SF Street Food Festival
The SF Street Food Festival was put on by La Cocina, an incubator program that helps women of color and immigrant communities, as well as people with low-income, grow their food businesses.
La Cocina provides affordable kitchen space and opportunities to market. Every entrepreneur is passionate about their food business and an inspiring person! The festival celebrates "community, culture," and entrepreneurship, showcasing chefs and restaurants from the Bay Area. By attending this festival, I felt pride in showing my support for "women, immigrant and POC-owned food businesses." The festival took place in a paved lot next to the Power Station in Dogpatch, San Francisco.
Bini's Kitchen
irIf you cross a Chinese dumpling with a Nepalese meatball, you get a Momo. A momo is a Nepalese meat dumpling (they offer a vegetarian option, too) dressed with spicy tomato cilantro sauce. I took one bite and I was obsessed. The light skin of the dumpling added a nice contrast to the dense, succulent, juicy, perfectly-spiced meatball. The sauce was more on the mild side (perfect for me) and brought everything together nicely. It went very well with the meatball–like how Italian meatballs go together with tomato sauce. I shared the 6 piece lamb momo ($9) with a friend. Three was plenty to fill me up! If I could, I'd eat all six and drench them in more sauce!
Bini's Kitchen is the only Nepalese Catering you can find in San Francisco! In addition, they use homegrown spices, and local ingredients–it sure is reflected in the high quality of their momo.
This dish was so unique–I'd never seen it anywhere before. There is definitely a much wider variety of ethnic and cultural foods in the Bay Area than in South Orange County– where I'm from.
Alexandre Family Farm
I walked up to this stall thinking I couldn't have their milk because I'm part lactose-intolerant, and left with a mini sample bottle. The reason I could consume this milk is because it is made with the protein A2/A2. Human milk is made up of this protein, so in turn, it is easily absorbed by our body. Today's cows make A2/A1 protein which is harder for us to digest. They "practice organic, pasture-raised dairy farming."
In addition to plain and chocolate milk, Alexandre Family Farm offers unique flavors: golden turmeric, vanilla, caramel. I sampled each one and they were all delicious! My favorite was the golden turmeric.
The true test was if my stomach would be okay 30 minutes to an hour later. And it was! If you are dairy-sensitive, this is the milk for you!
Tabasco
Tabasco had stall serving popcorn and kettle corn to taste with 6 different types of Tabasco sauces. I only ever thought there was green and red tabasco sauces and was surprised to see such a wide variety–they each had different spice levels.
Illy
Illy was serving up free affogatos! Vanilla gelato topped with a fresh shot of espresso. It was delicious and a nice refreshment after eating the savory momos.
The Uncreamery
Give me all the vegan foods! I love how non-dairy "dairy" products are becoming more accessible! Although, if you are allergic to nuts, you probably can't have The Uncreamery's cheese as it is almond and cashew based. I sampled the classic brie and it tasted pretty damn close to cheese! Spread on a cracker, you really wouldn't notice the difference. This is the future of sustainable food!
Crisps and Crackles
Step aside veggie sticks! Crisps & Crackles are the new vegetable snack! These crunchy and airy crisps are made from either mung beans, bitter melon, or moringa. My favoirte was the one with BBQ seasoning. Handmade with love, Crisps & Crackles are baked in small batches to ensure quality and freshness!
Mozzeria
And yet more vegan food! I sure was a happy camper today! I always miss out on the cheesy Italian dishes–chicken parm, eggplant parm, lasagna–but today I finally got to have eggplant parmesan! Vegan-style! It was perfectly cooked, easy to cut with my fork, had a crispy breading, fresh tomato sauce, and was topped with basil.
The workers at the Mozzeria stall were mute, so we ordered in sign language. I thought that was super cool! Making a fist with my hand for the letter "A", I ordered the "small bites–2 pieces" for $4.
Yvonne's Southern Sweets
I love sweet potatoes so I had to try Yvonne's sweet potato pie! It was too cute not to buy! (hey, that rhymed!) I took it back to my dorm and warmed it up in the microwave before eating it. The consistency reminds me of pumpkin pie, but the flavor is a little less sweet which I liked. The crust was buttery and flaky! This pie was delicious and is the perfect serving size for one person! Next time I want to try her famous pecan praline and butter cookie!
