Five Finds on Friday: Alex Import
by Charlottesville29
Alex Import, in San Francisco for the Good Food Awards
Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Alex Import, meat wizard at JM Stock Provisions, who is currently in San Francisco for the 2016 Good Food Awards, honoring the nation’s best food and drink products. In 2015, JM Stock won for Best Charcuterie for their pate de campagne, and this year they are a finalist in the same category for their tasso ham. The winners will be announced tonight. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, Import’s picks:
1) Spicy Miso Ramen at Mican. “Nothing scratches the umami itch like this steamy bowl of anti-winter. I’m a sucker for noodles of any kind, and a rich, complex broth holds a special place in my heart. Love the homey atmosphere, and a concise but sagely selected list of sake offerings seals the deal.”
2) Grapefruit Hibiscus Cider from Potter’s Craft Cider. “This new gem really has me intrigued. Every aspect is magnetic. Soft, glassy texture; acute acid and dainty but confident flavors; coy bubbles, sexy hue, artistic package, and appealing price tag. Thank you to all at Potter’s for showing us the way.”
3) Shaved Salad at Oakhart Social. “A tough job selecting this out of the herd of nourishing selections of food and booze at Oakhart. Why this salad? Can’t put my finger on it — and to me that is more often than not the hallmark of something truly special. Love these guys.”
4) Hot and Numbing Tofu Skins at Peter Chang’s. “The allure of this dish is its mystique. Makes me question my ability to share.”
5) Omakase at TEN. “Given the nature of my work, I go out of my way to seek out water-dwelling proteins. Texture and nuance are fortified with simplicity on these plates, and a hearty list of all-too-quaffable cocktails finds me lingering after a meal here.”