The first weekend in October marked our first trip (after two previously planned and bailed-upon trips) to San Francisco for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, billionaire Warren Hellman's annual musical gift to San Francisco.
Friday evening found us at Little Star Pizza, fairly widely (and justifiably) acclaimed as San Francisco's premier deep dish pizza. In addition to the pepperoni and artichoke heart deep dish, we had "do-it yourself" garlic bread, which comes on a serving board with a portion of a sliced, toasted sourdough loaf, a head of baked garlic, and a crock of butter. You spread however many garlic cloves and however much butter you want on the toast, and voila!
We arrived at the edge of Golden Gate Park by MUNI Saturday morning, made the obligatory "trip" through the Haight, replete with pictures of the Dead and Airplane houses. After a lengthy walk through the park we arrived at the Banjo Stage, just in time to see Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands finish their set. Off to the Gold Stage we went, and were rewarded with a great set by Buddy Miller and with his guests Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant. The crowd is still fairly small throughout S
peedway Meadows and we grab a quick lunch before heading to the Arrow Stage to see Jorma Kaukonen and then Boz Scaggs with Nick Lowe and Buddy Miller. Midway through Boz's set, we gravitated back to the Banjo Stage to see Steve Martin and really got a idea of how crowded it had become; it's now almost impossible to move around the fringes of the stages, although relatively easy, once you do head into the audience, to move and find a space. (The audience by the end of the day on Saturday was estimated in the neighborhood of 300,000) We find a spot, watch Steve, then Ricky Skaggs, then Gillian Welch. The wind is now quite strong (it appears at one point to almost knock Gillian off her feet) and we decide to head out. (The most workable plan to doing this festival seems to be: A) If alone, take a look at the respective offerings, decide which stage offers your optimal line-up, and stake a good place there, or B) If with a group of several friends, split up, stake out several stages and move back and forth, depending upon who is playing where.)
Over the past few years, we've come to be quite good at navigating around the city; there's no better investment than a 3-day MUNI pass and an app for your iPhone with all of the transit schedules. We leave the Park and go directly to Pacific Catch, one of our absolutely favorite restaurants: very small (we always sit at the counter) and very fresh well-prepared fish.
Sunday we head to Sausalito via ferry in the morning, happen upon a very cool vintage car show and have a light lunch at what used to be the Trident.
We take the ferry back and go directly to The Slanted Door for what will be the best meal of our lives. All I can say is:
Crispy Vegetarian Imperial Rolls
BBQ Willis Ranch Pork Spareribs
Chue Farm Japanese Eggplant
Niman Ranch Shaking Beef
Jasmine Rice
Lemon Meringue Tart
Chocolate Cake
Four Barrel Guatemala "Finca El Injerto" Organic French Press Coffeeand
Las Palmalitas Ranch Organic Lemonade, which was simply sublime.
As we dine, the moon rises under the Bay Bridge.
Monday, back to San Diego, on a Southwest flight later bound for Nashville, with Earl Scruggs and band on board.
peedway Meadows and we grab a quick lunch before heading to the Arrow Stage to see Jorma Kaukonen and then Boz Scaggs with Nick Lowe and Buddy Miller. Midway through Boz's set, we gravitated back to the Banjo Stage to see Steve Martin and really got a idea of how crowded it had become; it's now almost impossible to move around the fringes of the stages, although relatively easy, once you do head into the audience, to move and find a space. (The audience by the end of the day on Saturday was estimated in the neighborhood of 300,000) We find a spot, watch Steve, then Ricky Skaggs, then Gillian Welch. The wind is now quite strong (it appears at one point to almost knock Gillian off her feet) and we decide to head out. (The most workable plan to doing this festival seems to be: A) If alone, take a look at the respective offerings, decide which stage offers your optimal line-up, and stake a good place there, or B) If with a group of several friends, split up, stake out several stages and move back and forth, depending upon who is playing where.)
