free range chicken, farmer's cheese, green garlic, pistachio at
Range
The good people of San Francisco live well. They also eat well. Must have something to do with the close proximity to all those beautiful farms, ranches, wineries and dairies in Northern California. One of my favorite experiences was the Saturday
farmer's market at the Ferry Building. But more musings on that later.
Can't recall the name of this brilliant mixologist's concoction but the Creme de Violet is what sold me!
The opening picture was hands down the best meal of the trip. It was also the first meal - and happened to be my Birthday dinner. Who knew chicken could be so titillating? Everything about our experience at
Range was praiseworthy. From the impeccable service, to the cozy atmosphere... Did I mention the cocktails? Let's just say it was a libation celebration extravaganza!
apple tart and rosemary ice cream
Another memorable food experience was in the most unexpected location. I dined in a warehouse at the historic
Fort Mason - a former US Army base. I'm not vegetarian but I had a hankering for crisp local produce and lighter fare with an elevated gourmet twist.
Greens fit the bill in every sense! Dining alone has never been so pleasant... The sweeping view of the Golden Gate Bridge and marina kept me company. So did my glass of sparkling Rose!
pink perfection - Cremant D'Alsace Brut Rose
blood orange and grapefruit brighten this lively salad of organic local greens
this "Winter Sampler" kept me going all day
You'd be right in thinking I ate and drank my way through the city... I'm not even mentioning the bits and bites in between meals! Gelato in North Beach, pizza on a park bench in Washington Square, the most sublime cup of hot and spicy dark chocolate on Union Street...
a perfect piece of pork topped with apple mustard
One of the hottest restaurants in the city -
A16 - completely lived up to the hype. As memorable as the food and atmosphere were, what really stands out in my mind was the service. The wood burning oven wasn't the only center of warmth and goodness in the restaurant - our waitress had a smile that could even melt the heart of the most hardened haughty foodie hipster!
My bf, who knows a thing or two about wine, was seriously impressed with their selection of wines. I was seriously impressed with this:
any time there is Panna Cotta on the menu - I'm in
the only photo evidence I was even in SF - look how happy I am
I rode the F Line from Union Square - I haven't been in a street car since I left Toronto
I mentioned the Saturday Farmer's Market at the
Ferry Building on the scenic Embarcadero at the beginning of this post and I am ending with the delectable pics. It was my favorite excursion. An exploration of all that is good about cuisine in Northern California. With the exception of actually pulling the produce from the ground yourself, this is where it all begins. Famous chefs mingle with the locals and tourists alike as we hunt down the most beautiful, fresh, tasty and sometimes imaginative food available. I've posted about my local farmer's markets at least a dozen times - but for me this was mecca!
Outside:
rolls of naturally sun-dried grapes
Inside:
mushroom biscuits and mushroom maple marshmallows (deeeelish!)
So, you can visit the maketplace inside the Ferry Building all week long. It was such a fantastic experience I went back for more the following day. It was far less crowded and equally enjoyable. I mainly went back for this:
farmer's cheese, roasted broccoli and garlic, pickled cabbage sandwich on
Acme Bread at
But alas, the menu changes daily so I had something similar - but when I got home the first thing I did was replicate it in my own kitchen. Such an inspiring trip this was!!
That night we returned to the Embarcadero to gorge ourselves on fresh seafood at
Water Bar. We managed to find a cab in the frenzy of the Chinese New Year parade. After a heart-wrenching cab ride (Our driver had just been served with divorce papers and needed a therapy session. Luckily for him his passenger - yours truly - was well-versed in matters concerning divorce!) we lingered over spectacular treasures from the sea and gazed into each other's eyes while trying to make sense of became the theme of the night - divorce! Believe it or not it was still romantic... my man has really beautiful deep blue eyes.
The last thing we did was head back to the Ferry Building Marketplace the following day for more good eats. Any man who can keep up with my love for and constant interest in food is a keeper. It was too crowded the previous day so I really wanted to experience the Wagon Wheel Raclette at Cowgirl Creamery. It is fascinating and deeeescrumptious!
They heat the cheese under this amazing heat lamp and scrape it off...
...where it gently lands on a stack of Acme bread. A little pickled veg on the side is perfection!
We ate it outside on a bench. Something about good food on a park bench...
After the amazing experience eating roasted broccoli in a sandwich at Il Canne Rosso I went back the following day for something similar. They were a mix of greens, roasted in garlic and lemon olive oil... with ricotta and olive tapanade .
Mustard greens with feta and caramelized carrots
their signature dish - warm egg salad with provolone cheese
the trip ended on a sweet note with an Italian meringue-topped cupcake
Thank you for joining me on my food journey. Excuse me while I make something to eat!
