There's much to praise about Charles Phan's newest restaurant venture Heaven's Dog (1148 Mission). But if you want to go straight to the heart of it and don't have the time or means to carry out a full sit-down reservation, here's an idea: Belly up to the bar, lounge or adjacent noodle bar and order some pork belly buns or a veggie variety with crispy tofu and shiitake ($8).
These addictive morsels are a clear tribute to those served at the New York restaurant Momofuku, the great success which, if media reports are to be believed, was almost singlehandedly built on the back of buns.
redwood tree from Marin that serves as the tea bar.
The other day, while eating at Outerlands (4001 Judah), the curiously named Trouble Coffee stood out on the menu. As it turns out, not only is Trouble Coffee and Coconut Club (4033 Judah) on the same block, it's been open for a year and a half, selling one (and only one) incredibly unique breakfast of thickly sliced homemade cinnamon toast, coffee and a whole young coconut.
It's called Build Your Own Damn House ($7) and is an adventure in playing with your personal chemistry; the coconut water mellows the jitters and extends the duration of the caffeine buzz from the coffee, while the sugar in the toast draws an instant smile. All that's missing, really, is a little acid, but fortunately BYODH goes great with their new shot of sweet-tart fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice ($2.50), which for some reason they ask you to call Yoko. Oh no.
