Bi-Rite Creamery for Sunny Days in San Francisco
I grew up in Southern California where we had long hot summers, walked slowly in the heat, and spent endless days at the beach with friends. I first moved to San Francisco in April 2000 and spent the first few months crying every day. I couldn't believe that "summer" here was sixty-degree weather, fog, long pants, and jackets. My shorts and skirts went into the back of the closet and didn't come out all summer.
"Wait until September and October," locals would tell me. "That's when we have our summer."
I was scared to hope, but they were right. After a cold, cold summer the calendar page turned to September and the weather was beautiful. Eight years later I am used to this summer schedule. One bonus to this strange weather is that we San Franciscans don't take our sunny, warm days for granted. As soon as it's warm, we're out in the parks, walking the city, and sitting in the few restaurants with patios.
These days, a popular warm-day hang out is Bi-Rite Creamery. To my mind, it's the best ice cream in town and given the increasing length of the lines, I think that many San Franciscans agree with me. The ice cream is made in small batches and features seasonal, local ingredients. The flavors range from salted caramel to balsamic strawberry and each is unique and delicious. My favorite is the malted vanilla with peanut brittle and milk chocolate, but the flavors change so often that it's not always available. Bi-Rite Creamery also features housemade baked goods, and the best of all worlds is their ice cream sandwiches made from fresh cookies and paired with a complementary ice cream flavor.
Next time you're in town, check out the excellent Bi-Rite Creamery. Don't want to take my word for it? Other people who have praised Bi-Rite's ice cream include Confessions of a Restaurant Whore, David Lebovitz, Bay Area Bites, and Forbes.
Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th Street, San Francisco CA 94110 (at Delores Street; map)
415-626-5600
biritecreamery.com
About the author: Jennifer Maiser writes about locally and sustainably grown food. She is the founder and editor of the Eat Local Challenge website and writes at Life Begins at 30, her personal weblog.
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5 Comments:
How have I not been to Bi-Rite yet? Whenever I'm in that neighborhood I head to Bombay Ice Creamery or Mitchells, but this is a great reminder. Salted Caramel? Yes please.
yogurtsoda at 3:32PM on 09/11/08
Just in time, I'm going to San Francisco in a little over a week. Personally when I'm in the SF area, I drive up to Sausalito for some Lappert's Ice Cream omfg caramel banana to die for... but this sounds a bit closer. Will check it out :) thanks!
feistyfoodie at 3:45PM on 09/11/08
ohhh goodness gracious. i'm a northern californian currently living in southern california and bi-rite is a must-visit everytime i return to the motherland. the salted caramel IS amazing, but my personal favorite is the brown butter pecan -- the best butter pecan i've ever had, hands down. and you can get two flavors with each "scoop" so I usually pair them together -- it's a match made in heaven. what's also great about this place is that theyre eco-conscious. you can sample as many flavors as you want with metal spoons, and they serve with compostable cups and spoons.
while you're on the street, you can't miss bi-rite market or tartine bakery. fresh bread at 5pm daily (except monday)!
dimsumlikeithot at 5:57PM on 09/11/08
Yes! My fiancee's cousin lives around the corner and we went a couple times on my last trip. Hot damn, it was so awesome. I wonder if they would ship me a couple pints...
capndesign at 6:04PM on 09/11/08
I recommend the Salted Caramel; it's the favorite, and for good reason!
iliana at 7:51AM on 09/12/08