• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cafe Fernando

Header Right

Main navigation

  • About
  • My Cookbook
  • Baking Tools
  • Archive
  • Conversion
  • Türkçe

2257 Days

Or 6 years, 4 months and 11 days. That’s how long it has been since the last time I’ve visited San Francisco.

But somehow it really doesn’t feel that long. I wonder if this is because even after all these years I still cruise ads for rentals (both in San Francisco and Big Sur) or can’t go to bed without watching my old neighborhood from the Exploratorium’s roof cam or occasionally “walk” from my old apartment to my alma mater, thanks to Google’s street-level maps.

I remember feeling the same when I moved back to Turkey many years ago. It was as if I had never left İstanbul. There’s only one logical explanation: San Francisco, just like İstanbul, is my home.

Even though it feels like cheating on my yet-to-be-published cookbook, I am going home for a while. In fact, as you are reading this, I’m either licking my fingers after a roast chicken and bread salad at Zuni Cafe or admiring the vintage collection of Le Creuset pots & pans at Cookin!, hoping the owner is in a good mood. And if it’s Saturday morning, I’m most definitely in front of the computer in the lobby, hitting the refresh button to find out what I’ll be eating at Chez Panisse on Thursday – all the while praying there’s “Meyer Lemon Pavlova” or “Vacherin with Mint and Chocolate Sherbets” on the menu.

Wish me luck.

February 25, 2011 · 28 Comments Categories: Memoir/Meme/Misc. Tags: cenk, san francisco

« Vera’s Almodrote
My San Francisco »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Yonca

    February 25, 2011 at 11:31 am

    I am anxiously waiting for your book to be released. Best of luck!!

    Reply
  2. ALIŞVERİŞ CİNİ

    February 25, 2011 at 11:53 am

    SF is a great city! Wsh you good luck and happy moments out there!

    Reply
  3. Ipek

    February 25, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    I hope you will eat the bread pudding at Tartine!

    Reply
  4. karin

    February 25, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    let me know if you stop by los angeles, enjoy SF 🙂
    have a great trip…

    Reply
  5. Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy

    February 25, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    How long is a while?? I’ll be in the States in March but not making it as far as SF until this summer…..will you still be there? 🙂

    Reply
  6. Clarice

    February 25, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    Cenk – Great to have you back in San Francisco! My husband and I are huge fans of your blog. We would love to take you out for dinner. Are you free on Saturday or Sunday?

    Reply
    • Cenk

      February 26, 2011 at 6:03 pm

      Clarice – thanks for the generous offer, but I have dinner plans for both days, then leaving for Carmel. Sorry I posted this too late on my blog, but I knew there’d be million things I’d like to do and that I’d have time enough for only half of it.

      Reply
  7. ayşem

    February 25, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    good luck…

    Reply
  8. Katia

    February 25, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    Great to hear that! Bring an umbrella and rain gear, since winter finally hit. It’s supposed to snow today or tomorrow, but probably won’t be too bad, just really cold. Welcome back.

    Reply
  9. Ediref

    February 25, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    So, what are you waiting for ?

    Reply
  10. Charles G Thompson

    February 26, 2011 at 1:34 am

    Really wonderful post! San Francisco is an amazing place. I was born in ‘the City,’ grew up elsewhere but went back to go to culinary school after which I worked in the restaurant business so I know the city very well. I consider it one of several ‘homes’. Zuni is always a must-go-to when I visit. Chez Panisse another favorite. Enjoy your visit!

    Reply
  11. Irvin

    February 26, 2011 at 1:39 am

    Yay! Welcome back to San Francisco. I can’t believe you’ve been away from here for so long. SO much has changed, so much has stayed the same.

    There was predictions of snow, but it’s been beautiful and I doubt it will happen, despite how much everyone here wants it. Enjoy the city!

    Reply
  12. Kat

    February 26, 2011 at 6:11 am

    Oh lala, welcome back to the Bay Area! Those are indeed treat restaurants. Hope you have a fabulous time!

    I recently downloaded your app, both the free recipes and the paid recipes. Beautiful photographs, can’t wait to start baking/cooking!

    Reply
  13. Val

    February 26, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    Aw man, Cenk. I know exactly how you feel about sf. I wish you the best.

    Reply
  14. Amy Sherman

    February 27, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Make sure you visit Omnivore Books! It opened after you left, but I know you will love it. It’s a bookstore dedicated to cookbooks. Have a wonderful visit.

    Reply
  15. Ivana

    March 2, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    I wish you luck. And I envy you ;-)… and, please, say hello to San Francisco for me – one of my favourite cities in US. Have fun!!

    Reply
  16. NY Muhtari

    March 5, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    Best of luck Cenk..

    Will you be stopping in NY on your way back???

    Reply
  17. Trissa

    March 6, 2011 at 8:35 am

    Good luck in SF! A suggestion if you find SF isn’t home anymore, please come and visit Australia. We need talent like you here!!

    Reply
  18. shelley

    March 7, 2011 at 6:33 am

    and it’s raining! I am sorry — but it must feel like old times with the mist and drizzle! Seriously as Ipek — Tartine on 18th and Guerrero is a must do. Elisabeth Pruitt was asked to cooks the birthday cakes for Alice Water’s family. There is so much on 18th on the block between Dolores and Guerrero it’s worth a visit. Bi-Rite Creamery, Delphina, etc… have fun! I can’t wait to hit Istanbul this June!

    Reply
  19. joey

    March 7, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Lovely! Have a ball! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Ilke

    March 9, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Just found your blog, Cenk…Lovely… Hope you are having great time in SF! I loved the city when I visited. I will make sure my brother has a copy of your cookbook waiting for me when I visit my family in Istanbul next time!

    Reply
  21. Cenk

    March 16, 2011 at 10:57 am

    Ipek – I had a chance to visit Tartine only once and there were so many things I wanted to try, so the bread pudding didn’t make it. Hopefully next time.

    Sara – Sorry for responding so late… Wish I could tell you yes, but unfortunately no. It was only a 12-day vacation. I’m already back.

    Amy Sherman – Thanks for the recommendation Amy. I did visit Omnivore Books. Wish I had more time to spend there.

    NY Muhtarı – Thanks! Unfortunately no..

    Trissa – Thanks for the invite! I actually have relatives living in Australia, so who knows, maybe one day…

    shelley – Thanks, I’ve been to all the places you mentioned. Photos coming soon.

    Reply
  22. nil

    March 17, 2011 at 7:06 pm

    ilginç oldu bloguna “bakındıgım” non-türk bloglardan biriyle ulasmak.. ama yolculugun vardıgı yer beni mutlu etti
    herkesler seni oraya buraya davet ediyor
    ben de seni hayatımın başkentine;izmir’e davet ediyorum .. ki gelmedigin yer değil sanırım.
    gideceği-her-yer-için-önce-yemek-rotası-hazırlayan- ve-yemegi-seven-kadın nil

    Reply
  23. Hospitable Scots Bachelor

    March 21, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Turkish Cuisine – probably one of the most underrated national cuisines!

    Reply
  24. Stacie D

    March 25, 2011 at 5:10 am

    From one San Franciscan to another — Welcome home. Hope your visit is great. Stay dry!

    Reply
  25. Scott

    March 25, 2011 at 11:52 pm

    Best of luck and San Francisco is a great city!

    Reply
  26. Leesa

    April 2, 2011 at 11:41 pm

    Merhaba Cenk!

    Just catching up with your blog now that I’m back home in France. Three months on the Caribbean coast of CR did wonders for me! You’re looking delightful in this photo…

    Cheers, Leesa

    Reply
  27. Catherine A. Lumayaga

    November 5, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    This is my first time checking this blog. As I was browsing I saw this pic and I was like, “Oh, what a happy smile.”

    -C

    Reply

Önemli:Bloguma bıraktığınız yorum, tarafımdan onaylandıktan sonra yayımlanacaktır. Yorum bıraktığınız yazı ne kadar eski olursa olsun, yorumunuzu gözden kaçırmam mümkün değildir. Yorumunuz soru içeriyorsa; yanıt verebilmek için yazıyı incelemem gerekebileceği için yayımlanması biraz gecikebilir. Sorunuzu sormadan önce lütfen aynı veya benzer bir sorunun daha önce sorulup sormadığını önceki yorumları tarayarak emin olunuz.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

MY COOKBOOK

The Artful Baker

Amazon // Kindle // iBooks // IndieBound
Amazon UK // Amazon CA // Amazon AU
"In addition to being a skillfull technician of his trade, Cenk is an artist of exquisite taste, and an excellent and informative writer. Cenk is one of the most original authors whose work I have ever encountered." ⎯ROSE LEVY BERANBAUM

"Some books are beautiful, some are useful and the rare ones are both. The Artful Baker is a rare book from a rare talent. Cenk is a gifted storyteller, an extraordinary pastry chef, and a man with a remarkable eye–his images make you dream." ⎯DORIE GREENSPAN

"A beautiful collection of classic and exotic desserts, The Artful Baker will entice you into the kitchen with spectacular photographs and clear instructions." ⎯DAVID LEBOVITZ

"The Artful Baker presents clearly written recipes, easy to master techniques, strikingly beautiful presentations, and exquisite flavor. In other words, this book has it all." ⎯NICK MALGIERI

NEW FALL COOKBOOKS

New Fall 2021 Cookbooks

STAY CONNECTED

Instagram // YouTube // RSS
Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest

MY COOKBOOK COLLECTION

My Cookbook Collection

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

My Photography Gear

ESSENTIAL BAKING TOOLS

Essential Baking Tools Every Baker Should Have

Footer

BEST OF CAFE FERNANDO

Bagels

Caramel Beurre Sale Sandwich Cookies

Mung Bean Salad

Deeply Appley Apple Cake

Double Chocolate Bundt Cake

Momofuku Milk Bar’s Cereal Milk Ice Cream

COPYRIGHT © 2023 · Cenk Sönmezsoy · Privacy Policy