Mission Cheese San Francisco, Mission District

Lunch at Mission Cheese was hands down my favorite experience of my week in San Francisco. Perhaps it was the pâté de campagne, the trio of California cheeses (Melodie, Carabiner and Capricious), the crisp white wine "Go Getter" from Stage Left Cellars, the melted Raclette over crumbly oven roasted potatoes or the great company of one of my dearest friends Gloria. Whatever it was, I couldn't have asked for more.

The decor of Mission Cheese is characterized by its stark cement walls, modern metal doors and austere tables, which is warmed by a petite vase of colorful flowers. A large chalk drawing of sheep gives the room a splash of artistic whimsy that contrasts but surprisingly fits in against the cool clean lines. If you look closely at the sheep you will find the names of some of the most loved cheeses. Very cool.

"Wait I see something!"

It was hard to keep Alex stationary in amid the kinetic energy of the Mission. Before I knew it he ran out the door. 

"Can I have him? Pleaaaaaase!!!"

"I love you."

With so much to see in the Mission District, we couldn't end it there. The Mission has evolved from its coarser days so we sought out to see the mix of the old and new.

Of course a visit to the Mission is not complete without the acquisition of an authentic California burrito. On this day we stopped in at an original fixture of the neighborhood, La Taqueria, where we ordered a beef tongue burrito, of which Alex did a good job of sharing with our friend Gloria. These thick and meaty burritos set the standard and are worth going out of your way.

Oh the places we'll go and the delicious things we'll eat my sweet boy. This is just the beginning.