San Francisco,
CA
Home. I love home. Don't get me wrong, I
love a lot of cities in this world, especially the one I grew up in, New
York. But San Francisco just kind of grows on you until you can't
picture life without it, like your favorite pair of jeans.
This section of the site is still under construction
and probably always will be, as I update it.
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Other Places
From my blog:
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Hotels
Of course I live here, so I don't generally
stay in hotels around here. However, when folks come into town, I
have a few places that I highly recommend.
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The Queen Anne
1590 Sutter Street at Octavia
San Francisco, California 94109
Phone: 800-227-3970
Fax: 415-775-5212
You may be thinking, oh that's just too fussy for me, but let me tell
you, a warm fireplace and a glass of sherry each night is a nice thing
in Fogtown! Located on the hill between Japantown, Van Ness, Fillmore
and St. Mary's Cathedral. Rates start at $99 for a moderate room.
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Hotel
Majestic
1500 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 441-1100
Fax: (415) 673-7331
info@thehotelmajestic.com
Just up the street from the Queen Anne, this elegant old hotel just
underwent a refurbishment. Rates start at $125, a great deal for
their very pretty rooms. In 2006, they also will reopen their
cafe and quiet little bar, which sports displays of exotic insects.
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The
Parsonage
198 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
888.763.7722
(toll-free)
415.863.3699
www.theparsonage.com
A charming Victorian and San Francisco landmark has become the setting
for a bed and breakfast in which many rooms feature marble baths and a
working fireplace and is outfitted charmingly with antique furniture.
Rates start at $140 per night
Arts
Museums
Artisanal Fancies
(Don't worry, I'll get to these lists eventually...)
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Eats
Welcome to San Francisco,
home of the country's most spoiled food snobs. Throw a profiterole
in any given direction and you're likely to find good eats. Of course,
throw a profiterole in any direction and you're also likely to hit someone
with a different opinion on what's good. Here are some of my faves.
(I often use
OpenTable.com to make a reservation. Never had trouble with it
yet.)
Fancy Schmancy
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Boulevard
- (1 Mission St) Stylish, yet unpreposessing, Nancy Oakes makes some
tastiest and satisfying food in the city.
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Bushi-tei - (1638 Post St) A
fusion of Eastern sensibility with Western flair, bushi-tei's omokase
menu is a treat.
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Farallon
- (450 Post St) Under the sea elegance along with expertly prepared
seafood and desserts to die for.
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Jardiniere
- (300 Grove St) Traci des Jardin's divine restaurant is a fine place to
pretend you're an Old World diva out for a fete after the big premiere.
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Quince - (1701
Octavia) Well-deserving of its Michelin star, Michael Tusk's decadent
pastas and sformato are not to be skipped.
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Rubicon -
(558 Sacramento) A stellar wine list makes this seafood lover's dream
well worth a reservation.
A nice night out
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Absinthe -
(398 Hayes) Solid brasserie fare, but don't stress about getting
reservations -- sit in the bar instead and order a cone of their
delicious fries.
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Dragonfly - (420
Judah) Vietnamese food prepared with unusually expert French technique,
don't miss the Steamed Sea Bass, the coconut rice, and finish with a
Vietnamese coffee.
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Fringale -
(570 4th Street) French bistro cuisine made with a warm, welcoming
flourish, perfect for a date.
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Incanto- (1550 Church) Only
our favorite Italian restaurant in the City, put yourself in Chris
Cosentino's hands -- everything is terrific.
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Indigo
- (687 McAllister) Modern and sleek without being sky-high pricewise,
Indigo is a great place for a nice dinner pre-theater.
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Kiss Sushi - (1700
Laguna) Shhh! Don't tell anyone -- Naka-san makes the best sushi in San
Francisco, but there are only about 15 seats in the whole place. Call
ahead -- and no, I'm not giving you the number.
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Kokkari Estiatorio - (200
Jackson) The best Greek food in the city -- all made in house, include
the lamb roasted on a spit over an open fire.
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Korea House - (1640
Post) Fire at your table, meat to cook on it and innumerable
tidbits of savory delicacies to try -- what could be better?
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Zuni Cafe - ( 1658 Market) The perennial favorite. When in
doubt, go to Zuni. Forget reservations, snag a table in the bar and
order some margaritas and Judy Rodgers' fantastic wood-fired roast
chicken.
Lunch with friends
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Anjou - (44 Campton Pl) A civilized oasis in the middle of Union
Square madness, they serve up fine French food and make fab Kirs.
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Citizen Cake
- (399 Grove) Solid lunchtime menus are made much better by the addition
of a decadent dessert. To share of course.
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Chez Nous - Sadly closed, but about to become an offshoot of the
famous A16.
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Le Petit Robert
- (2300 Polk) French bistro fare delivered
with a minimum of fuss and maximum of flavor.
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Lovejoy's Tea Room -
(1350 Church) Way better tea than those stuffy places in hotels
downtown.
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Nopa
- ( 560 Divisadero) Loud, oh it's loud. Good, oh it's good!!
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The Rotunda
at Neiman Marcus - High up , you can feel snottier than snooty
with an elegant lunch served above the pret a porter.
I need air (outdoor seating)
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Cafe Claude
Tucked down an Claude Alley, Cafe Claude is ridiculously overcrowded
inside, but extremely pleasant if you get a table in the alleyway.
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Catch An oasis
in the busy Castro, you can sit in their sheltered front room and
watch the show parade by.
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Guaymas in Tiburon
take the ferry from
Fisherman's wharf across the bay to catch one of the best views of SF,
plus some hearty Mexican and a great happy hour spread.
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Sociale
An elegant patio is the perfect place to enjoy the Italian inspired
cuisine.
It's ten pm and I need some
food fast.
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Home Restaurant
- (2100 Market) Dunno if this was like YOUR home, but it feels like
home. Consistently wonderful food for consistently low prices.
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Tanpopo Noodle House - (1740 Buchanan) Expect absolutely no
kindness or politesse in the service, but one spoonful of the ramen
broth and you'll be a convert for life. Inexpensive too!
It's ten pm and I need a
drink fast.
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Absinthe -
See Above
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Cafe Majestic
- (1500 Sutter) A quiet bar in an elegant hotel. Examine the
butterfly collection and have a real conversation with your drink!
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Grand Cafe
- (501 Geary) When in doubt in the theater district, you can always
pop into the pleasantly spacious bar and order a thin crust pizza and a
drink.
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Home Restaurant
- See Above.
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Tortilla
Heights - (1750 Divisadero) Loud, raucous crowds, and you're not
here for the food, but hey, when you need a margarita....
Quickie snacks
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