Page 171 - HH Jan 2023-Dec 2024
P. 171

f you are going to San   for both quality and diversity of
                                                             Francisco, you are going   its fresh farm products, and
                                                             to meet some very gentle   artisan and prepared foods. It is
                                                             people there. Scott     renowned throughout the country
                                                             Mckenzie’s famous song   as one of the top farmers’ markets
                                                     Ikeeps playing in my            to visit.
                                                     mind as I set my journey to a place   On any day, and especially on
                                                     which has been very close to my   Saturdays, some of San
                                                     heart.                          Francisco’s best-known chefs and
                                                       I start my trip with Napa, which   most famous farmers can be seen
                                                     is north of San Francisco in    at the market. The market
                                                     California. It is known for     provides a forum for people to
                                                     hundreds of hillside vineyards in   learn about food and agriculture.
                                                     the Napa Valley wine region.    Each week nearly 40,000
                                                       In the city of Napa, Oxbow    shoppers visit the farmers market.
                                                     Public Market features regional   Next up, I had a well-spent
                                                     gourmet food. With an           Sunday at the Heart of the City
                                                     assortment of eateries under one   Farmers Market. The farmers
                                                     roof, you will have multiple menus   who run Heart of the City
                                                     to choose from and get excited   Farmers Market strive to bring
                                                     about.                          high-quality, fresh, and
                                                       Take a full loop
                                                     around, before you   “I ACTUALLY HAD NO REAL AGENDA
                                                     make a            FOR SAN FRANCISCO BUT GREAT
                                                     commitment.
                                                     There are many    PLANS TO EAT, VISIT MARKETS AND
                                                     delicious options   CHECK OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN
                                                     to choose from    THE MOST NEO-HIPPIE OR BOHO
                                                     oysters, tapas,
                                                     butcher,          CHIC HUB OF THE WORLD.”
                                                     delicatessen and
                                                     beautiful fresh produce. A trip to   reasonably priced food from small
                                                     the winery is a must to actually   local farms to the heart of San
                                                     understand the labour of love and   Francisco’s poorest urban
                                                     expertise which is needed to    neighbourhoods to support
                                                     produce those beauties.         sustainable, small-scale
                                                       I spent a day walking around   agriculture efforts.
                                                     downtown Napa, exploring some     If you want to eat some really
                                                     great spots for coffee, wine    good Californian Chinese food,
                                                     tasting, lounges and some fab   you have to hit Chinatown. This is
                                                     eateries. I actually had no real   one of the oldest and most
                                                     agenda for San Francisco but    established Chinatowns in the
                                                     great plans to eat, visit markets   US. Beyond the iconic Dragon’s
                                                     and check out what is going on in   Gate, a bustling maze of streets
                                                     the most neo-hippie or boho chic   and alleys brims with dim-sum
                                                     hub of the world.               joints and other traditional
                                                       I had to start by heading down   eateries.
                                                     to the Ferry Building. The Ferry   Also found here are herbalists,
                                                     Plaza Farmers Market is a       bakeries, souvenir shops, and dark
                                                     California-certified farmers    cocktail lounges and karaoke
                                                     market operated by the non-profit   bars. There are ornate temples,
                                                     organisation which promotes     including the landmark Tien How
                                                     farmers and supports            as well as the Chinese Historical
                                                     sustainability.                 Society of America Museum.
                                                       The market is widely acclaimed   Some really good dumpling

                                                                                                             171
          www.hospitality-horizon.com                                       DECEMBER 2023-JANUARY 2024  hospitality horizon
   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176