We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
Feel free to email me.

TIA--Cindy

--
C.J. Fuller

Delete the obvious to email me

Cindy Fuller > wrote:

>We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
>first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
>options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
>Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
>Feel free to email me.

My favorite restaurants around here are numerous, however among the
ones I really like, and have been to recently, more than once, and
with no disappointments are Orson, and A-16.

My Monterey experiences are pretty out-of-date. And I have
not been to Yosemite in even longer, but I am aware that
there is now a VPN pizza restaurant in Twain Harte called
The Prospector.

Will you have a place to cook? I can recommend farmers markets...


Steve

In article >,
(Steve Pope) wrote:

> Cindy Fuller > wrote:
>
> >We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> >first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> >options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> >Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
> >Feel free to email me.
>
> My favorite restaurants around here are numerous, however among the
> ones I really like, and have been to recently, more than once, and
> with no disappointments are Orson, and A-16.
>
> My Monterey experiences are pretty out-of-date. And I have
> not been to Yosemite in even longer, but I am aware that
> there is now a VPN pizza restaurant in Twain Harte called
> The Prospector.
>
> Will you have a place to cook? I can recommend farmers markets...
>
>
We won't have cooking facilities, although I think all of our reserved
rooms have coffee makers. SO will be happy.

Speaking of the SO, he surprised me by booking us at the Tickle Pink Inn
in Carmel. The mail confirmation came today, and my first thought was
that he'd booked us into a brothel. If he did, it's a pretty high end
one with a great view of the ocean.

We will undoubtedly go cruising Chinatown in SF. When I went to SF for
a meeting 12 years ago, I practically spent all of my spare time up
there. The SO will probably have a hangtown fry. I'm not much for
oysters, but a Joe's special might be more my speed.

Cindy

--
C.J. Fuller

Delete the obvious to email me

Cindy Fuller wrote:

> Speaking of the SO, he surprised me by booking us at the Tickle Pink Inn
> in Carmel. The mail confirmation came today, and my first thought was
> that he'd booked us into a brothel. If he did, it's a pretty high end
> one with a great view of the ocean.

Very nice! Carmel has some excellent (and very pricey) eating
establishments. Bob and I enjoyed dining at "Casanova" in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

http://www.casanovarestaurant.com/

> We will undoubtedly go cruising Chinatown in SF. When I went to SF for
> a meeting 12 years ago, I practically spent all of my spare time up
> there. The SO will probably have a hangtown fry. I'm not much for
> oysters, but a Joe's special might be more my speed.

That's a mighty long drive! CA-17 is gorgeous, but that whole stretch
can be a traffic nightmare getting into SF, so plan much longer than the
two or so hours it will take to get to your final destination according
to googlemaps -- and hope that the traffic gods are smiling on you! ;-)
Having a GPS like TomTom is also a very good idea, though when we are in
downtown SF proper, sometimes we lose the signal due to the buildings
(I'm guessing).

Might I also suggest "Manresa" in Los Gatos? That's halfway in between
Carmel and SF. Bob and ate there last week for our anniversary. We did
the full Chef's Tasting Menu -- and even got to tour the kitchen and
visit with Chef David Kinch for a while. It was an amazing meal. Los
Gatos is also a very pretty little city with some older architecture. We
enjoyed walking around old town in the morning. I wish we would could
have spent a few days there -- lots of other places I would love to try!
Besides, the Hotel Los Gatos pampered us big time! And our little dog, too!

If everyone's suggestions here haven't confused you enough, just go to
ba.food ... Plenty of know-it-alls there, too! ;-)

I hope you have a FANTASTIC trip!

--Lin

In article >,
Lin > wrote:

> That's a mighty long drive! CA-17 is gorgeous, but that whole stretch
> can be a traffic nightmare getting into SF

[The infamous SO has been monitoring this thread...]

Cindy and I will not be commuting between Carmel and SF. The plan is
for 4 days in SF (4/30 to 5/4), staying at the Radisson near Fisherman's
Wharf. Then we drive down to Carmel for 2 days. Then off to Yosemite
for 3 days. Then (if we are not careful with our credit cards on the
previous 9 days) off to debtor's prison.

From the comments of Charlotte and others, it looks like it might be
smart for us to make reservations well in advance for some of the
restaurants on our list.

--
Julian Vrieslander

In article
>,
Cindy Fuller > wrote:


>
> We will undoubtedly go cruising Chinatown in SF. When I went to SF for
> a meeting 12 years ago, I practically spent all of my spare time up
> there. The SO will probably have a hangtown fry. I'm not much for
> oysters, but a Joe's special might be more my speed.
>
> Cindy

For Joe's special, go to Joe's of Westlake out in Daly City. (It's
close; you can even take BART out there.) At the moment, they may be the
last real "Joe's" style restaurant in or adjacent to the city. It's a
real time machine- you should check it out. Sit at the counter, watch
the cooks, and try the burger.

D.M.

"Cindy Fuller" > wrote in message
...
> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
> Feel free to email me.
>
> TIA--Cindy
>
> --
> C.J. Fuller
>
> Delete the obvious to email me

Spend the money have dinner one night at the ahwahnee.

http://www.yosemitepark.com/dining_a...iningroom.aspx

In San Francisco I still like Scoma's at (behind) the wharf.

Locals will call it a tourist trap - take the cable car there have too much
wine & take the cable car back to a union square hotel. Breakfast downtown
Sears.

http://www.searsfinefood.com/

Dimitri

"Cindy Fuller" > wrote in message
...
> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
> Feel free to email me.
>
> TIA--Cindy
>
> --
> C.J. Fuller
>
> Delete the obvious to email me



S F Ferry building for shopping, lunch, best ride across the bay take the
ferry to Sausalito;

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

Here's the ferry schedule:

http://www.goldengateferry.org/schedules/Sausalito.php

Go to Union square & buy a transit pass - good for unlimited rides on the
cable card trolley's & buses.

Visitor Passport - 3 day & 7 day;

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

If you're driving plan on $25.00 to $50.00 per day to park downtown

There's trolley that runs all day all along the embarcadero/Financial
district from the ferry building to the wharf.
http://streetcar.org/streetcars/fleet.html

Don't forget Boudin (bread) at the wharf.

http://www.boudinbakery.com/

Dimitri

On Apr 14, 8:42*pm, Cindy Fuller >
wrote:
> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> options. *Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> Door. *We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings. *
> Feel free to email me.
>

You looking for funky, upscale, some of both? Veggy? Asian? Fusion?

This list tends towards the offbeat and includes other fun stuff to do
beside eating:

http://www.sfweekly.com/bestOf/index/

Tadich Grill is a great traditional SF eatery, especially for lunch;
specializing in seafood. You might feel a bit underdressed if in
tourist casual though.

And, as usual, ignore Andy.

In article
>,
tutall > wrote:

> On Apr 14, 8:42*pm, Cindy Fuller >
> wrote:
> > We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> > first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> > options. *Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> > Door. *We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings. *
> > Feel free to email me.
> >
>
> You looking for funky, upscale, some of both? Veggy? Asian? Fusion?
>
> This list tends towards the offbeat and includes other fun stuff to do
> beside eating:
>
> http://www.sfweekly.com/bestOf/index/
>
> Tadich Grill is a great traditional SF eatery, especially for lunch;
> specializing in seafood. You might feel a bit underdressed if in
> tourist casual though.
>
> And, as usual, ignore Andy.

I second the Tadich suggestion. Get the broiled Pacific halibut and they
have the best sourdough french bread in town. High end restaurants in SF
are pricey and if you like more traditional food you will feel like you
are on another planet. But if you are into the foux-foux stuff check out
this list. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/food/top100/2010cuisine
If you want something more reasonable go he
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/listin...bites/2009list
Have fun!

D.M.

On 2010-04-16, Don Martinich > wrote:
>
> I second the Tadich suggestion. Get the broiled Pacific halibut....

Geez, how dull can you get!?

If you're gonna pay the big bucks to experience SFs oldest restaurant, at
least get something historically accurate, namely the state's oldest gourmet
meal, the Hangtown Fry. How often do you get to experience a 160 yr
old classic meal?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangtown_fry

nb

notbob > wrote:

>On 2010-04-16, Don Martinich > wrote:

>> I second the Tadich suggestion. Get the broiled Pacific halibut....

>Geez, how dull can you get!?
>
>If you're gonna pay the big bucks to experience SFs oldest restaurant, at
>least get something historically accurate, namely the state's oldest gourmet
>meal, the Hangtown Fry. How often do you get to experience a 160 yr
>old classic meal?

>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangtown_fry

Problem here is Tadich, in my experience, does not seem to
fry seafood particularly well.

The atmosphere at Tadich can be bustling and upbeat. Some of the food
is sometimes really good. I think you have better overall odds at
either Hayes Street Grill, or Sea Salt...


Steve

In article >,
notbob > wrote:

> On 2010-04-16, Don Martinich > wrote:
> >
> > I second the Tadich suggestion. Get the broiled Pacific halibut....
>
> Geez, how dull can you get!?
>
> If you're gonna pay the big bucks to experience SFs oldest restaurant, at
> least get something historically accurate, namely the state's oldest gourmet
> meal, the Hangtown Fry. How often do you get to experience a 160 yr
> old classic meal?
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangtown_fry
>
> nb

I'll take fresh fish over historical accuracy any day. But, if you're a
real oyster fan make sure you ask about the provenance of the day's
oysters. I suggested broiled fish because they do it so well there
without mucking it up with bizarre sauces etc. White sea bass (from
California) and local petrale sole are also excellent. Try and eat local
here.

D.M.

Don Martinich > wrote:

> notbob > wrote:

>> On 2010-04-16, Don Martinich > wrote:

>>> I second the Tadich suggestion. Get the broiled Pacific halibut....

>> Geez, how dull can you get!?

>> If you're gonna pay the big bucks to experience SFs oldest restaurant, at
>> least get something historically accurate, namely the state's oldest gourmet
>> meal, the Hangtown Fry.

>I'll take fresh fish over historical accuracy any day. But, if you're a
>real oyster fan make sure you ask about the provenance of the day's
>oysters. I suggested broiled fish because they do it so well there
>without mucking it up with bizarre sauces etc. White sea bass (from
>California) and local petrale sole are also excellent. Try and eat local
>here.

Alaska halibut is in season, and is one of my favorite fishes.

(Pacific halibut is a sub-variety of Alaska halibut, but be wary
of California halibut... it's not a true halibut, and not nearly
the same.)

Oysters are never at their best in May, although if they're
fried it might not make a lot of difference. Either petrale
sole or sand dabs are in season all year (I think you said in
the past the sand dabs at Tadich are good).

Steve

On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:53:11 -0700, Don Martinich >
wrote:

>But if you are into the foux-foux stuff check out
>this list. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/food/top100/2010cuisine
>If you want something more reasonable go he
>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/listin...bites/2009list
>Have fun!
>
>D.M.

Except they left off Contigo....and I hear that is terrific. Charlotte
(and other folks I know) give it high marks...

Christine

In article >,
Christine Dabney > wrote:
>On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:53:11 -0700, Don Martinich >
>wrote:
>
>>But if you are into the foux-foux stuff check out
>>this list. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/food/top100/2010cuisine
>>If you want something more reasonable go he
>>http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/listin...bites/2009list
>>Have fun!
>>

>Except they left off Contigo....and I hear that is terrific. Charlotte
>(and other folks I know) give it high marks...

The absence of Contigo and the-place-in-Oakland-whose-name-
I-can't-remember-that's-not-Camino were cited by local foodie friends (one
of whom is partner to a chef who was On The List) as evidence of the
restaurant critic's increasing disconnect from reality.

I could certainly be talked into dinner at Contigo with Cindy
(seriously, it was one of the best meals I have ever had) but it is a
ways from downtown/touristland. (There is a streetcar that goes almost
right there and a couple of bus lines.) The Ferry Building would be my
suggestion for foodies visiting downtown, especially if one 1) liked
Vietnamese food and 2) was able to get resies at the Slanted Door.
Slanted Door has Out the Door take-away if you can't get reservations;
when I am in that area, I get something from there or Taylor's Automatic
Refresher (their Wisconsin burger is a much-loved occasional treat:
excellent meat, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar, and BBQ sauce on toasted
sourdough) and sit out by the Bay by the ferry slips to eat it, on the
benches thoughtfully provided.

They have farmer's markets on Tuesday and Saturday. Sat. is the very
fancy foo-foo one with a lot of notable restaurants setting up food stalls in
addition to the amazing produce (and people-watching).

A trip out to Tartine in the Mission for some of The World's Most Amazing
Pastries is, I think, in order. (Again, outside of touristland but
transit will take you there, and you can walk and eat your way back to
the bus stop/station.) Also, I hear that Bi-Rite Creamery (near
Tartine) is open again after remodeling. Their salted caramel ice cream
is one of THE BEST THINGS, ever, I have had in my mouth.

Man, I just ate and now I want ice cream . If I don't get out there
with Cindy, I'll have to make a birthday trip for eclairs (to honor my
late grandmother, whose birthday was the day after mine)*, ice cream, and
general noshing in the Mission some time in June.

Charlotte

* Grandma used to make them for Christmas dessert and they are still a
gold standard. Tartine's are the only ones I've ever had that were
noticeably better (very tasty pastry cream).
--

Charlotte L. Blackmer > wrote:

>Christine Dabney > wrote:

>>On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:53:11 -0700, Don Martinich >

>>> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/food/top100/2010cuisine
>
>>Except they left off Contigo....and I hear that is terrific. Charlotte
>>(and other folks I know) give it high marks...

>The absence of Contigo and the-place-in-Oakland-whose-name-
>I-can't-remember-that's-not-Camino were cited by local foodie friends (one
>of whom is partner to a chef who was On The List) as evidence of the
>restaurant critic's increasing disconnect from reality.

There's some funkiness to this list (or, anything else he says...)
He did include some of my favorite places -- A16, Bay Wolf, Canteen.
Very bizarre that he left out Orson. Yet he includes some
quite unremarkable places in my opinion -- O Chame, Bocadillo, and
Dopo would seem only average restaurants; and if Hog Island were
not part of a well-loved local oyster-farming startup, it would not stand
out as a restaurant in any way. They can be slack in fact (like, not
updating their list of oysters when they run out of them).

Azisa doesn't belong on any list either, unless your salt tolerance is
off the charts. I would issue a similar warning about Dosa but it's
more worth checking out.

I mentioned Orson earlier because I think it's possibly about the best
restaurant around that isn't ultra pricey, and one of only a few left
that does molecular/foam, but maybe our intrepid reviewer thinks
the prices are pushing it.

I haven't been to Rivoli in awhile and am curious as to why it's
under California, and not Italian.

Ah well... I'm probably posting this in the wrong newsgroup.


Steve

In article >,
(Charlotte L. Blackmer) wrote:


> The absence of Contigo and the-place-in-Oakland-whose-name-
> I-can't-remember-that's-not-Camino were cited by local foodie friends (one
> of whom is partner to a chef who was On The List) as evidence of the
> restaurant critic's increasing disconnect from reality.
>
> I could certainly be talked into dinner at Contigo with Cindy
> (seriously, it was one of the best meals I have ever had) but it is a
> ways from downtown/touristland. (There is a streetcar that goes almost
> right there and a couple of bus lines.) The Ferry Building would be my
> suggestion for foodies visiting downtown, especially if one 1) liked
> Vietnamese food and 2) was able to get resies at the Slanted Door.
> Slanted Door has Out the Door take-away if you can't get reservations;
> when I am in that area, I get something from there or Taylor's Automatic
> Refresher (their Wisconsin burger is a much-loved occasional treat:
> excellent meat, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar, and BBQ sauce on toasted
> sourdough) and sit out by the Bay by the ferry slips to eat it, on the
> benches thoughtfully provided.
>
We googled Contigo. It looks mighty fine. We can reconnoiter offline.
They do take reservations up to a month in advance.

> A trip out to Tartine in the Mission for some of The World's Most Amazing
> Pastries is, I think, in order. (Again, outside of touristland but
> transit will take you there, and you can walk and eat your way back to
> the bus stop/station.) Also, I hear that Bi-Rite Creamery (near
> Tartine) is open again after remodeling. Their salted caramel ice cream
> is one of THE BEST THINGS, ever, I have had in my mouth.
>
That sounds absolutely evil!

Cindy

--
C.J. Fuller

Delete the obvious to email me

"Cindy Fuller" > wrote in message
...
> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
> Feel free to email me.
>
> TIA--Cindy
>
> --
> C.J. Fuller

The last time we were there we stopped by the Robert Sexton Gallery (really
a shop where they ship the prints) it's a long walk up a hill from the Cable
Car stop but not hard to find.

http://www.robertsexton.com/images.html

Dimitri

On Apr 14, 7:42*pm, Cindy Fuller >
wrote:
> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
> options. *Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
> Door. *We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings. *
> Feel free to email me.
>
> TIA--Cindy
>
> --
> C.J. Fuller
>
> Delete the obvious to email me

Cindy,

You didn't say what type of restaurant you're looking for. Do you
want fancy or the place where the "locals" go? If you want fancy, I
hear Irna's Elderberry House in I think Mariposa is supposed to be
fantastic. I've never eaten there, but they say it's one of the best.
(Famous last words.) Mariposa is not too far from Yosemite. They
also have a fantastic little gold rush era museum.

I live right outside Sequoia National Park, about an hour as the crow
flies south of Yosemite. Yosemite will be packed, and Sequoia will be
completely empty. How far south are you going?

Ken

In article
>,
Ken > wrote:

> You didn't say what type of restaurant you're looking for. Do you
> want fancy or the place where the "locals" go? If you want fancy, I
> hear Irna's Elderberry House in I think Mariposa is supposed to be
> fantastic. I've never eaten there, but they say it's one of the best.
> (Famous last words.) Mariposa is not too far from Yosemite.

Cindy's currently snoozing, so I'll jump in on this. Thanks for the tip.

The Elderberry House Restaurant looks impressive, judging by their
website. It's south of Oakhurst. We will be staying in El Portal. But
if we are exploring the southern part of Yosemite, we might have an
opportunity to visit them.

> I live right outside Sequoia National Park, about an hour as the crow
> flies south of Yosemite. Yosemite will be packed, and Sequoia will be
> completely empty. How far south are you going?

Sequoia NP is on my list of places to see, but I doubt that we will be
exploring that far south on this trip.

--
Julian Vrieslander

On Apr 18, 1:39*am, Julian Vrieslander
>
> Sequoia NP is on my list of places to see, but I doubt that we will be
> exploring that far south on this trip.
>
> --
> Julian Vrieslander

Julian,

It sounds like you're going to be a little out of my area. But if
you're headed to Sequoia some other time, feel free to get in touch.
I know the Park like the back of my hand.

Have fun,

Ken

On Apr 18, 1:39*am, Julian Vrieslander
>
> Sequoia NP is on my list of places to see, but I doubt that we will be
> exploring that far south on this trip.
>
> --
> Julian Vrieslander

Julian & Cindy,

I don't know if you'll have any access to a kitchen, but you'll be
going through some of the best farm land in the world. Over at the
coast, lots of artichokes, strawberries, other row crops, flowers,
etc. In the Central Valley, lots of tree fruit. (May is too early
for the tree fruit except citrus and maybe cherries.) But also
berries and some row crops. I do understand if you don't want to cook
while on a vacation.

California is now the leading dairy state. So you can stop at
farmsteads and get cheese made only there. And it's really, really
good cheese. I just stopped at Bravo Farms on Friday. Here's a
couple web sites:

http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/ch...rs?farmstead=1

cacheeseguild.org

So if you're on the road, make a picnic of some fresh bread from the
bakery, some good, hand made cheese, and whatever else you like. I
think you can probably find some decent California wine as well. All
of that also fits in a day pack while you're in Yosemite.

I can tell you the exact boulder to picnic on in Sequoia, but not
Yosemite.

Hope this helps,

Ken

"Andy" > wrote in message ...
> Cindy Fuller > wrote:
>
>> We will be in northern CA (San Francisco, Monterey, and Yosemite) the
>> first week in May and need input from RFC'ers in the area about foodie
>> options. Right now the one place on my must-eat-at list is The Slanted
>> Door. We'd be open to meeting up with folks in the area for outings.
>> Feel free to email me.
>>
>> TIA--Cindy
>
>
> Cindy,

<Snip>


> The best Irish coffees I've ever had were in S.F. on Geary, maybe 20
> blocks from the ocean. I'd have to be there to remember it. Southwest
> corner.

Irish coffee = Buena Vista.

http://www.thebuenavista.com/irishcoffee.html

Dimitri

On 2010-04-15, Dimitri > wrote:
>
> Irish coffee = Buena Vista.
>
> http://www.thebuenavista.com/irishcoffee.html

Nonsense. I make the best Irish Coffee.

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> On 2010-04-15, Dimitri > wrote:
>>
>> Irish coffee = Buena Vista.
>>
>> http://www.thebuenavista.com/irishcoffee.html
>
> Nonsense. I make the best Irish Coffee.
>
> nb


lol


--
Dimitri

Chicken Loaf

http://kitchenguide.wordpress.com.