I get back to San Francisco, where I lived for many years, every so often. Each time I go back, the food scene just seems to get better and better. I often forget about the magnificent produce, like unusual citrus and Asian ingredients that can be bought even at corner markets. And each time I go, it seems there are new bakeries, butcher shops, and restaurants - too many to go to in one week! I was pretty busy for the week taking care of some stuff, and catching up with friends, but I did have time to get a few meals in, and made a few new amis in the food community...
Olivier's Butchery: Olivier hails from Burgundy but sources the best American beef, and provides "French-style" cuts. After meeting him, we roasted off a hefty chop of well-aged beef in my friend's apartment, and it was some of the best beef we've ever had.
Smuggler's Cove: If you like Tiki drinks you'll be right at home here. But if you're expecting sticky-sweet libations, fear not - these are more upscale drinks, using top-shelf rums and other liquors.
Neighbor Bakehouse: Self-trained baker Greg Mindel is considered the master of laminated dough. One bite of his spectacular pastries will leave you agreeing. I loved the croissant stuffed with cream cheese and topped with a mix of bagel-like seeds, and it was one of the all-star things I ate that week. The selection (shown above, top right) included Bostock (brioche with almond paste) and croissants filled with blackberries and pistachio. As they say in San Francisco - oh my God!
b. pâtisserie: Every time I go to San Francisco, people on social media tell me, "You have to go to b. pâtisserie!" I've got news for ya...I've been! But that doesn't mean I can't go back. Because it was October, the bakery case had a basket of pumpkin kugelhofs (small yeasted cakes) that were very tasty, and Belinda Leong's trademark Kouign Amanns are better than most that you get in France. You won't see ones in France flecked with black sesame seeds or pumpkin, but you will at this must-stop bakery.
(A nice woman brought me a box of pastries from Arsicault bakery, a newcomer on the scene, and they were great. However I didn't get a chance to visit. Big thanks to her, and I suggest you check them out, if you can.)
Duc Loi Supermarket: The Mission is a multicultural paradise with stores selling everything from fresh lime leaves to cones of Mexican sugar. I had an amazing banh mi of barbecued lemongrass chicken at Mission Banh Mi in the market. Unlike other Vietnamese sandwich places, here they stuff them full of meat and vegetables. It was huge - and delicious!
Kin Khao: I had my farewell dinner here with friends and the food at this Thai eatery wowed us all. Everything from a savory fruit salad, Thai sausage, green rabbit curry, and a gorgeous bowl of raw and tempura-style vegetables with a spicy pork, catfish and shrimp paste were just part of a meal that should be on anyone's "must eat" lists in San Francisco, especially for those interested in experiencing authentic Thai food. (And enjoying some especially excellent cocktails, too.)