San Francisco: Recommendations Around the City

Weaving through the streets of San Francisco’s flattest district, the Mission, I sauntered casually past cyclists and down graffiti alleyways. I stood before Bernal Heights hill. Unlike most hills in San Francisco, it is undeveloped besides the radio tower at the crest. I climbed the steep dirt path surrounded by straw-colored grasses, the California state flower, California poppy, and joined dog walkers. Atop are expansive views of the city. I oriented myself, noting places I had already visited and created a mental map of the city for later use. I could have used google maps, but sometimes getting lost allows you to find unforeseen treasures. Read on for some of those jewels, including restaurant, museum, shopping, and activity recommendations.

Restaurants

Blue Plate, 3218 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, blueplatesf.com

This eatery boasts American new dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Each dish is strategically laid out on the plate with artistic grace. It won my affection for the most impressive restaurant I ate at on my trip. Unique pairings from locally-sourced farms were mouth-watering, such as artichoke soup with raspberries and chopped peanuts sprinkled on top. My friend and I opted to eat tapas-style and sampled several dishes. The atmosphere was cozy and rustic with an open kitchen. Divided into three main rooms, we sat in the middle, where we enjoyed a glass of red wine and relished in flavorful moments.

Cinderella Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118, http://cinderellabakery.com/home.html

Moving from Blue plate’s innovative take on American, Cinderella’s slides in with traditional done right. I stumbled upon this Russian Bakery & Café while seeking out completely different food. My friend, who lived in Korea for some time, tipped me off about a great Korean place located by the Conservatory of Flowers, a botanical garden in Golden Gate Park.

As I came to a halt in front of Muguboka, the Korean restaurant, it was dark. I found a sign confirming my suspicion it was closed on Tuesdays. I looked across the street and saw a bakery with wood-paneled outdoor seating surrounded by an oasis of succulents. I darted toward it, eager to find a place to recharge my camera and review my photographs of rare flowers from the Conservatory. As I entered, a waft of savory meat lay in the air. I realized this would not be a quick stop for a camera charge. Instead, my eyes scanned the Russian menu of meat pies and sandwiches.

This Russian gem on Balboa Street has homey foods that could conjure late Tsars from their graves by its sheer smell of alluring sweet and savory treats. Adding to it’s gravitational pull is its proximity to museums of interest, such as the deYoung Museum https://deyoung.famsf.org/, Academy of Science http://www.calacademy.org/, Japanese Tea Garden http://japaneseteagardensf.com/, and San Francisco Botanical Garden http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/.

El Techo, 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, http://eltechosf.com/

This Latin American rooftop restaurant has sweeping city views. It lies above its sister restaurant, Lolinda http://lolindasf.com/. Wait in line, proceed past the beautiful attendant, who manages to pull off a buzz cut, and ride an elevator to the top floor. There seems like a lot of waiting involved, but it’s worth the unobscured city views and delicious small plates, featuring Argentine grilled meats. Dim lights, city views, and a young crowd chatting away under heat lamps on chillier nights make this place memorable.

Dandelion, 740 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110, https://www.dandelionchocolate.com/

Chocolate lovers: you’ll be in heaven. No milk chocolate is served at this chocolate factory and café on Valencia Street in the Mission district. This small batch chocolate maker sells only 70% cocoa and higher. Chocolate is made on site with two ingredients: cocoa beans and sugar.

Activities

• Bike over Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiberon. Take the ferry back to the city.

• Meander through city districts.

• Climb Bernal Heights hill for superb city views.

• See and be seen at Mission Delores Park.

• Take a side trip to breath-taking Yosemite National Park.

Shopping

You’ll find uniquely curated stores on the streets listed below with clothing, home goods, antiques, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Each street has its own character, giving off funky, chic, and lively vibes.

• Valencia Street-for the hipster-leaning folk
• Hayes Street-for chic individuals
• Linden Street-for Hayes Street’s on-trend sibling
• Haight-Ashbury-for a trip back to the 60’s
• Castro Street-everyone’s welcome!

San Francisco’s neighborhoods are interesting to walk through when you’re not in a rush. Each area is full of artistic delights, good coffee, and varied museums. If you’re visiting the city, check out Blue Plate for American new, Cinderella’s for Russian, El Techo for Latin American, and Dandelion for desert.  Of the museums I visited, Academy of Science was my favorite because of the wide array of sea creatures and because I went to adult night, which featured an outdoor rock concert. The art museum I enjoyed most, not mentioned above, was Legion of Honor for its collection of Auguste Rodin’s sculptures and the mummies and medicine exhibition. Get out there and start exploring!

 

Khmer Food

Cambodian food is indicative of a country with expansive rice fields, a plethora of fruit trees, and shores bursting with fish. There are delicious soups with shrimp, coconut-based waffles, and curried chicken. Fresh fish caught straight from rivers and oceans are in the market day of catch. On occasion, fish is biked to your front door by a local fisherman, looking to sell.

Just-purchased fish hangs in a bag on a tree.

I am in Longvek, a small town north of Phnom Penh that was once the capital of Cambodia after the downfall of Angkor in 1431. As I walk in the back yard of the home my friend grew up in, her family points out mango trees, aloe plants, and coconut trees. When ripe, the family walks up to the tree and snatches a mango to slice up.

Unripened mango.

Often thought of as a topical only plant, superfood aloe vera can actually be ingested.

Many kitchens in Cambodia are separate from the house. The large concrete structures to the right and in the foreground are to catch rain water for washing hands and dishes.

En route to other areas of the country, I am greeted by many food possibilities. There is freshly cut pineapple and grapefruit. I find spiked fruit, whose taste resembles a plum. Bus stops have stalls selling fried grasshopper and tarantula.

Grapefruit is larger, more grainy, and has less juice so you can eat it without making a mess.

Deep fried bugs!

Spider.

On another occasion, I get on a boat departing from Phnom Penh and travel to an island in the Mekong river. Unaware that the party I am attending consists of an entire day of cooking, I think the meal is done after the first course. To my surprise, at the end of the day, I find my belly full of meals five times over. There was an appetizer, first wave of lunch, second wave of lunch, beer, several servings of fruit, another lunch, and finally dinner. But wait; there’s still dessert! Next a whole fish is on my plate!

We laugh and joke about how full I am, and someone taunts me with a chicken foot.

Chicken foot.

Cooking chicken curry below a house on stilts. Many Khmer homes have stilts, which allows for a cool sun-shaded area to hang out under.

Course number 3!

Lemongrass is a palatable flavor to add when cooking meat and vegetables. We ate this meal, sitting on a multi-colored mat, on the floor in Longvek.

Cambodian markets are full of fresh organic produce. I spot a few products that you wouldn’t typically see in a U.S. market, such as snake and turtle eggs. I try sweet palm juice and rice paper desserts, full of soybean with sugar and spices mixed together to sprinkle on top.

Russian Market in Phnom Penh, which also has goods, such as clothing and jewelry. The market gets its name from foreigners because the large expat Russian population shopped there in the 1980’s.

Turtle eggs and meat resting on whole turtles.

Snake at the Russian Market.

Market in Longvek, Cambodia.

Fresh greens.

Pineapple in a bag makes for a healthy snack on a beach walk.

I picked this coconut off the ground around the corner from a fishing village in Sihanoukville. With no knife, I sought out sharp rocks and began striking the coconut on the jagged edge. Slowly but surely, I was able to peel back the outer skin and eventually crack it open.

Unique fruit on a beach in the Gulf of Thailand.

I made a new friend at Preah Khan temple in Siem Reap. The food-mustached little man was ready to enjoy his snack while playing in the sand.

Prior to entering Ta Som temple, I watched this woman as she cut open palm fruit and then I sampled the sugary fruit.

When traveling in Cambodia, get out and try new foods. There is something for every taste bud. Keep your eye out for roadside fruit trees. Some great fruits to try are mangosteen, lychee, jackfruit, longan, and rambutan.

Take time to watch as fruit is being cut in front of you. I was shocked at how much work went into cutting some of the fruit. It reaped little reward for the work put in. By taking time to interact with locals you may gain a better understanding of Cambodian daily life.

With fertile land, you can find a variety of tropical plants to incorporate into your travel diet in Cambodia. Rice is a staple food at most meals. If you’re dining at a restaurant, try Khmer speciality dishes, such as rice porridge, Amok trey, and Lok Lak. Top off the meal with Kampot pepper, derived from Kampot province, which has been grown in Cambodia since at least the 13th century.

What’s your favorite Southeast Asian meal?