by Ahu Shahrabani
on December 9, 2011
9/10
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I’ve been going to Bongo Burger for years, yet I have no idea what else they serve besides the Persian Burger and fries! The fries have been voted best of the Bay Area and rightfully so. Absolutely delicious but really overshadowed by the classic Persian Burger.
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| No, it’s not a weapon. It’s a Persian Burger and fries |
The burger is really a lamb koobideh kabob (koobideh means ground meat) made of Niman ranch meat with special sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions between crunchy french bread.
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| Good bread is the key. To life. |
The kabob is about a foot long, but not to worry, once you’ve taken the first bite, the rest will be a blur. The secret sauce really adds a tang that elevates the sandwich to divine levels.
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| Sneak peak under the hood of this burger. |
After eating the Persian Burger probably 100 times in my life, I’d guess the sauce to be made of mayo,
sumac and lemon juice. I could see it being a great french fry dip as well – not sure why Bongo Burger hasn’t thought to bottle it and sell it!
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Bongo Burger is a Berkeley landmark and not to be missed.
Bongo Burger
Multiple Locations – Berkeley, CA
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by Ahu Shahrabani
on December 6, 2011
9/10
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Weather Up is everything a superlative cocktail bar should be – understated, chic and the bartenders are killer mixologists.
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| Kitschy but not overly so. Perfect. |
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| I could read this on a Sunday morning with coffee. |
The very first time I came here, they were out of vermouth or bitters, so the awesome bartender (Joe) made me a drink I’d never heard of before instead – an Enzoni (gin, Campari, lemon and grape juice). I have to say, it was superb. I have asked for this drink at other bars and they never know what it is.
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| Enzoni |
They have a number of interesting cocktails that change often. However their crowning glory is without a doubt the negroni. All the right elements – the perfect temperature, the right ice, and a bitterness that washes over your mouth without making you wince.
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| Don’t mind my alien hands. |
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| The ice cube takes up about 50% of the glass keeping the drink perfectly cold. |
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It doesn’t really get much better than Weather Up. Come early in the evening, saddle up to the bar and enjoy a truly exceptional cocktail experience.
Weather Up
159 Duane Street
New York, NY 10013
www.weatherupnyc.com
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by Ahu Shahrabani
on December 2, 2011
Sometimes the best things are what you make for yourself on a whim. I love cooking – especially when the ingredients themselves are the inspiration, which is exactly what happened today on the way home from work. I stopped at the market and saw the meat guy cutting pancetta. I’ve always wanted to try cooking it, so I took the plunge and bought some (a little goes a long way!). 3 other ingredients later (green beans, cremini mushrooms and garlic) I was out the door and ready to cook.
I always gravitate towards food that showcases the ingredients – simpler preparation and fantastic ingredients. All I did was saute the garlic and pancetta (diced), add mushrooms for a few minutes, then add in the beans. The whole thing was done in 15 minutes start to finish (and as my mom can attest, I’m the slowest food-preparer ever – bread and cheese takes me half an hour!). Salty, crunchy, garlic-y goodness.
Pancetta: Salty Goodness
OK, off to have seconds.
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