FoodBuzz Festival Day 1: Kick-Off

For foodies, the hot new place to be this evening is unquestionably at the first annual Foodbuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco. When I arrived at the Hotel Vitale, the friendly people at Foodbuzz greeted me with smiles and a huge gift bag.
BJ is joining me in the city this weekend to be my escort from the Foodbuzz venue to our hotel, about a half mile away. He's the greatest! After registering, we high-tailed to the Ferry Building to find him dinner as he was not particpating in the Foodbuzz opening reception. The Boccalone salami shop was still open and had muffulettas hot sandwiches. This is filled with mortadella, cotto, nduja, provolone and tapenade on fresh crusty bread. Wish we could find Italian sandwiches like these in the South Bay.

After BJ ate dinner, he returned to our hotel and I ventured shyly into the Foodbuzz reception, wondering how I'm suppose to introduce myself to others. Do I offer my blog or my real name? Oh, the food blogger dilemma.

The reception started off with hor devours and vodka cocktails in a Hotel Vitale terrace suite overlooking the Embarcadero. Later into the evening, the party moved to the Ferry Building's outdoor foyer where the Taste of San Francisco Food Fair was held. The fair was made up of several local specialty restaurants, beverage companies and actual street food vendors. All of which are gourmet and fabulous, of course.
Despite not knowing anyone, I felt right at home as I watched other kindred souls whip out their cameras to photograph plates of food. The blogger behind these lenses is none other than Jennifer from Tiny Urban Kitchen! It was a delight to meet her as I just started following her blog recently, captivated by her beautiful pictures.

In addition to Jennifer, I met ChubbyChineseGirl (who is NOT chubby at all) and the three of us ate and chatted our way to all the stalls. With each bite, we shared our passion for blogging and the excitement of participating in tomorrow's food sessions.
Our eats included...rotisserie porchetta on an Acame roll with curly cress and onion marmalade from Roli Roti.
...assorted mini cupcakes from Mission Minis and vanilla bean and coffee ice cream from Straus Family Creamery.
To wash all the tasty eats, I sipped one of each - a citrus Skyy vodka cocktail and a basil gimlet.
Of course, there was more food to be sampled. Greenstring Farms eggplant, dry-cured olives, feta and parsley pizza slices from Pizza Politana.
A variety of tacos - braised chicken, chorizo potato and veggies from Tacolicious.
And I thought the most innovative tasting were these mini pies from The Pie Truck. I sampled a savory and buttery veggie pie.
Another unexpected treat - vegan cheesecakes from Alive. These were made out of a coconut and cashew mixture and contained swirls of pomegranate and citrus zest. I actually want to buy a whole pie to take home - it's that good.
But the best part is always about meeting new friends and having the opportunity to network and hang out while enjoying good food and drinks. Jennifer and Cindy checking out the vegan flatbread pizza crisps from Alive...
...Feasting on raw Hog Island Oysters that were pulled out of the bay this morning!
Until tomorrow, good night from the Ferry Building!