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.
Out of My Head 
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 (=^;^=)
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Ouch. Your hot cross puns are painful..in the best of ways, of course. Thanks for making me smile!
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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…
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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.
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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…
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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. (-;
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