Follow along as we travel around California
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It’s artichoke season in California! It runs from March-May. Did you know the artichoke capitol of the world is Castroville, California? It’s located between Santa Cruz and Monetary. There is an artichoke festival at the Monterey County Fair on June 11-12, 2022. What are your favorite things to make with this vegetable?
Happy Earth Day! 🌎 Looking for hikes with Lupines? Verissimo Valley west of Novato has beautiful views of Stafford lake and the purple wild flowers.
Looking for a hidden gem in Petaluma? Look no further than McEvoy Ranch. They have wine 🍷 and olive oil 🫒 tasting with lunch included all for $35! You can beat the view of this beautiful spot over looking a lake. Have you been here? What places do you love in wine country? 🍷
We like to visit the Hog Island in Larkspur on Saturday’s when the farmers market is also going on from 9-2. You can catch the ferry from SF to Larkspur and it’s a quick ride to the north bay. They have best claim chowder in the Bay Area. It contains claims in the shell, potato and carrots chunks and bacon. The second photo is an expensive but worth it seafood stew. It contains claims, mussels, fish, squid, and shrimp. You can never go wrong ordering fried fish tacos. Last but not least can you visit Hog Island without ordering oysters? 🦪
Go see Freestyle Love Supreme at . It is an improv hip-hop comedy musical group started by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale in 2004 and directed by Thomas Kail. This is a touring show so it will only be showing in SF until February 13th before they are onto the next city.
The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is the perfect little getaway or place to stay when you have had too much wine tasting. 🍷 We got a massage at the Spa and it was worth it! Getting a spa treatment also gives you access to the geothermal pools located in the spa area. They also have other great amenities like wine tasting in the evening, board games, bikes, fire pits, a bottle of wine waiting for you in your room, etc!
Where have you stayed when you have gone to wine country?
🍜 Ippudo has such delicious ramen! It’s located so close to the Lego exhibit so it’s perfect to do afterwards if you are looking for a lunch or dinner spot. It’s so authentic they ask you what firmness you would like your noodles. I’m not sure we have been asked that at any other ramen place before.
Have you been here? What firmness in noodle would you order? 🍜
📍 18 Yerba Buena Ln
San Francisco, CA 94103
📍 2015 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
What we ordered:
Karaka Spicy
The original tonkotsu pork broth with an added kick, thin noodles topped with our special blend of hot spices, fragrant garlic oil, pork belly chashu, bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms, and scallions. Delicious! Definitely order if you like spicy food.
Shoyu Ramen
A classic shoyu broth featuring bonito fish dashi. Topped w,th menma bamboo shoot. kikurage mushrooms,naruto, 2pc pork belly chashu, scallions, 1/2 a boiled seasoned egg, and roasted nori. Topped with butter which we have never seen done before.
Shiromaru Classic
The original tonkotsu pork broth with our signature dash, thin noodles topped with pork belly chashu, bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms, and scallions. This was ok but I think I would order more toppings next time if I got this one.
🎄 If this house doesn’t get you in the holiday spirit I’m not sure what will.
Have you seen this beautifully decorated house? 🎅
📍68 Castro Street
This weekend we had tried out the Michelin star ⭐️ restaurant called Al’s Place down in the Mission. Since we were a group of more than 6 we had to do the family style where the chef picked our dishes. If you ever go be sure to pace yourself because it’s a lot of food and you’ll want to try everything. They did a great job with accommodating all our different food restrictions and allergies. We just wish they would change out our plates and serving utensils a little more often. The dishes shown are not in the order we ate them. Family style if you have over 6 people is $83 per person with an optional wine paring of $54 per person.
We had:
Baby lettuces, herbed avocado, pistachio crumble. Tasted incredible but they wanted you to eat it with your hands which is a little off putting because it’s already us dressed.
Raw Kanpachi, Asian pear, b-nut Bagna cauda, smoked anchovy vin. Everyone said this was one of their favorite dishes.
Mushroom broth chawsnmushi, Fuji apple, pistachio. A very interesting dish. Wasn’t the best choice I think for a table sharing dishes.
Brine Pickled French fries, smoked apple sauce. Was looking for more adventure food that came later in the meal.
Duck breast, peach al’s pastor. Delicious and perfectly cooked!
Spicy Mayo burrata, bok choy, parsnip, pineapple skin mayo. An absolutely delicious dish we would order again!
Artichoke dip, fried Brussel sprouts, yeasted apples, flax seed crunch. Delicious a must when coming here!
35-day dry aged ribeye, quince-kimchi butter, burnt maple Saba. We ordered this special it was an add on to the price fixed menu.
Red bow trout, spiced yogurt broth, burnt garlic oil, persimmon. I didn’t try this dish it was brought out to a pescatarian at our table who couldn’t eat the warm meat courses.
Asian peers, peanut sauce, shiso A very interesting combination we have never had before.
Finished the meal off with Al’s brownie, bud derringer crumble, OB marshmallow and caramel. The star of this dessert was definitely the caramel. 🤤
Not pictured:
Tagliatelle lamb bacon, broccoli, giardiniera, goat’s milk Gouda. Incredible!
🎄 Getting into that holiday spirit with “A Christmas Carol”. Usually performed at American Conservatory Theater but this year showing the Broadway version at The Golden Gate Theatre. We thought this was a darker version than other versions we have seen in the past. The set was amazing and the story is always a great message.
Do you see this as a family tradition? What do you think of the two different versions?
🎄 Running now through Dec 26th
🎟 Tickets range from $72-315
Pearl 6101 is a great Mediterranean option in Outer Richmond. We loved the craft cocktails and every dish we ordered especially the bread.😉 🥖
What we ordered:
Seared Tuna Crudo
tahini, puffed wild rice, salsa verde, shiso $15
Roasted Cauliflower
black tahini hummus, green chermoula, almonds, golden raisins $11
Seared Scallops
dill spaetzle, romano beans, cherry tomatoes, espelette $28
Mafaldine
kale pesto, maitake mushrooms, goat cheese, red walnuts $22
Duck Leg Confit
cous cous, lebna, blackberries, almond, mint $27
Chocolate Creme Caramel
sesame cocoa nib brittle, whipped yogurt $10
Banana Coconut Cream Pudding
pecan streusel $10
🍁 Fall in wine country just hits different. 🍷
📍 5330 Silverado Trl
Napa, CA 94558
What is your favorite winery?
Those California sunsets never get old!
📍Santa Cruz
🍷 Not sure where to be a wine club member? 🍷
Livermore Valley Wine Club gives you the opportunity to be a member of more than 16 different wineries!
They offer 3 different tiers on a Bi-Monthly basis:
🍇 Bud Break (4 bottles)
🍇 Harvest (8 bottles)
🍇 Vineyard (12 bottles)
Tasting Pass & Non-Tasting Pass subscriptions
More information is available here:
Livermore Valley Wine Group LLC-Wine Club Page livermorevalleywineclub.com. They ship throughout the entire state of California! (Must be 21 or older)
It’s such a nice day. What will you be doing outside before the rain comes? 🌧 Polar bear plunge.
Bottega is the prefect ending to a day of wine tasting. All of the drinks and dishes were delicious!
What we ordered:
Starters———————————
Burrata
Creamy Gioia burrata with rosemary scented Tangerines, pistacio pesto, pomegranate syrup“Caviar” and crispy Sunchokes....$18 (we got the special that had tomatoes and balsamic)
Polpo
Wood grilled octopus over smokey paprika braised potatoes with salsa verde arugula and red onions....$19 (delicious!)
Entrees———————————
Costolette di Manzo
Smoked and braised short rib in espresso agro-dolce, creamy ancient grain polenta with Calabrian pepperonata....$40
Spaghetti alla Sophia Loren
Gragnano Spaghetti cooked in tomato leaf infused tomato water with aromatic oil, early girl tomato sauce,
and blistered cherry tomatoes....$25 (interesting. Would have like to have more sauce than just tomato water)
Rigatoni al Coniglio
Balsamic marinated rabbit and caramelized mushrooms with pancetta and house made ricotta....$30 (super filling and delicious)
Gnocchi with pesto that the chef made special order and wasn’t on the menu!
Dessert———————————
Tiramisu’ alla “Tra Vigne”
Devil’s Food cake with layers of Mascarpone mousse and a cocoa dusted milk chocolate shell served over a coffee soil. $14 (an interesting take on tiramisu with a chocolate shell)
Zeppole
Chestnut cream filled donut dusted with cocoa sugar, over an apple butter. $12
The weather couldn’t be better in the Bay in October! 😍
Flour + Water you are oh so delicious! We would recommend everything!
What we ordered:
heirloom tomato 🍅
jersey cow mozzarella, sun-dried tomato, pickled red fresno & parmigiano frico $18
margherita pizza 🍕
san marzano, fior di latte, basil &
extra virgin olive oil added the calabrian chili $17
taleggio scarpinocc 🍝
aceto balsamico &
parmigiano reggiano $24
Have you been?
📍Flour + Water
2401 Harrison St
San Francisco, CA 94110
Went to this weekend to get into the fall festivities. Was pretty dissatisfied we paid $30 each when you can just buy pumpkins 🎃 and not pay an admissions price. The admission price went toward picking sunflowers 🌻 which were done for the season and a hayride to the fields. We felt very used and wish we hadn’t bought tickets. 🎟
✈️ Fleet Week is this weekend! Where will you watch the air show? It’s happening the 8th, 9th, and 10th between 10 am - 4 pm.
📍Happens between
The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
Have you been to Greens? It’s a vegetarian restaurant that has beautiful views of the marina and Golden Gate Bridge. The food was very inventive and a place to take visitors. They also have vegan and gluten free options.
What we ordered
Fresh Spring Rolls – 15
with jicama, daikon, carrots, cabbage, Hodo tofu, cucumber, and rice noodles. Served with coconut peanut sauce and grilled beech mushroom & radish salad with sesame ginger vinaigrette (gf, v)
Heirloom Tomato Sandwich – 20
with a soy egg, carrot cabbage slaw, and ginger sesame vinaigrette on ciabatta. Served with baby lettuces with sweet sesame vinaigrette. (gfp/vp)
Falafel Platter – 20
with house made lavash, lemon potatoes, tzatziki sauce, and a baby lettuce salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, pickled onions, feta, and lemon oregano vinaigrette (gfp, vp)
(Not pictured)
Black Bean Chili – 11
with white cheddar and creme (gf, vp)
📍
2 Marina Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94123
Happy Mural Monday! This beauty is call Plantsgo Lanceolata by artist .caron. It’s part of her weeds mural series. There is a stencil on the ground across the street that marks the key viewing point of the mural. We missed this last time we were there. Have you seen this mural?
📍Corner of Sansom St & Green St
The beautiful Carmel Valley
We were heading to an Italian night over at a friends house and this cheesecake sampler was the perfect thing to bring! Why choose one cheesecake when the group can try four different flavors! We picked up the cheesecake sallee from Crumble & Whisk a black owned bakery located in the East Bay. It comes with four 3-inch personal sized cheesecakes. The flavors included Pucker Up! Lemon cheesecake, Chocolate Marble Cheesecake, Strawberry Fields Cheesecake, I Love New York plain cheesecake. They were light and fluffy with a very tasty graham cracker crust. The sampler is $44. Their 9 inch cheesecakes range from $52-$70 depending on the flavor. They also have vegan cheesecakes and other seeete if you aren’t a cheesecake person.
✨ Buy any cheesecake from now through November 30th and get 50% off your entire order in December!
Anyone else have the hump day blues?
Unexpected view of the city
🎥🍿👵🏼
“Wonderful. I'm at 2640 Steiner Street. Could you tell me your name?”
“Doubtfire, dear. Mrs Doubtfire.”
The quote in the movie is the actual address of the Mrs. Doubtfire house. Did you know that? Now when you go to visit the house two trees are out front since the filming in 1993 and it makes it a bit hard to photograph.
Have you been to this iconic film location? What other movie spots do you like around San Francisco tell us in the comments below?👇🏼
Praying for Tahoe during this terrible fire. Thinking of all those residents who had to be evacuated and the first responders and firefighters battling the blaze. 💙
Today is National Eat Outside Day. I think in California we are pretty luck to be able to eat outside almost year round.
This cute Mexican spot in Paso Robles is called Finca. They have a great outside porch to enjoy some food after a day of wine tasting.
In honor of tomorrow being National Beach Day 🌊 here is a shot from one of our favorite NorCal beaches, Baker Beach. It has incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉 but beware this time of year as it warms up this is a n**e beach lined with people you would rather see clothed. 🙈
**ebeachready
🍷 It’s national red wine day! As if we needed a specific day to drink red wine. What is your favorite type of red?🍷
This was when we visited Helwig out in Amado’s County. The views are stunning at this winery. Have you wine tasted out in that direction?
Where is he?
So happy we found the minion house and his neighbor girlfriend. 💖 💙 💛
Have you spotted these beauties?
Strutting his stuff! Happy Mural Monday! 🦚
Peacock by Satyr 🎨
📍Corner of Geary & Leavenworth
Have you passed by this mural?
Burney Falls one of the most impressive falls in California. It’s located 4.5 hours north of San Francisco. If you are visiting Lassen National Park we think it’s worth a 40 mile drive north out of your way.
Have you seen this impressive waterfall in person?
The best place to grab a slice and walk over to the painted ladies for a park picnic!
📍Sunset Squares Pizza 🍕
553 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117
What we ordered:
Pepperoni square slice
A classic slice of cheese
buffalo chicken wings
And a gooey chocolate chip cookie
Happy National S’mores Day. This is even more of a treat in California where it’s rare to find a campsite that will let you have a campfire. 🏕
This was a campsite up near Mendocino. What is your favorite campsite?
🍫🔥
We went to a birthday party at Fort Mason and this was the perfect gift to bring! Who doesn’t love a beautiful charcuterie box?
There was something for everyone to enjoy in the box meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts, honey, jam, crackers, and chocolates.
You can order their gourmet grazing tables, boxes, platters, floral and food styling from their website pletalandplatterdesign.com or by following their IG and clicking the link in the bio . They have vegan and vegetarian options. Everything they offer is fully customizable.
Hot Creek Geological Site near Mammoth Lakes intersects a series of faults that provide pathways to the surface for heated geothermal water. This was a site that allowed swimming in roped off areas closed in 2006 after 14 deaths. The springs and geysers in the stream bed and along its banks change location, temperature, and flow rates frequently and unpredictably.
Have you checked out this geological wonder?
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Go see Freestyle Love Supreme at @actsanfrancisco. It is an improv hip-hop comedy musical group started by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale in 2004 and directed by Thomas Kail. This is a touring show so it will only be showing in SF until February 13th before they are onto the next city. . . . . . . . . . . #actfls #broadway #liveshow #sfdatenight #wheresanfrancisco #bestofsanfrancisco #bayarea #sfthingstodo #freestyleact #americanconservatorytheater #sanfrancisco #act #sf #sfmusical #linmanuelmiranda
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