MONDO DINNER IN SAN FRANCISCO AND WINE COUNTRY | JULY 2011 | PART 1

MONDO DINNER IN SAN FRANCISCO AND WINE COUNTRY | JULY 2011 | PART 1

Even if some of the picture were lost in digital translation, (well… s*** happens), we truly believe that our San Francisco and wine country memories will last. For me was the first time on this beautiful city of chilly summer fog, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture, and its famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Chinatown. For us the new stars are the Ferry building and its wonderful bounty of fresh produce, the delicious food and the amazing amount of great restaurants that you can find and of course the breathtaking views of the bay.[br]
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JULY 7th[br]
We arrived on July 7 close to 11 AM to SFO, after some transportation option considerations we took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to Powell St Station (Close to Union Square). Pretty decent ride, fast enough and affordable. After an interesting”hike” on the steep hills we arrived at The Stanford Court Renaissance, (Nob Hill) well located and with great service, it’s definitely a good hotel to recommend. [br]
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Hungry enough we went for a walk around downtown and later to the Ferry Building Marketplace. This time we tried the outside vendors, Hapa Ramen and its delicious slow cooked pork ramen bowl with slow cooked egg ($10) and RoliRotti with its tasty RoliRoti Combo (1/4 chicken and side of roasted potatoes –  $6) and Porchetta sandwich for $8.50. To cool down our thirst we enjoyed Soda Craft creations, Xtra Dry Ginger Ale and Blackberry Rex [br]
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Ferry Building Marketplace[br]
One Ferry Building[br]
San Francisco, California 94111[br]
415 983 8030[br]
info@ferrybuildingmarketplace.com[br]
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That night we dined at the Hotel. The Aurea Restaurant is proud to support local organic farmers in their efforts towards protecting the environment, recycling natural resources, increasing sustainable foods, and illuminating consumers on the food connection between healthful food and environmentally
sound growing practices. [br]
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We followed our friendly server recommendation to try an amazing Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Educated Guess, Napa Valley. [br]
Also…[br]
Cream of white corn soup with jalapeno crème fraiche[br]
Roasted three beet salad, honey goat cheese, candied walnuts, citrus vinaigrette[br]
The day special Grilled Pork shop with curry lentils [br]
and super fresh cheese cake with strawberry sauce.
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JULY 8th[br]
On Friday morning we went to try more deliciousness at the Ferry Building. On our way there we stopped at Minamoto Kitchoan, a Japanese sweets store that is located very close to Union Square. [br]
We tried the fruit ones, (kumquat and peach). If I have to describe the packaging, I would say a beautifully wrapped container with two layers to preserve the sweets…and when you open, a clear jelly with the preserved fruit inside. They serve it cold so it’s very refreshing, slightly sweet and full of fruit flavor.[br]
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648 Market Street[br]
San Francisco, CA 94104 [br]
Tel | Fax: 415 989 164[br]

Photo from Minamoto Kitchoan website [br]
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At the Ferry Building we tasted Boccalone, tasty salted pig parts. They have an interesting menu, but we were saving some appetite for lunch so we tried the mixed salumi cones ($3.50), a tasty appetizer followed by a glass of wine at Wine Merchant. [br]
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After waking around, we got an outside table at The Slanted Door, a modern Vietnamese restaurant that showcases the abundance of produce as well as ecologically farmed meat, game and poultry found at farms around the San Francisco Bay Area.[br]
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We began our experience tasting two nice beers, Echigo ($10) and Trumer Plis ($6),  followed by: [br]
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Appetizers
Chilled greenlip mussels  steamed in wine and lemongrass with roasted chili aioli  ($12)[br]
Slanted door spring rolls  with shrimp, pork, mint and peanut sauce  ($10) [br]
Vietnamese crêpe  with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and onions ($12)  [br]
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Entrees [br]
Grass-fed anderson ranch lamb sirloin  with spring onions and red chili ($18)[br]
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Hodo soy beanery organic tofu,  with lemongrass, shiitake mushrooms, pressed tofu and roasted chili ($12)[br]
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The food was fantastic and with great service. Don’t miss it if you travel to San Francisco. [br]
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Later on the afternoon we walked around and end our day at Rogue Ales Public House in North Beach. We tasted 4 delicious beer:[br]
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Juniper Pale Ale[br]
XS IPA [br]
XS Imperial YSB[br]
Morimoto Black OBI[br]
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673 Union St [br]
San Francisco, CA[br]
415  362 7880 [br]
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JULY 9th[br]
Saturday was a fresh market day outside of the Ferry Building so we decided to take a look and later go for a boat ride on the Bay. The fresh market was  packed with locals and tourists, but somehow everybody shared the space friendly. After our walk I tried the Sidekick Cowgirl Creamery Kefir and Cheese and Jam (Fresh chèvre with fig jam) and Alfie decided to have Argentinian empanadas at El Porteño Empanadas. He really liked the Prosciutto and fontina cheese and he also tried the mushrooms one.[br]
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After brunch we went for a boat ride on the bay on Blue and Gold Fleet ($25 each ticket for an hr) to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The ride was beautiful and we were able to see the city from another perspective. As an advice bring a jacket because the wind is cold. [br]
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Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz [br]
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For dinner we were really excited on visiting Sebo, the fine art of sushi. A highly recommend San Francisco restaurant located closed to Japantown.[br]
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517 Hayes street[br]
San Francisco, CA 94102[br]
Sushi: Tuesday-Saturday from 6:00 pm-10:00 pm[br]
Izakaya: Sundays from 6:00 pm-11:00 pm[br]
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We decided to try Omakase (six course tasting menu for $80) [br]
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Our sake selection was Shirataki Jozen Mizunogotoshi followed by: [br]
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Medai sashimi salad[br]
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Octopus, cucumber, shiitake and roe roll with eel salad[br]
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Striped jack, Medai, wild macarel, raw octopus, raw scallop [br]
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Salmon roe, pickle cucumber, eel and sea urchin over rice [br]
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Grilled macarel [br]
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Fish balls soup[br]
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Sea urchin, shrimp and scallops custard. This dish wasn’t part of the tasting menu, but I was curious about the taste…I love it.[br]