Here's to the Pink White and Brown

Another year has gone by for America, and as usual, the nation was shell shocked the day after. Shell shocked from the copious consumption of cheap formerly American made beers, and confused by the unremembered fireworks displays. This time, substance abuse was not the culprit. The coffers have been mighty empty of late, so the good citizens of anywheresville had to resort to no fireworks at all, or illegal items labelled and shipped as "dog food" from the American south. Thanks Louisiana!

As per my usual interests, the 4th provides some real crap eating opportunities. And I say crap lovingly, but that is what it is. Beers, dogs, burgers, black outs and emergency room visits. While I was offered a small American flag, we all know that won't get you into heaven anymore. For the most part people seemed more interested in stuffing their faces than celebrating our precious freedoms. Seeing how things are going for many people these days, let's give em all a break.

The other week someone was asking me about guilty pleasures and I drew a blank. Fast forward to the Fourth of July:

When I set my eyes upon a large tub of very cheap Neapolitan ice cream I knew that I had my answer. It had been years since I last had this trifecta but now I see no reason why not to fill my freezer.

I began serving my friends double scoops. I had two double scoops. We lost ourselves in the brown white and pink delight that is Neapolitan. Why would you ever need any other flavor? You never would silly!

With bulging stomachs we realized far too late that there was more in store and it was a beauty. Delicious fruit was being grilled:

Next angel food cake was added and grilled to perfection. Whatever that means.

Add a little of the pink, white and brown, and you've got yourself something special indeed.

Happy Birthday America!

Corn on the Cob

They say it's summer and now I believe it. There have been berries, bouts of poison oak and now this.

Corn on the cob. I get moist eyes just thinking about it, less so this one. Reminds me of being a kid, getting braces, and not being able to eat it off the cob. Waiting for corn season to arrive again has included a similar yearning.

For this simple pleasure, a simple recipe:

Take one teaspoon of chili flakes and another of salt. Crush together in your mortar and pestle. Set aside.

Take one pat of butter and mix with one clove of garden and a nibble of cilantro, Set aside.

Steam, boil, or grill your corn and then rub your ingredients on your corn until you've burned little fingers. Enjoy.

Golden Boy Pizza

As a rule, I mostly avoid everything in North Beach in San Francisco. It's a strange strip where busloads of tourists go, to sit at a side walk cafe, gawk at movie extra Italians and eat some incredibly mediocre food. Anyhow, I ask my friends and co-workers before I set foot in any establishment in the area. Golden Boy Pizza is the place I was recommended, so I want to point there as well.

Golden Boy feels dirty, friendly and unpretentious. I struck up a conversation with the women next to me at the counter seating, and the guy behind the counter. I sheepishly pulled out my camera and everyone was super excited, which was a surprise. Maybe being off Columbus street proper decreases the influx of tourists.


The honest truth is that I was unmoved by their cheese slices. "Is this it?" I asked myself when the slice arrived and after my first bite. Well, at least it's pretty cheap.

But really, the reason i was there was for the garlic and clam pizza. Covered in loads of parsley, garlic and clam, this slice will kick you in the complacent pants.

While I won't call it an absolute must or really fantastic pizza, it is a very nice and somewhat unique combo that I will happily eat again on my way to and from work. If you're in North Beach, give it a shot.

542 Green Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 982-9738
www.GoldenBoyPizza.com