Gastrorgasms: When Food Is Better Than Sex
By Lorraine Sanders, Contributor
Usually we give food and sex just about equal standing on the pleasure-o-meter. After all, great sex is yummy and great food is undeniably sexy. But sometimes, food wins out and, uh, takes the proverbial cake. Here, seven locals dish on where they go for foods that hit the (G) spot.
Photo courtesy of Violet Blue
Violet Blue - Sex Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle
"I could tease my lover (and myself) with the intoxicatingly flirty heart-shaped lollipops from Miette, or drink in and exude the pure lust of a Chocolate Velvet from Kara's Kupcakes. But I like my savory love bites as much as the sweetest nibbles, and that takes my oral fixations to the warm goat cheese and crostini at NOPA, and if I'm really past the boiling point, the prosciutto-wrapped dates at The Alembic. Are any of those better than sex? I'll have to do side-by-side field research comparisons with my sleepless and smiling lab assistant--again--and get back to you."
Miette Cakes
1 Ferry Bldg Ste 10,
San Francisco,
CA
Marcia Gagliardi - Food Writer, tablehopper.com
“I love this question--I ponder it weekly. The sushi experience at Sebo in Hayes Valley definitely knows how to satisfy. I adore the omakase (‘chef’s choice’) format, so it’s nice to be in someone else’s hands (but you can still tell them what you like, wink). The meal is full of surprises--you never know what’s coming next. It’s decadent. I like that it can take awhile. And everything is of such seriously good quality, it’s totally top drawer. Or bedside table drawer, heh.”
Sebo
517 Hayes St,
San Francisco,
CA
Jared Rivera - Principal and Founder, Rivera PR
“Here's my honest answer: a Jake's Steaks 12-inch Philly ordered with a Liberty Ale has got to be it for me for a couple reasons. One, it's delicious, if ordered correctly, ‘wiz with, with sweet and hot peppers.’ Two, the Liberty Ale is very high in alcohol content, and my girlfriend usually drinks it. Therefore, the beer actually makes me look better, she becomes more attracted to me and thus the sex part does not need to be compromised. It's an amazing trickle-down effect. Don't let anyone tell you that a Philly cheesesteak shop is not a good place to take a date!”
Jake's Steaks
3301 Buchanan St,
San Francisco,
CA
Jennifer Lynne - Lingerie Designer, Porcelynne
“I would have to say that the first food that comes to mind when asked what San Francisco restaurant food dish is better than sex would have to be a Zeitgeist hamburger and potatoes. It could be strongly influenced by the sun and a beer, but I have planned my last two birthdays around getting one. Who doesn’t want food better than sex on their birthday?”
Frankee Uno - Stylist/Owner, Frankee Uno Salon
“What food is better than sex? Do I need to narrow it down to just one choice? Being completely single, almost every food is better. Just kidding. There are liquids, solids and old staples. A few favorites that are better than random single sex: in the liquids category, the Black Maple Hill Manhattan with brandied cherries from Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. For solids, the potatoes with pancetta, fried chilies and pecorino paired with grilled pork ribs with fennel and rosemary from SPQR. And an old staple? Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and blue lake green beans from Blue Plate.”
Absinthe Brasserie & Bar
398 Hayes St,
San Francisco,
CA
Allison Goldstein - Marketing Coordinator, Good Vibrations
"I tend to gravitate towards simple but impeccably executed comfort food, so for me it doesn’t get much better than a meal at The Stinking Rose. Something about their 40 Clove Garlic Chicken, and garlic rolls, and Louisiana shrimp. I mean, wow. For me that’s the perfect recipe for a food orgasm every time."
The Stinking Rose
325 Columbus Ave,
San Francisco,
CA
Beau Lebens - All-Around Freelance Web Guy
“For me, Aqua is the epitome of food-sex. Their tuna tartare, in particular, is incredible, but everything I've had there is delicious. Their interior is dark and moody while still being sophisticated and refined, which is the perfect setting for culinary indulgence. Wow, I sound like a douche-y food critic or something.”
Aqua
252 California St,
San Francisco,
CA
