When I plan to go on a vacation, the first two things I look up are adventures…and food. Lots and lots of food. I’m talkin where to go, what time they open, what I want to order, most Instagramed restaurants in the area, etc. I’ll go as far as looking at the restaurant layout to find the seat I want for great natural lighting for photography. Oh yes, I have an obsession.
But really isn’t that what vacation is? Eating in a place we’ve never been? Driving along hoping to find some hole in the wall we can stuff our faces in, instagram a few photos, and continue on our mosey way?
You’re flight lands and you think, hmmm what’s close by that I can grab a bite. (Lord knows you didn’t eat on that flight). Go eat, probably drive around the town or head to your hotel…wow cool hotel bar, their menu looks good. Go see something and grab lunch. Head back into the city or on an adventure or meeting up with friends, “Hey I read about this great bar nearby!” “We can grab dinner there too!”.
You may not of realized it…but your vacations are about EATING… and I love it.
When it came to planning our San Francisco trip I did some research and chose where we would be stuffing our faces on the daily. I should warn you ahead of time, San Francisco is horrifyingly expensive. You can’t grab a sandwich in that town for less than $14 so research is essential for planning your meals. You have to go in knowing you’ll be spending more than you’re used to; however, you’re not walking around a town full of Chipotles and Panera Bread. You’re exploring the creative food movement from entrepreneurs and dreamers. It’s worth it. So here is my compilation of Where to eat in San Francisco. If you’re not hungry by the end of this post you and your mouth need to go on vacation.
Oh hello heaven! Brenda’s Soul Food is a must stop Brunch place. You first have to order the beignets flight, because obviously one is not enough, with a plain, apple pie, nutella, and my favorite cheesy crawfish beignets. That’ll put you to sleep by itself. We also ordered one of their specials the bananas foster french toast and their ‘House Favorite’ Hangtown Fry, an egg masterpiece filled with bacon, scallions, and fried oysters, cheesy grits and a biscuit. I still dream about this meal.
Ghirardelli Square Hot Coco
If you go to San Francisco, you’ve got to stop into Ghirardelli Square. It’s small with sweet little shops and offers a menu of chocolate dreams in their original store at the front. This Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate was amazing.
So I actually didn’t plan on visiting Basil Thai but when we missed the lunch hours of a previously planned place, I went to my back up list…yes I also make a back up list. Stop laughing. Their curry was flavorful and bright and their drunken noodles were some of the best I’ve ever had. I enjoyed the restaurants calm and light filled atmosphere. Also how cute is our 3 generation photo!? =)
This is my kinda place. Any where that serves up a taco flight and with a menu just for margaritas. It was very dark inside and already night time so the photos don’t do the food the justice they deserve. Order the Habanero Margarita and the charred butternut squash taco. You won’t regret it.
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse was the torture of my San Francisco trip. I waited in line at 10am to get a cruffin (their signature masterpiece) and they told me they sell out within the first hour every morning. The nice young girl told me to come at opening the next morning and be the first in line.
So the next morning we got up at 5am to get ready and head into the city to be in line by 7am when they opened. I was second in line. When I got to the counter the not at all nice different young lady told me they don’t serve cruffins until 9am. When I told her my story expecting maybe a little giggle or oh no, I’m sorry, instead I got a “pah” followed with “what a bummer”. I could of squished her humongous cheeks and sprinted into the kitchen for my 48hour wait on cruffins but we had to head down to Big Sur. So I opted for a caramel donut and two croissant pastries. They were delicious. I will be back for you cruffin. I will be back.
BONUS: Carmel’s Flaherty’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Ok you got me; this place was not in San Francisco but I had to include it as an extra bonus. Flahertys Seafood & Oyster bar was tucked into the beautiful downtown of Carmel and calling our names. The inside was colorful and hand painted as under the sea life and their food was amazing. Along with the oysters on the half shell we each ordered their clam chowder and a salad. Very flavorful and worth the stop.
This was just two days in San Francisco. Where do you like to eat when you go?
xxDiana
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