I'll have lunch with you, Hec.

Sweet! Do you like oysters?

Not even a little bit.

They have a great oyster bar. And a caviar bar. We'll have to sample multiple desserts.

However, I love caviar, and I never say no to dessert. There's a cheese place, too, right?

Teppy, do you want spa, or do you want lunch with Hec? The timing is likely to clash somewhat

Hmmm. I think I'm going to go for the kickass lunch option. Food trumps toes every time.

There's a cheese place, too, right?

Yep, Cowgirl Creamery. Artisanal cheeses. Let's see, I've even got a recommendation for them around here, under the heading Five Best Treats In The Ferry Building.

Red Hawk Cheese, Cowgirl Creamery

Not only are these ladies the queerest thing in the building (there are some token straight cowgirls), but they also make exquisite cheese. The soft Red Hawk variety ($19 a pound) is pure, unadulterated comfort. Aged six weeks, this smooth triple-cream cheese won Best in Show at the 2003 American Cheese Society Conference. The shop also features other local and imported artisan cheeses.

Deena, that sounds about right, and if you can black it up that's even cooler and I bow before you.

reads Hec's italics, plans fit of sudden petulance for tonight just to keep him off-balance

if you can wait that long

Hmmmm, what? Wait, for what? Oh, a ride? Sure, I can wait.

t Sits patiently, waiting for her ride.

Yep, Cowgirl Creamery. Artisanal cheeses.

That sound you hear, from the east? My arteries, quailing in terror.

Steph and Hec - can I crash the lunch party?

Well, of course, silly Lexine! You may have my oysters.

Woot!!! I will have to hunt down the pedicurians for hugs and such at some point - but have been wanting to check out the ferry building and now with added bonus bonified BUFFISTAS!!!!!

I will be driving and could probably pick you up. Not sure about timing.

I'm a heading home, but will check back later.

The other top four from the Best of the Bay. (Personally my top five would be different.)

Roasted Chicken, Mistral Rotisserie

Once you attain a certain level in chicken preparation, it's hard to go wrong, but few have ever gone so far above that mark as Mistral Rotisserie. French rotisserie ovens slow-cook the organic chickens until the meat is fall-off-the-bones tender. And the skin's intense thyme-and-rosemary rub is outstanding. Buy a quarter of a chicken ($5.99 a pound) and a roll from Acme Bread, and you've got the envy of all chicken sandwiches. Shop No. 41, (415) 399-9751.

'Monkey-Picked' Tiequanyin, Imperial Tea Court

Back in the day, emperors really did enslave little primates to harvest the very best tea leaves for this fancy oolong, or so legend has it. But now the name just denotes an extremely high grade of tea. Oolongs are halfway between green tea (fresh cut) and black tea (dried and toasted), and good ones like the "Monkey-Picked" Tiequanyin combine the best of both worlds into a nutty, fruity, delicate treat. Do it up right and order the Gong Fu service ($8), an elaborate, ceremonial presentation that's Chinese in origin. With the $4 snack sampler plate (ginger roasted almonds, green tea pumpkin seeds, etc.), it's a far more educational and pampering experience than happy hour. Shop No. 27, (415) 544-9830, www.imperialtea.com.

Spring vegetable ravioli (vegan), Pasta Shop

The Pasta Shop stand appears twice a week, at the Tuesday and Saturday farmers market, offering freshly made pastas from the home store in Rockridge's Market Hall (510-528-4005, www.rockridgemarkethall.com). This is your chance to pick up some of the tastiest vegan pasta around. My favorite, roasted butternut and chestnut ravioli in eggless pumpkin pasta, is unfortunately out of season, but the spring vegetable ravioli ($8 a pound) is just as fresh and loaded with zucchini, squash, peppers, and spicy herbs. Fry it for a great pot sticker.

Jack Daniel's butter pecan gelato, Ciao Bella

Nothing tops off a day of food sampling like gelato. You've probably come across Ciao Bella's gelati at your local gourmet grocery, but it's ever so much more refreshing to eat when freshly scooped and while sitting by the water. Order a waffle cone with two scoops ($3.75), and pick any two flavors, from Valhrona chocolate to apricot and chardonnay. My favorite is Jack Daniel's butter pecan; the bourbon perfectly anchors the sweetness of the butter pecan. Other interesting flavors include malted milk ball, dulce de leche, green tea, and blackberry and cabernet. Shop No. 8, (415) 834-9330, www.ciaobella.com.

I will be driving and could probably pick you up. Not sure about timing.

Parking is not fun downtown - you might want to drive into the city and then take the train downtown. Then again, if you're coming from Oakland, the Ferry Building is just over the bridge.

Teppy, afterwards you and Lexine could walk down the Embarcadero and be at the Giants stadium in ten minutes. You walk around to the back gate and look through and see what it's all about.