Hungry newcomers to San Francisco can nibble their way through North Beach on a three-hour walking tour comprised of numerous private tastings of the best artisan foodstuffs available. During a leisurely walk covering the sites of this bustling Italian neighborhood, you will be led inside different kitchens to observe il fornaio (the bread baker) manning his ancient brick oven. The knowledge of how to handle the dough and how to bake it just right comes from generations of experience that you will taste firsthand.
An essential component of the Italian table has always been the antipasto. A deli stop provides a sliced assortment of tasty prosciutto, salami and salsicce where one can distinguish the different blending of spices that took place during the curing process of these meats.
After meandering inside ornate cathedrals and streets filled with quirky cafés and terracotta shops, it’s time for a real coffee break where the café owner guarantees freshness by roasting his own beans on the premises. Following a lesson on proper roasting techniques, it’s off to sample some chocolate truffles or to note the different essences in an extra virgin olive oil tasting.
The group can choose to finish the excursion of this culturally vibrant neighborhood with an optional dinner in an offbeat Neapolitan café complete with a flirtatious Italian waitstaff. Do take advantage of the opportunity to return later that night to enjoy the show downstairs in the perfectly transformed Purple Onion Piano Bar.
Affable natives to the city share their extensive knowledge of San Francisco’s history and hidden treasures in small informal groups. Tour guides are eager to take you inside their city by taking you to the best places locals in the know enjoy on a regular basis. Visit www.localtastesofthecity.com to learn more.
By Suzie Mannara