For Lunch-Sunrise Deli

There are a couple of locations for this Mediterranean deli.  The one that I frequented most is located on Irving Ave past 24th Ave somewhere.  Its a stones throw from golden Gate Park.  I particularly enjoy their falafel and falafel sandwich.  On occasion, I have been to their other location on 2nd St between Mission and Market.  I like their falafel sandwich better at this location.  It may have to do with the hummus or tahini that is put into the sandwich.  I believe the recipe is slightly different because of the different flavors I experience when noshing on these items.

Anyway, I decided to have something different on this last trip.  I opted for a chicken shawarma and a side of 2 falafels.  The chicken and onion mixture is tuffed into pita bread with some red pickled cabbage.and tomatoes.  Overall, I found the entirety of it quite bland.  The pickling of the cabbage was quite mild and only hinted at some sourness when biting into it.  I had expected more spices in the chicken but it seems they were very light handed in this department

I have not had alot of shawarmas, especially not chicken ones.  So, I wasnt really sure what to expect.  I have had lamb ones at Truly Mediterranean and throughly enjoy those.  The much bolder use of spices and strong flavor of the lamb is apparent and fills the mouth with each bite.  Chicken on the other hand is a much blander meat so I cant fault them for that.  They also serve chicken shawarma at Ayola.  I have read on some online review sites that their shawarma is not their stellar product either.  I guess I will have to try one from there and compare.

On The Job-1915 Panama Pacific Exposition Leftovers

These are very familiar structures in the Marina district of the city.  they currently house the Palace of Fine Arts and the Exploratorium.  Originally, this complex was built for the above mention expo.  Over the years, there have been renovations done and seismic retrofits have been made to keep this landmark safe and open to tourists and locals alike. 

One of the more striking features are the columns.  There are a large number of free standing columns and a few that hold up the main dome.  I took an art history class once and learned about the different type of columns but I cant remember if these are ionic or doric or one of the other classes that I have already forgotten

I never realized how red the columns that decorate the supports for the dome were.  They are made ever more brilliant at night when the area is bathed in incandescent lighting making the exteriors look very jaundiced

Stepping through one of the archways into the center of the dome.  Voices and sounds echo around the inside as people crane their necks upward.  Some almost falling over while craning too much

The patterned lattice work that lines the interior of the rotunda

A small fountain in the lagoon as bookeneded by 2 of the many columns that dot the area.  Behind which are a few of the many high-priced homes that can be found in the area.  Most if not all the residnetial unites are multi-storied

Bibimbap

Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish that is a kitchen sink of sorts.  This particular example is from the restaurant within the supermarket Kukje in Daly City.  Aside from the rice, there is alot going on within this bowl.  You see the fried egg on top and some slices of beef underneath it.  The rest of it is a fairly healthy mix of  several pickled, cooked, or boiled vegetables.  Some sesame seed oil is sprinkled about and you can add as much bibimbap sauce as you like.  You cuold probably throw in extra items such as kimchi or other side dishes that are usually served with a Korean meal.  Using the long metal spoon provided, all is mixed together and eaten by the spoonful.  For vegetarians, the meat can be left out.  The egg can be served raw or omitted as well.  The other ingredients can vary with the season or vary from cook to cook to suit their own tastes.

One variation is to have this served in a scalding hot stone bowl.  The heat from the bowl burns the kernels of rice that are in contact with it.  The resulting crispy scorched rice is a delightful way to finish off the meal.  However, some places will charge you extra for this addition.  Admittedly, I was not a big fan of this cuisine, except for the barbecue, when I was younger.  Exposing myself to ever increasing amounts of the culture through TV and music, I began to broaden my palette.  I began to have their tangs and chiges(soups), kimchis and banchans(side dishes), jajangmyun(black bean noodles), mandu(dumplings), pajeon(savory pancakes), etc. and enjoyed them very much.  Granted the jajangmyun is a chinese dish and usually found in chinese restaurants in Korea, I equate them with the Koreans and usually have them in Korean restaurants here at home

On The Job-Lombard St (west side)

When you pair the city and Lombard St, people invariably think of crooked, as in the most crookedest street.  But, that is just one in a series of blocks that make up Lombard.  It continues eastward to the bay but that will be another story/post.  We will focus, this time, on the western portion.  On the other side of that far peak is where the winding portion makes it way down towards the North Beach/Northpoint area.  As it leads westward, its a major artery that connects to Doyle Dr in the Presidio and eventually connecting to the Golden Gate Bridge.  All this cuts through the Marina district.  There used to be more restaurants along this section.  many have closed but one would not starved or be at a lack of choices if one were to stqy in the area.  Nowadays, the hotels/motels outnumber eating establishments.

In the distance, the fog shrouds Doyle Dr and the GG Bridge.  In the foreground, you would have seen the remnants of the buildings constructed for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition that the city played host to decades and decades ago.

Aside from Lombard itself, Chestnut St parallels to the north and Union St follows in the same direction a few blocks to the south.  Both these streets host their own variety of eating establishments and shopping boutiqes.  Union having more bars can draw a few more revelers but pale in comparison when you begin to count the number of places to eat.  All three provide a lively area that many tourists wouldnt know to experience

Movie Review-Captain America

So, this movie had to be made in order for all the characters to be ready to assemble for the upcoming Avengers movie.  The Hulk was done, twice before no less.  Iron Man has already had his sequel.  Thor made his appearance earlier in the year.  I wonder who else needs to be introduced before they can begin on the eventuality.

I cant say that I cared much for this movie.  Its over 2 hours long and feels like it.  For some reason, the last few Marvel superhero tales had taken a very serious tone.  This includes X-men First Class.  Thor tried to vary from this template.  I found more humourous moments in Thor than I have in any other fish out of the water story, But I could not find myself liking that.  The cameo appearance of Hugh Jackman as Logan in X-men First Class was one of a handfull of instances of chuckles that I could muster.  What little gags there is is found sprinkled sparingly here and there.  Not enough to lift the mood in any substantial way.The first Iron Man had a nice pace to it.  It felt like a fun romp.  The actions scenes were fun to watch and the visuals added to the airy feeling.  After all, these were derived from comic books and comic books were what I used to read for fun.  I wished Capt America could have been fun.

We are introduced to the proverbial 90 pound weakling in Steve Rogers.  A scrawny Brooklynite who strives to fulfill his duty by enlisting during the war and failing at it 5 times.  His appearance on screen is that of the comic book ad where he is representative of the guy who gets sand kicked in his face.  He attracts the attention of a special division of the Army and is inducted.  More exposition before Rogers gets experimented on and emerges taller, faster, stronger.  Initially, he is trotted out to sell war bonds and advance the war effort at home.  While on tour in Europe, he defies regulations to save his best friend Bucky who is being held captive, along with other allied prisoners. by the Red Skull.  The Red Skull is amassing an army and advanced weapons to aid, or usurp, Hitler.  Rogers and his hand-picked group succeed in thwarting the Skulls plans and staying one step ahead him.  In the end, the good guys win and the bad guys lose.

If this telling sounds boring, we thats how I found the movie.  If you have to watch this, wait to stream or rent.  Most people know the sotry of Captain America so I dont think you would be missing much if you dont see this before the whole Avengers come together