E pluribus unum

E pluribus unum is Latin for "Out of one, many" and it is the motto requested to be placed on the Seal of the United States by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere...whoever that is!? It's one of those sayings that can be taken however the reader chooses to take it. We are a nation divided. I am America and on and on. The only reason I bring it up here on Tuesdays with Pookie is because we found ourselves in posession of two brand spanking new, shiny pennies that have been updated for 2010. At first, we were elated by how pretty they were. Although, that quickly turned into being perplexed as to the new design and why our government would spend money to redesign an almost forgotten form of currency. One that is rarely spent and happily disposed of at cash registers across this wonderful Nation of ours. Although, we hoarded our new and shiny pennies..not at all unlike Gollum and his precious ring.



This is Tuesdays with Pookie!



Andy had taken the next step in becoming a fit fella and opted for a street run with a friend on Monday and come Tuesday, he woke with an ache unlike anything he'd ever felt. This Pookie was seriously walking like the Scarecrow from "Wizard of Oz" and I couldn't help but ask myself.."If only I had a brain". Since I could barely walk, I wanted to hold TwP in the morning so that I could use the remainder of the day to relax and stretch. As with every Tuesday with Pookie, I texted Leslie my idea....BREAKFAST!



Since we're both addicted to all things pastry, Leslie suggested we hit San Francisco's famous bakery cum hipster hangout, Tartine Bakery (600 Guerrero, SF, CA. 415.487.2600). This bakery is a haven for the foodies of this town. Buttery croisants and morning buns are de rigueur for those on their way into the office in the morning and at 5 p.m. sharp, everyday they roll out their fresh baked breads for those returning from the daily grind. Since we were in the mood to sit down and catch up, we opted for a greasy spoon to outdo all other greasy spoons. We ended up at St. Francis Fountain & Diner, http://www.stfrancisfountainsf.com/ , which touts itself as San Francisco's oldest Ice Cream Parlor. This throwback to diners definitely hit the spot and some. Leslie tends to be a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast while I tend to go out on a limb and St. Francis definitely had options for both of us. Leslie with her two eggs, over easy with a side of bacon and fluffy biscuits while I went with the heaping pile of freshly carved corned beef hash with two eggs. Not ones to miss any opportunity, we also ordered a hotcake to share. This was about as solid of a breakfast as you're going to get in San Francisco. Longevity tends to be a sign of good things and St. Francis certaintly didn't let us down!



This breakfast was more about catching up since we'd last seen each other the previous Tuesday and since Leslie had her big unveiling at the Underground Farmer's Market..and for those that care..She did awesome and sold out of everything..Yes...EVERYTHING! We're all so proud of her...but enough of that..this is about Pookie!



The one thing that caught my eye, other than the window art telling us to have a "Happy 4th of July" was the candy case sitting just inside the door which was stocked to the gills with Topps trading cards from days of yore..No. not baseball trading cards, but anything and everything from the 80's. Dark Crystal cards? Yep. got 'em. What about Garbage Pail Kids? You better believe it and so many more. We were literally two kids in a candy store. I believe we spent more on our retro candies than we did on our breakfast, combined. C'mon. This is Tuesdays with Pookie and we get stuff that we really don't need...or something like that!



Prior to starting this TwP, we made a pact to be back in our respective homes by Noon since we both had busy schedules. Me with my laundry and stuff to do with my "real" work and her with her baking and packing for a beach vacation, but of course the sun finally came out after a 2-week hiatus in San Francisco and you'd better believe that our pact was soon washed away by thoughts of soaking up Vitamin D. We started on Leslie's patio soaking up sun which soon turned into a beer which quickly turned into Margaritas on my patio with our gal pal, Shanni and a gaggle of dogs. This is why we love Tuesdays with Pookie so much! We only plan on one specific place and/or theme for the day and let everything else fall into place. These days always turn into playing catch up, laughing and falling in love with each other every time.



I do need to thank Leslie for introducing me to Omnivore Books in Noe Valley, http://www.omnivorebooks.com/. This is a bookstore for anyone who loves to eat, talk or read about food. The shelves are packed with new, old and antique tomes ranging from all things meat to how to cook like a hotel chef. I could have easily spent the better part of the day within these hallowed walls perusing each and every shelf..and plan on doing so soon. From the antique cocktail books which were inscribed with the previous owners musings of wine pairings and perfect temps to the delightful section dedicated to children, I was in love. I picked up a world cooking book for my niece. I plan on giving it to her when she comes to visit so that we can enjoy each other's company in the kitchen whipping up something exotic. So..thank you Pookie for the introduction. I'm now hooked!



POOKIE'S LOO REVIEW FOR ST. FRANCIS



From as early as I can remember, we went out to dinner every Friday night as a family....me, mom, dad and my older sister. The venue could be anything from the local Chinese place on the corner to fine dining with white table clothes and us trying escargot for the first time. Even as me and my sister became teenagers and would rather be somewhere else, we knew Friday nights were a mandatory family outing and one we knew that there was no use trying to get out of attending. Somewhere along the line, my estimation is around 6 or 7 years old, I became quite interested (obsessed) with the condition of the restrooms in each restaurant we visited. I would always find time during the meal and politely excuse myself. Not always to relieve myself, but for the sole purpose of "checking it out". My little excursions became my family's inside joke. One that was funny to everyone with the exception of myself. I took these trips to various loo's quite seriously. So much so that I began keeping a journal of my ratings that I would fill out as soon as I got home from each Friday night dinner...God. I so wish I still had that book! One review that has always stuck with me is of a small restaurant in our hometown that had a restroom which I labeled as a "glorified outhouse". It was a freestanding building in the back parking lot of the restaurant. I, as you can imagine, was appalled! "What must the kitchen look like?" I thought to myself. After returning to my family seated at the table with my serious face on, I stated. "I don't think we should eat here any more!" Clearly, my parents did not take me seriously because, much to my dismay, we ended up eating there many more times...I guess I turned out okay, but you'd better believe that I never went back into that restroom!



So, here's my newest edition of my restroom journal..Pookie's Loo Reviews! I can finally see the humor in it and I hope that it entertains you, as well!



My rating will be on a scale of flushes. 1 through 5 with 5 being the best! Restrooms will be rated on cleaniness, decor and continuity with the restaurant itself.



This week's rating for St. Francis Fountain & Diner:



Rating= 4 flushes



The restroom fit with the overall theme of the restaurant...retro and simple. Most importantly. It was clean! Why not five flushes, you ask? They could have done something to really push it over the edge..Free fruit stripe gum or maybe a can of Aqua Net on the counter!

Here's...to toilets.

Let it evolve organically. That's our belief when discussing our empire, Tuesdays with Pookie. All thoughts must evolve organically and come from within and the same goes for each "TwP" adventure. We touch base in the morning via a text.

Pookie to Pookie: "Good Morning! We're still on..right?"

Pookie responding: "Of course. What's the plan?"

Pookie: "Not sure? You have any ideas?"

Pookie: "Food & Drinks?!"

Today was no different, although I did begin the germination of an idea prior to even waking up today. I had it in my head that we would tackle as many of the food trucks popping up all over this city. We could hit Kung Fu Tacos, that specialize in non-traditional topping for tacos. Ranging from Kimchee to vinergary chiles. We'd then dart across town to meet up with the Brulee Cart guy to get a nosh of something sweet. I even had the whole blog fleshed out. Lo and behold this idea wasn't meant to be. It did not evolve organically. It had merely come from me and not from the Pookie squared. Pookie deserved putting in her two cents, as well.

An hour before meeting, Pookie sent me a link to Pica Pica Kitchen; 401 Valencia @15th, 415.400.5453, www.picapicakitchen.com . A restaurant putting out wheat and gluten free specialities from Venezuala. Such as Arepas, a corn flour cake that's been charred on the grill, split open and stuffed with goodness. Today we had ours done a la La Shuli, one of their vegetarion options. This black bean stew was so vibrant and zesty. We could have easily had a few of these. We also had a Maize'wich, that was described as a sweet corn cake grilled like a grilled cheese sandwich. We had this one with the shredded pork. Definitely tender and flavorful, but we were both left wanting heat..or vinegar..or something more. We had a few other items, but found ourselves gravitating toward the La Shula each time. Those black beans were so good!

After unbuttoning our jeans, we ventured into the sun to tackle our next organic obstacle. A quick trip to the Ferry Building. You see. Pookie will be featured this Saturday at Forage SF's * www.foragesf.com * next Underground Farmer's Market. It will be at SomArts which is located at 934 Brannan. It is strongly suggested that you purchase your tickets prior to the event. No waiting at the door. Her gluten-free baking business, zukra bakery, was asked to join in this amazing event and she needed baking supplies. We made a b-line for Sur La Table and noticed a donut stand across from. With a mental note to get a donut before leaving, we stepped inside and tried not to lose ourselves inside.

$50.00 and a new compost pail later, I walked out and headed straight for the donut stand. This is Pepples Donuts, www.pepplesdonuts.com , and they're successful because they don't mess with what they know is good. These cake donuts are enrobed in rich glazes. From vanilla bean to salted caramel to creamscicle. Each icing flavor is prepared so that you merely want to eat another and another and another. Until you've eaten an entire dozen. I just know I could do it! I went with the orange glazed creamscicle flavor which tasted bright and zingy while Pookie went with the chococalte/chocolate glazed donut. Another winner.

If there were a point to this blog it would be to always try something new. Be it a new restaurant, a new walking path, a new haircut or a new position....if you get my drift?...To support local businesses even though their prices are a little higher than at the big box. To be a better customer through engaging those behind the counter and being grateful to the service they provide. In doing so, you'll find that you can actually tailor your shopping experiences towards your needs. That's the beauty of small business owners. They want to cater to their neighborhood and it's citizens. We want to remind you all that it really isn't all that serious and that it's perfectly okay to make fun of yourself and to laugh at yourself, even. Pookie and I know one thing to be true. That through food and the act of preparing and offering of it makes everything else seem simple. The simple act of placing a plate filled with food in front of someone is just about as intimate an act as one can do with another person. For on that plate is more than food. On this plate sits a vast pot of emotions and love and secrets. This simple act of placing it in front of someone only brings the eater now into the story, which is recreated over and over throughout a night of service. In turn making each and every one of us a part of the same history. One filled with secrets, love and a vast pot of emotions.

Weekends with Pookie and Grilled Cheese, please..

The Fourth of July is like many of America's national holidays. Traditions recreated year after year and expected food items on the dinner table. The fourth is no different. Around this time of the year, we all crave grilled foods..or what some refer to as BBQ. This past fourth was no different. I joined Pookie up in Guerneville, CA. * www.russianriver.com * where she and her friends were staying in a house abutted up to a bend in the river on the evening of the fourth and got their just in time to join in on the potluck grill fest. Cheeseburgers, grilled chicken breasts, roasted baby veggies and Pookie's amazing bone-in marinated bird parts! I'll have her post the recipe, soon! This was definitely a fourth for the record books.



Since this blog is called "Tuesdays with Pookie", Pookie thought it best to discuss the actual day instead of our most wonderful of getaways at the River. Since Pookie was still at said river on Tuesday, Pookie was left to his own devices...and we all know that when left to his own device, Pookie gets up to no good.



Thanks to all the glory that is Facebook, Pookie was made aware of The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood * http://www.theamericansf.com/ * start of their morning service. Pookie slipped on some kicks and walked up the street to partake in a cheesy morning treat! *totes meant to do that*. First things first before we get into the goods. This barely month old eatery has been selling out of everything. Yes, everything since opening day. Having already experienced a near hour long wait in line to get a grilled cheese a few weeks ago, Pookie hooved it over at 9 in the morn to get a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast.



Although, Pookie was nonplussed about his sandwich choice, he's willing to give it another go. Instead of going for the super sweet Sunday Brunch sandwich, he'll go with one of the savory concoctions. I totally understand the concept behind this sandwich. Stuffed french toast with a nod to NoLa cuisine. A little goes a long way in the execution of this sandwich and this morning's offering was a little heavy on the chutney, which taste house made. The chutney was paired with a chevre. A perfect pairing had the chutney not been so heavy handed. The bread is a Pain de Mie which is referred to as a perfect sandwich bread. Pookie wasn't able to find a recipe for Pain de Mie through our favorite miller, Bob's Red Mill * http://www.bobsredmill.com/ * A perfect crumb that can hold a good load...that sounded funny! At T.A.G.C.K., Pookie watched as the kitchen dunked thick slices of this bread into what he assumed to be a french toast mix of milk, eggs and warming spices. His only complaint would have been with this bread. If they were going for a play on french toast then make sure the bread gets a good crust. Of course, Pookie inhaled his sandwich as soon as he snapped a picture of it. He's actually wishing he had more of that brown sugar bourbon sauce as he's typing this. He's also wondering why he keeps referring to himself in the third person. That's neither here nor there. He digresses. Point of ramble? Lines never lie. The team behind the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen have something on their hands. A niche in a satuated market where one must always toe the line between gimmick and pure artistry to retain the masses. Although, today's line was no where near the size I was a part of during my first visit, I'm certain that this homage to all that is frommage has a long shelf life that will only mature with time. Like any good cheese, you must allow time for it to breathe, to come to room temp. before slicing, spooning or spearing into it and ensure that you supply to proper accompaniments for those about to enjoy. These folks do so and do so with a passion that's not found very often. These are people after your heart. Literally. All kidding aside, Pookie can't wait to take Pookie to this grilled cheese haven and watch her reaction as she takes her first bite into a sandwich made of passion.