After moving to San Francisco and spotting the It’s-It ice cream factory several times from the freeway, I’ve been curious about the touted treats. I was excited to find some of the ice cream sandwiches at Lucky, and even read the history of It’s-It online when I got home (www.itsiticecream.com). This delectable piece of heaven is made of vanilla, mint, or cappuccino ice cream sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies and dipped in dark chocolate. Now I need to try the others, and somehow convince the factory to give me a free tour. Check it out at a Nor Cal grocery store or the factory - Hawaii friends can even get it at Safeway.

If you want Cinnabon for breakfast with the sweetness level turned down a few notches, a brioche pain perdu (basically a sort of cinnamon french toast) at La Note in Berkeley will do the trick.

The only other trick needed would be for my body to process it as “healthy” food.

Bulgogi cheesesteak sandwich packed with flavor. Wow. Now back to work! #food (Taken with Instagram at Ashley’s Cafe)

Hipster Eatery Haiku

This restaurant in the Mission does’t get a picture post. Instead, I grace you with a haiku:

Mission Chinese Food // Hipster Chinese Restaurant // Eat Salt Cod Fried Rice •

I’m not opposed to breakfast all day at Joe’s 24th, nor 50% off via Scoutmob. Thus, I am all for half off of breakfast (for lunch). The bargain exploration continues.

I need to make this!

archrival:

Panko Crusted Spam Musubi

So wonderful, yet so wrong: Deep fried french toast a.k.a. the Big Hip at Sweet Maple (pictured top right). They’re like the french toast sticks from Burger King, only 10 times better and probably 10 times worse for you. At least the one at Sweet Maple comes with fruit, right? No? Whatevs.

The millionaire bacon and multiple, well-seasoned potatoes should get an honorary mention. And that was the mention.

Winner, winner, vegan Filipino dinner! If you’re familiar with Filipino cuisine, then you know that hearing the phrase “vegan Filipino food” is a lot like hearing bacon-wrapped Matzah balls - which, by the way, is delicious.

It was my duty as a recessionista to take advantage of a LivingSocial deal at vegan Filipino restaurant, No Worries, in Oakland to test this paradoxical cuisine. Keep in mind any type of “meat” is faux meat at No Worries, and bagoong - a pungent ingredient in Filipino dishes made of fermented fish - would be forbidden here.

The pancit bihon was on point, and was served early on as an appetizer. We ordered the “chicken” adobo since it’s a staple. Although it didn’t taste like adobo, it managed to taste good as its own dish. The sinigang with its catfish-looking pieces, however, was a let-down. The broth still needed to find its identity. It was an interesting experience, and I’m willing to return to test other dishes.

Long gone are my Los Angeles foodtruck chasing days - the subject that gave me a reason to love Twitter in the first place (shout out to KogiBBQ!). Off the Grid in San Francisco has now filled that void, and I opt for the one at Fort Mason on Friday nights (hey, they have parking, which seems to be rare in this town).

When OTG returned from its winter hiatus this weekend, I made it a point to include it in my pre-karaoke Friday night agenda in spite of rain, lightning, and thunder. As opposed to Angelenos who go into hiding like it’s the Apocolypse when just a drop of water falls from the sky, San Franciscans are ready to brave the rain like it’s their business! The crowd ceased my efforts to try the most coveted foodtrucks and carts. When will I ever get to the front of Chairman Bao’s line before they sell out of pork belly?! Fret not, there’s next Friday.

Happy Macaron Day! I’m in a macaron-hunt phase right now. Although places in NY have specials to celebrate this special treat, I couldn’t find a spot that’s observing it in SF. Regardless, I set forth to Fillmore Bakeshop for a few of these multi-colored confectionaries to celebrate. They’re not recessionista-friendly at $1.95 a pop, but they did their job. I prefer Patisserie Philippe in SoMa.

Thunderstorm, lightning, and rain didn’t stop us from foodtruck chasin’ last night. (Taken with Instagram at Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center)

Last night the BF made corned beef & cabbage for dinner. I turned it into hash with eggs for brekky. #recessionista #food (Taken with Instagram at Home)

Did you get your free petite pastry at ‘Bucks yet? #recessionista (Taken with Instagram at Starbucks - Laurel Heights (24hr))

On the way back from warm and sunny LA to cold and gloomy SF, we opted for the scenic route. Along the way, we stopped at dismal-looking Pismo Beach for Splash Cafe’s popular clam chowder in a bread bowl. Its rich and creamy consistency was comforting and just what I needed. The beach town, however, wasn’t nearly as comforting or even charming. Checking that town off my list.