Foodbuzz Festival 2011: Last Day (Nov 6th, 2011)

When you're having a great time and with great company around you, somehow time passes by faster. So this will be my last post of the Foodbuzz Festival 2011, but it wouldn't be my last post on San Francisco just yet. I have been planning this trip together with Elisabeth several months back where we will be staying back in San Francisco after the event. Plus I want to show you San Francisco through my own eyes.

If you asked me, I think one week in San Francisco isn't enough, as there was so much more to do in this city. Before I dive in, all good things must come to an end. And with a blink of an eye, Foodbuzz Festival 2011 came to a close where our Farewell Brunch was held at Perry's Place, on Stuart Street.

 

Angela's fork there.. she was trying to steal my fruits..LOL

Trying to make my selection interesting.. :P

Overall, brunch is not great as I didn't find the selection satisfying. The ladies (Emily, Angela, Elisabeth, Dorlene) and I got a great table with a good view of the Bay Bridge. So that pretty much made up the not so great brunch. Also it's the last day to really chat our hearts out since the ladies are all leaving on that same day except for Elisabeth and myself.

After brunch, the ladies and I walked over to The Ferry Building which is just across the road from Perry's Place. When I was at The Ferry Building, I was more like a kid in a candy stall. My first stop was Sur La Table. You definitely can't miss this shop. That's where the ladies and I split up. It was like everybody went looking for their Easter Eggs to fill up their goodie basket.

Can I dare say that it's a cook or baker's haven? I wanted to buy cutleries, food items, more ramekins etc. The sad part is I knew I had to control myself. Trust me, it's not easy at all for me. Since travelling alone, I know I won't be able to lug everything back home [sigh..] However, I did find something that I've always wanted to get my hands on. For me this is important; it's Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract. Without thinking, I checked out with 2 large bottles of the good vanilla extract and a bottle of the vanilla bean paste. For that moment, I feel like I strike a jackpot.. LOL.

Next pit stop I made was Miette. I've heard so much about this place, so obviously I got to try it out. It is this dainty little pastry shop, where their baked goodies are inspired by the patisseries of Paris. Without thinking much, I grabbed myself a pastel pink cake stand, and to celebrate my own pre-birthday in San Francisco, I got myself the Mini Sharffen Berger cake and a classic Eclair. This certainly made my afternoon perfect.

My Pre-Bday Cake..oh! so cute..

Photos of some of fresh produce, and I particularly love the colour of all the butternut squash and pumpkin. All the orange and green, and tiny cherry tomatoes adding a splash of colour.

This was a perfect Sunday. Bright and sunny with some cool wind. Just perfect to stroll around the city. We made our ways back to the hotel, and I was really worried over Elisabeth, since the cold does affect her knees. While Elisabeth rested, I head up to the 36th floor of the Grand Hyatt, to meet up with Emily and Angela. We just couldn't stop chatting and I do miss all of the ladies a lot, even drafting out this post for you.

What do you think of the view? Isn't it spectacular. If you try hard enough to peep to the very left, while that is if you're standing on the 36th floor in the Grand Hyatt, you can see a little of the Golden Gate Bridge, then if you look straight ahead, you can see The Rock or also known as Alcatraz, and Coit Tower. Lastly, if you peep more towards the right, you can see The TransAmerica Building, one of San Francisco's famous landmark, also one of their tallest skycraper in the city.

Having travel quite a fair bit, almost every country or I think every country will have their own Chinatown. The entrance to Chinatown pretty much looks the same world wide. I would say this is more of a tourist to-do thing. Since I'm Chinese, this is one area that I tend to skip. Bonnie @ Bonnie Bella told me that Chinatown in San Francisco is about 2-3 blocks, so there are lots of restaurants and souvenier shops for you to choose from. Do take a stroll and check out what little Chinese antique shops have in store for you if you have time to spare.

I'll leave you now with two grafitti art work that I really like and I think it makes a perfect postcard picture. Do you recall that I mentioned that when travel, one must embrace each country's culture? Well of course, in the books of law, it is considered as vandalism. But in my eyes, whoever drew both of these is truly artsy and I am loving every bit of it. This is San Francisco filled with quirky art works, so go explore, cause I sure did. Till then peeps!!

xx