A weekly column that celebrates local businesses — especially eateries, watering holes, coffee shops and the like.
Tony Nuñez
Food: The Farm House: Dino’s Stuffed Burger
The Farm House restaurant has been open for some time now, but because our offices are downtown I have not had many opportunities to drop by the Green Valley Road business during lunch hours That finally changed this week, and I’m happy I managed to carve out a moment from the breakneck pace of the day.
The food is good, the staff is friendly and the place looks fantastic. I got a coffee ($2.50) to power through the midday slog and ordered the Dino’s Stuffed Burger ($15), a highly-stacked concoction named after the head chef and owner Dino Saavedra featuring a half-pound Pat La Frieda Chuck and short rib patty, pepper jack cheese, chorizo, jalapeño, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions on a brioche bun.
It was a massive burger that brought the exact amount of heat I like—just enough to get the nose a bit runny, but not too much that I have to stop eating. The patty was deliciously cooked and the veggies were crisp and fresh. I also substituted the regular fries for an order of sweet potato fries ($1.50), and was glad I did so.
That is just one item on a large but not overwhelming menu for the up-and-coming American food gem. The business is at 11 Green Valley Road.
Follow them on Instagram at farmhousewatsonville.
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Todd Guild
Food: Dandelion Chocolate
The number of food choices available in San Francisco always amazes me. We often go for a dim sum brunch, and then make a day out of it by hitting Golden Gate Park.
I went with my family recently to celebrate a birthday and, wanting to try something different, we went for breakfast at Dandelion Chocolate, a place that raises my favorite food to an art form.
The business makes small-batch, responsibly sourced chocolate the way it’s supposed to be done.
Those interested in the process of chocolate making can take guided factory tours, and a tasting room offers samples from beans grown in several different regions around the world.
Visitors can also watch chocolate makers in action.
The breakfast menu in the Bloom Salon claims the place is inspired by Parisian cafes. It offers such choices as several varieties of hot chocolate (of course), Brûléed Brioche, Churros and Dipping Sauce, Chocolate Porridge and “Cake for Breakfast,” described as “a decadent, layered chocolate chip pancake cake with creme fraiche, vanilla cream and chocolate maple sauce.”
Reservations are essential, and sadly we missed ours when we underestimated our travel time. But we ate at the walkup coffee/chocolate cafe, snacking on delicious pastries and hot chocolate so thick and rich it was practically a melted chocolate bar.
Definitely check this place out. It’s quite expensive, but worth every penny. For information visit dandelionchocolate.com
Three Bay Area locations:
• Factory, retail shop, café and Bloom Salon: Open 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily, at 2600 16th St., San Francisco.
• Valencia Street factory, retail shop and café: Open seven days per week (different hours), at 740 Valencia St., San Francisco.
• There is also a location in the Ferry Building.
Note: There are also several in Japan and one in Taiwan.
