San Francisco has been called, by some, the most European city in the country, a bold and flattering statement for a big city that has a big inferiority complex when it comes to New York. Ha! Adding to its Euro flavor, San Francisco has its own petit French Quarter, which is not so much a quarter, a district or even a neighborhood, but a secluded alleyway called Belden Place. Offering a little bit of Europe to the Europhiles of San Francisco, the alley is lined with string lights, French cafés and Italian bistros that reminds them of home. At Café Bastille, I had the vegetable ravioli stuffed with mushrooms, zucchini and goat cheese. Yummm. With hot garlic that melted when nudged by my fork, what's not to love? This little place has the heartbeat of Europe.

* Image: courtesy of http://www.belden-place.com/