Memorable Culinary Journey Through The France’s Burgundy Region At RN74 In San Francisco

RN74

Embark on a delectable culinary journey that highlights the cuisine and wine of France’s Burgundy region when you dine at RN74. Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, the restaurant is appropriately named after Burgundy’s famous highway, Route Nationale 74. In addition to a carefully curated selection of wines from regions of Burgundy and beyond, RN74 boasts an impressive menu that fuses the sophistication of French cuisine with the modernity of American influences.

Wild Gulf Snapper Crudo ($17)

Start the journey with Wild Gulf Snapper Crudo ($17). This refreshing dish features three slices of fresh snapper sashimi topped with thinly sliced green apple, beets, beech mushroom, wild herbs, and a sprinkle of spicy cayenne for an additional kick to the senses. The spoonful of caviar on top of the snapper, as well as the white soy vinaigrette, provides savory balance to the dish.

Hand-Cut Chitarra Pasta ($22)

Another highlight from the appetizer menu is the Hand-Cut Chitarra Pasta ($22). Accompanying a bed of al danta pasta are braised clams, guanciale (Italian cured meats), uni, and razor clam shell filled with crunchy breadcrumbs. The foamy uni carbonara sauce on the side is rich and creamy, presenting the perfect enhancement to the dish.

Smoked Bone Marrow ($16)

Don’t forget to order the Smoked Bone Marrow ($16) for the table. The dish may be a bit too rich and heavy for one person to enjoy, but perfect to share. The bone marrow, topped with smokey oxtail marmalade, Vadouvan butter, and lemon confit with thickly sliced, toasted sourdough bread on the side, oozes so much intense flavors as it melts in your mouth.

Porchetta Style Rabbit Pate ($18)

By far the most beautiful and colorful item on the menu, the Porchetta Style Rabbit Pate ($18) is a unique dish that resembles a savory yule log cake. The smooth and creamy rabbit pate packs bits and pieces of carrots, peas, and asparagus. It is wrapped in crispy prosciutto and topped with generous shavings of truffle. On the side are crispy, tempura fried sweetbreads in sweet and sour sauce and pickled vegetables over lyonnaise vinaigrette.

Caramelized Scallop Bouillabaisse ($36)

The name Caramelized Scallop Bouillabaisse ($36) is somewhat of a misnomer. While the plump scallop, which is seared perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy, almost raw on the inside, is certainly delicious, there is much more deliciousness contained in this bowl of bouillabaise than what the name indicates. The stuffed Monterey baby squid, giant gulf prawn, and nori crouton all accentuate the dish. The broth, however, could have been seasoned with slightly less salt as it unfortunately overpowered the seafood.

Coffee-Brinded Duck Breast ($36)

Even though the dish lacks intense coffee flavor, the Coffee-Brinded Duck Breast ($36) highlights an interesting interplay between savory and sweet with medium rare duck breast, blood orange sauce, and puree of butternut squash. The leanness of the duck breast is also accented by the slightly fattier, but much more tender confit of duck leg.

Mont Blanc Aux Noyer ($11) and Verrine Au Citron Et Au Pastis ($11)

Wrap up this fabulous culinary journey with delicate yet rich desserts. Mont Blanc Aux Noyer ($11) features apple compote and vanilla creme that has the softness and creaminess of soft serve ice cream, all sandwiched by a wall of crunchy walnut tuile. The deconstructed Verrine Au Citron Et Au Pastis ($11) is a refreshing lemon mousse dessert with layers of star anise cremeux and moist anise cake. This concludes the unforgettable trip along the delectable menu of RN47, but there are many roads not taken - and I will certainly come back for more.

18 Most Delicious Savory & Sweet Snacks From Winter Fancy Food Show 2016 In San Francisco

The Winter Fancy Food Show 2016 - the largest specialty food trade event on the West Coast that takes place every January - welcomed thousands of exhibitors to showcase delicious, one of a kind specialty foods and beverages under one roof at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Attendees browsed through the massive convention center during this 3-day event to embark on a delectable journey. Here are some of the key discoveries!

Savory Snacks

1. Roasted Kale Chips from Rhythm Superfoods

Rhythm Superfoods

Eating vegetables have never been more fun and delicious. Rhythm Superfoods, which produces all-natural and plant-based snack foods, introduced the new Roasted Kale Chips in savory flavors that range from Smoky Bacon to Chili Lime. The fresh, organic kale is roasted in oil for crunchiness and seasoned with unique flavors

2. Beef, Turkey, and Pork Jerky from KRAVE Jerky

Krave Jerky

Craving protein-packed beef jerky? Then try KRAVE Jerky, but your options aren’t limited to the traditional beef jerky. Sample everything from pork to turkey jerky in tantalizing flavors like Black Cherry Barbecue, Lemon Garlic, and Grilled Sweet Teriyaki. My personal favorite is Pineapple Orange. This non-GMO, gluten-free snack is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

3. Flavorful chips from Way Better Snacks

Way Better Snacks

Way Better Snacks makes chips that are - you guessed it - way better for your health than most greasy potato chips. Not only are these chips low in sodium and saturated fat, but they are high in omega 3’s, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients from their sprouted ingredients, which include flax seeds, quinoa, and sprouted chia. The company just launched a new flavor, A Nacho Above, which is infused with organic cheddar cheese, herbs, and spices like sea salt, onion, garlic, black and red pepper, and paprika.

4. Tasty Vegan Chick’n Tenders from Quorn

Quorn

Whether you are a vegan/vegetarian trying to fulfill your daily intake of protein or an omnivore looking to eat healthier, Quorn’s product line of delicious, vegan options will elevate your eating experience to a new level. Made from Mycoprotein, a nutritionally healthy protein source, Quorn products like the Vegan Chik’n Tenders is low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and packs 10 grams of protein per serving.

5. Zesty Pumpkin Seeds from SuperSeedz

SuperSeedz

Hype up your taste buds with flavorful, gourmet pumpkin seeds from SuperSeedz. Both nutritious and delicious, these pumpkin seeds are coated with tantalizing flavors like Tomtato Italiano, Sea Salt, and Super Spicy…just to name a few! The flavors and seasonings are baked right into the seeds, which are dry roasted in small batches without shells, thereby creating irresistibly crunchy snack.

6. Crispy Onion Chips from Dang Foods

Dang Foods

First, there were coconut chips. Now, there are Onion Chips! Dang Foods, which produce the popular line of coconut chips, recently launched onion chips made with real onion slices seasoned with savory flavors like Chipotle Garlic, Applewood BBQ, Sea Salt, and Salt-N-Pepper. The vacuum fried chips are cooked at low temperatures and pressure to retain the onion’s nutrients and form.

7. Gourmet Oatmeal from Modern Oats

Modern Oats

Say good bye to old-fashioned oatmeal because Modern Oats is about to change your perception of “boring” oatmeal. Modern Oats have crafted a mouthwatering concoction of whole rolled oats and artisan blends of fruits, nuts, and seeds to produce one-of-a-kind, healthy oatmeal served in portable oatmeal cups. Try unique combinations like Coconut Almond (oats blended with whole shredded coconut and almond slivers).

8. Poppin’ Corn Kernels from Halfpops

Halfpops

Halfpops has revolutionized corn kernels, the formerly unloved counterpart to popcorn, with its line of delicious, partially popped snacks. These air-popped kernels are naturally seasoned with savory flavors, including the newly launched Angry Kettle Corn, Black Truffle & Sea Salt, and Brooklyn Dill Pickle. Enjoy the crunchiness of the kernels with bold flavors and heat from different spices.

Sweet Snacks

9. Guilt-Free Cookie Dough Chip Ice Cream from Arctic Zero

Arctic Zero

You won’t fill guilty about finishing that whole pint of ice cream when you eat Arctic Zero. This low-calories, low-fat, and dairy-free dessert delivers creamy, sweet indulgences without all the guilt to satisfy your sweet tooth. One of the most popular flavors is the chunky pint of Cookie Dough Chip, a vanilla-flavored ice cream packed with chunks of cookie dough and chocolate chips at only 75 calories per serving.

10. Crunchy Quinoa Clusters from I Heart Keenwah

I Heart Keenwah

Did you think the only way to eat quinoa is in a salad? Then think again! I Heart Keenwah has revolutionized the way we consume this beloved grain by making healthy quinoa snacks. The crunchy Quinoa Clusters are bite-sized squares of quinoa seeds, puffs, and flakes mixed in with nuts and fruits like cashew, cranberry, and even chocolate.

11. Delectable Citrus Crumble Cake from Ines Rosales

Ines Rosales

Producing sweet and savory olive oil tortas since 1910, this Spain-based company launched delicious citrus crumble cake - also known as cortadillo. The soft, melt in your mouth cake is a double layer of pastry flavored with a hint of cinnamon and lemon, and held together by a delicious cider filling. You can eat it own its own or pair it with tea, coffee, or ice cream.

12. Aphrodisiac Chocolate from Chuao Chocolatier

Chuao Chocolatier

If you are on the hunt for the ultimate, aphrodisiac chocolate, then look no further because Chuao Chocolatier’s got you covered. In addition to its unique offerings of chocolate bars with flavors like Baconluxious, Strawberry Waffle, and Pretzel Toffee Twirl, Chuao launched a limited-time editions chocolate gifts, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The indulgent Love Child Bonbon Collection - dried strawberries covered in port wine infused dark chocolate ganache - is an absolute must.

13. Jelly Bean Cornfetti Popcorn from The Popcorn Factory

The Popcorn Factory

You will never go back to eating plain, butter-flavored popcorn after trying the
outrageously unique gourmet popcorn from The Popcorn Factory. Thought flavors like Toasted Coconut and Pumpkin Caramel Praline were unique? Then you will be head over heels with its newest flavors, such as the Jelly Bean Cornfetti . You will get a taste of sweet and sour, fruit-flavored Kettle Corns (sour green apple, lemon, orange, and cherry) reminiscent of jelly beans.

14. Two Ingredient Fruit Bars from That’s it.

That’s it.

One apple and one mango. One apple and one banana. One apple and three apricots. That’s it! These healthy, nutritious fruit bars are as pure as the name suggests. Made with just two ingredients - a fruit and a fruit - That’s it. fruit bars are perfect for snacking. There are no added sugar, corn syrup, artificial colors, concentrates, or preservatives - just 100% all natural fruit, and that’s it!

15. Tart Montmorency Cherries from Stoneridge Orchards

Stoneridge Orchards

As the largest producers of tart cherries on the West Coast, Stoneridge Orchards has delighted the taste buds of consumers since the early 1960s with its line of all natural and organic dried fruits (i.e. cherries, cranberries, peaches, strawberries…you name it!). The family-owned and operated business, which has its own processing capabilities to freeze and dry fruits, produces tart Montmorency cherries that are known for their powerful enzyme content and anti-aging properties. Don’t stop at one cherry - you will want to finish the whole bag!

16. Hearty Granola from Viki’s Granola

Viki’s Granola

Granola is one of the most versatile food item that can be eaten as a stand alone snack, topped on yogurt or ice cream, or poured in a bowl of milk. Viki’s Granola makes delicious, nutritious granola that is high in fiber and contains no added sugar and trans fat. A bag of Viki’s Granola is packed with hearty oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, pecans, and honey.

17. Single-Origin Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream from Choctál

Choctál

Taste the rich, creamy, and complex flavors of Choctál, which specializes in single-origin gourmet ice cream. All of its vanilla or chocolate ice creams are made from a single variety of indigenous cacao or vanilla from around the world, producing more intense and flavorful ice cream. Choctál’s chocolate and vanilla ice cream flavors range in origin from Costa Rica to Ghana to Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.

18. Sweeter than Sweet Apple Slice Pouch from Big Slice

Big Slice

You will never view apples the same way again after having a "bite" of Big Slice, a unique combination of fruits and other healthy ingredients like hemp seed, green tea, aloe, and mango. Averaging just around 100 calories per packet, this filling snack is not only delicious, but also nutritious. Big Slice comes in many mouthwatering flavors, such as Orange Ginger made with chunks of apples, spice of ginger, and hint of citrus, and Banana Mango & Hemp Seed, which includes apple slices, mango chunks, and hemp seeds for added protein.

A NYC Restaurant Designed After A Farmhouse Serves Delicious Farm-To-Table Cuisine

A farmhouse in the middle of Manhattan might appear out of the ordinary, but that’s exactly what Black Barn aims to do - from the rustic yet chic interior modeled after country barn houses in the Hamptons to the quality of its mouthwatering food that just begs for more. Black Barn, a farm-to-table restaurant located across from Madison Square Park, has been serving modern American cuisine since it open in September 2015.

Complimentary Bread Basket (FREE!)

The complimentary bread basket contained a selection of warm cheese rolls, crusty sourdough, and thin breadsticks. The breads were complemented by a ramekin filled with soft cube of butter, garlic cloves, and olive oil with a bit of vinegar.

Roasted Sweet Potato ($23)

A few minutes into nibbling on the breads, we received the first appetizer, Roasted Sweet Potatoes. This colorful assortment of vegetable dish included hen of the wood, lentils , pears, and roasted sweet potatoes rubbed with spices, which are all tossed in savory black truffle vinaigrette. The seasonal dish was accompanied by an amuse bouche of puff pastry filled with refreshing goat cheese.

Tarentaise Cheese Soufflé ($17)

Another highlight from the appetizer menu was Tarentaise Cheese Soufflé. Baked and served in a mini crock pot, the soufflé flaunted crusty, golden-brown top and fluffy, soft center that had been moistened by speck-chive cream. A spoon was an absolute necessity to scoop up all intense, rich cheese in the center.

Amish Chicken ($26)

While a chicken entree may be viewed as a bit common, if not plebeian, the Amish Chicken at Black Barn was anything but ordinary. The flavorful, juicy chicken with crispy skin laid beautifully atop a bed of ricotta gnocchi, winter vegetables, grapes, and a sprinkle of parmesan. The dish had a wide variety of textures - from the fluffiness of the gnocchi to the tenderness of the chicken.

Millbrook Venison Saddle ($38)

Cooked perfectly medium rare, the Millbrook Venison Saddle was another entree that delight my appetite. In addition to the tender slices of venison, the dish featured barbajuan - crispy tortelloni filled with shoulder meat - along with braised red cabbage, kale, and empire apple. The juxtaposition of sweetness from the apple and the savoriness of the meat was quite unique.

Apple Cider Doughnut ($11)

The Apple Cider Doughnut made me long for autumn. While small in size, these mini, dense doughnuts are powdered with plenty of sweet sugar and packed so much flavor. The bourbon eggnog dipping sauce on the side was better than any glaze I have had before.

Chocolate Soufflé ($11)

Finally, the Chocolate Soufflé, which took about 15 minutes to bake, was all worth the wait. Gently scoop the crispy top - dusted with powder sugar - with a tablespoon to pour the sweet vanilla sauce into the center. The warm cake blended perfectly with the rich vanilla sauce to create melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake that I will be dreaming about for months to come.

A Guide To Traveling Healthy This Year With Refinery Hotel + Wellthily

Whether you are traveling for business or for leisure, you don’t need to sacrifice your health and wellness when you stay at the Refinery Hotel in NYC.

1. Journey joyfully by booking a wellness hotel package

A luxury boutique hotel located just a few blocks from Bryant Park, Refinery Hotel has recently partnered with Wellthily - an experience design firm that specializes in on-site, in-room health products and programs - to develop one-of-a-kind healthy lifestyle programs to enhance the guests’ well-being and promote healthy traveling.

2. Use the in-room tablet to order fitness apparels / sign up for classes

Upon checking in and entering one of Refinery’s spacious, polished room, I was greeted with a Wellthily tablet - powered by Zappos.com - with which I could order exercise gears (i.e. sports bra, athletic shoes, yoga pants) or healthy travel kit (i.e. sleep set, essential oils, snacks), browse through on-site fitness classes, and find out about healthy food offerings nearby. I loved not having to pack my bulky running shoes and apparels - traveling lightly is the best!

3. Attend one of many on-site fitness classes

In addition to the in-room amenities, I also enjoyed a full schedule of fitness classes featuring top instructors and studios in NYC, including Under Armour trainers, The Cyc Method, and Muscle & Flow. These classes conveniently took place on-site at Hatbox, the Refinery’s sidewalk level event space, or its rooftop venue at Refinery Rooftop.

I attended a high-intensity training class with Natalie Uhling, the creater of NUFit. The class, which fused the best elements of cardio and spot toning in a 1-hour workout, definitely kicked my ass - in a good way! I felt so refreshed and rejuvenated afterward, and perfectly ready to start my day.

4. Select healthy options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner

Don’t forget to recharge after your workout with delicious, healthy options from Refinery’s food and beverage venues, including Parker & Quinn, Winnie’s Jazz Bar, and Refinery Rooftop. Don’t these healthy bowls of fresh berries and acai look absolutely mouthwatering? Traveling and living healthy and well have never been easy!