I was in San Francisco on business earlier this week. It is truly one of my favorite destinations and I’m always happy whether in the city for business or pleasure. I was facilitating the BeDo Intra 09 conference held at the Fort Mason Center so I found myself staying in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood — one I don’t often frequent because of its hordes of tourists and the bad restaurants that cater to them.
I was happy to find a Kimpton hotel, The Argonaut, there and it was quite satisfactory. It is in an old cannery building with large wooden beams that give it a vintage industrial feel. The decor is a bit sailor kitsch but it was comfortable overall. As a member of Kimpton InTouch (their frequent guest program), I had free Wifi during my stay — the perfect amenity for any business trip. Their restaurant, The Blue Mermaid, was a bit bright but offered a fabulous Dungeness crab and corn chowder and the bar staff was friendly and helpful. It’s a good option for dining solo if you need one.
The real find, also in the hotel building but not otherwise linked to the hotel, was The Winery Collective tasting room. I don’t generally go for tasting rooms as I find the wines are usually not that special and the staff not particularly knowledgeable. The Winery Collective was just the opposite: some lovely small production wines from throughout California such as Sol Rouge and Skylark and a staff full of information without being overbearing about it. I had the Red Reserve flight one evening and the All Whites flight the next. Both were delightful.
When venturing a bit further afield for evening dining, I was pleased to find Luella on Russian Hill. It is a modern neighborhood restaurant (the kind that always makes me want to live in the neighborhood) with house made pasta, intriguing salads (mine was grilled peach and ricotta), and a nice list of wines by the glass. It had an airy, open feel that was quite welcoming to me as a solo diner. It would also be a great setting for a quiet client dinner. If you are brave enough to walk up from Fisherman’s Wharf, take Larkin for a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge and then cut back over to Hyde.
I also recommend The Plant Cafe Organic at Pier 3 on the Embarcadero. This is a small organic restaurant just a few blocks from ferry Terminal 1 with its more renowned restaurants. However, the Pier 1 eateries settle down shortly after the evening commute. The Plant is not as large and so feels cozier even when not overly crowded. The oysters were delicate and flavorful; the pasta with shrimp and herbs a light and satisfying treat.
Finally, at Fort Mason Center itself check out Greens, a haute veggie eatery featuring the creations of chef Annie Somerville as you look out over the marina toward the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a bit out of the way but well worth the trip. If you don’t mind the walk, you can head along the water by the recently restored aquatic park — an art deco wonder with stellar tile work (pictured above) — at the San Francisco National Historic Park and then up over the hill in Fort Mason Park and down to Fort Mason Center.
P.S. I can’t forget to give some Fog City sweet treat shout outs: I tried (and loved) LaLoo’s goat’s milk ice cream — the founder attended the BeDo event; indulged in sumptuous house-made chocolates from Recchiuti at the Ferry Building Marketplace; and then I dipped myself in chocolate once again with XOX Truffles for the plane ride home (citron and champagne were my two faves).