613345 Sun Apr 19 21:23:20 -0700 2009 4 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4610310 Inspired by tupac’s mini-macaron crawl http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/600664?tag=search_results;results_list I decided to have a macaron-off of my own when I realized how close we were to the three Hayes’ Valley contenders. After a visit to the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613346?tag=main_body;topic-613346 we hopped a cab to Hayes Valley to meet up with the BIL. After a bit of shopping in the boutiques, it was time for a snack. We hit La Boulange for the boys to fuel up on tasty prosciutto, Swiss and candied fig sandwiches ($5.75) which came in a chewy dark baguette. As I had porchetta-d out at the FPFM, I only ogled the super-cute mini baguette sarnies ($3.25), and opted instead to try a lemon macaron ($1.50 IIRC). I am so not an expert on macarons but I liked the smooth texture and tart flavour (it did not have the almond graininess of some). Next stop was Miette for a grapefruit macaron ($1.50). This one was not as successful, too grainy and the grapefruit was more of an essence than a taste, with no tartness. Finally we hit Paulette’s which had the added attraction of a hint of Gallic indifference that may have put it over the top for me. This was a Very Fine Macaron, IMHO. It was also vehemently purple, which might put some people off, and at $1.60 the most expensive by a dime. The flavour was billed as violet cassis and both came through clearly, with the cassis having a tanginess that balanced the violet shell. Needless to say, coffee was now in order and the Blue Bottle on Linden calling loudly. I had some sort of mental collapse (macaron madness?) and ordered my Gibraltar decaf. Not a good thing to do and some would argue that it was no longer a Gibraltar. We had hardly gone two blocks when I stopped dead and demanded that we return so I could rectify my mistake. Another lineup but it was worth it: my BBCC Gibraltar jones was met after waiting six months (see pic). I even went so far as to recommend the Hayes Valley blend to some folks who were dithering over which roast to buy. I hope they liked it as much as I do. At any rate, we were fully fueled for our trip to Hyde Pier and the newly refurbished Balclutha that afternoon. Five days of fine foods in San Francisco March 2009 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613342?tag=main_body;topic-613342 Dennis Leary-fest in SF: Canteen, Sentinel, Canteen, Sentinel http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613343?tag=main_body;topic-613343 First day pizza al piatto at Bao Necci and Friday feed at Bund Shanghai. SF http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613348?tag=main_body;topic-613348 Beef 7 ways at Pagolac, SF: a little meh; Murphy’s and Sharks at Johnny Foley’s. SF http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613349?tag=main_body;topic-613349 Mission impossible? Dynamo, La Torta Gorda, Humphry Slocombe all in 1.5 hours after Canteen brekky, SF http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613350 Just another Manic Monday: going Dottie, then tamale, then Dol Ho-ey, then Cavalli, then Aziza-y in SF http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613351 Larkin Express (Deli) Burmese Kitchen: final lunch in SF http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/613353 Sun Apr 19 21:23:20 -0700 2009 169233 grayelf 1 4611184 There is a new Miette on Chestnut St in the Marian. Haven't checked it out yet. In this case, the word Macarons caused the record to not be found. Too much info for Places. Mon Apr 20 08:59:03 -0700 2009 4610310 10264 rworange 2 4612628 Thanks for fixing that, rw. I still don't know how to tell if I am linking to a duplicate when I'm trying to add Places links. It's probably really obvious, so my bad... Mon Apr 20 15:01:36 -0700 2009 4611184 169233 grayelf 3 4612718 Just want your great reports linked to the right record. A rather intrepid hound (not usually me) is good about spotting duplicates and editing them to indicate they are a duplicate. If there is a record it will be under the heading "Chow Places" If the search engine can't find it in the Places database, there is an "Other results by name and Location" list. That indicates it isn't in the database. However, the search is wonky. Play with this enter Zuni San You'll see a Chow Place Enter Zuni SF It will tell you te record isn't found. This gets more complicated if people enter whole addresses 123 Main St or 123 Main Street would give different results. Less info is usually better to go with Mon Apr 20 15:31:11 -0700 2009 4612628 10264 rworange 1 4612741 I haven't tried Miette's macarons, but I agree that Paulette's macarons are better than La Boulangerie. However, after trying Bouchon's macarons in Napa, I have to say Bouchon takes the top honors (but they are more expensive and bigger). Mon Apr 20 15:37:46 -0700 2009 4610310 43882 singleguychef