With the bountiful produce of northern California and the fine wines of Napa Valley and Sonoma County close by, not to mention the culinary influence of the Pacific Rim, it’s not surprising that San Francisco has one of the best dining scenes in the country.
Top chefs shop alongside local food- lovers at the Ferry Building Marketplace, a gold mine of gourmet goodies, set inside a historic waterfront building on the Embarcadero. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market operates outside on Tuesdays and Saturdays, selling everything from organic produce and flowers to artisan breads and cheeses.
Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, tucked away down an alley in Chinatown, for a peek at how these traditional treats are made.
Tours and samples are free, but few can resist buying a bag to take home. Only in San Francisco would you find a non- profit restaurant founded by Zen Buddhists and serving some of the most acclaimed vegetarian food in the country. At Greens Restaurant, enjoy fabulous views of the marina and Golden Gate Bridge, along with the exquisite dishes made from organic produce grown on their Green Gulch farm.
Despite the vineyards just across the bay, wine isn’t the only drink in town. Set in a 1907 saloon, the San Francisco Brewing Company is the city’s original brewpub and the only bar from the wild days of the notorious Barbary Coast. Try their fresh, handmade beers brewed by traditional methods in a copper brew kettle and aged on site.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Ferry Building Marketplace Embarcadero;
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Embarcadero;
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory 56 Ross Alley, Jackson St, Chinatown; tel.
Greens Restaurant Building A, Fort Mason Center, Marina District;
San Francisco Brewing Company155 Columbus Ave, North Beach;