Bay Area Bites

Recently I just started my new job in San Francisco. I went out for a week to get started and am now working remotely. I use this as yet another excuse for not having any blog entries lately. (Excuses, excuses.)

I would be remiss if I didn't make a post about the fabulous food I consumed while in the restaurant capital of the U.S. I didn't get out quite as much as I wanted to because I was still on east coast time and my dining schedule was all out of whack but don't worry, I still managed to pack in some great grub.

The day I arrived, my hotel room wouldn't be ready for a few hours. It was a beautiful day though so I was eager to get out and check out the area. I was staying near Union Square so had plenty to keep me busy. I sat down for lunch at Puccini & Pinetti, a family Italian restaurant bordering Union Square and Tenderloin. I ordered the "P.E.L.T." sandwich which includes pancetta, aioli, a fried egg and roasted tomatoes on sourdough. It was messy, salty, gooey and delicious. Unfortunately the waiter thought it would be a great idea to ask me how it was as I was shoving a bite in my mouth and had pancetta hanging from my lip. He awkwardly said "oh, should've waited. sorry" then proceeded to stand there and watch me fight with the pancetta for what seemed like 3 minutes. Awwwwkward!

Later that night, I met up with my friends Christy and Jesse (insert shout-out here: happy 1 year anniversary!) We went to the Thirsty Bear in SOMA. Here I managed to fill myself with a plethora of tapas and pack on quite a brew buzz the night before my first day at work. I think this is a perfect way to start my week in SF!

My second night I was truly exhausted. Jet-lag had set in and I was pretty sure I was going to pass out on my desk at 3pm. Needless to say, I did not go out that night but opted for a room-service Caesar salad. I should've gone out.

The next few nights I spent wandering around Union Square, shopping and checking out the dining scene. I noshed on sushi from some restaurant I don't remember and wandered through Chinatown in search of noodles.

My new coworkers took me out to lunch several times. I am particularly fond of Ironside on 2nd and Townsend. Great pizzas and sandwiches and an overall fun, laid back atmosphere. Another fantastic lunch was from the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen on 2nd and Brannan. A restaurant dedicated to gourmet grilled cheese?! I love this town! I ordered the Moscone, with mozzarella, Fontina, roasted tomatoes, basil-lavender pesto and tapenade along with a cup of smoky tomato soup. THIS is what I call comfort food! I also had a huge Thai feast of red curry at Ozone and had a great happy hour at MoMo's. Awesome first week!

The work week finished with my friend coming into the city for a girls' night. We got fresh and fruity drinks at Cantina on Sutter street. I'm not really sure what the theme was for this place but there were pirate skulls, dark candle lighting, fresh-squeezed fruity drinks, loungy couches in back and...wait for it...Madonna songs. Works for me. I loved that they had a giant bowl of fresh fruit (including Buddha's hand) that they used to make the cocktails with. After a few at Cantina, we were starving all of the sudden. We walked around for a bit and landed at Max's On the Square on Geary Street. Is there anything like a greasy, medium rare cheeseburger with onion strings after a couple of cocktails? We planned on checking out a bar around the corner afterwards that has a slide going from the second floor to the dance floor (trouble), but when we saw the line of 18 year-old girls with fake IDs in tube tops for skirts and 9 inch platforms trailing around the next block we decided we were too old for that sh*t, bought a bottle of Prosecco at a mini mart and went on our way.

The next day, my friends treated me to homemade BBQ ribs, slaw and they even made their own sausage. All of this was followed by homemade peppermint ice cream! I'm going to need to step up my game.

After a night at their house full of Corona's, Pimm's Cups and Wine, we took our weary selves to dim sum the next day where we physically hurt ourselves by eating too much. It was awesome.

My last dinner on the way to the airport was at this awesome place called Henry's Hi Life in San Jose. I love this place. You walk in, place your order immediately from a wooden sign listing out their various meats, then sit and have drinks at the bar while you wait for a table. When you are called for your table, your salads are there waiting for you. Genius! The steaks were the size of Alaska and accompanied with a baked potato with a chive butter ball that could rival a scoop of ice cream. This place is heaven to a meat and potatoes girl.

There you have it- my first week in the Bay area. I think I gained 5 lbs within a day and I don't regret a single bite.