City of Foodies

Yes. I live in a city of foodies. From the homeless guy I saw eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon (seriously), to the cab drivers, San Franciscans know how to appreciate good food.

One time, I hailed a cab across the street from a restaurant I had just dined at. The can driver assumed I had just dined at the restaurant I had just been standing in front of (Absinthe Brasserie & Bar) and started grilling me the second I got into the cab. 'Was dinner good? Was it expensive? Is it overrated or was it good?' I told him I didn't actually eat there, and never had, but that all my bar experiences there had been amazing.

He started going on and on about restaurants in the city. Thought Zuni Cafe was overrated (agreed! Good, but overrated), where did I go in the Mission for burritos, he thought you can't find good Greek food (although he loved Kokkari), what about the food in my neighborhood (you can't beat U-Lees for good Chinese food!), and on and on.

It was the most interesting cab ride I've ever had! I found myself a little sad as I was nearing home. I wanted to stay and talk longer!!

The other night, it happened again. I got in the cab and told them where I was going. 'Joey & Eddie's...where the old Mooses use to be.' The driver (a SHE by the way!!) got into a conversation about how she couldn't believe Moose's had closed. And that she had heard mixed reviews about the place...and what did I think? While we were on the topic of North Beach restaurants, she brought up Washington Square Bar & Grill closing, and 'How could the WashBag close??'

It was great to be engaged in some interesting food dialogue with a cab driver once again. Another reminder that this city is filled with food crazed people. And another reminder of just why I love this city so much.

The Beauty of a Nice Cab Driver

Don't underestimate the value of a good cab driver. Especially for this carless city gal, a cab driver is either your best friend or worst enemy. He can have a clean cab that doesn't smell, he can know all the short cuts and generally,be a good driver. Or. On the other hand, he can get you stuck in the worst traffic, he can be smoking like a chimney while you're in the cab, or he can turn around and stare at you so much, it makes you uncomfortable.

It's a crap shoot. You never know which kind of driver you're gonna get. At the end of a long trip away from home,all you want is one of the good ones.

I lucked out today. Not only did I score with a super nice driver, but my guy was even willing to
carry my super heavy, Aspen outfits filled suitcase up my two flights of stairs. What a nice way to end the most amazing weekend.

Hats off to the cabbie. More postings, stories and memorable moments from Aspen Food & Wine Classic later! :)