Call it SF or San Francisco but pleeeeease don’t call our city Frisco– that is so totally un-Bay Area like. And that song, you know the one that starts out “Are you going to San Francisco?…” in a lilting half-stoned kind of way? Yeah, that song bugs bigtime.
Those hippie days are gone man, we have evolved into the technically savvy earth aware hipster who is fiercly proud of our diversity and totally organic food driven. Hence, all the cutting edge restaurants that rival if not surpass New York, not to mention huge farmers markets (right on the Bay) that highlight Bay Area small farms.
Yes, it’s good to be home on vacation after 8 months of cooking in Paris, and I am one proud San Franciscan.
Here’s one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco. Next time you’re in town take an afternoon and go to the Ferry Building. It was converted to a huge market a few years ago and houses many specialty stores and trendy restaurants. Hop on one of the old F-trains through downtown to the Bay, have a stroll by the water, and then check out all the shops and the farmer’s market at the Ferry Building.
I like to brunch at the Market Bar. Their limited menu always includes local organic farms and they make killer Bloody Mary’s. I ventured out and tried an interesting carrot and mussel curried soup topped with zucchini blossoms that was delicious.
My absolute favorite cheese shop on this earth is Cowgirl Creamery. They make all their own cheeses and have won several first place awards (even beating the French – can you believe it?) for their Redhawk cheese. I like the fresh ricotta for baking and always enjoy sampling as much as possible before purchasing.
The Wine Merchant plies us “crack heads” (read the board) with great picks from all over the world. You can sit in their wine bar and sample the latest greatest or sign up for their monthly program and have it shipped to you
Stop by my Cousin Jason’s Village Market inside the Ferry building for specialty olive oils, wines, pastas, spices and chocolates. He’s always got super yummy samples out and loves to talk about food and wine. If you’ve got a question about how or where to find an ingredient he’s either got the answer or will find out for you.
There are many many other restaurants and shops, but you’ll have to come by to take it all in. Saturday is the big farmer’s market and Tuesday there is a smaller one that is less crowded and equally fun to browse and taste your way through. Yummmmm-y!
Technorati Tags: Cowgirl Creamery, Ferry Building, Market Bar, San Francisco, SF, Village Market
That soup looks fantastic. You deserve to be a wine/crack buyer after all your hard work.
We passed a beautiful market like this by the river in London, unfortunately it was a little early and they were still setting up. But I did get in a great meal at Wagamama.
If you’re ever stopping through Vancouver, my door is open, and I can take you to Granville Island market!
Technically, Cowgirl Creamery doesn’t make all their cheeses. Well, they make their OWN cheeses, but they sell cheeses from all over the world. Many of which have gone home with me, me, me!
: D
I also advise Boulette’s Larder for treats, including their housemade harissa. The food there is rustic and perfect, and they are all about the local farms and ranches. I love it there.
Technically, Cowgirl Creamery doesn’t make all their cheeses. Well, they make their OWN cheeses, but they sell cheeses from all over the world. Many of which have gone home with me, me, me!
: D
I also advise Boulette’s Larder for treats, including their housemade harissa. The food there is rustic and perfect, and they are all about the local farms and ranches. I love it there.
Village market guy is YOUR cousin Jason??? The guy who corrected my pronounciation of chipotle?
http://becksposhnosh.blogspot.com/2006/03/chipotle-en-adobo.html
I still like him, even though I was embarassed!
Are you still here in the Bay Area on the 27th Aug still cos we are having a big food bloggers picnic. Email me if you want details 😉
otherwise enjoy the rest of your stay
sam
You know I’m a dedicated blogger because I’m writing this from Dulles, Washington airport on my way back to Paris!!!
Sam – I am soooooo bummed I’m going to miss the blogger hoe down. I really REALLY wanted to meet you but my short week and half made it hard to even see relatives. I love your blog. I email it to all my french friends so they can get a glimpse of what SF is all about
Gillian – I’m on my way back to Paris. Where are you?
Tana – Thanks for the correction, I didn’t know that Cowgirl creamery was selling other cheeses too. Do you have any pictures of their cheese farm?
Sorry for the double post. Typepad went doo-wonky this morning.
I haven’t been up to Cowgirl since I started photographing farms, and their facility is inside a building in the small downtown area of Point Reyes (if I remember correctly). I think they get their milk from Strauss, and I definitely need to get up there. Hopefully soon.
I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you while you were back here.
Ciao, bella!
Amy,
Sorry to miss you while you were here, but I’m glad you had a good vacation! Going back to paris – that doesn’t sound like such a bad thing:)
I’m back in Vancouver, very far from Paris!
your photos and description of the ferry building farmer’s market made me wistful for home. i go back for a short trip in october. yay.
I was there last Saturday! Too bad we missed each other when you were here, hope I make it back to Paris one day soon!
Love your blog! And your adventure in Paris. Thanks for advising everyone about “Frisco”! Now, what can we do about “Cali”?! As in phonetic “Calley”. No one who’s really from here EVER called it “Cali”.. and now everyone calls it Cali because people who moved here started calling it that. Hate that.
proud (native/former) new yorker that I am, I concede that SF FAR surpasses anything New York has to offer, on every level.
Probably Paris, too, although that’s apples and oranges. and once you open your fabulous parisian bistro all that will change.
when you have a break from exercising and interning drop a line and we’ll catch up!
xxL
Hiii! I’m so bummed we haven’t been keeping up this summer! Frisco. Haha. “Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.” Anyways, I’m in Seattle now. Scary, I know. I started up a new blog to sort of document my new life…on my own. Sara said I should check out your blog, so here I am! You should check out mine sometime. http://improvkari.blogspot.com Hope to hear from you soon!, Kari