We’re back in the big city.
What should have been us dropping our rental car off at Enterprise at Fisherman’s Wharf turned into a lovely afternoon outing to the airport and back. Uggg. What a waste of time, gas and energy! We felt rather blah by the time we took the BART all the way back to our hotel. But at least we were able to drop off our luggage rather than lug it around.
The evening had just set in and Matt had one more brewery stop on his visit to California:
Thirsty Bear, an all-organic brewery right in the midst of downtown.
The ambiance of this brew-pub-restaurant was so nice and upscale. And the menu looked fabulous as well! We would have stayed if we hadn’t had other plans already in mind.
I had had enough bubbly beer on this trip, but I did take a tiny sip of each one for the experience. They were all REALLY good – especially the one brewed with Maker’s Mark!!! And I also really, really liked the Howard Street IPA, which was like none other I have ever had.
My drink of choice? A hot water!! I left my coat in my suitcase and it was getting chilly!
After our drinks, we headed out to locate our targeted restaurant…
The Slanted Door!! I’ve been hearing about how famous it is for years, and yet I’ve never been in the mood to go. Tonight it seemed like a perfect match. 
And we were given a table on the patio with an impeccable view of the Bay Bridge! (The restaurant was already filled at 6PM on a Wednesday).
Peace.
We decided we were required to eat very adventuresomely tonight. Nothing could be boring.
mesquite grilled whole local sardines with chive oil and soy
First up: SARDINES!! I must say, you know how much I love sardines. But these were massive in side and had lots of bones!! The bones were crunchy yet edible, but I still didn’t love them. When I eat sardines in a can the bones are NOT crunchy. They are mushy and you can’t taste or feel them. So these were not my favorite, but I did eat some of the filets on each.
crispy vegetarian imperial rolls with taro root, cabbage, glass noodles and peanuts
These crispy rolls were fabulous – especially the dipping sauce and peanut crumbles!! I also thought the portion size was great and the rice noodles yummy.
We were told to dip…
And roll…
Course #2 was equally as unique:
grilled pork sausage stuffed monterey squid with cilantro, basil, chili and lime
WOW. I was in LOVE with this interesting combination. Who thought this up!? The pork sausage (sausage is my food of the month, by the way. It’s everywhere here and I have enjoyed every variety I’ve tried.) was so very flavorful and to put it in a squid was beyond me. But it worked. And the herby chili lime topping was out of this world.
hodo soy beanery yuba with glass noodles, parsnips, and pioppini mushrooms
What the heck is yuba? I pretty much will eat anything but onions and organ meats (although I have tried organ meats before..) but since this was on the vegetarian menu we didn’t bother to ask. Turns out it is TOFU SKIN. How strange! But it was chewy and slightly sweet and we LOVED it with the glass noodles!!
Such a fun, memorable meal!!!
Our walk from the Ferry Building to our hotel was about 2 miles and it was COLD. I decided a decaf coffee would be awesome to warm up while I walked and for a palate cleansing dessert. I decided right 🙂
2 miles later, we’re calling it an early night…night!
Hannah says
I’ve just been eating canned mackeral – I love it, it’s a bit “meatier” in texture than sardines or salmon. Have you tried it? 😀
Looks like a wonderful night!
Susan says
Bummer about the rental car. At least you ended the night on a high note.
I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures in my neck of the woods. The next time I need something to do, I’m going to look back at your vacation posts.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Bummer about the wasted afternoon. At least you had an adventurous dinner to make up for it! Safe travels tomorrow!
Hope says
Good on you guys for trying different things! I don’t know if I’d be brave enough! Lol
Christin@purplebirdblog says
What a fun, adventurous meal! I love branching out like that!
Ameena says
I loved The Slanted Door but I can’t say I was nearly as adventurous as you!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
Wow! Those are some crazy foods and food combinations!! Way to be daring!
The Wife of a Dairyman says
Sounds like a great way to end your SF trip! The fall chill is definitely in the air here in Ca. Have a safe trip back home:)
Dimple Snatcher says
These things that terrify me: sardines + squid.
You have quite a palate, woman.
suki @ [Super Duper Fantastic] says
Didn’t know you were still in the city. 🙂 We tried sardine sashimi once… It was interesting.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’ve had sardines whole once before. not a fan either! gimme the can!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Glad you guys got in ok at the hotel.
Enjoy your last day in the city. I’ve never been to Slanted Door either but I know a lot of hotel concierge has it on their lists of restaurant recommendation. A lot of Asian infusion dishes, I think I’ve had yuba in dim sums before but didn’t know the name of it.
Cara Craves... says
Looks like a fun eating adventure…a lot of that stuff graces my plate
on a daily basis here in Korea. Yummers!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
At least you got a delicious meal to finish off the night!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
That is such a unique meal! I love all the different flavors that you guys sampled.
(p.s. I’m not a fan of organ meats either.
)
stacey-healthylife says
Wow those are some interesting choices for dinner, but I love how adventurous you guys are.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
the slanted door was on our list last time we were in san fran, but we never made it – i think we will have to try again!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Oh man, that meal looks awesome! I’m pretty sure I would have to be rolled home after that trip. So much amazing food!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What an amazing meal!!!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Sorry about the car crap, but at least the evening was not a loss! Have a safe trip home and good luck with the laundry once you get there!
Dee says
Oh wow! I would never think to put sausage and squid together either!
It sounds like you had a great vacation!
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
San Fran looks incredible!
Seems like you guys have had an incredible vacation! 🙂
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
Oh, I’ve heard of the Thirsty Bear… don’t remember where or when.
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Wasn’t Thirsty Bear at the street cart party on Friday? I know I’ve heard that name somewhere…
I’m glad I’m not the only person who loves whole squid. I can’t eat an animal even when it looks nothing like an actual animal, but seafood? Bring it out whole 🙂
faith @ gracefulfitness says
That meal looks gorgeous but I would not have dug into that plate of sardines!
I had tofu skin in China, kinda chewy right?
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
Ooh, those certainly were some adventurous choices…I think the second veggie roll dish looks awesome, kind of like an egg roll – but better!
Grocery Goddess Jen says
Wow, that restaurant has so many dishes that I’ve never heard of. This is why I’ll never be a chef – I have no idea how they come up with that stuff! Have a good trip home.
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Rental car stuff never seems to go smoothly — even when you have everything ready and done correctly.
You are much more adventurous than me — the sardines and squid were too much for me. I’d feel like I was on Fear Factor!
kate says
I was wondering the same thing about YUBA!
Lauren @ [email protected] says
What a wonderful trip Kath! I am taking a trip out there in the spring and was just wondering where you guys stayed in wine country? Thanks!!
Kath says
We stayed at Hotel La Rose which was nice, but I highly recommend Four Sisters Inns (such as the Inn at Sonoma). We stayed there on our honeymoon and wish we’d stayed there again for a bit more $
Susan says
Funny, I thought that’s where you stayed when I saw your last Santa Rosa breakfast post. It was the geraniums.
RhodeyGirl says
If we hadn’t gone to Flour + Water we would have gone to The Slanted Door- I guess there is always next time!
Kasey says
Your dinner looks so exciting! Next time we are in San Fran I want to check that place out!
Camille says
I have heard such wonderful things about The Slanted Door but I have never been there! I definitely did not get my proper food fix when I lived in SF! Such a shame…
Andrea says
Your posts this week are getting me pumped. My husband and i are heading to San Fran tomorrow for our 1 year anniversary. Did you guy’s go to the Monk’s Kettle? I thought for sure Matt would want to be there.
Katie (The Boston Marathoner) says
I’m always amazing at wild flavor combinations that people come up with (sausage + squid) – it’s so surprising and awesome when you eat something that you think has the potential to be gross, but it turns out to be delicious. Fun dinner!
Kelli says
I like that you ended the night with a peet’s coffee. 🙂 I loveeeee peets!
WendyF says
Yuba is great, I buy it at the Berkeley farmers market. Glad you had a good time in wine country and the city. I love the Slanted Door, I sometimes go to the Slanted Door To Go and pick up a quick lunch for work. Have a safe flight back
af says
oh shoot that all looks so yum yum yummm!
Natalia - a side of simple says
I’m such a fan of rice and glass noodles. They look delicious with your dinner!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Ugh! We almost ate at the Slanted Door when I was there, but they had just closed the patio after lunch. Sad to have missed it – looks fab. The little cafe next door was delish though. 🙂
I didn’t even know tofu skin existed on menus. Wow.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
mmmmmm…all organic brewery? sign me up!
tj says
I love THIRSTY BEAR! It’s been a while…thanks for the reminder to get my butt into the city soon! 🙂
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
I have never heard of yuba before. What a cool restaurant!
Rachel says
ewww crunchy fish bones are gross. I hate encountering them when I’m eating fish. It’s a good thing they’re not noticeable in canned sardines!
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
Last time I was in SF I went the the slanted door for dinner. It was SO good. I thought the ambiance was very mello and inviting. Glad you and Matt got to eat there. I was there in January and didn’t know there was a patio?! I need to go back when the weather is warmer!!
Heather says
so sorry about the rental car. what a mess!!!
yall are so adventurous!
Anne says
I had a feeling you would have trouble getting into the city. At least you were rewarded with Slanted Door. Next time try to daikon rice cakes. I crave them.
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
Dishes I have never even DREAMED OF!! So crazy but look so delicious! Glad you went adventurous:)
maria says
it was great meeting you – and i’m glad you guys managed to get a table! your recap makes me excited for my work dinner there tonight!
Kath says
Thanks so much for saying hi!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I love being adventurous with my food choices! But I don’t think I could do those whole sardines! Crunching on bones while eating them would freak me out! 😛
Dominique says
Don’t give up on the whole sardines! Just remember next time you try that ”whole” doesn’t mean the you eat the WHOLE sardine. It’s not the same as canned sardines… and you only eat the filets ;-))
Lindsay says
how do you you just drink hot water? why not tea? how do you acquire a taste for hot water!