Bombay Ice Cream has gotten ridiculous coverage for the tiny spot in the Mission that it is.  This just proves that great flavor is all you need to get spotted.  Food Network’s Unwrapped featured them, and more specifically the “falooda” flavor.  Obviously, I had to try it when it’s description was basil seeds and rose.  It was a little too floral for my taste, but wow, there was a LOT of flavor in that spoonful. I chose a combination of Sesame Seed and Bedam Kesar Pista (saffron/almond/pistachio).  Probably the best choice ever.  I asked the woman working what went into the sesame seed and she didn’t know the specifics but she did let me try almost a dozen flavors without hesitation.  On top of the crazy flavors like fig, pink banana, saffron rose, cardamon, lychee and banana rocky road, they also serve chaat! (Indian street food).  Check out the MENU.  

Connected to Bombay Ice Cream is Bombay Sari and Bombay Bazar.  Bombay Bazar is my new favorite Indian market in San Francisco.  What I like most about Bazar is how it is spread out, and you don’t feel like you are being judged or rushed while you try to figure out what is on the shelves.  They also have a lot more inventory than other markets in the city.

552 Valencia St. Btwn: 16th & 17th St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: (415) 861-3995

Saffron, the world’s most prized and expensive spice!  Saffron has extreme aromas of deep honey and tastes similar but slightly bitter.   The deep red gives off a yellowish golden color to the food that accompanies the spice, specifically rice, risotto, and seafood.  Saffron is used in Spanish, Italian, Indian, Moorish, Mediterranean, and Asian dishes.  It is most popular in the infamous Spanish dish, paella.  

Midas Touch Handcrafted Ancient Ale

Midas Touch, from Dogfish Breweries has the color of saffron, and consistency of honey. It’s a sweet, medium bodied ale that went great with an aged monterey jack. Very smooth considering the 9% alcohol content.

Info:

• 9% ABV
• Tastes and Smells like: Honey, finish of golden raisins
• Dogfish Breweries,  Milton, Delaware
• Limited release
• www.Dogfish.com

Grade: A+