Flavors of the Month: June

• Watermelon Mojito Poptails- I made these a few weekends ago for a BBQ and they were a total hit! The peppermint extract adds a surprising twist.  They are amazingly refreshing and oh-so-subtly boozy.

• Maker's 46- Just as advertised, it's "a complex whisky with a taste that doesn't need to be acquired."  Great on the rocks and very sippable (even for a novice like myself).

• Blue Star Beer- This wheat beer is the perfect brew for a warm summer day.  It is light, fruity, and refreshing.  It's similar in body to Blue Moon, but its even tastier.

• Sweet Potato Pop Chips- This flavor is brand new and is arguably the best!  It's sweet, salty and incredibly delicious.  

• Weber S-310 Grill- We just bought this grill and love it.  It has two side tables, front-mounted control knobs, and ample grilling space.  It pricey but totally worth it.

• Pasta Gina- This little pasta shop is my new favorite spot in Noe Valley.  The owners, husband and wife team Gino and Gina, make fresh pasta, sauces, salads and desserts every morning.  Their homemade pasta and their tiramisu are my current obsessions.  Such a great find!

• Bi-Rite Creamery- This Mission staple is famous for their cones and sundaes made exclusively from Straus Family Creamery products.  Salted caramel is their most sought-after flavor, but all of them are incredible.  You can also order custom ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes, and sundaes for your next party.  You'll be the coolest kid on the block.

Flavors of the Month- March

• Poco Dolce Burnt Caramel Tiles- These bittersweet chocolate tiles are made locally and have a burnt caramel toffee center and a sprinkling of grey sea salt on the top.  Simply divine.  I would eat one daily if they weren't so expensive...

• Prima Table- Sign up (or request a membership) and get exclusive access to all the best tables each evening.  Its basically a streamlined version of opentable and presents you with the best tables that night at the time you want to dine.  Genuis.

• Sofia Coppola Champagne Cans- I love these little champagne cans.  We ordered them in bulk for our wedding and we are still working through them.  I throw them in my purse if we are heading to the beach or packing a picnic.  So much classier and tastier than beer and they are the perfect little roadie (straw and all).

• Taste Nirvana Coconut Water- This is hands-down my favorite coconut water.  I love the one with pulp in it but you can buy it without pulp if that's not your thing.  Its chock-full of healthy fiber, electrolytes, potassium and iron and is only 75 calories for all that goodness. Get on-board.

• Le Soleil Restaurant- This yummy vietnamese restaurant just reopened in the Inner Richmond a few weeks ago.  The menu and the restaurant itself both got a major facelift and everything looks and tastes superb.  The turmeric crepe and luc lac "shaking beef" come highly recommended.  Open for lunch and dinner.  Call for reservations.  

• Off The Grid- As of last Friday, Off The Grid is back at Fort Mason Center and is now hosting over 30 food trucks, a beer garden, and a larger overall space. For those of you who haven't heard of it, its like a farmer's market of bay area food trucks, but its at night and you can wander around and sample all your favorites with a beer or glass of wine in hand.  It will be open every Friday from 5pm-10pm.  If you haven't been yet and live in SF, its a must (especially on a warm night).

* Please email weekdaygourmetgirl@gmail.com if you have recommendations for the next edition of flavors of the month

Flavors of the Month- February

• Kitchit- Want to a chef to come to your house and cook dinner for your next party?  Starting at $30 per person you can select from a number of famous chef's to get their groove on in your very own kitchen.  Impressive?  Very. 

• Cookstr- A website featuring recipes from well-known chefs worldwide.

• Massimo Gelato- AMAZING local gelato company with a variety of mouthwatering flavors (i.e. caramel balsamic, matcha green tea & lemon ginger).

• Maldon Sea Salt Flakes- Delicate, subtle, & perfect for garnishing any dish.

• Flamous Falafel Chips- Perfect for dipping in hummus and they happen to be organic, high in fiber, and gluten-free.  Totally virtuous...

• B.R. Cohn White Balsamic Vinegar- This vinegar is light, fruity and zesty on the palate and is more versatile than other vinegars.  Plus, it comes from a great winery so you can buy yourself some good wine while you're at it.

• La Ciccia Restaurant- Wonderful little Sardinian Spot in Noe Valley with authentic rustic italian cuisine.

• Tartine Bakery- Mouthwatering pressed sandwiches, bread, and pastries in the Mission

• Shun Knives- These are the BEST knives to have in your kitchen and they require very maintenance (in comparison to so many other high-end brands).

• Mini Cuisinart- We got this as a wedding gift and its the perfect size for sauces, pestos, and dips.  Its also great for kitchens that are short on counter space.

* Please email weekdaygourmetgirl@gmail.com with recommendations for the next month's list

Flavors of The Month- January

This is the first edition of many more monthly favorites lists, otherwise known as "Flavors of the Month."  Please email me with suggestions if you come across anything that YOU LOVE and quite possibly could not live without!

• Castelvetrano Olives (Buy Here) - I first had these olives at Ottimista Enoteca and soon became obsessed.  They are a vibrant green color and are mild and creamy.  Heaven in the form of an olive.  You can easily eat these by the bowl.
• Ramsay 2008 Pinot Noir (Buy Here) - We first enjoyed this wine at Terzo and then realized we could buy it by the case for less than half the price per bottle.  Its a no-brainer and is the perfect pinot to have on hand for a last minute house-warming gift or nightly glass of red.
• Punchfork (Click Here) - This website is a portal for all the best recipes on top food blogs and websites.  You can search by ingredient and save all your favorite recipes.  Such a great resource for the nights that you need a little inspiration!
• Cowgirl Creamery Knife (Buy Here) - This sounds so simple (and it is) but this is a great, cheap, portable cheese knife to take with you on a picnic, to a barbecue or on a staycation.  There is nothing more frustrating than having a warm baguette and a beautiful chunk of cheese and no way to cut it.  This knife will solve that problem (and will do it safely since its encased in a protective cover).
• LuLu White Truffle Honey (Buy Here) - I could happily eat this honey by the spoonful.  It is the perfect addition to a cheese platter and pairs beautifully with brie, goat cheese.... you name it!  Its also delicious when drizzled over crostini (See Burrata Crostini recipe)
• Plenty Cookbook (Buy Here) - This cookbook, referenced in one of my posts, is a beautiful collection of vegetarian recipes.  The photography is stunning and the recipes are all equally delicious.  This is a great addition to any cookbook collection.  
• Chef's Feed (Click Here) - This app provides restaurant recommendations from the country's best chefs.  Enter your city and the app will offer all local chefs' favorite dishes.  Its a great find- especially when you are exploring a new city and don't want to take a chance on a bad meal.
• St. Germain Elderflower Liquor (Buy Here) - A splash of this delicate floral liquor is the perfect compliment to your glass of champagne or prosecco.  Its a unique and lovely liquor to have on hand.  
• Pinterest (Click Here) - I know I'm a late adopter on this one, but it is so fun and addictive.  You can pin pictures, recipes, and products you like and create boards.  Then you can follow others and they can follow you. Its very easy to spend countless hours on this site- its chock-full of eye candy!
• Bi-Rite Market (Shop Here) - This beautiful and tiny market next to Dolores Park (SF) is full of organic and homemade products that will make your mouth water.  It is not the best place to do your regular grocery shopping (unless you want to spend your whole paycheck) but it is perfect for picking up gourmet ingredients or for putting together a yummy picnic for the park.  They also have their own cookbook/grocer's guide which is quite popular.