Having lived in the Golden City for six years, chef Danielle Alvarez knows a thing or two about its best eats.
If you find yourself in America’s west, the Napa Valley and Sonoma coast should be on your travel list, and so should San Francisco. The city has personality in spades: the weird, the wonderful, the artists, the tech giants and the lovers of good food, drink and hospitality all co-exist in this tiny space only 11 kilometres wide. It’s the perfect spot for a short or longer visit.
There are a few culinary highlights to try. First, Tartine Bakery. San Francisco is credited with popularising sourdough in the US, and Tartine Bakery is one of the modern bakeries that elevated this beautiful art form to cult status through dedication to the craft. Now, you can buy fresh-baked bread made from heritage grains at one of its four outlets in the city, and also in LA and Seoul. Anchor Steam beer, made by Anchor Brewing Company, is locally made in San Francisco and is one of the oldest craft breweries in the States. They use shallow, open fermentation tanks which are cooled by the consistent Bay Area breeze. And everyone should try Dungeness crabs.
They are a local variety – sweet, meaty and delicious. The best time to try them is during the winter months, between November and January.
In terms of my favourite eateries in the city, Tartine Bakery (the original) and nearby Tartine Manufactory (a larger eatery with coffee, ice creamery and bar) are high on the list, along with Swan Oyster Depot, Nopa, Zuni Cafe, La Taqueria, Cotogna, the Ferry Plaza Saturday Farmers Market and the Ferry Building market, which is open seven days. And then there’s Benu for an exceptional fine-dining experience.
If you ever get tired of eating, I suggest you walk up Coit Tower for some brilliant views, or ride a bike or walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also go for a walk at Land’s End Park and through Golden Gate Park, go to SFMOMA
(San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) and the de Young museum, pick up
fare at Bi-rite market, and have a picnic in Dolores Park for excellent people watching.
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