I want everything at Heath Ceramics. Too bad the price point is out of my reach.
May 4, 2014
May 3, 2014
The Little Chihuahua
I've seen Pozole Rojo on the menu of various Mexican restaurants around town but never tried it until now. I've had the plantain and carne asada burritos before at The Little Chihuahua so I decided to venture out and try something new. Who knew Pozole Rojo was so good?! I really like hominy and the stew was full of them. I'm obsessed and want to try my hand at cooking it.
After dinner, my friend and I walked around with coffees in hand and ended up at Alamo Square, where we planted ourselves in front of the Painted Ladies and watched a film crew wrap things up. A good way to end a mellow Saturday.
Two Sisters Bar and Books
Looking for a place to get drinks and small bites midafternoon, we came to Two Sisters Bar and Books. It's a small bar with an eclectic array of books and just a good spot to catch up with a few friends. I wouldn't mind coming here alone either. I also really like their wallpaper.
Coffee
I've been really interested in coffee lately. Not just coffee as a beverage, but coffee drinking as a ritual. I'm not sure how it came to be so but the practice of drinking a cup of coffee has become a kind of ceremony. Even speaking for myself, I feel a sense of indulgence and peace when I drink my coffee every morning with breakfast. I take a sip and can feel myself relaxing as I enjoy the calm before my day starts. The morning ritual of making a fresh brew of coffee with my french press has become something I enjoy and I've had to experiment through trial and error to find the perfect ratio of coffee beans to water that I prefer.
In the era of lattes and cappuccinos, Americans are criticized for drinking coffee flavored milk rather than just coffee. I prefer to drink my coffee black because I like and want to learn the flavor profiles of beans and roast but can understand why people try to mask coffee's bitterness with cream and sugar. Often, people are just looking for the stimulant effect of caffeine rather than drinking coffee to appreciate the flavor profile of coffee beans in itself. Although lately, the popularity of specialty coffee has raised awareness about the coffee industry. Regardless, everyone has their coffee and after working at a cafe before, I know firsthand how critical people can be when their coffee doesn't meet their expectations.
With that said, I read an interesting post about coffee and expectations. Part of coffee's appeal is that it's not just a beverage, but also an experience. The brand name of the coffee, the kind of cup, the physical space of the coffee shop, these all build the expectations of quality and what the consumer expects to receive. These are loaded expectations in a cup of coffee! Looking at this idea in a more big picture lens, it's interesting then to consider the experience economy: the role of expectations and what consumers hope to experience when making purchasing decisions.
In the era of lattes and cappuccinos, Americans are criticized for drinking coffee flavored milk rather than just coffee. I prefer to drink my coffee black because I like and want to learn the flavor profiles of beans and roast but can understand why people try to mask coffee's bitterness with cream and sugar. Often, people are just looking for the stimulant effect of caffeine rather than drinking coffee to appreciate the flavor profile of coffee beans in itself. Although lately, the popularity of specialty coffee has raised awareness about the coffee industry. Regardless, everyone has their coffee and after working at a cafe before, I know firsthand how critical people can be when their coffee doesn't meet their expectations.
With that said, I read an interesting post about coffee and expectations. Part of coffee's appeal is that it's not just a beverage, but also an experience. The brand name of the coffee, the kind of cup, the physical space of the coffee shop, these all build the expectations of quality and what the consumer expects to receive. These are loaded expectations in a cup of coffee! Looking at this idea in a more big picture lens, it's interesting then to consider the experience economy: the role of expectations and what consumers hope to experience when making purchasing decisions.
May 2, 2014
Wave Organ
Though the breeze was chilly, we made our way out to Crissy Field this afternoon. After being inside all day, it felt nice to get fresh air and be near the water. We walked along the yacht harbor, admiring all the fancy yachts.
We ended up at the Wave Organ to listen to the waves of the bay through the pipes. It was hard to hear much but the boys and I all agreed that the sculptures were pretty rad.
April 30, 2014
Wafels + Coffee (or Tea)
I've had a waffle obsession for years now. I even asked for a waffle maker for Christmas a few years back. Since then I've waffle-d everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to making waffle ice cream sandwiches. In the great pancakes vs. waffles debate, waffles totally win! Pancakes are good but waffles have more texture, the square patterns hold toppings well and make eating it so much fun.
But I've also been inspired by a different type of waffle, or stroopwafel to be exact. Rip van Wafels. The steam from your coffee or tea warms the filling and makes it taste delicious. This wafel obsession has also made me more curious about the coffee ritual and I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
Here is a sketch I did of involving stroopwafels. I was sitting at Coffee Bar last weekend and noticed the string of lights that were hanging from the ceiling. It looked really cool and inspired me to create a sketch where instead of lights, it was stroopwafels, that were hanging down. These stroopwafels (some half-eaten) are being warmed by the steam from cups of some of the most popular coffee companies in San Francisco.
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