A Light But Decadent Tiramisu'

om nom notes rating for tiramisu: 5 stars

While 54 Mint has a lovely dinner menu with fresh house made pastas, tasty specials of the day like bunny, and a decent italian wine list - the star of the meal was the Tiramisu'.

Recommended hands down with no questions asked by the bartender (apologies I forgot her name) whose eyes lit up as she spoke about this dessert selection, I had to try it even though I was desperately full. She said that it was light but rich at the same time, and probably unlike other tiramisu I've had. And it was. I gobbled up every fluffy bite.

Go there, sit at the bar, get some wine, some tiramisu - and it'll be a good night. (Tip: there are hooks under the bar, just don't forget your stuff after you're dizzy on wine and sugary goodness)

See the full dessert menu

Tiramisu - $7

Tiramisu': espresso-soaked lady fingers with chocolate, Marsala, and mascarpone

54 Mint - Vineria Ristorante

458 Yelp reviews as of 5/24/12

Neighborhood: SOMA

(415) 543-5100

http://www.54mint.com

The Best Iced (But Not Iced) Coffee - Chilled Cold-Brewed Coffee

om nom notes rating for Chilled Cold-Brewed Coffee: 5 stars

One of my favorite places for coffee in Palo Alto, no wait - the Bay Area, no wait - in California, i mean - ever in the world exists inside a small running store called Zombie Runner (no joke!) on California Avenue in Palo Alto, California.

Always consistent, and always phenomenal - each cup from "Cafe Zombie" is made with care and exactly how they want to make it (don't even try to customize beyond the options that they give you). While I love the lattes and the freshly roasted Zombie Runner beans ($12.95/lb), this post will feature the Chilled Cold-Brewed Coffee.

They don't serve the watery iced coffee so don't bother asking for it. They do however have something 800+ times better: their only cold drink (but with no ice), the signature Chilled Cold-Brewed Coffee for $3. While you do have the option to get it mixed with caramel, chocolate or vanilla, why would you want to ruin such a delicious cup?

And how is this chilled cold-brewed coffee made? Apparently they brew one of their ZombieRunner coffees for 24 hours at room temperature, then they double filter the coffee, then chill it, then mix it with your choice of cold 2% or whole milk, and serve with no ice.

Trust me - you'll want to try it. There is almost always a line at Zombie Runner - but it's because they care enough to make each cup perfect. It's totally worth it.


Tip: Load up a Zombie Runner card. You may think it's not worth the trouble, but believe me - 10 drinks here comes by quicker than you think. At $4 a latte and $3 a cold coffee, i'll take any free drink :)

Chilled Cold Brewed Coffee - $3.00

Chilled Cold Brewed Coffee: coffee, 2% milk and that's it!

Zombie Runner's Cafe Zombie Drink Menu - Don't try to order anything that's not on here!

Zombie Runner

133 Yelp reviews as of 5/20/12 (Note: Some of these reviews are irrelevant as they are for the actual running store)

(650) 325-2048

http://www.zombierunner.com

Are Disneyland Corn Dogs Worth the Wait in Line?

om nom notes rating: 4 stars


Adored by Disney fans galore and featured on Los Angeles Foodie's Top 10 Best Foods at Disneyland, I finally had to try the Corn Dog truck at Disneyland. I have to admit, these Corndogs are really quite amazing, but you need to be strategic in "when" you decide to get one. There will be a line so be prepared!

Where to find this truck...

The stand is located off of main street in the little cul-de-sac after the shops on the right end. The line does ebb and flow so there are 'down' times. Or - you could always spend the time in line if you have another member of your party saving a seat for you for the parade or fireworks. If you wait 'too' long, I'm not sure you'll enjoy it *as* much. And, make sure you're hungry and in the mood.

Reco: You can easily share this corndog with at least 3 people, depending upon how much grease you want to intake. These corn dogs are quite large, especially if you get a heavily battered one. Disney always amazes me in how 'consistent' each unit comes out - these are always perfectly good, but sometimes there are 'larger' ones with more cornbread batter.

A Disneyland corndog will cost you about $6.49, but you also get your choice of either chips or prepackaged apple slices. Would highly reco the apples to help cut the grease :) Don't get me wrong - this isn't the gross kind of greasy, it's the really crisp, good kind with a crunch but tender on the inside kind of greasy. Only thing about these corndogs is that I wish the 'dog' had more chew - but still the batter is the best I've ever had.

Tip: For those visiting California Adventure - these corn dogs will also be available at Corn Dog Castle on Paradise Pier.

Enjoy! 


Disneyland Signature Corn Dog - $6.49

The Corn Dogs "Little Red Wagon" at Disneyland

Disneyland Signature Corndog: recreated by an executive chef with the right cornmeal, the right honey, the right flour batter - and the right mix!

A tad bit longer than the normal line at the Corn Dogs truck at Disneyland

Curious about the history of the Disneyland Corndog Truck? Hear from Gary Magetti, Disneyland's Food and Beverage Director:

Note: While the Disney turkey leg is sort of a "must eat every time while visiting Disneyland" kind of thing, I would say the corndog is a "must try" and repeat only whilst craving :)

Disneyland Corn Dog Cart

355 Yelp reviews as of 05/15/12

The BEST Turkey Leg Ever! - by Disney

om nom notes rating: 5 stars


One of the best (and economical) options for food from Disneyland is the turkey leg! The price has gone up over the last couple of years, but it is still worth it at $8.99 for a 1.5lb leg. Where else can you get a moist, juicy, tender, smoky and ginormous turkey leg that can easily be shared with 2+ people (that you are ok with sharing germs with of course)? Plus - are you really going to be able to replicate the salt-water cured, slow-cooked in a smoker for 6+ hours process? SO DELICIOUS!!!

Tips: Make sure you bring lots of napkins and have some water/quencher on hand. It gets salty! Also - if they offer you a tray/carton, take it! This is good to have on hand as you remove the tough turkey cartilage/bones and/or skin (i know i know - blasphemous!)

Where to find these turkey legs?

Disneyland

Main Street Roundabout - If you're facing the Walt/Mickey statue, the turkey leg cart is on the left side, close to across the entrance area to Frontierland. This is a really good place to get a turkey leg if you're waiting around for the fireworks or parade. You can also get chimichangas and (buttered or chili-lime) corn here. 

Side note: Chimichangas are decent at $5.49, well portioned. My family really enjoys the chili-lime corn ($4.39) but it's messy!

Frontierland - This is close to the entrance of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It used to be a cart, but has actually been turned to a permanent 'stand' to the right of the ferry landing/line area.

California Adventure

Hollywood Pictures Backlot - There's a cart off the main street as you turn into the alley that leads you to Muppet Vision 3D. Chimichangas and corn here too.

Disclaimer: Disneyland/California Adventure clearly can change their plans at any time so these locations are current as of May 2012. These turkey legs (of the same yummy goodness) are also available at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida.

Disney Turkey Leg - $8.99

Smoked Turkey Leg

Disneyland Turkey Leg Cart off Main Street

Learn more about why the turkey leg is so tasty from Food Network's Unwrapped: 

And just in case your curious about the calorie count, i've included it but don't let that stop you. it's totally worth it!

Disneyland Turkey Leg Cart

Yelp reviews as of 5/15/12

Afghan Food in San Carlos

om nom notes rating: 5 stars


Just had official Afghan food at Kabul Afghan Cuisine in San Carlos, CA for the first time and it was delicious! Wonderful service by the owner's daughter Michelle who took the time to explain her favorites. Lamb dishes were highly recommended but her favorite by far (since she was a child) was the "Sabsi Challaw" (lamb & spinach). For the veggie dishes, apparently the customer favorite was "Challaw Kadu" (pumpkin topped with yogurt). As always - the combination platter was the way to go for me to be able to try everything. Portion sizes were also hearty - enough for 2 with a little bit for leftovers. 

I think everyone gets served a simple salad to start their meal. Make sure you ask for the dressing on the side if you like light dressing as they put a lot of it on.

Michelle surprised us with a complimentary "Firnee" dessert which was so light and delicious. Highly recommended if you like pudding. Make sure to save room!

Sabsi Challaw - $14.95 

Very tender and well cooked lamb chunks! sort of like saag (without the heaviness and without the paneer), but with a subtle flavor profile difference. 

Sabsi Challaw: Cubes of lamb cooked with fresh spinach, onions, and garlic, served with challaw (white rice)

Vegetarian Platter - $12.95

I went for the 3 below as Michelle said the sabsi option (spinach) would taste pretty similar to the sabsi lamb dish above.

• Kadu - Sauteed pumpkin topped with yogurt
• Badenjah (My Favorite!) - Stew of eggplant cooked with onions, tomatoes, and herbs, topped with yogurt. Would reco getting this without the yogurt
• Gulpi - Stew of cauliflower cooked with tomatoes, onions, fresh ginger and fine spices

Vegetarian Platter: A combination of three items (my choices: Kadu, Badenjah, Gulpi), served with rice. 

Firnee - (will check for the price next time!)

Pudding made of milk, cardamon, rose water, and sliced almonds, topped with pistachios

Sorry I have no picture as it looked so delicious I went straight for a bite :( Make sure to stir everything together to get the almonds/pistachios/spices distributed throughout.

Kabul Afghan Cuisine

Yelp reviews from 05/14/12

(650) 594-2840

http://www.kabulcuisine.com/
Menu

NOTE: There is also a Kabul Afghan Cuisine in Burlingame I believe with the same menu. Can you believe there are 2 on the peninsula? yay!