Hello again, old friend! This is my fifth time to San Francisco in 3 years. Guess it’s just a magnet for food!
I’m so tired at the moment – what a long day! Hard to believe the weekend hasn’t even begun!
Frontier Airlines redeemed itself slightly when a platter of choco chip cookies
[Yes, I asked the flight attendant to take a photograph, and yes, there was a lot of confusion 
]
Lunch on the plane was simple snackin’ (since half was a smoothie)
Carrots n Celery from Emily’s fridge
And Matt Cracks, which were passed around our rows
Plus a KERF airplane classic – seltzer with a splash of juice. Today it was OJ!
It’s getting better! Nearing page 50
A much shorter 2 hours later, we landed
Party crew!
A cab ride, a check in and a change of clothes later, we met for an afternoon stroll
To you know where!
You know what sounded good for a snack (East Coast dinner?!)
Cheese + Bread! You know it’s the best 
Teri and I shared a hunk of GOAT GOUDA, which was fabulous
And two rolls – rosemary and pumpkin (obviously)
We shared with our friends
Also, our bird friends!
I was craving something fresh as well, so I bought a ripe persimmon and a Kombocha to sip. I like the green ones a lot, but it was not the same post-pull-off-the-shelves as in the past 
Orange + Orange!
We walked back on back to our hotel and Emily and I (roommates!) kicked back for a few. My legs are tired, and I know her hurt leg is even more!
At 6:30 we headed out for West Cost Dinner – at Millennium! You may recall when I dined here in 2008? It was awesome. Couldn’t wait to go back!
Diana was kind enough to organize a private room for us – we had a group of 20 hungry bloggers.
So exciting for us, they brought out a number of plates on the house – including these FAB herbed olives
Variety of interesting vegetable styles (packed with flavor!)
Roasted carrots and veggies
Some simple crusty bread
And the highlight of my night: Fried Oyster Mushrooms, which were out of this WORLD good. I really could not tell there wasn’t a real oyster in there!! These were salty, peppery and the chutney to accompany theme was incredible.
I had a taste of everything (although more than a taste of those “oysters”!) and ordered this incredible salad to start
Wilted Bloomsdale Spinach Salad
caramelized pear with thyme & vanilla, smoked tofu, creamy pear & Witte beer dressing, toasted hazelnuts
Loved every bite!
As an entree, Gina and I shared a Cornmeal Tamale stuffed with pumpkin (!!) (and cornmeal) and served with black beans and greens. It was good, but I wished I had gotten another black bean torte like last time!
We passed on dessert simply because we were so tired. Next time!
My computer clock says 1:40AM – better change that so I start thinking like a Californian!
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
woo hoo! Glad San Francico is still treating ya well! =) Love the orange! You were a day late on the craziness here!!!
FIrstly, I’m kinda in hysterics because you girls have taken suitcases TWICE as big, for one weekend, as what I took for four months traveling around the US and Europe earlier this year
Secondly, what I wouldn’t give for a restaurant here in Canberra that treats vegetables wth such respect!!!
Yum. Sounds like you guys had a delicious meal. Love that the tamales were stuffed with pumpkin. Getting psyched for this wknd reading your blog. Hope to meet all you fab bloggers on Saturday!
Welcome! Glad you all had a safe trip. Cowgirl Creamery is delicious. I’m waiting for them to receive their lavender coffee gouda. It is beyond delicious, I believe they sell something similar at WF. Millennium looks like a great restaurant, thanks for the recommendation, I will totally have to check it out now!
Loving your photos with your new lens Kath!
Thanks so much for coming to dinner – glad you liked it!
I’m so jealous! I’d love to visit San Francisco one day. Such a great foodie culture, I’ve heard. C AT least I get to live vicariously through you this weekend
Your salad looks delicious! I feel like that right now. The Cornmeal Tamale on black beans looks amazing also. yum!
Heidi xo
You have been to my hometown more times in the last 3 years than I have. I’m so jealous!
Enjoy your stay! I’ll try not to get TOO homesick reading your blog posts. ;D
(btw, those Frontier cookies were totally the high point of traveling on my last visit home!)
Love that you asked a flight attendant for a picture of the cookie tray! Ha ha! My husband loves Frontier airlines, but I don’t think I’ve ever flown with them… at least the cookies look tempting!
Orange juice + seltzer is my go-to airplane drink, too! So refreshing!!
Thouse pictures look amazing. Really beautiful. The cookies look the most beautiful, but San Fran’s ok looking too!
Hope you have a really great trip!
Looks like so much fun already. I can’t believe the airline have you cookies!! Shock!
Fewf…You’ve had a long day! It looks like you had some very yummy eats, though! I love your lunch of fresh cheese and bread. Very authentic!
That salad looks awesome.
that restaurant looks amazing!! enjoy san fran!
everything looks so wonderful
I’m in lust with that cheese!!
I’m reading the same book and I’m around par 70 now.. it definitely took me a bit to get into, but now I’m loving it
have a blast!
San Fransisco is just grand!! but the last time I was there was 5 years ago(our honeymonnn!!and yes, we ate royally!
) ..definitely want to go back soon…maybe for foodbuzz some year 
cowgirl creamery has always intrigued me…bread + cheese is always good!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
wow! look at all that great food!
Looks like you have a very nice dinner! Mushrooms are Sooo tasty
I don’t know if you will be able to make it across the bay to Oakland or Berkeley but you really need to try Zachary’s pizza (http://www.zacharys.com/) It is a SF staple for me!! Deep dish pizza with the toppings (eggplant, pineapples, spinach you choose!) on the bottom then a layer of crust with the thick tomato sauce on top! Make sure you get the stuffed pie not the thin crust. If you can’t make it there there is always The Stinking Rose (http://www.thestinkingrose.com/) on Columbus Ave. It is next door to City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Bar where Jack Kerouac used to hang out. Everything is garlic infused including the garlic ice cream!! Have fun in SF!
Next time I am in CA I am definitely making a point to see San Fran. Everything is going so well and it’s only the first day. I can’t imagine how great the rest of the weekend will be. Enjoy!!
What a fabulous dinner, love that salad and the creativity.
san fran does have amazing food! what a fun way to start the weekend
Mmmmm Chocolate Chip Cookies, Bread, and Cheese! All of my favorites!
Looks like you are having a great time – enjoy it!
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo definitely starts out slow but it gets better!! The second and third book are even better than the first (in my opinion)! Hope you all have a great time in San Francisco – I have always wanted to go there.
Looks like you’re having fun! Have a great time with your long lost blogger roomie!
I can’t wait to try goat gouda! Your salad looks divine.
Great food, great location, great company — what could be better!!
I found my first Kombucha back on the shelves today! How was is different from the old ones? I used to LOVE those.
I bought a GT Kombucha a few days ago at IY (my first purchased since they went back on the market) and it took 25 minutes for it to stop foaming over! By the time I could take a sip, 1/2 was already gone! That’s the last time they are getting $3.50 from me for a while.
Have an amazing weekend!
Funny because mine didn’t foam at all!!!! It was underfoamed!
You are so right! The GT’s does NOT taste the same. Especially the multigreen…it’s not vinegary anymore. I’ve found that my favorite is now the original because it tastes more like the kombucha I used to know.
Same here, I used to hate the Original but now I like it better than any other flavor.
Looks like a great start to the trip! Everything looks so good. I made gluten free rosemary bread last night and the house smelled amazing! I hope you got a good night’s sleep and a great start to your Friday! Oh, and cute top, I have the same in green!
One more thing I forgot, try the Turkish coffee at philz coffee. Brewed one cup at a time, it’s like liquid crack!!! I would love to read your descriptive reaction to my favorite coffee!!!!
I’ve heard that book is slow to start but gets good in the middle and all the way to the end.
The crusty bread pics are too much for me – yum!
I love that even restaurants have embraced the pumpkin love! That tamale with pumpkin sounds good!
Wow, I love it when you take trips along with all the photos and friends. Beautiful.
Looks like a fun trip so far! I’m totally jealous…I’ve always wanted to go to San Francisco!
I’m reading the same book right now! It definitely gets a lot better once you get past the first 75 or so pages.
Yumm I want that pumpkin roll! Sounds like you ladies are having an amazing time. Can’t wait to read more!!
Mmm…cheese and bread. That is really as good as it gets.
Looks like such a fun trip so far!
Stick with the book. The financial stuff in the beginning is very tough to get through. Then it gets much better and really good. Enjoy your trip.
kath! quick question about your sardine salad! is “red curry powder” the same taste as regular curry powder (the yellow kind i guess?) would either work? thanks
They are different but either works!
Ahh looks so fun! Insanely jealous since I’m currently running out the door late for work that does not include dining out in fun cities! Have fun, I’m excited for updates through the weekend!
currently eating a peach chobani being VERY jealous that you get to be out there eating that deliiiiish lookin salad!
Pumpkin tamales? Yum! Looks like you guys are having a fun trip so far.
so fun, I am so jealous! looks like yalla re having a great time.
That dinner bread looks awesome!
Have a great time today… and welcome to the West Coast!
Welcome to the SF Bay Area! You are luck you got in yesterday afternoon because on Wed was the SF Giants World Series Champions parade and it was crazy in SF. Have a blast!
I LOVE COWGIRL CREAMERY! And San Francisco. Everything about it. Have the absolute most amazing time!!
Sara
Oh, cheese! I dream of cheese. We? Are friends. Though I think I’d like to get to know those tamales, too.
(Also, you look good in orange.)
What fun and amazing women to hang out with!! Millenium looks divine!
oh don’t miss cafe gratitude…kooky yes, but the best raw vegan food in the bay area…and raw vegan desserts to die for…welcome! if you need any restaurant/yoga recs for the mission, give me a shout!
That dinner looks a-freakin-mazing!! It’s fun to see all of your posts and everyone’s perspective on that meal!
Your pictures make me miss SF so bad. I need to go back sooooooon!
I love the Ferry Building!
Yum yum! Welcome to California, Kath! Drop me an email if you want any recommendations for where to dine or recreate in my beautiful city!
Welcome back to the Bay Kath!
I just moved to Oakland, and was genuinely thrilled to finally be RIGHT next to a Great Harvest. It has revolutionized my sandwiches…and life. : )
Let me know if you make it to the East Bay! You’ve got to try a brunch place called La Note. http://www.lanoterestaurant.com/menu.html
I thought that book started off a bit slow too but I read it on public transportation so I was techinically “stuck” reading it or it was staring out the window. Later on it was total OMG! EEK! WOW! etc.
Have SO much fun Kath! Enjoy the trip. I have always wanted to try the cowgirl creamery stuff. Yum Yum. And those Roasted carrots look phenomenal.
Have such an awesome weekend! Already it looks like it’s off to a great start with some great friends and some great food
I loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy! Very compelling reads, and well-written… and I think it’s ironic that you went to a restaurant called Millenium.
Your pictures are fabulous—the ones you take, but also the ones of you! I always think you are very photogenic.
So excited to join you ladies!!! See you soon
Hey Kath,
Welcome to San Francisco, I live about 15 mins away from the city. I know you are heading to Sonoma in the next couple of days and I wanted to share my recomendations of places to visit.
For a great wine tour I would recomend benziger vineyar. It is about $15 per person, but I thought I was very interesting and well informative.
Other good wineries I enjoy in the area are Kenood, KAZ, and Jacuzzi. Also I want to mention a great place to do olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting. Figone’s Olive Oil. They have unique and tasty blends, also great balsamic vinegar. If you do go try the cinnamon and pear balsamic vinegar. It is so good.
Have a wonderful time in the city and enjoy your visit to Sonoma. It is so beautiful up there.
OMG – I just got back from San Fran. If you get a chance, check out Cafe Grateful – it is a fantastic raw food restaurant in the Mission. Very good!
That cheese shop sounds amazing! I love cheese + bread more than any other foods, lol.
I’ve never had oyster mushrooms, I need to try them!
Your time in San Francisco looks amazing so far! I’ve been there once and had a blast. My husband and I live in Portland and we are hoping to make it down sometime since it’s not too far of a drive.
Are you going to visit Pier 39? I know it’s touristy, but it’s really beautiful. When I went there was only ONE seal. So lame. Maybe next time I’ll see at least two.
Ciao, Dana
Best restaurant evar! I went with my boyfriend and his family–the potato appetizer is seriously one of the best things I have eaten in my life.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo! I read the first two chapters and wasn’t too excited so I’ve yet to finish it but I’ve heard so many good things about that I’m wondering what I’m not getting!
The original Cowgirl Creamery! I work near their DC outpost. I love their Humboldt Fog cheese. It was a while before I realized that was referencing an actual weather phenomenon out there and wasn’t just a funny name.
love love love!! favorite part is that you matched the persimmon
I love hearing your recaps of your meals when you travel. It’s always fun to hear about different restaurants and cafes. Love the sound of goat gouda – yum!
looks like an amazing first day!
San Fran definitely is a Foodie Heaven. Ohh I miss it!
Haha, love the thought of you all munch-munching on carrots and crackers on the airplane!
Oh wow the cookies look good! And you can’t beat some good ol’ bread and cheese – good choice ! xxx
Keep going on the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo… for the first 100 pages I was thinking… its ok but I’m not sure its worth the hype… but then it gets you! I’m on the last 50 pages and buzzed through the last 300 like it was nothing!
i watched the movie version of that book and it was very difficult for me to watch (i’m not one for graphic films). i have the book (gift from a friend; been sitting on my shelf) and don’t have the guts to read it, after watching the movie. eep!
AH! first i see cafe gratitude and THEN i see this!?!? i just ate there for my 21st birthday
glad you enjoyed it! it was delicious!
I am so jealous of you Kath! I LOVE SF!! All the food and photos look amazing!! =)
That cookie looks AWESOME!! I’m a fan of chocolate chunk cookies – they’re so pretty looking
Girl with a Dragon Tattoo is SOO good once you get past the first two or three chapters – keep pushing through them!! It’s such a quick/great read from there!!!!