Sunday, July 26, 2009

Food and Fun in San Francisco

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Maybe Thomas Wolfe was right when he wrote that you can’t go home again, but I’m here to tell you that you can have a helluva time trying. While San Francisco was never my home, my Pennsylvania high school buddies and I (whom I found again only three weeks ago after decades of no communication)  met there to rekindle our friendship and relive old memories. I’ll share a few of the sights, sounds and flavors of my time there with you in this blog post, followed later by another post of the second half of my trip in sunny Santa Barbara, where I spent a few days with another old friend who calls that city home. The photo of the colorful carrots was taken in San Francisco’s Ferry Building,

July 2009 270 where the best farmer’s market (outside of Italy) I’ve ever seen takes place each Saturday. We went there for a breakfast of freshly made yogurt and locally grown fruit, but could easily have stayed for lunch and dinner too.  Although it was early for oysters, we couldn’t help slurping a few.

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The heirloom tomatoes were tempting.

July 2009 218 Especially served sliced over sourdough bread with smoked salmon, goat cheese and capers.

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The selection of mushrooms was diverse:

yummy cheeses at Cowgirl Creamery:

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And abundant flowers too:

And you have to eat sour dough bread from Boudin Bakery, whether in the shape of a crab or not:

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And don’t even think of leaving out dim sum in Chinatown:

How about a side trip to Sausalito on a private yacht with a helicopter on board?

July 2009 309 (We took the public ferry.)

And don’t be surprised if you encounter a deer or two while walking through the redwoods at Muir Woods:

Make sure to leave some time for wine-tastings in Napa and Sonoma counties.

We finished off our reunion with a great meal in San Francisco at McCormick and Kuleto’s where we were treated to a dessert of dark chocolate cups filled with white chocolate mousse in a berry sauce.

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So long for now to high school buddies.

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– And to San Francisco. It was a blast to get together with them after all these years in the city by the bay.

15 comments:

  1. Wow, Linda, these photos are beautiful. And looks like you had a blast with your girlies.

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  2. That market looks absolutely amazing! Lucky you!

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  3. Thanks for a wonderful tour of San Francisco, one of my favorite cities. Would love to visit their farmers market someday.

    Reconnecting with old friends can be so much fun. Sounds like you had a grand time.

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  4. Thanks for sharing! What wonderful produce! Those bruschette are droolworthy...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. What wonderful photos and what a neat trip. My 26 year old son is on a 6 week road trip along the California coast. He said it is wonderful and now I can see why! Can't wait to see his pictures now.

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  6. Linda, Loved your colorful photos, enjoyed everyone of them. Makes me miss San Francisco and all it has to offer. What a great city, and to get to enjoy it with old friends makes it even better! Welcome back!
    xox, Marie

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  7. I just came across your blog. I love it. My family and I are from a small town in Italy called Tufino it is near Naples. I love all your pictures of San Francisco, my husband & I go ever year. I was in heaven this past May when I saw the farmers market I wish my hotelroom had a kitchen! Love your photos!

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  8. What an adorable group! The Ferry Building is my favorite place and when we go to SF we always stay right across the street so I can keep running over there!

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  9. Gail Class of '67 - You and your girlfriends sure are cute!! I love the collection of pictures.

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  10. Gorgeous food, and it sounds like you had a great time! I want to slurp an oyster or two off the screen.

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  11. Great photos. Thanks for the little tour.
    I love the oysters!!

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  12. I love San Francisco and the surrounding area. You captured all the special features very well! You did a lot during your visit and I know how much fun it is to meet HS friends and relive those days. I did something similar in San Antonio a few yeas ago with 6 friends.

    I would not have passed up those plumps oysters either! :-) Yum!

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  13. This is the most gorgeous farmer's market I have ever seen!

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  14. I am jealous. What a wonderful placew!

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  15. great photos Linda... thanks for sharing. It looks like you had a wonderful time and the Market is just awesome... wish we had one here!

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