Off to San Francisco! We were comfortable in our upgraded seats and our made-with-love charcuterie box that we snacked on throughout our journey. We also partook of the in-flight Hawaiian Airline meal. The appetizer was a yukari panzanella salad with soy balsamic vinaigrette. The yukari flavor was very mild. I also had the portabello Napoleon with tomato and lilikoi gastrique. The best part of the meal was the dessert—a yummy chocolate haupia crunch cake.

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We got in to SFO at 10 p.m. so we went straight from the airport to the Westin St. Francis in Union Square, settled in and got a good sleep. I didn’t set any alarm for the morning since we didn’t have anything scheduled but I still got up at 6 am! 😫 After taking care of work stuff and letting my husband sleep in, I dragged him with me to Japantown to shop at Daiso and Nijiya and then a ramen lunch at Marufuku. The ramen was yummy. The noodles had good texture and the tonkatsu broth was delicious. We stopped at Nipponya for some Japan-type omiyage. Tobin helped us there and could tell right away that we were from Hawaii. After lunch we dropped off our bags and headed to Trader Joe’s in Union Square to restock on more of my favorites! I also picked up some overnight oats as well as some water to try and be slightly healthy during this trip. I liked the vanilla flavor more than the almond butter overnight oats and would get that again. In fact, I am going to try and recreate the vanilla oats at home. I’ll be posting the recipe soon.

Dinner that evening was with Marla and Naone at State Bird Provisions at 9:30 p.m. This place is named for the official state bird of California the California valley quail known for their hardiness and adaptability. This restaurant has earned a Michelin star. Their menu changes frequently and on this evening the pork belly ‘salad’ was my absolute favorite. The pork belly was tender and just melted in my mouth. We also ate the Hog Island Sweetwater Oysters, Steamed Egg Tofu, Snap Peas & Beets, Garlic Fry Bread, CA State Bird with Provisions, Donabe of Brothy Beans, Corn Mochi, and Fried Oxtails & Tofu. We were the last ones to leave the restaurant

Maybe that is why the person who took our picture cut half of my husband out. Despite the photography, I’d definitely go back. The food is awesome! Living Hilo Style in San Francisco!