633260 Wed Jul 01 16:40:38 -0700 2009 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4822675 • Townhall, SOMA Jambalaya loaded with flavour, smoky, spicy with porky tasso goodness. The pork chop that came with it was only ok, mustardy, and covered with peanuts, ever so slightly overcooked. Incidentally, crispy zucchini flowers stuffed with a mix of cheese (ricotta? sorry wasn't paying attention) was very good, with basil and tomato sauces for sweet, herby and acidity in contrast. • 4505 (from Kitchenette, SOMA) Got the chicharrones at Kitchenette, very lightly crispy, melting into a sticky rich porkiness in the mouth with a good even flavour. A tiny hint of spice, would have loved an equally tiny hint of sweetness for balance. • Boccalone, Ferry Plaza, Embarcadero The prosciutto was oversalted, a little short of the natural porky sweetness to balance it. Not bad, but certainly not great. Ndjua was lovely, spicy with a great tang of chilli, smooth, but with very fine fibres of pork wispily articulated. Salami with orange and fennel was subtle, not as waxy as most, a little soft on the centre, a pleasant but not earth shattering rendition. Head cheese was my favourite, very lightly seasoned, allowing the gentle pork to speak with remarkable clarity. • Tu Kim Cafe, Tenderloin A pretty good but not great pork banh mi, low on the pate, high on the sliced pork and the Vietnamese sausage (cha lua?). The usual pickles, shredded carrots and jalapenos for a little kick. Decent toasting on the bun, but could perhaps be lighter. Wed Jul 01 16:40:38 -0700 2009 10076 limster 1 4822801 There is a little sugar in the 4505 chicharrones, plenty for my taste. Boccalone's head cheese is the best. You missed the pork butter? Wed Jul 01 17:27:52 -0700 2009 4822675 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 4822910 Didn't see pork butter on the menu - is that the same as lardo (which they had, but sold as packets)? Wed Jul 01 18:11:50 -0700 2009 4822801 10076 limster 3 4822986 Lardo is cured pork fat with salt and spices and is considered a salumi. Pork butter is the stuff left over after rendering lard that is combined with garlic, rosemary and olive oil. It is sort of pig gebenes. Wed Jul 01 18:38:46 -0700 2009 4822910 105235 wolfe 3 4824626 No: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/571678#4424677 Thu Jul 02 10:12:52 -0700 2009 4822910 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 4860978 Nice pork roundup Wed Jul 15 10:18:50 -0700 2009 4822675 10264 rworange