Top's Cafe BBQ House aka Hong Kong BBQ

Top's Cafe BBQ House, Hong Kong Style BBQ. Open 9am-9pm, 7 days/week. 2460 San Bruno, SF, 415-715-6868. They do a brisk take-out business.

I shot this meat-chopping set-up during one of my first visits, back in 2014-2015. It's all still there--same guy with the cleaver and round chopping block.

Look how fast & neatly that guy chopped up that roast pork. That's Robin's order.

Meanwhile, we're drinking Jasmine Tea, eating a vegetable-laden bone broth soup, and looking forward to putting dark red chili oil on our main dishes.

Leafy greens (spinach, we think) in a pork broth soup on our most recent visit (1/6/18).

Notice the meats hanging in the window. The actual smoking/BBQing happens back in the back.

So that's BBQ duck, chicken and pork hangin'. Sometimes they've got squab too. Seen places on Irving and Clement that have Goose, Quail and even Cornish Game Hens.

Crispy pork skin and tender pork over white rice. That green cabbage was cooked with meat juices. 

Duck Liver! Can you believe I paid $4.50 for all that? Soup & tea included!

If they're out of Duck Liver, I like to get Roast Duck, here served with green cabbage cooked in meat juices, white rice, and a bowl of pan drippings mixed with potent Chinese Five Spice Powder.

Above and below is what Robin prefers to get: Roast Pork, also served with cabbage, rice and the pan dripping/Five Spice Powder.

Other items not on the menu.

They've got these handwritten Chinese menus in addition to the English above, and an English printed takeout menu. None of the English menus make mention of the Duck Liver, it's on the Chinese menu. The waitresses think the Duck Liver is gross and will make a face, so you gotta tell the dudes with the Chinese chef's knives that yes, you definitely want the Duck Liver. Be warned: they often sell out of the Duck Liver, they didn't have it last two times I was there.

China Basin

Mission: Secret Histories

Salumi & Pike Place Fish Market In Seattle

My first view of Seattle. Still rather staggered about being there--the way the city is laid out, unique features, the natural beauty and architecture. 

We weren't able to fit Crater Lake in on this trip, but Salumi worked out perfectly.

Robin got the Porchetta Sandwich, I got the Salumi Sampler plate. One of the best meals of my life.

The neighbors we shared the table with were likewise happy.

First of 3 panorama photos from the top of Pike Place Market.

Looking at these after all these months, I'm astonished by how good the food looks in these photos. 

We didn't get anything here. Too expensive.

Instead we got sashimi from Japanese supermarket then took it back with us to eat at the Motel 6 in Redmond. I think Frances got into the trash that night, coughing up bits of wasabi...

Rancho Viejo Vallejo

We've been back to Rancho Viejo many times for Fish Tacos, but this morning we dropped by for a late breakfast (they stop serving it at 11am). We both got this: Scrambled Eggs with Nopales. The cactus strips were cooked well to the point where they still have a little snap to them. Even the beans and rice were better than we expected: fresh and homemade. Nothing too salty. Also had a little Guacamole (doesn't come with the breakfasts, ala carte). So satisfying and not very expensive.

We saw they were about to open this new place on Broadway in Vallejo. So when it looked like it was open, we decided to check it out. Note the word "mariscos (seafood)" on the banner.

So the first time I got 4 tacos, 4 different types, to get a sense of the place. Counter clockwise from lower left: Carnitas, Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Fish Taco. The Carnitas were right on the money, just cooked perfectly, with a touch of caramelization. The Asada was good, nice char, but just a little shy of the best I've had; same deal with Al Pastor, a solid version, though, and equal to the best in Vallejo. But finally, with the red cabbage on it, the Fish Taco, easily the best Fish Taco I've ever had. Just amazing. And it's Snapper, not Tilapia. So good, Robin ordered another ala carte.

That first time Robin ordered Quesadillas which were good but not mind-blowing. Then she got a fish taco.

*

So today we returned. Great salsa, with a nice bite to it. Tasted like it has mexican oregano in it. Otherwise, just straight up chiles, garlic, tomato, cilantro. Good pico de gallo.

So we opted for some new stuff: chile relleno.

Good breading, nice sauce, the poblano/pasilla chile cooked perfectly, with the cheese oozing out. Exactly what we want.

Now for something you don't see much, but at a Mexican restaurant featuring seafood it makes sense to find a Tostada Con Pulpo (Octopus Tostada). This one was cooked perfectly, not overdone, nice texture, and strewn with avocado & pico de gallo. 

Tender pulpo. 

And finally we both had a fish taco, best thing on the menu.

Rancho Viejo
1906 Broadway
Vallejo, CA
707-643-2507