Blue Bottle Coffee
The garage door goes up, and the line-ups begin at this “odd but convivial coffee kiosk” on tiny Linden Street. It’s not news to Bay Area coffee geeks that some of the city’s best coffee comes from this take-out-only java joint. Even the decaf – an afterthought at many cafes – is delicious. There’s no place to sit, but you can sip your brew while browsing the nearby boutiques.
315 Linden St., 7am-6pm Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday-Sunday.

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates
What’s even darker and richer than Blue Bottle’s excellent coffee? The “Liquid Chocolate” at this carefully crafted chocolate shop. Yes, the truffles are gorgeous, but their upscale take on hot chocolate, which you can choose with milk or water, and with several different flavors, is a serious hit of drinkable bittersweetness. I loved the mildly chili-scented “Venezuelan” version.
401 Hayes St., noon-7:30pm Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6pm Sunday-Monday.

Chantal Guillon Macarons
Now that we’re fully caffeinated, let’s stop for some sugar, shall we? I’ve been slow to hop on the macaron bandwagon, but these delicate creamy treats have changed my mind. The salted caramel is an intensely buttery, sugary, and slightly salty confection, while the chocolate is rich and delicate. Mmmm.
437A Hayes St., 11am-7pm Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6pm Sunday-Monday.

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Happy New Year, and Tasty Travels!

Carolyn

As much as I would love to be one of those people who can go on vacation and then sit around drinking fruity tropical alcohol-laced drinks, the truth is… I’m a lightweight. As a result, one drink usually makes me tired enough to want to take a nap. And who wants to sleep through their vacation? (OK, some people have no problem with that.)

While at the Honolulu Airport earlier this year, Jon and I popped in to the terribly overpriced bar during our layover to Kauai and noshed on some french fries and I on my Virgin Margarita. It was really like a super sweet fruit shake. But it didn’t put me to sleep and it definitely got me into the tropical mood that I enjoyed for the rest of the week.

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Life’s Short, Eat Well!

When I found out my fabulous sister-in-law, Lynn, was going to China for business, I asked her to do me one favor and bring back some tea for me. Black tea, because I’m not huge into green tea (though I’ve grown more accustomed to it since she traveled there). She accepted the task but neither of us knew what she was getting in to – given that much of China drinks their tea green!

Lynn asked her colleagues in China for some help in hunting down some black tea and they were more than accommodating. I think the process took up an entire afternoon and included lots of sitting in a tea shop and lunch. Maybe even dinner, too. But definitely a meal and snacks. I kid. But it was a process.

After sampling many kinds, she chose a beautiful round brick of black tea, bound in light paper wrapping and tucked into a box with cutout designs. I was touched at the thoughtfulness of the gift and couldn’t wait to try it.

But I didn’t like it. (Yes, I told her.) To me, it smelled and tasted fishy when brewed.

So, I put it in my car and carried it around with me, waiting to find a home for it.

Fast forward to my massage therapist, Laurie. (By the way, if you ever need a massage therapist in Seattle, let me know, I’ll hook you up with Laurie, he’s amazing). After a massage, we sat and drank tea. Somehow we got on the topic of Chinese black tea and he mentioned how this prized tea is one of his favorites.

“You mean the kind that comes in a round brick?” I asked.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

I ran to the car and came back with my gift of tea. He was ecstatic. I was happy to find a home for the tea.

“This tea smells like fish to me,” I added before leaving his office.

“Oh, that’s only if the water’s too hot when you brew it.”

D’oh. I couldn’t ask for the brick back. Could I?

Well, the next time Lynn goes back to China, I’ll request some green tea . And I may even ask to try the black again, too!

Come back to join the WanderFood Wednesday meme!

Life’s Short, Eat Well!