I do know I’ve not less than one companion in enterprise who thinks I am loopy, however should you dwell your life as one quick and livid curler coaster, do this journey.
Whereas planning on visiting to jot down concerning the Sonoma Wine County Weekend held over Labor Day I got here throughout a few different occasions that held our curiosity; our being my spouse and I. In 2007 we have been capable of go to the Sausalito Artwork Pageant’s opening formal affair earlier than venturing as much as Mendocino for the stability of the vacation weekend. So realizing what a very good time the artwork fest was, I included within the planning for this yr.
Lo and behold, I used to be having fun with studying Saveur journal and I discover an article for Inaugural Version of the Sluggish Meals Nation to be held, of all issues, in SFO over the identical Labor Day weekend.
Ought to I dare take an opportunity and attempt to do all three? Is the pope catholic? Let see, hop on a aircraft to SFO on Friday in time to have lunch and settle in to our Argonaut Resort. Whereas this Kimpton resort is has an amazing location, it’s nonetheless on Fisherman’s Wharf and that is both a very good or dangerous factor, relying on loads of components (suppose crowds can be #1.)
Take pleasure in an early dinner should you’re coming from the East coast as a result of time distinction and lay again and take into consideration all you will note and do within the subsequent couple of days.
Saturday morning it is time for a lightweight breakfast (no critical consuming on an empty abdomen) and hire a automotive close to the resort. That is nonetheless early, however the drive over that magic Golden Gate Bridge and as much as Sonoma is the one time that pace doesn’t matter.
Sonoma Showcase begins at 11am and we pull in proper after the primary rush. What a strategy to begin your day with The Bubble Lounge simply in the beginning of the grounds of Mac Murray winery. Eat and drink (carefully) and dig the Metal Chef Competitors and different cooking demonstrations. Time to take your memento wine glass (the $150 reminiscence per particular person for this one occasion) with you and hoof it again to Fisherman’s Wharf by mid afternoon. We do miss all the lunches and dinners and actually miss the Sunday public sale, however life within the quick lane holds solely so many openings.
Dinner could be room service for many this night. A few of us have been sensible sufficient to go to the Farmer’s Market down on the wharf early this morning, so as an alternative of one other massive dinner, its charcuterie platters, cheese, a few of that well-known SFO bitter dough bread and a pleasant 60 diploma bottle of Pinot Noir and a few US Open tennis for the night time.
Sunday brings extra superb climate and what an concept. The automotive rental place was closed early so I nonetheless had the rental. It is a GREAT IDEA. After espresso I acquired my spouse transferring to the storage the place is stashed the automotive in a single day (parking charge virtually the identical as the price of the rental however it’s a vacation, proper?) and stated let’s go downtown to the Civic Middle the place part of the Sluggish Meals Nation is on show. My timing couldn’t be higher. It’s early (suppose East Coast of us) and we’re on the streets of San Francisco round 7am on a Sunday. No person else is. You may actually make U-turns presently of day. We solely see the arrange on the civic heart as a result of they’re nonetheless closed. We drive proper as much as Coit Tower and discover parking areas! Drive down by means of Little Italy and discover one other parking area for a few of that mighty positive espresso and pastries to die for………
All of this in sufficient time to get the rental again, bathe and cab to the opening of the Sluggish Meals Nation shut by on the Fort Mason Middle. First yr for the occasion, so it is okay and enjoyable, however not selection. Why fear? We stroll again in direction of our resort and run into Ghiradelli Sq. and have lunch at McCormick & Kuleto’s. The great karma is certainly working today. Later we go on a hunt for oysters and discover out that the well-known Scomas does NOT enable any meals on the bar after 3pm, pity, somebody will take my cash however simply not them.
Good dinner on the Embarcadero and residential for extra wine and tennis earlier than our final day, the precise Labor Day. Pre-arranged through the web, I had our ferry passes and tickets to the Sausalito Artwork Honest in hand and boarded the primary particular ferry out of SFO. What a harbor journey straight previous some well-known jail (all of them give me hives) and get dropped off on a dock that has a direct entrance to the competition. Nearly just like the Academy Awards purple carpet therapy.
As soon as once more I’m completely impressed with the artwork competition. Tons of artists and their best on show together with sufficient meals and beverage to make the day very grand, certainly. Again to Fisherman’s Wharf and we’re even loopy sufficient to enterprise onto Pier 39 and discover a protected harbor at a wine tasting bar. Heaven once more.
Unhappy to say, however all we’ve time to do is prepare for our remaining meal of the journey, however what’s to not like since we’re in San Francisco. Tonight, to shock ourselves we get a cab again all the way down to North Seaside and Columbus Ave and to a spot I noticed after we had espresso and sweets the day earlier than. The restaurant is likely one of the hundreds of thousands catering to the locals and costs to match. A great bottle of Chianti, an app and a replica of magical Italian dishes places this journey simply excessive.