Plant-Based Eating in Sonoma and San Francisco
I had such an amazing plant-powered adventure in Sonoma Valley and San Francisco this week! We ate dinner in Sausalito, stayed in a charming cottage in Glen Ellen, tasted wine in Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, and visited the hot, farm-to-table scene there. And then we were off to San Francisco to stay in the Union Square area, fit in an amazing visit to the Ferry Building’s Farmers Market, and hike all over the city—spending an incredible night rambling around Nob Hill and Russian Hill neighborhoods.
Above image: Wine Tasting in Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. It was such a treat to spend a day wine tasting in Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. It was a crisp, cool day, and we snapped a few shots of the vineyards—the baby grapes are starting to emerge!
Adamvs Winery, Napa Valley
It was a real treat to visit Adamvs Winery and meet with owner Denise Adams there. Winemaker Philipe Melka makes an exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The location is absolutely exquisite, set in Angwin amid wild, indigenous crop cover, grazing sheep, and charming vineyards.
Sonoma Valley Grapes
The grapes are starting to mature in Sonoma Valley! The winemakers anticipate a good season.
Zucchini with Flowers, Shed, Healdsburg
While wine tasting at Adamvs, Denise Adams couldn’t stop talking about Shed in Healdsburg. This concept is so fabulous! It’s a shop, restaurant, classroom, and resource center for celebrating local, artisanal foods. I could have spent all day there snooping around and sampling the foods. Check out these pretty little zucchinis—with the flowers attached. Just think of all the fun things you could do with these beauties!
Blackberries, Shed, Healdsburg
Just love how these little paper cups of blackberries, grown locally, were displayed on rustic slabs of wood.
The floral section with hand-crafted vases was so pretty!
The mission of shed, so eloquently stated!
The building of shed includes a downstairs shop, outdoor and indoor tables, and restaurants; the top floor is the classroom. Such a cool design!
Askinosie Chocolate, Shed Healdsburg
So many fabulous artisanal products, such as these chocolate bars.
Happy Girl Kitchen Co, Shed Healdsburg
Just love this line of products! I also saw them featured at the Ferry Building farmers market. Lots of hand-crafted pickled items, such as these bread ‘n butter zucchini.
Black Garbanzo Beans, Shed, Healdsburg
Loved seeing a lineup of heritage beans at this shop. I took home this bag of black garbanzo beans, and I can’t wait to cook them up!
Wild West Ferments, Shed Healdsburg
Check out this cool line of fermented vegetables! Can’t wait to try them—featuring live and local wild cultures.
Little Gems, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
The farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco has to be the best I’ve ever seen. It’s on Saturdays and it hosts table after table of some of the freshest, coolest produce and artisanal products, from pickles to breads. I was in plant-based heaven walking around the booths!
Artichokes with Flowers, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
Look at these lovely artichokes, with the flowers still there! I would love to try to cook with these lovely veggies—has anyone tried this? Send me your tips!
Fresh Herbs, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
Look at this gorgeous collection of unusual herbs and sorrel. I just wanted to take the whole basket home to my kitchen.
Pink Cauliflower, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
Look at this lovely pink cauliflower! I have never seen this shade before—wouldn’t it be beautiful in a fresh vegetable platter or salad? Divine!
Speckled Squash, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
I just smiled when I saw these adorable speckled patty pan squash! The color is just irresistible. Would be adorable stuffed!
Cotn Candy Apricots, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
As you know, I’m a huge fan of unusual varieties of crops, including tree fruit. So, when I saw these peachy-golden apricots boasting the name Cotn Candy—I had to taste them. Indeed, they are really sweet and delicious. Such a treasure!
Market Bar, Ferry Building Farmers Market, San Francisco
This charming restaurant is located right at the Ferry Building, with tables perched on the street. You never know about these touristy restaurants, but in this case we were pleasantly impressed with the beautiful farm-fresh food. This tender salad with peaches, tomatoes and avocadoes was just so simple and good.
After walking all over the Nob Hill and Russian Hill neighborhoods of San Francisco—which includes lots of, you guessed it, hills!—we had worked up an appetite. We dined at this fabulous, neighborhood restaurant and the chef made this amazing plant-based plate, featuring buckwheat, pea tendrils, fermented vegetables, and mushrooms. It was so amazing.
Peter’s mom Helena and step-dad Kjell were visiting from Sweden on this trip, so they enjoyed our amazing dinner at Stone’s Throw just as much as we did!
While walking around San Francisco, we stumbled across this little Nob Hill café/bar called Nook. I was so thirsty a glass of Prosecco really hit the spot!
While we didn’t eat here, I was totally enamored by the plant-based options on their menu. Plus, all of the desserts in the case were marked “vegan”. How cool!