CALIFORNIA CALLING

Join Vicky ‘The Gastronaut’ Ratnani on a tour of Napa and San Francisco as he chances on the food stalls, sit-down eateries and local markets

If you are going to San Francisco, you are going to meet some very gentle people there. Scott Mckenzie’s famous song keeps playing in my mind as I set my journey to a place which has been very close to my heart. It was time to unlearn to learn again spending three productive days at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) in Napa, attending a Global Plant Forward Summit, drinking some smashing wine and eating at some epic eateries.

Oxbow Public Market

Napa is north of San Francisco in California. It is known for hundreds of hillside vineyards in the Napa Valley wine region. In the city of Napa, Oxbow Public Market features regional gourmet food. With an assortment of eateries under one roof, you will have multiple menus to choose from and get excited about. Take a full loop around, before you make a commitment. There are many delicious options to choose from oysters, tapas, butcher, delicatessen and beautiful fresh produce. A trip to the winery is a must to actually understand the labour of love and expertise which is needed to produce those beauties.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

I spent a day walking around downtown Napa, exploring some great spots for coffee, wine tasting, lounges and some fab eateries. I actually had no real agenda for San Fran but great plans to eat, visit markets and check out what is going on in the most neo-hippie or boho chic hub of the world. I had to start by heading down to the Ferry Building. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is a California-certified farmers market operated by the non-profit organisation which promotes farmers and supports sustainability. The market is widely acclaimed for both quality and diversity of its fresh farm products, and artisan and prepared foods. It is renowned throughout the country as one of the top farmers’ markets to visit.