What We Ate In San Francisco part 3

I have a new favorite ice cream store.  From the time the girls were very small we have been going to Ghirardelli Square for ice cream.  What's not to like about Ghirardelli ice cream and chocolate?  They use Dreyer's ice cream but of course we go for the Hot Fudge.  And there's that guy in the sundae costume running around giving out coupons (I think we scared him a little bit). 

We also love Gelato Classico. Although they have gone wholesale and there are no more storefronts to buy from, they are still our favorite gelato. But move over Ghirardelli and Gelato Classico and make some room; we found Bi-Rite Creamery and Bakeshop.



Bi-Rite is a family company in busines since 1940.  They also have the Bi-Rite Grocery just down the street on 18th street.  This is a terrific little market; I'd love to be able to shop here.  It is definitely a full service market even though it is so small.  They have their own butcher, grow their own produce from their own ranch and make their own preserves.  Of course they're organic. They are located on 18th street near Mission Dolores.

Look at the Acme bread;  it is absolutely wonderful bread.  Lucca Delicatessen, our favorite Italian deli on Chestnut sells this and makes sandwiches using it.

Bi-Rite Creamery makes small batch ice cream in some of the most creative flavors I have ever seen.  Ask for a taste spoon before purchasing.  You might discover that your favorite is one of the more creative ones.  Of course they have chocolate and vanilla too.  Those are always available as well as the Coffe Toffee.  The other flavors rotate seasonally.

We loved Ricanela, which was cinnamon ice cream with snickerdoodle cookies crumbled in it.  I can't even begin to tell you how good it was.  Nothing like other sweet cookies and cream flavors.  I tasted salted caramel, balsamic strawberry, and a few others, before deciding that my favorite flavor was the brown sugar with ginger caramel swirl.  Be sure to taste the Honey lavender. 

I loved the creamery and the grocery store.  I wish that I had these businesses in my neighborhood.  They are clean, well-run, and absolutely amazing.  They will be a regular stop for us from now on.  Take time to check both of these places out if you are in San Francisco.  They're worth the effort to get there.