So Jealous of San Francisco
We just got back from the most phenomenally delicious and overwhelmingly indulgent week in San Francisco. I wish I could FedEx the extra 5 pounds I gained back to the 415, but the tightness in my jeans was definitely worth it. We ate and drank like gluttons and loved every minute of it.
Our hotel room and location couldn’t have been better. We stayed at The Donatello right in Union Square so walking was always an option. But we also brought our car, so we could drive and take day trips when we wanted. Friends and family met us for a couple meals, and we researched every meal in order to make the most of our eating opportunities in the Bay Area.
Honestly though, I’m actually kind of depressed about being back in San Diego. The food scene is just so much more rich and vibrant and just plain ripe for the picking in San Francisco. I wish I was a 55 year old millionaire “lady-who-lunches” so that I could start a foundation aimed at improving the culinary scene here in my hometown.
Maybe I’ll make a few people mad with these statements dissing S.D., but I just was so impressed with the food choices and the attention to quality in SF. Artisan, craft cuisine (wine, beer, cheese, bread, everything!) abounds and the population seems ready to eat it all up with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, I’m afraid too many San Diegans are perfectly happy with an alfredo sauce from The Olive Garden. Ugh.
Anyway, I’ll stop my rant and focus on the positive… namely, where we ate on our trip. I plan to add our detailed thoughts and impressions, but that will take a larger block of time than I have now. So for the moment, check out where we feasted and try not to be too jealous!
Little Delhi in the Tenderloin (the husband’s #2 favorite meal of the trip)
Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe in North Beach
Trish’s Mini Donuts on Pier 39
Tajine in the Tenderloin
Burma Superstar(my #2 favorite meal of the trip)
Fish. in Sausalito
Mijita in the Ferry Building
Coco500 (our #1 meal of the trip, by far!)
Marakkesh Hookah Bar in the Tenderloin
Mom’s Apple Pie in the Russian River Valley Wine Country
DeLoach Winery in the Russian River Valley
Russian River Brewing Company
Flavor in Santa Rosa
Naan & Curry in the Tenderloin
Ace Wasabi’s Rock N Roll Sushi in the Marina
Taylor’s Refresher in the Ferry Building
Luisa Ristorante in the Marina
Big Sky Cafe in San Luis Obispo
I could hardly have been happier with all of our meal choices. My husband Daniel was slightly disappointed by Tajine, Mijita, and Naan & Curry.
I’ll write more details later, but I’m already feeling overwhelmed just contemplating all the things I want to share with you about the meals and the restaurants and our experiences. Thanks again to everyone who offered their recommendations for our trip.
And if you live in San Francisco, know that you are lucky and I’m envious!!!
♥Beth
Beth!
so glad you liked Coco500.
it is currently quite the darling of myself and several other people I know, food bloggers and non-food-bloggers alike! I hope you weren’t there last Tuesday lunchtime, because if you were, there were at least 4 other food bloggers in the house!
Cant wait to read more about your SF thoughts. Sorry you didnt care for naan and curry - I havnet been to its new location yet.
Comment by sam — June 27, 2006 @ 9:53 pm
I’ve eaten at almost every place on your list! As a SF native I heartily agree with your SF/SD comparison, alas. Isn’t Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Shop just the bee’s knees? Glad your trip was fun, we’re leaving tomorrow for ten days there - hope its not as hot as SD!
Comment by Rorie — June 28, 2006 @ 10:30 am
Wha? No Girl and the Fig in Sonoma? The name just sticks out in my mind over a couple of trips to Napa/Sonoma. It was pretty good as I remember. Glad you had a great trip.
But you truly haven’t live until you’ve had the endless pasta bowl at THE Olive.
Kidding!
Comment by Scott — June 28, 2006 @ 11:40 am
Sounds like an eating orgy. Yes, we are all so thankful to live and eat in San Francisco-praise the lord. My daughter wants to go to college in SD to I will be checking out your town soon.
Comment by Elle — June 28, 2006 @ 2:06 pm
Wow, I haven’t even heard of a lot of those places, and I used to live there! Everytime I go it has changed so much! It is just different, isn’t it? Even if you go to a barbecue up there, they’re not cooking weenies and burgers, they’re grilling salmon and roasting vegetables, and having cheese for dessert with some rare wine. It’s like being in France or something. I’m hoping to get up there this fall, so I will look into that Coco500 place. Glad you had a good time!
Comment by Alice Q — June 28, 2006 @ 9:58 pm
Hey, love the food blog!!! Oh, yeah Coco500 was formerly another restaurant. I like the new restaurant, it is very nice.
Comment by H. (aka NC_State_gal) — June 29, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
I agree completely. My husband and I really want to move there as soon as we can afford to. It’s a foodie’s paradise.
Comment by gourmetish — June 29, 2006 @ 4:51 pm
Beth,
Concur that the SF restaurant scene rocks. Ate at Gary Danko when I was there back in December. You know we have Tony DiSalvo from Jean Georges here in San Diego now. I am going to The Dining Room at Jack’s tonight. Should have the full review up by Tuesday next week.
Jack
Comment by Jack Kress — July 6, 2006 @ 3:43 pm
Sounds like a great trip! I’m originally from SLO (now transplanted to Boston) and Big Sky is the first place I eat whenever I return home. Happy return to SD - if you need inspiration look back on your past entries, the food scene doesn’t sound so bad
Comment by Lissa — July 7, 2006 @ 11:29 am
Hey you, got my Jack’s La Jolla review up. Tried to make it fun, do you think it works? I respect your opinion.
Comment by Jack Kress — July 12, 2006 @ 10:02 pm
wow! what an honor… the #1 meal in sf!
thank you for the rave review and for those of you reading this and thinking about coming in, we hope to give you the same experience!
a
Comment by call me coco — August 24, 2006 @ 12:40 am