Oh the Places You'll Go: San Francisco Part Two

I decided SF deserved a second post.

Sunday we got up at a reasonable hour and walked from the Theatre District to the Hayes Valley for brunch at Absinthe. Again with the old school cocktails, and also the home restaurant of everyone's favourite Team Rainbow member, Jamie Lauren. I had coffee, a fig and champagne cocktail, an oyster shooter, a soft boiled egg (which was perfectly cooked) with salt and sage croutons for dipping, and toast.

Then we wandered and shopped 'round the area, noting the multitude of places one could purchase macarons (including a shop dedicated solely to their production and sale), and popping into a delightful old-school candy shop, Miette Patisserie and Confiserie. Then we caught a streetcar to Chinatown and wandered through Union Square in search of proper steamed pork buns (surprisingly hard to find in NYC).

That evening, we took the cable car to Gary Danko, for the following meal.

Butternut Squash Soup with Creme Fraiche and Caviar and Smoked Salmon on a Blini

Dungeness Crab Salad with Winter Citrus, Avocado and Meyer Lemon-Chive Vinaigrette
Seared Sonoma Foie Gras with Caramelized Red Onions and Fuji Apples

Seared Ahi Tuna with Avocado, Nori, Enoki Mushrooms and Lemon Soy Dressing
Pancetta Wrapped Frog Legs with Garlic Purée, Potato, Lentils and Parsley

Roast Maine Lobster with Potato Purée, Blood Oranges, Edamame Beans and Basil
Lemon Pepper Duck Breast with Duck Hash, Celery Root-Garlic Purée and Poached Rhubarb

A Selection of Farmhouse and Artisanal Cheeses Presented Tableside

Baked Chocolate Soufflé with Two Sauces

We started with a glass of Villa Creek's "Willow Creek Curée" from Paso Robles, there was a complimentary glass of bubbly, and we finally settled on a bottle of Domaine de Pallus, from Chinon in Loire Valley, "Les Pensées de Pallus". The sommelier was most helpful, and the customer service was extraordinary across the board.