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I spent the last five days in San Francisco, CA for a meeting (an eyeball convention, if you will) I didn't have many opportunities to sight see (although I did seek out the closest DSW) but was able to eat at some really good restaurants. On my first night I ate at a fantastic restaurant known for there seafood, McCormick and Schmicks on Ghiradelli Square. It offers beautiful views of the bay and because it was such a clear day we could see Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate bridge. I had the halibut cheeks (from the face, not the butt) and tried their dungeness crab cakes. I have never liked crab cakes but these were amazing. Never have I had such melt-in-your-mouth seafood.

Another evening a friend and I went down to the Fisherman's wharf, pier 47. We ate at Boudin Sourdough Company and had that San Fransicso staple: Clam Chowder in a HUGE sourdough bowl. It was so good I'll be turned off canned clam chowder for the rest of my life.

I was told that when in San Fransisco I should eat only seafood, no meat (they know seafood, we know beef). I would probably agree with this for the most part except for one restaurant in particular. Mel's Drive In is a retro diner complete with juteboxes, formica and milkshakes. I tried the "12.60 burger"; 12 ounces of beef for $12.60. What made the burger perfection is it's covered with cheese and grilled onions, and when you bite into it there is a bacon and cheese filled center. This burger changed my life.