Rogue started with Morimoto’s Soba Ale and with the popularity and demand they created an amazing cheddar with it. The soba ale is to die for. It is so light and creamy with an intriguing flavor of roasted soba that keeps you drinking. Pairing the ale with the cheddar is an obvious match. The cheedar helps the ale pop and the ale calms the down the cheese.

At first Rogue beers were hard to come across, now the 22oz bottles are in every liquor store around. What makes Rogue Ales different from the rest of the Northwest craft brewers is their wine-like approach with their recommended food pairings, tasting notes and homegrown ingredients. Crazy flavor combinations like the Chipotle and Juniper Berry Ales put Rogue on a whole other level.

If you are in Central Point, Oregon, definitely stop in at the creamery to try as many cheeses as you can and have an unlimited selection of their infamous ales.

Rogue Creamery                                             Rogue Public House & Brewery

311 North Front Street                                    673 Union Street
Central Point, OR 97502                                San Francisco, CA 94133
(541) 665-1155                                                  (415) 362-7880

Every time I walk through Andronico’s, I stop at the beer aisle and stare.  Brown Sugar Ale?  It always caught my eye, and finally my date said “let’s just give it a try”.  I wasn’t going to argue. We barbecued some vegetables and buffalo and topped them both with Bone Suckin’ Sauce (make sure you buy the HOT). The hidden caramel notes of the barbeque sauce and the Lagunitas Brown Shugga’ Ale paired perfectly.  If you have an Andronico’s near by, go get some fresh produce, buffalo, bbq sauce, and Lagunitas, you won’t be disappointed.  

Info:

• 9.90% ABV
• Smaller head, spotted lace
• Medium Amber in color
• Smells like: Brown sugar (obviously), cinnamon, just all around sweetness
• Tastes like: Extremely flavorful, a bit of citrus came and went with hoppy and burnt caramel with the aftertaste of molasses
• Full bodied
• Velvety and thick finish almost syrupy
• Limited Release
• Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, California
• www.lagunitas.com

• Grade: A-

     

I drive passed Frjtz all the time, and for a french fry lover, it’s pathetic that I JUST went a few days ago.  So the concept is french fries, mussels and Belgian beer.  The menu also has crepes and a few salads and sandwiches.  I just went for the fries and the large assortment of dips.  I’m all about dips, so we chose the monthly special, Morrocan Saffron Aoli, Curry Ketchup, Thai Chili Ketchup, and Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch.  Curry Ketchup was amazing, so was the ranch, obviously.  I was really disappointed with the special dip, I got zero saffron and I couldn’t find anything Moroccan about it.  We ordered small regular fries and small white truffle oil fries. Truffle always wins in my book.  To drink we had Gulden Draak.  It’s a Belgian Strong Dark Ale with a 10.50% ABV.  The aroma was fruity, I got some apple and all around sweetness.  Tasted malty, sweet, and very rich.  Great full-bodied beer, we just weren’t in the mood for it with the french fries.  Pretty cool place, watch out if you have a buzz, bright colors start changing under your seats… definitely caught me off guard.

Zuni Cafe is one of the top rated and most popular restaurants in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley.  It is impossible to miss, taking up a full corner on Market St. with a giant yellow awning.  I have read a bunch of reviews, and everyone raves about the oyster selection and burger.  We caught great weather and decided to sit outside on Market.  Probably the most entertaining meal of my life; this is by far the best place to people watch in the city.

To drink we had a bottle of Saison Dupont and a balsamic bloody mary.  The Saison Dupont is hazy orange with a pure, fluffy, white head.  Lots of lace and sediment at the bottom.  The nose and mouth get similar experiences with extra citrus (lemon/orange peel) and a touch of coriander.  There is hidden spice that comes out in the dry finish.  It’s kind of bitter, but sweet and spicy at the same time, which creates a fantastic combination of flavor.  There is something about this label that I love, it’s great that the orange look of the beer matches the checkered bottle.  I was a little hesitant at first because it was so intense, but it grew on me for sure.

Although I was leaning on a glass of Chateau la Louviere 2005 Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend (12.80gl) from Bordeaux,  I opted for the Balsamic Bloody Mary (9.25). My favorite part was the minced red onion which added a lot of flavor and a great texture.  It wasn’t spicy enough for my liking but it did have the perfect balance of sweet and sour with their special ingredient, balsamic.

My date and I were both craving hamburgers, which is why we ended up  here in the first place.  Their House ground burger is described as being on a grilled rosemary focaccia with garden lettuces, aioli, and Zuni pickles. There were extra options to add, Gruyere, Mountain Gorgonzola, grilled onions, and portobello mushrooms.  We got the Mountain Gorgonzola and grilled onions.  The “zuni” pickles served on the side of the plate made this burger perfection. With the add ons to the burger it came out to 18.25. SO worth it.  One complaint, the ridiculous plate of “french fries”. HA. They did call them “shoe string” on the menu, but come on.  All I wanted was a french fry to go with my amazing burger, instead I got dried potato sticks that were impossible to pick up and awkward as hell to eat.  Using a fork for french fries? NO thanks.  Other than that, GREAT lunch!

Zuni Café

1658 Market Street

San Francisco, Ca 94102

415.552.2522

www.zunicafe.com