Hello from San Francisco!
I have been looking forward to my trip to this beautiful city for months. It’s absolutely gorgeous and I’ve loved my time here so far.
Unfortunately it was a big headache getting here! I ended up arriving in California in the wee hours of the morning on Wednesday thanks to lots of delays. By the time I crawled into my hotel bed, I had been awake for 24 hours.
It was a rocky start, but things have drastically improved thanks to the public relations and marketing team behind Smartfood, the company that sponsored my trip.
I am here with a team of bloggers to help unveil San Francisco as the SMARTest city in the United States (SMART = Savvy, Motivated, Accomplished, Responsible and Thoughtful), but I will share more about that later since the big media event surrounding this announcement is actually happening in Union Square this morning. If you live in San Francisco, please come say hi! We will be in Union Square through the early afternoon.
Wednesday
My first full day in San Francisco kicked off around lunchtime on Wednesday. I met up with four other bloggers (Kelly who contributes to Makobi Scribe, Sarah who writes for The Bold Italic, Sarah from Sarah Fit and Louise from Mom Start) and we grabbed a quick lunch at La Boulange with the public relations team from Smartfood.
Knowing we’d be sampling lots of goodies soon after lunch, we kept things light and I ordered a salad and a cappuccino.
It was really good and I can see why La Boulange is a hot spot in San Francisco!
After lunch, we had our first official event to attend with Chef Jody Denton.
Chef Jody has more than 30 years of experience and has worked with some famous chefs, including Wolfgang Puck! His mission for the afternoon was to create delicious dishes inspired by the flavors in Smartfood products. He said it was a bit of a reversal from his normal duties, since he now creates flavors for snack foods based on other dishes!
First up was a buffalo cheddar king ranch chicken dish, based on Smartfood Selects Buffalo Cheddar Popcorn. It was good, but a little heavier than something I would prepare for dinner myself. I’ll stick with the popcorn!
The second dish was a fava bean puree with garlic, tomato and basil, based on the Smartfood Garlic Tomato Basil Hummus Popped Chips.
It was vibrant, fresh and incredibly flavorful. Easily my favorite dish of the day!
We were given permission to share the recipes we tried today with you guys, and this is one I think many of you would really enjoy!
Fava Bean Puree with Garlic, Tomato and Basil
Serves 4 – 6
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound peeled, dried fava beans, soaked overnight in water
- 1 quart chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 1 white onion, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup whole peeled garlic cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 pints teardrop or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup sliced garlic cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 cup (packed) fresh torn basil leaves
- Parmesan for grating
Directions:
- After the fava beans have soaked overnight, place them in a sauce pot along with the chicken stock through the sea salt and half of the olive oil (1/4 cup). Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until beans are tender and falling apart. Add more water if the liquid level falls below the beans. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Preheat broiler on high. Place tomatoes on a baking sheet, toss lightly in olive oil and broil until they begin to pop open. Remove from broiler and set aside.
- In a skillet, warm remaining olive oil and sliced garlic cloves together until garlic just begins to brown. Add chili flakes, stir for 15 seconds and add basil leaves, stir, add blistered tomatoes and remove from heat.
- Place a large spoonful of warm fava bean puree on the plate. Spoon tomato basic mixture over puree. Grate parmesan over top and serve immediately.
After the fava bean dish, the next two dishes Chef Jody made for us to try were crowd favorites!
The spicy watermelon salad with feta cheese and mint was based on Smartfood Selects Feta Herb Hummus Popped Chips.
I am a huge fan of watermelon and feta salads and this one was delicious! Chef Jody added a pinch of cayenne pepper to the salad which added a nice kick to the dish.
The dish I couldn’t stop eating was the honey blackberry Greek yogurt dip that Chef Jody made to accompany the ridiculously addicting Smartfood Selects Cinnamon Brown Sugar Hummus Popped Chips.
To make the dip, simply combine, 1/2 pint of blackberries (smashed), 3 cups of Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons of honey, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Simple and tasty!
Our group had a really fun time talking the Chef Jody and made sure to thank him for sharing his delicious dishes with us!
Exploring San Francisco
After our event with Chef Jody was over, our group had the opportunity to explore the city. The weather was absolutely gorgeous (no sticky humidity!) and I loved walking around and taking in the sights.
Angry vizslas love San Francisco!
Of course we had to be total tourists and ride a cable car!
While we were out and about, we made a pit stop for cupcakes at Kara’s Cupcakes.
I bought the chocolate velvet cupcake made with bittersweet chocolate buttercream icing and it was fabulous! Yelp reviews promised the cupcakes would be delicious and they didn’t lie!
More San Francisco fun to come!!
Fab Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to…
- Lydia: “I would love the ice tea maker, my family loves tea and adding fresh mint or fruit would be tasty and save some $$$ making it at home!!!”
Please email me at pbfingers@gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll ship the iced tea maker to you right away!
Question of the Morning
- San Francisco folks: What are some of your must-see sights in the city? Any restaurants I must try while I’m here? We have a free evening tonight, so if you’re a San Francisco local or have visited the city in the past, I’d love some restaurant recommendations!
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Oh my gosh. SO jealous of your trip to San Fran! I’ve been dying to go for years now. It looks absolutely gorgeous there! Sucks that the getting there part wasn’t so great, but it’s only on the up from here clearly!
Everything looks amazing so far! Have a blast:)
Ahh I want to visit san francisco so badly! looks like such a fun trip, and that bowl of tomatoes is the most fresh and delicious looking dish!
I’ve always wanted to see San Fransisco! It’s on my list of places to visit one day. It looks beautiful there! 🙂 I always wanted to stand in front of the house that was in the opening credits of Full House!
Everything looks so delicious! There’s 3 + 2 tablespoons of honey in the dip recipe, is that correct?
Love your blog!!
I’m so glad you asked! It should actually be 3 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. I wrote this post very late last night and totally messed that up! Just edited the post!
We went 2 years ago and LOVED it! Make sure to try Kara’s Fleur De Sel cupcake if you get the chance to go back. Here are some of our favorite restaurants there:
Paxti’s Pizza (THE best deep dish pizza. Puts Chicago to shame, sad to say)
Brenda’s Soul Food (get the beignet flight and thank me later)
Z & Y Restaurant if you go to Chinatown (Princess Chicken…nuff said)
Scoma’s on Al Scoma Way by the Wharf (the crab cake is the whole reason we’re going again next year)
Pearl’s Deluxe Burger (awesome burgers and Nutella milkshake…yes please!)
You need to go to the Slanted Door in the Ferry Building. The Ferry Building has many cool shops inside. It is fun to walk around and check them all out. You must also try blue bottles coffee! It is inside the Ferry Building. Slanted door has Asian Fusion food and great cocktails!
My sister used to live in San Fran when she was at Berkeley and every time I would visit, I HAD to have the clam chowder on fishermans warf…in the bread bowl of course! A definite must have!
Do dinner at Scoma’s! Right on the water, amazing seafood and atmosphere, and it is in Fisherman’s Wharf so there is lots to walk around and see before/after dinner!
I loved this little spot in the Mission called Mr. Pollo. It’s a prixfix 4 course meal for $20 where the chef cooks in front of you and everything is fresh and local. Also try to check out Tartine Bakert! I think you’d love it. Also Humphry Slocombe and Bi-Rite for Ice cream.
If you’re in Golden State Park look for the Faery Door too!
Their head chef left a few months ago to start his own restaurant I believe. 🙁 I haven’t been there since!
WHAAT? That’s so sad. I wonder what his new restaurant is.. 🙁
Wowwww I hadn’t heard of these new Smartfood flavors, but they sound really, really good! I’ll definitely have to keep my eyes open for them next time I’m at the grocery. Your trip looks like so much fun 🙂
I was just there. You have to run across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is not a long run, but kind of a cool thing to do. (Be careful of the bicyclists) Enjoy!
Angry vizslas, haha! As if there is such a thing 😉
Looks like a fabulous time! Enjoy!
I know!! I think they need to update that picture to really reflect a vizsla’s true personality!
I am so excited I won the tea maker, thanks for making my day Julie.
You look great!! Enjoy your trip.
Go to bi-Rite creamery in the mission!! or Smitten ice cream in Hayes valley, which makes liquid nitrogen ice cream. It is so worth it. Also, if you have the time and are near the waterfront, take the hike up to Coit tower to get an incredible view of the bay. Enjoy your time here, San Francisco is the best!
Oh my goodness how FUN! Those recipes all look so light and FRESH. The watermelon salad especially seems extra refreshing for summertime! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!!
I lived in San Francisco for a bit a couple of years ago and I loved eating in the Mission neighborhood. Also if anyone is a coffee drinker go to Philz Coffee in the Mission.
How fun!! San Francisco is one of my favorite places. When I went several years ago, we went to the San Fran Culinary Institute for lunch. I forget exactly how much it cost, but it was only maybe $30 for an appetizer, entree, and dessert … plus a wine pairing with each course. But I think it was that price because we found a coupon in a brochure. Anyway, it was amazing!
San Fran is about an hour and a half from where I live (Sacramento)! When I go its usually for shopping, a Giants game, or a 49ers game. I also love touristy things like Pier 39. Enjoy your trip!
SF is one of my dream cities. We were there on our backpack through west coast trip in 2008 and enjoyed it a lot
Hey, you’re in my city! Go to Beretta in the Mission, Delarosa in the Marina or Limon for Peruvian. Bomb!
It looks like you had some amazing food and a fun time exploring San fransisco. All the snacks he made found like perfect summertime foods.
So amazing! This has gotta be your favourite part of blogging, right?! Yum yum yum. I’ve always wanted to go to San Fransisco and am excited to see the rest of your updates!
It’s been so long since I’ve been to San Francisco, but I love that town! Have a fantastic time!
The dip looks incredible! Quick question, 3 tbsp of honey and then 2 tbsp of honey-is that correct? Thanks!
It should be 3 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. I totally made a mistake when I was writing the post late last night. Just edited it!
I’ve only visited Cali once and only saw the Los Angeles and San Diego area (which was stunning!) but never San Francisco. It looks wonderful 🙂
I’ve visited San Francisco twice so far (and am going again next month), but I LOVE Dottie’s Cafe for an amazing breakfast, Farm Table was really good, small & fresh, & The Naked Lunch was good too! Enjoy your trip!! 🙂
Love it! You should try to go to North Beach, an old Italian neighborhood. It is fun, vibrant, not too touristy and not too crazy. They have awesome restaurants there, and I would recommend either The Stinking Rose or North Beach Restaurant.
If you have a chance to go to the other side of town, seeing Ocean Beach is fun, as well as Sutro Baths. Less dense in terms of restaurants and businesses, and more of a residential neighborhood, but good (cheap) food out there too.
Have fun! I love my city by the bay! 🙂
I’ve been to San Fran only once in my life, when I was 4–I’d love to be able to go again. I’m looking forward to everything you see and do so I can live vicariously through you! 🙂 All of your food looks fantastic. I love Smartfood’s Popped Chips and Popcorn!
This looks like it is such a great trip! I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I never had a watermelon and feta salad because I can’t imagine the two tastes together. I love them separate but I’m actually afraid to eat them combined in case I don’t like the taste. Maybe I’ll try it at Wegmans one day!
Absolutely LOVE your approach to balance. Live healthy, but eat that cupcake if you want it 😉 And when in San Fran, you can’t help but be a foodie… Hope you had a blast!
Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to San Francisco! It looks like so much fun and all the food sounds wonderful, especially the watermelon/feta salad!
Have a great time!
Have a great time Julie! Don’t you just hate when getting to a place takes over 24 hours? The day after a flight I’m always so tired. It stinks! I hope you have a marvelous time in San Francisco! You should visit the house used on ‘That’s So Raven’ (awkward fan girl moment!)
I went to CA in 2010 and I fell in love. I actually just scheduled my next trip there in August- this time we’re going to San Diego and I cannot wait. Have fun!
I still consider myself new to the bay area and don’t know much, but I think you would love visiting the Ferry Building. Also Fort Point which is right under the GG bridge. It’s free to explore and has amazing views of the City and Alcatraz. Enjoy your visit!
Stop by Bi-Rite for gourmet ice cream! They have the most amazing flavors – last time I tried their rhubarb cheesecake ice cream and it was delicious!
Have so much fun! San Francisco is the best 😀
I absolutely adore San Francisco! I am dying to live there! enjoy!
You should check out Tropisueno! It’s a small Mexican restaurant with AMAZING salsa.
I was there in April and stayed in Fisherman’s Wharf & Union Square – loved it! The Stinking Rose is a cool place to get dinner. It’s a restaurant all about including garlic in their dishes (but not in an obnoxious way!). We were able to walk there from our hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf.
Go to pier 39. There is a crepe restaurant there or there are a bunch of places to get good clam chowder in sourdough bowls. If you want to go out to a club go to Temple.
Definitely go to the Slanted Door. It’s amazing vietnamese food! Pier 23 Cafe was really great seafood and has been on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network. The most fun touristy thing I did on my visit and I thought was the best way to see the city was renting the Go Cars that are like little go karts that you actually drive on the regular roads and it gives you a radio guided tour of all the sites including the golden gate bridge!
Welcome to SF! If I wasn’t working all day I would definitely come and say hi! I’ve lived here my entire life and one of my absolute favorite restaurants is Limón Rotisserie in the Mission. It’s Peruvian chicken and it’s SO good! And their sangria is delish as well. Also should you be in the mood for ice cream, BiRite is truly amazing. You have to try the salted caramel ice cream-they are famous for it!
Glad you’re having a great time!
Welcome to my neck of the woods. If you love Italian food and garlic you gotta go to The Stinking Rose. If you are free at lunch time though, hit up Sushirrito in the Financial District. It’s my absolute fave. There are absolutely 5million and 10 places you have to eat in the city. Alas you don’t have that many meals in the city left!
LOVE San Francisco! Excited to hear all about your unveiling and how you got involved!
I was JUST in SF yesterday to pick up my mom & dad from SFO. They were stuck in JFK for almost 18 hours due to bad weather before getting to fly home.
You definitely need to try a cup of clam chowder before leaving!! Have a good time!
It’s been forever since I was there, but we loved Scoma’s. It’s right on the water & had of course, amazing seafood. Also went to Marrakech for wonderful Morracan food. It was DELICIOUS! Get some Boudin sourdough bread to take home (or ship since you’re not heading straight home I don’t think)…it’s heaven!
*morroccan
So jealous of your trip! I grew up in Sebastopol, which is about an hour North of San Fran. I have been living in Massachusetts for college for the past four years, but I can definitely recommend some good places.
My family’s favorite restaurant in the city is Betelnut Restaurant. They serve contemporary Asian cuisine, and it’s delicious. Whenever we have family visiting from LA, we take them there. They have a sample menu online if you wanna check it out!
I don’t know if you’re a baseball fan, but the Giants are my favorite team, and its always a fun atmosphere to have dinner at Paragon Restaurant or Momo’s, which are both located near to AT&T park. They are even playing the Miami Marlins at home tonight! (uh oh, FL vs CA!) However, if you don’t want to deal with the traffic from the game, I would stay away from that area tonight. It can get pretty crazy. Or, even better, you could go to the game! I may be biased, but I think the Giants have great fans and such a great atmosphere at their park!
Also, if you haven’t been up near the Golden Gate bridge, you should definitely do that! From your pictures, it looks like you lucked out and are there on a beautiful, clear day. It can often be foggy, and its hard to see beautiful views from the bridge. Since its such a clear day, I would definitely recommend heading out to walk along the bridge.
I love your blog, and I’m so happy you’re writing about my home! So glad I’ll be back there in a couple of weeks or your posts might make me homesick. Have fun!
Check out Square Meals on Polk Street! It’s really good and quick healthy food, it’s something you’d totally love!
http://squaremealssf.com/
Oh that looks like such a gorgeous trip! San Fran is such a fun place.
And that watermelon feta salad looks mighty taaasssttty!
I love smartfood popcorn .. I’ve always wanted to travel to san fran