Oops, that was quite a hiatus. Making my mental return to San Francisco, and…
Day three required no ramp-up time, and after rolling off the couch and brushing my teeth, we took off for Dynamo Donuts. See earlier entry. It’s going to be a while until I can return to Dunkin Donuts after those babies.

Lunch was at Specialty’s. While it may be easy to write this place off as any other sandwich shop, you’d be a fool to do so. With Intelligensia coffee and a really impressive selection of fresh-baked sweet treats and loaves of bread, the place makes a name for itself as a bakery alone. But do try the sandwiches – most are served up on crispy, fresh ciabatta bread. My favorite is the BBQ beef – just the right touch of spicy chipotle, and as expected in Northern California cuisine, really fresh veggies tucked right in. There are several Specialty’s locations throughout the Financial District and SoMa, and they also have delivery segways (!!!), which I think are absolutely brilliant. Afterwards we strolled down The Embarcadero along the bay to the Ferry Building, hit up some cute downtown shops, and napped in the sun at Union Square. Heaven.
And finally, the much-anticipated dinner at La Folie. I was in good company, dining with my Chicago buddy Ian, my Chicago-turned-San Francisco buddy JoEllen (shameless plug, she works at Blue Bottle Coffee Company, which is pure magic in a cup), and my SF buddy Josh. Executive Chef Roland Passot and his wife Jamie have been running this place - a giant in the SF French dining scene - since 1988. In a city thick with amazing restaurants and citizens of discerning (ahem, pretentious) taste, it’s been said that the five-year mark is the make-or-break for San Francisco restaurants. After 21 years, Roland’s got to be doing something right. And it’s all in the family - Roland’s brother Georges is the restaurant’s sommelier. The stairway to the office is peppered with pictures of Chef Passot with various celebrities who have dined at the restaurant, including one photo from a Sheen/Estevez family party of some sort. Emilio, if you’re reading this, je t’aime!
Anyway, this place has been so solid for so long that my review would be just another to add to the cloud. And I know I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. I spoke with Executive Sous Chef Patrick Kelly prior to our dinner to arrange a custom four-course menu for each of us, complete with wine pairings. With his typical wink and smile, Patrick nodded and said, “We’ll take care of you.” With the exception of the amuse bouche courses and soup course, we each got something different with each course. Incredible. We were thoroughly stuffed and delighted.
Recently La Folie opened a spot next door, the La Folie Lounge, with French cocktails, wines, a solid beer list, and gourmet bar noshes by Chef Passot. While waiting for our table, Ian and I noted a popcorn popper behind the bar. Don’t let this typical low-brow snack food fool you – La Folie Lounge serves up white truffle popcorn. Insta-high-brow. Be sure to holla at Ted Ellis, the manager - he makes some killer recommendations, and he’s even thrown a few of his own drink recipes on La Folie Lounge’s signature list.
Anecdotes of note: my favorite amuse is Chef Passot’s signature salmon “lollipop” – house-cured salmon and mascarpone with herbs rolled up on a stick, topped with Passot Roe made by Tsar Nicoulai Caviar. When our third amuse was served, an incredible frog leg with frog leg cream soup, I jokingly asked our server Ben, “They’re not doing the salmon pops tonight?” Not too long later, while anticipating our first course, we instead got a surprise fourth amuse – the salmon lollipops. SO sweet, no? I sent my love with Ben back to the kitchen.
Roland also has a dessert that, on occasion, I fall asleep whimpering with the sheer agony of not being able to have one whenever I want. It’s an Edam Cheese Souffle. Edam cheese? Souffle? Topped with bacon?! Too good to be true, I know. Oh, but it is.
Enjoy the La Folie photo tour.