I want to go back to there.

Boy oh boy is it hard to get back into the swing of things after spending time with good people, great food, and awesome sights. I knew it was going to be tough, but I’m getting my butt handed over on a platter over here.

Joni and I first made a pit stop in San Francisco for the night, and we had a blast eating at Herbivore (twice) and Maggie Mudd (once). Don’t tell anyone, but I got us lost on the way to the latter by taking the bus in the wrong direction. Oops!

Maggie Mudd: Joni’s on the left = froot loops and pb & j. Mine on the right = Dubliner and mudslide.

Smoked tofu sandwich from Herbivore.

Joni’s Schwarma from the same place.

We then drove by the coast to see the sights, and promptly became eager to reach our destination, because there’s only so many hours in the car one can withstand before wanting to pull their hair out by the handful. I’m sure you know the feeling.

I’m not going to flood you with too many pictures of the wonderful foods we got to enjoy, mostly because:

1. it would look like I’m bragging, and I would never do that. Never! Ahem.
and
2. I often got too impatient to eat to snap shots of every single item I put in my mouth (it sounds so wrong…)

Some French toast from Wild Flower in Arcata. They topped it with fresh fruit compote and maple syrup, so much so that you can’t even see the toast anymore. So. Freaking. Good!

This up there was a Maple Pecan waffle from Flavourspot, in Portland. Speaks for itself. Funny thing is that the lovely person who was handling the cart yelled “VEGANS!” at us when our waffles were ready. Ha.

I got to enjoy this hot stuff with Amy (who’s even better than tahini) and Tim, who both are some of the niftiest people you could ever hope to meet. They helped me out a lot when I put my Superklutz uniform on.

Amy made me some blueberry jam (to thank me for being a klutz?), and then I got to meet Kris, who’s like my biggest baking hero ever. She made me plum jam. Score!

An Eastern bowl (Brussels sprouts, for the win!) from Bye and Bye, enjoyed in good company with the two ladies mentioned above. (I won’t speak of the drink of the same name*, which was enjoyed later on that evening. Oy.)

Oh and…we got to hang out at Sweetpea. You hate me now, right? But I loves you.

*Bye and Bye is the name of the drink, not Eastern Bowl.

66 Comments »

  1. VeggieGirl said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:18 am

    STUNNING photos!! Great time you had, for sure.

    Reply

  2. Shellyfish said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:18 am

    I’m so happy you went to flavourspot – I sometimes wonder if a Portland relocation is necessary? Beautiful pics, and what a wonderful trip!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    si tu y vas, j’y vais aussi.

    Reply

  3. Shelby said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:19 am

    This is my favorite post ever! Everything looks so delicious and the scenery is just gorgeous!

    Reply

  4. Lauren said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:24 am

    Gorgeous photos. I want to go!

    Reply

  5. Martha said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:38 am

    I’m applying to MD/PhD programs right now, and there’s a program at Oregon Health & Sciences University, which is apparently just a mile or so north (or maybe south, maps don’t stick in my head too well) from the Japanese garden in Portland. As soon as I started looking at this school, Design*sponge posted their guide to Portland, and you & Joni started posting about all the vegan food there, and now I think it’s the perfect place for me. So jealous you’ve been there already!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    it’s as big a sign for you to go there as I’ve ever heard about. keep me posted!

    Reply

  6. Jojo said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:42 am

    What a great post, that looks like the perfect trip, that waffle, the cupcakes…a bar with awesome vegan foods in a bowl – rad! This is the second Portland post I’ve read today and now I’m sure it’s where I’ll be going on holiday next year.

    Reply

  7. Erin said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:51 am

    You take such warm and inviting photographs! I just love looking at them.

    Reply

  8. A-K said,

    July 30, 2009 at 7:34 am

    MUST GO.

    Reply

  9. Bianca- Vegan Crunk said,

    July 30, 2009 at 8:00 am

    Yum! Your photos even make a waffle sammich look gourmet (not that a waffle sammich doesn’t sound freaking amazing right now). Also, I’m intrigued by the fruit loop ice cream! Wha-wha-what?!

    So lucky!!! I haven’t been to SF since going vegan, and I’ve never, ever been to Portland…but someday, I hope to make that pilgrimage.

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    you’ll have to ask Joni about the froot loop stuff, she’s the one who had it!

    Reply

  10. Jes said,

    July 30, 2009 at 8:12 am

    Gorgeous photos! And I’m definitely craving one of those waffles (and the beach) right now…mmm pecans

    Reply

  11. Megan said,

    July 30, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Gorgeous photos! That french toast looks fab!! :D

    Reply

  12. tahinitoo said,

    July 30, 2009 at 8:54 am

    Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle… When are you coming back? I missssssssssss you (and your cripply foot). You forgot to mention that you ate my waffle, Tim’s wafflfe, and your own waffle. Jeesh, way to share.

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    who are you kidding? I even ate the cart. and the person in it. not vegan!

    Reply

  13. Josiane said,

    July 30, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Your pictures are fabulous! Thanks for this recap of your trip; it sounds like it was a whole lot of fun, and it was neat to get a piece of it through your post. And no, I don’t hate you, ’cause I’m gonna do the NY equivalent of this trip with you… yay!!!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    can’t wait to go to NY with you!

    Reply

  14. Marion said,

    July 30, 2009 at 9:32 am

    Je me souviens de mon escale à San Francisco il y a plusieurs années, cette ville a vraiment une ambiance à part, envoutante… J’y refais un saut dès que je peux, sans hésiter!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    c’est marrant, dans le bus en face de nous, y avait 2 françaises, alors on a fait la conversation pendant un bout de chemin.

    Reply

  15. Rosa said,

    July 30, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Your pictures are breathtaking! It looks like you had a great time there! All that wonderful makes me drool…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

  16. Nora said,

    July 30, 2009 at 9:36 am

    I love the photo of San Fran–the color of the buildings against the bright blue sky is great :)

    I really want one of those Portland waffle cart beauties.

    Reply

  17. Kelly said,

    July 30, 2009 at 9:39 am

    That all looks gorgeous. I agree with you though, it is soooo hard to settle back in after vacation. I went to see my family last week and I’m struggling with the same thing. Beautiful pictures though. That all looks delicious.

    Reply

  18. Ricki said,

    July 30, 2009 at 11:50 am

    So fabulous. The scenery, the restaurants, the company. . . .everything. And though I could NEVER hate you–I am totally envious! ;)

    Reply

  19. Tami (Vegan Appetite) said,

    July 30, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    You did it! Made it almost seem like we were along for the trip! What a great post, Celine.

    Dubliner Mudslide. Ohmygod.

    Reply

  20. Y said,

    July 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    Oh, brag away! Your photos are totally awesome, especially the scenery shots!

    Reply

  21. Mihl said,

    July 30, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    These photos are so stunning, I can’t decide which I like most. Probably the one with the colourful houses. I am glad you had such a fantastic trip. Let’s grab Joni and move to P.?

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    we have a deal.

    Reply

  22. Tessa said,

    July 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Aah! I love Maggie Mudd’s! You chose my favorite flavors, too!

    Reply

  23. celia said,

    July 30, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    everything looks so good i could eat it right now!

    Reply

  24. Squill said,

    July 30, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    If I was coming back from all that glory, I would have a hard time adjusting to my normal routine, too :) Everything looks so beautiful.

    Reply

  25. Heather said,

    July 30, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    So pretty! Your photos are amazing, as always.

    Reply

  26. healthy ashley said,

    July 30, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    I love all the photos! And I am definitely drooling after so many delicious food photos!

    Reply

  27. Melisser said,

    July 30, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    I can’t believe I haven’t been to Bye & Bye.. but Herbivore twice?! Ick!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    suck it. it was within walking distance: that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.

    Reply

    Melisser Reply:

    It doesn’t make their food taste any better! There was also a vegan sandwich joint, a vegan sausage option, Ethiopian, Indian, Thai, & more within walking distance!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    can’t say I didn’t like what I ordered there. also, keep in mind we were up at something like 6am on Sunday and didn’t have a shitload of options to get food early-ish.

    Reply

    Melisser Reply:

    Good! Sounds like you ordered the right things & they were having a good day. They’re inconsistent.

    Reply

  28. Amanda Nicole said,

    July 31, 2009 at 8:45 am

    I am starving now! These food pics are scrumptious.

    Reply

  29. Alex said,

    July 31, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Those pictures are unreal!

    Seriously, the sandwich is a frigging Rembrandt.

    Reply

  30. Monique said,

    July 31, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Wow. San Francisco is beautiful. All of this food looks amazing.

    Reply

  31. Veronica said,

    July 31, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Your photos are exquisite. Impatience is the last word I’d associate with all those pictures of food!

    I really appreciate your title’s throwback to Liz Lemon.

    Reply

  32. Linh said,

    July 31, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    We just got back from a weekend trip to SF- Maggie Mudds was DELICIOUS!!! We didn’t eat at herbivore, but it looks amazing!

    Next time you are in SF, try eating at weird fish.

    Thanks for the lovely blog!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    I just checked out the menu at Weird Fish and holy crap. totally going there next time, for sure. thanks Linh!

    Reply

  33. Afsoon said,

    July 31, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Oh man! I can’t wait until I get to go to Maggie Mudd!!! Btw I have some good news to tell you…

    Reply

  34. dreaminitvegan said,

    August 1, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Everything looks wonderful! Your pic’s came out really nice. So good to hear you had a good time.

    Reply

  35. Jackie said,

    August 1, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Ugh, I am so jealous. Of everything. Especially the ice cream!

    Reply

  36. Cooking With Dia said,

    August 1, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    It looks beautiful there, nice and relaxing with great food. What more can anyone want? :)

    Reply

  37. A&N said,

    August 1, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Love the pics!

    Reply

  38. Vegetation said,

    August 1, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    Oh wow!! You have certainly left me superbly envious!!! I want ice cream and waffles and jam!!!!

    Reply

  39. Sophie said,

    August 2, 2009 at 2:21 am

    Lovely pictures!! The food looks so yummie!!

    Reply

  40. Ruby red said,

    August 2, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Nah, I don’t hate you. I love you for sharing all these awesome pics with us! I am dying over that French toast platter right now. Wow. And double wow, visits to San Fransisco and Portland? That’s like my dream.

    Reply

  41. Lisa (Show Me Vegan) said,

    August 2, 2009 at 11:57 am

    Celine, your photos are incredible! Thanks for letting us vacay vicariously.

    Reply

  42. Andrea said,

    August 3, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    Terrific post – great photos, commentary – everything. The first (only) time I was in Portland, before I knew anything about it, before I was blogging or reading blogs, we were visiting someone who took us to a conveniently nearby sushi place because he said, “there really aren’t any vegan restaurants here.” Sheesh.

    Reply

  43. kim g. said,

    August 4, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    Your photos are absolutely stunning!

    Reply

  44. Allison said,

    August 6, 2009 at 1:45 am

    Wow, I love all your photographs. Looks like a really great (delicious!) trip!

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    thanks, Allison! when are we getting to meet? I’m tapping my foot impatiently, here.

    Reply

    Allison Reply:

    I know! Maybe we should just have a lunch date sometime! I can’t believe I’m missing another LA potluck. It seems like my schedule is completely off.

    Reply

    Celine Reply:

    I’ll be in LA from the 27th actually to visit Afsoon, will you still be in town or already gone?

    Reply

    Allison Reply:

    I’m gone from the 23rd to the 1st of September. Booo.

    Reply

  45. T said,

    August 11, 2009 at 8:26 am

    These pictures are gorgeous! What an awesome sounding trip.

    Reply

  46. gine said,

    August 12, 2009 at 12:40 am

    ooh .. I’d like to do this trip, too ^^ … great photos :-)!! love that beach and, of course, the small cakes ^^ … XOXO

    Reply

  47. Sara@SproutedKitchen said,

    August 20, 2009 at 10:30 am

    your blog is so fabulous! I am so glad I was led here via Mae Bird, i love it! Your pictures are fantastic, and the landscape shots and pictures of your lovely meals from this trip are so fabulous. Makes me want to pack up and leave, right now.

    Reply

  48. kristen said,

    August 28, 2009 at 11:54 am

    i am so jealous. sooooo jealous.

    Reply

  49. Corissa said,

    September 10, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Wildflower in Arcata is the BEST vegetarian restaurant!

    Reply

  50. Stella said,

    September 29, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Gorgeous.

    Reply

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