Chanel Moving Forward

A modern lifestyle blog dedicated to the moments in between

food

Local Eats: South Main Kitchen, Alpharetta

In the past few years there has been a wave of remodeling of historic neighborhoods in the North Atlanta suburbs. Downtown Alpharetta is one of those amazing spots. They have a wonderful farmers market on the weekend, food trucks every Thursday, a brand new city hall with a huge green lawn, new sidewalks and plenty of shops and restaurants. One eatery that is sure to catch your eye is South Main Kitchen, located on South Main Street directly across from the new City Hall. They focus on the social aspect of dining with their farm to table atmosphere.

I love all the outdoor space that South Main Kitchen has. It really is the best place for a summer date or girls night out. There is an upper and lower deck, side patio and a few tables in front. Upon entering the original building that has been completely restored, you are welcomed with friendly faces and a laid back attitude. The members of the staff could easily become your friends by the end of the night.
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My husband and I sat on the upper deck since the weather was beautiful. For starters we went with Flo’s Sweet Fries with blue cheese dressing and the Meatballs with beef gravy, blueberry jam and watercress. Neither disappointed. Other small plates which stood out were the Brisket Tacos, Lamb Poppers and Kale Chips. Guests also swear by the Brussels Sprouts so I am going back there as soon as I can to order.
After sampling a few cocktails and sadly finishing our starters, we ordered our main courses. Whenever there are scallops on the menu, I cannot pass them up. This particular plate had sea scallops served in a tarragon and miso broth with red potatoes, snap peas, pickled mushrooms, watercress and basil oil. I am a huge vinegar fan but if you are not keen on that taste, this dish isn’t for you, being that the mushrooms are pickled. My husband chose the Filet Mignon which was served over a parsnip puree, quinoa, grilled asparagus, pickled mushrooms and a blueberry & peppercorn balsamic reduction. The plating of the entree was so beautiful and my husband said it was cooked to perfection. He isn’t a huge quinoa fan but he loved how this was mixed with all the other flavors. buy flomax online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/buynoprescription/flomax-no-prescription.html no prescription
Usually I never save room for dessert but as soon as I saw the Strawberry Shortcake I had to indulge. Served on a house made oat biscuit with strawberry balsamic jam and chamomile whipped cream, this Strawberry Shortcake was without a doubt the best I’ve ever tasted. My husband and I made room in our bellies for after dinner cocktails before calling it an evening. If you’re visiting this summer, you must try the strawberry & basil cocktail. Simply delicious! buy paxil online https://medstaff.englewoodhealth.org/wp-content/languages/new/buynoprescription/paxil-no-prescription.html no prescription
A huge thank you to South Main Kitchen for having us. I cannot wait to return!
*This review was in partnership with South Main Kitchen. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

Local Eats: Cinquecento, Boston

My entire family and I were lucky enough to all be together in Boston this past weekend to see my brother graduate from Boston University. It was such a special moment for all of us and I was so excited to have my husband with me so we could experience Boston together for the first time. We arrived late Thursday afternoon and had been up since the early morning hours preparing for our trip. Our dinner plans were taking us to Cinquecento in the South End and we had been looking forward to it all day.
The restaurant was very easy to get to. We walked from our hotel in the theater district and it only took about 20 minutes. The weather was beautiful and we loved sightseeing a little on foot. As a blogger and photographer I am always on the lookout for unique walls and backdrops. The brick walls leading into Cinquecento were so beautifully painted and definitely set the tone for what was about to come. The restaurant has a spacious outdoor patio and bar which was very busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded. It looked like a great place to meet friends for a drink or come let of some steam after work. It was also nicely shaded in between tall buildings which made for a more enjoyable experience. The decor and architecture inside Cinquecento stays true to their Italian namesake. Gorgeous industrial fixtures and glass pendants hung from the high ceilings and the rustic wooden tables provided wonderful ambiance and character. buy adalat online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/adalat.html no prescription
Our table in Cinquecento was in a prime location: a corner booth in the bar area. The tall windows let the natural light pour in beautifully, making it the perfect spot for photographing food. blogger problems. The entire staff could not have been friendlier and went above and beyond to make everyone feel welcomed and taken care of. Our waiter was well versed in every aspect of the menu and knew his wines like nobody’s business. I am not a big wine drinker but he was able to pick out a few wines for me to sample throughout the night and I found a new white that I absolutely love: La Scola Gavi dei Gavi Bianco Secco. Definitely ordering a case of this as soon as possible. I also tried the Minuetto Cocktail which consisted of Prosecco, Vodka, Elderflower, Grapefruit and Lemon. It was also delicious with just the right balance of all ingredients. buy advair online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/advair.html no prescription
For starters we had the Steamed Mussels with Red Onion, Basil and Spicy Broth. The broth was more delicious than the mussels, which were exceptionally prepared. Thank goodness for the bread they kept bringing because we soaked up every last bit of that broth. Being the carb lovers that we are, we also ordered the Ricotta Fresca: warm ricotta, olive oil and grilled bread. I’ve never had warmed ricotta but was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was. At most restaurants I visit there are usually only a few appetizers which look appealing to me but at Cinquecento they all looked good. Bruschetta, Grilled Octopus, Oysters, Charred Beef Carpaccio … the options are endless and there is something for everyone. buy amaryl online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/amaryl.html no prescription
My husband had the Bolognese (veal, pork, pancetta, beef and parmigiano) and our waiter warned him when he ordered that it could possibly be the best he’s ever had, and he wasn’t kidding. It was that good. My husband’s standards are set pretty high when it comes to meat sauce, yet he raved about this for the rest of our trip. I chose the Fettuccini Al Funghi E Tartufi: foraged mushrooms, truffle butter and basil. I’m a sucker for truffle anything and this didn’t disappoint. If you’re a fan of mushrooms, you have to try this dish. The noodles were so fresh and I could have drank the truffle butter sauce with a straw. The Brussels Sprouts were prepared to crispy perfection with just the right amount of parmesan cheese and pepper sprinkled throughout. Asparagus with cured egg yolk and parmigiano was so fresh as if it had been locally picked that day. We ended the evening with the Bittersweet Chocolate Budino (molten chocolate cake) with fresh whipped cream and Grand Marnier. Cinquecento really raised the bar for the trip and we kept comparing everything we ate to our first dinner in Boston.
If you are a current Bostonian or visiting this wonderful city, Cinquecento is a must. The food was out of this world delicious and the staff, dare I say it, was even better. Nothing makes me happier than having an all around wonderful experience. Thank you, Cinquecento for making our first night in Boston a memorable one!
*Our meal & drinks were provided by Cinquecento. As always, all opinions expressed are my own*

Local Eats: Bar Taco, Atlanta

Whenever we’re in Buckhead visiting my mom we always try and stop at Bar Taco for lunch or dinner. It’s so convenient to her house and the atmosphere is light, airy and laid back. We’ve eaten there numerous times and I’ve never had a bad experience or meal. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive, the drinks are strong and the tacos are on point. There is also free valet parking if you happen to go during a busy time. If I could dream up my idea outdoor patio, I would model it after the Bar Taco patio. String lights, a stone fireplace, low benches and tables, shade coverage from the large trees, horseshoe … all the things to make you feel like you’re right at home, which is one of the reasons we keep coming back.

The restaurant is very kid friendly and the outside patio is the ideal place to sit, regardless if there are kids in tow. They even have a fun kids food & drink menu and various fresh squeezed juices. We always start off with their guacamole, salsa verde, tostada shells and their house margaritas on the rocks. The guac is a good combination of lime and spice without being too hot, plus they add cilantro which makes anything better in my opinion.

The falafel taco is hands down my favorite while my husband prefers the pork pastor. Their menu has options for everyones taste buds and preference: spicy, mild, vegetarian, and lots of meat. The tacos are small (each on a 4 inch tortilla) which allows you to try multiple variations and flavors. After sharing the shells and guacamole I always get four tacos and a bowl and find that I am never left feeling hungry. The roasted cauliflower rice bowl with romesco sauce has easily become one of my favorites and there are eight others to choose from including pork belly, sesame ribeye and portobello mushroom.
I don’t usually save room for dessert but on rare occasions I get a hankering for gelato which is strange because I’m not a huge fan of it. On this particular day they had mint chocolate chip on the menu so it was a no brainer. The scoop was huge and comes in a full sized waffle cone on a stand. It was delicious and I think they may have converted me after trying it.
Bar Taco has 3 locations in Atlanta: Chastain Park, Inman Park and West Midtown. There are also restaurants on the East Coast and in Florida. Did I mention that you can order online too? This place seriously has it all. If you are looking for a fun night out with friends, family or a date night I strongly suggest checking out Bar Taco. Happy eating!

Portland Part 2

Writing this last recap and reminiscing about our trip really has me wanting to go back. My husband and I are talking about taking a trip in September for Feast Portland since we basically travel to eat good food. Until then I can continue to follow all the Portland instagram accounts and drool over everything I see … Back to our trip recap (and my diet). It was a good decision to keep the rental car for the rest of our stay. We wanted to explore Cannon Beach so we headed out pretty early Saturday since the ride was about 90 minutes each way. The drive was a straight shot down Route 26 and overall very easy. There was some winding roads but I think the ride could be done for at nearly age, even with kids. We stopped first at the top part of the cliff which was extremely windy. I literally thought the wind was going to blow me over. It was also freezing so after I took a few pictures and mental snapshots I hightailed it back to car since my fingers felt like ice cubes. In true Oregon fashion, the sky had parted and the sun was out by the time we got back down to Cannon beach. It was so beautiful and spacious. The coast line is definitely different from southern beaches. The sand extends much deeper into the water. I loved seeing Haystack Rock which was accessible by foot since the tide was low. buy desyrel online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/desyrel.html no prescription
Goonies Never Say Die.

We ended up back in Portland right around lunch time and hit up Lela’s Bistro for some bahn mis. They have a ton of vegan options and the food was pretty decent. Prices were a little high compared to Atlanta but still good. By the time we finished eating it was pouring out, of course, so we got the car and drove to the Portland Gear store which I had been dying to check out. I have followed them on instagram for months and I love their clothing and accessories. When I heard they were opening a store a few weeks before our strip, I knew I had to go and buy some goodies. I got a few shirts for my husband and myself and a coffee mug since I am a mug hoarder. The shirts are super soft with a great slim fit and the mug holds a ton of coffee since I never just have one cup at a time. Marcus, the owner, was there and he was very friendly and seemed genuinely interested in our group, asking us questions about our trip and if we were having a good time. I definitely recommend checking this store out if you have a chance to visit Portland. buy effexor online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/effexor.html no prescription
It’s right by Providence Park so if you’re going to check out a Timbers game, stop in there for some hometown gear.

For a late afternoon snack we braved the cold rain and stood in line at Pip’s Original Doughnuts, which was the longest wait we had since being in Portland, but it was so worth it. Their donuts were some of the best I have ever had. They were all made fresh as you ordered and came out super warm. The Dirty Wu is their most popular and I can see why. How can you go wrong with cinnamon sugar drizzled with warm nutella? You can’t. It’s also named after Sgt. Wu on my favorite show Grimm. The pricing is very cheap but that’s because the donuts are all minis. They are the perfect size for a snack or to share and you can try all flavors without overdoing it since they are light and airy. The staff was very friendly and patient. You could tell they are used to crowds and tourists and they answered everyones questions with a smile on their face. buy premarin online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html no prescription
Saturday night was our last dinner together and since we were pretty exhausted from such a full day, we Yelped it for some low key Italian. Serratto, located in the Alphabet district, was quaint and quiet with dim lighting and a warm atmosphere. They had valet on site which was perfect for a busy Saturday evening since parking was scarce. I of course had a few glasses of prosecco which tasted so refreshing and the girls and I split the Pommes Frites (house-cut fries, fried twice with garlic aioli) as our starter. The Risotto with mushrooms, leeks, Grana Padano and white truffle butter was incredible. Mind blowing even. I could have licked my dish but decided to spare my friends and fellow dinner goers. As much as I would love to come back here and try other things on the menu I don’t think I could because I’d want to order the risotto again, it was just that tasty. Of course we went out with a bang and ordered the Creme Brûlée for dessert, how daring of us. I usually never order dessert because I am so stuffed from entrees and wine but the Creme Brûlée must have been a house favorite because we were watching them walk by us all night. It was delicious, which wasn’t surprising and the perfect way to end a great evening with friends in such a wonderful city.
Two of the girls on our trip booked the noon flight home so they had to head out relatively early. We decided to have one last meal together and went to Meriwether’s for brunch. This place was just down the street from our rental in the Northwest/ Industrial area and had it not been pouring we could have walked. The service here was excellent but we were also only the second table to be seated which may have played a part. Our waitress was super sweet and attentive and made us feel very at home. We ordered a stack of the classic buttermilk pancakes as an appetizer .. not really sure if people do that at brunch but they sounded, and were, delicious. I love how this restaurant operates their own farm which is located 20 minutes away so you know the ingredients are top notch. Fresh squeezed orange juice and vanilla iced coffees were flowing and the rain outside kept pouring. One of the girls ordered the chicken chilaquiles (basically nachos for breakfast) and I was lucky enough to try a bite and they were superb. The southern part of me chose the fried chicken and waffle with orange marmalade. It sucked. I’m kidding, it was everything I had hoped it would be. The orange marmalade, pure maple syrup and light dusting of powdered sugar added the finishing touch with just the right amount of sweetness.
After our group breakfast two of the girls headed to the airport and my other girlfriend and I went back to our rental house to sleep/lounge off the carbs. We packed up the car with our luggage, returned the keys and spent the next 9 hours exploring the different neighborhoods in the city. We were on the red eye which left at 11pm and had to check out by noon. It was a good excuse to really take advantage of the day and not have the house to go back to for periodic carb induced naps. On our last day the weather called for 100% chance of rain and thunderstorms but the weather pattern changed drastically and we were blessed with clear skies and sunshine. We couldn’t have asked for a better surprise since we didn’t have a house to go back to in case of continuous downpours. Since we were just down the street from the Industrial area I had to stop at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply. They had been on my “must go to” list since planning this trip. I’m a huge fan of industrial decor and lighting and being in their store made me long for city lofts with exposed brick walls and pipes.
One of my favorite things about Portland is all the beautiful murals throughout the city. They’re so gorgeous and basically outdoor works of art. I have a thing for colored and textured walls and there is definitely no shortage in Portland. My friend and I hit up Alberta street for some shopping and exploring since ironically our last day of the trip also gave us the best weather. I loved how unique each shop was and definitely did my part to help boost the economy by purchasing something in almost every single one (sorry babe).
Once the rain started to come down a little we thought that would be a good time to grab some lunch. Boxer Ramen was literally right in front of us as we were talking about food so in we went. The restaurant was very tiny but we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. Luckily the waiting area is outside the restaurant so there aren’t people hovering over you watching you eat and huffing while looking at their watches. The portions were huge and the prices were very reasonable ($12 for a large bowl). If I were a local I would come here all the time and get the lunch and save half for later. I ordered the Tonkotsu Shio: traditional pork broth, pork belly, soft-poached egg and scallions. We split the Okonomiyaki Tots which were tater tots with a creamy spicy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, shavings of bonito flakes, togarashi and nori. The bonito flakes actually moved and it looked like our tots were alive. One of the craziest things I have ever seen and I would definitely spend the $5 just so you can see this. Even though there weren’t kids with us, the place was kid friendly and I know my son would have loved watching the dancing tater tots.
We walked off our ramen and headed to Salt & Straw because why not? I could not leave Portland without trying this awesomeness. I chose the Stumptown Coffee & Burnside Bourbon scoops. How local of me, right? Some seats emptied at the front bar and we were able to enjoy our ice cream and people watch. By the time we left the line was out the door. The staff was also super friendly and handed out a ton of samples. Everything was delicious and I wish I lived closer so I could try all the flavors. The shop was very clean and kid friendly and I was definitely getting home sick seeing all the little boys excited for ice cream with their mamas. Until a little boy tried to pull his pants down and that reminded me of something Henry would do so I quickly snapped out of it.
After our Alberta street adventures we went to see a friend of my girlfriends who happened to be a bartender at a bar in North Portland, the Florida Room. The drinks were very well made and there was a Photo Booth so I could have stayed there all night pumping money into that machine. My friend told me about photo booth hire Birmingham since she lives in the UK and she’s considering getting a booth for her wedding. I told her to do it! They’re so fun!! This place definitely has that road-side bar feeling with graffiti in the bathroom, a pinball machine and a covered front patio for smoking. Being non smokers we sat inside at the bar which was pretty comfortable. We didn’t stay long and it was in the afternoon so it wasn’t too crowded but it sure seems like a fun and interesting place to hang out at night.

Before the sun set we really wanted to see the Cherry Blossoms that had recently bloomed by the Steel Bridge, so we booked it over to Tom McCall park to walk along the waterfront. As I mentioned before, Sunday gave us the best weather of the trip and I am so glad I decided to take the red eye back so I had another whole day to see Portland. It was also nice to spend quality time with one of my best friends who I’ve known for almost 20 years!

We had worked up an appetite and were running out of daylight (and energy), so we decided to spend the rest of our time perusing the isles at Powell’s and having some pizza at Sizzle Pie. The slices were huge and the people watching was fantastic, since the face of the restaurant sits right on the corner and there are people coming and going in all directions. At the bookstore I came across from vintage JFK coloring books and am kicking myself for not getting them, even though they were nearly $30 a pop, but still. I know what I will now be searching for on eBay.

Just like that, our trip came and went and we are all back to our real lives. Mine currently consists of registering my son for pre-k and being covered in smashed bananas, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Portland, you were so good to us … what an amazing city you are. I’ll be back for you soon.

Easy Toddler Meals + Snacks

Now that Evelyn is 13 months old she has been eating more of the foods that Henry eats. They may require some more chopping but it is so nice not having to make separate meals. By no means am I a recipe creator and I  didn’t go to culinary school. I’m just your average mom struggling to make mealtime less of a challenge. I’ve spent hours pinning easy and healthy recipes and honestly have only tried a handful. Life is busy, being a mom is crazy busy. We need things we can make before our three year olds have a complete meltdown and our entire morning is wasted putting them in timeout while trying to make sure our second baby, bless their heart, actually gets served breakfast. Here are some snacks and meals we have been enjoying lately. buy imodium online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/imodium.html no prescription

Brown Rice Cakes topped with peanut butter, sliced bananas and chocolate sprinkles
Dark Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding with coconut pieces*
Raspberries
*pudding recipe (from He and She Eat Clean): 1/2 quart dark chocolate almond milk, 1/2 cup chia seeds. Stir milk and seeds together in tupperware container and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours). Scoop to serve and top with fresh fruit, coconut flakes or chopped almonds.
Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothie
A morning staple in our house is smoothies. They are so easy to make and I split them three ways between the kids and myself. There are probably fifteen billion smoothie recipes out there, but the kids favorite is 8 ounces whole milk, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, 2 tablespoons almond butter, 1 scoop of plant based vanilla protein powder, 1 banana and 1 tablespoon chia seeds. I also throw in a handful of ice cubes to make sure it’s extra chilled and refreshing. This is packed with protein and is the perfect morning pick me up to fuel all of our brains. I split 3 ways so each serving has 222 calories and 14 grams of protein, making it very healthy. You could also top with a few raspberry’s, strawberries, banana slices or chocolate sprinkles to make it more appealing if you have a picky eater! 
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Zoodles with Parmesan, Carrots and Peas

 

This has to be one of the easiest meals that the whole family can share. Everything can be made in under 30 minutes or ahead of time. If you do not have a julienne slicer, you can buy pre sliced zucchini at a local Whole Foods. The veggies are both steam in a bag, each taking 5 minutes. Boil the zoodles for 2-3 minutes or until soft. Strain and place in bowl with cheese and veggies (which can be substituted out for others).
Banana Oat Bran Muffins with Cranberry 

 

 

There are various recipes for oat bran muffins out there: sugar free, gluten free, flour free etc. I use this one from food.com and omit the raisins and add cranberries. You can also substitute the banana for another fruit (peaches or blueberries!) and add in walnuts or chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless. Next time I’ll be sneaking in some spinach or kale so the kids can get some greens.

A few months ago I wrote about some great finger foods for babies to eat. We still keep all those in the house and have added a few more to our growing list of items to always have on hand:

Steams in the bag in 5 minutes and they are the perfect bite size pieces for tiny fingers and mouths
great for on the go or while having your baby/toddler self feed
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
another great finger food babies and toddlers that can feed themselves
for morning toast or a PB&J
Henry loves this oatmeal and has it about twice a week for breakfast. I top with fresh blueberries or bananas.
String Cheese
another easy and healthy snack for Henry

I hope this post has been helpful to fellow moms out there! I love reading what other parents feed their little ones and am always on the hunt for new recipes and ideas. Please share any meals or snacks that your kids love 🙂 buy isofair online https://bethanyhealthcare.org/wp-content/languages/new/isofair.html no prescription

Easy Meals + Snacks for Baby

Evelyn is 10 months old today! I often get asked by other moms and friends what she eats, and boy can this child eat. She is following in her brothers foot steps in the chow down department. In addition to three 8 ounce bottles a day, she also has three meals/snacks as well. Due to the time change she has been waking up about 6am then has her morning bottle. She naps at around 7:30am anywhere from 1.5-2 hours. Once she wakes I spoon feed her some mashed bananas and oatmeal or some homemade applesauce with peaches. She has her second bottle before afternoon nap which lasts for 2+ hours. Feeding time after nap and in the evening is all done by herself, which gives me time to make dinner, unload the dishwasher, fold laundry and tidy the main floor. It’s such a game changer when babies can feed themselves because it keeps them so busy. buy benzac online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/benzac.html benzac no prescription
I make and prep all of her foods on Monday while Henry is in school and they last her (and Henry!) the whole week. Our weekly haul includes frozen microwave in the bag carrots and peas. Pop the bag in the microwave for five minutes and then dump them into tupperware and done. Ground turkey or beef which I brown on the stove and also put into container in the fridge. Cooked rice, shredded cheese, Cheerios, egg noodles, deli turkey, strawberries, cucumbers, scrambled eggs and whole wheat bread (cut into slices and then cubed). I don’t purée anything anymore. It’s all thick food so she can start familiarizing herself with different textures and flavors. buy hytrin online https://salempregnancy.org/wp-content/languages/new/hytrin.html hytrin no prescription

 

On really busy days or when we we’re traveling, we bring pouches, bananas and packaged oatmeal and dinners. Saves the day for sure. There are also 10 pouches and yogurt melts in all my purses at any given time.

 

Evelyn hasn’t had any juice yet and I don’t really think she needs the extra sugar in her diet. She is still only on water and Similac formula. She usually drinks about 10-12 ounces of water a day as well. This cup has been her favorite.

 

 

And then sometimes, your Monday’s are a complete shit show and your baby ends up eating a two day old hamburger bun. Hashtag Mom Life.

 

 
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San Francisco Part 1

WOW. Did that trip go by fast or what? Like with everything you look forward to in life, the good parts always seem to go by the fastest. This trip has come and gone and we are back home, loving on our baby and returning to normal. For those of you who have not been to San Francisco, I HIGHLY recommend it. The food, weather, atmosphere, people and attractions were all perfect. It is a great location for couples and even for kids. We kept talking about how fun it would be to bring Henry with us the next time. SF is so kid friendly with all the parks and museums and you can walk everywhere! We did not rent a car and had no problem with the trolley’s, cable cars and pedi cabs. They can take you anywhere you need to go and since the weather is not hot or humid, walking is actually enjoyable even during the day.

 

 

Our flight was delayed nearly 2 hours which was super irritating and there was nothing to do at the airport except drink. And drink we did. 2 glasses of champagne and 2 double vodka/OJ’s and I was about three sheets to the wind. It’s sad that that is how little I can drink and still get drunk.

 

We finally made it to SF, got our bags, a cab and eagerly checked into our hotel. We stayed at the Kensington Park Hotel right at Union Square Park. It is an old, historic hotel with lots of charm and a theater on the 2nd floor that still puts on plays! Our room on the 10th floor was so charming, with a mixture of antique and modern pieces. Once we unpacked and relaxed for a moment, we headed out to Union Square Park to people watch and have some lunch. We did a TON of walking throughout the trip (one day even putting in over 6 miles!)
My husband and I are total foodies. We love trying new things and out of the box type meals. San Francisco was perfect for this. Our first night we had dinner at Straw, a very small, laid back restaurant with carnival inspired food and decoration. The place only had 8 tables and sat no more than 35 people. I am so glad I made reservations because the wait was 45 minutes (even for a Thursday!) We walked over a mile and a half to get there and got to see some of the city which was beautiful of course. Our server was the epitome of friendly and fun. We sat in an old tilt-a-whirl car from a carnival, read menus made of out actual old books, and munched on gold fish while we waited for our dinner. This was the best part … the food. Straw is known for “The Ringmaster” which is ground chuck, cheese, a fried egg, avocado and bacon all on a homemade glazed donut. Yes, you read that correctly. It was probably one of the best things I have ever eaten. Jan had The Satchemo which was cheesy grits, andouille sausage, prawns/green beans with cajun butter dipping sauce.
After dinner we headed in the direction of our hotel and came upon this delicious ice cream “shop” called Smitten. I use the word shop lightly because it is actually built out of a storage container. The ice cream is all organic and made with liquid nitrogen. I obviously got the salted caramel (my favorite ice cream flavor) and topped it with TCHO cocoa crispies. Thebomb.com! By the time we got back to the hotel it was midnight our time and we had been up for 19 hours straight. We hit the bed hard and SLEPT IN. We haven’t done that since Henry was born. Over 13 months and damn was it nice. We had 5 days of sleeping past 6am. I don’t think I’ll ask for anything else all year.
Friday morning we felt refreshed and ready to walk it out. We went about 2 miles to Sweet Maple through the Tenderloin and Japan Town. Sweet Maple is home of the Millionaires Bacon, which we saw a few weeks ago on the Discovery Channel. We love anything with bacon. If it has bacon, we will eat it. This bacon is so popular that people wait in line over an hour to get seated. Luckily for my husband’s stomach, I plan out everything and made a whole itinerary for our trip. Including getting here right when they opened so we would have zero wait time. It was perfect. The bacon is sliced extra thick in house and coated with brown & maple sugar, black pepper and red pepper flakes. The best bacon I have ever had. (I will say that a lot about most of the food on this trip). We also got french toast and an omelet which were incredible too but the bacon is all that I can remember.
One thing that we loved was that after every meal we were able to walk at least 2 miles and never felt run down by our extravagant meals. After breakfast we walked even more to Hudson Grace, an amazing little store that carries Sugarboo Designs. The store was charming and modern and had the best smelling candles on the planet. Seriously, the planet. The scents are all designed and created by the owner Gary and are not your run of the mill sweet smells that can be nauseating. These are grown up, sophisticated candles that have you imagining you are somewhere exotic. My favorite was the Coast Candle which smells like the San Francisco coast by the Golden Gate Bridge. Check them all out here.
We said our goodbyes at Hudson Grace and headed toward Haight Ashbury. Total hippy central. It reminded me of Little Five Points in Atlanta. We walked up and down the streets and into some shops, bought a few things to remember our trip and had a beer at Cha Cha Cha. You can’t go to SF without visiting Haight Ashbury, and I am glad I got to experience this classic part of town. Afterwards we lunched in the heart of Little Italy at Pantarei. We dined on pasta, pizza and prosecco at this classic restaurant where all the waiters and hosts are from Italy. This wasn’t like walking into Olive Garden with Jim Bob as your waiter. This was authentic y’all!
We got our second wind after lunch and headed over to Coit Tower to see the incredible views of the city and then walked down the windy stairs and streets back into town.
 
 Unfortunately the bay was really foggy so the pictures didn’t come out that great, but the views were still amazing. We ended the night with some southern cuisine at Hops & Hominy and the food rivaled some of the souths best. (Random fact, the owners are three guys from Ocala, Fl where my in laws live). Here we go again with the bacon … Bacon infused Bourbon with some Bacon Mac & Cheese … to die for. Seriously though, what is a meal without bacon? If you’re in the market for some San Francisco southern food, this tucked away restaurant is a must. You wouldn’t even know it’s there unless this sign was out on the sidewalk. I got the shrimp and grits and hubby got the buttermilk fried chicken. Finding off the grid food in new cities is a favorite of mine, because who wants to go out of town and eat at Applebees?
 

That’s all for now folks! I really can’t believe that this wasn’t even 2 full days worth. I still have Alcatraz, China Town, Fisherman’s Wharf, Napa Valley, Sonoma and everything in between to cover. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned! xo

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