I should start by saying that when Ryan and I travel, we are
not your usual tourists. We like to eat our way through a city, one coffee shop
or restaurant at a time. Here are some of our usual haunts in San Francisco,
and a couple of new ones!
The Grove. This is a casual eatery in San Francisco, and one
of the only places we’ve found where you can find organic, healthy, beautifully
plated food for under $50 in the city. The restaurant is a bit eclectic. There
are big trees inside adorned with twinkle lights. But, it’s a great place to
head for lunch or dinner, especially if you don’t want to lock yourself into a
reservation and plan your whole day around dinner. Menu favorites include the Berkeley Bowl and the Avocado Toast.
Donut Farm. This is a donut stand in the Ferry Building,
which is like an enclosed farmer’s market with a similar vibe to Pike’s Place.
I’m not even a donut fan, but I can honestly say that the Orange Dreamsicle
Donut was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Hands down.
Blue Bottle Coffee. The perfect place to get a cup of coffee
on the go. This java joint is also located in the Ferry Building, right across
from the Donut Farm. Every cup of coffee is expertly prepared. It was so good
that I didn’t put a drop of sugar or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Insider
tip: If the line is too long, there’s a walk-up counter with all the same
beverage offerings right outside the main entrance to the Ferry Building.
The Slanted Door. This is by far our favorite restaurant in
San Francisco, and probably one of our top five favorite restaurants of all
time. The Asian fusion restaurant is swanky. There’s no other way to describe
it. It’s simultaneously cool and romantic. Nestled on the backside of the Ferry
Building, The Slanted Door has a sweeping bar that could easily seat 25 people just
at the counter, and a combination of sweetheart booths and center of the room
tables that are close enough that the place feels packed, but spaced out enough
that you feel like you aren’t engaged in the conversation at the table next to
you. Add to that majestic views of the glittering Bay Bridge, delectable food,
and a fantastic cocktail menu and you have the perfect date night. Honestly, this
is probably the one restaurant I would hop on a plane for… just for dinner. It’s
a must-do in San Francisco. Our favorite dishes are the various dumplings
(especially the Banh Bot Locs), the yuba noodles, the daikon rice cakes, the brussels sprouts, the spring rolls, the tofu, and the perfect ending to a spicy meal, lychee fruit cotton candy!
