Sorry New York, Paris, New Orleans and all the other cities that claim as such, but when it comes to food, San Francisco must be the happiest place on earth. Besides, when I say "San Francisco" I mean the whole bay including our culinary muse (and the home of the original 
Gourmet Ghetto) Berkeley and Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Can there be any other place on earth that houses so many great chefs, amazing restaurants, various cultural influences and wonderful range of local ingredients. 
On a sunny Saturday, in the middle of the day, in the middle of summer, in the middle of the city, I came across a farmers' market, I did not even know existed. My wife and I took a walk in a neighborhood called "Noe Valley" for some picnic supplies. This' hood is known for its department stores; a long stretch of small lovely shops selling all things edible and otherwise. 
By the middle of our expedition, I saw a small collection of tents and booths set up in a small parking. As we entered the lot, I realized we were in a market full of fruit and vegetable farmers seeking the most colorful and delicious that I had seen all summer.
Now, I went to the big downtown Farmers Markets in San Francisco hundreds of times and always to my disappointment, have never thought to put my camera. So I am to be carrying my camera on this particular ride, and I accidentally find this unknown market to me, seemed very ironic. Am I using "ironic" correctly here? I hate when people use irony in the wrong context. Is what I just did? Someone will let me know that I'm sure. 
Anyway, the light was perfect, the tables were stacked, and I broke the difference (between sampling large quantities of perfectly ripe stone fruits) get what I think were quite good pictures that you see through this article. 
The peaches were perfect. Red plums and black spotted Santa Rosa were amazing in both color and taste. Basil flower screamed at me to make pesto. Thompson seedless grapes, warmed by the sun called me a few samples that the seller seemed to ask if I wanted to buy. 
Next time, I promise. An inheritance cucumbers snake nest was sitting next to a basket of Roma tomatoes were so bright they almost glow. I made a mental note to buy Feta. And no farmer market would be complete without the mandatory toy box of mixed peppers. 
The only photo here that was not part of the market is "just delicious as it looks" fig bread. It was from the Noe Valley Bakery a few blocks away. I bought this fig bread for more than a decade, always serve 
Cambazola with a mature cheese and fresh strawberries. And with that last shot, I put the camera, and we headed to our picnic in Dolores Park. Thank you San Francisco. After all these years you still managed to surprise and seduce me with the most unexpected and wonderful ways. 
