Unique to: San Francisco
As you may know, we'll be in the Bay Area in June for the Great American Food & Music Fest.
Which got me thinking: What can I get in San Francisco/Bay Area that I can't get anywhere else?
I'm talking about regional products and foods that you've never seen anywhere else. For example, the It's It ice cream sandwiches.
There's gotta be other stuff I should put on my to eat list.
I'd also be open to restaurants doing something you've never seen anywhere else. (For example, if someone were doing a really cool/unique-to-SF pizza style, that would count, but merely saying I have to try, say, Pizzaiolo, wouldn't—because I can get Neapolitan-style pizza in any number of places.)
Anyone have any suggestions?
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17 Comments:
For things uniquely SF:
sourdough bread
Mission-style burritos
Fresh seafood, like dungeness crab
Cioppino
kathryn at 4:18PM on 05/13/09
Actually just got back from SF! There's a bunch of restaurant recs on the other thread I posted if you're looking for places to eat (http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2009/05/where-to-eat-in-sf.html)
As far as unique to SF - First thing that comes to mind is sourdough bread - the yeast strain is native to the area (the scientific name is Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis). Garlic fries are pretty unique to the area - Taylor's Automatic Refresher sells a particularly delicious example.
misterhee at 4:39PM on 05/13/09
If you go to the Ferry Building and shop around, you will find many local artisan products that you mill most likely not find elsewhere, especially in the Village Market where you can stock up on as many precious bottles and jars as you wallet will allow, but also:
* Hog Island Oysters - you can take a drive and go to the source, or visit their oyster bar in the Ferry Building. Happy Hour offers the best deals.
* Michael Recchiuiti Chocolates - (rose caramel is my favorite, but they are all good)
* Sharffen Berger Chocolatier
* Cowgirl Creamery
* ACME Bread
... and so much more. Also, if you have a cup of clam chowder at the counter of the San Francisco Fish Company, you will enjoy a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge while you eat.
For the quintessential SF restaurant experience, try Zuni Cafe.
Also, be sure to explore Golden Gate Park and it's many museums and gardens while you are here.
Enjoy your stay!
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 7:13PM on 05/13/09
You MUST go to Swan's Oyster Depot...such good seafood! Eat at the counter (I'm not even sure if there are tables)...it's not fancy, but it's real good!
KateRuby at 2:17PM on 05/14/09
I had read an article about the Roasted Chicken For Two with warm tuscan-style bread salad at Zuni Cafe years ago in Saveur. When I was there recently we went specifically with that in mind, our reservations were at 10PM and the dish takes an hour to prepare and we could not order it, so if you want it, keep that in mind. It is one of her signature dishes at the restaurant.
peuporcin at 3:48PM on 05/14/09
It's been a while, but when I lived in the bay area, I was over the moon for Golden Boy's Pizza in North beach. Like I said, its been a while, but they did sicilian-esque square slices, with more of an olive-oily foccacia base. Their fresh clam and garlic slice es muy fuerte.
JudgeFudge at 4:21PM on 05/14/09
Blue Bottle Coffee!
http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/
erelmartin at 8:08PM on 05/14/09
XOX Truffles!
thehostess at 10:17PM on 05/14/09
I can't say you can only get it in SF, but Burma Superstar in the Richmond District is fantastic.
jive1178 at 9:58AM on 05/15/09
If you like espresso then by all means... Blue Bottle, Ritual or Four Barrel are all good candidates. It's not that good espresso is unique to San Francisco but it's unusual to have three separate espresso/coffee purveyors all in the same city who are operating at that level. Likewise - dim sum is hardly unique to SF but the ridiculously cheap and incredibly tasty dim sum I've had for lunch there at little take out places is not something I've run across in Chinatowns elsewhere (dim sum yes but not way cheap from take out places).
phaelon56 at 11:23AM on 05/15/09
One more thing - I've been to plenty of bakeries in the US and have yet to ever find one in the same class as Tartine - it's really worth a visit.
phaelon56 at 11:24AM on 05/15/09
I can think of no place more quintessentially San Francisco than Cafe Gratitude. www.cafegratitude.com
Check it out.
latteaday at 11:37AM on 05/15/09
Cafe Jacqueline in North Beach. It's a souffle restaurant, run by old lady Jacqueline herself, in the same location for decades. Prepare for a savoury souffle for dinner, and a sweet souffle for dessert. They are so well done.
practicallydone at 12:17PM on 05/15/09
> Michael Recchiuiti Chocolates
I think they also come to NYC every year for the Chocolate Show, and you can buy their chocolates at Dean & Deluca, BTW.
> Sharffen Berger Chocolatier
You can buy their stuff all over NYC, though. They even had a store in Manhattan, though that closed last year.
> Cowgirl Creamery
You can find their cheeses at Murray's in NYC.
> Blue Bottle
Abraco Espresso, in the East Village, is run by a former Blue Bottle Coffee Co. barista, Jamie McCormick. And they also serve Blue Bottle coffee at Gramercy Tavern, so it's not impossible to find in NYC. And NYC has a wealth of good espresso these days: 9th Street, Abraco, Gimme Coffee, La Colombe, Cafe Grumpy, and Joe, plus Stumptown is moving in....
kathryn at 1:30PM on 05/15/09
i don't think i've ever seen dutch crunch bread anywhere but in the bay area...then again i live here and have lived here practically all my life so there are probably a lot of things i take for granted (i didn't know they only sold its its here!).
satchmo at 2:02PM on 05/15/09
More ideas for Adam - If you are into spirits, I would consider visiting Hanger One Distillery, across the bay in Alameda. (Martinis originated in the neighboring town of Martinez - fyi.)
Of course, if you really want to test the pulse, you need to indulge in the slow food scene, whether it be Chez Panisse, the Slow Club, or one of the many other establishments of their ilk.
There are some wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Los Gatos and Saratoga that are much closer to, say, Mountian View than Napa/Sonoma. Testa Rossa Vineyards produces some fine coastal Pinot's, by the way. And, Via Montalvo - Mountain Winery has great evening concerts under the stars with dinner and wine tastings, if you like that sort of thing.
Oh, and Citizen Cake is unique in that it is the home of Elizabeth Falkner's wonderful dessert creations.
If I knew your specific tastes, I could do better by you, but I'll keep tossing out ideas as I think of them, since you still have a few weeks. I live fairly close to Shoreline where the event is being held next month, so if you want Silicon Valley specifics, in addition to those for SF, let me (us) know, and I'll be glad to help out.
And, if you would like a tour guide, let me know, and I will be happy to volunteer. :)
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 3:43PM on 05/15/09
You have GOT to try Bi-Rite Creamery's ice cream. They have some of the best ice cream I've ever had. Salted caramel anyone?
Also, Acme bread is awesome, and Cheeseboard pizza from Berkeley!
avocadoboba at 4:56AM on 05/16/09