Meg Goes Nom Nom

Streetcars

As many days have begun so far, we started out with a ride on the MUNI, this time on the above-ground F line streetcars, from Union Square to The Embarcadero.

Ferry Building

Once we got off the MUNI, we arrived at the Ferry Building, which was full of things to delight a “foodie” such as myself.

Shops full of mushrooms, bread, cheese, flowers, olive oils, wine, kitchen goods, coffee, and more.

We had a small lunch at Mijita, where we each had un taco de pescado (fish taco!), filled with deep-fried Mahi Mahi with cilantro-avocado cream and cabbage in a corn tortilla, along with a side of chips and salsa. The salsa was super smoky!

For a treat, we each had one donut from Pepple’s Donuts’ stand in the Ferry Building, which sells exclusively organic, vegan donuts! The huz had chocolate cookie and I had salted caramel, which was oh-sooo-delicious (could’ve gone for a little more salt though!). Yum!!

Our two donuts, and a glass of spiced tea with milk from Cowgirl Creamery.

A couple of my Ferry Building purchases: Dagoba Xocolatl chocolate bar – this is suuuuper hot! And I have a pretty high heat tolerance; it’s also 74% cacao – very dark chocolate! And I also purchased a jar of Salish, Alder-smoked salt which smells incredible. It, too, also smells like a campfire. And that, my friend, is a good thing.

Golden Gate Bridge

Next, we met up with our tour group for our afternoon outing. On the way, we had a brief photo op at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Muir Woods

And then we headed to Muir Woods! I was pretty excited for this. Seeing the giant sequoia and redwood forests has been an item on my bucket list for some time now!

It was amazing and gorgeous!

It made me feel so small! Pictures can never capture how overwhelmingly HUGE these trees are.

We hiked about one mile into the park, and then one mile back, before being taken to the Muir Beach overlook for these awe-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean:

I’ve never seen anything like this before in my life!:

Espetus Churrascaria

Dinner was very exciting tonight! For the first time, we tried a Brazilian steakhouse, called Espetus Churrascaria, which is a “Rodizio style” restaurant, which offers a continuous service, all-you-can parade of MEAT. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but this is pretty much my husband’s fantasy (or, well, ANY guy’s dream, amirite?). So after I enjoyed my incredible vegetarian night in San Fran, it was the husband’s turn for a night of indulgence.

Basically what happens is the “gauchos” prepare cuts of around 14 types of meat over an open flame, and walk around the restaurant offering up slices throughout dinner. If you want more, there is a sign that you turn to the green side requesting more, and if you would like to pause or are done eating, your sign can be turned to the red side, indicating “no, thanks.”

Some of the meats we tried: Sirloin Steak, Filet Mignon, Beef Ribs, Flap Steak, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Pork Loin, Lamb, Grilled Shrimp, Chicken Legs, Homemade Pork Sausage. Grilled pineapple was also offered, as well as a salad-bar full of salads and sides, of which you could also enjoy all you desired. My favorites were Flap Steak and Lamb. And shrimp! Actually I loved everything I tried except the Beef Ribs.

A slice of sirloin:

Greens and meats. I also indulged in red wine (an Argentian Malbec) with (and before – hey, it’s vacation!) dinner.

Tom grabbing his slice of filet from the gaucho.

Such a cool dinner! An experience to remember, and incredibly delicious food. I can’t believe how much I ate!!!