Gourmet products local specialties and wines San Francisco & Bay Area

The Cheesecake Factory is a chain known for its voluminous cheesecakes. What is really worth it is to come and enjoy a dessert at the end of the day, rather than dinner or lunch. The view of the financial district and downtown is simply beautiful and the cheesecake melts in your mouth. Be prepared to wait in line, though, as patio seating is in high demand on sunny days. The menu is also very copious for lunch and dinner for about 15 US$ a dish (ask for your leftovers to take away, here it's the rule).

There are many Walgreens in San Francisco and California cities. Some are open 24 hours a day. They are best known for their pharmacy departments. However, some of them have large fresh food departments, including the one down Powell Street, near BART. You can find there on the first floor, at any time of the day, sushis, sandwiches, freshly squeezed juices, cut fruits... A good plan that can always be used to improvise a small picnic on Union Square.

This organic super-market in what resembles an old barn will satisfy all your desires of ecology and organic food. But here we go further than agricultural products, as you will also find medicines and household products.

The flower market in San Francisco is where all the florists in the city will come. To find fresh flowers at reduced prices.

This temple of organic, recyclable and fair trade products will delight eco warriors. A historical cooperative, far from the usual capitalist system, which exists since 1975 and which San Franciscans sensitive to "responsible consumption" have integrated into their shopping habits. Moreover, Rainbow Grocery works with local organic producers and pays them a fair wage, while funding charitable organizations. Perfect for a green and ethical snacking break!

Caramels, chocolates, réglisses, in a world of pastel colours. This is what Miette offers the visitor happy to return to childhood for a moment while he chooses his favourite candy. Flower tapestry, green anise and pale pink and many, many glass boxes filled with sweets await you. Don't delay, if only for the pleasure of eyes.

Giant pacifiers welcome you from the entrance to this little Russian Hill confectionery. We want everything without saying that in the end it really is the giant pacifiers that one would like to test.

American chocolate makers may not be the best known internationally, but that does not mean that there are no good ones. Scharffen Berger is the perfect example: very good chocolate, especially black 70% which is their trademark.

You will find in this beautiful wine cellar the best wines from Napa Valley, but also from Europe, Australia, Chile... Events are regularly organized to allow you to taste all these marvels, and a garden at the bottom of this store located in the heart of Hayes Valley makes these evenings very nice! A café with salads and sandwiches is just next door. Obviously, and even if they don't emphasize it, the owners who have been running this business for more than twenty years, are French.

A smaller version of the Ferry Building Market with fewer crowds and onlookers and more reasonable prices. Its objective is to offer an outlet to small local producers, who work in a sustainable way. A system finally quite close to the small French markets. In addition, the organization provides one million euros worth of food to the city's most needy. And this is no luxury, considering the misery that ravages downtown San Francisco.

For lovers of green teas in Japan, this small store in Japan Center will be able to dazzle you with high quality teas. A little expensive but really excellent.

A small neighborhood shop with a big hit! Pastry chef Sara Spearin offers, in addition to the usual menu, 7 to 10 donuts of the day, all made with organic ingredients and accompanied by a good coffee. Salted caramel, maple apple bacon, pumpkin chocolate chip... The choice is vast! Don't be afraid of the line, it moves fast and it's the opportunity to feel the good vibe of Mission...You can believe our experience, if you are not afraid of the donuts dripping with sweet topping you will enjoy it.

One of the best chocolate makers in the bay. Truffles are to fall, and the windows are filled with a thousand and a other sweets that will make the choice difficult. But do not hesitate too long since at all strokes we fall on a surprise surprise of the most appreciable.

It is easy to see that Californian cuisine, and more generally American cuisine, is much spicier than European cuisine. Under the influence of its Mexican neighbor, chillies are very present and allow to spice up the dishes with taste. Why not leave with one of the typical sauces of this cuisine, which will remind you of these flavors once you return home! You can find all the essentials (marinades, hot sauces, barbecue sauces) in this very popular store in the neighborhood, recognizable by its large windows.

This small shopping mall gathers several restaurants, cafes and grocery stores for the pleasure of our palate. Very good solution if you stop in San Jose to have lunch or dinner in a nice place. You can find very good burgers at On the Flip Side, great ramen at Konjoe Tei, fresh fruit juices at Vitamina, and very good toasted sandwiches at Toasted. Personally, we have a soft spot for the smoothies at Natural Sweet Delight. A digest of good addresses for food lovers!

The temple of cheap and small prices. Many items of dubious taste, but among them, some nice hidden pieces. Take time to farfouiller in the rays, it really is a blow for the femme and the decoration in particular.

Close your eyes, you're in France for a moment. Here is chocolate lightning, olives and croissants with almonds, everything freshly made before you. Excellent cakes and sandwiches for a snack, as at home.

A must in the heart of Chinatown: this Chinese pastry shop is an institution on the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, Grant Avenue. People come to line up in front of its pagoda-shaped shelter to taste the delicate and delicious specialties that will delight sweet tooths in search of oriental gustatory discoveries. Like an egg mooncake with delicious lotus seed paste. The Chinese family who run it also sell a few bags of fortune cookies (if you haven't had time to go to the factory).