Aziza Restaurant

I contemplated on posting these photos because of the horrible lighting but felt obligated to share it with you all anyway. Aziza is now up there as one of my favorite restaurants next to Commis and Manresa.

Seriously amazing "pretzel" bread


Wonderful cauliflower soup


Meatballs with jícama, grape, herb vinaigrette


Squab with cherry, tarragon, frisée, foie gras, spiced honey bread


Basteeya with chicken, almond


Black cod with broccoli, garlic scape, octopus, ginger


Lamb with fennel, morels, corn, sweet onion


Pistachio meringue cake with strawberry, burnt honey ice cream, nougatine (AMAZING)


Coconut milk cream with cherry, sponge cake, walnut crumble


Goat yogurt panna cotta with raspberry, rose gelée, hibiscus soup


I really can't say anything BAD about this meal. Seriously. LOVE LOVE LOVE ! AMAZING! Everything was perfectly cooked, plated, and seasoned. I mean, everything! The waiter was very well informed of the food preparation as well. I was also very impressed with the desserts which is nice because I have been rarely impressed with Michelin desserts in the past. OMG I can't wait to go back.

Aziza
5800 Geary Boulevard @ 22nd ave
San Francisco, CA 94121-2005
(415) 752-2222

Café Moderne (Couscous !)

After Le Grand Tasting, I met up with Nina to hang out a bit. Here is Galleries Lafayette - it was way too crowded so we got the f out.




On our way to eat dinner, we walked by an art gallery where the artiste did an entire collection on Obama


Tuna Pastilla - delicious, juicy


Chicken Pastilla - delicious


Couscous ! Also accompanied with raisins and Harissa sauce


Soup


Nina ordered braised beef


I ordered grilled Cote d'agneau


Perfect combination


And of course, mint tea. Perfect end to the meal


This place is very casual - the food was delicious and satisfying. However, I do like Wally Le Saharian a bit more (but not for dessert and tea).

Café Moderne
19, Rue Keller
75011 Paris, France
+33 1 47 00 53 62‎

Wally Le Saharien - that's some good f'in couscous

Pim's in town. This morning we stopped by Ze Kitchen Gallerie - Pim was helping Chef Ledeuil make curry paste. Unfortunately I couldn't stay long enough to see the paste in progress since I had to deal with my papers at Ferrandi. But it's finished.

Ah, I feel much better now.

Had a delicious tuna sandwich (ummm they added dill!) from Maison Kayser and a monge. Good first lunch back in Paris.

Later, we went to pick up Pim's friend Matt at Gare de L'est. Grabbed a café at their hotel and shared some Pierre Hermé macaroons I picked up for her. (It was her birthday yesterday! Happy belated!)



Then off to get some couscous. I am familiar with couscous (well, the course, grainier stuff) but have never had the "real thing." We went to Wally Le Saharien (recommendation from Sophie's friend) where it is handmade.

These photos suck but I had to post something. The food here is really delicious (sans the dessert).

Delicious soupe - loved loved loved the coriandre in it. Probably one of my fav herbs.


This was brick filled with farce - good balance of savory and sweet. Powdered sugar on top! Loved it.


Nicely cooked - plus it was nice to have salad again!


Delicious lamb - the couscous was heavenly. Light, fluffy, airy, buttery. Not coarse and grainy. Ummm super bon.


Desserts no good - soggy like it's been sitting out all day long. Tea too sweet, not enough mint.


Matt, Pim, Sophie


Afterwards, we walked across to Spring. Chef Daniel offered us some Calvados. Couldn't finish it. Brung back memories of our trip to Normandy.

Regardless, tummy is happy and full of couscous. Delicious like eating "light and buttery clouds" couscous. Now I know. Ummmmmmmmm. I will be back.

Wally Le Saharien
36, Rue Rodier
75009 Paris
M: Anvers or St-Georges
Tel: (33 1) 42 85 51 90