Quick Eats - Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers to go - San Francisco Trip

While I lived in Berkeley for college, one of every student's favorite places to go (other than Top Dog & Zachary's Chicago Pizza) was Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, a local chain in the Bay Area. They put a lot of non-traditional ingredients in their burgers, but it makes it sooo good! When I went up to SF, I had to at least get some of these burgers to go - hence, the to go packaging in the photos... Jen ordered a North Beach burger - with sauteed mushrooms and artichoke hearts.
I ordered a "Sunshine Burger", with sprouts, aged cheddar cheese, and avocado on a whole wheat bun. Yes, you burger purists may scream in fury, but I think this burger tastes great with sprouts. Unfortunately, it seems that only in the Bay Area do they consistently offer sprouts as a choice in sandwiches and other foods, like burgers.
Some of Barney's curly fries - a perfect combination with the burgers. *drool*.

Hog Island Oyster Co. - San Francisco Trip

We went back to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero the next day, because we were curious about the Hog Island Oyster Co., which we had passed by the day before, and Jen always loves her oysters. The photo is of two oyster shuckers...what a job! =P Thank god we did...
We ordered some of the local SF oysters, which Hog Island Oyster Co. specializes in. All were very good, and fresh.
A simple mixed green salad, with some cheese from one of the local stores in the Ferry building. Quite good, from what I remember - light and refreshing.
A very good clam chowder, with an overabundance of fresh clams. Every clam chowder should be like this!
1) If you combine cheese from Cowgirl Creamery (in the Ferry Building)
2) And fresh bread from Acme Bakery (also in the Ferry Building)

= The best damn grilled cheese sandwich that I have ever tasted. I never thought I would taste a grilled cheese sandwich this good - they use three different cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery: a Mezzo Secco, a cave-aged Gruyere and a Fromage Blanc cheese. I cannot even begin to describe the flavor of the cheeses when melted together - light, smooth, yet complex - it was one heavenly mix of melted cheese. The bread was not greasy at all, like most grilled cheeses were. Also served with their house made pickled vegetables. Everyone in this world must taste this grilled cheese sandwich at least once before they die. Hooray for Hog Island Oyster Co. (and Cowgirl Creamery and Acme Bread)!

Lulu Petite - San Francisco Trip

Lulu Petite is one of the small cafes in the Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero; there evidently is a larger Lulu Gourmet restaurant that is good, located somewhere else in SF.
Lulu Petite sells some of the gourmet sauces, etc. from the main restaurant, but it also sells some simple sandwiches, which we ordered:
Jen ordered a marinated portobello mushroom sandwich (served cold), with their special olive tapenade, peppers, and feta on focaccia bread.

I ordered a "Duck Rillettes" sandwich - it had a cherry and fig balsamic glaze, with arugula, on ciabatta bread. The bread for both sandwiches had a good texture, and I liked the flavor of mine - the glaze was slightly sweet, and complimented the duck meat well. And of course, I always love my Coke in a glass bottle - always the best tasting Coke for me!

Tartine - San Francisco Trip

In June 2007, Jen and I went on a trip to San Francisco. One of the first places we went to after we got there was Tartine, a small bakery in San Francisco that she read about. Let me first say that you won't be able to spot it, even with the address, unless you are looking, as the bakery is pretty unidentifiable from the outside, except for the crowd of people inside. Jen's photo of the place is above.

The only sign for the bakery - a small little photo next to the door.
A photo of the bakery display, with all its delectable goods....
Another photo of the display, this time with the baked breads.
Bags of cookies....
As you can see, it is really busy (and quite crowded) in the bakery. It is evidently very popular with the locals - so we went to a park to eat, not too far away.
Jen ordered a three cheese sandwich, with Bellwether Farms Jersey Carmody, Straus Cheddar, and Idiazabal cheeses. It was served chilled, and was quite good.
I ordered a Croque Monsieur - Tartine describes it as an "open face sandwich made with our country bread, bechamel, gruyere, thyme and pepper. Topped with either smoked Niman Ranch ham, Cowgirl Creamery fromage blanc, or shitake mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. Served with housemade pickles." The sandwich was excellent, but was kind of greasy to hold. The pickled carrot was a great counterpoint!
For dessert, we ordered a raspberry fruit tart, and a chocolate eclair. The fruit tart was very, very good - the pastry shell was slightly sweet, and a good crunch, and the cream in it wasn't too sweet. The chocolate eclair was also excellent - they used a bitter dark chocolate on top.
Another eclair, with a custard filling. Yum! =)