Searching for Seafood in SF
Yesterday I met Kiwi blogger Pixie, who I've known for about 11 years over email. Here's a quick accounting of how simple finding good seafood in SF wasn't.
We first went to the Golden Gate Bridge, walking halfway across in the chilly, gray wind. I staved off my Vertigo and managed not to babble too much about old movies that were filmed around the bridge and SF (like Vertigo...).
Then we drove through the rich-rich neighborhood of Seacliff where Robin Williams lives, past the nudie beach, past Seal Rock, and looked in vain for parking. Pixie said our Pacific Ocean and beach look somewhat like hers.
We went off in search of a place for good seafood and crab. I took her to the Inner Sunset (where I used to live) to PJs Oyster Bed. It isn't open at lunchtime.
So we drove on, through the Haight (where I also used to live), down a great steep SF hill, and into the "snazzy area" of Polk Gulch. Lots of local color (and gay adult video stores) there. We went to Swans Oyster Depot...where there are only about 9 seats and I forgot it's just counter service and the three guys slinging crab behind the counter looked at my red-faced baby in the stroller and got wild-eyed and nervous.
So we drove on, down Bush Street, through the TenderNob (in between Nob Hill and the Tenderloin...where I also used to live) and decided to spend the afternoon PARKED in Union Square. And I took her to Farallon, my absolute favorite seafood restaurant, where it looks like you're under the sea and the light fixtures all look like blown glass jelly fish. We grabbed hold of the large brass door handles shaped like salmon and pullled....they were locked. The place was closed for a private event. Pixie laughed and laughed and laughed.
It was 2pm, we were starving, I was mortified. We ended up atop Macy's, looking out at the skyline of Union Square, eating fish tacos (Pixie) and a cuban pork sandwich (me) at the Cheesecake Factory. We tried hard to finish our cheesecake and tiramisu but just couldn't. Then, down we went to window shop for nearly two hours.
Pixie is absolutely lovely and I'm crushed that I had such a short time with her. Lucky New Zealand!
4 comments:
I agree, Pixie is lovely. I went to school with her and we still meet up often as we can even tho' we are in different cities! Thanks so much for showing her about, I know how much she was looking forward to this trip/adventure of hers.
I went to SF once about 14 years ago, loved it and stayed at the Handlery on Union Square.
I know exactly where that is! I used to cut through in on my way home...to avoid a hill.
I've already announced that I'm going to NZ as soon as I can. And I understand you're *very* good at hosting the friends of friends' friends! :)
Hi there, yes we accept all sorts of waifs and strays at our place! You be welcome anytime.
The one thing that amzaed me about SF was where we stayed...walk 500 yards one way and it was all posh and expensive, 500 yeards the other way and people were sleeping in shop doorways. I had never seen anything like that before, have since then and its something we get more of here. Thanks again for looking after my Pixie! By the way, love the recipes.
heh heh, that's me, I was there, it really happened. Blog updates to come over the weekend. love Pixie, still laughing!
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