My smart, funny, and massively good-looking friend, Danny (you’re welcome) celebrated his birthday last weekend at margarita-haven, Velvet Cantina.

Though I had never been, I was excited to try something new and, lets’ face it, surround myself in the company of beautiful and hilariously fun male friends. We started the night with a few pitchers of fresh fruit margaritas. Now my body can’t handle much tequila, but I did enjoy a sip or two of the generously boozy drinks from my boyfriend Alex’s glass. In between the whispers about our studly waiter and the intellectual conversation on a friend’s psychology research, we shared some pretty tasty bites.

I wasn’t able to capture all of the food in it’s clean and simple Mexican charm, but I was able to snap a few shots of my favorite dishes.

Velvet Cantina San Francisco

Clockwise from top left: Ceviche, Guacamole, Smores Nachos

The ceviche was tart and perfectly cooked with the bright addition of mangoes and crunch from thin tortilla chips. The guacamole was very different than most I’ve had before. It was sans-tomatoes, which made it much more decadent and thick. Then there were the sinfully sweet smores nachos. Who would have thought that crisp cinnamon sugar chips, chocolate sauce, and torched mini marshmallows could be so delicious? Actually, scratch that. Who wouldn’t be all over this combo?

The night was a huge success and everyone had an amazing time. Maybe it was the margaritas. It was probably the margaritas. Either way, cheers Danny! Happy 24th! Looking forward to many more birthdays, and many more trips to Velvet Cantina!


In just 10 days I’ll be on the east coast (DC then NYC) visiting my sister and vacationing with Alex! In preparation for my week long trip, I’m currently trying to schedule some great eats (preferably affordable and dress-code free) to taste on my food tour.

This is where you guys come in: I NEED RECOMMENDATIONS!

If you have a deliciously unknown hole-in-the-wall or a famous little food spot in the DC or NYC metro areas, please share in the comments below! I will also accept great little shops or other must-visit sights and activities. Ready, set, comment!

There is only one deep dish pizza place in San Francisco that I get truly excited to visit and that place is Little Star Pizza.

With various locations in the East Bay, Mission, and Western Addition, it has the neighborhood street cred with fantastic accessibility. I have only been to the Divisidero location, though I’d encourage you to try out the one closest to you– I’m sure they’re all good. Little Star does not offer your light and pretty Italian-style pizza. This is the kind of cool pizza joint you go to for casual brewskis and a tasty slice (or 3).

Little Star Pizza San Francisco

Top: Outside sign, Bottom: 'The Classic' Pizza

Although I almost always get the ‘Classic’ deep dish (sausage, mushroom, onion, bell peppers), their thin crust pizzas (like the pesto one) are delicious too. In terms of flavor, I think what sets Little Star apart from other deep dish places (like Paxti’s) is the crust. While many places get the texture and thickness wrong by making it too flaky or biscuit-like, Little Star keeps their crust crispy, thin, and full of the cornmeal-y grit that stands up well to the heavy toppings.

They also serve a few other items aside from pizza, like a caprese salad and spicy chicken wings, but you’d have to tell me how those are. When I’m at Little Star, my entire food-capacity goes strictly to pizza (and maybe a beer).

A fellow with thick-rimmed glasses and a well-groomed ‘stache speeds by on his fixed gear bicycle. You’re here! You’ve officially ventured into the epicenter of San Francisco’s hipster culture: the Mission district.

When you’ve lived in the city as long as I have, you really do need your hipster fix every now and again. For this, there is only one cure: Enter St. Francis Fountain.

St. Francis Fountain

St. Francis Fountain

St. Francis Fountain dishes out tasty bites and a healthy serving of ‘hip’ with their incredible supply of vintage candy, a kitschy interior, and a contagious attitude of indifference. The menu is an extensive variety of diner favorites, with the warm nostalgia of a mom and pop shop.

This was definitely an appropriate spot to meet up with old college friends Aiza and Amanda, since the food was just as comforting as their company. As a trio, we are not the easiest to please since we’re a mix of picky, vegetarian, and gluten-intolerant diners, yet surprisingly, the menu catered to all of our tastes.

St. Francis Fountain San Francisco Food

Left: Jalapeno Cornbread, Right: Biscuits and Gravy with eggs and potatoes

I ordered a biscuit and gravy breakfast plate which was filling and amazingly flavorful. The potato hash was filled with bits of green and red peppers, onions, and a heavy hand of spices. The biscuit itself was not particularly memorable but the gravy was buttery, luscious, and packed with pepper. My friend Aiza got the griddled jalapeno cornbread and it was quite an experience. It was like a solid block of butter in the best way possible, with sweet corn and a bit of heat.

This place puts other greasy spoon diners to shame. Not only did it satisfy my unwavering love of breakfast, it also got the approval of my vegetarian and gluten-intolerant friends, with a dose of ‘hip’ to last us until next year. However, even though we’re good on the hipster front, I doubt we’ll be able to stay away from this tasty little joint when the insatiable greasy spoon urge comes back.