Oh What a Night…

I’m pretty sure that the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival is the pre-cursor to Christmas this year.  At least in terms of excitement, surprises, and merriment…

clear for take off!

I’ve been looking forward to the Festival for the past four days and I am loving this weekend already.  I scored a great parking spot for tonight’s kick-off events which greatly improved my outlook on the evening.  And once I stepped out onto the 8th floor terrace and caught the stunning city views… well… I was in heaven.  The drinks were flowing and the food… well, see for yourself…

on the tasting menu at the vitale...

The crew from Midi at the Galleria Park was serving up a trio of snacks including pork riblette crostini, gruyere/mascarpone/bacon gougeres, and my favorite… “angry” mac n’ cheese poppers.  I even had the chance to chat with the chef behind the spicy noodle goodness!  He was nice enough to pose for a picture with the server.

loooooove the angry mac n cheese

During happy hour, I chatted with Shoshana and Katharine (pictured above).  I also got to meet one of the marketing wizards from Joie De Vivre, the hospitality company passing the hors d’oeuvres.  After 90 minutes of mingling under the heat lamps (oh, California…) we walked over to the Ferry Plaza for the “dinner” event.  Officially called the “Taste of SF Street Food Fare” this 2-hour eat your heart out fest was like all of my dreams coming true at once.

taste of sf street food fare

Street food has been a mainstay in places around the world for years.  But a whole host of new stands are popping up in San Francisco.  With nothing but a twitter account to broadcast their whereabouts and a van or trailer of homemade goods, street food is the newest phenom to hit Northern California.  Most vendors use local produce and have cult-like followings.  So the chance to get the best new vendors in one well lit area for a private party… well… I managed to sample pretty much everything there was to be had.  Starting with cupcakes…

a-freaking-dorable. oh and sweet as pie! (i mean... sweet as... cupcakes...)

My favorite item was definitely the steak and gruyere mini pies from “the Pie Truck.”  I was also totally enamored with their super cute packaging.

swooning (again)

I was pretty excited to try Pizza Politana.  I’ve seen this crew set up on Thursday afternoons at the Ferry Plaza Market but I’ve never quite been able to justify their premium-priced pies.  They always look phenomonal… but just so expensive for pizza.  You can imagine my excitement to try out a slice tonight!  Amazing!  (And I can check it off the “life to do” list!)

i've waited my entire life for you, pizza politana!

Skyy Spirits was back in action at the Street Food Fare pouring up specialty cocktails.  Two local breweries also had beer on hand, but I was sticking to the fancy drinks.  Like this basil gimlet.  Loved the freshness of the basil.  I also learned that these cocktails (gimlets) are traditionally made with gin… but since Skyy was serving up drinks… tonight they were made with vodka.  Fine by me!  Down the hatch…

basil gimlet... a la skyy vodka

I had a taco from the Tacolicious stand.  Tacolicious is run by the team from Laiola, a restaurant in my neighborhood.  I went out to support their new street food initiative back in June.  I’ve been with them from the start!

tacos, oysters... what a party!

No, I didn’t have any of the oysters that Hog Island Oyster Co. was serving up.  But I watched my new friend Taysa throw one back.  She liked it a lot.  As for what other people were “buzzing”?  The Roli Roti team had a rotisserie porchetta with curly cress and onion marmalade that people (me included) were flocking to.

hands down, the best pork sandwich i've ever had

Another hit was the beet salad and fungi vol au vert from “the only French bistro on wheels,” Spencer on the Go.  The mushrooms were so rich.  They had truffles, parmesan, and a cream sauce.  All served over puff pastry.  Whoa, dudes!

so this is what "french take away" food looks like...

On my way out, I grabbed some super creamy vanilla bean ice cream from the Straus Family Creamery.  They told me they’re in the freezer at Whole Foods and I tell you me… you better race out and buy this stuff up!  It’s the BEST!

When I got home, the excitement didn’t stop.  Remember how I said this was like Christmas?  Ummm… I probably got more gifts in the gift bag than the average American gets in any given holiday season.  Check this stuff out:

i must be living in a dream! look at all of this amazing stuff!

I came home with jars of Mezzetta olives and pesto!  Love pesto!  Love Mezzetta!  And then a couple of serious spatulas from CHEFScatalog.com with a $25 giftcard to their website!  There was a silicone condiment spoon, a silicone ball whisk, and a silicone baster set.  There was a box of panko breadcrumbs and a half round of brie cheese.  There was a pie plate, a dish towel, and a knork!  I was delighted to find some Recchiuti fleur de sel caramels and gorgeous gift set of sauces (maple barbeque, blackberry and pear balsamic vinegar, spicy apple mustard, and herb rub meritage) from Napa.  There was a copy of the book “Notes on Cooking” and a notepad from Chronicle Books.  I made out like a bandit!

I have a feeling that this weekend is going to keep blowing my mind… so I’m off to dreamland now!  Check back tomorrow night for more updates.