There are some things you should indulge yourself while on holidays. One, shopping. Two, sightseeing.
And three? Eating.
This is the first of what I believe would be countless posts about our recent trip to the US – highlighting the beautiful, colourful and exciting world in that North American country where food and multiple cultures intertwine to form what is the USA.
First stop: San Francisco.
If there was ever a place more recommendable because of good cuisine and great hospitality, it would be San Francisco. The place is not only synonymous of foggy days and that island prison, but also of fabulous food. Upon touching down from our long flight from Sydney, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
I was promised steaks, chocolate and lots of fabulous fresh produce, and I am glad to say… San Francisco did not disappoint! To give you a better idea, why don’t I take you to a virtual tour of what San Francisco was during our visit:
0900: The infamous Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island
Inside one of the cell blocks
1200: Pier 39 – where tourists congregate!
1230: San Francisco seafood and THAT chowder in a bread bowl
1300: Legion of Honour
1400: Palace of Fine Arts
1500: Golden Gate Bridge (quick, before the fog hides it again!)
1600: The crazy ziggy-zaggedy of Lombard Street
Lombard Street
And the crazy, hilly streets of San Francisco (they weren't kidding!)
And then, we have dinner. This particular dinner in its entirety was truly memorable – the food, the customer service, and the dessert.
Shall we?
Hillstone Restaurant was a highly recommended place by some local friends who took us out for dinner that evening.With its close location to Pier 39 being handy and the convenience being so near to our after-dinner stop (Ghirardelli, of course), it was the perfect way to end our San Francisco trip!
Aged prime rib roasted on the bone & fries
Hawaiian rib eye, marinated then grilled on hardwood & herbed mash
The prime rib was perfectly cooked on the bone, but the Hawaiian rib eye with hints of pineapple and smokey flavours was the clear winner. Did I mention the rib eye was my order? I can still remember the chorus of flavours in my mouth, 4 weeks after I had this wonderful dish!
After this incredible dinner, the four of us decided it was probably best to walk off the newly consumed calories before devouring on more food. The next agenda of the night? Why, Ghirardelli of course!
Chocolate & vanilla ice cream sundae
Brownie sundae
Ghirardelli chocolate
Ghirardelli chocolate shop
…
Alcatraz Island Cruises
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/
Pier 39
The Embarcadero San Francisco, CA
Palace of the Legion of Honour
100 34th Ave San Francisco, CA
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon Street San Francisco, CA
Hillstone Restaurant San Francisco
1800 Montgomery street San Francisco, CA
Ph (415) 392-9280
Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
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14 Comments
BLAH! I’m too lazy to sort through my 15Gs of photos and videos! But I guess I should get off my lazy ass and do something now aye?
Awww I heart SF so much! How many days did you spend there again? I couldn’t get enough of it! I wouldn’t mind living there actually. Crookedest Street rocks! And the chocolates… Thanks for making me relive my holiday again. Looking forward to reading more.
i really want the chowder! chow derrrr! and zomg lookit all the chocolate!
Ooh I’ve always wanted to have chowder in a bread bowl – look delicious! Did you eat the bread bowl afterwards too?
Here I thought the thing in the bread was a drink, like a freshly broken coconut. But then i realised it was chowder… and i got more excited!
Wow, what great travel shots! I so want to go back to the U.S. soon!
My friend talks about Ghirardelli all the time!
There’s something about your whole meal being edible, including the crockery, isn’t there?! It’s like those packs of sherbert we had as kids where you could eat the dipping stick as well =p
Can’t wait for more photos and posts to come about your trip!
OMG! That chowder in bread bowl looks so good!! DAmn, I could really have some right now!
the photos are beautiful
i don’t know, but when i think about the US, it is sort of a dark place… it’s just me. have you ever stumbled on one of the filipino food trucks?
I decree that all soup should be served in a bread bowl!
wow nice photo’s trish & those desserts look so naughty but mmm nice
We spent 6 months travelling around America and the food was amazing. Especially in San Fransisco and Tennessee. Hope you have a great time!
Looks like you had a great time in SF Trish – keep the posts coming… I’d love to see what you got up to in NYC.
Major food and holiday envy!!!!
I want proper chowder in a bread bowl!!