Travel Eats Episode 5: California

here's to being fooded in the US of A

having a grape time at Hall Winery!

From paddle boarding on sunlit liquid glass to wrecking my Cheesecake Factory virginity, California felt like a fever dream. I was there to figure out some work connections, write from a brand new place, as well as explore as much as possible, and had the privilege of being both in and out of the city to do just that. Consequently, my eats spanned everything from brunch in the city to grunge Mexican (think: house-made tortilla chips, chunky guacamole and flautas, aka my new favourite food) in Marin. Mexican cuisine isn't as big in London or Singapore, or it comes in a fusion style that, while delicious, has a different flavour profile completely. And yes, “grunge Mexican” is a term I coined to highlight my novice relationship to Mexican cuisine. I’m learning. Without further ado, let’s go.

San Francisco:

1. Crab eggs benedict (brunch) at Zazie:

It throws, it scores. I’ve had many a home-cooked and restaurant-style eggs benny, and a lot of places don’t really get the hollandaise right. Well, this one does, in all its tangy and emulsified wonder. The home fries were bulging with fluff, perfect dipped in the runny yolk and smushed into sweet and stringy crab. I was with two other girls and we all ordered the same thing, banality overshadowed by consistency. They have the usual tipping charge included in the menu too, which is handy, and next time I won’t overlook their stuffed french toast and gingerbread pancakes!

2. Flautas and shrimp tacos at Lolo

I ate good here. My first night in San Francisco and I was greeted by my new favourite food– stuffed and fried corn tortillas. This and their homemade guac and beans was a dream come true. Unpictured were the fat and bouncy panko-encrusted shrimp tacos doused in chipotle aioli which, when downed alongside their margaritas, make for a core-shifting combo; not to mention they have quite the variety of margaritas. Shoutout to my friend Allie for introducing me to this place!

3. Thick toast at The Mill Café

I kept seeing The Mill on my social media feed years ago, but never bookmarked it because little 18 year old me didn’t think I’d have any reason to visit the US. Fast forward almost a decade and there I was, sat at their ig-friendly round marble tables, feeling rather a bit emotional. I had their thick toast slathered in freshly churned, grainy almond butter and sea salt, and I recommend sprinkling on their coarse coffee sugar on standby to balance its plainness. The coffee was something of a watery disappointment, but stay for their food and pastries. They have a ricotta cardamom bun which will fix your Saturday needs, and different homemade loaves to complement the variety of toppings, such as dense rye for the lemon ricotta, and hearty wholegrain for the signature almond butter.

Napa Valley, Marin County, Sonoma, and Tiburon:

1. Oysters at Hog Island Oyster Bar (Napa)

You don’t go by the sea or the SF outskirts without having seafood, particularly oysters. They serve raw and grilled varieties at this classic, well-loved oyster bar, and we shared the grilled ones. You have the option of trying all four of their flavours, though my favourite was the classic lemon butter. I hereby declare a new holy trinity of juicy oysters, fries, and caesar salad. Everything was simple but well done– the skinny fries were well-truffled, the oysters not over-seasoned, the caesar salad crisp and bright. You’re in the middle of all the famous Napa wineries too, so you can come here to eat before heading out (and stumbling around).