San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace

For those of you who don't know, I have a lot of family in the Bay Area. This year we celebrated Easter up there instead of in San Diego. We didn't do the typical champagne brunch. Instead, we played tourists in a very familiar city. We took the ferry across the bay to the SF Ferry Building Marketplace.

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

Our first stop was at Sur La Table. They have tons and tons of cookie cutters for only $1. I had my husband digging for anchors and dinosaurs. Check and check. :-)  In addition to cookie cutters, they have a huge selection of specialty kitchen supplies and great gifts. My personal fave was the pair of black and leopard dish washing gloves.  http://www.surlatable.com/



Then the eating began! We walked through the marketplace and tried just about everything that was being sampled and sold. Right outside of Sur La Table was a kiosk, El Porteno Empanadas. My hub, Shaun picked the prosciutto & fontina cheese one. Good choice! Best empanada we've ever had. Warm, gooey inside, flaky buttery outside.  http://www.elportenosf.com/

Stonehouse California Olive Oil

After that we sampled oils and vinegars at Stonehouse California Olive Oil. Try the white balsamic vinegar. 




We tried the dark chocolate at Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker and purchased a milk chocolate with sea salted almonds. Best. Chocolate. Ever.  http://www.scharffenberger.com 

Famous Blue Bottle Iced Coffee

I'm an avid Food Network viewer and love the show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate. There was an episode about beverages and Blue Bottle Coffee was featured. There is a Blue Bottle Coffee located in the marketplace. Lucky me! I ordered an iced coffee, and it was the best cup of joe I've ever had.  Really.   http://www.bluebottlecoffee.net/

Julio and his big baguette

While I was waiting for my coffee, my nephew bought a 3 foot baguette from Acme Bread Company that he played with and ate for the entire day. It was delicious and entertaining.  

This place has been featured on Food Network.

Next time I'm going to have to stop at Boccalone Salumeria, Cowgirl Creamery’s Artisan Cheese Shop & Sidekick, and Ciao Bella gelateria. I can't wait to come back here!