Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Breakfast at Fisherman’s Wharf

The streets are deserted. I’m conscious of a solitary jogger, an occasional dock worker, and a cold, salty breeze buffeting me off of the San Francisco Bay. A sea gull dips in my path. Del Monte Square, part of the historic Cannery Row, is still asleep.

I need to get some breakfast before the day of meetings begins.

Along Fisherman’s Grotto – a sequence of stalls and restaurants offering the victuals of the sea – plump, gangling crabs sit on ice, and proprietors prepare dozens of bulging lump crab sandwiches for the tourists.




A few steps down the road, I stop to gaze in the window of the Boudin Bakery.

Boudin invented San Francisco Sourdough bread in 1849. There are stacks of crispy golden bread that would make a fine breakfast. There is even a loaf in the shape of a crab.


The crusty crustacean is tempting, but bread for breakfast seems so, traditional. Between the chill in the air and the romantic feel of the wharf I think – Why not go for the real thing? So I turn on my heels and head back towards Fisherman’s Grotto to Guardino’s where I order up a piping hot cup of clam chowder.


The thick, chunky stew is deliciously creamy and loaded with lumps of briny clams. There is a hint of pepper, and I sense of splash of sherry. I stand on the wharf and devour it, a lone seagull my only dining companion.

By land or by sea, breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day.

© 2008 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

8 comments:

Peabody said...

I love the crab bread...so cute.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Beautiful early morning photos at the wharf.... and what's better for breakfast than crab stew? Seems like the perfect way to start the day.

Veron said...

Aww...the crab bread is so cute. If your in San Fran don't forget to visit the Ferry Bldg. My favorite patisserie over there is Miette with their wonderful macarons!

Kathy said...

Love SF; it would have been difficult to choose my breakfast--yours looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

Well written post. Your clam chowder could be the breakfast of champions. Good decision!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Hi Peabody - it was a tough choice. I may go back for the crab bread next time!

Lydia, it was such a solitary spot at that time of the morning - so different than what I expected, but such a lovely moment in the day.

Hi Veron - I have now put Miette on my list for my next visit to San Fran.

Kathy - Next time, I want to try the version where they actually put the soup in a hollowed-out loaf of sourdough bread.

Maryann - Thank you! Indeed, it felt very nutritious and fortifying!

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Ooh, you're in SF? Fabulous. I've never had anything but splendid meals there. I love the pics. Jeff and I loved the Slanted Door in the Ferry Building and also this cafeteria style Asian place (name??) there that sold Bento box lunches. It's totally informal and totally fresh and delicious. Enjoy!

Diane said...

Wonderful photos of SF, you make everything look so tempting!