Cheap Eats #SanFrancisco

This blog will be taking you around San Francisco for delicious, hearty meals that will not hurt your wallet. Eaten and written by Elva Marlene.

[marleneeats]

Where To Celebrate National Doughnut Day

It is funny how there must be some food to celebrate on each day. And tomorrow is everyone’s favorite: Doughnut Day! Do not think about all the carbs and sugar it contains. Treat yourself on this day. Enjoy life and every bite you take on the doughnut. My favorite is Bob’s Donuts located in Nob Hill, San Francisco and here is why.

Photo by Jessica P.

They showcase every donut they have and it is REALLY hard to choose from! You can never leave with only one or two. You will end up with a box. They have different variations, from old school such as chocolate donut with sprinkles to danishes and apple fritters. 

Photo by Adam S.

One really important suggestion: come at night! They serve fresh batches every night and they usually have more choices than during the day. I have gone there several times during the day and the donuts tend to be cold with less choice. 

I once went there at 10 p.m. and bought the fresh chocolate donut. It literally melts in your mouth! Each only costs you around $1 for simple ones to $3 for those with more toppings.

If you are up for a crazy dare, do not forget to take their gigantic donut challenge! You have to finish it in 3 minutes and they will refund you the money, plus you get free drink, T-shirt, and your name on the Hall of Fame! Or you can just buy them for Instagram feed purposes *wink*

Size comparison between the giant donut and regular ones. Photo by Joanne H.

Bob’s may be packed on the national day, but it is always worth the wait.Y ou can see how they are making their donuts while standing in line. The line moves fast and you get to have those colorful donuts entertain you along the way. Give them a visit, they are open 24/7!

Bob’s Donuts ($)

1621 Polk St.

[phone]

[marleneeats]

The Diet Models Follow To Maintain Their Body

Have you ever wondered how all the runway models still eat but they do not seem like having any flabby skin visible? After watching Academy of Art’s Graduate Fashion Show, I was immediately inspired to continue my journey in achieving that bod.

Photo by Marlene.

While I am currently munching on chips, I realize that I will not get that soon enough, but maybe in the future.

There are some mistakes that we do when dieting, and some of us are not aware of it. For example, we should not count calories. Why? Because when we cut on calories, our metabolism slows down. Instead, start with healthier food. Skip those salt and sugar because they make you bloat. That includes your favorite soda and fried food. Another important way of eating is to not mix proteins and carbohydrates in the same meal as it will hinder proper digestion and cause bloating, gas, and constipation.

Models start the day with light meal and end it with heavier meal. Begin your day with warm water and lemon to boost alkalinity and metabolism, followed by a juice or smoothie to give you energy with natural vitamins and minerals. Have some salad for lunch, you can also add a bit of protein such as salmon or hard boiled eggs. End the day with a hearty grain bowl with a lot of veggies, or more protein with roasted veggies on the side.

If you are feeling like having dessert, eat organic dark chocolate and skip those peanuts. They do have healthy fats and protein, but they are heavy to digest and very dehydrating. If you need to have nuts in your diet, opt for raw and organic ones.

Do remember to be aware of portion. Eating healthier food does not mean you can eat everything you want. It is also important to stay hydrated throughout the day and get enough sleep. And the final is to work out and get that body moving. A lot of models are obsessed with yoga, Pilates, running, or boxing like Gigi Hadid. You can mix them up to earn better results.

[marleneeats]

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo With The Best Burrito In SF

Claimed to be the best burrito style in the country, Mission-style burrito has its history stretched back to September 1961 where El Faro first created the oversized and overstuffed meat, cheese, whole beans, and rice with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream all wrapped up in a large flour tortilla and foil. It almost looks like you are holding a newborn baby in your arms.

La Taqueria has been attracting crowds from different cities and states for decades. Miguel Jara, the owner, is always on sight, greeting new and long-time customers. They have been around for 44 years. The place they are right now was used to be a bar called Gordos (fun fact!).

Photo by Burrito Blog.

But what is so special about this place is that they do not put rice in the burritos.

“They are different because in Tiguana they have burritos, when I was over there. They put rice and that was like half rice, quarter of beans, and they tasted good. But when it comes to the carne asada, the flavor went away. So I decided not to do it. Cost me more money… but that’s okay because the people love it.”

So you can scratch that guilt of eating carbs because they save you some calories!

Photo by ABC 7 News.

As Cinco de Mayo is around the corner, the Mission District on Valencia street will be celebrating its 13th annual festival on May 6, 2017. It will showcase Mexican and Latin American cultures of foods, music, dance, and artistry from over 65 vendors.

Now you have a reason to visit the Mission District. And while you are enjoying the culture showcases, do not forget to visit La Taqueria to have their burrito boost your Cinco de Mayo excitement!

[marleneeats]

6 Steps To Become A Better Food Photographer

One of the struggles I have in maintaining a great blog feed is producing eye-catching photos. Blurry and dark photos with bad angles, looking unappetizing. Every time I look at other bloggers’ feed, I always wonder how they do it. They always have consistent, pretty looking photo collection. 

I have listed 8 steps that may help in improving your photography skill. 

1. Order pretty food.

When you go to a restaurant or cafe, ask the waitress for suggestions and order their most popular dishes. Good-looking presentation will help make the picture look nice and mouthwatering.

2. Find good lighting when taking a picture.

Good lighting brightens the whole aspect of the picture. Less grains and pixels will be visible.

3. Find a good background.

Background such as pretty table settings or cute walls make everything more interesting and presentable. 

4. Distribute props evenly.

Do not leave too much negative space on some side! It may seem distracting for some OCD audience. Fill in those blank spaces with utensils or even flowers.

5. Bite your food!

Yup, even your bite can create a prettier look to the food. I am not sure why, but it makes it seem more appetizing and delicious.

6. Take as many pictures as you can.

Try different angles when taking pictures, and do not be shy making that clicking noise many times! You will have more pictures to choose from and there may be that one shot that really gets to you.

Remember, do not make your friends and family wait for too long just because you need to take 100 pictures of the food. They might turn hangry!

[marleneeats]

Boba Guys: The Reason I Always Fail My Diet

What is more sinful than having a boba place just across your apartment? By now, many people should already have known what boba is. It is chewy pearls made of tapioca flour, which usually are added as toppings to cold drinks such as milk tea or smoothies. Some may call them bubble tea, some call them boba, and some tapioca pearls. 

Boba Guys is especially special to San Franciscans’ hearts because their drink taste does not lie. They only provide high quality of drinks (they brew their own tea!) and boba, with real ingredients as well.

Two of my favorite: Matcha Latte and Jasmine Milk Tea. Photo by Marlene.

They also serve unique specialty drinks that no other place has! I have tried some of them and they are all very tasty!

Photo by Porsche.

What is even more that differentiates them from other boba places is that they let us see what they are making. They are not hiding. Have you ever wondered what could they be doing behind the closed kitchen? Are they brewing my tea or are they using powder? In Boba Guys, you can actually see them whisking the matcha. 

They have rapid growth in opening up more stores in the city, with their recent new store in Potrero Hill. On weekends, the line is never not long enough for you to wait in the cold! But worry not, you will be leaving the place with satisfaction. 

My advice: come there early when they open or during weekdays to skip the long queue!

[marleneeats]

Life As A Foreigner

San Francisco International Film Festival 2017 began on April 5 at the Castro Theatre with the drama comedy Landline. But what really caught my attention while scrolling through the line up was The Future Perfect.

Why? Because of how much I can relate to the Chinese girl, Xiaobin. 

Photo by Locarno Film Festival.

The sixty-five minute long movie tells the story of Xiaobin who emigrates to Argentina to be reunited with her family who moved years earlier. Her parents do not put effort in mingling with other Argentinians and prefer to stay in the Chinese circle, expecting the same of their daughter. They think 18 is the perfect age for a girl to get married and want her to only marry a nice Chinese boy through a set-up meeting, everything arranged by the parents. 

She struggles with her background culture and the local language which results in her getting fired from her work. Her enthusiasm to blend with the society forces her to secretly takes language lesson and date an Indian immigrant. 

Photo by Slant Magazine.

This reminds me of how my family who has a Chinese background, expects a lot from their children, similar to the movie. Their perception has been shaped since a long time ago, even though it does get better as the world starting to change and more people become open-minded. They want their children to be able to speak Chinese (besides Indonesian), and English comes after. It would bring them to shame to not be able to speak their own mother tongue. 

My parents are more open-minded than most Chinese, but they still prefer me marrying a Chinese guy who has a decent, stable job who owns a house, with a business education background. And list goes on and on and on...

Coming to the US for the first time was a culture shock. My English was not as good. I got a hard time in figuring out what some people speak about when they use slang language. My parents never stop reminding me to only look for Chinese boys, which I always find very funny and end up with me teasing them of how I get a white boyfriend.

The Future Perfect brings the audience in her journey in finding her true identity, growing up as a young adult, and the importance of language in communication with others. It is very relatable to us students, travelers. Watching this may remind us of how far we have come, take us back to the first day we moved here, and why we moved here. 

A movie worth to watch. Buy the ticket now before it is too late!

[marleneeats]

5 Affordable Sushi Spots in San Francisco

San Francisco may be one of the best cities to get creative sushi rolls. They mix Japanese food with different culture influences into the rolls, which I find somewhat refreshing compared to ordinary sushi. Listed below might not be the most authentic Japanese spots, but they do serve fresh fish and are wallet friendly.

1. Domo Sushi

Located in Hayes Valley, Domo provides outdoor seating as well perfect for traffic watching and fresh air. Wiki Wiki rolls are the main star here.

Photo by The Infatuation.

2. Elephant Sushi

Elephant Sushi has several locations in the city. Their White Out is my favorite here. That seared butter fish with garlic ponzu sauce. Mmm...

Photo by Thrillist.

3. Tataki

Pretty plating and great ambiance of bar/sushi restaurant are the reasons people enjoy this place. Not only that, they offer happy hour menu and vegan options!

Photo by Zagat.

4. Ebisu

Ebisu is a hidden gem in the Sunset district of San Francisco. They serve one of the cheapest, but high quality omakase! Check their lunch menu or bento for cheaper options.

Photo by Jamie.

5. Kama Sushi

Fresh and cheap sushi, great choices of ramen and donburi, plus they also have skewers (yakitori)! What more can you ask for...

Photo by Kama Sushi.

Make sure to check their menu out before visiting as some of them offer happy hour menu (usually from 5.30 to 7 p.m.). Then you get to fill in your belly with more fresh sushi! Comment below if you have your own favorite sushi spot that I can try next time!

[marleneeats]

5 Juicy Burgers You Need To Try in San Francisco

I love burgers like a fat kid loves cakes. Layers of carbs and fat of pretty burgers never fail to make me drool. The first bite you take and the surprise feel you get... is priceless. Burgers vary from artisanal to modern twist of meat and toppings. Each one delivers their own different, unique taste to customers. 

Here are 5 burger joints I think you should try at least once in a lifetime.

1. 4505 Burgers & BBQ

What to get: Brisket Burger.

Photo by Cynthia.

2. Causwells

What to get: Americana Burger.

Photo by Melissa De Mata.

3. Gott’s Roadside

What to get: Ahi Tuna Burger

Photo by Gott’s Roadside.

4. Huxley

What to get: Hux Deluxe.

Photo by SF Weekly.

5. Roam Artisan

What to get: Bison Burger.

Photo by Matthias.

Now, who is coming with me on to the next burger joint?

[marleneeats]

All Time Favorite Instant Noodle

Whenever I go back to Indonesia (that is where I come from) for a short holiday, I always bring along my favorite instant noodle back to San Francisco. I usually bring 20 packets for the whole semester. Instant noodle is definitely a staple for students who is away from home. Each country has its own popular instant noodle, and for me, this is my definition of perfect taste of home.

Indomie, or in short of Indonesian mie (noodle), has gone international and is sold in most Asian market in different countries. They also carry different products and flavors such as Mi Kriting (curly noodles), Taste of Asia (instant noodles with different flavors of Asian dishes), My Noodlez (for kids), Real Meat (they put real meat in the packet!), Bite Mie (snacks), and many more. 

Here is my favorite flavor out of all their products, Mi Goreng. Mi Goreng is dry compared to my second favorite which is their soup ones (Indomie Ayam Spesial). What I like about it is that it is both sweet and savory. The sweetness comes from dark sweet soy sauce or kecap manis and savory comes from the seasonings. 

Photo by Marlene.

An average Indonesian man would eat two packets at once because two is always better than one. But I can only handle one since I usually add toppings like fried egg. There is also a choice of Mi Goreng Jumbo if two is too much but one is not enough. It is almost half bigger than the original one!

Inside the packet. It comes with chili sauce, dark sweet soy sauce, oil, fried onion, and seasoning. Photo by Marlene.

Plus, can you believe that one packet of Indomie only costs you $0.2? 

Photo by Marlene.

Cook the noodles for about 3 minutes in a boiling pot, or depending on your noodle preference. I like my noodles chewy, not too soft. Pour out all the seasonings and condiments in a bowl. Remember, this is a dry noodle, so drain the water. Then, mix everything together! 

We all know that they are so not good for our body, especially the MSG. But when you are too hungry, moneyless, and homesick, who cares, right?

Check out this video by Fung Bros for creative, fun ways to upgrade your Mi Goreng!

5 Ways to Eat Indomie Mie Goreng Instant Noodles - Fung Bros.

[marleneeats]

5 Instagram Worthy Cafes in San Francisco

What first gets me excited about visiting a cafe is their Instagrammable food and place. Cafes today are not only about the taste, but also whether they can make it to your Instagram feed. Here are 5 places I have visited which I think are worth for you to check out.

1. Tartine Bakery

Tartine Bakery has proven its delicious pastries through the long queue outside of their cafe everyday. Their baked goods are too pretty to be eaten, but at the same time you cannot stop munching on them. 

Photo by Serious Eats.

2. Zazie

One of the top brunches in the city, with its prominent long wait time. They are customizable, you can stack up the pancakes or order less. Gluten free option is also available! Their plates are perfect for photo decoration.

Photo by Amy.

3. Belly Good Cafe & Crepes

Who would not be cheered up by those cute faces on top of delicious crepes? They make different faces in each order, depending on the flavor of the ice cream you get! You can either have it on a cone or on a plate.

Photo by Terracanta.

4. The Mill

I honestly must say The Mill’s toast is pretty expensive. However, if you have not tried it, you should. Their housemade bread is thick and flavorful, plus their spreads... indescribable. I love their mocha too!

Photo by Eater.

5. Sightglass Coffee

The interior is industrial themed with rustic design, giving a different feel to most coffee places in the city. You can see baristas making cups of coffee while waiting for yours, as well as a gigantic coffee machine with sacks of coffee. 

Photo by Graham.

Comment down below if you know other cafes worth visit!

[marleneeats]

Top 5 SF Food Bloggers You Should Follow On Instagram

My Instagram feed is full of appetizing food and pretty table settings. I take notes on what the bloggers eat and visit the restaurants when I have time. Following their Instagram accounts help me decide on what to eat and which restaurants I need to try. I hope this helps you the same!

1. Cynthia @cyneats

Cynthia is one of the people who would stand on chairs to take good pictures of food on the table. She only gives reviews to places she loves and enjoys. She also manages social media accounts of restaurants and businesses. 

2. Christy @eatwithchristy

Follow her on her Instagram Story as she takes up-close videos of the food she eats. She has a very bubbly personality!

3. Mindy @oishiimoments

What other than cute posts of food would make you want to travel no matter how far it is? Mindy’s constant postings of adorable food will brighten your Instagram feed.

4. Heejin @hungryhungryheejin

She is an ex-fashion designer turned culinary professional who has helped creating contents for many brands and restaurants. While doing that, she does not forget to eat the food after.

4. Cindy and Bich @ieatsf​

With over 12k followers, they take you around San Francisco through their colorful food posts to on-trend food and restaurants.

5. Allie @allie.eats

Her love for food has been in her blood since she was young. She is your go-to blog for you who are pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood).

Here goes my top 5 SF food bloggers that I constantly check on to get updates on new restaurants or recommendations on where to dine. If you have your own, comment down below so I can stalk them before my bedtime! 

[marleneeats]

Top 5 Coffee Shops According To Yelp

San Francisco is filled with great coffee shops. In fact, there are so many that sometimes it is hard to decide where to go. We end up scrolling through pages and pages of reviews yet taste is definitely subjective. However, Yelp comes to the rescue! Here are 5 best coffee shops in San Francisco according to Yelp.

1. CoffeeShop in Bernal Heights

Photo by Ed.

2. The Temporarium Coffee & Tea in Mission

Photo by Avery.

3. Blue Bottle Coffee in SoMa

Photo by Tomo.

4. Four Barrell Coffee in Mission

Photo by Emily.

5. Saint Frank Coffee in Russian Hill

Photo by Dwell.

Again, you may have different opinions on some of the coffee shops above. Comment down below if you agree with Yelp or if you have different ones in mind!

[marleneeats]

6 of SF Food Bloggers’ Favorite Brunch Spots

Brunch is the time most of us always look towards. It is the perfect moment where you wake up after a long(er) sleep and your stomach starts to grumble, wanting to be fed. What I love about brunch is the pretty plating of big portion of food, being served to you while it is still hot. You can have either sweet or savory (or mixed), hot or cold. They are very photogenic as well (sometimes the place too!), to brighten up your Instagram feed and make other people drool. Brunch food is something I could eat any day and any time, and I would not get bored of it.

  One of my weaknesses is that I can never decide where to eat. I have too long of a food list that I want to try but I never know where to start. Hence, I always read reviews from food bloggers to give me more insights on what to expect of the food and place there. And here are the results for brunch!

  1.         Mama’s on Washington Square

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/where-to-eat-in-san-francisco/

Monte Cristo. Photos by Mama’s SF.

Popular for their Monte Cristo (and their at least 2-hour queue), Mama’s on Washington Square is no longer a stranger to both locals and tourists. You will also be greeted by their cakes and pastries.

  2.         Kitchen Story

http://cyneats.com/kitchen-story-the-best-brunch-in-san-francisco/

  Millionaire’s Bacon. Photo by @cyneats.

“My God. It’s like the best bacon on the planet”… Yes I do think so too! When you go to Kitchen Story, definitely, must, and have to get their Millionaire’s Bacon. A personal favorite dish of mine is Ribeye Omurice.

  3.         Tartine Bakery

https://asideofsweet.com/sf-bests-brunch-tartine-bakery/

 Chocolate and Banana Cream Pie & Lemon Cream Tart. Photo by Tina.

Do not be shocked when you see a really long line in front of this famous bakery in the Mission area as it is normal for them, even on a weekday. Bring home some of their baked goods such as croissant and tart.

  4.         Jane on Fillmore

http://www.foodietakessf.com/home/2016/10/3/jane-on-fillmore

 Storefront of Jane on Fillmore. Photo by Erin.

Jane is always busy. The laid back feel and cute interior of the place leave people wanting to stay longer. They offer healthy choices of food and high quality coffee beans from Stumptown Coffee!

  5.         The Magic Flute

https://cafecollector.com/2015/11/22/the-magic-flute/

Cinnamon & Sugar Beignets. Photo by Marika.

  The place is filled with antique décor and pastel pink walls, with mystical patio, perfect for a photobooth. It is more Italian than American, and do not forget to get their beignets!

6.         Zuni Cafe

http://sarahcraves.com/the-perfect-fancy-brunch-spot-in-san-francisco/

  House-ground Stemple Creek Ranch Hamburger. Photo by Amber. 

Uniquely, burger is offered in brunch and lunch menu but not in dinner menu here. Zuni Café is a great fancier restaurant to get unique brunch dishes with both American and Italian influence.

  It is normal for San Francisco’s brunch spots to have long lines. It requires patience and time to get to enjoy delicious brunch food in the city. I hope you are not reading this post at night because it may make you feel hungry. Forgive me for that… If you were, maybe you should take an impromptu trip tomorrow and head to one of the places listed above!

[marleneeats]

Indulging A Bowl of Asian Goodness, Egg Noodle Soup

There are different types of noodles from different regions in the world, but they are mostly known in Europe (spaghetti, bucatini) and Asia (rice noodles, egg noodles, ramen, udon, and the list goes on and on). This time, I want to present to you what most Asians use and eat, egg noodles.

  As the name implies, egg noodles have eggs in the ingredients. When it comes to nutritional values, they have both good and bad points. Do not worry though, they are actually low in fat and they give you good amount of protein!

When I miss home, I always visit this place because they have the closest to what I usually have back in Indonesia, Yamien. Hai Ky Mi Gia is owned by Chinese/Vietnamese family, the Hua family, for over 25 years. They offer more than 30 soup dishes, including their most popular and my favorite: the braised duck leg with wonton and egg noodles. You can get them dry (with soup on the side) or everything dipped in the soup (clear chicken broth). I personally like it dry and pour just a little bit of the soup into the dry noodles, and drink the soup at the end of the meal.

A must get: braised duck leg with wonton and egg noodles. Photo by Marlene.

Chewy noodles, flavorful and tender duck leg, and thickset wontons, finished with fresh cilantro and fried garlic… Every bite I took gave me joy (and no I am not being overdramatic). They give you chili oil, Sriracha, soy sauce, and oyster sauce on the side if you like a bit more kick. I like it just the way it is because then I can taste everything, from the noodles to the meat. A plus point for them, the meat is so tender you do not need extra effort to tear the duck leg. I would not want to look like a beast munching with oil smothered on my face…

Thick, chewy egg noodles. Photo by Marlene.

The menu may just seem very confusing because you can basically customize what you want for the toppings to the kind of noodles. You can pick between thin or thick rice or egg noodles. If you are not a big fan of duck meat, then you should also try their house special. They include all these different meats, including seafood. Or you can go as simple as just fish balls or meatballs.

House special with thick noodles. Photo by Marlene.

The restaurant can sit big groups (table of 6) if you bring along your family. Be aware of the sticky floors and the smell of a typical damp Chinese restaurant though. But I would endure anything to get my bowl of goodness!

 I have found many other egg noodle restaurants in the city, especially in Chinatown. No place so far beats the flavor of Hai Ky Mi Gia. Definitely a must try!

Hai Ky Mi Gia ($)

707 Ellis St

[phone]

[marleneeats]

What Made Me Fall In Love With Fashion Merchandising

I am quite surprised at how many people are clueless about fashion merchandising. When I introduce myself and tell them that I am currently studying fashion merchandising in the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, they often would ask what I actually do. The design aspect of the field itself is very popular, but many neglect the fact that fashion merchandising plays an important role in selling designers’ clothes.

What is fashion merchandising? It is a job involving the tasks necessary to deliver the clothing requests and meet the needs of potential customers and designers. The campaigns, displays and advertisements that you see in the stores and streets are fashion merchandisers’ jobs. They also take care of the manufacturing and marketing, as well as creating sales strategies. But what made me fall in love with fashion merchandising are these five reasons:

1.         No two days are the same.

Fashion industry always carry new challenges that you face everyday. There may be problems with the manufacturing, different and unique clients who may turn your day 180 degree, and there even may be some life-changing unexpected events happen in a day.

2.         You work in a fast pace work environment.

Trends are constantly changing, clothes are manufactured and shipped, displays revamped almost every week. It might be hectic, but it surely is a fun and never boring environment.

3.         You get to meet different kinds of exciting people.

One of the most important things in the business world is to have great connections. Knowing the right people can often open doors to a world of opportunities. You can build network with influential people in (sometimes fancy, if you are lucky) fashion events you get to attend.

4.         You get to travel.

Depending on the size of the company, as well as how high your ranking job is, you get to travel domestically and even internationally. You get to shop fabrics and clothes for the company.

5.         Broad range of positions.

Merchandising covers many job desks such as buyer, merchandiser, marketer, manager, product developer, and allocator. The job desk is very concentrated so you can choose which area you think you excel best, but you still fall under fashion merchandising.

 In order to become a successful merchandiser, you must understand customers’ wants and needs and have the knowledge of current and forecast future fashion trends. You must also have excellent communication and analytical skills. The world of fashion is an incredibly competitive place. If you are one of those people who just cannot stand still in one place and love to socialize with people, this is the perfect job for you.

[marleneeats]

Zuly, The Queen of Alfajores

What better way to celebrate sunny day in San Francisco with freshly baked alfajores?

Alfajor(es) is enjoyed all over Central and South America such as Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay and has many versions. I have never known or even tried alfajores before, and I fell in love right at first bite! The melt-in-your-mouth dulce de leche (a milk-based caramel) that is sandwiched between tender and crumbly cookies. Who would not drool at that?

As I was giving myself a treat on a hot Saturday in a fairly new ice cream shop called Garden Creamery in the Mission, I noticed a small pop-up table inside, showcasing different colors of cookie sandwiches. I asked a friend to buy me the matcha (green tea) flavor one while I queued for the ice cream. I noticed the cookies, which real name is alfajores, catch the attention of other people in the line as well.

Top to bottom: matcha, ube, and traditional alfajores. Photo by Marlene.

I chatted with Zuleika Alvarez, or Zuly, at her pop-up the week after and asked her to share more about her journey on becoming the queen of alfajores. 

Marlene: I have never known alfajores before, what is it and where is it originated?

Zuly: They originate from Peru, Argentina, and Cuba. I am Cuban, but they sort of have a different kind of name. They are soft, delicate cookies with smooth and satiny texture. The creamy dulce de leche holds the cookies together.

  Marlene: What starts you to sell alfajores?

Zuly: My family is from Cuba and I grew up with dulce de leche, eating it out of the can and putting it on a cracker. I started baking random things, then one day I just thought I am going to try alfajores because it is not very popular here and is very hard to make. A lot of prep work and labor. It took me a while to perfect it. I started in a little kitchen with tiny oven, three cookie sandwiches at a time! I was giving them away to my friends during my visits and had them try and give comments on my baking.

  I am slowly growing the business and doing the pop-ups. Those were out of the blue! I was not expecting it. I was having dinner with a friend and she invited me to her friend’s ice cream shop (Garden Creamery). Then she told me to do a pop-up in her shop. By the time, I was only selling the traditional ones at my family restaurant. That was when I started doing the different flavors. It is such a new aspiration for me. I did not even like baking. I was more of a cook. My dad is a chef and started his own restaurant in 1982. He was a big inspiration and influence but also being raised by grandmother, she showed me her amazing cooking and baking skills.

  Marlene: What makes your alfajores different than the others?

Zuly: I started with the traditional one, and only just recently I made the matcha, ube, and guava. Matcha has become a thing so I thought I would give it a try. I would say my favorite out of the four would be matcha! Alfajores are usually very thin but I was like “No man, I am going to make these suckers really nice and fat”. I want the inside to be full, giving a little bit more dulce de leche than the usual one. I also wanted to offer something vegan too, like the vegan chocolate chip cookies.

Table setting of Zuly’s Goodies. Photo by Marlene.

Marlene: How did you come up with the different flavors?

Zuly: Ninety percent of my friends are actually Filipino and no one else is doing ube flavor. My friends are my cheerleaders in life. They give me ideas and inspirations as well as feedbacks. I have also been drinking matcha since 2007 and I love it! I used to work retail and I needed energy. So I went to Teavana in Sacramento and the lady said I should try matcha because I was very tired. I felt energized and I like all the beautiful benefits. I love things that are traditional. I wanted to offer something different too. People come to you to look for something fun and specific. You have to stand out.

Photo by Marlene.

Marlene: What kind of matcha do you use? I tried your matcha alfajores last week and it was really tasty!

Zuly: I used My Mix n Matcha for everything, including my drinks. Their matcha is premium quality. There is culinary quality, which is below, but I wanted my cookies to be bright in colors with great taste. I mean, you gotta taste the matcha! I use really good, high-end products and good butter. Everything is handmade by me.

Photo by Marlene.

Marlene: Are you thinking of opening up your own store one day? Or even expanding your menu?

Zuly: These pop-ups are so that I can eventually create my own little store, something small where I can serve coffee and tea and cookies. That is really the goal to have a brick-and-mortar store. But for now I will just be doing the pop-ups so I can financially get there. I would love to have it in San Francisco, because it is very diverse and I love different cultures the city has. Also, everybody is out and walking. It is just awesome!

 For the menu, I think I am going to stick to alfajores but I am working on another alfajores recipe but I have not said anything yet. It is still a secret. It is going to be really cool! I will also be doing gluten free because a lot of people here are gluten free and vegan. I have not done vegan alfajores yet because it is kind of hard to find the filling that stays. But I am trying to make everything for everyone.

  It is important that you bake with passion and joy. I hope I will be doing this my whole life! My soul has always been searching for something and I never thought I would be baking but it is something that lights up my life. I am just excited and happy to bake, it brings me joy. Baked goods sweeten people’s lives. Sweet life, that is what I want to provide people with.

Zuly (middle) and her supportive friends. Photo by Marlene.

After chatting with her, I was very much inspired by her energy and ambition in her career. She rules the kingdom of Alfajorians very well in keeping their stomachs full and pleased. I hope we readers will find our joy and passion too! Or any of you who has, continue to inspire other people and bring the best outcome every day.

Check out her Instagram profile and keep an eye out for her next pop-up! They sell fast!

[marleneeats]

The Woman Behind the Renowned Tenderloin Bakehouse

March 8 is the day where all women come together and work in solidarity to give the world a similar message. It’s the day which holds the story of women’s achievements and struggles for equality and has been occurring for over a century and still continues to grow. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is: #BeBoldForChange.

 Mr. Holmes Bakehouse was indisputably bold to replace Ry Stephen, the head baker and co-creator of the insanely famous cruffin (croissant and muffin) with Brittany Delval, a former private pastry chef and recipe developer for King’s Hawaiian Bread. As Ry Stephen is currently pursuing his career in New York, Aaron Caddel, the owner, envisions Delval’s role as someone who is able to be a curator, mentor, and organizer that empowers the kitchen staff. Upon the replacement, Delval and team continued the creation of the upcoming bakery’s new menu.

The photogenic and Instagram worthy cruffins.

violetfog.com, photo by Julia Robbs

Brittany Delval has background in Culinary School with honors and started baking and cooking 9 years ago in San Diego. Since graduating, she had worked for companies and French bakeries in Southern California.

violetfog.com, photo by Melissa De Mata

Interestingly, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse is full of women! Which is very rare in the culinary world. In an interview with San Francisco food blogger, Melissa De Mata, Delval said it is like girl talk every day.

Delval being focused on making the cruffin dough.

Photo by Eater SF

The line can reach 2 blocks long just to get the layered, flaky half croissant and half gooey muffin that comes in a multitude of flavors like matcha (which is the most popular) to caramel popcorn. They are not only known for cruffins, but also their donuts (which also have different flavors everyday), kouign amann, and savory croissant. They start selling cruffins at 9am, and by 8.30am there will already be a line of people waiting to get their hands on them. Mr. Holmes updates their weekly flavors in their Instagram page @mrholmesbakehouse.

How to create the three-day-processed cruffin can be read here. 

Photo by Eater SF

After reading the post, I am amused by how these women are able to wake up early in the morning and start baking (at 5am!) and serve the carb-hungry customers everyday. Plus, they have different flavors for each day. 

Find your passion. Do not be afraid of a change in your life. Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly. And in the end, it will not feel like work because you just love what you do and everything will pay off.

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse ($$)

1042 Larkin St.

Hours:

Mon-Fri: 7am – 2.30pm

Sat-Sun: 8am – 3.30pm