The saddest part about working in Oakland is that I’m far, far away from one of my most favorite lunch places in San Francisco, Darwin Cafe. Nestled in a small side street in SOMA, Darwin Cafe is a nondescript little cafe that houses some amazing food. They are a perfect example of how using fresh, local ingredients can really make even the simplest baguette stunning.
Their kale salad is absolutely amazing. It’s an enormous plate, full of leafy kale, crunchy panchetta, and drizzled with garlic olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s one of their most popular dishes.
Their baguette sandwiches. Good lord. Their proscuitto + butter is my favorite out of all the ones I’ve tried thus far. Below is the smoked salmon + fromage blanco and the mozzarella + basil baguettes.
YUM.
Proscuitto and Turkey sandwich with garlic aioli. Positively delicious.
Darwin Cafe
12 Ritch St.
San Francisco, CA 94107