If you are coming to visit San Francisco this summer, one place you might want to check out is the Hog Island Oyster Bar in the Ferry Building, which has the best farmer's market on Saturdays.
Hog Island was founded by three marine biologists, and they raise in Tomales Bay California, Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas), Kumamoto Oysters (Crassostrea sikamea) and Atlantic Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) as well as Manila clams and mussels. "They are dedicated to producing fresh, premium quality oysters and shellfish raised in a sustainable and environmentally beneficial manner."
Hog Island's clam chowder is made with their Manila clams in the shell, and man-o-man I don't know what secret ingredient they put in their chowder, but it is some of the best I have ever had. I've had some pretty good clam chowders in visits to the east coast, but this Hog Island chowder definitely takes a prize in my book.
Besides the fabulous food & drink, check out the view from the restaurant.You get a beautiful picturesque view of the San Francisco Bay. I was lucky to have a window seat. This is definitely a cool place to kick it with some beers and seafood.
