Kristin Solo In San Fransisco

So I went to San Francisco a few times over the last couple of years on solo-cations, and while I was super about posting to those IG stories I never really got around to writing anything up. Admittedly I feel like I can’t really do it justice, because I suspect that there is way more to do and see than what I was able to accomplish.

Exploring is something that I found a little bit tricky, if I’m being honest. Instead of one major ‘metro’ area, it seems to be broken up into little two block long stretches that are really all their own. I found myself driving to one, walking up and down the street, then driving to another and walking that. I’ve gotten a lot better and getting right to the good stuff since my last trip and I think when I go back I’ll take a more informed whack at it. I didn’t do a ton of the standard San Francisco tourist stuff (drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Alcatraz, etc), I really mostly just wandered around from restaurant to restaurant and store to store and that was really the extent of it. Which I don’t hate. For now, here’s the stuff that I thought was worth mentioning:

Food & Drinks

Souvla
(Hayes Valley, Nopa, Mission, Marina)
If you follow Diane Sanfilippo on Instagram, you’ve undoubtedly seen pictures of the Greek salads from Souvla. It did not disappoint and I legit think about them longingly sometimes - like right now as I write this. It’s ‘fast-fine’ Greek, meaning you’re not waiting forever for your food, but it’s my no means mediocre fast-food. The rotisserie-roasted and naturally raised meats are bananas flavorful, and on top of that fresh crunch mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and feta - it wildly makes you crave salad. Because you’re a grown up now and that’s a thing that happens.

Little Gem
(Grove St, Union St)
Another one that if you follow a bunch of the Bay Area people in the paleo-circles, you have probably already seen/heard of. Little Gem is pretty much the dream for people who care about where their food comes from but don’t want it to be boring, either. The place itself is welcoming, and comfortable, and the food is creative and yes, tasty. I’m pretty sure that I had some really delicious wine, too - but the guy next to me spilled fermented hot sauce all over his lap top so if I’m being honest most of my main visit memory is clouded with that debacle happening beside me.

Petit Crenn
(Hayes Valley)
I got SO lucky here. The chef/owner of Petit Crenn, Dominique Crenn, had just been featured on the show Chef’s Table. When I landed, I remembered that along side her fine dining restaurant, she also had a more casual version. I hopped onto the website and managed to get myself a reservation for one at their second seating the following evening. This is one MAJOR upside to traveling alone. I’ve snagged seats at long-waitlist restaurants a few times as a single mouth. Anyway, these days they are booking one month out (as in, you can’t book for January until Dec 1). They only do tasting menus, two seatings (I believe) per night. This means that you get to try a bunch of stuff. I love tasting menus - you get stuff you’d never think of or might not try on your own. Some people aren’t into it though (see: my husband) due to the smaller portion sizes. I remember the portions being plenty here, though. I was definitely full when I left. 10/10 would recommend.

Boudin Bakery
(multiple locations - but go to the one at Fishermans Wharf)
OK. So I really wanted to get some real deal San Francisco sourdough. I’m sure there are people out there on the internets who are foaming at the mouth, ready to tell me that I should’ve gone to Tartine, or something. I get it, but I respectfully stand by my choice to hedge my bets with an original. This was also when I had just started eating gluten again (when I felt the stomach trouble to follow would be worth it). Boudin Bakery started in 1849 by Isidore Boudin, who is basically The Godfather of French Sourdough in San Francisco. The bread is everything that you want it to be, with nothing fancy or extra. Though, I was deeply let down by the butter that was offered - so I grabbed some better stuff at the Ferry Building. Get a loaf, a bottle of wine, some meats and cheeses, and you’ve got yourself a DAY.

Park Tavern
(North Beach)
I really couldn’t tell you how I came across this James Beard Nominee. It was my first night ever in town, and I walked something over a mile to get there, but it was very very good. I sat at the bar, where the bartender gave me very very helpful advice on what drinks to get, very very thoughtful recommendations on what food to order, and was very very insightful with his answers to 'my ‘where else should I go’ questions. Park Tavern is lush and dimly lit with penny tile floors and sort of reminds me of an era that I couldn’t possibly remember since I wasn’t born yet. I really wish I could remember more about the food - but I mostly remember the vibe, and the fact that I was having a great time eating.

More food and drink stuff:
Salt & Straw Ice Cream. Multiple locations.
Brenda’s French Soul Food Go for brunch.
Roam Burgers Grass-fed burgers, GF buns, seasonal produce. It’s good. Leave it at that.
Chantal Guillon Macarons.
Upcider All cider bar. Cider is smooch more than super sweet juice. It’s worth checking out.
Christopher Elbow Chocolates fucking bomb ass chocolates.

Coffee

Ritual
(multiple locations)
I stumbled upon Ritual while wandering around the shops on Hayes once afternoon. They consider themselves pioneers of the coffee revolution in San Francisco, and I really have no evidence to dispute their claim.
Contraband Coffee Bar
(locations in Nob Hill and SoMa)
The long and short of it is that there was a location near my hotel one time and I had a thyme/rosemary latte and it was fucking great and I’ve gone back each time I’ve been in town and they make one of the better lattes I have had in my time. You’ve got a lot of ways to choose from to get your coffee made and some of it is way hipster, but when it comes to coffee I am totally on board with someone in a beanie while it’s 75 F outside, a handlebar mustache, and horn-rimmed glasses making it for me.

Stuff to Do
Visit the San Francisco Ferry Building for funky shops, farmers market stands, and a sick view of the bay. There are restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, book stores, cheese shops - you name it. I went to Boudin first, got myself a small round of sourdough, grabbed a coffee and some cheese at the Ferry Building and then went out to the pier behind it to snack on my goods and enjoy the scenery. All that was missing was some damn rose. Big mistake.

While it’s pretty anticlimactic, going to see the Full House houses (aka the Painted Ladies) can’t not be a little fun and nostalgic for anyone who grew up in the 90s. Alamo Square park sits in the middle of rows of houses, one of them being the famous row of Victorian-style homes in the opening shot of the OG Modern Family Sit Com. Its it’s a nice day, it would be a fantastic place for a picnic, or a nap, or bottle of day wine. Sadly for me, there was construction during the time of my visit, so the park itself wasn’t all that picturesque. As you would expect, tourists do love to check it out - so don’t expect to be alone on your visit.

The Airport
I love a good airport, and my hope for you is that if you ever have to fly out of SFO you do so out of Terminal 2. I’m one of those people that likes to show up the recommended 2 hours ahead of time. There’s plenty to do and eat at Terminal 2 that it basically becomes a part of the food tour. Napa Farm Market has wine, rotisserie, pastries, coffee, and tons of local shit that you can buy if you forgot some gifts for folks at home (or just want to buy more things). I sat down to do some work at Vino Volo for a wine flight - of all Rose so suck on that. You can find a full list of the impressive selections for pre-flight food on the SFO Website.

Anything I missed? I’m always game for new places. Let me know in the comments.

Happy travels.