Hump Day

Generally Hump Day is Wednesday, the middle of the week, implying that you have to get "over the hump" before you can anticipate the weekend. This past Hump Day took on a special meaning for me. It is not only the anticipation of the weekend it is also anticipation of Wednesday, March 31 my last day on the job! Yes, I am hanging up my suit, closing a chapter and moving on to the next thing whatever it may be.

So Hump Day this week was marked by a lovely lunch at A16 (with one of my favorite people) on Chestnut Street, followed by a visit to the We Olive store next door. When we walked into the restaurant there were people behind the counter/prep station butchering a side of pork. From all appearance A16 uses all of the pig, fascinating to watch! Our lunch was rather early in the day so the dinning room was filled with empty tables. We were seated at the back of the restaurant near the enclosed porch where there was a long communal table being set. Behind me was another long communal table so we assumed that this was going to be a very lively lunch surrounded by large parties.

The room began to fill with a parade of men coming into the restaurant with wine, we later learned that there were two wine merchants’ lunches going on. I saw a familiar face, the bartender from Flour + Water, I buttered him up a little so he would remember me the next time. After a few minutes my lunch companion and I order three dishes to share; Mozzarella burrata with olive oil, sea salt and crostini and prosciutto di Parma; Pork and beef meatballs braised in tomato with basil and grana padano(a house specialty and a favorite of mine), and the Cavatelli with manila clams, calamari, borlotti beans, fennel, basil and tomato. Needless to say we each had a glass of wine to complement our lovely meal. Every morsel was good and so very satisfying. I have never had a bad meal at A16; the food is always fresh, very well seasoned and beautifully prepared in its simplicity.

After leaving the restaurant we were anxious to visit We Olive located a couple of doors down the street. The store was charming, inviting and fragrant, you could taste everything. I needed some olive oil because I was running low; I usually have a variety of olive oils on hand for various preparations. I purchased the blood orange olive oil and an extra virgin for everyday use. Some of the oils are in vats; you fill your bottle and bring your bottle back to be refilled at a discounted price.

Wednesday, March 24, was the best Hump Day Ever!

Flour + Water

flour + water “is a San Francisco Italian restaurant that focuses on seasonal ingredients sourced from the unparalleled and ever abundant California artisans and growers.” flour + water is located on the corner of Harrison Street @ 20th. Before the restaurant opened last year the space was a dilapidated store front. I live in striking distance of the restaurant so I watched for months with anticipation as the renovation began and the storefront evolved into flour + water.

We walked in during the opening week and waited for a long time for a table; the wait seemed a bit unnecessary since there appeared to be empty tables but we attributed the wait to opening week jitters. The food was fresh and tasty enough for us to give it another try. We have dined at flour + water a few times since it has been open and we would probably dine there more often if it wasn’t so difficult to get a table.

One day we noticed that the restaurant had been tagged not by a gang member probably by someone that had made several attempts to get in. The tag read “ F_ _ _ this place!”, I asked my husband if he wrote that, he denied it. Wednesday we decided to make another attempt at getting in. I was a bit reluctant, those of you that know me personally know that I am going through a rough patch, I told my husband that I didn’t know if I could take rejection right now. He was determined so off we went, I told the waiter my rejection story to that he replied “I can seat you in 30 minutes max maybe shorter, will that work?” We were seated in less than 30 minutes and had a lovely evening!

We sat at the bar; while waiting to be seated we perused the menu so we had a good idea what we wanted to order. First we ordered a bottle of Michele Calo, Negroamaro, Salento IGT, Mjere, Puglia 2005; the wine was big and bold with a nice finish.

The bartender/waiter suggested that we start with a pasta dish after we told him our plans. The pasta, seafood (sea bass) stuffed tortellini verde with prosecco, fennel & tarragon. The pasta dish was subtle and very refreshing, a perfect start since our flavor profiles were going to build with each dish.

Pizza was next, osso – roasted bone marrow, fontina, rabe leaves & fresh horseradish. The pizza was very rustic rich, flavorful and the marrow melted in your mouth. This may have been the best pizza I have ever had! The wine pared perfectly with the pizza.

Last, we had roasted chicken breast & stuffed leg with golden turnips, morels, rabe leaves & sherry thyme jus; OMG! The breast was juicy and the stuffed leg was to die for, I don’t often order a chicken dish out but the description of this dish on the menu was tempting and it delivered big time.

We were too full to order dessert, next time.

I highly recommend flour + water for a casual evening when you are in the mood for good food and wine without too much fuss. Make a reservation because they have not quite figured out how to manage walk-ins.