Confused in San Francisco

My 9 to 5 has brought be back to Mt. View again. But for this trip, I had a hidden agenda. It was time to cross another one of US Today News top 10 places to have hot chocolate off the list.

So far, I’ve already been to Jean Philippe Patisserie in Las Vegas and Ceiba in Washington DC. Since I was arriving a day early, it was the perfect time to try Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Due to an earlier arrival time than expected, I couldn’t check into my hotel. Which meant this excursion was really justified as I had nothing really to do for four hours. With my MapQuest directions in hand, I headed off to Tartine Bakery.

As usual, I got a little lost along the way and ended up near 3rd and Mission. Trying to find parking was a mess, but I found a parking lot near the St. Regis Hotel. I didn’t know how far I was from the bakery so I placed a call. CRAP! They are off of 18th street. I had 15 more blocks to go. Good thing I always travel with comfy shoes. I started to hoof it down the road, but I noticed they had buses that run along Mission.

Perfect! I hoped on the bus with a man shooting to the world and gesturing to the invisible man next to him. This will be a very interesting day. Getting a little nervous when the bus started to turn, I pulled the string to hop off. I was thinking I was going the wrong direction. I felt even sillier when I couldn’t figure out how to exit the bus. The driving was yelling for me to get on the step, which triggers the doors to open. Geez… This hot chocolate better be good.

Mission St. actually curves around, which meant I could have stayed on the bus. Oh well. I continued walking to Tartine’s enjoying the scenario and taking in the local residents. Once I hit 18th Street, I asked a very friendly local person where 600 Guerrero was located. She graciously gave me directions and I picked up the pace as I was so close to indulgence.

Finally, my eyes were on the prize. I parked myself in line with the other Tartine enthusiasts dreaming what the hot chocolate was going to taste like. The place was packed with patrons. It was exceptionally business, yet organized. When my turn arrived, I ordered 2 shortbread cookies, 1 hot chocolate, a small salad and a croissant to go. As I waited for my order, I sat at the table of a very friendly hot chocolate devotee. Our conversation revolved around the various hot chocolates on the market. I gave her a few recommendations based on the type of chocolates she enjoyed and provided her with my Cocoa Connoisseur business card. I simply love meeting other hot chocolate lovers.

Unfortunately, by the time my ordered arrived I was worried about getting back to the car before it became too dark. I took a few sips of my hot chocolate, but I decided to wait and savor the experience at my hotel. I parked myself at the return bus stop for several minutes….no bus. The digital display said it would be another 15 minutes for a bus to arrive. Forget that, I needed to get going. Again, I was hoofing it back up Mission St. With the recent time change, it becomes darker sooner and I did want to be out of my element at night.

Low and behold when I arrived at 6th Street, the bus passed me by. Drats! I decided to continue walking the last 3 blocks to the parking lot. Really, the things I do for hot chocolate.

By the time I arrived at the hotel, I was too tired to enjoy my hot chocolate. So tonight, I will do so. I am signing off to enjoy my Tartine hot chocolate and a shortbread cookie.