San Francisco

Last week we went to San Francisco - my first time in California, as well as The Boy's. We both had some time off and good friends there (who graciously gave us their home, home brew, keys, and a hand drawn map of the BART system). I spent most of my time taking in gorgeous views (twin peaks, dolores park, golden gate bridge, any hill I could get to the top of) and contemplating my next meal. 

San Francisco seen from Alcatraz Island

So what all did we eat? 

• Plantain cakes with cumin sour cream and black beans in the Mission
• Roti bread with curry dipping sauce Downtown
• French bread french toast with mascarpone (brilliant!) and berries in the Mission
• lots and lots of seafood in Monterey
• pad thai somewhere within view of the Golden Gate Bridge 
• unbelievable dumplings and hot pot in Chinatown
• Real Italian Pizza (cracker thin crust! mozzarella di bufalo! heart be still!) and a frutti di bosco-cream tart in North Beach
• blood orange tiramisu in the Mission
• build your own garlic bread near the painted ladies
• vegan split pea soup in the Mission 
• lots of beverages, everywhere: Trappist in Oakland, Monk's Kettle and Pi Bar in the Mission, mimosas with every breakfast

Do you sense a pattern? Obviously, I stayed in the Mission district. We had great late night burritos and quesadillas, awesome breakfasts, and easy transportation. 

Der, Does this need a label?

The best meal I ate was lunch in Berkeley, at Chez Panisse. There was a terrine with pickled vegetables, a house salad, pasta with mushroom sauce cooked just al dente. For dessert there was grapefruit sorbet (I'm on a grapefruit kick)and a panna cotta with citrus fruits. I took some horrible pictures.  The arts and crafts-style room was just dim enough that I couldn't get anything solid without a flash, and I hate using the flash. So no good pictures, but great ambiance. We ate upstairs at the cafe, the first table of the week. Our server was impeccable. When she sensed hesitation she confidently suggested, and we were pleased until it came to an end. 

Now, I'm back to Real Life: cooking and baking for myself. Working. Putting aside money for the next vacation.  Any suggestions?  What was the last place you went that hurt you to leave?