I lived in San Francisco from 1996-1998 and grew to HATE cilantro. They put it in everything. I’d order a chicken sandwich, and there was the taste of cilantro. Eggs? Cilantro. Bagel with cream cheese? Try our new cilantro spread! It was like a version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but in this case the pods were all made of cilantro.
OK. I should backtrack a little. I had a rotten time living in San Francisco. I went there for a job – and for an adventure – but I missed New York City and all my friends and family with an ache so deep and painful I never could have imagined it. Nothing felt familiar. Everything felt wrong. The streets were too clean. The air was actually see-through. People were too tall and, although friendly, not friendly in the same way New Yorkers are. And the pizza was just WRONG WRONG WRONG.
So after a while, I came to see the ever-present cilantro as a symbol of all that I hated. And, by the time I returned to New York City, not only did I kiss the ground of the land I love, but I also returned never wanting to taste that dreaded herb again.
And I know I am not alone. In fact, I just found this blog: I Hate Cilantro.
And yet, just yesterday, I was eating some Mexican food from my favorite local joint called Mezcal, and the salsa was especially yummy. Well…look at that! It’s loaded with cilantro! And it tastes good. And I want more.
So what did I learn from this? Time passes. People can change. And to every thing there is a…ahem..season.
Hmmm…come to think of it, maybe San Francisco wasn’t so bad either.
Tags: Herbs, San Francisco
August 10, 2007 at 3:26 pm |
LOL. Yup tastes change as do seasons. (Your pun revisited). There are two things that never change….there’s nothing like NY pizza and subs. Hey, when you call it a ’slice’ not a piece pizza you know you’re eating the real deal in the right place. Good pizza outside of NY? Forgetaboutit!
Lessons from food…good food for thought. I’m chewing it over.
Have a great day! MW (=^;^=)
August 10, 2007 at 9:06 pm |
Ouch. Your hot cross puns are painful..in the best of ways, of course. Thanks for making me smile!
August 11, 2007 at 9:47 am |
I loved San Francisco. Granted at the time I spent a few months there, I could not afford to eat out and yes, even a bagel was eating out! Hmmm, did manage to find the money for many pubs though…ah well…I digress.
I loved that the city turned around on me and I was never sure where I was. It kept me on my toes. I loved the promise of a Utopia and people living on slanted roads that threatened to drop them out of the pull of gravity, as if the threat of earthquakes was not enough.
I loved the fresh produce and fruit everywhere.
I liked not knowing what was around the corner…
August 11, 2007 at 11:10 am |
Nice images, SE. San Francisco is a funny city. I loved visiting but hated living there. About 50% of the East Coasters I met felt this way, and the other 50% or so were absolutely passionate about living there. But it is an amazing city.
August 11, 2007 at 8:14 pm |
I once hated cilantro, too. That soapy taste! I use it now, but in moderation and that seems to make the difference.
I’ll check out that blog…
August 11, 2007 at 9:07 pm |
Hey Ms. French Kitchen in America! Nice to see you. I’m honored to get a comment from a fabulous food blogger like Mimi. I guess the idea of moderation works well for cilantro and life. (-;