Careme 350

Careme 350 (SF Culinary School)

350 Rhode Island Street

(between 16th and 17th street)

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 216-4415

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Careme 350 part of the San Francisco Culinary Academy, is a real bargain if you want freshly prepared food done by students that are in training. A couple of us went on a friday night which happens to be the buffet night, you get all-you-can-eat appetizers and desserts, plus an entree of your choice. I was really impressed by all the selections of appetizers you could choose, from different types of meats-duck, pork, chicken, beef, seafood) All of them were presented in a neat fashion and also explained by a student at each table. There were also a wide variety of entrees. We all did family style to get a taste of each dish. I ordered the shepards pie and my friends ordered other dishes from spaghetti and meatballs to oxtail stew. I must say that the entrees were just average but what shines is all the appetizers and desserts to choose from. We almost all got full off of these. I hear that friday is the only buffet night but during the week you can get a 5 -course entree dinner for under 20 bucks which is a steal. Would like to come back here again to try the regular meals during the week since I was pretty impressed by the buffet meal.

John's Snack and Deli

John's Snack and Deli

40 Battery Street

(Between Bush St & Pine Street)

San Francisco, Ca 94111

(415) 434-4634

Grub-O-Meter: 2 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

John's Snack and Deli is a hole in the wall deli in the financial district which serves unusual inventions such as the korean kimchi burrito, spam kimbap, and much more. I was excited to try this place because I hear that they were inspired by the famous LA korean burrito truck Kogi. It was definitely a track out there to drive since its right in the middle of the financial district so public transportation is suggested. I ordered the kim hi burrito and spam kimbap, but was sad to hear they sold out of the kimchi fried rice. After taking the first bite I immediatley came to the conclusion that burritos and korean food don't mix that well together. It definitley had an unusual taste with the kimchi and flour tortilla. The spam kimbap was pretty non-tasty as well with hardly no spam in it. I figured that these were just a cheap knock off of the LA truck which I would like to try if I go down there again sometime.

King Won Ton

King Won Ton & Noodle

1936 Irving Street

(Between 20th Ave and 21st Ave)

San Francisco, CA 94122

(415) 682-9813

Grub-O-Meter: 3 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $ out of $$$$

A local won ton shop that just opened up recently on Irving. Not bad, a comfortable, no-nonsense type of restaurant. From what I have tried so far, the won-ton is their specialty and is pretty good. Kind of reminds me of the days growing up, would go to chinatown in Oakland-pretty similar taste. The green onion pancake is ok as well as the porridge. Still like wonton house on Noriega the best but an alright alternative if I am lazy.

Oyaji Restaurant

Oyaji Restaurant

3123 Clement Street (at 32nd Avenue)

San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 379-3604

Grub-O-Meter: 4 out of 5 Bellies-Up

Cha-Ching-O-Meter: $$ out of $$$$

Oyaji Restaurant on 32nd Avenue in the Richmond district is one of those unassuming Japanese restaurants that if you walked by you would not know that this place is super popular. Oyaji is known mainly for the tapas or izakaya style small plates. We tried all the popular dishes from the duck skewers, ramen, oyaji beef, and a few others. They were all pretty tasty but if you come here don't come here too hungry or else it will probably break the bank. Between 3 of us we spent about 100 bucks on little skewers. I think that coming here to eat small plates and to just talk is good, but make sure you fill up on a burrito or something else if you want to get full.