Batch Made Market

I was disappointed because Angela and I had to forego the pho rolls from Rice Paper Scissors at the San Francisco Street Food Festival. After being on our own for the last part of the day, we were just too full. So when the Underground Market announced that Rice Paper Scissors was participating in their  Batch Made Market on September 8, I went over there for dinner. There was a $5 charge to enter the lot, which made it an expensive event, but ForageSF and its Underground Market are both good causes, and I really wanted those pho rolls.

RPS was right near the entrance, so I didn't have to look for them.

I couldn't decide whether to get the beef roll or the mushroom, and they were kind enough to indulge me with a half-and-half plate.

The pho rolls were as good as I remembered, but not quite a whole meal, even for me. As I was looking for another bite, I discovered the Stroopie booth, and decided dessert was next on my schedule.

As you know, Tea Time is partial to caramel, so I opted for the traditional caramel Stroopwafel. They are also available with small-batch jam filling. The jam is seasonal, and very small batch, so if you see a flavor you like, order it right away, because it might not be there next time.

Caramel goodness inside two crispy wafers

After savoring my Stroopie, I resumed the search for the rest of my dinner, and decided on coconut shrimp from SUP! Southeast Asian Street Food. Three large shrimp, served with a wedge of lime, dipping sauce and a generous serving of cucumber salad.

Although that completed my meal, I couldn't resist a final treat: a small scoop (kiddie size, honest!) of house-made chocolate ice cream from Post Street Creamery. Don't let the pale color fool you. Made with Valrhona chocolate, this has a very intense chocolate flavor!

There were lots of choices for finicky eaters, plus adult beverages and a seating area. 

 

 

 

 

It was a delicious, if slightly expensive, dinner.

Admission:           $5.00

Pho Rolls:             $8.00

Stroopie:               $4.00 

Coconut Shrimp:  $7.00

Ice Cream:            $2.50

So Bay Area readers, what do you think? Is it too much to pay to enter a food truck park and Then buy your dinner? The SOMA StrEat Food Park and all Off the Grid events are free to enter. Does this make a difference in where you eat? Other cities, do you have the option of getting street food like this? Tea Time knows in some parts of the world it's very common, but in others it's a novelty.

Yelp in the Hundred / posted by J.K.

I was one of the lucky "few" to get an invitation to Yelp's August 8 party, Yelp in the Hundred  at the SOMArts building on Brannan Street. "The Hundred" is still the official name for south of Market, even though nobody but Yelp uses it any more.

The party was presented as free, but there was a suggested donation of $10 to benefit SOMArts that was aggressively collected. However, the party was well worth $10, and it's certainly a good cause. I have attended the Underground Market there, which had a $5 entry fee, and that was well worth the price even though everything at the Market was for sale. Angela had to work, so she didn't request a ticket, but as you may have noticed, Tea Time does not like to miss events, and I went alone. But I did not feel alone. Like the Street Food Festival, there were long lines for everything, and there were lots of friendly Yelpers to pass the time with, and even the occasional person I already knew.

First up for me was corn chowder with salty ham and black-eyed peas from Dixie. First the cups were filled with the peas, then the chowder was poured over. And anyone who didn't want chowder was offered a taste of the ham!

Next, Creperie Saint-Germaine offered a choice of savory or sweet. Do I have to tell you which I chose?

Close Up of J.K.'s Strawberry & Nutella Crepe

Tater Tots from Jamber, with a choice of Cranberry or Bacon Jam. These were a big hit. Perfect Tater Tots with an unexpected flavor burst from the Jam.

Delivery.com served up Cako cupcakes in several flavors. I ate a double chocolate on the spot and stood in line again later for my take-home package.

Double Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Chocolate

Pedal-powered music was provided by Cello Joe. The pedal power was provided by enthusiastic attendees!

 Sausages from Rosamunde Sausage Grill seemed to be the main attraction. The line stretched almost back to the entrance, but the wait was only about 15 minutes, and well worth the time. When I got to the front, they were still cooking the wild boar sausage, so I waited a few minutes more to get my first choice. They were cooking one type at a time, so it was either take what was there or wait for your choice.

Beer sausage with saurkraut, sweet red peppers and honey wasabi dijon.

Wild Boar Sausage with sweet red peppers, grilled onions, and honey wasabi dijon.

There was a wide choice of beer and wine, but the Campari cocktail bar got my attention. I don't like vodka or bourbon, and it wasn't a full bar, so it was the Paloma for me. The Squirt grapefruit soda was too sticky sweet for my taste, but the drink was exceptionally smooth for blanco (white or silver) tequila.

And there was swag to take home. Eat 24 ran out of  bags before I got there, but while it would have been handy to carry my swag, I don't exactly need another bag! Let me know if you'd like one of my extras. Delivery.Com gave everyone three Cako cupcakes to take home, Sugar and Spun gave us prepackaged cotton candy with a choice of Latte or Chocolate & Banana, and Eat 24 had plenty of pairs of sunglasses to go around. They even fit my small head! I'll wear them the next time Angela talks me into making a silly YouTube video for a contest. I keep thinking I'll take the last one down, but every so often someone actually watches it.

Two Double Chocolate with Strawberry Cheesecake in the middle

 There was more, but the lines were just too long after I finished all this, and I reluctantly went home without experiencing it all.

Were you there? Let us know your impressions.