Eating in San Francisco
I am woman who loves to eat. In fact, my insatiable desire for exquisite, unique and fresh food is one of the key reasons I fell in love with Berkeley/San Francisco. Even the simplest item like a sandwich or salad is turned into a delectable work of art here. My favorite “fast food” restaurant in Berkeley (http://www.gregoirerestaurant.com) serves impeccable dishes carefully prepared by a classically trained French chef. And for dessert? Why settle for a candy bar when even the corner liquor store will sell you a pistachio and fresh fig tart covered in locally made lavender honey?
Unfortunately now that I’m “with child,” San Francisco’s culinary delights serve only to mock me. It’s bad enough that I have to forsake microbrews for 9 months, but I can’t even get a sandwich in this town? The problem is, no one sells plain food here. You can’t find a classic cheddar cheese hamburger here to save your life. When I ventured out to three of my favorite shops today for lunch, I was disappointed to find that each sandwich they offered was covered in brie, fontina, chevre, stilton or gorgonzola. Ditto for the salads. And don’t get me started on the charcuterie. Oh, omnipresent cured meats, how you torture me! Smoked, cured, salted, you name it – SF chefs seem to put preserved meats on everything, leaving us pregnant ladies wandering the streets desperate for some listeria-free food.
The upside – and this may be the first time morning sickness has been considered an upside – is that I really don’t want to eat anything anyway. I’m hungry all the time, but I also get queasy at the site/smell/idea of most foods. I’m keeping it simple – fresh fruit, whole wheat muffins, nuts, watermelon juice – and planning for the royal celebration meal I will consume in June!
Unfortunately now that I’m “with child,” San Francisco’s culinary delights serve only to mock me. It’s bad enough that I have to forsake microbrews for 9 months, but I can’t even get a sandwich in this town? The problem is, no one sells plain food here. You can’t find a classic cheddar cheese hamburger here to save your life. When I ventured out to three of my favorite shops today for lunch, I was disappointed to find that each sandwich they offered was covered in brie, fontina, chevre, stilton or gorgonzola. Ditto for the salads. And don’t get me started on the charcuterie. Oh, omnipresent cured meats, how you torture me! Smoked, cured, salted, you name it – SF chefs seem to put preserved meats on everything, leaving us pregnant ladies wandering the streets desperate for some listeria-free food.
The upside – and this may be the first time morning sickness has been considered an upside – is that I really don’t want to eat anything anyway. I’m hungry all the time, but I also get queasy at the site/smell/idea of most foods. I’m keeping it simple – fresh fruit, whole wheat muffins, nuts, watermelon juice – and planning for the royal celebration meal I will consume in June!
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