Significant Eater had a business trip to San Francisco recently; I decided to tag along, and we went a couple of days prior, which gave us nearly a full week. First couple of days were AirBnB'ed in the Castro, then moved over to a hotel just off the Embarcadero. Had a couple of old-fashioned breakfasts those first couple of mornings...
Orphan Andy's, followed by the following morning at The Cove. Both fine for breakfast.
Took a drive out to Tomales Bay/Marhall for lunch with a friend:
Northern Cal's best. Tomales Bays and Humboldt Bays, at Hog Island...via Tony's seafood.
First two dinners: one at Delfina, the night was arrived, was okay. And easy. Then State Bird, which is really good (and which I probably posted about previously). Met a friend there, and cranked up the bill. Some nice wines, some excellent food, and the sweetest service west of the Mississippi; I love that staff.
Our final night in the Castro, a nice find, recommended here or by previous hosts, was this place on Castro St.
No res - we waited about an hour after writing our name on the white board - and they close early (like 8?). It's just the kind of food I want to eat when local...
Crab. Just...crab.
A really excellent wild shrimp dish. Which may have been a special, or based on the entree?
Main course was a special: a piece of local rockfish of some sort, mash, butter, lemon. Kind of a perfect San Francisco meal for me, with sweet service, easily drinkable wines, and 2 blocks from our AirBnb. The Castro could turn into my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco.
Moved to a hotel for her work related trip - view from our barely openable window on the 8th floor:
Once Significant Eater started dealing with work, I was able to go off on some adventures. I climbed the fucking Filbert Steps. I'm old. I hadn't climbed the Filbert Steps in a decade (or maybe more). It was warm, as the most beautiful time of year, at least in the Bay Area, tends to be the beginning of football season, and for the next month or two.
Above - iykyk.
Climbing to get here...
For some pictures - the fog cooperated:
In every which way.
Our hotel was just off the Embarcadero, around the corner from Boulevard, where I'd reserved the bar area. The menu is a la carte, and the food is good.
Especially the California Abalone Roll:
Sig Eater's first night was a work dinner, so I met a friend at Angler...this took place before the above dinner at Boulevard. We shared:
The whole wood-oven roasted chicken. Perfectly brined and a delicious bird, along with that Carolina-style vinegar and mustard barbecue sauce.
More to come.
