Soft Machine³ - Arts Tech and Other

Bourdain seems to thoroughly enjoy his 2009 visit to San Francisco, in spite of his disdain for political correctness, vegans, locavor-ianism, fruitarian-ism, organic, crunchiness, and Alice Waters. I’m certain some are offended by his opinions, but not I. I’ve heard that Waters is a food extremist, as evidenced by her suggestions for school lunch reform. She did not offer up a budget, was unprepared to prioritize her demands and ended up looking like an impractical food snob. Which of these would she sacrifice first, I wonder? Organic, locally grown, free range, prepared on-site, fresh, and so on. Meanwhile, many kids are actually getting worse than prison food, at pennies a serving, prepared off-site. There’s a universe of options between reality and Waters’ ideal world.

PART 1

Pirate Cat Radio - Bourdain drops by to give an interview and drink a unique coffee drink — with bacon?

Tadich Grill - I’ll have to try the Hangtown Fry. Website coming soon, although I’m not sure they need one.

 

PART 2 

Aub Zam Zam Room - Yelp review

It’s kind of unfair for me to rate this place, since I haven’t lived in SF since the mid-80s, so I’ve never had a drink there that wasn’t poured by Bruno. I was, however delighted to see Tony pimp for this place.

Yes, I witnessed the abuse, and mentally recorded some of the greatest put-downs every uttered… “those people, they must be from FREMONT, I’ll bet they drink BUD, from CANS” etc” (after tossing some people out who tried to sit in “that awful little room”).

“Jack Daniels? That’s a Madison Avenue drink… you want this…”

If it’s half the bar it was, it’s not to be missed.

Oh, and Bruno told me the bar was built by his dad, and the mural was painted by a friend of his dad’s. Dunno if that’s true, but that differs from another story on here.

House of Prime Rib - beware the website is “classic flash” all the way.

Ferry Building Market - Even Slow Fooder Carla Petrini found much to dislike here. Bourdain enjoys himself in spite of the reputation.  

Tip for Bourdain: Dude. Go to the Alemany Market some Saturday morning.

Oakland Taco Trucks - Chowhound Map - Bourdain’s antidote to the Ferry Building.

Sebo - Michael Black and Daniel Dunham’s sushi place at Hayes near Octavia

PART 3

That’s It - Mission street liquor store and torta shop. Bourdain tackles the Cubana - it’s bigger than his head.

Not enough Lipitor in the world…

R & G Lounge - 631 Kearny in Chinatown - Yelp review - classic flash auto-play website - salt & pepper crab, leechee martini.

Incanto Italian restaurant & wine bar - Bourdain & other chefs have the special 5 course all-gut menu.

A station of the cross for offal. A high priest of guts.

 

PART 4

Red’s Java house - Pier 30 - Yelp review - double cheeseburger and a beer, chile cheese fries. Not organic.

The antidote to Alice Waters. Tastes like it died screaming.

 

PART 5

As the locals endure my merciless poking fun at them, with regularity.

 

CODA

 

We love you long time, Bourdain. Y’all come back now, hear?

I’m sure Bourdain would approve of Hubert Keller’s burger.