Thursday, November 17, 2011

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

12 comments:

  1. Did you buy one of the colorful cake stand? They are so pretty! Looks like you enjoyed strolling Ferry Building. You are lucky the weather was nice! One week earlier could have been raining I think. I enjoyed your travel diary. :-)

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  2. Love the pics and I know I would have definitely enjoyed being at some of the placed you went. Not surprising that you would want to go back when the festival is not going on. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Time def passes a lot quicker. Its a shame it had to come to an end :( I was enjoying the posts! But what great memories you have!

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  4. A wonderful review of all the places we've been, Jo!...except for Chinatown, which I did not stroll through when you went with the other girls. I took a long nap instead, from our long morning walk around the area.

    For sure, next year I'm going again...will have to plan ahead again. I hope you'll be able to attend, as well! Big hugs!

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  5. Just catchy up on all the sight seeing I missed, sigh. Looks like you ladies had a blast that day, next time I will stay in the city for sure. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    -Gina-

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  6. There is so much to see & do in San Francisco! I LOVE Vanilla bean paste. I have a 32oz bottle of Nielsen & Massey vanilla bean paste and there's nothing like it. When you run out - let me know and I'll give you an on-line resource. I don't know if they ship world wide, but they might!

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  7. Wonderful post! I loved all the review and photos are just gorgeous! Looks like you had tones of fun!

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  8. Oh my goodness, I love all of your posts on the festival! It looks like you had such a great time filled with great eats, people, and siteseeing!

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  9. What wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip!

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  10. Jo, did you bring HUGE bag with you to bring back those cool stuff? I love San Francisco. I think next year I really should plan to go to Foodbuzz 2012 to meet all the wonderful blogger friends in person.

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  11. Great pictures. I am so wickedly jealous it's not even funny. I must go next year. It looks like so much fun.

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  12. Nami: Yup, I certainly did get one of the cake stand. They were just so pretty that couldn't resist one bit.

    Tina: So glad that you stopped by. If you do have the opportunity next year, it will be nice to attend the festival and meet the people you you have been reading their blogs. I have met many nice new friends.

    Nic: I hope to have more time in San Francisco too so I get to share more stories. ;) When you and Stud to visit San Fran, have fun snapping all the photos and trying new food.

    Elisabeth: Planning ahead definitely sounds like a great plan. Like how we did. We had a lot of fun, and you take care now..

    Gina: Yup, a couple of us definitely can share a room. LOL.. and chat the night away. I am missing all of you..

    Ann: Thanks so much for sharing the info. with me. When I have run out of it, I will definitely buzz you ;)

    Sandra: I hope to be able to meet you one day too. It was really a lot of fun, that's because we all speak one common language which is FOOD ;)

    Stephanie: Thanks so much dear.. I am glad you enjoyed my posts. I do know I need to get back into action in baking and cooking. Still trying to recover from my dream in San Fran.

    Rachel: Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate it, as I wasn't sure if there are anyone reading them at times. I am more than happy to share about my trip.

    QPC: Oh yes! I had to figure out how to pack properly since there were so many goodies for me to bring home apart from some of my shopping on more food. LOL.. Thanks for stopping by and if you do plan to go in 2012, we can plan that together. I would love to go and meet the ladies once more.

    Have a good week everyone!!

    Huggggggssssss, Jo

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Hey foodies! THANK YOU for leaving me with sweet comments. I hope to inspire you like how you inspire me. Cheers~

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