Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, CA USA

Ordered in my lovely hotel room at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco's Union Square.

9 hours of travel from Boston to San Francisco left me knackered.

It was a nonstop flight. We de-iced once. We de-iced again. And we ran through so much fuel de-icing that we went back to the gate to refuel… which took so long, we had to de-ice again.

Could you believe that?

At least they gave us free snack boxes. For the 9 hours of travel.

As terribly long as the trip was, I was extremely appreciative that I could watch the Superbowl the entire way. From the airplane, to the taxi, to my hotel room, I was connected the whole time, and it made the trip that much easier.

I chose the Hotel Nikko in Union Square due to its close proximity to my conference at the Hilton (across the street) and the exact same price to stay… how could I say no to a Japanese influenced hotel? Especially one that had single-occupancy-sized rooms? My style!!

Literally immediately upon arrival to my room at Hotel Nikko I dropped my suitcase, picked up the phone, and ordered a club sandwich. Of course I looked at the menu while on the airplane, ensuring what I wanted would be delivered in record breaking speed, so there was no need to pause my mission as a tiredly settled into my abode for the coming days.

“Thank you, Mr. Saunders, we’ll have your food up in 20 minutes,” the operator said. 20 minutes?! I couldn’t have been more pleased by this promised speed. I doubted every minute of it, but unpacked while awaiting my meal, loving my tight quarters and excited for the days to come.

20 minutes, no joke, that club sandwich arrived.

I wouldn’t call it precision or detailed, definitely not “Japanese inflected” like the property I was at, but, I didn’t really care; this club sandwich was a solid execution. Triple-layered and nicely ratio’d, all of the ingredients sandwiched together created an epically delicious club sandwich, with the avocado clearly proclaiming I was in California.

Meaty, thick cut and crispy tender bacon lead way to roasted turkey slices all enhanced by the sweet basil aioli. The tomato slices gave a hint of umami and moisture, while the toasted pain de mie provided the soft and smooth hug the ingredients were craving for each bite.

And who could beat that side salad?! They went all out to provide me a healthy accompaniment that showed they cared, and I loved that. I actually ate the whole thing!! And the pickled cucumbers were a lovely touch that reminded you that you were indeed at a Japanese hotel.

Well done – both the sandwich and myself – I was overtired, and overcontent, and just thrilled to be in bed by 9pm, awaiting the conference the next day and a solid work trip ahead of me.

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