Boston vs San Francisco

I grew up outside of Boston and spent nearly 23 years of my life in Massachusetts, but I moved to San Francisco 7 years ago to create a new home.  I was drawn to San Francisco's brightly colored Edwardian houses, to it's diverse and progressive community, to the jasmine blooming in January, and to the endless number of healthy food options.  But as much as I love this city, you can't take the Boston out of me.  I walk and talk very quickly.  I can't drive.  When I see old brick buildings my heart aches.  When I make a plan, I keep it.  I still root for the Red Sox.  And I will forever be a seafood snob.  I grew up eating the freshest lobster, fish and chips, and fried full bellied clams.  On special occasions, my family would go to the famous Legal Seafood restaurant, which has now turned into a large chain, but my parents still remember going to the original location in Inman's Square.  I had not been to Legal's in many years, but during my recent visit to Boston, my sister suggested we go to their newest Harborside location.  To my surprise, Legal's now has a full gluten free menu!  I decided to indulge in an order of the gluten free fried full bellied clams and a lobster (gluten free) roll!  The clams were so creamy and delicious and the lobster meat perfectly cooked.  You just can't find that kind of food in San Francisco!

 

Something else I miss when I am in San Francisco is a certain type of hippie/hipster that you don't come across in San Francisco.  You know the type, in their Birkenstocks and flannel that is so New England and unlike the crunchy granola types here in California, their skin is not tan and they've been composting for decades, even though Boston still does not offer compost services in the city- that's how hard core they are.  Luckily, for lunch one day, my Mom took me to City Feed and Supply in Jamaica Plain, which I would say is the breading ground for this type of person.  City Feed is an organic/local grocery store/cafe that makes you feel like you are in a country store in Vermont.  Again, to my surprise they had gluten free bread options for all their sandwiches!  So I had a traditional tuna salad sandwich which was so good, plus I got my fill of the local hippie scene!

 

Finally, the last thing I miss when I am in San Francisco is good Chinese food.  You would think San Francisco would have the best Chinese food, right?  Nope.  I don't eat much Chinese food these days anyways because of my diet, but dim sum is the only food I ever "cheat" on my diet and I have tried all the best places in San Francisco, and not one of them can come compare to the dim sum at China Pearl in Boston.  I didn't have the chance to go to China Pearl this summer while I was in Boston, but I did go to Myers and Chang Chinese restaurant in the South End with some good friends of mine.  They also have a gluten free menu (plus a shellfish free menu if you're allergic.)  I ordered the fresh rolls and chicken and broccoli chow fun- so satisfying and delicious!

But, I have to admit, after eating so many lavish gluten free treats, I was dying for a bowl of kale.  Luckily, my friend told me about a place called Life Alive Cafe in Cambridge that serves amazing healthy vegan food!  Similar to Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley, the menu is full of items called "The Swami," "The Green Goddess," "The Feisty Child," and "The Frolicking Alive Smoothie."  I ordered "The Rebel" veggie bowl and a "Love Alive" smoothie.  As a chowed down on my bowl of greens, beets, carrots, tofu, hijiki seaweed, quinoa and brown rice, I instantly missed home, meaning San Francisco.  I missed my kitchen and Rainbow Grocery and eating the kind of food that truly makes me feel whole.  Though I was very sad to say good-bye to my family and friends in Boston, I am happy to be back in San Francisco, aka the land of kale and granola.