bits of my weekend, august 21, 2012

{alcatraz, as seen from the top of the lyon street steps}

I hate to gloat by saying that we got lucky, but I think this past weekend spent in San Francisco we were privy to some of the nicest weather possible.  From our arrival on Friday morning to our departure on Monday, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, save for a few wisps of the city’s famous fog that I actually would have been disappointed not to have experienced.  I’ve visited San Fran a few times before, but out of all of my trips, this one definitely ranks as the best yet.   We stayed in a townhouse in The Mission with one of our favorite couples and James brother, Mark, and as another stroke of luck would have it, we were (rather coincidentally) going to be in the city at the same time as three of my friends.  It was a long weekend full of exploration, days spent meandering throughout all of the various neighborhoods, and, of course, lots of great food.  We managed to check out most of the city on foot, and cram in visits to restaurants I’d been dying to try (Delfina, Tartine, Foreign Cinema, Zuni Cafe, Bi-Rite Creamery, Suppenkuche) as well as some old favorites (Slanted Door and SPQR).

I’ve got an almost totally full memory card of photos waiting to be unloaded, and I’ve got so much more to tell you about a city that I fall more in love with each time I visit, but in the meantime, here are a few Instagram snaps of the weekend:

{a hike with the pooch the night before we left}

{“cooling” off in the sunshine}

{a lunch of falafel balls and red stripe to make up for no groceries in the house}

{the “why are you packing up suitcases” face}

{thursday night supper at basta: an arugula and prosciutto pie}

{whole seabass with lemon and potatoes}

{and pizza again for our first friday meal in SF}

{our home-base neighborhood for the weekend}

{an impulsive, 12 hours pre-trip, six inch lop}

{luckily sharing time in the city with a few great friends}

{china glaze’s “catwalk concrete” on my tips, in anticipation of cooler temps}

{a delicious brunch at foreign cinema: whipped brandade, house pickles, toast}

{being choosy about the tunes}

{the thing to order at suppenkuche: a boot of beer}

{one to cross off my sf bucket list: zuni cafe, for some amazing roast chicken}

{in good company (but with scary eyes), at a saturday night concert}

{best seats in the house: front and center}

{a stop in to bi-rite for a scoop of basil ice cream}

{biking brothers, post golden gate park exploration}

{strolling the haight}