My Weekend Passport » SF Bay Area

Smoke Eaters: Ode to 24F

Alex @mwp — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:28:12 +0000

On my way up to San Jose, I sat next to a girl who is absolutely perfect for me. I spotted this chick wearing a Washington Redskins jersey so I plopped down next to her on the Southwest flight. We easily struck up a conversation about our floundering, depressing ‘skins and then moved on to some happier topics like our love of snowboarding and food.

While talking about food, I brought up how over Thanksgiving I went to Henry’s Hi-Life and really liked their ribs. She happened to remember the restaurant on the episode of “Man V. Food” and then exclaimed “then you gotta go to smoke eaters!” “The place with the super hot wings?” “YES! they’re the best!”

Well it usually doesn’t take a cute girl to get me to go try out a place, but it doesn’t hurt. We actually had an argument on the plane about where the best hot wings in San Jose were, which would have been settled had only one of us known that Cluck U and Smoke Eaters are the same place. This I only discovered upon arriving at the storefront by Santa Clara University in a Safeway plaza.

Having watched Adam on Man V. Food agonize over the famed Hellfire Challenge, I decided to go for the lesser evil, the Inferno.

Oh boy are the wings really good. I forget where Inferno stands on the scale, but I remember it being somewhere in the middle of their 7 levels of hotness. Still, it was enough to feel a kick but mild enough to make me think I could actually take on the Hellfire challenge next time in. That could be dangerous.

Also recommend their loaded nachos to add something crunchy to your meal. They’ve got about a dozen or so beers on tap and a bunch of televisions to catch the game. Cold beer, hot wings, and a football game. That’s the perfect trio.

So thank you, 24F, for reminding me of this San Jose dive.

Henry’s Hi-Life: “World Famous” Ribs in San Jose

Alex @mwp — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:09:28 +0000

Saying you have the best ribs in San Jose is almost the same as making the statement that you have the best cheesesteak or deep-dish pizza in San Jose. You probably would scoff because the city isn’t known for these culinary contributions. Why eat ribs or cheesesteak in SJ when you know there’s much better in Memphis or Philly?

Because we can’t all afford a $250 flight to eat the best ribs out there! We’re not all investment bankers with food cravings like a pregnant woman. Well, fear not, regular folk. Just because it’s the best only in this humble city, doesn’t mean it’s not good. It can still be very good… nay, awesome. It still means plenty when I say that Henry’s has some of the best ribs in the South Bay and one of the few charmingly unique eating experiences left in the area.

Henry’s is an eating institution in San Jose. Located next door to HP Pavilion, it’s a sporting fan’s HQ for beer and ribs when the Sharks are playing. Even on an off-night, the bar area is filled with patrons, most of whom are waiting for tables inside. You’ll have to be aware of their procedure for table calling.

When you come in, there is a box of numbers at the end of the bar. Grab one of those, and just like at a deli, they will call out numbers one at a time. Once your number is called, they will take your order for those in your party, so take a look at the menu and figure out what you want beforehand. After that, they’ll call your name when your table is ready and food will be served up very quickly after.

Definitely recommend the half rack of ribs (or full if you’re sharing). They’re smoked to perfection–bones come clean out of the tender meat. They’re smoked slowly under a low heat for a long time and then cooked to order in their brick oven before you’re even seated. While the meat’s really good, it can be overshadowed by their baked potato. The seasoned butter that goes inside it is YUM. People also say good things about their pre-meal garlic bread as well.

Their other offerings include steaks, prime rib, beef ribs, and salmon. Tasted the salmon and thought it was just all right. For my money, I’d rather go with the BBQ ribs every time.

Of course, I have to mention that Man V. Food featured this place in their San Jose episode. To see what Adam Richman said about this place, look on Henry’s website for the video.

For a noteworthy dining experience in Downtown San Jose, you really should check out Henry’s Hi-Life and have a taste of their “world famous” ribs.

Henry’s Hi-Life
301 W St John St
San Jose, CA 95110

Do you like GARLIC?

Alex @mwp — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:05:53 +0000

Is your partner not a vampire? Does trying garlic ice cream sound like a good idea to you? When you cook, do you go through a whole string of garlic in a week?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then this weekend is your mecca. Starting today, the 31st annual Gilroy Garlic Festival is going on through the rest of the weekend. Time to celebrate.

Situated in the “Garlic Capital of the World”, Gilroy is about 45 minutes south of Downtown San Jose. I’ve been going to this event for a long while now, and I’ve always had a great time. People here just know how to have fun and the festival provides plenty of entertainment.

There’s live music, chef demonstrations, shopping, beer gardens, and most importantly, FOOD. But here, all the food involves garlic in some way. You’ve got garlic bread, garlic fries, and garlic fried calamari as your staples. If you’re adventurous, there’s also garlic ice cream, garlic gator on a stick, garlic mayo, roasted whole stuffed garlic, and well, you get the idea.

If you love garlic, this is the place for you.

Gilroy Garlic Festival

PS. Go early if you want to try all the foods while the lines aren’t as long. Eat first, then drink your beers, find a comfy spot at the amphitheater, and listen to some country music for the rest of the afternoon.

Old Port Lobster Shack: Get your roll on

Alex @mwp — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:30:11 +0000

I’ve fallen behind on my blogging. Work has been super hectic and I’ve spent a grand total of 5 days in Los Angeles over the past 4 weeks, so it’s been keeping me away from my computer. I have the content, just not the time to write it! Oh, but once things calm down in a few days, I’ll be able to release the gates and let a flow of backlogged entries out.

A few weeks ago, I was up in the Bay Area for a business trip and had a hankering for seafood. Not willing to drive all the way up to San Francisco to chow down at the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, I looked for other options in the south bay area. I happened to remember an entry a friend of mine wrote in his blog about a seafood joint called Old Port Lobster Shack that closed its doors in San Francisco to his dismay. Despite the tragedy, its counterpart in Redwood City was spared so that Bay Areans could still get a 5 inch sandwich stuffed whole of pure, succulent lobster meat.

Coming here with my foodie friend Julie, we agreed to share an order of The Double Play. You have two options for lobster rolls here: the Maine Roll, which features lobster meat mixed with mayo, green onion, and seasoning, and the Naked Roll, served up plain with mayo and butter on the side. Ordering the double play allowed us to get a taste of both for $35 (each roll is about $19, so it saves to double up). These are extremely pricey in sandwich terms, but if you think about it in lobster terms, you’re getting a lobster meal for two for less than $40. Sorry about the price tag, Julie, I know you just graduated college, but thanks for indulging with me. Fries and coleslaw aren’t anything worthy of writing about (or getting two orders of in this case), so I highly recommend going this route if you’re with someone to share with.

This is the Maine roll, glued together with the mayo sauce. I normally like my seafood to be simple and fresh, so I assumed I would prefer the Naked roll. The condiments in this case actually make the sandwich taste better and really glues the lobster together. Since it’s not the freshest of Lobster (being that Maine is 3000+ miles away), it probably also masks out a bit of the thawed lobster taste. If you like dipping your lobster in butter, then you’ll have to get the Naked roll. Either way, these things are just packed with lobster meat and if you put one down during lunchtime you can expect to be in a food coma until 4pm.

If you order an entree, you can add a chowder for $3. It pays to get a complete meal here since the chowders are six bucks normally. I can’t say it’s the best chowder I’ve ever had (I like them chunky and this one left a lot to be desired of), but if you think a seafood meal isn’t complete without it… you’ll be satisfied here. I just noticed in this picture that it says Napa Valley on the cup, which is… very confusing.

I never visited the location in San Francisco, but the location of this OP Lobster Shack in Redwood City is very odd. I’ve never seen a New England style seafood restaurant in a strip mall before. It’s next door to some office buildings and a Supercuts. In fact, we were sitting outside to enjoy the weather, but our table was about 6 feet away from the parked cars in front of the restaurant. Not exactly a wharf with seagulls flying overhead and horns being blown in the distance.

If you want one of the most amazing lobster sammiches out there, you must visit Old Port Lobster Shack and get your lobster roll on.

Old Port Lobster Shack
851 Veterans Boulevard
Redwood City CA 94063

Bay to Breakers: Will it be the same this year?

Alex @mwp — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:30:28 +0000

Coming up in mid May is the 98th running of the famous BAY TO BREAKERS run in San Francisco. This awesome event brings tens of thousands of runners, joggers, walkers, centipede runners, nudists, drunks, and more nudists and drunks through the city every year. The course is 12K (more than 7 miles), starting from the bay, through town, to end at the breakers at Ocean Park. Along the way, you’re bound to run into 50+ naked men and women, spiderman, spongebob squarepants, salmon swimming upstream, floats, and frat boys pushing along a keg.

Or so it’s been in the previous years. One of the best annual events in all of the US caved in to local residents who have complained that the event has gotten out of hand and has imposed new restrictions. These restrictions include no floats, no drinking, and no nudity. What gives? Now it’s just a 12K that you can do in any city.

Fans of the event have protested to defend the sanctity of the Bay to Breakers. Really, what would it be this year without nudists, drunks, and costumed freaks? In response to the public upheaval, the city and race organizers have lifted a few restrictions. Kegs and bottles are banned, floats must be registered, and there is now no mention of nudity in the language. Still, some people hold that consumption of alcohol will still be allowed as long as you don’t give them a reason to stop you from enjoying your fun and look the other way.

Still, the race is still always a fun spectacle, starting with the tortilla chip toss at the beginning, dodging water balloons in the middle of the race, to the “footstock” music perfomance at the end. Run to achieve a personal best time, to dress up in something goofy, or just to get crunk. Make your way to the Bay to Breakers.

Bay to Breakers
Sunday, May 17th 2009
$44 registration (until April 30th)
San Francisco, CA

Music Festivals: New Jersey and SF get into it

Alex @mwp — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:28:40 +0000

While I’ve been on the topic of Coachella and Lollapalooza, I gotta mention that SF and New Jersey have festivals of their own as well. If you’re in those locales, you have Outside Lands (SF), Bamboozle (NJ), and All Points West (NJ) to look forward to in the coming months.

Bamboozle is on the weekend of May 1st out in the meadowlands. I’ve been to Bamboozle Left for the last two years at the Irvine Ampitheater, and always had a great time there. You have to love a lineup of headliners No Doubt, Fall Out Boy, and a SLEW of punk, alternative, and hardcore rock bands (personal faves Rise Against, Taking Back Sunday, and All Time Low). Disney princess Demi Lovato seems a bit out of place in the lineup, but hey, there’s something for everybody here. Bamboozle skews to a younger crowd than Coachella and Lollapalooza anyway.

Also part of Bamboozle weekend is the popular Hoodwink Festival on May 1st where you’ll have a chance to see your favorite band do a cover set of your other favorite band. This year you’ll have acts like Sum 41 playing Metallica’s music, We The Kings playing Jimmy Eat World, and Boys Like Girls playing Coldplay. It’s definitely an interesting treat for those who are entertained by covers. Personally, I usually like the originals best.

Later in the summer, you can catch All Points West the weekend of July 31-August 2nd in Jersey City. This massive musical orgy in the Garden State boasts acts like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beastie Boys, Coldplay, Tool, and many others. Look for me to consider a cross country trip for this one.

This year also marks the second running of the Outside Lands music and arts festival in Golden Gate Park, SF. Held on the last weekend of August, it’s bound to provide a good close to another good summer concert season. Their lineup hosts headliners Beastie Boys, Dave Matthews Band, and Pearl Jam, but I will be going for Jason Mraz, MIA, Thievery Corporation, Black Eyed Peas, and Incubus. I had never heard of SF having a music festival of this scale before when I was still up in the bay, but I’m glad that they finally have one. The Golden Gate Park also makes for a seemingly perfect venue… I only worry about parking and getting around.

Summer music festivals galore!

A Night at the Museum

Alex @mwp — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:59:05 +0000

For many out there, the weekend begins on Thursday night. For one, it’s a good night to catch friends before they skip town for the weekend. Also, it’s when most bars and clubs break out cheap specials. In college towns, Thursdays > Fridays–always. In a small city like San Francisco, it’s primed for young professionals to make their way out to the bars. This Thursday night, it seemed like all those yuppies were at… the museum!?

Yes, all the young ladies and gents had made their way out to the newly remodeled California Academy of Sciences on this Thursday night. I had been wanting to visit since they remodeled last fall, but was scared away by the large crowds. Looking on their website, I found that they had just started a new weekly event–Adult Thursdays. From 6:00-10:00 PM, the science museum will be only open to 18+ patrons for $10. Since their normal operating days go for $25 and are most likely to include swarming children in every exhibit, this opportunity to visit the museum “after hours” can be a very welcome addition for the young adult crowd of San Francisco.

A bar in every exhibit

Upon arrival, I found the place very packed in its second week of running Thursday nights. It had a great vibe and a great San Francisco crowd, both equally intrigued by the exhibits and enjoying the lounge-like atmosphere. The center veranda was a social zone serviced by multiple bar tables and filled with mingling crowds. After a Jack and Coke, I was ready to expore the sights.

Tip: You should come early. The Walking Rainforest will stop people from going in after 8 and the Planetarium’s last showing is at 8:30. All the other exhibits seemed to stay open for the duration. Something I had to learn this time, unfortunately. The albino alligator “Todd” also was not in the house this night.

Walking down some stairs, I found myself in a busy aquarium full of exotic ocean animals and the people checking them out. Some interesting things here: Upside-down Jellyfish, eels, and starfish. There’s a tidepool exhibit, a deep dark sea exhibit, and two ridiculously large tanks housing all sorts of creatures. What I really enjoyed about this aquarium was that all the tanks seemed to be convexed or concaved for the viewer’s pleasure. This effect allowed you to feel like you’re about to walk right into the water or feel that the fish are coming right to you.

Off to the living roof! The room of the museum is a living garden of multiple species of plants. At night, it loses much of its meaning, as the darkness keeps you from enjoying the expansiveness of it all. Also, since it’s filled with adults under a starlit sky, the roof has a different vibe. It becomes a romantic retreat for couples to get away from the noisy crowds and have some intimacy under the stars.

Adults and kids both love these floor projector games

Back to the first floor now. Where is this loud techno/house music that I’m hearing coming from? The evolution exhibit is just bouncin’! Who ever thought a bunch of fossils, Galapagos Tortoises, and homo erectus would know how to have a party? An area here is cleared to make way for a dance floor complete with its own pro DJ. You have no idea how entertaining it is to see a mob of people under the influence dancing in a museum exhibit. Props to the museum heads for coming up with all these ideas for a great Thursday night. It makes for one exciting night out that’s also a different experience than we’re all used to.

Street parking can be a bit troublesome, so early arrival would be recommended if you don’t want to have to walk far. Bring friends to this event–you’ll all enjoy feeling like a big kid in this science museum.

Visit the museum website: http://www.calacademy.org/