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Billy November 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

How to Get the Most out of Chinatown

Some locals will tell you to skip San Francisco’s Chinatown.  It’s just full of cheap trinket shops and mediocre Chinese restaurants, they say.  As usual, I say that you can get a lot out of Chinatown if you do Chinatown right.

The Dragon Gate welcomes you to Chinatown. San Francisco, United States, North America.
The Dragon Gate welcomes you to Chinatown.

To me, it only makes sense to start your day in Chinatown by passing through the Dragon Gate.  It spans Grant Avenue at the southern entrance to Chinatown, just a few blocks northeast of Union Square.  A block further north, veer off to the right to take a quick stroll through St. Mary’s Square.  St. Mary’s Square permanent resident is an impressive granite and steel sculpture of [Read more…]

Filed Under: United States Tagged With: Christianity, Food, North America, San Francisco, Taoism, United States, US West

Billy September 28, 2017 Leave a Comment

How to Survive Fisherman’s Wharf

I’ve said it before.  San Franciscans look down their noses at Fisherman’s Wharf.  And it can be a complete tourist trap.  But if you know where to look, a day at Fisherman’s Wharf can be an enriching, rewarding experience.  That’s why I’m here to help you do Fisherman’s Wharf right.

View of Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf. Alcatraz, San Francisco, United States, North America.
View of Alcatraz from Fisherman’s Wharf.

The best way to start your day at Fisherman’s Wharf is to leave the mainland and take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, out in the bay.  (By the way, I’m covering the “Greater” Fisherman’s Wharf area– [Read more…]

Filed Under: United States Tagged With: Alcatraz, Food, History, North America, San Francisco, United States, US West, WWII

Billy August 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

San Francisco 2016 Food Diary, Chinatown Revisited

One of the best things about returning to Chinatown was the opportunity to enjoy more Chinese food.  After stopping by Portsmouth Square, I had dinner at a Cantonese restaurant.  When I had dinner in Chinatown on Day 7, I had calamari and only calamari.  I was determined to get veggies this time.  To ensure I got my greens in, I had the chicken salad (marinated roasted shredded chicken breast, crispy vermicelli, lettuce, and parsley mixed with salad dressing).

[Read more…]

Filed Under: United States Tagged With: Food, North America, San Francisco, United States, US West

Billy July 17, 2017 Leave a Comment

San Francisco 2016 Food Diary, Day 7

I spent a big chunk of Day 7 in Chinatown.  Surprisingly, I didn’t eat a whole lot of Chinese food.  (There was more Chinese food coming up in the near future though.)

Francisco met me for breakfast at Café de la Presse.  Café de la Presse is conveniently located around the corner from where I live.  But the convenience doesn’t end there.  It’s directly across the street from the Chinatown Gate.  A perfect spot to begin the day before traipsing around Chinatown.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: United States Tagged With: Food, North America, San Francisco, United States, US West

Billy July 3, 2017 Leave a Comment

San Francisco 2016 Food Diary, Weekday Edition

3 days in a row, I had good meals out on the town.  Not bad for a day (well, 3 days, actually) that was originally unplanned.

On the 1st day, I had dinner at the historic Old Ship Saloon.  It’s outside the Financial District, so I was surprised that it’s closed on weekends.  I got the buttermilk fried chicken and fries with garlic pepper.  Basic, and basically good!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: United States Tagged With: Food, North America, San Francisco, United States, US West

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