More cheap eats from San Francisco

I’m back with a few more reports from the Free Food circuit here in San Francisco.

Curry not Worry was no less than fabulous. This is what I’m going for, fabulous, simple, hot food just for asking, lots of regulars, some folks show up that make music…and it’s a scene! I think this is what we want, small parties that move around and serve great food-for free! This one is on Tuesday, 6pm till the food’s gone, West end of UN Plaza near the Simon Bolivar statue. And some tasty fare it is, rice, soup, potatoes, garnish, naan, and desert!

On the UN Plaza that night as well was the Norte Dame food kitchen serving up a couple different kinds of sausages, and carrots.

This past week saw a few more trips to St. Anthony’s where I find the food consistent if not always fabulous, and I got to say hello to those lovely folks at Food not Bombs where they were doing their regular Monday night serving on UN Plaza. 6pm I think for FnB’s

Last weekend brought a new favorite, a Sunday brunch serving buckwheat pancakes and syrup, sausage and coffee by some good-hearted souls serving breakfast on the Embarcadero, just South and across Embarcadero from the Ferry Building. I haven’t found a listing of this one, but they said they’ll be there “next week” which is tomorrow. Think I’ll plan to stop by again. Something like 10:30am till noon, but not quite sure.

There’s been good reports about a Sunday dinner at someplace called the Firehouse. I didn’t quite make it there last week, but plan to this week. Rumor has it this is the best food served on the circuit.

Just this morning I got out to Macedonia Church on Sutter near Steiner, and had a great chili dog lunch with green salad, canned fruit cocktail, and lemonade.

Taking the Fillmore bus down to Oak I set off for another monthly serving that I found to be on hiatus until Feb 26.

This has been a great time to finally get out and see some of the food being served around town and discover some new neighborhoods at the same time. I’ll be back soon with more, and I’ll also tell you about the St. Ignacius kitchen I’m going to volunteer in on Feb 12.

And this is my latest obsession…wok cooking!!

From the ‘bucks in San Francisco’s Civic Center,
Bon Appetit! now get out and eat!

Cheap eats in San Francisco

San Francisco has really started to click for me lately, and I had some kind of epiphany last week after struggling with which of the too many choices before me was the right one for the next leg of my journey. When a friend here mentioned that SF is often called the “Paris of the West”, it all came to me. Now I fancy myself on some sort of foodie Bohemian adventure here, but with quite the twist. This is a no budget affair seeking out the fabulous and brilliant among the soup kitchen crowd.

Before you rear up in fright, know it doesn’t have to represent the chow hall out of a low budget prison film-although there is a place or two like that nearby; this is those doing food on the cheap, for those out on the town on the cheap. And it can be good. Like Curry not Worry who serves a free curry meal on the UN Plaza across from the library on Tuesdays at 6pm where I’m headed tonight.

And that is a great segway to what is really hot right now in SF, and everywhere else-food carts! Whether it’s an actual cart, a lunch truck arrangement, or just a mobile kitchen that can be set up quick somewhere people gather, this is street food!

I’m going to be on the lookout for other innovative offerings of street food, including locations for my own cart idea. I’ll be back soon with more, and while you’re waiting check out and see what’s happening in SF with carts.

See you soon!

Happy 2011!

It’s 2011 and I still find myself in San Francisco. I’m loving the city and have found a couple of kitchens I enjoy spending time in. My fave is definitely the kitchen at San Francisco Zen Center’s City Center. Following instructions to the cook written centuries ago, we make amazingly good, simple vegetarian fare with love, attention, and presence. It is truly some of the best vegetarian food I’ve eaten, and you’d be surprised how simple and uncomplicated it is.

I found the City Center kitchen after a good friend recommended I watch the video “How to Cook Your Life” by Edward Brown (Thank you good friend!!) A large part of coming to San Francisco was to work in this kitchen, and after spending time there I find their kitchen practice is what I’ve been trying to do with food for a few years now.

The Zen Center also owns Green Gulch Farm a few miles north of the city, where they have been farming using organic and Biodynamic methods since the 70′s. I haven’t had much urge to come out of the kitchen since I’ve been in SF, but I fancy myself spending time at Green Gulch one day. They farm with the intention I was trying to, and it just seems right that we should hang out a bit.

I’ve also been spending time in the kitchen at Project Open Hand. This is one of the most chill commercial kitchens I’ve ever been in, and they take extra time and care to put Love into the food. Some pretty wonderful people work and volunteer here and it’s been a joy to work with them.

Not so sure what 2011 will bring but there are some lovely options starting to take shape.

Oh, and did I mention I finally found the Zen practice I’ve been looking for?

Have a fabulous 2011! See you soon!

Om,
Calliope