Rita’s Ice scooping in Alameda; Santa Clara next
Rita’s Ice, a sweet institution since 1984, has expanded to Alameda with a shop at the South Shore Center. Coming soon is a Santa Clara location at 1807 Pruneridge Ave.
The chain’s specialties include the East Coast-born Italian ices, legendary in New York and New Jersey for decades (mango is the top seller) and the frozen custard that’s wildly popular in the Midwest, especially St. Louis.
If you can’t decide between the two, you can order a Gelati, which tops the icy concoction with big swirls of the creamy custard. Or if you can’t settle on one flavor, you can order one of the Ice Flights, a sampler of four. The Italian ice is also available in a sugar-free version, sweetened with Splenda.
The Alameda Rita’s, located across from the Adventure Court, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Details: www.ritasice.com.
Grab a Hawaiian bento box for lunch in San Francisco
Lunch just got a lot more interesting if you live or work in San Francisco. Aina, the Hawaiian farm-to-table restaurant in the Dogpatch known for killer malasadas and gourmet takes on Spam musubi, has launched a limited-edition, delivery-only bento box popup through July 29.
Aina Bento, as it is called, is available exclusively through Caviar for delivery during the weekday lunch hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The bento boxes are inspired by the
traditional plate lunches of Hawaiian barbecue plus Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Chinese and Portuguese influences found throughout the islands.
Executive chef Jordan Keao puts his gourmet touch on dishes like Chinese long rice and Korean barbecue kalbi using fresh, organic and sustainable ingredients. Price range is $13-$15. And, yes, let’s all give a gracious “mahalo” in the hopes that Aina Bento becomes a permanent thing.
Tacolicious guest chef series returns to Ferry Plaza
Now in its ninth year, the Tacolicious Guest Chef Series at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is one of the most delightful ways to taste tacos made by some of the Bay Area’s most famous and hottest chefs.
The series takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekly through Aug. 9. Past guest chefs have included Tanya Holland, Christopher Kostow and James Syhabout.
This year, Daniel Sudar of San Francisco’s China Live launched the series June 14 with his Betelnut’s minced chicken taco with chopped Asian vegetables, hoisin and China Live chili bean sauce. Look for tacos ranging from pre-Hispanic Mexican influences to Japanese, Italian and even a dessert taco. Here’s the remaining lineup: July 7: Freedom Rains, a Mano July 12: Chris Cosentino, Cockscomb
July 19: Marc Baltes, San Francisco Cooking School
July 26: Geoff Davis, True Laurel Aug. 2: Blair Warsham, The Bird Aug. 9: Tyler Malek, Salt & Straw