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I’ve described my move to the Bay Area many times as making an extended pilgrimage to foodie Mecca, and even now that I’ve lived in Oakland for more than a year, I am still wide-eyed at the amazing eating experiences I’m having, week by week. If you’re coming here for BlogHer Food ’09, I encourage you to eat your way across town. But with so many possibilities, how do you pick where to eat? After all, even in San Francisco, you can find yourself savoring just an average meal, and with limited time and room in your stomach, that would be an epicurean tragedy.
This is just part one of a series of posts that will run over the next few weeks. Next on the docket? Notable cocktails (and, in some cases, those cocktail purveyors will also provide a spirited eating experience). Finally, I’ll give you a wrap-up of some interesting places to do some foodie shopping while you’re in town.
But first, you must eat. I’ve compiled a list of five places I think worthy of your attention.
The Can’t-Miss Superstar
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has spent more than four minutes talking to me about eating in San Francisco (or who follows my Twitter feed) that I’m beginning this guide with Contigo. There are a number of reasons why I think you should put this at the very top of your must-eat list while you’re in the city, not the least of those being that it is my very favorite restaurant in all the world.
It’s also a restaurant run by a food blogger, Brett Emerson of In Praise of Sardines.
Brett chronicled the multi-year process of getting Contigo up and running on his blog, and the restaurant is a triumph: a warm, inviting, intimate space where you can share small and large plates of Barcelona-style food prepared with thoughtful, local ingredients.
“Emerson creates food with big flavors and clearly uses the best ingredients he can find,” said Amy Sherman of Cooking With Amy in her first impression review.
“The space is beautiful, simultaneously contemporary and cozy,” said Anita of Married With Dinner after her first visit to the restaurant. “It’s not large, but it feels expansive thanks to five distinct dining zones—chef’s counter, lower dining room, cava bar, upper dining room, and a heated, covered outdoor patio surrounded by herb gardens.”
Contigo’s far enough from the hotel that you’ll need to cab or take public transit. Taking a cab is approximately $17-20 plus tip – not bad if you’re sharing it between a few fellow bloggers.
However, you can also take the J-Church Muni line to 24th and Church, and then walk four blocks west to 24th and Castro. To get the J-Church, go to the Muni light rail station at New Montgomery and Market Street (look for the BART/Muni sign at the stairs/escalator into the station) and take the line outbound toward Balboa Park Station. The fare will be $2, and it helps to have quarters. However, you can also get change for a dollar bill at the BART ticket machines. Make sure to hold onto the pass from the turnstile when you enter the station—it’s your proof that you’ve paid the fare, and a Muni official can request to see it at any time.
Contigo
1320 Castro Street (at 24th)
San Francisco, CA 94114
415-285-0250
www.contigosf.com
Dinner: 5:30-10 p.m.
Open seven days per week, reservations only available for
parties of six or more
The Weekday Lunch
If you happen to arrive in time for lunch on Friday, drop your bags at the St. Regis and dash on over to The Sentinel, which is an easy walk from the hotel. This weekday-only, breakfast/lunch-only restaurant serves fabulous gourmet carry-out. On eggbeater, Shuna Fish Lydon describes lunch at The Sentinel “like eating restaurant food without all the pomp & circumstance,” and I would agree. The sandwiches are amazing, and there is a daily, seasonal lunch special that always sells out early.
Get your food and a beverage, and if it’s a nice day (they’re almost all nice days this time of year in San Francisco), take it back to Yerba Buena Gardens for a gourmet picnic.
From the St. Regis, take a right out the front door and walk up 3rd Street to Mission. Go right on Mission and walk two blocks to New Montgomery. Go left on
