TRAVEL AWAITS: 9 Unique Food And Dining Experiences I Loved In San Francisco (2024)

This articlewas first published in Travel Awaits on Dec. 16, 2022

San Franciscousuallymakes it to the list of the Top 10 Best, Most Exciting, Fun Cities in theWorld. I had flown to this great City by the Bay a few times when I was stillworking for computer companies in Manila. But since those were business trips,I really didn’t get to experience what makes the city so top-notch.

It just so happened that my eldest daughterTrisha and her family now live in Livermore in the Tri-Valley,only about an hour from the city, but our visits have mostly been social events.When my youngest daughter April (based in Melbourne, Australia) had to train ather company’s San Francisco head office, we found the chance to explore thearea. Trisha’s daughter Daniela who worked as a scientist in a San Franciscocompany volunteered to take us on an unforgettable two-day tour.

Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf: Clam Chowder and Sourdough

She took us on an Uber ride to Pier 39, pointing out the floral door arounda lovely door, the famous Carousel Ride, the wooden boardwalk, many exoticshops, the huge heart, the giant crab sculpture, and the great bay views. Butwhen the barks, honks, grunts, growls, roars, moans, or whatever elsethey callthose sounds grew louder, we knew we were approaching the seals that have made the unique pierhome for years.

Pier 39 is in the famous neighborhood called Fisherman’s Wharf. We spotted colorfulstreet art, a view of the mystical Alcatraz,and old WWII ships on display.

But it is best known for its restaurants and food outlets. Weavoided those offering crabs because that’s what was planned for dinner. But mygranddaughter insisted we stop for snacks at the Boudin Bakery for their remarkable flagshipsourdough bread perfectly paired with classic clam chowder. At certain times youcan even see the bakers at work through a 30-foot observation window and askquestions (and get answers) through a two-way intercom system.

Ghirardelli Square, Chocolates, and Chocolate Ice Cream

A walk past the SanFrancisco Maritime National Historical Park would usually give you a greatview of the Golden Gate Bridge, butthis day she was hiding. The road took us up to Ghirardelli Square, a lovely shoppingarea with captivating arches and classy shops. We entered the lower level and wentstraight up to the Marketplaceat the second level. And there we bought plenty of chocolates to bring home. Wealso could not resist the different versions of chocolate in decadent ice cream!

Roman-style Pizza and Craft Beer Downtown

Afterward, we met April for lunch at Delarosa, a popular pizza place near heroffice on Market Street. It was buzzing with activity, just like a festiveItalian party, with all the millennials taking lunch breaks from theirhigh-tech jobs. That’s what the restaurant is known for: “Communal-styleall-day dining, 7 days a week.” Their interpretation of great craft beer (andalso Italian and Californian wines and other craft co*cktails) paired with theirRoman-style pizza has definitely made a mark withthe young and the young-at-heart.

Chinatown and Dim Sums

Another Uber ride took us to Chinatown. Whoa! Beyond theDragon Gate unfolded an area bustling with alleys filled with all kinds ofcultural products from the East: Home décor, gadgets, souvenirs, produce, bakedgoods, dry goods, etc. We found plenty of co*cktail and karaoke bars, foodjoints, etc. as bright-red round lanterns hanging over the streets contributedto the festive atmosphere. Ornate buildings and temples made for great photo-ops,too.

Then she led us to her favorite little bakery, Good MongKok. There are no tables or chairs. You fall in line, order your dimsum selections—and eat, standing, outside on thesidewalk. They are truly exceptional (and inexpensive) dim sums. We ordered somuch that, reserving our appetite for the grand crab dinner that night, we tookhome a lot for next day’s breakfast. San Francisco’s Chinatown is America’s oldestand the largest outside Asia. Don’t miss this unique experience.

Vietnamese Roasted Crabs and Garlic Noodles

At last, it was time for the grand crab dinner! Crustacean is thesister restaurant of ThanhLong, the classic Vietnamese restaurant that has served its famous roasted crabwith garlic noodles for ages. Thanh Long blossomed into amulti-million-dollar empire after the family arrived in 1975, fleeing theCommunist takeover of South Vietnam. It was hailed as San Francisco’s firstVietnamese restaurant, regularly patronized by celebrities such as HarrisonFord.

A friend— the CEO of the computer company thatsupplied equipment to the organization where I oversaw automation—introduced us to this culinary experience. She treated me andmy young daughters to this popular spot in the late 1980s. Since then, mychildren have gushed that it was the best meal they have ever had anywhere inthe world and have dreamed of going back. I took them to the more accessibleand upscale sister restaurant that was added to meet the huge demand. Yes, weeach devoured one huge crab, complementing bites with oozing forkfuls of divinegarlic noodles. Do this at least once in your lifetime.

Fashion, Technology, and Little Delhi

San Francisco is also a fashion mecca, so the next day mygranddaughter took us to some favorite stores. First was Uniqlo(whose brand ambassadors included tennis icons Djokovic and Federer) to seewhat all the fuss is about this Japanese brand. We discovered the companysecrets in plain sight: great designs and outstanding materials. Afterward, shetook us to JINS, another Japanese brand for fashioneye frames frequented by millennials. I found some styles for me (I guess that,at 74, I still feel 34). The store closed in August 2022 as online salessoared.

Finally, it was time to pick up April for lunch. Curious, Iwanted to see the secrets of Zendesk, oneof the most successful innovative high-tech companies in customer service (Uberand Airbnb are two of its biggest clients). We discovered some reasons. Thecreativity of every employee is unleashed with modern food/bar areas on everyfloor, with pantries filled. There are nooks for two, areas for bigger groups, andeven a creative studio. Desks/chairs are for every style of working: standing upor slouching over a laptop (my preference).

Lunch brought our focus back to our happy little family.April chose Little Delhi and myhusband could not agree more. They both love Indian cuisine. Classic dishesenjoyed by the people of New Delhi for decades are offered at this modest butimpeccably themed place. Even the taste of Old Delhi, famous for its layered parathas– a type of bread fried on a griddle and made without yeast—is served here. Daniela and I found some great options and weall had a great time.

Matcha in Japantown

After lunch, Daniela took us to a place I never knew even existed:Japantown. It is a sprawling,two-wing two-level mall of everything Japanese: Décor, gadgets, clothing, art,food, cosmetics, etc. I loved the imposing giant pagoda at the entrance, thewall mural of colorful Japanese umbrellas, the red bridge/stairs connecting thetwo floors, replicas of temples, and other Instagrammable spots. Daniela had toget a specific cosmetic item, best for Asian skin, at an outlet, but it was at the store selling matcha ice creamin tons of different flavors where we lingered the longest. I had the green teaversion, of course—four scoops!

The Filipino Homecoming In Max’s

Finally, for dinner, we met the rest of the family at Max’s, that classic Filipinorestaurant we have loved since my children were born. It is known as “The Housethat Fried Chicken Built,” with as many as 170 branches in the Philippines. I have tried to replicate their whole fried chicken,which is not breaded, crispy on the outside, and moist inside, but I havefailed each time. There are already 14 international branches of this successfulrestaurant, including six in the US, five in Canada, and others in Australia,Dubai, and Kuwait. With other authentic Filipino favorites in their menu selection,it was a trip back home, a family feast of Filipino food. I understand thatFilipino cuisine is gaining popularity. This is where to try it.

Dessert and Merienda at Auntie Em’s

Right after lunch, Daniela took us to Auntie Em’s Fine Foods and Pastriesjust next door. Actually, from this store, she ships to me items that I love. Itspecializes in Filipino delicacies for desserts and merienda(snacks). I took the chance to buy a dozen of my favorite ensaymadas tobring home. And there are others like kakanins, empanadas, leche flan,bibingka, haleya, etc. You must sample those made from ube (purpleyam). The spate of Internet articles about it probably indicates that itemsmade from it are also gaining popularity.

We owe these nine amazing food experiences inSan Francisco to one of the best tour guides we could ever have. Our millennialgranddaughter not only knew the city (and its food) well, but she lovingly giftedus with her precious time and wonderful company.