I Love This City - San Francisco

Next morning I head to Mama's for Brunch. How can there possibly be a queue of more than an hour ON FRIDAY A WORK DAY. Anyway me an queues don't agree so I went to La Boulange for some superb French Toast - somewhere I have eaten before.

The coffee was French Style served in a bowl requiring a restroom visit half way through. I spent much of the rest of the day walking around Union Square and the surrounds. I was feeling a little tired. I grabbed a Ramen Soup for dinner and had an early night.

 

Friday morning and it was washing day having a coffee while the washing and drying took place. Chinatown for a yum cha lunch where I was the only non Chinese person in the restaurant - normally a good sign but it was just OK.

 

After lunch I headed to the Ferry Terminal which was is an operating Ferry Terminal which has been converted to a foodies delight and nearby craft market. Browsed the bookshop - not sure why as there would be NO way I would buy a book.

 

After some investigation I discovered a Michelin Restaurant, La Folie, which proved to be outstanding. Although I was a little underdressed the restaurant had a quiet and subdued ambiance which makes a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of most modern restaurants.

Asparagus Soup, with Lobster, Poached Quail Egg and Brioche Crouton

Dungeness Crab Salad, on English Pea Panna Cotta, Yellow Curry Tuile, Curry Spiced Crab Vinaigrette

Seared Day Boat Scallop and Sautéed Sweetbreads, Smoked Butterball Potato and Leek Puree, Bacon Vinaigrette
Roasted Emigh Farm Lamb Chop with Butter Beans, Fava Bean and Goat Cheese Puree, Smoked Lamb Bacon

Seasonal Sorbets, Grapefruit Sorbet and Mandarin-Honey Granite, Passion Fruit Sorbet Cannoli, Rhubarb-Strawberry Sorbet

 

 

The service, ambiance, food, presentation made it a superb dining experience - to be revisited.

 

Prices were even bearable $80 for three courses, $90 for four and $100 for 5 and the five courses included three amuse bouche. 

 

Saturday morning and I visited COIT Tower somewhere I have not been before and which has unbelievable views of San Francisco. 

I was a little tired on Saturday afternoon so after a bit more driving around I had an old man nap. For dinner I decided to walk to WholeFoods to get some soup only to find they didn't have and seafood soups - talk about cuisine disappointment. Interestingly the city was shrouded in fog quite strange considering it is Summer! Back to the hotel to pack which took quite some time.

 

Sunday morning and I go to the Ferry Terminal for a quick breakfast - something I haven't had for a looooong time - grilled cheese on toast but I would describe this as gourmet style with maple mustard.

 

On the ferry to Alcatraz where I spend three hours touring. Can you believe that around the 1950's many of the prisoners played bridge and when Autobridge came out (a game that can be played by just one person it became a huge hit) who would have thought. As they said playing bridge and they weren't thinking about escaping.

I learned some of the interesting history including how it started as a fort to protect San Francisco, then became an army installation, a prison and after it closed as a prison it became a protest colony for 19 months by American Native Indians at a time when the US Government were pushing them onto reservations. The result of this protest was a change in Government policy. 

 

I move hotels to the Hyatt near the airport as my flight to Amsterdam leaves at 10:30 tomorrow morning. In a moment of clarity I realise that I had booked my Amsterdam hotel to arrive on Monday whereas the flight arrives on Tuesday - oops phone call and all fixed.

 

So that's all for now. Monday wont exist for me as I'll be flying arriving Amsterdam in the morning on Tuesday. Justin will arrive Wednesday afternoon (I have a five hour energy drink for him) and the game on Wednesday night. and Friday Amsterdam to Phoenix for chill time.

 

Hope everybody is well

 

Love to all

David