San Francisco: Day 3

We rested up today after having such a long day yesterday and didn't wake up until 10am!  Regular time for me, but way early for Mom and Darian, even with the time difference.  After finally getting the sleepy twins out of bed, we headed to Zuni Cafe.  At first I was afraid that it would a repeat experience of Chez Panisse but my worries were absolutely unfounded.

Fennel Sausage on a bed of French Lentils and Roasted Yellow and Red Beets

My Fennel Sausage on a bed of French Lentils and Roasted Yellow and Red Beets were DELICIOUS.  I was afraid the sausage would be dry but it was light but still delectably juicy with great seasonings and paired extremely well with the lemony french lentils.  The sweet roasted beets brightened up the whole dish and the grilled greens (dandelion greens?  beet tops?) rounded off the entire experience.  My one caveat was that the greens were a little too slathered in olive oil but aside from that the dish was perfect.  The charred-ness made the greens so good I was actually wishing for more and you better believe I did not even leave one little lentil left on the plate. 

Penne with Mushroom Sauce

Darian, of course, got the Penne with Mushroom Sauce.  She is currently on a mushroom bend at the moment so she devoured the plate and I knew secretly would've to ask for seconds if she weren't so full!  The sauce looks deceptively simple but the flavors were so rounded and complex I won't even venture to try to guess beyond chopped tomatoes and some awesomely dry white wine.  The homemade pasta was so good I kept stealing bites from Darian's plate, thank god she was too tired to notice.

Zuni Cafe Burger

Mom was also pretty impressed with her Zuni Burger, although she later admitted that I was right and she should have ordered her burger medium instead of medium rare.  (NOTE: People, please always get your burgers medium.  Just trust me on this.)  She loved the bread and the pickled onions.  Yum!

Gâteau Victoire with Whipped Cream & Caramel Pot De Crème with Bourbon Whipped Cream and Hazelnut Praline

What really did us over were the desserts.  Mom got the Gâteau Victoire with Whipped Cream and I got the Caramel Pot De Crème with Bourbon Whipped Cream and Hazelnut Praline.  Both were delicious.  Mom's was delightfully dense and chocolatey, just sweet enough to satisfy our sugar craving while my pot de creme was rich and the whipped cream extremely bourbon-ey, almost overwhelmingly so but balanced when eaten together and even better with the hazelnut praline.  Highly recommended, no matter how full you are from the undoubtedly wonderful entrees.  I made reservations but it was pretty empty when we got there so maybe its not necessary for lunch.

Golden Gate Bridge

 After the decadent brunch, we ventured to the Golden Gate Bridge since it was such a nice day--too mad every other tourist in the Bay Area also had the same thought and the area was completely packed.  Darian and I did manage to get this wonderful panorama when Mom, in trying to get the car to from the parking lot to come pick us up, accidentally wound up crossing the bridge (don't ask).  Afterwards, we made a quick trip to the Cote Tower, which according to the tourist in front of us, "is possibly the worst run tourist attraction I ever came across."  I couldn't honestly disagree but the views were still pretty, especially so as we were there right at sunset.

Dinner was at Ozumo and I could hardly contain my excitement after reading all about their uni risotto, but before we got to that, we started off with the Age Dashi Dofu and the Calamari.  The tofu was so-so but the calamari was pretty delicious with the dipping sauce.

Uni Risotto

The Uni Risotto, however, wasn't so-so, wasn't delicious but absolutely AMAZING.  Even Darian, who is by no means an uni person (I honestly don't think she even knows what uni is), was dying over it.  It was creamy and perfectly chewy with a WHOOSH! of sea breeze in your mouth.  That is honestly the only way I explain it.  Just wonderfulness in your mouth!  The only person who wasn't was Mom but that is because she can't stand any type of cheese or risotto for that matter.  Darian and I didn't mind of course, more for us!

Yellowtail Collar

We also ordered the Spider Roll and the Red Dragon which were both pretty good.  I also insisted on getting the Yellowtail Collar but we completely over-ordered so I think it was a bit under-appreciated by the three of us.  Sad.

We did manage to digest enough of the Uni Risotto and sushi to have room for ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery!  Mom tried earl grey, salted caramel and banana which were all delicious while Darian and I indulged in their sundaes: Darian in their Brownie Sundae and I got the Banana Spilt.  Their split isn't like a traditional split, instead focusing more on the banana flavor by caramelizing the banana and adding tons of nuts into the mix.  DELICIOUS!  We all agreed that it was the best thing we've had the entire trip!  Must stop in SF!