Home is Where the Food is...

San Francisco, CA USA

February 16, 2008
N 37°48.049
W 122°24.580

While traveling we would comment on the abundance of vegetables, produce, dairy and meat we can get in the Bay Area, and how quality product makes a huge difference in the final dish. A perfect example of this rule was when we were in Vietnam. We expected the Pho to be the best in the world. However, since the local produce didn't compare with California produce, the end product wasn’t what we expected. With a few exceptions, we decided our favorite local Pho place was better than street-side in Hanoi.

It is great to be home and have access to the some of the best meats, cheese, breads and local produce around; and now that my kitchen is back together I enjoy cooking nearly every day. In fact, I consider cooking to be therapeutic as we navigate our way back to reality.

While we were gone we thought about Molinari's, the deli in our neighborhood, or Little City Meats, where I have to receive approval from our butcher on how I intend to prepare the cut of meat before he’ll let me leave the shop. I also dreamed about the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building and the fresh fruit and even though we saw other great markets, none of them compared to the vast selection and fine produce right in our neighborhood.

I guess what I am trying to say is even though we are lacking the daily stimulation we received while traveling, and we’re experiencing bouts of post travel depression, we’re happy to be back in San Francisco and definitely enjoying the convenience and simplicity of life at home.