Every city has its famous market building and San Francisco is no exception. On my trip to the city by the bay last month I couldn't help but visit the Ferry Building Marketplace, a collection of shops and restaurants all housed under one roof. The Ferry Building began in 1898 as a hub for ferries crossing the bay before the bridges existed. During the 1950s it had fallen into neglect, but in 2003 a thorough renovation was completed and the once derelict building was reborn as the modern market it is today. With more than 35 shops, there are plenty of places to visit for buying gifts, eating lunch, or picking up a number of foodstuffs.
What better time to visit the marketplace than on an a rainy day in the bay. On my first day in San Francisco, we stopped at the Ferry Building to take refuge from the terrible rain that was very unusual for March. The marketplace is almost always crowded, and on a rainy day that is especially true. For me it was hard to stay away, I ended up returning to the Ferry Building two more times during my stay in San Francisco—to buy gifts and to have lunch at the Oyster Bar. There are so many things to eat and do, that one day just doesn't seem to be enough, especially for a foodie like me.
San Francisco
San Francisco
Spork
Spork in San Francisco is my new favorite restaurant. Pat and I went there for dinner after a lovely day in the Mission, checking out all the vintage stores and eating Dymano Donuts.
Spork is a place serving old-school classics in a new-school fashion.
They have sustainable-this and local-that versions of slow-food takes
on old classics. And despite the political correctness of their
offerings, everything tastes like it was pan-fried in lard in a steel
skillet by my grandmother. That's a very good thing!
The In-Side-Out Burger ($14) screamed "eat me" from the menu. The beef is fresh from Sun Marin Farms.
Two patties griddle-fried, peppery and crispy on the outside. Moist and
pink on the inside. The concoction towers over the plate. It is a stack
of ingredients as follows starting at the plate: Butter lettuce, tomato
slice, beef patty, bun circle, special sauce, beef patty, tillamook
chedder and a grilled onion topping so sweet it could be applesauce.
The special sauce reminded me of the spicy thousand-island type I make
at home, only no islands. You have to eat this with a fork and knife,
but it doesn't diminish the burger experience.
Eating My Way Through the Bay Area
It’s so darn good to get awaaaay. I’m bored with the predictable
patterns of my home life: my constant computer, my cooking, my own
backyard. My brain craves novelty, my tongue new tastes, my eyes new
vistas, but my complacency wants it all to come easy--so good to have
work in the Bay Area of Northern California.
How auspicious that American made my Alaska Airlines flight disappear
so I was forced to discover Virgin America—a mishap that reminded me of
how much I used to LOVE to fly. The moment I went to the ticket
window, where the desks are invitingly low, the ticket sellers
sympathetic, and the platform weighing your checked (free) bag at
ground level so you don’t have to heave it high, I felt soothed. And
once I boarded the plane, the lighting massaged my eyeballs and felt
far more flattering than the overhead glare of most terrorist scaring
flights. Thinking I look good as I parade in a pinkish purplish glow
past the first class flyers always puts me in better spirits sitting in
coach.
A Great Burger at Just For You Cafe - San Francisco
Just For You Cafe in the Dogpatch Neighborhood of San Francisco, sits about two blocks from where I now live. Their food is all fresh and local and is served with the Louisiana influence of owner Arienne Landry. I love their fish tacos and their tuna melt, but I had never reviewed their burger. Until today.
Saturday is generally a busy day at Just For You. They are a very popular place for breakfast and they have a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. I went late and avoided the wait. Stephanie was in charge today and she always takes great care of me and the rest of the hoards. As always the entire staff was friendly and prompt.
I ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger ($10.50). Even though they don't have gruyere on the menu, they always have it, so that is what I asked for. I also added fries ($2.50). The burger comes piled high with tons of fresh vegetables. Green leaf lettuce, tomato slices and pickle slices are piled on the nicely toasted Acme white bun. Mayo was liberally applied.
Redrum Burger
Redrum Burger in Davis, CA sits catty-corner to an In-N-Out Burger just off the freeway. Redrum was there long before In-N-Out and judging from the line at lunch time on a recent Thursday, they will be there for a while longer. Originally called Murder Burger when it was established in 1986, Murder changed to Redrum (murder spelled backwards) when a contest determined the winning name in 2001.
The place feels a little shabby when you walk in, but it seems comfortable like an old sweatshirt. I went to the counter to choose between burgers. 1/4 lb. $4.29, 1/3 lb. $5.49, 1 lb. $11.49 or my choice 1/2 lb. $6.49. They have Buffalo too. The burger comes with cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle. I ordered fries ($1.49), onion rings ($4.99) and on the recommendation of the counter-minder a strawberry shake ($3.99). They have various combo specials to save you money. “Twelve minutes”, he told me when he handed me my change.
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