Wake up and get going! But wait, whilst on vacay? That’s right! It’s time to rise and shine, and get a move on for breakfast. Already in love with the fresh San Francisco air, here are two more sunny reasons to adore this golden state: Eight AM and the Waterfront Bakery.
Taking a leisurely exursion to appease caffeine pangs, I cut through the brisk morning fog in search of aromatic, hyptonic, and my morning “must-have”: COFFEE! Freshly brewed, French pressed or dripped espresso topped with steamy yet frothy milk, yes and yes – serve me my morning cup of java!
Heading left and right – separate days, mind you – 1323 Columbus Avenue and 2801 Leavenworth Street is where you’ll find the aforementioned ‘wake-up’ worthy venues. Spotlighting the Waterfront Bakery, here you’ll find a taste of ‘joie de vivre,’ in a quaint Parisian-inspired pâtisserie. Best of all, step inside to behold an artisan display of crusty French breads ready to be admired and enjoyed as the ideal edible souvenir. Between laminated or sour dough selections, I forgo croissants and baguettes for tender flaked chocolate-filled buttery pastry – a delectable mouthful in utterance and consumption. Equally eyeing danishes and slices of heavenly cake, these gorgeous pastries are all so tempting. Where a little goes a long way, my morning is decidedly complete with a pairing of a ‘pain au chocolat’ and café latté. Above all, good coffee makes for a ‘good’ morning! Already gaining my patronage with pleasant service and quality indulgences, the Waterfront Bakery does not disappoint.
For foodies wanting a heartier start to the day, Eight AM fits the bill. Catering to all things variety – eggs, waffles, coffee, tea, juices and the like – it’s definitely one of those venues where you’ll arrive for one dish, and will return the next day wanting more. Hearts everyhere, order’s up and includes: a classic American-style trio of eggs, sausage and hash in addition to a vanilla yoghurt and granola fruit parfait, and – what else – a couple of latté beverages. Promptly seated and served generous portions, this eatery clearly knows how to whip up and dish out the “most important meal of the day.” As for a final insider’s tip, attention to all ‘sleepy’ folk: if you snooze, you’ll really lose out on priority seating and will have to wait in queue. And if that doesn’t sound bad, now imagine waiting while the intoxicating aroma of pancakes, waffles and bacon give you a few hintful reminders of why it’s better to avoid tardiness.
Leaving happy, both restos are worth venturing at daybreak. Gaining prime meals and friendly service, this is exactly how you want to kick start the day. Going coastal, scheduling time to break the midnight fast with good eats is always a bright idea – over-easy!
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Cinnamon rolls, anyone? Surely, many love a well-made cinnamon bun. And, there’s good reason why: its soft pull apart dough, that signature spice swirl, and let’s not forget it’s distinctly sweet and hynotic aroma – the perfect indulgence. 
Cleary, stating the obvious, cinnamon rolls are everything you would want a carb-loaded treat to be. But, the real question remains: to buy or to make? Attempting a first – myself – homemade cinnamon rolls are pleasantly achievable thanks to our celebrity friend Valerie. That’s right, Valerie Bertinelli’s recipe for cinnamon buns are a hit! So much so, in fact, anyone can be rocking and rolling dough.
Singing praises to both chefs, “Aw, shucks!” Indeed, these oysters are made right! At the Bourbon House, oysters are the prime starter to the contrastingly rich main course. Modestly seasoned and perfectly broiled, oysters are fresh tasting and made vibrant with a splash of zingy lemon. Far from overbearing, a couple of these buttered mollusks are enough to keep you satisfied in anticipation of signature entr
Moving on to another great, Galatoire’s 33, this is the place for your choice of oysters prepared 
Having a little bit of this and that, I have no complaints whatsoever. Take the crab ‘au gratins’, for instance, this bubbly hot dish comes fully-loaded with lumps of crab meat embedded in a creamy cheese sauce. And, for those after lighter fare, salads like the lobster chop are made extraordinary by ingredients like beets, avocado and, of course, the Maine shelled star.
Cooking up variations of delicious, Galatoire’s 33 undeniably uses fresh product for an ultimate seafood experience. Fortunate to have tasted oysters, crab cake, lobster, and then some, find no Little Miss Crabby here. But if you’re not into seafood, meaty offerings like burgers and steaks run plenty, too. Whatever your appetite’s desire, then, Galatoire’s 33 reigns top in quality and variety. That’s all! 
New Orleans is a city full of charm and tradition. And with gems to be found at pretty much every corner, Decatur Street is no different. Sighting one sweets boutique, in particular, I find ‘tortue’ central at none other than Southern Candymakers.
Clearly appealing to all tourists at heart, the real treat – for me – was eyeing a batch of freshly made pralines being prepared and proportioned on a marble surface, and all done so right on-site. Watching candy being made 
Leaving content with an undeniable sugar rush, Southern Candymakers know how to appease to the senses. Likewise, and given the multitude of selection, a fun-filled discovery is to be anticipated. Among my handful of treats, here’s the ‘one’ I highly rate: chocolate-covered pecan ‘tortue’ that are – honest to goodness – divine. Evasive of hard candy bits, you can taste all three layers of this nutty yet sweet praline that is the culmination of crunchy pecans, melt-in-your-mouth buttery caramel, and chocolate coating. Authentic, to say the least, these little charmers are soft and chewy morsels of “must-indulge” temptation. A turtle in name, not inception, these delightful clusters are too good to savour slowly – C’est si bon! 
For a foodie who encounters a ‘sign’ professing to be the ‘original’ – anything food related – there’s one motto to follow: “Veni, vidi, vici!” Caesar knew better and, in suit, so do those with a curious appetite.
Spotting such signage in New Orleans, I open the doors to Central Grocery, to experience the hype of their famous muffuletta. Self-proclaimed originators of this Italian sandwich, who wouldn’t want to sample a bread-encased ‘charcuterie’ spread, let alone a chance to step into the world of the “Home of the Original,” itself? Passing rows of jarred pickled veggies, dry pasta and sauces, I know I do! 
Never having tasted bad mortadella, there’s some debate to what makes a perfect sandwich. Without a doubt, the cuts of premium deli are fresh and tasty on their own. Similarly, you can’t go wrong with an untouched homemade recipe for success as seen in the marinated olive salad that’s heightened by aromatics such as celery, carrots, garlic, and oregano to name a few. All delicious, the aforementioned can easily be enjoyed together or alone. Still, to me, the bread takes the prize. 
Covered with toasted nutty goodness, this bread is golden: it bears a crispy exterior all the while remaining soft and chewy to the bite. Light as air, this porous loaf is sponge-like to the touch and, although less dense than a focaccia, well made. So much so, in fact, it holds its shape despite the absorption of the olive oil dressing, and the weighted addition of meat and cheese slices. Carb-praising aside, the only crumbs you’ll find are none – a muffuletta 
Evidently worth imitating, I can see why Central Grocery prides itself in being the creators of the muffuletta. In consideration of its popularity, this grocer offers delivery service for those who can’t stop by 923 Decatur Street. But for those who can, the making of your own muffuletta is as easy as ordering some deli and picking up a jar of the signature olive salad. With the necessary ingredients available in-house, this grocer has those wanting to recreate the humble meat and cheese hand-held covered. Happy to have arrived, witnessed and tasted the ‘original’, the verdict’s in: the real-deal muffuletta is a new lunch box favourite. 
Do fairies 
Finding no designated boards, here, the walls 
Going for a classic, the bartender first sets up an absinthe spoon with a sugar cube atop a glass. Pouring some Butterfly Absinthe over the sugar, he then lights it on fire. Kindly explaining each step – for the absinthe novice that I am – he leaves the cube ‘en flambl
For the final touch, he dilutes the anise-infused spirit with more water, and stirs-in the semi-dissolved sugar. A spectacle to behold, the once clear absinthe has distinctly changed to an opaque lime green, which the bartender details is a result of a chemical reaction known as ‘louche.’ Clearly a pro, the bartender ‘appropriately’ concocts a drink that leaves me with a cloudy absinthe and word for the day.
In a dough-nut shell, they’re plain-Jane – ‘au naturel’ – bundles of fried up comfort, no frills required. And, as with all fried foods, be sure to enjoy these goods while they’re hot. 
Crazy for NOLA! Truly, who wouldn’t be? Infatuated with brass tones, French culture, rich food and good company, New Orleans is a city I’ve long yearned to visit. And, finally, venturing to the birthplace of jazz music and legends alike has come to fruition – Oui, oui!!!
Getting down to business, I make Deanie’s Seafood my first dining stop. Conveniently situated right in “Quarter” – the French Quarter, that is – this local favourite easily gets packed during peak times. Fortunately, making an entrance at the ‘right time,’ my party is soon seated and served with spiced “hot potatoes.” You heard right! Talking about a “good change,” find no pre-meal dinner rolls, here. As the server helpfully explains, patrons are presented with a plate of boiled red-skinned spuds and butter in ‘lieu’ of bread, and as a side note: these potatoes evoke a distinct element of heat given they are extracted from an authentic ‘seafood boil,’ and consequently have absorbed all the good piquant seasoning.
Already kicking things off in the right direction, this prelude starter is sign of more delicious food to come. Clearly dishing the fish, seafood is fresh, made to order and prepared your way – fried or broiled – and, as if that’s not enough, it comes with a plateful of fries. Bearing all the markings for an evening feast to share and remember, here’s a quick rundown of what ‘was’ enjoyed: a half seafood platter in addition to an order of stuffed shrimp, and a broiled crab quartet consistent with stuffed crab, soft shell crab, crab legs, and crab gratin. Yes, I know it’s a lot but, “The ocean called…” and, I’m running out of time in NOLA, so I must-indulge.
As a standout, the crab gratin dish was ‘dat good!’ It was decadent, creamy, loaded with lump crab meat and it paired well with the side plate of fries. Perhaps, not the intended method of consumption, but it makes perfect sense. After all, why not top off fries with a cheesy crabby topping? Just think: upscale seafood poutine – you’re welcome!
Worth repeat visits, letting the good times roll is made easy at Deanie’s. Back again for a taste of authentic crawfish, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to leave NOLA without getting my hands a little messy. Learning the tricks of the eating trade, I efficiently learn how to ‘work for’ a morsel of crawfish. Far from the simplicity of peel-and-eat shrimp, crawfish is similar in texture though differs in taste and, above all, requires more effort for less reward. Still, I’m happy for the real deal experience in yours truly, and can appreciate why these mudbugs are so loved. From ‘bon voyage’ to ‘bon app
Out and about, 
Notably pure tasting of real cream, butter, fruits and nuts, to name a few, dessert selects are synonymous with authentic quality ingredients as much as overall freshness. Also catering to one’s preference for subtle sweetness, pastries are ever so slightly kissed with sugar. Heavenly thanks earned, these cakes are made right! Using enough sugar to rightfully allow the vibrant profile of fruit, spices, and floral essences to shine, this bakery truly yields applause-worthy delights that are light in texture, delicate in taste and visually stunning. Good news: there’s more!
Sighting row upon row of edible confections, I order a fleet of temptuous ‘beauties’ for take-away, including: lavender, pomegranate, saffron, pistachio, coffee and chocolate single-serve cakes in addition to hazelnut chocolate and pistachio cream-filled sponge rolls. Some sampled and others shared, the saffron cake tops my list of three “must-indulge” items. Upon first bite, I’m immediately reminded of ‘bastani sonnati,’ a popular Persian-style ice cream that encompasses all that’s nostalgically reminiscent of a summertime favourite 
Equally making the grade, the pistachio cream-filled sponge cake roll is divine. Everything a sponge should be, this pastel-hued roll remains moist while springy to the touch, and is sufficiently embedded with chopped nuts and real cream. Honestly, find no complaints here! 
Happily expecting the unexpected, I also recommend the tart pomegranate cake for it’s element of surprisingly good taste. Clearly, sweet and sour is not a new pairing but, 
‘Gâteau’ galore, I’m temporarily distracted by coffee and occasion cakes. Soon enough, proceeding to finalize my order, last requests are made for a couple of skillfully crafted French classics. Sharing an affinity for French fare, Heavenly Delights transforms ‘choux’ into generous hand-sized cream-filled profiteroles. Similarly, these artisan-made cream puffs are light as air and offer more than two-bites to satisfy anyone’s appetite. While the list of cakes, pastries, baklava and cookies are endless, there’s one more thing I simply can’t leave without. Ordering a square portion of mille-feuille layered with custard, this grandiose treat lives true to its namesake, the Napoleon – “Vive l’empereur,” indeed! 