Daikon Cakes – 6
crispy rice cakes made with daikon, Chinese sausage and dried shrimp

Pho Bao – 6
steamed buns filled with beef pho broth, ground beef, scallions, cilantro, and lime

Banh Chung – Tet Sticky Rice Cake – 7
sticky rice with ground pork and mung beans, steamed in banana leaves

Mains

Chicken Xiu Mai Banh Mi – 9
chicken meatballs in a ginger-tomato sauce pate served with housemade mayo, chicken liver pate, cucumbers and cilantro

Pho Ga – Chicken Pho – 13
fresh rice noodles in ginger chicken broth, served with poached chicken, shaved onions, culantro, scallions and lime leaves.

Pho Ga Dac Biet – Special Chicken Pho – 15
same as above plus confit gizzards, quail eggs and chicken feet

Buddha’s Delight – 13
cellophane noodle stir-fry with tofu, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, lily buds and roasted ginko nuts

Thit Heo Kho – Caramelized Pork and Egg Rice Plate – 13
caramel claypot baby backribs braised in star anise, coconut water and fish sauce, served with a soft egg and broken rice and dua gia.

Banh Bia – 5
Vietnamese mooncake with flaky crust filled with mung beans and a salted egg yolk

Drinks

Jasmine Tea – 3

Vietnamese Iced Coffee – 3
slow-dripped Trung Nguyen coffee with condensed milk

Kumquat Ginger Beer – 3
housemade ginger beer with candied kumquats
Kumquat trees are often used to decorate the house for the Lunar New Year.

Daaaang that is a legit menu! RSVP and invite your friends!

Mission Local reports:

Carlos Barrios and his daughters, Betty and Luna, said Tuesday that the restaurant has passed all its building inspections and is now awaiting clearance from the Health Department.

They expect to be open at the end of February. [link]

Finally! Gosh, whole generations have come and gone, whole industries have boomed and busted — and La Rondalla just laying there dormant. Can’t wait!

That being said, we’ve reported that La Rondalla “is about to reopen” like a million times over the years. Hopefully this time it’s forreal.

[via No Age]

You’re right, no Fernet is as good as Fernet Branca, but sometimes it’s fun to branch out a little. My friend Simon recently hosted a Fernet party, most of which I do not remember, but according to this photo I just found, we drank this concoction. And it looks pretty good. (I do remember the Argentine Fernet was delivered to the party by someone who on the event invite expressed profound distaste for Fernet of all kinds. It was nice that she came to her senses and decided to participate.)

Looks real nice in that gorgeous Fernet Branca glass too.

This is happening right now at Linea Caffe!

Vegemite, cheese, dough. An Aussie delicacy, custom-made just for AUSTRALIA DAY MATE!

[via American Tripps]