Food Traveler’s Guide to San Francisco – Hot List 2017 (Lunch)

Picnic On Third

This restaurant has a sizable lunch crowd: some dine-ins, mostly take-outs.

The Braised Beef with Tomatillo Sauce + Rice with Chipotle Lime Butter + Chopped Salad with Cider Vinaigrette was delicious, especially with the extra Charred Tomato and Chile Salsa.

Their menu changes daily per chef’s inspiration, which could be anywhere from “The Mountain of Mexico” to “Urfa, Turkey”, or anyone from “The Alice Waters Lineage” to “SF’s many French ex-pats” , or anything from “Fall Cardigans” to “Hungary’s obsession with paprika”. So even if you are stuck eating here for a whole week, you won’t get bored.

Garaje

Their Ahi Tuna Sando is the BEST Ahi Tuna sandwich I have EVER had!

Just remember to bring cash.

Dumpling Time

This new dumpling place in Soma does not have an extended menu like Dough Zone. But it does have some interesting offerings, such as the Tom Yum Goong XLB (soup dumpling) filled with shrimp, pork belly and coconut milk wrapped in a beet skin; or a Seafood Gyoza with shrimp, scallop and crab meat wrapped in a spinach skin paired with a spiced chili butter sauce.

My friend likes the soft pillowy Char-Siu Bao with roasted pork belly and a touch of peanut butter. My favorite is the vegetable Xi’An Dumpling (mothers’ secret recipe) garnished with micogreens, fennel and cherry tomatoes.

Socola Chocolatier and Barista

This chocolatie, just several blocks from Moscone Center, has been the winner of the International Chocolate Salon Awards for the Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America since 2014.

The luscious dark chocolate truffles infused with Remy Martin VSOP cognac is absolutely divine. If you happen to stop by for a latte or a hot chocolate drink, say yes to the chocolate marshmallow on top – one can never have enough chocolate in one’s life.

Napa Farms Market (San Francisco Airport – Terminal 2)

Last but not least…If you are looking for some last minute chocolate/gift shopping for your foodie friends at home, Napa Farms Market at Terminal 2 of the San Francisco International Airport (right after you passed the security checkpoint) carries a good stock of local artisan chocolates from the Bay Area.

The award-winning Coracao is an Oakland-based chocolatier that produces organic bean-to-bar chocolates sweetened with coconut blossom nectar. Once you pop these Triple Chocolate Hazelnut by Charles Chocolate into your mouth, you will not want to stop!

Note:

While sauntering towards Japantown one beautiful Sunday afternoon, we stumbled upon St. Mary’s Cathedral and decided to check out its modern architecture.

By happenstance we stepped into an Organ concert by internationally acclaimed organist Thomas Heywood from Melbourne, Australia.

We stayed and marveled at one of the best organ performances we’ve ever listened to even recognized one of the pieces:

After the performance, we had a chance to closely scrutinize the instrument and have a chat with the friendly organist, who will be performing next at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.

This wraps up our latest food adventure in San Francisco. Until next time!

Picnic On Third
Address: 493 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (415) 500-2569
Webpage: http://picniconthird.com/

Garaje
Address: 475 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (510) 846-3955
Webpage: https://www.garaje475.com/

Socola Chocolatier and Barista
Address: 535 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 400-4071
Webpage: https://www.socolachocolates.com/