Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Best Saturday

My personal favorite way to spend a Saturday in San Francisco is at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Since 1992 the growers better called artisans have been selling heirloom vegetables that cannot be beat, anywhere. They also are California certified and the market follows a sustainable food system in operation and education. One interesting thing is the incredible variety of produce; tomatoes have names such as Lemon Boy and Purple Thunder. I learned that because of the industrialization of agriculture, almost 96% of commercial vegetable varieties available in 1903 are now extinct. Thank god the market strives to preserve the amazing products left. I also tried some amazing cheese from the Achadinha Cheese Company that has won numerous awards. It is said that a true San Franciscan can tell just where the heirloom tomato on his plate comes from, I could make studying that every Saturday a must if I lived here!

Food Stars at the Foreign Cinema, San Francisco

Last night we finally made it to the restaurant Foreign Cinema in the Mission District, wonderful eclectic food in a tremendous setting. I love sitting at a big table filled with family and this was the perfect place to do it! After we strolled around this lively area filled with funky bars and shops people watching all the way. Street murals mix with street chic though done in a laid back way.

America's Most Untypical American City, San Francisco

This Thursday I am heading to one of my favorite American cities, San Francisco, it is also the most untypical US city. Besides seeing my nephew and his wonderful fiancée Beth, I plan on seeing some new places. As luck would have it one of my favorite travel mags National Geographic Traveler cover the city in this months issue. I plan on using some of there picks such as Golden Gate Park, over 1000 acres complete with Japanese Gardens. In keeping with the Asian mode I plan on going to the Tien Hau Temple the oldest Chinese temple in the country. For a glimpse into early SF a stop at the Mission Dolores, dating from Spanish colonial times is a must for me. A definite is the market at the old ferry terminal, time to get Drew to make his fantastic tomato salad for a trip to Napa. Best of all will be dinners with family.