Ferry Plaza through a Visitor's Eyes
A couple of weeks ago, one of my colleagues came to San Francisco for a couple of days of training. Fortunately, Sarah is one of those people that I'd be friends with even if we didn't work together, so it was a great chance to hit a few favorite places for lunch and dinner, as well.
Her first day here, Skye and I took her to the Ferry Plaza for lunch. It was fascinating seeing the Plaza through a non-locals' eyes. Although I never take the bounty of the Farmer's Market for granted, I often forget how amazing it is that San Francisco can sustain, for example, a shop like Far West Fungi. I mean, how many cities have a storefront that sells ONLY mushrooms??
Anyway. Sarah was craving a grilled cheese sandwich, so off we went to Hog Island.
Skye and I ordered a dozen oysters to share, a clam chowder for her and an oyster stew for me. Sarah ordered a salad plus the grilled cheese -- one of my favorites in town. I ordered us a bottle of Vietti Arneis, which was really perfect with all our dishes.
As Sarah was marveling at the wonder that is the Ferry Building, it reminded me that I'm so blessed to be able to take an hour out of my day, in the middle of the week, and enjoy a lunch like this.
Yeah, this is another one of those reasons I pay through the nose to live here.
Technorati Tags: Food | Food & Drink | Hog Island | San Francisco | Oakland
Brag on, sister! It's good to live in this bountiful place.
What's with grilled cheese sandwiches and seafood joints? Today Cranky and I had seriously good chowder, oysters and crab at Fish in Sausalito. And on the menu is a Tillamook grilled cheese sandwich. mm!
Posted by: cookiecrumb | December 29, 2005 at 05:28 PM
Happy New Year guys!
Hopefully either you'll be heading east or I'll be heading west in 2006!
Posted by: Lenn | December 30, 2005 at 08:57 AM
I went to Hog Island recently for lunch after buying too much at the market, and I too (a local), was blown away at what amazing foods are available to us here. We looked out at the bay and ate incredible oysters. It is indeed an enviable life.
I tell people that when they visit a Saturday must absolutely be on their agenda. And then I give them the full on overwhelmingly delicious and informative tour!
Posted by: shuna fish | January 01, 2006 at 10:10 PM
I try to get up there at least once a month. You can't beat the oyster/Sancerre deal at Hog Island.
Did you see the BunRab's three-day Ferry Plaza extravaganza? Amy linked to it on her blog.
I am especially fond of Boulette's Larder: I think Lori Regis does amazing things with stuff from our local farms.
Happy new year, Fatemah.
Posted by: Tana | January 02, 2006 at 02:46 PM
Happy New year!
what kind of cheese do they use in the grilled cheese?
Sorry we missed your party.
Next time, huh!
the snow was lousy.
Posted by: sam | January 03, 2006 at 10:00 AM
I completely relate! This past month, during a brief trip to San Francisco, I made my first ever trip to the Ferry Plaza market. Wow. I was simultaneously overwhelmed and giddy. There are few places in the world that could tempt me to move from where we live now, but San Francisco is one of them.
Posted by: alan | January 03, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Tana - I LOVE the Bunrab tour. It's positively hysterical! Happy New Year to you, too!
Sam - They use Gruyere, Mezzo Secco and Fromage Blanc. It's oozy, slightly stinky and delicious. The party was a ton of fun, and we definitely missed you guys!
Alan - we really are blessed. I hope you had a great trip here!
Posted by: Fatemeh | January 03, 2006 at 12:07 PM
That's a great story about a great meal. It makes me want to find my way back to the San Francisco area.
Posted by: coglethorpe | January 06, 2006 at 11:43 AM