Sunday, December 19, 2021

To San Francisco

Jack, Sharon and I took off for San Francisco in the early afternoon. We are spending two nights at the Marriot Marquis. Wallen and I stayed at this hotel in 2018 during the World Cup Rugby 7s.

After getting settled in the room, Sharon was dismayed to find that the View Lounge on the top of the hotel was closed on Sundays and Mondays. After a couple of false starts, Sharon and I ended up having a cocktail and a snack at Soma Restaurant and Bar.

We finished the day taking an Uber to meet Drew and Carmen at Abrazo. Eating outside, the five of us split a number of appetizers, including: SEASONAL HOUSE MADE BREAD [Olives, Shallot, Fines Herbes, Smoked Paprika Olive Oil]; CURED MEAT & CHEESE BOARD [Spanish & Regional Meats & Cheeses, Marinated Olives, Candied Walnuts, Dried Fruit, Pickles, Breadsticks]; CHARRED OCTOPUS [Potatoes, Kumquats, Chorizo Oil, Shellfish Jus, Micro Celery, Grilled Scallion Vinaigrette]; and, ROASTED CARROTS [Garrotxa/Tangerine "Panna Cotta", Frisée, Sunflower Seeds, Pomegranate Arils].

For dinner, Sharon, Drew and I each had SEAFOOD PAELLA [Bomba Rice, Saffron, Chorizo, Prawns, Mussels, Clams, Squid, Scallops, Smoked Paprika Aioli, Grilled Meyer Lemon]. Jack had ROASTED CHICKEN "CHILINDRON" [Saffron Rice, Tomato, Roasted Peppers, Wild Mushrooms, Olives, Baby Spinach, Boquerone-Herb Bread Crumbs], while Carmen had TAGLIATINI [Wild Mushroom Ragout, Fino Sherry, Fennel, Baby Spinach, Thyme, Garrotxa].

It was a very nice evening and meal. Drew and Carmen dropped Sharon and I back at the hotel, while Jack went with them to spend the night in Oakland.

The one odd thing over the course of the day was that the hotel was crawling with Metallica fans! The band was playing at the Chase Center. I actually saw Metallica open for the Rolling Stones in 2005.

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