To me, travel and food are one of the most exciting couples around.  They are one of those rare, precious, giving duos that in tandem have filled my life with some of its most precious, memorable moments!  And with all due respect, I rarely think of one without the other.

On a recent trip to San Francisco, it was only natural for me to think of the places I wanted to experience on the food scene.  Tartine Manufactory bubbled up to the top of that list.  A place that started off with more humble beginnings as Tartine Bakery, now has a chic, light filled, industrial outpost as well where bread is baked and meals are served.  The teaser here is that bread is available after 10:30 am till it is sold out!

True to its calling, the place serves up the most delicious bread and baked goods.  But I was also pleasantly surprised with the creativity displayed in the salads on the menu.  As a party of six, we sampled an assortment of items.

Let’s start with the basics.  The bread served with butter that contains specks of salt crystals is to die for.  The grilled cheese is buttery perfection on the outside with a creamy, veggie concoction on the inside.  And what’s not to like about the roasted eggplant flatbread? The most pleasant surprise came in the form of a tomato and stone fruit salad.  Surprise, because this was a bread place and delight because it was the perfect amalgamation of flavors and attractiveness that left me smiling from ear to ear.

Here are pictures from our lunch.

You too can get inspired by their menu.  Have you eaten at either the bakery or the Manufactory? If so, what were your favorites?