The I-5

Sucks.

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But then who didn’t already know that? 

Driving for miles and miles through nothingness with the crappiest rest-stops…

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and doing it with a ridiculous hangover that rivals those from my college days…

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well that’s just plain stupid.

Usually I plan ahead, hell, I’m the girl who brings 5 different snacks with me when I go shopping just so I’ll have options in case I do get hungry.  And yet, I was in such rare form after a night of heavy boozing, all that I had on hand as we set off on our 7 hour drive was a single apple, half a tub of hummus, and a grande soy misto.  Not good Elise, not good.

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I managed to make a meal out of some gas station jumbo sourdough pretzels and the hummus (no pics), but after that I was suffering. 

Suddenly I remembered a gift bestowed on me the previous night [light bulb moment].

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One Lucky Duck blonde macaroons

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Talk about a 180 in food options!  I went from questionably dated packaged snacks to the finest raw desserts on the market.  Holy hell.  Alene, you saved the mother effing day with this gift!  Couldn’t have been more excited.

The trip was slow and long, and by the time we arrived in San Francisco, I just wanted to collapse into a heap on the floor.  And maybe get dinner, too.  As for the order of events, well, I could’ve gone either way (yes, I was that exhausted).

Unfortunately, we were at my sister’s apartment (without her) so raiding the fridge wasn’t a (polite) option, and thus, finding a restaurant quickly became the priority.

Fortunately, she lives in the Marina, so good restaurants are aplenty. 

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While walking along Chestnut Street we came across Blue Barn.  I was instantly won over by the fact that they had organic AND local produce.  Check out their signage!

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How cool that they have formed a CSA with Oak Hill Farm!  If I lived in SF I’d be all over this place. 

I was drooling over the menu within seconds of walking through the door.  What’s a hippie to do?

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Go with the tried and true.

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Falafel + salad = din ‘gasm

The bowl was humongous and in addition to the made-to-order falafel, it was filled with fresh organic greens, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, chickpeas, snap peas, and a Dijon mustard vinaigrette that was to die for.  On the side was a slice of sourdough – perfect for soaking up all the leftover dressing after I had eaten every last bite of the salad.

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There’s no other way to say this, so please don’t dismiss my being concise for lack of emotion: BEST. FALAFEL. EVER.

Period.  End of sentence.

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Fresh from the kitchen, it was warm, crispy on the outside, soft yet crunchy on the inside, and absolutely astounding in the flavor department.

Oh man, I’m getting all hot and bothered again just thinking about it.

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Kyle got a flank steak sando and was raving about it too, but eyeing my salad out of the corner of his eye at the same time. 

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As you can see, I needed no help in polishing it off on my own :)  I practically licked the sides to get every last bit. 

The rest of the night involved the couch and the tv.  Despite doing nothing all day, I was still ready to crash by 10 pm.  Who am I?!  27 going on 80 evidently.

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Comments (12)

  1. Candace

    Wow YUMMY salad! The 5 freeway always sucks, I can only imagine having to drive it hungover, bummer. At least your in San Fran now with the most amazing food ever. Have fun!

  2. Gena

    That falafel definitely looks showstopping!

    And, oh my, I have just had a fun time browsing through all of your Cali adventures. Great posts lately, and full of delicious food!!

  3. Jessie (Bites and Pieces)

    I am so jealous of all the good food and fun experiences you are having over there in Cali! And yeah, that falafel bowl looks amazing. 🙂

  4. ksgoodeats

    Being hungover and stuck in a car is awful. Almost as awful as waking up to no coffee in the house. Oy! However, falafel + sourdough could perk anyone up – love it!

  5. Angharad

    That falafel salad business looks just effing amazing. The 7 hour drive with a hangover? Not so much. I feel like I’ve done that recently. It is the WORST. UGH. But now you are in San Francisco and that is awesome.

    Now I need to go and read the drunk post…

  6. julie

    made to order falafs? is that FOR REAL. i would have gasmed in a heart beat.

    thank the lord for one lucky duck 🙂 the last redeeming quality of ny hahaha

  7. Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South)

    oh my goshhhhh that looks epic. now i’m hungry. -_-

  8. Mama Pea

    You just didn’t go far enough UP I-5. It’s nice up here 😉

  9. BroccoliHut

    Falafel + veggies = love.

  10. Katie

    I want that salad so badly. So, so badly.

    Also, I loathe it when I’m not prepared in the food department. It’s happened enough times that I should have learned a permanent lesson, but it still happens…how tasty to have raw macaroons save the day!

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  12. Laura

    2 things: 1. Is this a new tab? I just noticed it. 2. I had Blue Barn today…soo good.

Comments are closed.