Trip Report: SFO United Polaris Lounge and SFO-SAN

After clearing immigration and customs, I went back upstairs through security in the International Terminal. I was delighted to get into the X-ray line behind a box of broccoli! Turned out there was a worker from the Japanese restaurant inside the terminal, who was bringing ingredients through. So, they use “Ramen soup base (tonkotsu)” and “S&B Ready Made Japanese Curry Sauce!”

From security, it’s a sharp right turn towards the Polaris Lounge. Nicely decorated for the holidays!

The area right in front of the escalators was quite crowded.

Buffet was well-stocked, but I didn’t feel like sandwiches.

The hot options didn’t appeal so much either.

I put myself on the waiting list for the dining room, where the menu looked interesting.

I was seated at the same time another lady, but she got her food way before me. Sometime later, a gentleman was seated whom I think was on the waiting list before we were. They weren’t the most organized here…

Eventually both my appetizer and main course came at about the same time.

As an appetizer, I chose the harissa-spiced octopus with tomatoes and big capers. It was pretty good.

For the main course, I chose the Pacific rock cod, with potatoes and chard. The fish was a bit dry, but not bad, and I appreciated the vegetables.

My favorite was the warm fig-almond tart with balsamic creme-anglaise. So delicious! I loved the almond marzipan layer under the fig! I also ordered just ice cream on the side (without the skillet cookie), to have with the tart. A decadent treat!

After dinner, I wandered over to the other side of the upper floor (it’s vast!). This side they call “the Studio,” and there were some candy and other things which they were in the process of putting away.