5 Guys Burgers and Fries

Fast food Burgers. Yum! 

Buzz buzz buzz.  I've been hearing about this place for some time now, boasting the best burgers in town.  I just did not realize I was in close proximity to this joint.  I believe this is the closest we can get to an In & Out burger.  You have your choice of a regular burger (2 patties) or a little burger (1 patty) with any toppings of your choosing. 

 
Idaho potatoes.

 For about $11, I had a Little Bacon Cheeseburger with grilled mushrooms, onions, ketchup, regular pop and regular size Cajun fries.  The Cajun fries had a little kick to it and they offer free refills on pop.

El Sombrero

Located on 17th Ave, next to Ming's, up a set of stairs. 

There are a few parking spaces behind the restaurant, fantastic way of avoiding parking on 17th Ave!

Chips and Salsa

Combinacion Mexicana

Combination with one chicken tostada, one ham and cheese quesidilla, one chile relleno, one beef taco, and an enchilada filled with chicken, and topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese, or mole sauce. The veggies are plain and could probably do without it.  Enchilada was delicious.

Combinacion de la Casa: House combo, chef's choice.
The pork chop was my favourite in this dish.

Coffee Cake

Mocha Coffee Coffee Cake      recipe from joythebaker.com  adapted from The Gourmet Cookbook   2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda  1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup sour cream 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder dissolved in 1 1/2 Tablespoons hot water 2 Tablespoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 Tablespoon hot water  For the Glaze 1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder 2-3 Tablespoons strong brewed coffee 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted Make the Cake Put a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Generously butter and flour 8- inch (6 cup) Bundt pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla.  Add flour mixture alternately with the sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just incorporated.   Transfer about one third of the batter to a small bowl.  Add espresso mixture and stir until combined.  Transfer 1/3 of the remaining vanilla batter to another small bowl and add the cocoa mixture and stir until combined.  Spoon all three batters into the Bundt pan, alternating so each flavor is distributed through the pan.   Bake until cake is golden, or until a wooden spoon inserted in the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes.  Cool in pan on a rack for 30 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.  Make the Glaze Stir together espresso powder and 2 tablespoons coffee in a bowl until powder is dissolved.  Add confectioners' sugar and stir until well combined.  If glaze is not pourable, thin with remaining coffee if necessary.   Pour glaze over coffee cake and let cake stand until glaze is set, about 10 minutes, before serving.   (This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 10- inch (12 cup) Bundt pan.  Increase the baking time to about 1 hour.)

*Alterations:

I used a package of instant Starbucks coffee as well as a package of instant cocoa.

I also used brown sugar instead of white. 

All I can say is, yum. It's exactly what I was craving! Best served hot. 

UNA Pizza and Wine

UNA is located on 17th Ave, right next to the Mission skate shop (their sign is much larger and a good landmark). 

http://www.unapizzeria.com/

Hours of Operation:

7 days a week

11:30am - 1am 

No Reservations

 

I would've given full Bea's except it was pretty damn hot in there. Yes, it's an open kitchen, that's kind of what happens. But yes, we would have stayed longer and had dessert had the temperature been cooler.  

There was no wait time for us, mind you it was a weekday and a bit early (6:30ish).  Here are some fantastic things that UNA provides:

a) Twitter feed (They will actually tweet the wait times for a table)

b) Free Wifi

c) Purse hooks (sitting at the bar) 

Q water (Sparkling) alternative to bottled water

Prosciutto wrapped (walnut)stuffed dates.  $2/date. It's a good amuse bouche, very sweet, there is a bit of sea salt on the edge that isn't pictured. 

The top is the Mushroom: roasted cremini mushrooms, carmorza & grana padano cheese, fresh arugula, and truffle oil.  

Delicious, one that I will definitely have again

The bottom: Swiss chard: double smoked bacon, wilted swiss chard, goat feta, provolone piccante. 

This one was pretty good too, my cuz was not a huge fan of the goat feta, and I thought it would be good without the bacon.  But overall still very yummy. 

Note on the pizza dough.  Best. Ever.  It's thin, slightly crispy and manageable (compared to Famoso where you cannot pick it up with your hands)

Since you can't really see the swiss chard. Here's a close up of a slice.

I can't wait to revisit this place on a cooler evening :)
*Also, just wanted to point out that the service here is outstanding.  Definitely a treat for customers.