Don't Say Frisco.
By the time you read this, my reservist training would've started but I refuse to skip a week of (scheduled) blogging, so just indulge me for a minute while I do a throwback to San Francisco.
Last September, I was lucky enough to have Ping with me on the flight, and we decided to go full-on tourist and took the Powell and Mason cable car to Fisherman's Wharf for some clichéd “sea breeze”. Clam chowder, lobster bisque, boiling crabs, funny sea lions at Pier 39 - you name it!
Before you go all judgy wudgy on me, I have to say it wasn't all mainstream fun down at the wharf. We found a sheltered penny arcade (circa 20th century) where they have a whole lot of antique arcade machines. This is definitely worth a visit if you're into the whole “American Horror Story: Freak Show” thing, because some of their fortune-telling machines really gave me the creeps. Also, we went a little crazy at the photo booth and headed off with a few too many b&w photo strips!
I have to give some love to Mama's, where we spent our morning standing in line to taste one of the best breakfasts in San Francisco (don't say “Frisco”, the nickname really gets to some people!) The Cinnamon and Banana French Toast that we ordered had a certain comfort food feel to it, and they were pretty generous with the ingredients which made it extra yums. There was no other way to make the meal better but to get a couple glasses of Peach Bellinis... blame it on our old “brunch habit”!
Being self-proclaimed coffee nuts, it was imperative that we explore San Francisco's coffee scene. Our two-day layover only gave us enough time to visit two cafes, so we chose Saint Frank Coffee on Polk Street, and Ritual Roasters in the Mission district, both of which had good roasts and a minimalistic look that everyone is constantly going after. Perhaps the only suggestion I have for them is to use smaller cups/glasses, we're just not used to downing 7oz flat whites!
As per usual, we had to have something sweet to pencuci mulut, or literally “wash mouth”. We hopped over to Sidewalk Juice on 21st Street, and got ourselves an acai bowl to keep those free radicals at bay!
For the oblivious few, San Fran is one of the first major gay cities in the world. So it was only normal for us to see so many colors, mainly rainbows, while we were walking around the Mission. If you want to soak in the street art, wall murals and graffiti, make sure to visit Clarion Alley. Ping and I were so fascinated by the various artists' works! Let's just say the batteries of our phones and DSLR were pretty depleted after this block.
I wonder when my next trip to San Francisco will be. I am heading to Los Angeles in April, so that serves as a consolation. Like who's gonna say no to the Golden State?
x
