Archive for the Dining & Drinks category
December 4th, 2007 by amy c
Before I lapse into a delicious food coma, I need to write about the sumptuous meal I just devoured at North Beach’s The House. Usually, Asian fusion cuisine doesn’t thrill me, but the Unagi appetizer, the soy glazed salmon resting in a bath of spicy miso soup, and the inventive island twist on creme brulee provided non-stop sensory bliss and put The House at the top of my favorite eats in the Bay Area.
My dad and I were looking for an inexpensive place we hadn’t tried yet, so we headed to North Beach. The corner of Columbus and Broadway alone offers a wide variety of unique restaurants in a charming SF neighborhood. Each restaurant oozes warmth, charm, and a unique take on the flavors of the area: Italian and Asian.
Neighboring North Beach classics, such as The Stinking Rose and The Steps of Rome is this hidden gem. Zagat rated The House extremely high for its food and service. And it’s no wonder why: when I asked if I could sort of combine two dishes I couldn’t choose between by getting the soy glazed salmon in the miso soup instead of the bonito sake broth, the waiter responded with not only yes, but “that sounds even better than the original.” The salmon was cooked to perfection and blended deliciously with the spicy miso soup broth that was both comforting and surprising in its kick of spicy flavor. (more…)
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November 28th, 2007 by amy c
photo uploaded by ladypie28
Whether you are looking for a midday pastry treat, something delicious to bring to a party, or the perfect place to continue a fabulous date, these dessert places will make a San Francisco excursion all the sweeter:
Tartine: Located in the up and coming Mission District, this modest storefront offers elaborate pastries, delicious breakfast, and artisan sandwiches. I sampled a buttery brioche, melt in your mouth Mexican wedding cakes, and a rich chocolate hazelnut tart –all sinfully delicious. The atmosphere is intimate with limited seating at asymmetrical tables and counters that still retain the shape of the tree it came from. Mobiles hang from the walls, matching the quirky ambiance of its neighborhood. This is the perfect place to stop in for a breakfast pastry and coffee, or indulge in a rich dessert after work. For a more date-friendly dessert place nearby, try the Castro’s Sweet Inspirations, where you can split a towering slice of cake with a friend. Tons of flavors and a presentation comparable to a work of art makes this place a beloved favorite among locals.
: No San Francisco vacation is complete without a trip to the world famous chocolate factory and ice cream parlor. You can watch the rich chocolate being churned the the old-fashioned way, while waiting for an unforgettable sundae, made with Ghiradelli’s own chocolate sauce. This fun place is always packed with tourists and is especially festive during the holiday season with one of the city’s most famous Christmas tree and carolers on the square.
Victoria Pastry Company: 75 years ago my big Irish family merged with an even larger Italian family in a wedding that would start one of my favorite traditions. My great aunt and uncle had this North Beach bakery make their wedding cake and ever since then Victoria Pastry’s Italian delicacies have been at every Erwin-Cordini wedding, baptism, Thanksgiving feast, Christmas party, and family reunion. Every Sicilian inspired pastry is made from scratch in a brick oven as it was in 1914 when the place first opened in the heart of North Beach. My favorite indulgences are the cream puffs and miniature tiramisu cups, rich in rum and espresso flavor. Whether you are looking for the perfect arrangement of sweets to bring to your next holiday function or just want a fresh cannoli to top off a North Beach meal, stop in at this warm and inviting bakery.
Rubicon: For a fancier after-dinner treat, head to Rubicon, where famed pastry chef Nicole Krasinski will take you to entirely new dessert level. San Francisco Magazine named Krasinski the best pastry chef of 2005 for her inventive desserts that blend surprising taste with innovation. You won’t find traditional or boring sweets here, but rather creations such as Cocoa Nib Crepes, Chocolate-Toffee-Date Cake, and Honey-Thyme ice cream. The atmosphere is cozy with warm dark wood and an award-winning selection of over 1,700 wines. It is the perfect place for an intimate date where you can bond over the taste bud adventure that is dessert here.
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November 20th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, November 22
Thanksgiving Day Buffet Cruise: If you’re visiting San Francisco over Thanksgiving there is no better, stress-free way to enjoy the holiday than on a sunset cruise around the bay. Board the famous s for a delicious spread of traditional Thanksgiving fixings in a picturesque setting.
Thursday, November 22
2007 Turkey Beach Trot: Get some exercise before indulging in a feast at the Ocean Beach Turkey Trot underneath the famous Cliff House.
Friday, November 23
Ghirardelli Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Enjoy live free entertainment all day before the culminating 35-foot Christmas tree lighting in the evening. For more lighting ceremonies, head over to Macy’s at Union Square for another festive display of charity and holiday decorations.
Saturday, November 24,
Gingerbread building: Take your kids to the to make their own gingerbread house creation.
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November 12th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Irene
It’s Monday, which means another edition of the Carnival of Cities. This week’s carnival is hosted by the folks at IgoUgo and it features Jamie’s post about Cheap Eats in San Francisco. It also includes tasty tips on dining in Naple, Italy, Oaxaca City, Mexico, and other travel destinations around the globe. Check it out.
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November 9th, 2007 by jamie a
See Jyet Kauswer with Pork at Burma SuperStar
photo uploaded by Rick Audet
No matter what cuisine strikes your fancy, this guide to restaurants in San Francisco will keep both your stomach and wallet happy!
For a traditional American brunch, check out Delancey Street Restaurant. Dine on delicious Belgian waffles and eggs Benedict, with most breakfast prices ranging from $7-10. The portions are known for being generous, so come hungry!
At Marina Subs, the subs are so big you can even split one with a friend! Known for heaps of fresh avocado and “special sauce,” you can get your order to go and enjoy it near the water.
In the mood for a unique hot dog? From duck to wild boar sausage, Rosamunde Sausage Grill is the place to try a dog like you’ve never had before. With toppings like sauerkraut, wasabi mustard, and curry ketchup, make yours a one-of-a-kind treat.
Enjoy a tea leaf salad, fiery chicken with tofu, and cardamom cinnamon rice all at Burma SuperStar. Call ahead to reserve a table at this happenin’ place and bring along a group so you can all order different dishes and share! Be sure and top off your dinner with some lychee sangria or ginger lemonade.
If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, Axum Cafe is a perfect introduction. Try out the Vegetarian Platter to share and get a little taste of everything, then pair it with some of their delightful on-tap beers or Tej honey wine.
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October 31st, 2007 by susan j
Velo Rouge Cafe, San Francisco
Photo uploaded by Miss Rogue
For a taste of the local West Coast flavor, check out Velo Rouge Cafe. Located near the Strybing Arboretum and the Conservatory of Flowers, this corner cafe attracts travelers and locals with its delicious selection of paninis, breakfast items, and espresso drinks. Several menu items like the Merckx panini and the Mt. Ventoux egg sandwich make playful references to places and people around the world.
Owner and globe-trotter Meg Lynch says her own travels on bike showed her “the close connection between café and bicycle culture around the world,” which in turn inspired the cafe. Aside from the warm, welcoming atmosphere, Velo Rouge also offers live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoon, plus its hosts Radio Africa & Kitchen on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
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October 29th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by bitacoreta
Recently we shared with you 5 ways to explore San Francisco’s Asian-American heritage. Now we’re uncovering another side of San Fran: North Beach, where intimate bistros and quaint coffee shops evoke the sights and smells of the Old World.
USA Today recently listed North Beach as one of the top American “places to discover Italy,” along with New York’s Little Italy and Boston’s North End. Local tastes of the City Tours offers a special North Beach tour that lets you savor the flavors of North Beach, from cannolis to cappuncinos to crepselle. Mangia Italiano!
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October 26th, 2007 by amy c
Blue Heron on a Marin Headland hiking trail
photo uploaded by dbaron
Not only is the San Francisco area home to extraordinary natural beauty, but business owners have grown more environmentally friendly. Visitors and locals can choose from over 1,000 certified “Green Businesses,” which hold themselves to higher standards of environmental regulations.
By choosing restaurants, shops, and hotels that are considered a green, you can help make sure that the air stays fresh, the ocean clean, and the animal and plant life diverse…And what better way to exude San Francisco style than to match the Green craze sweeping the Bay Area?
Choosing Green Businesses can even enhance your vacation. Here are my picks for the restaurants, hotels, and attractions that don’t compromise taste, fun, comfort, or the environment:
- Elixir may be San Francisco’s oldest running saloon, but this award-winning watering hole’s thinking, innovation, and scene is anything but dated. The Victorian style saloon offers a dog friendly happy hour (your pup should probably stick with water) and transforms into a swanky cocktail lounge as the sun goes down, satiating your thirst for a look into history with saloon memorabilia on the walls and a trendy, but eco-friendly nightlife.
- Aquarium of the Bay will give you an inside look to the bay’s unique life and possibly new enthusiasm for staying Green to help preserve it.
- Bay City Bike Rentals: There is no better way to see all the sights, beat traffic, and assuage any possible guilt about your personal carbon emission than renting bikes to explore the city. Plus, you’ll get some major quad-burning exercise on those San Francisco hills.
- Marin Headlands Hostel: Affordable accommodations in a beautiful, convenient setting and environmentally conscious, you can stay in historical homes in the scenic rolling hills of the Marin Headlands, located just a ferry ride away from the city or a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Nearby attractions also include Muir Woods, numerous hiking trails, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Whether you’re a visitor or local, check the Green Business Listings to choose from a variety of businesses in every service.
It is now easier than ever to be environmentally friendly when you travel with the Terrapass, which is an affordable way to balance your environmental impact of carbon emission when you fly or drive. Check back for hiking trails and more ways to enjoy nature in and around San Francisco!
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October 23rd, 2007 by amy c
Photo uploaded by Kim Scarborough
Brunch is my favorite meal of the weekend, especially in the city where the location is as much a feast for the eyes as the food is for the mouth. Indulge in classic San Francisco fare, local hot spots, and elegant views before embarking on a day of sightseeing. Here are some of my picks:
Town’s End Restaurant and Bakery starts each meal with a basket of homemade scones and mini-muffins from the in-house bakery. You can enjoy the homemade breads further with the French Toast Sampler, made with a piece of each of the breads. Expansive windows showcase views of the Embarcadero in this family-owned restaurant. After a delicious breakfast to jump start your sightseeing, walk two blocks to the famous SF Giant’s Stadium for a guided tour.
Cliff House: Soaring Pelicans over the Pacific, Sea Lions napping on rocks, and scraggily cliffs that jut dramatically out of tumultuous ocean spray make the views reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The Champagne Brunch and magnificent spread in the Terrace Room of this cliff-side chateau, however, will make you forget that this beautifully dramatic location would be perfect for a murder mystery film. After a sumptuous meal, check out the Legion of Honor for more sweeping views of the coast and marvels in architecture, and fine art.
2223 Restaurant and Bar offers hip Californian cuisine with tastes of Asian and Mediterranean flair. The menu changes seasonally, insuring the freshest produce and unique tastes to match the season. Its famous sourdough spiced apple French toast puts a San Francisco twist on the breakfast classic. And the house-made chorizo and pepper jack scramble is a favorite among brunchers. Located in the trendy Castro, this restaurant attracts nightlife-crazed, hip locals and visitors.
boasts a 360 degree view of the city and a 100 Martini Menu. It’s the perfect place to get a delicious breakfast as well as a taste of history. The restaurant dates back to WWII where soldiers gathered for a last toast to the Golden Gate Bridge before shipping out and families tearfully watched as the soldiers sailed under the bridge out to see. Located at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel in Nob Hill, its central location would be the perfect spot to start your day in San Francisco. Perhaps take a historic cable car ride of the area.
Kate’s Kitchen serves home-cooked comfort food that matches the inviting and funky decor, characteristic of Haight Street. Locals consider the delicious, inexpensive soul food on par with mom’s cooking as the place is routinely packed on the weekends. However, that is possibly part of the appeal. Stroll the Haight’s many quirky shops and trendy urban clothing stores. At the end of the Haight-Ashbury experience is Golden Gate Park where you can visit the idyllic Botanical Gardens or take a ride on the vintage carousel.
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October 22nd, 2007 by susan j
San Francisco’s Chinatown
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Chinese immigrants first started arriving in San Francisco around the time of the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800’s. Now over 150 years later, Asian-Americans make up about 30% of the city’s population and its Chinatown is North America’s largest and oldest (reconstructed after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906). Other Asian enclaves in Japantown and Little Saigon have also developed in the area.
With San Francisco’s past and its present steeped in Asian culture, the city offers many ways to explore the Asian-American experience through food, museums, and more. Here are some of our picks:
- Chinese Historical Society of America: Located right in Chinatown, this museum includes bilingual exhibits examining the contributions of Chinese laborers in the American west, Chinese artists in contemporary art, and more.
- Asian Art Museum: With nearly 15,000 pieces of art spanning 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is one the largest museums in the west focusing exclusively on Asian art. Current exhibits include an exploration of Japanese fashion from the Kyoto Costume Institute.
- All About Chinatown Walking Tours: This two hour tour explores the cultural, historical, and culinary flavors of Chinatown, taking you inside a Chinese temple, a fortune cookie factory, and more.
- Dim Sum: This Chinese tradition features a series of small light dishes shared around a table and served with tea. Chinatown buzzes with people on Sunday afternoons, when people flock to dim sum restaurants for good food and conversation.
- Evening Chinatown Walking Tour with Dinner: After a multi-course Chinese dinner, enjoy a guided walking tour exploring the fascinating people and places in Chinatown. Then admire the glittering views of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge.
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