Hot in San Francisco + Brunch at Greens Restaurant
I know. It’s supposed to be Cleveland but this insane heat wave came over the Bay Area this weekend and completely wrecked my plans to get my first Pumpkin Spice Latte. Actually, I’m sitting at Starbucks as I type this, waiting for the next hour that I am on call to pass so that I can go home and relax. {hallelujah}
Because it is ridiculously hot outside, I had to get my pumpkin fix from a La Boulange reduced fat pumpkin cheesecake loaf.
La Boulange is a French bakery here in the Bay Area that Starbucks has partnered with to make some of their baked items. Have any of you seen their goods at your local Starbucks? It was my first pumpkin treat of the season and it was delicious. I’m hoping to recreate something similar for the blog soon.
On Saturday, Brandon and I had plans to go watch the Texas A&M game at a local Aggie bar in the Marina District of San Francisco and the weather was surprisingly sunny and warm without a cloud {or sign of Karl} in the sky.
Unfortunately for us, the America’s Cup boat racing event was going on so it took us almost an hour to find parking (which later turned out to be a complete disaster). Gotta love driving in the city!
Before the game, we had plans to have brunch together at a vegetarian restaurant in San Francisco that I’ve had my eye on for a while.
Greens is located in Fort Mason in the Marina District and their dining room has a beautiful view of the bay.
We were there around 2pm but I would love to go back for dinner to see the bay at sunset.
By the time we got there, I was starving so I ordered granola with yogurt to satisfy the hangry as quickly as possible.
I also ordered the Yellow Fin Potato Griddle Cakes with eggs over hard and almond-parsley pesto.
Brandon had the Fig and Caramelized Onion Pizza with goat cheese, asiago, walnuts and sage.
His was amazing and it reminded me of Amy’s fig pizza that I was drooling over last week. SO good.
After scarfing down our food, we literally jogged to the bar to make it there before kickoff. However, I had to stop to get a shot of the pretty flowers along the way.
I really wish I had time to get more pictures to show you what a beautiful neighborhood the Marina district is. Brandon and I are not keen on the idea of city living but we both agreed if we had to live anywhere in the city, we would love to live there.
Luckily, we made it Monaghan’s with about ten minutes to spare before the game started. Whoop!
There were a ton of Aggies there and we saw a few familiar faces from the BBQ. We also met some new people as well; two of which actually lived in College Station still.
Bar lighting makes for an awesome picture! Ha.
There was also a Plant Café right around the block from Monaghan’s so we stopped in to get a couple of juices and tempeh sandwiches to go.
What? You don’t drink organic juice after a night at the bar? Oh.
Anyway, I opted for the Healthy Sunrise which is made from carrots, beets, oranges, apples and lemon and Brandon got a spicy red juice with some spicy veggies or something.
Tempeh burgers in hand, we walked to the car only to find that it was no longer there. {Sigh} It had been towed because they said we were blocking someone’s driveway (literally by an inch-I think the parking police were just trying make money) so we had to grab a taxi to where it had been towed. Six hundred dollars plus a hundred dollar parking citation later {I wish I was kidding}, we drove home over the bay bridge feeling a teensy bit depressed.
Lesson learned: leave an extra hour early to find parking and be 100% sure that you are not even a smidgeon in front of a driveway.
Although parking turned out to be a complete nightmare, we still returned home safe and sound to our precious Coco which allowed us to realize that in the grand scheme of life, none of that really matters. Besides, I think I have officially made every parking mistake possible in the city so it can only go up from here, right?
Well, I’m hoping to have a nice dinner and then get in bed early so I can read my book. I know, I’m so exciting.
Have a great day!
Is the weather cooling off by you?
Would you rather live in the city or the suburbs?
Oh no! You do seem to have problems when it comes to parking in the city! At least you were able to enjoy some healthy eats and watch the game? It was starting to cool down here in Chicago but now it is supposed to be in the 90’s the next few days! I just want fall to be here already…
I know, that could have been a ticket to Chicago! I guess I’ve always imagined Chicago having cooler weather. It will be nice when you can wear that cute new jacket you got! I saw it while I was reading through Bloglovin at work earlier today. Shh… ;)
Ahhh I’ve been to Greens and the views and the food were spectacular! That was 8 years ago though so I’m thinking another visit needs to happen. My BF’s family lives in SF and his one request of me is that we live in SF at some point in our lives. He’s definitely got me pretty excited but I think your post may have sealed the deal! It’s like foodie heaven :) And I already have a friend there since I decided we would probably be friends in “real” life! I really should give you a choice in this matter but I promise you loaves of pumpkin cake in case I’ve entirely freaked you out lol!
Glad you had an awesome weekend! Minus the traffic grrr
You should move to SF!! Yes, you definitely have a friend here already. And no, you don’t have to bring any pumpkin cake. Although we would definitely have to go get some together. :)
$600 for towing? That is crazy insane and makes my tummy hurt just thinking about it. Ugh!! At least you were able to enjoy yourselves beforehand!!! And call me crazy but I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte last week, when it was 105 degrees outside. Yeah, I’m smart like that ;-)
I couldn’t believe it either. Leave it to California!
You must have really been craving that latte…105? Eesh.
That is just straight up robbery! What a crap way to end your night … Did your team win at least ???
Yes, they won! :) Thank goodness or it would have really been the worst of worst.
mmmm, i love Greens. glad you had fun in The City (minus the pricey ticket). it happens to the best of us.
Your pumpkin cheesecake loaf looks way too good to be real. Actually, all of your food looks insanely good. So sorry to hear about the parking debacle–that’s super annoying. But I’m glad things turned out okay in the end, even if your wallets are a little emptier. It’s definitely NOT cooling down here in Houston–if anything, it’s getting hotter. It’s absolutely terrible and I’m so upset.
I’m sorry that Texas is so hot. I hated the weather there and I can’t even begin to imagine trying to run outside in that. You are amazing for sticking it out for 14 miles!
Oh no, I am so sorry about your car! That is beyond crazy expensive. I had my car towed from my college parking lot once and thought paying around $200 to get it out and pay off the ticket was bad. I’m glad you were able to enjoy a fun day but thats just such a bummer end to a good day.
I almost, almost made a batch of pumpkin and cheesecake muffins before I decided to go with chocolate instead. Now you’re making me question my decision :P
And it’s actually getting pretty fallish around here. The mornings and evenings are cooler already, but we’re still getting lots of sunshine during the day.
omg, i’m pretty sure i would have cried after that crazy expense!
other than that, it sounds like you had a good weekend! The weather has been beautiful but so damn hot here! in the 90’s. Lookin forward to it coolin down to the 80’s this week.
RATS! So so sorry about your parking fiasco! $700 is a lot of moolah but you’re so right…you all arrived safe and sound home to sweet Coco.
Please please please recreate that pumpkin loaf. I had my first PSL on Wednesday night and it was glorious. It was starting to cool down in Atlanta, but it was hot, hot, hot today. Sigh.
Ahhh wow, that blows about your car getting towed… Been there, done that, and yes IT SUCKS! Parking is such a bitch in SF and most cities. I hope it didn’t put too much of a damper on your weekend.
On a better note, I want to try Greens! I recently went to the Marina District for the first time and have been wanting to go back and explore it more. Thanks for sharing!
Oh and PS – It was about 95 degrees in the South Bay area this weekend. Whew!!
I was drooling over Amy’s Fig pizza too :)
That restaurant views are so pretty. I am drooling over your granola and that pumpkin loaf too.
Yay fig pizza!! So glad you both enjoyed xo
Ahhh that sucks about your car! If it makes you feel any better I drove over a curb after taking a u-turn too fast and the jolt literally made my side mirror fall off. I’m now driving around with no side mirror while I wait for the new one to come in the mail. :-(
Ugh, I’m so sorry about the parking/towing debacle! That’s so frustrating to get dinged for really stupid stuff like that. On the plus side, your meal at Greens looks awesome!
It’s definitely cooler in the mornings and evenings these days, but it’s usually still pretty warm during the day. So a few little signs of Fall.
Ahhh! I love all your weekend eats – I’d kill for San Fran dining options. Adopt me?!
I can’t find decent figs anywhere – they’re always so wrinkly/gross tasting once they make their way to Canada.
I think I’d rather live in the suburbs – I need to be able to grow a garden and tune the sounds of the city out. When we visited SF a few years ago, we stayed downtown and it was SO NOISY!! I could hear people yelling/digging through recycling bins all.night.long and I wanted to die.
Parking in the city is never fun! Luckily we live in the suburbs, so we don’t have that issue on a daily basis. That restaurant is so my taste! All the food looks so amazing and the scenery looks gorgeous too. Beautiful pics as always!
Oh man! That stinks about getting towed! It was always like that in DC … we hated having to deal with parking all the time whenever we wanted to go anywhere!
And those pictures are so pretty! Such a gorgeous place!
I am so jealous of where you live, it’s so gorgeous! You have me craving pumpkin after that pumpkin loaf…I want fall! And cool weather!
Booo. So sorry about the tow. I know the feeling of anger, worry and annoyance over it all. Parking in the city is no joke. I was told by a friend yesterday that someone they knew got a ticket for curbing their wheels wrong. O_o;;
The heat wave stretched down to my area over the weekend too. It was 102 degrees on our patio on Saturday.
We escaped the heat and went to the city for game day events on Sunday :)
Totally a suburb/country/beach girl. I can see the appeal of living in the city, especially the nice areas like Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights etc, but the rest of it, I can do without. lol.
Wow, your pictures are breathtaking. I’m dying to visit San Fran!
That’s awful about the parking situation. I can’t tell you how paranoid I am about parking po-po around where I live. I live in a city neighborhood so they’re crazy strict.
And I really want that fig pizza!
All the food in this post looks soooo yummy!! Especially the mini pumpkin loaf! Now I want cheesecake :P
I can’t believe they towed your car for that! That’s ridiculous in my opinion. It kind of makes me glad I don’t live in a big city, though I bet all your awesome food choices more than make up for it. ;)
The whole drive home I was saying that I wish we would have just stayed home. There are many pluses to not living in the city! But the food did make up for it. :)
I’ve been waiting to get my first PSL too. It’s just too darn hot – today’s high is 92. My eyes are set on Friday morning. There’s only a high of 67, which seems like the perfect weather to enjoy a little pumpkin spice.
Great group pic! (even if it does have bar lighting ;) ) I’m totally drooling over that pumpkin cheesecake loaf btw, sounds great.
First, that bread! I wish ATL Starbucks had it – but they do not. Tell them to get it together! Secondly, what gorgeous pictures! I wish I lived in an area that was as naturally picturesque as where you are! Seriously, you’re so luck. I live in an ugly city. Ok, it’s not that bad, but I don’t have any sort of water anywhere near. Finally, OUCH to that towing and parking situation.. I probably would have bawled because, um hello, $700?!?!?!?!?!?! That’s like all my monthly bills. I would die. I’m so sorry that happened… But at least you had a wonderful day leading up to it!
I’m dying to try a place like that with the juices – I have yet to find one in ATL! And no, I do not make my own, I’m a kitchen failure.
I was wondering if Starbucks carried that brand nationally or not. Hmm.
I’m sure Atlanta has it’s nice spots! And you are a short drive from beautiful beaches and historical sites like Charleston!
I almost died but Brandon has a master plan to deny the charge on his credit card and I’m writing a letter to detest the citation. Ha- it probably won’t work but it’s the only thing we have to hold on to right now. :(
It was wayy to hot to give up iced coffee here too, so I had pumpkin roll instead and decided that it needs to become a year round thing ha. And, the marina district was definitely my favorite the few times that I’ve been to San Francisco.
The Bay area looks absolutely beautiful. I wish I was there! We had good weather in NYC too but it was a little chilly. I tried a PSL for the first time ever on Friday it was tasty, even though I dont love coffee. I am so pumped for college football season!!! I’m a Sooner :)
Oh, an OSU fan! I went to quite a few games that we lost to y’all. It was pitiful for us but I’s sure you enjoyed it! :)
I’m so sorry to hear about the parking issue! That’s really frustrating and seems unfair. I’m sorry :( on the plus side, that pumpkin cheesecake bread looked so good! I’m not big on pumpkin drinks but I do love pumpkin desserts and breads. It’s also way too hot in CO for hot drinks right now :)
Thanks Alex. The pumpkin loaf definitely made me feel better. :)
Sarah!! My boyfriend owns a restaurant that is literally four doors down from The Plant Organic! I can’t believe how close but far apart we are at the same time. You came to San Francisco on the perfect day. :) It was so so SO hot!! Even though I sound really excited right now, I have to say that I’m sad to hear about the car situation. It’s seriously a learning process to park in SF.
PS: I love Monaghans too. They make a killer Black and Blue. :)
I thought about you while I was there too! I wish I had you with me to teach me where not to park…sigh.
Really, that’s an awesome spot for your boyfriend to have a restaurant. We have to stop missing each other like this
and plan something soon! :)
Wow major food porn happening! It sounds like you have tons of amazing vegetarian options where you are! I am not a vegetarian but wish I could be. I am beyond jealous!
Ahh that terrible feeling when your car is gone…. my car also got towed a few months ago and my stomach just dropped..NOT a good feeling. But if it makes you feel any better, your pictures are lovely. Though I do love fall and pumpkin everything, the harbor makes me want to travel somewhere warm.
Gah that sucks about the parking! You have the worst luck when it comes to city parking, don’t ya? I’m glad you guys got home safe to Coco though.. and got to snuggle up and enjoy the good things in life :). And I can’t wait to see how you recreate that pumpkin loaf!
Wow! The marina district looks so amazing! Also, I love that photo of the bridge! That fig pizza looks yummy! I guess juice after a night at a bar can counteract any bad side effects! :) So sorry about your car. Personally, I’m a city girl but only if I can get out and get to the beach when I want to!
I can’t believe that you guys are having a heat wave in the Bay Area… I’m in New England right now where it’s been freezing! Like way colder than I am comfortable with, hah. Hope you get your first pumpkin spice latte soon!
I love San Francisco! It’s one of my favorite cities. I’ll take it hot or cold! And of course I love all your pictures!
What a beautiful day in the city! I love visiting on days when the fog clears out. And that really sucks about the parking situation, but I’ve gotta admit I’m giggling to myself – you have the worst parking luck in SF!