Because calling an End-of-Year list "Best of... " is rather subjunctive, for the past few years in a row (because "past few years not in a row" really doesn't make a lotta sense) I have gone with the more adverbial appellation[1] of "My Favourites... ". However, once more, I am keeping with the "Top Ten" format-idea, and the easiest way to rank these was just to go back through all my 'blog-entries from 2017 and see which ones had the highest Glen Bacon Scale Rating (and in the case of identical GBS ratings, I am simply listing them chronologistically[2]).
So, without further adieu...
1) It really should come as no surprise to anyone (well, anyone that has ever read my silly li'l 'blog-thing over the years) that le Pain Perdu extraordinaire at Baker Street Bistro (see 'blog-entries from Sunday, September 3rd et aussi Sunday, January 8th) is topping my list again this year. (As great as this dish is, if you can imagine it, it was even greater when they used to make their own cinnamon-orange-infused maple syrup to pour over it. And if Lucky the Leprechaun and Vizzini ever had a child together[3], I am sure that child would state that this was: "Inconceivably Delicious!")
2) Seeing as it is not only one of "My Favourite" breakfastary dishes in San Francisco, but the Touchstone for all Eggs Benedict dishes for me, it also should be no surprise that the Zucchini Cakes at Dottie's True blue café (see blog-entries from Saturday, February 25th, Sunday, June 11th, and Saturday, October 7th) comes in at the "Number 2" spot again this year.
3) The Puka French Toast at grindz (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, February 18th) was so tasty and interesting that it is also "My Favourite" (New) French Toast Dish of 2017 Not Named le Pain Perdu extraordinaire at Baker Street Bistro. I just can not believe that this was the first time that I had ever ordered it there.[4]
4) Take my word for it, Fannie, the Fried Green Tomato Benedict at Mission Beach Cafe (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, September 17th) is good enough for an entrée at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Plus, I am calling this "My Favourite" New Eggs Benedict Dish of 2017 Not Named Zucchini Cakes at Dottie's True blue café.
5) Spicy Kale Skillet at Eats (see 'blog entry from Sunday, January 15th). They mistakenly have this dish labeled as "Spicy Tomato Skillet" on their menu, but I always have to correct it in my 'blog-thing. What do owners of their own restaurants know, anyway?!
6) Kugelhopf (think: French toast made from slices of a German/Austrian/Alsatian-style Bundt brioche bread/cake) at Mama♥s on Washington Square (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, April 2nd). Any other year, this may have taken the honours as "My Favourite" (New) French Toast Dish of 2017 Not Named le Pain Perdu extraordinaire at Baker Street Bistro, if not for #3 above.
7) I am very happy to note that an entry from
Cafe GoLo ~ Boutique Cafe made the list this again year, as this may be the last time it does so (see special In Memoriam Interlude below): GoLo Ranchero (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, January 21st).
8) The Vegetarian Scramble at Surisan (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, March 19th) was so good (even if they always seem to misppel "Brussel[ sic ] sprouts") and a great surprise along Fisherman's Wharf that I am also naming the restaurant as "My Favourite" New Find of 2017 (plus, it is hands-down the best breakfast ["Brunch", whatever] place on Fisherman's Wharf today).
9a) Œufs Baker Street Bistro at... well... Baker Street Bistro (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, May 6th). Once again, I must state that even if they didn't have the Best French Toast in town, this Frenchified twist on Œufs Benoît would be worth going back again and again and again all on its ownsome.
9b) Polenta w/ Mixed "Veggies" (uggh!) & 2 Poached Eggs at LaLe (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, September 10th). This was not 'zackly a take on Uova Benedette, but it was served with a Hollandaise sauce over the poached eggs. And due to the tastitude of the entire dish, they can be forgiven for the use of the "Veggies" (uggh!) moniker.
9c) Brussel[ sic ] Florentine Benny at Blackwood ~ American Thai Fusion (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, October 22nd). It is all about the deep-fried Brussels (or "Brussel[ sic ]") sprouts, Jean-Claude!
(Okay, so maybe once again this list "goes to Eleven", Nigel.)[5]
2017 Specific Categories (& Honourable Mentions kinda stuff)
"My Favourite" Spot for Tea... and Cats & Kittens ~ KitTea Cat Cafe (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, October 1st)! Oh, and they also have some good stuff to eat there, too.
GBS Rating: 8.45
"My Favourite" New Local Coffee Roasters-place ~ Andytown Coffee Roasters (see initial 'blog-entry from Saturday, September 30th). I have tried a few different Coffee blends/drinks there now already. Their Ethiopia Natural Banko Fuafuate was a great discovery and has to be one of the best Coffees that I have had in a long time. It is easily in the Top Ten All-Time for me, and possibly in my Top Three evah. This is "the Nicole Kidman of Coffees" ("the Marilyn Monroe of Coffees" remains Jamaica Blue Mountain, of course).
GBS Rating:
Ethiopia Natural Banko Fuafuate ~ 8.3(-ish);
Special Release: Columbia "Woot-Woot!" ~ 8.0;
Wind & Sea ~ 7.3;
Snowy Plover ~ 7.0
(Yeah, big surprise here)
"My Favourite" Bready/Toasty Side ~
(World) Famous Cliff House Popovers(!) at
the Bistro Restaurant at Cliff House (this is an exact duplicate of 2016's, 2015's, and 2014's choices; as long as they keep making 'em, I will keep eating 'em; see most recent last 'blog-entry from Sunday, September 24th).
GBS Rating: 8.2
"My Favourite" New Pastry Find ~
Cardamom Brioche/Bombolone-thing at
Jane the Bakery (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, February 25th) ~ Can you say cardamom-custard? Well, even if you can not, just eat the d*mn thing and shut up already!
GBS Rating: 8.0
(Honourable Mention:
Cardamom Spiced Coffee Cake at Marla Bakery [see 'blog-entry from Sunday, March 26th].
GBS Rating: 7.6)
"My Favourite" Cheese-bread ~
Cheese Popups (Pão de Queijo) at
Saltroot Cafe (see 'blog-entry from Monday, February 20th).
GBS Rating: 7.4
"My Favourite" New Seasonal Pancakes ~
Miracle Pancakes (2) - Sugar Pie Pumpkin Pancakes at
Zazie (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, November 4th).
GBS Rating: 7.4[6]
"My Favourite" (New) Crêpes with a Brazilian
Twist[7] ~
Romeu & Julieta (a Sweet Crêpe) and Veggy (a Savory Crêpe) at
Café de Casa (see respective 'blog-entries from Saturday, November 25th and Saturday, April 29th). Plus, these are a great substitute if you happen to be a Paleolithic human suffering from Celiac Disease.
GBS Rating:
Romeu & Julieta ~ 7.1;
Veggy ~ 6.5
"My Favourite" Chilaquiles ~
Spicy Migas at
Jo Ann's Cafe & Pantry (see 'blog-entry for Friday, March 10th).
GBS Rating: 7.0
Additional Honourable Mentions for Eggs Benedict-type dishes:
1) Portland (Benediction) at LaLe (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, January 29th)
GBS Rating: 7.2
2) Vegetarian Eggs Benedict at heartbaker (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, December 17th)
GBS Rating: 7.2
3) Forest Benedict at Persy's Place (see 'blog-entry for Tuesday, May 23rd)
GBS Rating: 7.1
4) Eggs Florentine with Creole Hollandaise at Brenda's Meat & Three (see 'blog-entry from Sunday, November 26th)
GBS Rating: 7.0
Additional Honourable Mention for French Toast:
Mascarpone Stuffed Deep Fried French Toast at KITCHEN Story (see 'blog-entry from Saturday, June 10th). It was French toast... deep-fried... with caramelized banana and maple-glazed walnuts... what was not to like?!
GBS Rating: 7.0
In Memoriam Interlude
And, lastly, it is with a very heavy ♥ that I bid a fond ado to Cafe GoLo ~ Boutique Cafe. It seems as though they have closed up (bakery) shop for good and may not be reopening at a new location in the Tenderloin as I originally had thought. Partings are such Sweet (Potato Tart) sorrows...
Glen Bacon Scale Rating:
Pain Perdu at Baker Street Bistro ~ 8.2 (mais certainement);
Zucchini Cakes at Dottie's True blue café ~ 7.6;
Puka French Toast at grindz ~ 7.6;
Fried Green Tomato Benedict at Mission Beach Cafe ~ 7.55;
Spicy Kale Skillet at Eats ~ 7.5;
Kugelhopf at Mama♥s on Washington Square ~ 7.45;
GoLo Ranchero at Cafe GoLo ~ Boutique Cafe ~ 7.4;
Vegetarian Scramble at Surisan ~ 7.4;
Œufs Baker Street Bistro at Baker Street Bistro ~ 7.3;
Polenta w/ Mixed "Veggies" (uggh!) & 2 Poached Eggs at LaLe ~ 7.3;
Brussel[ sic ] Florentine Benny at Blackwood ~ American Thai Fusion ~ 7.3
___________________
1. Contrary to popular belief, "Appellation" does not refer to a town in Washington State nor that little stretch of hills from Georgia (y'all) to Maine (Ay-yah!).
Plus, I kinda liked the alliterative sound of "adverbial appellation".
2. I always find it funny (in a "strange-haha" sorta way) that sometimes these completely madeuppery portmanteaus of mine are not only completely made-up by myself. Just Google "chronologistically" and you will see several other instances where other World Wild Web-users have also (foolishly) done so.
3. Hey! It could happen. Don't be so anti-LGBT*.
*(Even though this is a food kinda 'blog-thing, "LGBT" there does not stand for a "Lettuce-Guacamole-Bacon-Tomato Sandwich". Besides, if'n I were ever to make that particular sandwich combination, it would be an "LGST" ~ "Lettuce-Guacamole-Seitan-Tomato" one [and, trust me, it would be without any of the "vile white goop" added, too].)
4. "Hey, Brian. I thought that you said that 'in the case of identical GBS ratings'... "
First off, mind yer own soywax!!!
(which is actually the correct Vegan anti-meddling saying)
Secondly, in the case of a tie, all considerations go to Dottie's!
(And if you still don't like that, fine! Consider the Zucchini Cakes rated at 7.61! I am just not gonna go back and edit all past 'blog-entries to reflect that now to please any of youse Nostral E. Parkers.)
5. Hmmm?! Looking back over this list, it seems like there was a preponderance of French toast (three times) and Eggs Benedict (five times) dishes included.
6. "But, Brian, if this meal is rated a Glen Bacon Scale of 7.4, why isn't it included in the 'Top Ten [Eleven]' list above?"
a) Ooops!
b) Besides, if I had included it in the list, that would have messed up the whole premedicated Spın̈al Tap
-pish "Top Eleven". (So sue me.)
7. Ladies, whatever you do, do NOT ask for the "Brazilian Twist" when you are getting a bikini-wax. It would be very painful... but decidedly gluten-free.
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