Food Trends Continued...

6) Wild Game. One result of America's urbanization has been the "globalization" of our nation's food options. In most major U.S. cities, you can literally have a French baguette with German muesli for breakfast; some Mexican chilequiles, Salvadorean empanadas, and Peruvian ceviche for lunch; some Chinese xiao long bao and Japanese mochi for a snack; and some Greek souvlaki, Moroccan chicken tajine, and Italian pana cotta for dinner. That is like traveling to ten different countries in a single day. You have no idea how grateful I am. However, this urbanization has also come at a price. We have lost our connection with food and the knowledge of where it comes from. Meat choices have essentially been reduced to chicken, beef, and pork, with the occasional lamb. Therefore, in conjunction with the local and green movements, I predict a revival for wild game in the near future. There is much to be excited about! Hubert Keller's Burger Bar is already making Buffalo Burgers, while Cebicheria la Mar is serving up some Cuy Pekinese. Here is to more exciting dishes using alligator, duck, elk, rabbit, squab, venison, wild board, and caribou! It is going to be like Christmas year round!

7) Supperclubs. The recession is far from over. However, this doesn't mean that we have to deny ourselves the pleasures of good eats. As I was shopping for Christmas presents, I noticed that cookbooks were flying off the shelves. With blogs Carol Blymire's French Laundry at Home and Alinea at Home gaining an ever growing following, and since potlucks are so 2009, I predict that supperclubs will rise to take their place in the year of the tiger. There are already some underground suppleclubs that have made some headlines. In 2010, expect more. Ever heard of PIMMS (Party in My Mouth Supperclub)? If not, you are missing out.

8) Comfort Foods. I am kind of cheating with this one, because it sort of goes hand in hand with Fried Chicken. But comfort food will definitely be in vogue. This is partly because it is so good, but also because the economic outlook ain't so bright. Here is to reminiscing about the good times by eating your favorite comfort foods. Expect to see more gourmet renditions of comfort classics like mac & cheese, chicken pot pie, pork buns, and stews.

9) Sandwiches. We are not talking about PB&Js here... although that could qualify in the comfort food category, especially with some cranberry balsamic pepper jam from Slow Jams and some freshly ground home made peanut butter. For trend number nine, I am talking about Banh Mi and Cuban Sandwiches. Those two don't really go together, but sandwiches are going to be making a come back. There are a few places in the Bay Area where one could find some decent Banh Mi. But most are located in the South Bay. Maybe someone is going to start a banging Banh Mi food truck. Yummm

Grubhunter's Food Trends of 2010 Part 1

In the spirit of making lists, I thought I'd take a stab on telling my readers, yes, all twelve of you, what I think will be making a splash next year in the Bay Area (in no particular order). Without further ado, I give you the first installment of the tastes to come!

1) Fried Chicken. As I mentioned in my last post, Fried Chicken is going to be featured front and center. Perhaps we'll even see more variations of the classic Southern Fried Chicken. In any event, I can't wait!

2) Foraged Foods. Courtesy of community based organizations like ForageSF, sustainably and fairly harvested wild food will be all the rage. Locally grown and produced will no longer be enough! Here, we are talking about uncultivated naturally grown foods. Go on, get your CSF. As a side note, this concept is gaining grounds as entrepreneurs like Shakirah Simley of Slow Jams begin to source their ingredients from overlooked segments of local agriculture such as urban gardens and farms.

3) Chifa. Peruvian food has been all the rage. In the last two or three years, San Francisco has witnessed a doubling, perhaps even a quadrupling, of the number of options for Peruvian grub. Some of these Peruvian joints are already serving up some lesser known fare, such as Tallarine Saltado and Arroz Chaufa. These dishes, in my opinion, are national dishes in their own right. They are a product of the most recent influences to Peruvian cuisine. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Chinese were the most recent group of immigrants to arrive in Peru, which resulted in the invetion of Chifa: a unique hybrid of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisine! I think this trend is going to go national. For example, newly minted Iron Chef Jose Garces recently opened Chifa in Philadelphia. I haven't been yet, but the menu looks promising. Likewise, Eric Nakata opened the sensational Lomo Arigato food truck in LA (basically Chifa). Hopefully, something good will be coming to a neighborhood near you.

4) Arepas, Empanadas, and Tacos - Food you can eat on the go. Food trucks and street food made a splash in 2009. I am specifically talking about Kogi (which if you recall, JH made famous, haha). This Korean taco sensation has now expanded to include several mobile kitchens and a permanent location, and it appears to continue to wipe out the competition in the LA area. Here, in San Francisco, we have our very own Namu, which has its own version of the tacos, or what I know to call ssam. Here, we are talking about nori sheets enveloping boneless grilled shortribs, rice, and some daikon and kimchee. The idea of putting different things in on-the-go friendly foods will surely catch on. Imagine the possibilities! Anticucho tacos, Chicken Tikka Masala Arepas, or even Chinese Roast Pork empanadas!

5) Night Markets. I am probably going to regret eternalizing (is that a word?) this next thought... But one thing that New York has got on San Francisco is the myriad of late night dining options! Seriously, not that I like Mel's or anything, but even the SOMA Mel's isn't open 24 hrs. So, going on the whole street food trend and the success of events like Outside In, I predict the development of bona fide night markets, or night bazaars, which have been a staple in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan. So when you get hungry after 10pm, the night markets will come to the rescue.

Battle Fried Chicken Part I

Epicurios.com recently compiled a list of food trends to come in 2010. Topping the list is Fried Chicken, which as you all know is one of my favorite things to eat in the world!! And yes, Fried Chicken is capitalized! With its crispy skin, moist meat, decadent flavors, AND myriad of sides that can be eaten with it, what is not to LOVE? As a tribute to this prediction, I have decided to post on my adventures in discovering the best places to get your chicken on.

Saizo (Sunnyvale): Chicken Karaage

San Tung (SF): Dry Fried Chicken

Kyochon (LA): Soy-Garlic Drumsticks

Honey Kettle Chicken (LA): Fried Chicken and Kettle Fries with Honey

Little Skillet (SF): Fried Chicken and Waffles

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Collard Greens, Mac and Cheese, Black Eyed Peas

House of Chicken and Waffles (Oakland): Fried Chicken

For traditional Fried Chicken, Honey Kettle is by far the best. In fact, the chicken was so good, that after I ate a full order, I ordered some more togo for the road (aka my long car ride back from LA). After a few hours, the chicken had cooled to room temperature (perfect for picnics). Halfway home in Central California, I decided to picnic and WHOA! The chicken tasted even better than fresh out of the fryer! This is indeed a true testament to the wonder that is Honey Kettle. Whoever, called it the crack of Fried Chicken wasn't kidding. The chicken was unbelievably crisp, moist, and tender. I am already dreaming about my trip down to LA for MLK. I am going to get my grubhunting on in Culver City!

Regarding the sides, those from the House of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland are by far the best in Norcal. But there are still a few other places I have to try before I make up my mind. These include, but are not limited to the Front Porch and Brown Sugar. I might as well also include a revisit to Everette and Jones which also serves up classic Southern BBQ.

Overall, the chicken and waffles (as a package) from Little Skillet were great. I particularly like the charm of ordering from a window! This combination of flavorful chicken and crispy/fluffy waffles is a winner and ranks in my top five! It would probably rank higher, but everyone knows that I have a special place in my stomach for some of the more exotic fried chicken options. As most of you know, I have a secret love affair with Korean/Chinese fried chicken.

Recently, I went to Kyochon in LA, and I must say that the chicken there was a bit disappointing. So if I were you, I'd stick to eating at Bonchon, which they also have in LA, but I swear it is much better in NY. If you ask any New Yorker, they will tell you how awesome chicken wings from mom and pop chinese restaurants are! So Bonchon and these chicken wings, especially my dad's, readily take second and third place. More on this later!

As Little Skillet recently tweeted... "2010 New Years Resolution - Treat yourself better - Eat more Fried Chicken." They couldn't be more right! Get your grub on!