ferry building - one of my favorite places in san francisco!

(San Francisco)  The Ferry Building Marketplace is located along the Embarcadero at the foot of
Market Street.  The closest BART stop is the Embarcadero stop.  It is filled with restaurants, gourmet food shops, grocers, and bakeries.  It is definitely worth a visit for any tourist visiting San Francisco but is also a nice hangout for locals especially with the fabulous Farmer's Market there (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).  For more information go to their official website here.

I visit San Francisco very often and I always stop by the Ferry Building because there are so many places there I adore!  I fondly recall one visit where I socialized there from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.  - happily eating and drinking the day away at the wine bar, then Hog's Island, then back at the wine bar.  I always know I will be tempted to eat too much so I plan ahead and wear stretchy clothes.

Below is a list of my favorite places at the Ferry Building.  Check them out - you won't be disappointed!

• Hog Island Oyster Bar - All the seafood here is fresh and fabulous but
  
  they also make the best grilled cheese sandwich here.  It's filled with 3 types of Cowgirl Creamery cheese on Acme bread, served with pickled veggies... it's soooo good!  i want one now as i'm writing this blog!  They don't take reservations - it's first come, first serve and your entire party has to be present to be seated.  I usually try to get there early and grab a seat at the bar (or if the weather is nice, a seat in the outside patio with a view of the bay).  They've recently expanded their space with more seating and a new cocktail bar.

• Slanted Door - Sophisticated Vietnamese restaurant with delicious food.  While I normally feel lukewarm about asian-fusion food, this restaurant has remained an exception.  I love their shaking beef, crab noodles and stir-fried corn. 

  

  Spring rolls at Slanted Door.

  Reservations are recommended because it can get crowded.  (Note:  they were just awarded the 2014 James Beard Award for "Outstanding Restaurant").  I wouldn't recommend their happy hour however since the bar menu is super limited.
• Out the Door - This is a casual outpost of Slanted Door where they serve "street food".  It's a great place to grab a quick snack or meal.  I usually get the chicken or pork bun or the fried spring rolls. 
• Cowgirl Creamery - There is an amazing selection of

  

  A mountain of cheese at Cowgirl Creamery!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  cheeses here and they are lovely about letting you sample them.  I like to go and experience some new cheeses, but I always try to buy something for a snack later or to bring home.  You can usually bring back hard cheeses which don't require immediate refrigeration, or they can ship it to your home.

Melty cheese at Cowgirl Creamery.

• Blue Bottle Coffee - I've only recently learned to appreciate really good coffee and these people know what they are doing.  The lines can get a little bit crazy so patience is key.  Sometimes there is a booth that serves a more limited menu outside of the Ferry Building where the lines aren't as bad.  I always buy a few extra bags of coffee beans to bring home or to give as gifts.
• Humphrys Slocombe - Right across from Blue Bottle is a delightful ice cream shop with inventive flavors.  The lines are long but they go pretty quickly.  I loved the Secret Breakfast (bourbon with corn flakes), the Fluffernutter (peanut butter and marshmallow fluff) and Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee.  (Blue Bottle also has an affogato with their ice cream - 2 scoops immersed in hot espresso...mmmmmm....)
• Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant - A nice place to hang out and enjoy a wine flight and snacks from Acme and Cowgirl Creamery. 
  

  

  Try wines from around the world!

Bombolini with choc hazelnut.

• I Preferiti di Boriana - Bombolinis - This isn't really a store but there is always a lady there selling fried italian donuts stuffed with flavored custards and creams.  yum!
• Farmers Market - A wonderful array of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, and other delicious foods.  On Saturdays, Roli Roti Gourmet Rotisserie is there selling the most amazing porchetta sandwiches.  The lines may look intimidating, but grab a mini snack, get in line and just wait - you won't regret it.... unless you

  

  Porchetta Sandwich.

  don't eat pork, that is.  (Or get there before 11:30 a.m. and there shouldn't be a line.)  Another favorite is 4505 Meats which is a butcher shop and restaurant, but they have a booth at the Farmer's Market and serve delicious burgers, bbq and breakfast sandwiches.  On a recent visit we enjoyed the breakfast sandwich with maple sausage, gruyere cheese and a fried egg.  delish!

Waiting for my breakfast sandwich.  (see pic below)

Handing out samples of cracklin at Roli Roti.