SF Dish of the Month (Nov 2012) Nominations

[Dave MP]

It's time to choose a Dish of the Month for SF Bay Area for November 2012

The idea is this: choose a 'Dish of the Month' for SF Bay Area and then collectively try as many versions of this dish as possible, reporting back with details and photos. It's great to talk about places you've been in the past, but the idea is to explore new places and make new discoveries.

The dish that gets chosen might be something very specific (minestrone soup, xiao long bao) but might also be more of a dish category (stuffed pasta dishes, Asian fried chicken). It's up to the users on this board, but it probably makes sense to choose something that locals are excited about trying and finding the best versions! This past month, the dish of the month inspired a few Chowdowns so people could try the dish together....hopefully this tradition can continue!

This is the nomination thread for November 2012…you can nominate as many dishes as you want, but once we do the voting thread (which will start on October 26), it will be one vote per user.

To nominate a dish, post it in ALL CAPS in the responses below. This thread will be open until October 26th.

Let the nominations begin!

Dave MP

Previous Dish of the Month Discussions for SF:

Whole Chicken Stuffed w/ Sticky Rice: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/871657
Cucumber Pickles: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/866098
Channa Bhatura: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/861176
Asian Fried Chicken: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/856748

[Dave MP]

The voting thread is up: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/875237

Cast your vote there by 12 noon on Oct 31!

[shanghaikid]

BEST BURGER
PUMPKIN PIE

[Cynsa]

BREAD
Good breads... Josey Baker, Tartine, and more - tasty for Thanksgiving table.

[Dave MP]

Bread seems like too large a category to me. Maybe we can be more specific, like SOURDOUGH BREAD or WHOLE WHEAT BREAD or ???

[Cynsa]

I am curious about the bread selection as an overview - so many choices! What rises to the top? But you've found me out - I really just want a guide to breads before Thanksgiving and I'll post a separate thread. : )

[Armoise]

When does crab season open? How about salt and pepper crab or another crab dish?

[shanghaikid]

last year, crab season opened around november 15th.

[Spenbald]

It actually opened a couple weeks later than usual due to prolonged negotiations on price between crabbers and seafood processors. Commercial season generally starts on 11/15.

[Cynsa]

We waited impatiently through the prolonged price negotiations for crab last year - I'm waiting for December to nominate Cioppino and Gumbo dishes.

for November:
KOUIGN AMANN
APPLE FRITTERS
TRES LECHE CAKE
ANY FLAVOR ICE CREAM
TEA LEAF SALAD
BEST BURGER
CHILAQUILES
CARBONARA

[Dave MP]

I like these ideas, especially CHILAQUILES and TEA LEAF SALAD

[absc]

I like the apple fritters idea a lot. But as it is seasonal;
PUMPKIN PIE
PUMPKIN ICE CREAM

[Ruth Lafler]

Combining these ideas, how about PUMPKIN (KABOCHA/BUTTERNUT SQUASH) CURRY?

[Dave MP]

I suggested THAI PUMPKIN CURRY above but I like the idea of broadening it a bit to include any kind of PUMPKIN CURRY, as Ruth describes.

[Jefferson]

Now that the weather has turned, I think of

FISH STEW

in all its variations: Cioppino (SF/Italy), Bouillabaisse (France), Caldo 7 Mares (Mexico), Chupe de Mariscos (Peru)...

[Sarah]

Ooooh, fish stew sounds good. Or BEEF STEW WON TON SOUP.

[Dave MP]

I'll get the nomination process started:

POZOLE

WAFFLES

CHILE RELLENO

DAN DAN MIAN

THAI RED CURRY or THAI PUMPKIN CURRY

PAPAYA SALAD

[hyperbowler]

PAPAYA SALAD sounds good, and that can cover Thai and Lao places. Is this common in any other cuisines?

[shanghaikid]

a google search shows some vietnamese eateries make papaya salad also.

[Jefferson]

One of the fun things about Green Papaya Salad is the unusually wide variety of outlets, from fancy Asian fusion restaurants to Sunday fund-raisers at Buddhist temples. Also, it's quite affordable.

On the other hand, it's cold. Ones of the stews or curries or a soup might be a more appealing Winter choice. Hmmm...

[Dave MP]

This is only the nomination thread, so you should keep throwing out other ideas too! I am also kind of torn about papaya salad...