The Fro Fro Blog

Race Report: DSE Windmill 10K

Since the Dolphin South End folks host a race almost every Sunday, I knew I could count on them to help me get my July race in under the wire today.

After my morning Ritual and CLIF Builder's Bar, I headed out to the big windmill on the Great Highway at JFK Drive.  With a cold, heavy mist in the air, I was having second thoughts about wearing shorts and a tank top to show off my Vineyard tan. Gotta love San Fran summer.

Luckily parking karma was with me even if the sun wasn't.  I was also happy to see that the DSE crew has upgraded to fully branded, standard number bibs. I registered, paid the oh-so-reasonable $5 entry fee, which today is going toward the Sri Lankan Runners Fund.

Stretched.  Shivered.

Marveled at the turnout.  Might be more than 100 runners here.  

Shivered.  Stretched.

Race was called for the civilized hour of 9 am, and by 9:03 we were off.  It was an out-and-back on JFK Drive, so anyone familiar with that stretch of Golden Gate Park knows it's pretty much all uphill on the way out.

Despite the chill, I warmed up pretty quickly.  Passed the De Young, the Conservatory of Flowers, the Rose Garden, etc.  Every time I run in Golden Gate Park, I marvel at how beautiful it is and tell myself I should come out and run there more often, instead of always doing Crissy Field.  Maybe this time my resolution will stick.  

Was feeling great on the way back, since as we all know, what goes up must come down.  Although I wasn't able to pass one of the guys I'd been pacing back and forth with most of the time, I did best another as we approached the 6 mile mark. I saw the time clock at the finish line was ticking through the seconds of 59-minute mark and really kicked it in so I could finish in under an hour at 59:44.

Another fun DSE race down.  Finisher ribbons for everyone!  DSE is even starting to do goody bags.  Today's didn't have much in it, but I'll certainly enjoy the 15% coupon at Sports Basement, and the Chocolate Crisp Attune bar.  Bring on the probiotic wellness.

Now it's time for my other rituals -- say it with me:  mani/pedi, burger and fries!

 

Dynamo Donuts and Coffee (San Francisco)

The blogosphere's been buzzing 'bout a new donut shop.  So I recruited Shelley to do some due diligence at Dynamo Donuts and Coffee, which just opened this week. 

 

Shelley and I sampled all three flavors:  Caramel Fleur de Sel, Chocolate Spice and Lemon Pistachio.  There was no denying all three were dynamite.  The Chocolate Spice was dense, yet somehow light at the same time and laced with cinnamon.  The Caramel Fleur de Sel was a bit sticky, but if you're into salty/sweet (of course you are) then this is your ticket.  The Lemon Pistachio was a sublime citrusy, nutty pillow of fried dough.  All three had a fine dusting of sugar on the bottom for good measure.   

Unfortunately today's flavors didn't include the Maple Glazed Apple Bacon I'd read about.  I'll have to go back and try my luck another day, although I'll probably wait until the full bakery and cafe they're planning is ready.  For now it's just a walk-up order window, but we snagged the two folding chairs that had been set out sans table.  It was a balancing act to keep the donuts perched on my lap while sipping a Four Barrel latte.  

I did so happily -- so I could be among the first to sample these handmade treats and report my findings.  I sure hope you appreciate what I go through for you people.

Dynamo Donuts & Coffee

2760 24th Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 920-1978

  

Cupcake Chowdown: Magnolia vs. Crumbs

Amy, my freshman dorm-mate, made a bold status statement on Facebook yesterday.  "Amy believes Crumbs cupcakes are the best.  Magnolia has nothing on them!" 

I had a couple of hours to kill in NYC today before heading back to SFO.  I was feeling cranky that I was "off-island" (Martha's Vineyard lingo for not being there -- where I'd just spent a terrific few days on family vaca). So there was only one thing to do:  console myself with cupcakes and see if I agree with Amy.

The Retail Experience

Crumbs Bake Shop

Decor: kids' fun house

Cupcakes: They've got the regular kind, but your eyes will gloss right over those to the oversized, "gourmet showstoppers" like devil dog, apple caramel and fudge chocolate chip.  Click here for the Crumbs Bake Shop cupcake menu.

Prices: $2.95 - $3.50

The buying experience: There was a group of three women getting a large supply, so they told me to go ahead.  Problem was, I couldn't decide among all of the amazing-looking offerings.  The leader of the pack was obviously a regular so I asked her which one she recommends.  I didn't ask her friend, who was berating herself for eating an entire cookie while waiting for her friends to order cupcakes.  This is obviously not someone I can trust at all.  The regular gave kudos to both the Oreo and Blackout varieties so I got both (natch).

Magnolia Bakery

Decor: ladies' tea party

Cupcakes:  Only the classics.  Yellow or chocolate cake, vanilla (in a variety of pastel colors) or chocolate icing.  Plus red velvet.  Period.  Click here for the Magnolia Bakery menu. 

Prices: $2.50 - $3.00

The buying experience: DIY.  There's a shelf full of boxes and a box of bakery paper.  Help yourself!  Due to the limited number of options, it took no time at all to box up a chocolate/chocolate and a red velvet.   With the extra time left over I was able to order a small container of their famous banana pudding (luscious layers of banana pudding, banana slices and vanilla wafers). 

The Tasting Experience

Upon returning home, Mom eagerly accepted my invitation to help judge this cupcake chowdown. 

Crumbs Blackout:  Fudgy icing inside, not too thick a layer on top, just the right consistency of icing and richness of cake.  Mom called it "densely delicious." 

Magnolia Chocolate / Chocolate:  Lighter cake, thicker layer of frosting that was a lighter consistency and more like milk chocolate.  Right up Mom's alley, but not for me.  Messy.  Moving on.

Magnolia Red Velvet: Certainly looked the prettiest on the plate.  Again, the frosting was melty and not particularly thick, but the cake itself was excellent.

Crumbs Oreo:  Had a feeling I'd like this one the best, so I saved it for last.  The cake was very good - not as rich as the Blackout - and the icing was Outstanding.  If you're an Oreo fan, this is the real double stuff.

 

Magnolia's Banana Pudding...just FYI...

The Verdict

Well, it looks like we have a tie.  Mom preferred Magnolia, while I'm partial to Crumbs (thanks for the tip, Amy!)  While I'm tempted to give it to Magnolia on account of the banana pudding extra point, that wouldn't be quite fair since this is a cupcake contest.   You'll just have to go and judge for yourselves!

Crumbs Bake Shop has six New York and two L.A. locations.  Details at crumbsbakeshop.com.

Magnolia has two New York locations, one uptown, one downtown.  Details at magnoliacupcakes.com.

Bette's Oceanview Diner (Berkeley, CA)

The inimitable actress Bette Davis once said, "I am doomed to an eternity of compulsive work. No set goal achieved satisfies. Success only breeds a new goal. The golden apple devoured has seeds. It is endless." 

While this maxim certainly applies to professional endeavors, it translates relatively easily to the pursuit of great food.  I'm always looking for better bacon, sweeter sweets and of course, brunch. In my version of heaven, they'd serve brunch all day, every day.  So I wondered if Bette's Oceanview Diner could be heaven on Earth as I entered and saw their pie in the sky.



Since there was a 45-minute wait for a table for two (always a good albeit unwelcome sign), Cousin Dana and I window-shopped down Fourth Street.  I picked up some towels on sale at Restoration Hardware, and my favorite verbena-scented soap and bubble bath at The Gardener, and before we knew it, it was time to nosh.

Dana ordered the special of the day -- poached eggs on toast with goat cheese and roasted red peppers.  I had their signature Souffle Pancake.  It's made extra fluffy with egg whites and comes in a variety of flavors; I chose Banana Rum, with a side of chicken sausage for good measure.



What did we think of this ethereal brunch?  We loved it!



If you're in the area and just want to pick up a quick coffee drink, pastry, panini or pizza slice - you can get all these items and more from Bette's shop and to-go counter next door.  (It was all I could do to restrain myself from trying a red velvet cupcake, or the chocolate espresso Twinkie.  Virtuous, I know.)  If you're not in the area and want a little taste of heaven, you can buy their pancake, waffle and scone mixes online.

What to Pack for Summer Vacation

As I prepare for my upcoming trip to Martha's Vineyard, it's interesting to compare my packing list to that of some famous chefs (from the LA Times - found via Eater SF).

I'm with T 'n' T (Tony and Thomas) on this one.  A great attitude, sneakers and an iPod will take you anywhere.

Click here to read the full LA Times article.

Happy 4th of July from the Marin County Fair

Fourth of July means independence, red, white and blue and of course, the county fair.  

I was decked out in my patriotic colors and ready to pose, but at first the llamas weren't.

 

Then we came upon this fine specimen.  That's a whole lotta bacon.

Soon, it was feeding time...

...so we headed over to the booth with the big smoked turkey legs...

...and I really chowed down.  What a lady.

Hope your day was just as delicious.  Happy 4th, everyone!

Tastings, Part Deux

A little over a year ago I enjoyed a lovely dinner party at Rebecca's, catered by the hostess and her lovely and talented friend Alexandra, who was fresh off being featured in the March 2007 issue of Bon Appetit.  On Saturday night Alexandra was back in town and it was one of those rare occasions on which the sequel was even better than the original.

When the guests arrived at the appointed hour, we were treated to Alexandra's hors d'oeuvre: shrimp slathered with Middle Eastern spices, and savory pastry topped with mushrooms or baby asparagus, and Parmesan cheese.  

 

I could have eaten the entire plate of both dishes, but I was in polite company.  I also knew that these were just the previews -- there was much more to come.  We all sat down to dine, and were treated to Rebecca's cucumber-topped gazpacho.  Though by her account it was very easy to make, it tasted as if she'd slaved away.

Soon it was time for the main course.  If this truly were a movie sequel, this would be the big love scene.  What an amazing dish!  I theatrically tore open the parchment paper to reveal sea bass, cooked atop sliced potatoes and surrounded by sun-dried tomatoes (which I love), not olives (which I don't).  (Sidebar: Ever the considerate hostess, Rebecca had remembered that I don't like olives, and Alexandra made the substitution for me.)  A side of sugar peas completed the picture.  Everything was perfectly seasoned, and all the flavors and textures came together in an unforgettable way.  

  

Rebecca was in charge of dessert -- scrumptious Fruit Crumble with Madagascar vanilla ice cream.  A very happy ending!  As the credits rolled, we munched on Bittersweet Chocolate and Coffee Almond Brittle, from one of my favorite Farmer's Market farmers, the folks at G. L. Alfieri.   (Their trail mix is tops.)

 

Thank you again, Rebecca and Alexandra!  Anyone up for a trilogy? 

If you're in NYC and would like Alexandra's company to cook for you, click here to check out the Tastings web site.