Sunday, October 18, 2015

SFO - To Do 13Oct2015(1Day Tour - 17Mile Drive, 1Day Tour - Monterey bay Aquarium, Coit Tower)

San Francisco - To Stay
San Francisco - To Do
 San Francisco - To Eat
SFO - To Do
13Oct2015
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Check out our Instagram #abbatravel @ABBA_TRAVEL
Getting Around
1Day Trip (17Mile Drive and Moneteray Bay Aqaurium)
 Click here for Other Car Rental Deals in SFO.
We went with Enterprise over Relibale as they had the large cars to 
 accommodate larger groups. 

Rented a car from Enterprise, 8-seater monster at a total of USD97.57 with USD20 charged for easy return and drop off at Parc 55.
8Pax, Each paying USD15 for the car.

Total spent on Fuel USD40
Total Distance Traveled Approximately 420Km
Departed Car Rental at 9am 
 ABBATip:
For this 1day trip, try to leave earlier. Already at 9am we were caught in the jam on the way out of the city. They had arrived at 730am at the office but some problems from booking the day before, took them sometime to maneuver the car out from the parking space and getting it ready for us. An earlier departure would allow for more time to be enjoyed at each location. Pack breakfast/lunch to be enjoyed along the 17Mile Drive would be a great option.
Driving back, depart Monterey at approximately 1830hrs onwards. No traffic jam back.

1Day Tour
- 17Mile Drive

A famous 17Mile drive that is maintained by Pebble Beach Company. USD10 per car for the entry and it's absolutely worth the scenic journey, passing a few famous golf courses.
*Clear sign boards to follow to the 17mile drive.*
There are sign boards along the highway directing you to one of the gates along the 17mile drive. Once inside, there's loads of signage to keep you on the 17mile track as you navigate through the beautiful winding streets and along the coast.
*(L)When you take a picture. (R) When you get someone else to take a picture*
Allocate approximately 2-3hours for the attraction so you're not rushed. Best bet is to packet Sandwiches to picnic along this scenic location. Dining options are limited and given the place's exclusivity, likely to come at a price.


1Day Tour
- Monterey bay Aquarium
Click here for ABBA location of Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States

Opens 10-5pm

Though not as large as many other aquariums in the world, it's still probably one of the better, if not best ones I've seen. Its not about the size or the shows, but the incredible quality displays.



Absolutely enchanting displays with their sea creatures and interactive pools and pods. Situated at the end of the bay, the location does enhance the experience. Spectacular scenic views all around and unique design layouts offer loads of photo ops and educational opportunities.

Definitely cater at least 3hrs minimum here. Well worth the visit and the entry charge!
Click here for ABBA location of Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States
Returned at 9.30pm

Coit Tower
(2.5km walk from Parc55)

14Oct2015
Adult USD8
Senior Citizens USD5
Children 11 and below USD2
 

A rewarding view awaits you at the top of the tower. The Coit tower was built under the instruction of the late Lilie Hitchock Coit, in order to beautify SFO. Illustrative murals decorate the base of the tower and the charge to get a Panasonic view of the bay area is absolutely worth it. 
Almost every corner offers a postcard ready shot. In fact, I wouldn't mind revisiting on another occasion in the evening or night to enjoy the city lights and night scene. Stunning!
 Click here for ABBA location of Coit Tower
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SFO - To Eat 13Oct2015 (Fish Hopper at Monterey Bay), R&G Lounge, LihoLiho)

San Francisco - To Stay
San Francisco - To Do
San Francisco - To Eat
SFO - To Eat
13Oct2015
Click here to Like ABBATRAVEL on Facebook. Get the latest updates!
Check out our Instagram #abbatravel @ABBA_TRAVEL


Fish Hopper
(Monterey Bay)

This place came recommended by work staff at Monterey Bay Aquarium. A more touristy spot that's just down the road from the world famous aquarium. We basically ordered based off Google reviews which sung praise over their Seafood Pasta and Clam Chowder. The rest of the orders were decided based on cooked dishes put up in front and boy did the lobster win many hearts over. 


Ordered On:

13Oct2015
Crab Cakes x2 USD31.90
*Nice serving of crab meat, but very pricy for such small portions. The fruit along side was pretty good.*
Clam Chowder x2  USD31.90 Total
*They won the award for the best clam chowder and the proof was definitely in the pudding. Creamy, thick and not too chunky with their potato. It truly earned the title. A close second found in the bay area would go to Fog Harbor restraurnat.*
Seafood Cioppino USD39.95 Total

 
*Nothing Special.*
Steak and Fries Medium USD39.90
 
*The most she's paid for a steak. Done a nice medium but again pricey.  
Pan Roasted Red Snapped with Coconut Prawn USD29.95

*Nothing Special*
Ultimate Seafood Pasta USD39.95 x2
*Apart from the steep price. It really was quite good. Prawns, scallops were really well done. Sweet juicy and succulent. Even the little lobster tail wasn't over coked and sweet. The downside was probably the pasta which clumped together. When questioned, wait staff said it was because fresh pasta tends to club in this manner which I didn't buy into. However, wait staff did offer a replacement dish. Sauce to pasta distribution was fair and had only wished for more ingredients given the price*
Crab Meat and Shrimp Stuffed Half Maine Lobster USD44.95 x3
*Marketing at its best. The food display in front got 3 girls to order the lobster with somewhat disappointing results. Some found that the lobster itself wasn't as fresh. Apart from that, stuffing was great as was the spinach risotto it's served with. For the pricing, one can get cheaper and more lobster from Burgers and Lobster, London.*
Fed8 Total USD418.64

A "pseudo" tourist trap. A great view for sure, in a nice atmosphere, but priced too steeply. A celebratory meal to top off an awesome day out spent, down south in Monetary Bay. We justified the price saying we missed all meals throughout the day and having them combined into one. Happy faces all around thou with a full stomach and a great day out.

Free Wifi Available.





R&G Lounge
(1.4km walk from Parc55)

Located relatively near to China Town, this Michelin recommended joint came, well recommended and we went there to try the place out.


Ordered On:

14Oct2015
Salmon Avocado Egg Rolls USD14 *Their signature Dish*
*I was expecting fresh salmon in the dish but it turned out to be smoked salmon instead. Well fried with the saltiness pairing well with the sweet sauce. An alright dish.*
R&G Special Fried Beef USD20 *Their signature Dish*
*One of the star orders! Super sweet and tender beef.
Something like Bolbogi beef, but deep fried. Very interesting*
Salt Pepper Crab USD48
 
*Nicely done, Chunky pieces and juicy in a delectable batter. Goes really well with warm rice.*
Backed Black Cod USD42 *Their signature Dish*
*Beautifully prepared, and everyone was singing high praises for this dish. Omega3 goodness and cooked very well. Others have reportedly return just for this order.*
Steamed Clams with Egg USD20
*Interesting concept that will try to replicate back home.*
Dried Scallops with Chinese Melons USD20
*Another unique use of melons and vegetables coming together. I'd definitely try this back home.*
Roasted Squab USD18
*Essentially pigeon. A first for myself, but it's meat tasted very much similar to that of duck.*
Total USD197.95 Fed6
Free Wifi Avail


Supposedly one of the best Chinese Restaurants in SFO. The place in my opinion is over priced especially over some small portioned dishes as well as simple ingredients demanding a USD20 price tag. 12-15USD would be a more reasonable price range. 



Apart from the few stand out dishes of Crab, Fried Beef and Beautiful cod, all of which, I felt are 20-30% over priced, I could give this place a pass. Others however, have returned just for their signature cod. For you to try on your next visit to SFO China Town.




LihoLiho
(950m walk from Parc55)
 
 


A recommendation from others, this place had a great vibe to it. Industrial sheik with a cool open concept kitchen. It was packed at 6.15pm when I arrived. Only over the counter seating available.

Ordered On:

14Oct2015

Beef Tongue, kimchi, cucumber, poppy seed steam bun USD9.75
*Phenomenal and worth. Am not a big fan of Kimchi, but staff were really helpful in having it served on the side. In the end, the Kimchi really did add to the whole dish. A little bit of sour and spice, with refreshing crunches from the Kimchi bits were awesome. It was a perfect pairing with the juicy, fatty beef tongue. The poppy seeds didn't add a whole lot, but the entire package was really delicious.*
Tuna Belly Misoyaki, sungolds, daikon tentsutu USD14.75
*The order was a little different from what was envisioned. I was hoping for something similar to my all time favorite seared Ahi joint located at Pier39, Fog Harbor Restaurant. The tuna wasn't that thick and hence the meat was cooked all the way through. Thou the toppings and sauces were fairly nice, it was a little salty and differed from expectation.*
Tuna Poke, sesame oil, radish, nori cracker USD15.50

*Something uniquely different from the run of the mill tuna tar tar. The crispy Nori was a nice touch! Good freshness of the fish and not overly dressed. A fancy and delectable starter.*
Baked Hawaii, Caramelized pineapple ice cream, vanilla chiffon USD10
*The best, and most unique dessert had in SFO to date. A roasted merrang/marshmallow like exterior, with a rich, ice-cream centre, atop a crumble base. This gets further decorated with a drizzled of Carmel sauce and surrounded by pineapple bits with coconut shaving. So, so good, that it was totally worth the USD10.
Total fed 1 Approx 40USD+
(Had the Tuna Belly replaced as it was not as expected when it was described.)
Definitely worth a visit for the Hawaiian fusion experience. Prices maybe around the USD30 range if it's split within two diners. (Ask wait staff for more info on which dishes are to share) A starter and an appetizer would be about just right for a party of one.



LihoLiho is incredibly popular and they only take reservations a month in advance. Go early or at doors open. I overheard the gentleman chatting to the bartender, introducing themselves as restaurateurs and it was their second time there. If at all, infered from the encounter, this is probably a affirmation of the quality of food served at this place.


Will return for the share plates. Their chicken and beef dishes were definitely head turners among patrons. 

Click here for ABBA location of Liholiho Yacht Club, 871 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
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