In Search of Inspiration
Once in a while. we get so bogged down with everyday busy-ness in the bakery that we forget how much we love what we do. We slog through our days churning out the same old stuff. I was in such a state a couple of months ago, and I needed to snap out of it quickly. A new season was upon us and I was badly in need of inspiration. The start of the Fall season usually means cool summer desserts giving way to the warmth and comfort of apple and spice and pumpkin. But I was all out of fresh ideas, and everything in last year’s Fall menu seemed tired and stale.
What does one do to get inspired all over again? Sometimes all it takes is trying out that new place across town. Other times it’s having a really excellent meal or an exceptional wine that awakens all those dulled senses, and you rediscover your love of good food. Feeling unfamiliar textures in your mouth, being treated to a different array of colours, or tempted by new aromas. And sometimes, you actually need to get away. A change of scenery is always good, even if it’s only for a couple of days.
So when my boss said, “How do you feel about a weekend in San Francisco?”, my little foodie heart did cartwheels. It was officially a bakery and cafe hop – a research trip. But, we get to do it all: try new things, get away to re-energize, eat good food, drink good wine and, more importantly for me, get my mojo back. Perfect!
SAN FRANCISCO
As you can imagine, we stayed well clear of Fisherman’s Wharf. No inspiration there. Instead we found little gems tucked in the oddest neighborhoods and were rewarded with buckets of inspiration. There’s so much to tell, but that would make this a very long post so here are the highlights. The pictures tell the story.
First stop: Blue Bottle Cafe
NO SIGNAGE, JUST THIS
Tucked in one corner of the Old Mint Building, the never-disappearing line-up that spills outside is the only clue that there’s good food and good coffee here. There are two other locations but this is the main one. Communal tables, sky-high ceilings, a light and airy feel – there are so many little touches that just made this place ooze coolness.
There’s not much baking, and the fresh sheet, which changes weekly, only has 7 items on it. But the well-though-out menu has the best of what the city has to offer: locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients simply presented. It’s a cafe so there’s nothing complicated about the food. For breakfast: steel cut oats, cottage cheese with a mixed berry compote, thick-cut toast, poached eggs.
YUM!
We loved this place so much we went back 2 other times for lunch and weekend brunch. The menu switches to lunch at 11am: fresh bun sandwiches with amazingly simple fillings but oh so good! Did I say how much we loved this place?
Next stop: Tartine Bakery
Tartine is actually well-known in these parts. You know it’s a popular place when they have their own cookbook. This neighborhood bakery is always packed, from morning till night. The atmosphere is a little less refined – more bohemian to fit the neighborhood. It’s not my kind of place to sit in and enjoy a bite to eat; it’s much too busy. But they churn out so much baking every day it’s crazy. Lots of good ideas here though, and everything we tried was very good. They know their stuff.
You’d think with all this bakery hopping we would have no appetite for dinner. Are you kidding? Eating was the order of the weekend!
Dinner at Bar Bambino
This exceptional, high-end Italian restaurant is hardly noticeable. It’s on a scary street, hidden among tacquerias and pawn shops. The neighborhood is awake all night and there are peddlers and bums on every corner. Inside, however, it’s a whole different story. Wood and concrete interior, a very attentive staff, and food so good, you want to cry! Salumi (cured meats), cheeses, red wine, a pappardelle with rabbit, and lamb shank cooked in a delicate cinnamon broth. I could have died that night and it would have been a fitting last meal.
Last but not least: Miette Patisserie
A bakery, in the truest sense, is a lot different from a patisserie and the contrast between Tartine (bakery) and Miette (patisserie) proves that. On our last morning, tired and still somewhat full, we made the trek out to the Ferry Building. It’s a good thing I did not die because I would have missed seeing the wonderfully sweet creations at Miette. Everything here was dainty and pretty. And tasted divine. Who says you can’t have great-looking AND great-tasting desserts? We saw so many cool things in their display that I haven’t seen anywhere. It was definitely worth it.
Three days in San Francisco. A crazy whirlwind of food and drink. And just what the soul needed. Inspiration to last through all the dark days of winter. I, apparently, am easy to please 
What inspires you?
