{good eats} Wooly Pig Cafe

When I met up with some friends in the Inner Sunset area, they took me straight to the Wooly Pig Cafe raving about the Wooly Pig sandwich, a braised caramel pork belly sandwich that is there specialty.  After this pork belly experience just two days earlier, I decided to try the Banh Mi sandwich with Traditional Vietnamese Cold Cuts, Papaya Salad, Thai Chili and Citrus Vinaigrette.  It was an incredible combination of flavors, textures and a kick of spice that I could definitely get used to.

Oh!  I almost forget to mention one of the best part!  Thai Tea Panna Cotta.  [drool]

Photos: Robin West

{photo diary} walls of San Francisco

If walls could talk...well, they would speak volumes.

 

Photos: Robin West [minus one of me, thanks Mykeah!]

{good eats} Tartine Bakery

Another "must" on everyone's journey to San Francisco is the Tartine Bakery located in the Mission.  Somehow, I never really explored this neighborhood until this trip, but definitely seemed to spend a majority of my time exploring all of the hidden treasures.

Tartine is what every bakery should be - simple ideas + the classics executed perfectly with the freshest ingredients and in a lovely open space, perfect for meeting other baked good fanatics.  What else can you really ask for?

at work creating a masterpiece...

this lemon tart was too good to put into words.

Photos + eating: Robin West

{photo diary} Jean Paul Gaultier at de Young Museum

When I realized I was going to be in SF while the de Young Museum had their Gaultier exhibit opened, I immediately put it to the top of my list.  One of the best things was that they really made sure to not allow a massive amount of people in all at once so everyone was able to get detailed views of each magnificent piece.  

As soon as you walk in, you realize you are experiencing something really unique - each mannequin had a video projection of individual faces blinking, singing + looking right at you.  A little creepy at first, but man, did it make an impression + suck you right in!

I really loved everything.  Each era, collection + detail was seriously beautiful, so much so if I were allowed to sleep on the floor and just 'live it' for a day or two I absolutely would have.  

Madonna's actual wardrobe.

 

hands down my favorite look in the exhibit...

 

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} Farm:Table

Since a photo speaks a thousand words, going to keep this short + sweet.  Farm:Table's breakfast was food that everyone should spend every morning indulging in.  Spring vegetables, egg, perfect polenta, broccolini and just 2 short blocks [uphill] away from my friend's apartment.  Score!

Photos + Eating: Robin West

{good eats} The Sycamore

Within 30 minutes of getting off the BART, I walked to The Sycamore to try these Pork Belly Donuts with Maple Makers Mark Glaze that I read about on a few websites.  In my head I thought the donuts would be fried in pork belly fat - to my surprise, it was more like a zeppole with pork belly meat in the middle.  Whoa.  

Photos: Robin West

{good eats} Rye, San Francisco

One thing that I can't get out of my head from my trip?  This beautiful gimlet from Rye.  I asked the bartender for something not too heavy of a liquor taste and she handed me this - watching her create this was pretty amazing, almost as much as drinking it.  

Photo: Robin West

{snap!} San Francisco + Happy Friday!

I would like to say that it is good to be back, but I left sunny San Francisco for gloom + doom in NYC, so..... 

On a brighter note, I got snap happy while frolicking around and figured I would share until I do the full download of photos.  Two of my highlights happened on Saturday - I got to experience the truly unforgettable Jean Paul-Gaultier exhibit at the de Young Museum [AMAZING photos to follow] + then walked into my new favorite vintage store on Haight to score a perfect fitting Oscar de la Renta dress from the 60's!

Other highlights coming along with the exhibit will be Tartine Bakery, Farm:Table, Wooly Pig Cafe + more!  The 'more' means that I haven't looked at my camera and genuinely don't remember what's on it.  I think that's a good sign of a great vacation!

Photos: Robin West