Author: eaumaison (Page 102 of 207)

We came off the island voyage thoroughly wind blown. I wanted to squeeze in the MOMA or a yarn shop, but the MUNI buses thwarted us. They've been terrible this weekend. In 2.25 days we were passed by 8 buses for being too full, and 2 buses we were on didn't make it to our destinations, despite correct schedule matching on our end.

So both other places closed and we made it back to the hotel just in time to change for dinner.

Once refreshed we said “F the F train” and took a cab to the theater district.

The Grand Cafe is attached to the hotel Monaco in their ballroom. Apparently it was one of the few art deco ballrooms to survive the 1906 earthquake. It was beautiful and the food delicious-French contemporary.

Fried squash blossoms stuffed with goat cheese with fennel and lemon.

Black kale salad and watermelon/ heirloom tomato gazpacho.

Seafood cassoulet and marrow and fig flatbread.

A quick walk toward our train yielded a table at Chow, a local favorite with a few places around the city. We got a pleasant patio table. Ben ordered a Boston Cooler, which was a ginger ale float with candied almonds. Then I found a farmers market in Sunset, right next to the trolley stop.

We crossed the park to the Academy of Sciences next. We skimmed through, doing the rainforest dome and the aquarium. I sent fish and butterfly texts to Jack (via mom). The baby ostriches were super cute- they darted around just like they do in Joust.

The De Young museum in Golden Gate park. I was very disappointed that the Nureyev costume exhibit wasn't open yet–and the textiles wing was closed to prepare for it! Bummer. But the American paintings were a nice collection. “hey, it's us at night at home.” Ben said regarding the spinner painting. :-). The observation tower was also really cool.

Mmm, hot chocolate, chocolate croissant and Ben's un-clammified sourdough bread leftovers. If there was any doubt, you now see that the summer dieting also took a vacation.

In a change from our usual Ghiradelli's visit, we had Bi Rite ice cream after dinner. The lines were long but moved fast. I has mint chip and balsamic strawberry. Ben had white chocolate raspberry and honey lavender. We thought it was quite good. Flavorful and creamy. On a US World and Report survey Bi Rite is #3 and Sweet Action is #7. But I prefer Sweet Action for its flavor variety and ample seating.