New Exploration of the Old Neighborhood

Only in the USA

Well, I'm so glad that it says USA right above this sign because you would only find it in the USA. I can't wait to go see what that's all about. It doesn't open until 5pm daily so I was too early today.

I started my quest out this morning with a walk up Fillmore to Hayes. If you remember from my mega foodie walkabout last autumn I ate my way down Hayes for Moishe's Pippic, Fritj's, True Sake, and what else...so many things. Well I am not staying far from there so I walked there today. I ultimately was making my way to North Beach to try this restaurant that some guests had suggested but we'll get to that.

Pounds of Bread Pudding

I walked into La Boulangerie on Laguna and ordered a cup of coffee and a slice of bread pudding. When the man handed me the plate I thought he had to be joking. It weighed a ton! Like one of those things you're not quite ready to hang on to because its way heavier than you thought. The man just laughed when I was said "oof"
It was delicious though, but way too much! So I had her wrap it up and once again I was walking with food in my bag. That's less strange than I think I guess...Brian my boss came up to me yesterday absolutely famished and asked what food I had in my bag. Ha! He really does know me well enough to know I've got something in there he can eat. I gave him some almonds.
So after that and with a pound of uneaten bread pudding in my bag I kept making my way to North Beach. I walked all around the civic center area, scouting my route with the motorcoach tomorrow.
I walked up to the hotel where I'm meeting my bus. Strange place for that as it's on a busy one way street and not really big enough but thats okay, that is the beauty of driving a big rig into town. People have no choice but to avoid you.

From there it was scouting the route through Chinatown and then up Kearny to Columbus and here is where it got interesting. I actually crossed the street here. I've never done that before. The whole place looked new to me! I can't believe I've never done that! And crossing the street was only the half of it because all of these really great little streets are on that side and there is a ton to see and eat and drink there! I wandered for hours.
I should say at one point I did go to Mara's Italian Pastry shop, you know the one, my favorite. And I had a coffee and a little break to dry off because it was raining (of course, my day off) also to figure out a new plan as my desired restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Umhmm.
While i was in Mara's the guys there were asking where I was headed because I had the map out and I said I didn't really know yet I was just going to pick a direction and walk there. They thought that sounded good.

Oh my goodness! So good!

I went back up the street onto that other alley way and had breakfast officially at Mo's. I had walked by it earlier and seen the cook making the home fried potatoes but kept walking. I went back there and decided to have some scrambled eggs with scallions adn cream cheese and a side of home fries.
This place is actually known for its gourmet burgers but the cook totally rocks these scrambled eggs. I have got to give it up to this city, they do make amazing scrambled eggs around here!
Lets see, from there I wandered around Washington Square trying to find Mama's. Brian had talked about it and I was supposed to be going there for breakfast but I didn't find it in time. There was a huge line out front, must be a good one. that is usually a good sign. I also went into the church right there for the first time, really beautiful place. I didn't know they opened churches like that in the US. I've always said how sad it was that they had to keep them locked up.

Needless to say, in my wandering to find Mama's I stumbled onto the BoardRoom (see above photo) And then turned the corner and walked into one of the guys from Mara's. Ha! He said "you really are just walking in circles" it was so funny! I like them there, they are nice.
About this time I decided I wanted to take a break. It had been a nice walk and I was reminded of how much I like this city. It turns out I feel love when I'm on foot and can enjoy things at my own pace and I feel hatred and loathing when I get on the bus...lesson learned. I decided to test my theory and get on the #30 bus. Its notorious for being packed and stinky and packed. It was not a disappointment. Totally stuffed to the gills, except the back half, where no one would go. So I went and just watched the chaos at the back door. I mean, one lady started yelling at people to watch her bag and she's standing right by the exit and wouldn't move. Give me a break. I think people are on their WORST behavior when they board the bus sometimes!

I got off at Market and caught the muni train to Duboce. Its a much nicer journey that way.
In another hour or so I'll put my best outfit on and go sit out at a cafe in Belden Place and see what that's all about. Its a cute little alley by the financial district. I've discovered it and can never get there when they are open. They are a lunch/dinner time place.

Belden Place

Then maybe I'll find a happy hour, or not. And come back home and study for my city tour. I'm getting nervous and excited about it. I think I better read up on Haight Ashbury. Older people seem to be interested because they saw it in the news or read about it. I'm too young to know anything about it really.
So that was just half of my day. How about that. I covered a lot of grouch today (thats been other days lately)! Ha that is a funny typo. I meant ground but that isn't as funny.