Saturday, February 1, 2020

San Francisco Treats vs. Kansas City Eats: A Super Menu Match-Up

Super Bowl food: San Francisco vs Kansas City menu

Kansas City and San Francisco aren’t merely NFL powerhouses, they also happen to be two of the most storied food towns in America—with vastly different cuisines. KC is the undisputed BBQ capital of the Midwest, while the City by the Bay is a Michelin-adored globe-spanning melting pot. Since the Super Bowl is as much about football as it is about feasting, we relished the opportunity to celebrate the culinary prowess of both cities with regional-specific menus for the big game.

Related Reading: How to Throw an Epic Big Game Party

The local eats and drinks featured below are sure to satisfy not only supporters of the Chiefs and 49ers, but also viewers who have no allegiance to either team but are simply foodie fanatics.

Kicking things off (by virtue of the ceremonial coin toss) is a menu inspired by the stick-to-your-ribs dining tradition of Kansas City.

Kansas City

Appetizer: Burnt Ends Mac and Cheese


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Mac & Cheese is food for the soul.

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Don’t let the photo fool you. There’s more than meets the eye to this elevated take on mac and cheese which is one of the signatures at Kansas City hotspot Gram & Dun. Hiding beneath the mound of pecorino and garlic cream bathed pasta is a fistful of burnt ends, the succulent meaty morsels from the fatty end of a brisket that happen to be a local favorite. The dish even has a football connection—those crispy bits on top are pork rinds, a.k.a. pig skins. Get the Burnt Ends Mac and Cheese recipe.

Jack Stack BBQ Burnt Ends Combo, $79 on Goldbelly

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Main: Kansas City-Style Ribs


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Kansas City Style Ribs are typically characterized by the thick, sticky sauce brushed on in the last 30 minutes of cooking. The dry rub and sauce are on the sweet side using a brown sugar base, but are balanced with chili powder and pepper, producing some truly finger licking good ribs. . . . ➡️➡️ Grab the recipe link in profile! . #ribs #kansas #pork . . #buzzfeedfood #buzzfeast #delish #feedfeed #f52grams #foodblogeats #foodgawker #hautecuisines #hauteigram #huffpostgram #huffposttaste #igfood #instafood #tasty #popsugar #DamnThatsDelish #todayfood #bareaders #theresmyfood #foodblogfeed #eatingfortheinsta #beautifulcuisines . . . https://keviniscooking.com/how-to-make-kansas-city-style-ribs/

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This one was a no-brainer. Ribs and Kansas City go together like Patrick Mahomes and Tyreke Hill. What makes the KC version so special is the one-two punch of a dry rub and sticky sauce which is lathered onto the rack during the last 30 minutes of cooking (both are highlighted by the sweet touch of brown sugar). Things will get messy so you may want to avoid serving these near the couch. Get the Kansas City-Style Ribs recipe.

Related Reading: 9 Perfect Sides to Serve with BBQ Ribs

Side: Secret Ingredient Baked Beans


Sticking with the BBQ theme is another Kansas City staple, baked beans. Spoiler alert: The secret ingredient is actually cherry pie filling, a surprisingly effective addition to the dish. The sweet and sour notes pair harmoniously with smoky bacon and a tongue-tingling spice blend that includes cayenne pepper, cumin, and paprika. Get the Secret Ingredient Baked Beans recipe.

Dessert: Cherry Mash Truffles


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On the First day of #ChristmasSweetsWeek I bring to you these Cherry Mash Truffles. They’re a delicious copycat of Cherry Mash candies featuring a soft cherry center, made with @lorannoils then covered in chocolate peanut coating. 🍒🍫 Also, be sure to check out the #giveaway on the post for fabulous prizes from our amazing sponsors ✨ @dixie_crystals ✨ @cabotcheese ✨ @lorannoils ✨ @joyjolt ✨ @shopsweetsandtreats 🍒🍫 https://www.strawberryblondiekitchen.com/cherry-mash-truffles-christmassweetsweek/ 🍒🍫 #sponsored #recipeoftheday #DamnThatsDelish #feedfeed #dessertlover #sweettooth #nobake #Christmastreats #Christmascookies #Christmascandy #CherryMash #eat365 #eeeeeats #foodblogeats #eatingfortheinsta #thatsdarling #foodfeed #tipsgroup #heresmyfood #foodblogfeed #TODAYfood #foodceleb #geniuskitchen #easyrecipes #simplerecipe #buzzfeed #buzzfeedfood #thekitchn

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Produced in nearby St. Joseph, Chase’s Cherry Mash has been popular in Kansas City for over a century. You can purchase the chocolate and peanut covered confection with a creamy and colorful fruit filling via Amazon, but for this extra special occasion, why not go the extra yard and make them yourself? Get the Cherry Mash Truffles recipe.

Beverage: Caribou Lou


The Chiefs have their fair share of celebrity fans: Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd, and Eric Stonestreet are among the famous faithful. But rapper Tech N9ne is perhaps the only Kansas City diehard to have his own signature cocktail. The Caribou Lou, a sneakily potent blend of 151 proof rum, coconut rum, and pineapple juice is such a sensation, its theme song has over 31 million views on YouTube. Get the Caribou Lou recipe.

San Francisco

Appetizer: Baked Goat Cheese Salad


It seems only fitting that a San Francisco spread includes a dish inspired by the queen of modern Bay Area cooking, Alice Waters, who originated the dish at her legendary restaurant Chez Panisse. Yes, it’s technically salad, but the panko crusted discs of goat cheese (we recommend Straight Up from NorCal creamery Cypress Grove) are sure to entice those who want to indulge while watching the game. Get the Baked Goat Cheese Salad recipe.

Main: Cioppino


The San Francisco dining scene is so eclectic that choosing the right entree for this menu was a particular challenge. Mexican and Chinese options were under consideration but ultimately we decided to take the Italian route with cioppino, the homegrown seafood stew that has been a local staple for decades (the version at Sotto Mare in North Beach is tough to beat). The intoxicating mix of fish and shellfish swimming in a clam juice-spiked tomato broth is easily shareable and sure to be a crowd pleaser. Plus if you’re wearing a 49ers jersey, you don’t have to worry about stains. Get our Cioppino recipe.

Side: Parmesan and Garlic Butter Cheesy Pull Apart Bread


Welcome to the sourdough bread portion of the dinner. It was inevitable the tangy loaf that has become synonymous with San Fran would be included on our 49ers menu. It was just a matter of how it would make an appearance. This cheesy spin on garlic bread is addictive on its own, but it also happens to be the ideal dipper for cioppino. Get the Parmesan and Garlic Butter Cheesy Pull Apart Bread recipe.

Related Reading: Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets for Anyone Who Loves Bread

Dessert: Sundae Bar

chocolate s'mores sundae recipe

Chowhound

This one stems from our love of iconic San Francisco chocolatier Ghirardelli. The company’s decadent chocolate and caramel sauces are a must-drizzle for the ultimate football sundae. Keeping with the local theme, seek out pints from the ice cream wizards at Humphry Slocombe. Check out our compilation of the Best Ice Cream Sundae Ideas for more inspiration.

Beverage: Mai Tai

Chowhound

Though the Mai Tai is known as one of the quintessential tropical libations, its origins are actually rooted in Oakland, making its debut in 1944 at the original Trader Vic’s. The tiki staple can be found at a number of spots across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, and with its golden hue, the rum-based cocktail is the perfect beverage to toast the 49ers. Get our Mai Tai recipe.

 



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This Clever Miami Ice Cream Shop Celebrates Cuba with Every Sweet Bite

When one thinks of Miami, Cuban food springs to mind, but what about Cuban ice cream? Head to Calle Ocho, the main thoroughfare of the Cuban neighborhood, Little Havana, and you’ll find Azucar Ice Cream Company, likely with a deep line of people waiting to get their sugar fix. You can’t miss the larger-than-life ice cream cone hanging above the doorway on the blue exterior. Founded by Suzy Batlle, a daughter of Cuban immigrants, Azucar lures people in with creative flavors. While Batlle and her ice cream shop seem like natural fixtures now, her path to ice cream queendom was an unusual one.

A whip-smart, no-nonsense woman, Batlle found herself out of work as a banker in 2008. She didn’t have a culinary background, but her kids, school-aged at the time, suggested she open an ice cream shop. Batlle’s grandfather had been a sugar mill engineer and her grandmother an ice cream making whiz, so it didn’t seem like such a leap. Batlle studied up on it and attended a two-week program at Penn State where she learned about the chemistry and physics of ice cream and then learned how to make ice cream at the Frozen Dessert Institute in St. Louis. She knew that she couldn’t open your regular vanilla and chocolate ice cream shop; it had to be Cuban. “It’s a Cuban ice cream shop. I’m Cuban, my whole family is Cuban. So we made the flavors as Cuban as possible,” she explains.

Suzy Batlle, Azucar Ice Cream Company

Suzy Batlle, Azucar Ice Cream Company

Cubans migrated to Miami in the 1960s in the wake of the Cuban Revolution. There are Cuban and Latin American influences throughout the metro area, but Little Havana was the hub of Cuban exiles, and Calle Ocho its main artery. West of downtown Miami, Calle Ocho is colorful with vibrant street art, restaurants with window coffee shops, a domino park where senior citizens play all day and night, and cultural landmarks like the Tower Theater. “That’s really where the Cuban life began, especially for us. I was born here, but my brothers were born in Cuba and my mom came from Cuba. We were all little kids, my mom had to work three jobs, but [Calle Ocho] was the Cuban Mecca for everybody.” It’s not gimmicky like Disney World, but authentically Cuban. That’s how Batlle knew she had to open her shop there.

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Even the shop’s design is inspired by Cuba. First are the guayaberas (men’s linen shirts) stolen from her family members to make cushions, the portrait of Celia Cruz, and the Spanish mosaic tile. Then there are the plastic-covered chairs. “There was this phenomena when my grandmother came from Cuba. For some reason all these older people had plastic all over their furniture so I added the plastic, too, because I thought it was funny that my grandmother had it and every time you got up from the seats, especially if you were sweaty, you took the couch with you,” she says with a laugh.

Cuban ice cream from Azucar Ice Cream Company

Abuela Maria, Azucar Ice Cream Company

Why is Azucar’s ice cream quintessentially Cuban? Their flagship (and trademarked) flavor is the Abuela Maria, named after her grandmother and a tribute to an afternoon Cuban treat. “Cubans love to have with their 4:00 coffee and Maria cracker topped with guava and cream cheese. So we took that variation of something very Cuban and made it into an ice cream.” It’s a nicely layered flavor with crunch and just the right amount of sweetness.

There are more straightforward flavors, too, like guava, plantain, and flan. According to Batlle, the most Cuban flavor Azucar has is the mantecado, an egg-based vanilla ice cream subtly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. She didn’t even know it existed when the shop first opened. “I didn’t know what it was,” she explains. “The guys from domino park kept coming over and asking me, ‘Where is the mantecado?’ and I didn’t have any idea.” After digging up her grandmother’s recipe and tweaking it with the guys, she finally mastered the mantecado and it’s been a mainstay ever since.

Red Velvet ice cream from Azucar Ice Cream Company

Red Velvet ice cream, Azucar Ice Cream Company/Facebook

These flavors, and her ability to create and workshop new ones on a whim, are what Batlle thinks sets Azucar apart from other ice cream shops. Take, for example, a not-so-traditional flavor called Burn in Hell Fidel. When Fidel Castro died in 2016, it was cause for celebration in Miami, and Batlle joined in the fun by creating the special flavor. First, they soak ancho chilies in milk for 48 hours before straining it and making a chocolate ice cream with locally made Exquisito Chocolates. Because that’s not hot enough, they also add cayenne pepper. She says, “When you first taste it you think, oh this is great, it’s just chocolate. And then all of the sudden there’s a burn in your throat. That’s the same burn in the throat we like to say we kicked Fidel Castro with.” The flavor was an instant hit, and has remained on the menu ever since its creation.

In the near decade that Azucar’s been open, Batlle hasn’t once thought about going back to her old career. Instead, she has her sights set on making Azucar the Cuban Haagen-Dazs with a location in every state. She’s already opened another shop in Dallas. If you can’t wait for her to make it to your state, it might be time to plan your next trip now…

More Florida Faves

Your Big Game Guide to a Super Weekend in Miami
How Stone Crabs Clawed Their Way to the Top
A Bite-Size Stop in the Florida Keys


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A Bite-Size Stop in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee travel guide where to eat and stay, what to see and do

Planning a stop in Memphis, Tennessee? Here’s where to eat, drink, and stay, and what to see and do.

Before I visited Memphis, I associated three things with the city: blues, barbecue, and Elvis. While Memphis’ rich musical and cultural history can’t be denied—and let’s face it—you’re never far away from your next favorite meal, the city is about so much more than the bright lights of Beale Street and perfectly smoked brisket.

Memphis recently celebrated its 200th anniversary and is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. While I was there in October, I discovered a diverse and vibrant food scene that includes a food hall that’s a restaurant incubator for refugee food entrepreneurs, a brunch spot serving Cuban food in a former liquor store, a beauty shop that’s been transformed into a whimsical eatery, and plenty of delicious stick-to-your-ribs soul food alongside chef-driven fine dining. Paired with amazing local museums, a thriving arts scene, and more than enough bourbon hot toddies to go around, Memphis was the fall foodie getaway I didn’t even know I needed.

If you have a few days in Memphis, Tennessee this winter—or any time at all—and plan on seeing, doing, and eating as many awesome things as possible, here are a few not-to-be-missed places to check out.

Where to Eat and Drink

Sage


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Soup of the day: Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

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At this downtown hotspot, chef Eli Townsend offers an inventive take on soul food fusion. Think: fried catfish in phyllo pastry, ginger and Hennessey infused peach cobbler, and their signature soul rolls—perfectly fried egg rolls stuffed with mac and cheese, turnip greens, and fried chicken (I call these “The South in one bite”). Grab a drink before dinner or go for brunch so you can experience the fried chicken and stuffed waffles. Just make sure you leave room for dessert. Townsend’s beignets (topped with homemade sage infused marmalade) are to die for.

The Liquor Store


Located in a former liquor store along Broad Avenue, this popular brunch spot serves up Southern comfort food with a Latin American flair inside an adorable space best described as “mid-century tropical chic.” Try one of their delectable breakfast options paired with house-made biscuits or their Cuban platter—a lunch plate piled high with savory shredded pork, yellow rice, black beans, and fried plantain wedges. Don’t leave without trying their “biscuit beignets” (deep fried biscuit dough dusted in icing sugar).

The Four Way


Craving some authentic soul food? Look no further than this iconic Memphis restaurant known for its “meat and three.” Choose your meat (the fried chicken and catfish are favorites), your choice of sides (I went with yams, fried green tomatoes, and the greens—all of which were delicious), and wash it down with a large glass of lemonade. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong with any of the Four Way’s stick-to-your-ribs Southern classics. Note: If you want to eat like a local, order your meat with a side of their signature spaghetti.

Gray Canary


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Tonight we are closed for a private event. See you tomorrow for dinner and drinks!

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Have you ever been to a restaurant where everything—even the dinner rolls—is absolutely flawless? Meet Gray Canary, the latest venture from chefs and owners Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. The pair use a variety of different cooking techniques (from Latin American asado to backyard BBQ) with the aim of creating a dining experience that captures “a moment in time, a memory of a meal painted in vivid colors”—and they succeed. Biting into their freshly pulled from the oven Parker House rolls or any of their seafood dishes is like being transported to your culinary happy place.

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What to See and Do

The National Civil Rights Museum


Located at the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. stayed numerous times during his fight for civil rights, this incredibly moving museum should be a required experience for all humans. Journey through the history of the American civil rights movement from slavery to the present and see the hotel room where MLK spent his last days. If you’re staying downtown, take the streetcar along historic Main Street to the Museum and stop for some local-approved food at Central BBQ after your visit.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music


While Graceland and Sun Studio are popular tourist attractions, don’t sleep on the Stax Museum of American Soul. Located in the historic Soulsville (the birthplace of Aretha Franklin), this incredible museum is a must-see for music nerds. Stax is responsible for launching the careers of iconic artists like Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Mavis Staples, and so many more. The piece de resistance: Issaac Hayes’ gold trimmed Cadillac that’s  available for viewing on a 360 degree rotating platform (cue: the theme song to “Shaft”).

Catch a Play at Hattiloo Theatre


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One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show

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Founded by Ekundayo Bandele in 2006, Hattiloo is the only freestanding Black repertory theater in five surrounding states. The modern performing-arts venue is known for high quality productions that support African-American playwrights, musicians, and actors. Expect to see a mix of local and international talent like Katori Hall, Angie Stone, and “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira.

Follow an evening of live theater with dinner at nearby Restaurant Iris where you can experience chef Kelly English’s take on French Creole cuisine (the crawfish boil gnocchi and rum punch are must-tries).

Visit Crosstown Concourse 


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East Atrium skylight on a grey day. #crosstownconcourse

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Built in 1927, this former Sears distribution building has been transformed into a 1,200,000 square foot “village within a building,” which includes independent restaurants, apartments, boutiques, a theater, medical center, and even a high school.

Make sure to stop at Global Cafe, an international food hall that hosts three immigrant/refugee food entrepreneurs cooking and selling an eclectic mix of affordably priced dishes from their home countries. They’re currently serving authentic dishes from Syria, Sudan, and Venezuela. Try their amazing baba ganoush, shawarma, and stuffed arepas.


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Hello, I’m Fayha from Syria, Grilled chicken with vegetable is my favorite dish to whip up at Global Café Because it is delicious and healthy and it reminds me of home. It has been a long standing tradition of our family to grill every Friday and to share not only our food but our time and emotions with each other. #Kobabs #MexicanHotChocolate #ChocolateCaliente #Babaganoush #StuffedArepas #Pabellón #Vegan #Vegetarian #Carryout #ToGoFood #GenuineSmiles #GlobalCafé #Anniversary #Celebration #Grateful #MultiCulturalFoodHall #FullBar #HandCraftedCocktails #SyrianCuisine #SudaneseCuisine #VenezuelanCuisine #SignatureRecipes #HandCraftedCreations #HomeMade #Immigrants #Refugees #Entrepreneurs #Inclusion #acceptance

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Where to Shop

Broad Avenue Arts District


Once a derelict stretch of industrial and commercial spaces, the historic area has been revitalized and is now home to 70 unique local businesses, including boutique shops, art galleries, artist studios, restaurants, and bars. Check out Falling Into Place for their amazing selection of candles and the Mbabazi House of Style, a design house that uses traditional African fabrics to create stunning modern apparel. Also stop by City and State, a coffee shop-meets-boutique where you can sip on one of their rosemary black charcoal lattes while browsing a hip selection of home goods.

Stock and Belle


Located a stone’s throw from the National Civil Rights Museum, the South Main Arts District is home to a slew of art galleries and stylish retailers, including Stock and Belle. Inside this expertly curated boutique you’ll find delightful home decor, clothing, and locally made items, including handmade jewelry from IV by David (and yes, there’s a great coffee shop inside!).

Cooper Young


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not sure what this reminds me of… heathers meets gossip girl at a 60s-themed black tie safari gala… maybe??? 😻😻😻

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Hip and eclectic, explore Memphis’ Cooper Young neighborhood for the perfect vintage find. Lovers of high quality vintage will love the selection at Fox + Cat, while vinyl fiends are sure to have a field day at Goner Records. If the thrill of the hunt is what you’re after, make time to visit Flashback, the self-proclaimed “vintage department store.” While you’re in the area, grab a meal at The Beauty Shop, a modern American eatery (sporting vintage hair-dryer chairs and glass-brick booths) which was formerly Priscilla Presley’s curl-and-dye spot.

Where to Stay

Central Station Hotel 


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#ilovememphis #centralstationhotelmemphis #lobbydj #blues #memphisdowntown

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By far one of the coolest repurposed spaces I’ve ever seen, this boutique hotel used to be Grand Central Station, a railway hub originally built in the early twentieth century. The original lobby has been transformed into a chic meeting spot and cocktail lounge that pays homage to its history (complete with large neon signs advertising yellow cabs and transfer buses). Guests can unwind in the hotel’s two-story Listening Lounge/Bar which houses a 500-album vinyl record collection (featuring Memphis artists) or enjoy Central Station’s daily curated playlist on custom designed EgglestonWorks speakers available in every guest room.

Hu Hotel 


With its chic ’70s-inspired interiors and a cheeky rooftop bar overlooking the Mississippi River, The Hu Hotel is another classic Memphian space that’s been given a recent revamp. In the lobby you’ll find a coffee and cocktail bar (which also serves as the boutique hotel’s front desk) and The Hu Diner, which offers upscale takes on Southern comfort food. Each of the 110 rooms feature images of popular spots around town that have been faded to appear as if they were always a part of this warm space’s history.

Hotel Indigo Memphis Downtown 


Described as “an urban home base surrounded by the pulsating beat of the blues,” this revamped 1960s hotel located on B.B. King Boulevard oozes mid-century charm. From the playful guest rooms and oh-so-Instagrammable lobby to the rainbow-colored courtyard that surrounds a heated outdoor pool, the Hotel Indigo is the perfect option for budget-minded travelers who don’t want to sacrifice personality for comfort.

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