How to get a taste of a city while traveling: stop and eat every few hours, sample everything you can. You'll avoid the hungry cranky feeling altogether. And I've found walking is a delightful cure for a case of food coma. Highlights from eating my way through San Francisco:
+ We spent a couple days over the Golden Gate bridge in Marin County. My friend Trisha took us to her Sunday farmers market — the Marin Civic Center farmers market. Seriously, the BEST farmers market I've ever seen, Europe included. This market rocks. Along with the sea of gorgeous fruits and vegetables, there are booths selling fresh-baked pies, breads, dips, jams, honey — there's even a handcrafts section. Throw in live music and a row of booths selling prepared foods for lunch (mostly organic and all tempting.)
+ A peek at our bounty from the market: ripe white nectarines, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, organic whole wheat crumpets, and fresh bread. I couldn't resist picking up garlic mint cheese spread and a spinach bolani after trying a sample. So good! Look for East & West Gourmet Afghan Food in your Whole Foods. My friends and I also split a big bottle of celery salt. I've never tried gourmet salts before, and I fell for this flavor. I've already used my celery salt to season a batch of homemade tomato soup.
+ On the way to a park hilltop, I picked up a sundae from Bi-Rite Creamery: homemade honey lavender and toasted coconut ice cream with blueberry topping and whipped cream. Heaven. And then we watched the fog roll in over the city.
+ For lunch in the Mission? We wanted Mexican. Puerto Alegre did not disappoint.
+ What better way to start the day than a piece of warm triple berry pie from Mission Pie. Check out the good-for-the-community story behind this pie shop.
+ The Ferry Building is full of good eats. I had the most unusual (and delicious) egg salad sandwich. It was actually served warm. Then my brother-in-law treated me to cupcakes at Miette. I got the marshmallow cupcake (surprisingly not too sweet — just right) and Trevor went for the raspberry buttercream + chocolate cupcake. A sweet ending for sure.
+ My friend Terah set out platters of fresh fruits everyday. Those were eaten fast.
Other highlights to check out:
+ Burma Superstar: Lunch at this San Francisco spot was so different and delicious — my favorite from the trip. Be sure to try the Tea Leaf salad.
+ Avatar's: This restaurant is in a strip mall of Sausalito — but don't let that frame your impression. It's a twist on Indian — all of the Indian flavors prepared in unique ways. The owner encourages you to substitute, make up your own dish — he'll even surprise you if you can't decide (which happened to my friend and she loved her surprise dish!). I ordered the lamb enchiladas, which were so delicious I didn't offer to share with any of my friends. Oops.
+ Atlas Cafe: the perfect afternoon pitstop with an outdoor seating area and imaginative sandwiches.
+ Uva Enoteca: creative tapas dishes served family-style for groups. Loved this place. (thanks, Terah!)
One side note on the Whole Foods in Mill Valley. Dear Whole Foods, I have a bone to pick with you. Your New York stores sell pre-made sandwiches that look most unappetizing. What is with this deluxe, gourmet sandwich bar you have in your Mill Valley outpost? We want yummy sandwiches here too! We ate our Whole Foods sandwiches before a fun hike through Muir Woods.
Overall, San Francisco was one happy food fiesta.
