Give Me Some Food

So I've been seeing other food blogs doing this meme and I thought I'd take a shot:

In no particular order, Five things you must try before you die...

1.  An Olallieberry Pie at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero.

Notice I didn't say, 'a piece of pie'. Felix and I mistakenly had lunch, instead of just ordering a whole pie with two spoons.  An olallieberry is a cross between a youngberry and a loganberry. Yeah, that definition didn't help me much either. Think of blackberries, but in a tender raspberry format without all the seeds. I believe you can only get it late spring through early fall, so call ahead to make sure it's in stock. And while you're at it, you can pre-order a pie 'to go'.

2. Cioppino at Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon

I don't really like anything else on their menu- it's all kind of bar food. But the cioppino (a fish stew in marinara sauce that was originally just whatever fish was left over from the day) is awesome- especially with some garlic bread and a glass of Pinot Noir. And somehow it just tastes better while sitting on the deck watching the sailboats come in and out of the harbor.  We split the orders and get them with extra sauce which is great for dipping garlic bread.

3.  A Quesadilla from Taqueria Cancun in The Mission

You must get the corn tortilla quesadilla with fresh avocado (they have no guac). Everything here just tastes so authentic.  The crispness of the corn tortilla with the melted cheese is an awesome texture/taste combo.  This is my go-to comfort food and Taqueria Cancun is also open late- just in case you want to...eat something late .

4.  Mt. Tam cheese from The Cowgirl Creamery.

Ok so while we are on the subject of cheese- the Mt. Tam must be mentioned. I love everything about this cheese- the taste, the texture, it's spreadable yet solid form, the fact that you can eat the rind and it tastes good and not like lead.  Many of Felix and my Saturday lunches have consisted of a half hunk of Mt Tam, a baguette, and some fruit from the Ferry Plaza.  And did you know that five years ago I didn't even like cheese. Think of all the fun I missed. Well, I'll just have to make up for lost time now.

5. A tomato you grew yourself.

Ok, so I actually haven't had one of these because I have been living in an apartment or dorm for the last 10 years of my life, but I have had tomatoes picked fresh that day. There is no comparison. It's almost like eating tomato candy. You know, like when you have a watermelon jolly rancher and say "wow, this tastes more like watermelon than a watermelon." That's what having a just-picked tomato is like. Someone once asked me if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, what would it be?  The things above are all too rich to eat three meals a day. But the tomato is a perfect candidate.