Sourdough near Union Square
I'll be in SF this Monday-Saturday. I'd like to be able to pick up some sourdough loaves to bring back with me.
I'll be staying about 2 blocks west of Union Square, and leaving for the airport at about 9 AM Saturday. Where's the best place to pick a couple of loaves that morning?
Scott_R
Jan 12, 2008 02:29PM
Acme is my preferred bread and their outpost in the Ferry Building is open at 8 AM Saturday. You could walk if you have time, or if you're taking a cab to the airport, have them stop off there. Allow a little extra time either way, since Saturday morning is the farmer's market and it can be a zoo.
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.c...
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There is a Boudin Bakery at Macy's both in the basement and just at the entrance. The one at street level is on O'Farrell between Powell and Stockton.
And FYI to all the gourmands reading this. I loooooove good bread, the best possible, and would consider myself a rather gourmet palate and I think their fresh loafs of sourdough are excellent. I live just off Union Square and this is where I go to get a sandwich.
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I completely agree with laurenb. As good a bread Acme is. It ain't the same as good old fashioned San Francisco sour dough. Great bread with a crust so hard it makes you wish you did a better job flossing your teeth.
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The word you looking for is Larraburu. Gone but not forgotten.
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I'll say; I have recollections of walking down Ortega to the corner market, circa 1966, for a loaf, and marching my little brother, then age 6, back up the hill by bonking him on the head with the Larraburu, which was crusty enough to be useful for this purpose. . .
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Think concussion.
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A third for laurenb's comments.
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I fourth them. If you want the real classic San Francisco sourdough, Boudin Bakery is the best choice. The wider, and crustier the better.
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Boudin it is. Thanks.
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If the wayback machine was working and Larraburu was available Boudin would be toast, or not.
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One rumor is that Boudin bought the Larraburu starter.
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Don't they sell Boudin at the airport?
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Best place to get Boudin is from their Geary factory, or the Boudin restaurant at the Wharf. They sell a lighter (less crusty, softer) bake intended for retail sale which is meant to stay on the shelves longer. For whatever reason, it doesn't taste the same.
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Geary factory? That's not Macy's (which is on Geary)? I looked at their web site and didn't see any other Geary locations.
http://www.boudinbakery.com/Find_A_Lo...
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No, it is the location on 10th Ave which is on the the corner of Geary and 10th. Not convenient to Union Sqaure and nothing special in terms of ambiance. Just a little counter. They just happen to bake the bread there. The Fisherman's Wharf location would be more convenient, though honestly I can't tell the diference between the bread sold in the cafes like the one at Macy's and the bakery itself.
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Oh $#!/
Called Boudin, and you can't get bread at their Macy's location before 9 on Saturday. I have to leave for SFO around the same time--and it's a shared van, so I can't just stop by. Guess it'll have to be from the SFO airport location.
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Might as well buy it the day before then. The stuff at the airport probably isn't going to be any fresher. The other downside with buying at the airport is price. Wherever you buy it. it's still going to be a fine sourdough.
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There's also a Bristol Farms Market in the San Francisco Centre on Market across from Powell..they have an in house bakery, although I have never tried their wares...
http://www.bristolfarms.com/locations...
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If bought the day ahead when you get home moisten the bread and into a 400 degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes to refresh.
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or you can freeze it in large pieces and thaw then toast when want to eat
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Bordenaves Is the best sourdough in the bay area. I imagine that you could get it at any grocery store in SF
( 415) 453-2957
1512 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901
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You would be wrong. It might be the best sourdough, but I haven't seen it at Safeway, Lucky's or the smaller, Mollie Stones, Andronico's, or Cal Mart.
If your a fan of this bread maybe you could find out where it's available.
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Here is their web site address you can contact them and see who carries their products in the city http://www.bordenavesbakery.net/ Good luck
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