College was where I learned to be open-minded, where I learned to manage my time, and where I learned that I could eat as much cereal as I wanted, any time. (Growing up in Hawaii, milk prices are ridiculous! $2 for a gallon of milk was an eye opening experience in itself!)
As I was california dreamin', I also came across some pictures I took last month while I was in Northern California for work. I lived out of a hotel for a month in Sacramento, and spent my weekends driving around beautiful NorCal. I wasn't able to visit my alma matter in Southern California (Cali is GINORMOUS!!!), but I was able to go on mini adventures and discover new pockets of beauty.
Yesterday, one of my best friends that I met during college sent me a picture that we took 10 years ago. WOW. 10 years ago. Where has the time gone?! We were so young, so carefree...well except the occasional freak out sessions right before an exam. I miss those years and I miss my best friends.
As I was california dreamin', I also came across some pictures I took last month while I was in Northern California for work. I lived out of a hotel for a month in Sacramento, and spent my weekends driving around beautiful NorCal. I wasn't able to visit my alma matter in Southern California (Cali is GINORMOUS!!!), but I was able to go on mini adventures and discover new pockets of beauty.
San Francisco was beautiful. What do you do when you only have less than 10 hours in the city?
EAT, of course! What do you eat in the Golden Gate city? SEAFOOD, of course!
My first stop was to get a cup of clam chowder and cup of crab meat at Fisherman's Wharf. I sat near the water with my precious cups, and did one of my favorite things in the world- people watch. San Francisco is definitely one of the most interesting places to people watch.
The second thing on my list was to head to the famous Swan Oyster Depot. This no-frill seafood shop was featured on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show. He claimed it was one of the best places to eat in San Francisco. Apparently I am not the only person that listens to Tony, because when I got there, there was already a line around the block. I waited in line for 2 hours, yes 2 hours...I know ridiculous. But it was well worth the wait.
The shop seats no more than 30 people on a counter. Swan Oyster Depot specializes in anything shellfish. 90% of the items on the menu are raw, fresh, and delicious.
The shop was first opened in 1912 by four Danish brothers that delivered fresh seafood throughout San Francisco by horse-drawn carriages. Since then it's been bought by another family, but the business continues. They continue to serve fresh seafood to locals and tourists that dont mind waiting for hours.
This is the part of my blog, where I tell my readers: No judgement.
Waiting in line for 2 hours, makes mai a very VERY hungry gal.
I started with the famous crab butter. Anthony Bourdain claims this is the best thing ever. I had to try this delicacy. Crab butter is the innards of a Dungeness crab. You use fresh sourdough bread to scoop out this delicious gooey yellow mixture. I bet your face is scrunched up right about now, ready to gag, and you're thinking of scrolling away from the picture.
Guys, it wasn't bad. In fact, it was delicious. Highly recommend for the adventurous eater.
After crab butter, I took my neighbors' recommendation (couple sitting next to me at the counter) and ordered the "sashimi" platter. I never had sashimi with capers and olive oil. The fish was fresh and delicious. My favorite part of this dish was the raw scallops. I wished T was with me because he loves scallops. When he was a young boy, he called them "marshmallows of the sea". The scallops in this dish were definitely marshmallows of the sea. They just melted in your mouth.
I finished my Swan Oyster Depot adventure with.... of course, oysters. I had to try the oysters especially since I was dining at a place with the word "oyster". I had a half dozen raw oysters that my server shucked for me, right on the spot. He shucked a variety of them- Kumamoto, Miyagi, Blue Point. I think I covered both coasts, East and West coast types. They were soo delicious. I had them just like that. Nothing on them, no garlic, no cocktail sauce. I closed my eyes every time I slurped one up, and it just tasted divine.
Raw oysters are definitely still one of my favorites, even with a bad experience in elementary school. Let's just say, you NEVER EVER EVER want to get hit with a bad oyster. It is the worst experience ever.
These oysters at Swan Oyster Depot were fresh and just amazing. I want to go back, even wait in line for another 2 hours to eat another half dozen of these.
The service is amazing! I walked out of Swan Oyster Depot as a truly satisfied customer.
I made my way to Chinatown later that day. Did you know SF Chinatown is home to the biggest population of Chinese outside of mainland China?! Amazing, right?
I walked up and down the hills, watched the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, and reminisced on my time living in Shanghai and Chengdu many years ago.
By the time I got to R&G Lounge, I was ready for round 3 of my San Fransisco seafood adventure.
I sat at the bar by myself, and ordered another Anthony Bourdain recommendation: The Salt & Pepper Crab.
A deep fried Dungeness crab seasoned with salt and pepper. I never had anything like it before. It reminded me of a huge deep fried soft shell crab except it wasnt soft. You had to use a crab cracker to get to the meat. It took some effort to get to the meat, but it was delicious. The fried seasoning around the crab was seasoned right and complemented the crab meat.
While digging into my crab, a local NorCal Chinese family sat next to me at the bar. They noticed I was dining by myself and started a conversation with me. By the end of my dinner, I felt like i was adopted into a local family. They shared their experiences living in the Bay Area, and were so kind to share their dishes with me-
"Here try this fried oyster. Here try the Peking duck. You cant get this type of food in DC, here have more"
Food brings people together, *sigh. I love that about eating, I love that about food. It really is one of the joys of living. I love to eat, and I dont mind eating by myself but it's always nice when a meal brings people together. It's especially nice when I am eating by myself and I get to meet new people because of food.
I leave you with this quote, which describes the warm fuzzies I felt leaving San Fransisco that night:
Thanks California, another wonderful memory created. You are indeed a special place.
-mai
mishka commentary: |
| So happy mai is back with me! I really missed her...BUT, i really wished she brought back some of those oysters for me. Grrrr. well maybe next time. I just have to try harder on my hinting. |
