Cafe Sketches: Umai Ramen House, San Francisco 02/2023

In Japantown San Francisco, there are some fantastic, overly popular ramen houses. The problem is that they are so popular, you end up waiting for two hours to get a seat. If you dig in a little deeper, there are still fantastic ramen houses that are slightly under-the-radar. We found such a place at Umai Ramen House. It's a smaller restaurant, but the ramen is just as delicious.

Umai Ramen House, 02/2023

I got the standard Tonkotsu ramen but my wife selected the Tonkotsu with a large chicken leg. It's a pretty large leg for ramen, so we ended up taking the chicken leg home and having it for lunch the next day.

Tonkotsu with chicken leg - it takes up half the bowl

So, next time you're waiting for 2 hours for a seat at the table, try some of the other hidden treasures in Japantown San Francisco.

CoWaBunGA

Cafe Sketches: Spinning Bones, 02/2023

During an episode of "Check Please Bay Area", we were introduced to Spinning Bones in Alameda California. The name caught our attention and we learned that it references their rotisserie-style cooking, of course. 

Spinning Bones, 02/2023

The cuisine is a mix of Asian fusion with Hawaiian influences. We were very happy with our order of the corn fritters, broccolini, and Double Dutch (mix of chicken and ribs, with a side of roti).  

Corn fritters, broccolini, and Double Dutch 

Our meal was delicious, and we had plenty of leftovers for the next day.

CoWaBunGA

Cafe Sketches: Ippudo San Francisco, 02/2023

If you're a big fan of ramen, then you probably know about Ippudo, award-winning ramen noodle restaurant with shops around the world. There are multiple Ippudo restaurants in the Bay Area, but the most dramatic is the Ippudo in San Francisco near Yerba Buena Gardens. You walk into a dark corridor and pop out in front of a metallic "tree" made of strands of aluminum (or stainless steel) strips.

Ippudo San Francisco, 02/2023

Of course, the ramen is fantastic. But, the pork bun appetizers can be a meal itself if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, with a small cup of sake.

CoWaBunGA 

Cafe Sketches: Bhan Mae Vane, 1/2023

Sometimes you look into a restaurant window and something about the atmosphere just invites you to come inside. This happened to us at Bhan Mae Vane, a Laotian restaurant on Webster Street. We've looked into their window many times, and the atmosphere drew us inside.

Bhan Mae Vane, 1/2023

You can't tell from walking by, but the dining room is lit by a field of large Asian lanterns, giving warm light to the entire restaurant. The food was a mix of Laotian and Thai standards. We had Laotian pho, pumpkin curry, and deep fried tofu.

Pumpkin curry and fried tofu

Stop in if you're on Webster Street in Alameda. You won't be disappointed.

CoWaBunGA
  

Cafe Sketches: Far East Cafe, SF Chinatown, 1/2023

When you get hungry while celebrating Lunar New Year in SF Chinatown, be sure to visit the Far East Cafe on Grant Avenue. This Chinatown favorite has been around for over 100 years and has the old-school feel of restaurants from that era. The modified Chinese lanterns with multi-colored lights add a modern quirkiness that makes dining here fun. 

Far East Cafe, San Francisco Chinatown, 1/2023

Old school classic dishes like beef chow fun and dry-fried green beans do not disappoint.

Our lunch at Far East Cafe, a classic Chinese meal

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

CoWaBunGA
   

Hammer Museum & Bottega Louie, 01/29/2023

The Hammer Museum hosts weekend art projects for kids of all ages. We happened to drop in while taking care of a sick relative in LA. I had a sketch in mind from our earlier visit to Bottega Louie in West Los Angeles.

Bottega Louie Beauties, watercolor on paper, 1/2023

 

Remembering how to watercolor

Somebody thought I would make a good sketch subject.

Visit the Hammer Museum if YOU have a sketch in mind...

CoWaBUNga