Channeling Rachael Ray, Part Deux

I didn't really have ANY intention of doing two posts for this month's Dine & Dish. But on Friday, I discovered what may be the best happy hour deal in the city, and I would be remiss in my duties as a food blogger if I were to withhold said discovery from you, my fabulous readership.

I suppose I could have written about it outside the context of D&D, but that wouldn't have been much fun, now would it? Admittedly, this means that I needed to "mock up" a full day of eating. And, this day can only be accomplished M-F, not on weekends. So, really, it's a total sham on my part, because I don't work in the city, and couldn't actually do this day unless I was playing hooky. But really, that's neither here nor there.

Also, that very pretty cocktail up there? Yeah, it's not part of the challenge. But it's pretty, and it tasted good, so I'm including the picture. But at $10, it definitely doesn't fit within the parameters of "$40 a day".

I love starting my day with a bowl of clam chowder (4.50) at Swan's Oyster Depot. Yes, I know it's not a traditional breakfast, but it's warming and delicious, and really works for me. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it...

Lunchtime gets tricky, because if it's Tuesday, I'm headed straight for Rosamunde for a $5 burger (enjoyed next door at Toronado with one of their many Belgian ales). Any other day, though, and I'm off to The Helmand for their $10 All-You-Can-Eat lunch buffet. If you finish your meal with an extra piece of kaddo, you'll almost feel as though you've had dessert, too!

Good thing I've got $25 left, because I still have dinner and a late snack to worry about.

It's an even better thing I'm headed to Hawthorne Lane for an early dinner. Hawthorne has an amazing Happy Hour menu from 4-6pm on weekdays. I know it's early, but with all the money I've saved, I'll have enough left over for a small bite later.

Look at these good eats...

Everything on the Happy Hour Bar Bites menu is $3.50 or under; this, my friends, may well be the BEST deal in town. Pick a couple or three items, plus a Gin & Tonic, and you'll escape with a bill just short of $15.

A late-night bite (and something sweet, methinks) is in order next, and that leftover $10 is plenty for a tasty and unique bite at Creations Dessert House (first introduced to me by darling Shuna).

An order of Pork Dumplings or Curry Fish Balls ($2.25 each) plus a Radish Cake with XO Sauce ($3.25) are filling and delicious -- who doesn't like XO sauce?? But really, I'm here for dessert. My current favorite is the Black Glutinous Rice in Mango & Coconut Juice with Extra Mango ($4.25), but there are dozens of options, all under $5.

So what's my total damage for a day of thrifty gastronomic adventure in San Francisco? Exactly $39.25... Who says you can't eat well AND cheap in San Francisco?

Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk St
415.673.1101

Rosamunde Sausage Grill
545 Haight St
415.437.6851

Toronado
547 Haight St
415.863.2276

The Helmand
430 Broadway
415.362.0641

Hawthorne Lane
22 Hawthorne St
415.777.9779

Creations Dessert House
5217 Geary Blvd
415.668.8812

Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Budget | San Francisco

Comments

[jen maiser]

Oh no no no ... didn't you know that you can't blog about the SF secret of the blessedly empty Swan Oyster Depot mornings? It's against the blogger rules. And that clam chowder is a perfect breakfast on foggy SF mornings. And it's fun being in there when the whole crew is bustling around and prepping for their day.

Well, as long as I can still get a seat, I guess it's okay ...

[Fatemeh]

But Jen, I use TYPEPAD!! {cackle, cackle}... clearly, I'm running on too little sleep today.

Seriously, though, I don't think it'll ever get too crowded. I think soup for breakfast is not quite to most people's' (where DOES that damn apostrophe GO??) tastes.

[five pints]

Swan is awesome. If I lived in the city I would have Oysters for *breakfast* there.

[Rachael Ray]

Fatemeh, darling, Rachael again. Say what - my producer has been reading all these new San Francisco $40 a day suggestions on the internet and he is beginning to think I didn't do such a good job. We are thinking of perhaps creating a new series of specials where we get to stay a whole week in the best culinary destinations. Shows are like shoes, you know - you can never have too many. Any way, because we are going to be in town a whole week on a tight budget, I don't have anywhere to stay. Do you think you and C could put me up for a few days? I don't mind sharing the dog basket with Finn. (Probably the best place for me.)

Air kissy kissies til we meet then
xxRachaelxx

[Sam]

Fatemeh
I finally finished the roundup. It's been posted on my blog this morning.
Thnanks for taking part, with no less than two entries, you are a STAR!

-sam

[The Corkdork]

Thanks so much for the Hawthorne tip!It's on my way home and gives me another reason to knock off work early! - CD