Sarah Walker The Curated House, Author at The Curated House

The Wayfare Tavern | San Francisco

Trying to decide where to eat a nice meal in San Francisco is a bit like trying to decide which grain of sand is your favourite on a spectacular beach. The options are endless, and the foodie culture is both adventurous and engaging. Having unsuccessfully attempted a couple of places on our wish list {like this one}, we managed to luck into 6:30 reservations at The Wayfare Tavern, something of a miracle according to our delightful concierge.

Located at 558 Sacramento Street at Leidesdorff Alley, this gem of a gastro-pub feels like a secret waiting to be discovered in its unasuming Financial District location. Right in the middle of the old Barbary Coast {the former red-light district during the Goldrush}. the present-day charm of this destination greets guests before even walking through the front door. The French style bistro tables and chairs with glowing yet simple lanterns invite lingering meals and relaxed conversation.

The interior is more tailored but with a decidedly whimsical bent. The vintage wood floors were reclaimed from an old tobacco farm, and the tile detail {both at the entry and surrounding the second floor bar} unceremoniously spills over into the hardwood with artistic aplomb. Fringed velvet bar stools wink and nod at the Victorian era.


I just love the COLE & SON MALABAR DAMASK wallpaper in the restroom.

Perhaps my favourite vista, the Victorian carved marble fireplace draws guests into the space with an intuitive warmth that speaks to the gastronomic experience to come. As with seemingly every engaging space I encountered in San Fran, it is of course not without a precise dose of taxidermy in the form of an elk bust, anchoring the fireplace with a stoic, rustic elegance.

Nestling into a cozy booth on the second floor, we were greeted warmly by our charming server. Offering scintillating insights into the menu with no agenda but our delight, he skillfully guided us to the perfect choices for our evening together.

Not wanting to disturb other guests, I kept my flash off and thus must apologize for a photo that does not come close to doing justice to our shared starter, the Fig and Melon Salad. Laced with salted pork belly and finished with watercress and a sherry vinagrette, it was sweet-and-salty heaven. Normally any salad with salted pork belly {aka really good bacon} is just a treasure hunt for those magical bits of bacon, but this one was a true delight with each bite of rustically simple, fresh and succulent local ingredients.

Image via www.betweenthebreadblog.com

My man could not resist the description of what may have been a life-changing burger. Made from local, grass-fed beef that is ground in-house, the Wayfare Burger “Le Grand” is sheer indulgence on a brioche bun. Topped with local Marin brie, 3 sinfully thick slices of applewood smoked bacon and juicy-sweet roasted red onions, this burger is decidedly decadent and could come second only to my magnificent main course.

Image via Tyler Florence’s Instagram

The Sonoma Duck was salted and caramelized to tender perfection {cooked medium so as to melt in the mouth}. Served with Chanterelle mushrooms, Mission figs, duck jus and in my case extra green beans in place of the potato purée, this meal was utterly moan-worthy.

With no room for dessert {despite our incredible server’s may I say “sexy” description of the homemade peach pie with brown butter ice cream}, we wandered off into the night with silly grins and seriously satisfied palates. Needless to say we highly recommend The Wayfare Tavern the next time you are in town! From the décor to the cuisine, they will not fail to surprise and delight you.

xo
s.

All photographs by John Lee except where otherwise noted.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 18th, 2012|0 Comments

Coup D’Etat | San Francisco

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without an excursion to the Design District. If you only have an hour to spend, you simply must head straight for Coup D’Etat. Their spectacular mix of eclectic pieces – beautifully curated by owner Darin Geise – will leave you stimulated, inspired and dreaming in shades, shapes and textures you’ve never imagined. They are truly one of the most original interior design shops in the district, and one of the few that deal both with the design trade and the public.

One of the things I loved most about the showroom was their courage with the use of scale. From massive, carved-marble figureheads to oversized and unusual lighting, this is undoubtedly the go-to showroom when in search of statement pieces. Just take a look at some of these incredible finds:

Their delightfully unexpected mix of antiques and modern pieces can also be perused online through 1st Dibs here. If someone could please buy me that peacock {seriously} my visit to their showroom will be complete.

Wishing you an eclectic and inspired weekend!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|September 14th, 2012|2 Comments

Bi-Rite Creamery | San Francisco

There are very few ways I could possibly imagine to appropriately follow up on the gourmet baked and hot-pressed goodness that we experienced for lunch at Tartine. Well, just one, in fact. And it’s all in the neighbourhood. One might say this little pocket in the Mission District is San Francisco’s foodie nirvana.

Just around the corner from Tartine sits Bi-Rite Creamery. Bi-Rite is definitely a must-eat experience for any sweet tooth traveling to San Fran. Thanks so much to the lovely Lesley for scooping us on them {pun intended}!

Hand made in small batches on 18th St {just north of Mission}, the ice-cream at Bi-Rite is truly for the purists at heart. All the baked goods that go into the ice cream {like the gorgeous brownies, cookies, peanut brittle, marshmallows and snickerdoodles} are made in-house at the bakery next door. My favourite little fact is that all the organic milk, cream and eggs used to make the ice cream is delivered by local Strauss Family Creamery {just 45 miles away}.

With my professional sweet tooth {aka my sweet son} along to do the taste-testing, we trotted up the short block to finish what we had started: a gourmet mother-son lunch date. Our timing was impeccable as the line-up was not its characteristic two blocks around the corner. With the deft acumen of a professional, my little guy ordered one scoop of cookies-and-cream topped with one scoop of salted caramel, please and thanks. With options including basil, olive oil and balsamic strawberry, their line-up of flavours is anything but ordinary.

With his two-scoop tower in hand and my photos complete {payment for the ice cream}, he dove into his creamy confection with aplomb. He even made me “smell” the salted caramel scoop in his eagerness to share the experience with me. The verdict? Utter delight. In fact, my little foodie said {brace yourselves} that Bi-Rite’s salted caramel ice cream is better than Berthillon. Berthillon. In Paris. Iconic French purveyor of luxury ice creams and commonly known as the best ice cream in the world. So ya. Safe to say he loved it.

In case this play-by-play description of my son’s ice cream dream isn’t enough to convince you to take a trip to San Fran just for the ice cream, I’m pretty sure this video will seal the deal.

Bi-Rite Creamery Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones Cookbook Trailer Video from Todd Porter & Diane Cu on Vimeo.