The I-5

Sucks.

But then who didn’t already know that? 

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

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

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.

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].

One Lucky Duck blonde macaroons! 

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. 

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!

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?

Go with the tried and true.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.