San Francisco - Foodie Style

This past weekend was a great one.  Two words.  San Francisco. 

Back in June, J surprised me with a trip to SF.  We both love this city, and we especially love it @ Christmas time.  From cable cars with lights and wreaths, to the fabulous ice rink in Union Square.  Even without snow, it still managed to feel like Christmas. 

We ended up staying @ The Fairmont, and in true Fairmont style it was beautiful.  A 23 foot Christmas tree greeted us upon entering.  However, the true star of the show was the gingerbread house.  Constructed using 7,500 gingerbread bricks, 1,200 pounds of royal icing, 650 pounds of candy and over 12 gallons of chocolate.  Mmmm, a 20Ft tall, cookie lovers dream come true!  This house is going to give my house a complex...

We had an action packed couple of days planned.  A dinner meet up with one of J's best friends from school (and SF local now) started it off, and a 49's Monday Night Football game win, concluded it.  In between all the excitement, we squeezed in some fantastic food.  No, scratch that.  Possibly some of the best food I've tasted.  I wouldn't kid you.  I take my food seriously.  So seriously in fact, I did my homework before leaving for SF.  Searching out some of the best restaurants/dishes the city had to offer.   Here are some highlights food wise:

House of Nanking

This place was fantastic.  Our SF friends took us here for dinner, that alone should tell you how good it is.   Located on the edge of Chinatown, this was hands down the best Chinese food I've ever had.  We didn't order off the menu, instead, the owner 'took care' of us.  Bringing dish after dish of tasty creations.  If you get a chance to go here, make sure you experience it the same way, you won't be sorry. 

Now for my failure...with all of the excitement of catching up, I forgot to take photos of the dishes.  Boo.  I can't tell you how disappointed I am in myself.  Seriously?  Fail on my part.  So you'll just have to use your imagination on this one...(I did manage to get a nice photo of the sign though.  Pfff.)

Dumpling Soup w/ Mussels & Rice

Fried Calamari

Sesame Chicken w/ Sweet Potatoes

Shrimp and Green Beans

Beef w/ Rice and Mushrooms
Panfried Garlic Fish w/ Asian Spices & Vegetables

Scomas

Pier 47, views of the water, and the best crab I've ever had.  Aside from pancakes, my next favourite cake is of the crab variety.  So it's only fitting that I would find a delicious crab cake near Fisherman's Wharf.  An equally important part to any crab cake, is the sauce that accompanies it.  Delicious.  I wanted to eat it by the spoonful, but the tables of other customers prevented this from happening.  This place knows seafood, knows crab cakes, and knows how to make a girl from YYC smile.   Next time, I'm going to get the Cioppino.  Nothing beats a great seafood stew.  Mmmm. 

Dungeness Crab Cakes

Dungeness Crab Risotto

The Slanted Door

This was the restaurant I was most looking forward to.  Located in the Ferry Building, it's Vietnamese food with a modern take.  I found this place through Urbanspoon where it was ranked #1 (that's a good sign.)  Upon further investigation (I told you I did my homework) I came to find out they also featured a dish that made the 100 foods to eat in SF list.  Double Score.  Best Dinner Period.  Not only was the food fantastic, but we had amazing views of the Bay Bridge @ night.  Simply beautiful. 

Spring Rolls w/ Shrimp, Pork, Mint, & Peanut Sauce

Roasted PEI Mussels w/ Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, & Red Curry Broth

Cellophane Noodles w/ Green Onion & Fresh Dungeness Crab

Caramelized Wild Gulf Shrimp w/ Garlic, Onions, & Chili Sauce

Spicy Broccoli w/ Braised Tofu, Beech Mushrooms & Roasted Chili

Dottie's True Blue Cafe

I heart this place.   Breakfast in SF is synonymous with Dottie's.  J and I only eat here, we are  Dottie's obsessed loyal to Dottie's (hence the multiple trips we took this past weekend.)  Never disappointed.  We always go for opening (7:30am) to avoid the hour long wait.   This place was featured on 'Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,' and with good reason.  The food is great, different, and changes from day to day.  If you go, you need to order the cornbread and the buttermilk dill toast.  I'm drooling just thinking about them. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip French Toast

Zucchini Cakes w/ Poached Eggs & Spicy Marinara Sauce, served with Potatoes & Fresh Fruit

Grilled Cornbread w/ Jalapeno Jelly (drool)

Avocado, Corn, Jalapeno, Scallions, Tomato & Feta Frittata w/ Potatoes & Buttermilk Dill Toast

Cinnamon Pecan Bun

Banana Butterscotch Muffin

Well, that pretty much captures the best of what we ate during our 4 days in SF.  Unfortunately the subway sandwiches, stadium food, and various granola bars and fruits didn't make the cut.  Although they were delicious, they weren't blog worthy.

I will miss you dearly SF.  Actually, my palate and stomach will miss you and all the delicious food you had to offer.  Until next time...

It's official, this post has made me hungry.