This day started off with a hearty breakfast at a little
place called Mama’s. We knew it was popular so we headed up there around 7:00AM to be sure to secure our place in line (the restaurant opened at 8).
It took
exactly 55 minutes to walk there and we were right on schedule: we were the
last ones they let in the doors for the first seating. It was a unique place
where you filtered through a quick-service type line, ordered your meal, and
then sat to be served your drinks and food. Our legs were heavy and our feet sore, so we
ordered very large breakfasts hoping they would fuel us for the long and active
day ahead of us.
I had a spinach, mushroom, and cheese omelet with amazing
homemade whole wheat bread and grilled red potatoes. Brad was a little confused
about what I was eating when he took this; he apparently thought I only ordered
bread for breakfast. This picture has been one of the many forms of hilarity we
have encountered on our trip so far.
Enticed by the fluffy batter we saw being handmade he opted
for buttermilk pancakes. They were sweet, light, and crunchy on the outside.
Perfect by Brad’s cake standards.
After our filling breakfast our day took a turn for the
worse. We walked up…and I mean UP to Coit Tower hoping to be able to take the
stairs to the top for the panoramic views of the city and ocean. We were under
the impression that this would be free. However, Coit Tower didn’t open for another
hour so we walked back down into the Washington Square area and took pictures
of the famous streetcar.
We hiked our way back up to Coit Tower only to find that it
would cost us each $7 to take the elevator to the top and the stairs were
closed. Needless to say, we did not see the top of Coit Tower. This peeved us
just a little bit but we decided to take the “Muni” bus to the Mission
District. Huge mistake. The bus driver wouldn’t let us purchase day passes, as
we had been able to do the day before. Then the bus filled up to the gills with
people, we could barely get off at our stop it was so jam -packed. It probably
would have been just fine if we hadn’t stepped off the bus in the Mission.
After a quick look around and a few blocks of walking we knew we didn’t need to
see anymore of this area. It was freezing cold, we looked like tourists, and
felt like we didn’t belong. We hopped on the next bus and found ourselves in a relaxing and fancy area called the Soma District.
At the base of Coit Tower
Soma District
Oblivious to the time we began wandering into stores like
Urban Outfitters and H&M. Our intentions were to get on the bus and make it
back across town to eat at some wildly popular and unique streetcars. At 1:35
we got on a bus and arrived at the food carts at 2:10, ten minutes after they closed. Our day was NOT going as planned. We were tired, very cold,
and now hungry without a place to eat.
Thanks to the wonderful technology of Urbanspoon we were
able to find the very aptly named Grumpy’s Restaurant and Pub. This is where
our day started to turn around. I had the best portabella burger I have ever
eaten in my life. It was tender, flavorful, and crisp on the edges. A side of steamed vegetables completed my meal.
Brad’s burger and garlic fries were the highlight of his day so far also.
Then we visited one of the most interesting, vibrant, and
bustling parts of the cities we saw the entire time we were there: Chinatown.
Dried sea cucumber
Various dried goods
We both loved this area despite the crowds and rather
disturbingly dirty food markets. The people were kind and it was truly like
leaving the U.S. for a while.
To complete our day we walked up the famous Nob Hill, down to the
Capital building/Union Square and then back towards our hotel.
Union Square
Our dinner,
which happened to be one of our favorites in the city, took place at the quaint
Sotto Mare in North Beach/Washington Square. We sat at the bar, ate sourdough bread and watched the chefs cook.
I had grilled Sand Dabs, a local favorite. They were light,
fresh, and very tender.
