Anniversary Getaway to The Bay Part 1

This year marks our fourth wedding anniversary. The last two years have been overshadowed by the death of our dear friend Garret and last year, my father's passing. This year, I decided to get out ahead of tragedy and book a flight to San Francisco to celebrate our special day.


We left on Tuesday, January 21 for three days and two nights the windy city. Using hotel points we booked a room at the W Hotel near Yerba Buena Center. Alex, the very kind front desk clerk, upgraded our room when he learned it was our anniversary. A corner room (#1702) with a view of the Bay Bridge. What we loved about it (in addition to the perfect pillows and Bliss amenities) were the two window seats where we could sit a read all afternoon. (Which we did on Wednesday after a walk to the Ferry Building for a cup of the best latte ever at Blue Bottle Coffee.)

Our dinner the first night was at Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason Center. We'd been there the last time we were in SF to celebrate David's birthday. It's a favorite and remains so after our meal Tuesday night. With a vegetarian menu everything was "on the table" in terms of choices.

I started with the County Line Little Gems Escarole and Watercress Salad - slices of apple and persimmon  gave it crunch, pomegranate seeds dotted it with color and a cider vinaigrette was perfectly matched to the ingredients.

David started with the Warm Cauliflower Salad - capers and pecorino gave it a burst of tang while the pine nuts were buttery and well, nutty. Oh I forgot the most aromatic gin martini I've had since Hendrick's gin. This one was made with a local distiller's organic gin called Blade. Flowery citrusy, aromatic perfection. Only thing better (maybe) was the Vesper David had in Boston at Catalyst over the holidays

Okay back to dinner. My second course was the Mesquite Grilled Brochette, a winter vegetable kabob with a warmly spiced green curry type sauce called charmoula, Moroccan carrot slaw and couscous. Just delicious with grilled tofu cubes and chunks of white and sweet potato. David ordered the Greek Pizza with savoy spinach, rainbow chard, red onions, feta, fontina, gaeta olives, rosemary and lemon oil. He could barely finish it it was so rich but so flavorful he couldn't stop eating. The crust was like a pastry crust with cornmeal adding a lightness to it.

By the time we reached dessert we were both too full. I asked the waiter to package a few of their cookies for me to take "home". Their Mexican wedding cookies seemed so appropriate!

Wednesday we slept late, ordered room service and puttered most of the morning. Let me just say the room service food was impeccable. Oatmeal with chewy and grainy without being overly thick and creamy.

David's yogurt with granola and fruit included both housemade granola and housemade yogurt with vanilla bean speckles in the sweet and perfectly tart European styled version. We asked where they got it and the kitchen says they make it themselves. How about that - must get the recipe.

Our afternoon included the aforementioned trip to the Ferry Building and then a lazy afternoon reading - its a tremendously freeing thing to be in a city like San Francisco and not feel compelled to spend every moment out in the city.

To be able to relax and enjoy our room with a view made this one of the most relaxing and reviving trips I've been on in a very long time. By late afternoon we were ready to use our complimentary drink coupons and try out the hotel bar. I ordered a kir royal in memory of our Paris trip four years ago. Perfectly balanced it was a lightly fruity, dry treat before we changed clothes for dinner.