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Taylor’s Automatic Refresher – I’m assured that the Napa original is better than this one, located in a busy arm of the stupendous Ferry Building Marketplace. Well, fine. It certainly doesn’t live up to its reputation among certain wine critics as the maker of the unquestioned best burgers in the world, but it’s high-quality nonetheless. Anticipating a big meal a few hours hence, we restrict ourselves to gut-busting sandwiches (Western Bacon Blue Ring for Theresa, Bacon Double Cheeseburger for me) and shakes. Everything’s quite good, especially taken on a sunny bench along the water-facing side of the Ferry Building.

But that’s not what this is about. This is about one of those only-in-San Francisco moments that make us adore this city. On the specials menu today is a green tea milkshake; a rather heavenly concoction that manages a surprising sugar/bitterness/aromatic balance. It is, to be honest, better than the burger. So while I’m slurping away on this delicious cup-o’-dairy, a man pushing a stroller slows alongside me.

“Excuse me. Is that a green tea milkshake?”

“Yup.”

“Did you get that at Taylor’s?”

“Yup.”

“Wow! I have to get one of those!” And indeed, he makes an immediate right into the Marketplace in search of his own creamy goodness.

Where else in the milkshake-making world would a cup of green ice cream be thought of as anything other than mint? Only in San Francisco. One has to love it…even if one can’t afford it. (4/05)

Dining al Frisco

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher – On a gorgeous, pure blue day on the Embarcadero, an outdoor table is too much to resist, and I end up here rather than back for another (expensive) bout with a few dozen oysters. The Wisconsin sourdough burger is, like all Taylor’s products, pure, drippy decadence. Not cheap, but worth it…especially when partaking of the burger joint’s clever little wine list. I cart a half bottle to my outdoor picnic table and feel completely decadent. (Also, later: sunburned.) (4/06)

Taylor’s Automatic Refresher – Loaded up with overpriced but high-quality groceries from the Ferry Building Marketplace, we’re completely ready for our trip to Yosemite. Well, that’s not quite true…we’ve got food for later, but we could use some food for now. And so, it’s one more trip to this upmarket burger joint for a perfect bacon cheeseburger, sinful garlic fries, and a decidedly average “black and white” shake. (4/06)