Scoma's

"Ya' know she whacked me three times, and she said when she finishes her martini, she's going to whack me a fourth." Those were Andres' first word as he approached our table and jerked his thumb towards Olga at the table next to us.

I don't know who was more entertaining, our waiter, Andres, or the six young-at-heart women sitting next to us who were celebrating Uncle Gus, God rest his soul. The wine (and martinis) were flowing, and the more they drank, the more they loved Uncle Gus. The three women in the older generation were sisters, the three others in the younger generation were "the daughters," two of them daughters of two of the three sisters, one of another (deceased) sister. (Did that make sense?) The three older women were in their 80s. They talked about everything from the unbelievable food (more on that later, sis) to Uncle Gus (who died recently), to the other (deceased) sister. They also talked to every table within earshot (which was quite a ways). One of the young men at the table above them looked like "that guy on my soap opera--Shemar Moore--ooh, he's a good looking man. I tape The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful every day."

Andres was playing those ladies like a fiddle, and he got every table around them in on the fun. He'd wink, nudge Tim on the arm and say, "Now watch this." He went to their table for his "fourth whack." It was a fun lunch.

Now for the food. Tim and I both agreed, it was the best meal we've had so far. Craig, they don't serve abalone any more--something about poachers and the Japanese; Andres said it was a long story. However, what we had was superb. (Deane, tell Mom and Dad--"and that means excellent.") Of course, the meal began with sourdough bread (with a choice of olive oil or real butter). All the sourdough we've had has been perfect--once again, chewy, crispy crust; moist, tender, tangy inside. The entrees--mmm, mmm, mmm. Tim had the Pasta Diplomatica--petite lobster tails, prawns, sea scallops, and clams in a cream sauce with fettuccine noodles--every last piece of seafood was tender, flavorful, huge, and not the least bit "fishy". The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the cream sauce was decadent. I got the shellfish saute (house specialty) which was petite lobster tails (three--and they were pretty darn big for being petite), dungeness crab--chunks as big as your thumb, sea scallops, and prawns sauteed with mushrooms, onions, and garlic in a white wine and butter sauce. It was served over rice which absorbed all those amazing juices and sauce. It also included steamed veggies (a welcomed addition since two of our three meals are usually fast food of some kind) and pasta (which I didn't touch). I should have taken a picture--you wouldn't have believed how much seafood we had between us. Craig we are so glad you suggested Scoma's!

When we left there, we drove up to Coit Tower--one of the highest places to view the city. We were (and are) constantly amazed at how much the temperature can fluctuate. We spent last night in Corte Madres and did laundry in the morning. (During the hour and a half we were in there, two people came in; one of them was from Town and Country!) We were comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt. Once we got into the city, it was quite a bit cooler, and up in the tower, it was downright cold. Brrrr.

After Coit Tower, we drove to our motor inn in the Nob Hill area. I've never stayed in a little place like this. You drive into the first level, which is parking. It's an open courtyard with the rooms on the second and third level. The free parking was a big deal since it's so difficult to find parking on the street.

We contemplated catching a trolley car, but instead decided to walk down (then way up) to Chinatown. I don't think there's a level area in San Francisco--at least not in Chinatown. I was dying! We had fun wandering the streets of what seemed like a foreign country. There were lots of shops with little trinkets and more Chinese restaurants than I have ever seen! We were still full from Scoma's and a bit nervous because we didn't know which restaurants were safe, so we didn't eat in Chinatown.

We hoofed it back to the hotel, and by the time we got there, we were too tired to go anywhere for dinner. We settled for what we had in the car, which wasn't half bad--sourdough bread and peanut butter and an assortment of other snacks we have accumulated on the trip.

It's eleven o'clock here in San Francisco--time for a shower and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, we'll take the tour of Alcatraz (already have our tickets), maybe visit the Presidio, get my picture taken at the corner of Haight and Ashbury for all my students at Fern Ridge, view the painted ladies (houses) of Alamo Square, possibly see the city from twin peaks (where you can see both bridges), and drive by seal rocks to hear all the ruckus. Wow--that's lots to do. We have no idea where we might spend the night tomorrow.

Oh yeah, Deane--no doors to speak of. I thought about taking pictures of every door we saw but decided against it.

Upcoming Clarification...
Just so everyone is clear...I didn't use the word decadent...I think I went with the more manly sounding, "It is really good". That's all for now. Tim