If you're going to San Francisco
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Every visit to San Francisco I've had feels inadequate—not because the city has little to offer but because it always feels like I've barely scratched the surface. I get the feeling that there's this city that's just waiting for me to fall in love with it, if only I had the time to plumb its depths.
The bits and pieces I've seen of San Francisco hint at a city with all the ingredients to lure me in and keep me interested. I like how it has a distinct look. Those pant-inducing, oh-so-steep streets traversed by the occasional cable car and bordered by Italianate-style homes fashioned out of pastel-colored wood are quintessentially San Francisco.
The bits and pieces I've seen of San Francisco hint at a city with all the ingredients to lure me in and keep me interested. I like how it has a distinct look. Those pant-inducing, oh-so-steep streets traversed by the occasional cable car and bordered by Italianate-style homes fashioned out of pastel-colored wood are quintessentially San Francisco.
Just like the people that I'm drawn to, San Francisco has a distinct identity but at the same time gives a sense of being of the world. I love the city's diversity; turn a corner and the Italianate rowhouses give way to red lanterns and ornate pagodas (and if you're lucky, they'll pave the way to some scrumptious Dungeness crabs like those served here).
On the last day of my short visit, a friend sent me on a ramen expedition that led me to the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market. When I got there and saw the trove of innovative food and fresh produce laying in wait, I thought, ah, I could be very happy here.
It's one of those places that make you wish you were built with several stomachs. I stared longingly at the porchetta being sliced up at Roli Roti and contemplated the mysterious dragon's tongue tempura at Namu. But I still chose to line up at Hapa Ramen and order the Big Daddy Ramen, for which I was richly rewarded. In a broth thick with the flavor of dashi and seaweed, I found tender slices of slow cooked pork and chunks of karaage chicken—which I could eat with the clearest conscience a meat-eater can have, knowing the animals in the broth were ethically sourced and probably enjoyed sunshine and grass before meeting their maker. It was my first time to encounter vegetables like these in my ramen—locally sourced crisp cucumber slices, peppery arugula, and pieces of sweet corn—and I liked the freshness imparted to the very rich soup. The ramen itself is perfectly chewy and handmade. To top it all off: a beautifully slow cooked egg and an extra order of cured lardo (because why the hell not). I'm pretty sure I was swaying slightly when I stopped by to rave about the ramen to Chef/owner Richie Nakano, as I was quickly lapsing into an epic food coma. A glass of spicy ginger beer at Soda Craft thankfully did the trick in easing all that rich food into my stomach.
After two trips to San Francisco, there's so much more left to see, taste and experience. But I'll bide my time; when the time is right, it will happen. But I can tell this can be the start of, at the very least, a beautiful friendship.
13 comments
San Francisco looks like a fascinating place to explore. I've never seen peach & basil juice before - what an interesting combination :)
ReplyDeleteIt really does, right? I was definitely torn between the peach/basil and ginger beer!
DeleteYou make me miss SF. I spent 10 years living in the Bay Area.
ReplyDeleteOooh I can just imagine how hard it would be to leave such a lovely city! Not to worry, New York is going to get extremely beautiful in just a few weeks and you'll get distracted ;-)
DeleteI need to visit SF soon! It's been a long time since I last went.
ReplyDeleteYou do! I am already daydreaming about my next visit ...
Deletewow! it looks absolutely amazing, i wish I was going to san fran soon.
ReplyDeleteits def on list of places i want to see one day. beautiful photos.
Thanks Liv! You'll get there soon enough. For now, I am very jealous about that whole continent you get to explore! Excited to see your coming adventures :-)
DeleteI love San Franciso!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could live there :/
I agree, it is a city to love!
DeleteI was browsing Blogs of Note (congrats!) and stumbled across your post about San Francisco. The City by the Bay holds a special place in my heart, tho' I've never lived there. I live close enough that I love those expeditions such as you describe. There's never enough time to dig in deep and discover everything you want to know about this complex and mysterious lady. Keep coming back!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your blog and am happy to have found you!
Laura
Thanks Laura! I definitely feel lucky that Blogs of Note somehow spotted little old me, and brought readers like you to my blog! I am so jealous that you are in such close proximity to San Francisco. It is such an intriguing city and seems to hold so many surprises! I will definitely keep coming back.
DeleteI'm glad you've enjoyed reading my blog. Come back soon! :-)
I definitely need to visit San Francisco! What a lovely place it is!!San Francisco has been on my list of must see places for some time now so I'd say this is the perfect excuse for a visit :)
ReplyDeletecause and effect essays