NOT A CRABBY DAY

We didn't rush out the door today - our destination was to take public transit to a hole in the wall restaurant called the Swan Oyster Depot on Polk Street.  There was a lineup on the street (as we read there would be) and we took our place in it.  We were told by others in line that the lineup wasn't very long.  The restaurant only seats 18 and so we waited and waited and waited.  

I went and had a manicure while Pam waited and waited and waited.  Then we waited together some more.  The promise of crab and fresh oysters kept us in line.  

This is the Crab Chrysanthemum with butter sauce

Finally after 2 1/2 hours we made it to our stools to be seated at the counter.  I had a Corona Beer and Pam had a White Wine.  Once it was our turn to order (yes there was more waiting) - I was salivating for the crab plate I wanted to order - we were told that there was no crab! WTF - there was no crab!  This wasn't because they had run out for the day - it was because the crab season in San Francisco had abruptly ended 2 days earlier and a full two weeks early for the year.  

So shrimp salad and chowder it was.  Pam did order 6 fresh/raw oysters (I had one) and we ate our meal quietly - me dreaming of what the Chrysanthemum Crab dish would have been like and Pam tucking into her oysters and our shared salad.  Nothing here was going to taste worth our waiting time other than crab.  However, after our repast, we were off to see the murals of the Mission District.  

What a vibrant Hispanic area - with colour, street music and many people out and about.  (We should have come here and had Mexican Food - forget the non existent crab) We walked down to Balmy Alley and had lots to see and smell.  So many fragrant vines, shrubs and flowers are in bloom right now in SF.  There were Angel Trumpets, wisteria, jasmine, roses and then lots of murals in and around this alley.  All and all The Mission District boasts more than 1000 murals and we certainly saw enough to satisfy this venture into the area.