Based on the interest in my review of Middle’terranea, I thought I’d share a bit more about how I eat when I’m in San Francisco—a city I visit usually on my own, for business but with some downtime, several times a year. Call it my San Francisco food rotation.
I always try to visit at least one new and interesting place that takes some advance planning and logistics. This time it was the fascinating Middle Eastern pop-up; previous experiences have included Kin Khao, State Bird Provisions and Bar Tartine. (All these places can be found on Yelp.) San Francisco’s an intense restaurant town so it’s unlikely you are going to get into places of this caliber without some kind of advance planning though some take walk-ins at the bar.
Then, for lunch:
- Take out dim sum from Wing Lee (Clement Street) or Good Mon Kook (Chinatown)
- Pho at Golden Flower in Chinatown
- Thai Beef Noodle Soup at King’s Thai Cuisine between 7th and 8th on Clement St (the location is still listed as King of Thai Noodles on Yelp, but it’s changed its name) or King of Thai Noodles in Fisherman’s Wharf
- Banh mi from Saigon Sandwich on Larkin to take on the flight home, usually a special combo for lunch and a roast pork to be eaten somewhere over the Midwest
- Two cheeseburgers with extra onions, mustard instead of sauce and pickles from In ‘n’ Out at Fisherman’s Wharf
- Spicy Prawn lunch from Taiwan on Clement Street (the dish was disappointing on my last visit, but the owner assures me that was an off day and I must try again) Haven’t been to Taiwan the last few visits. The proprietors are aging and the food hasn’t been as good.
And here are some places I visit for things to cook or eat in the room:
- Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market for Acme Bread, fresh vegetables and to say hello to my friends at Frog Hollow Farm
- Trader Joe for basic foodstuffs
- Safeway for craft beer at good prices I now realize there’s good beer at better prices at TJ
- Tartine Bakery or Josey Baker for a baked treat If I can get there. More likely I pick up a loaf at Rainbow Grocery, which should have been on my original list.
Ok, I’m hungry and ready to go back!
