San Francisco travel tips
December 6th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, December 6- Sunday, December 9
: San Francisco’s premiere sketch comedy troupe presents its full-length comedy experience with an all-female cast.
Thursday, December 6-Sunday, December 9
: This holiday season you can ice skate on the SF Giants’ in-field in the beautiful AT&T stadium.
Friday, December 7
: Join the Presidio community for a decades-old tradion in this beloved holiday lighting ceremony, caroling and refreshments to follow at the Presidio Fire Station.
Friday, December 7- December 30
: This enchanting tale comes alive in a fresh and hilarious interpretation at the ZEUM.
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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 . 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 and 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 30th, 2007 by amy c
Union Square lit up for the holiday season
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I was lucky enough to go home for Thanksgiving this year for much-needed family time and a little California rejuvenation to gear up for another New England winter. I’ve stayed in Boston for school the last few years and forgot how much I love San Francisco around the holidays.
It has all the holiday charm as New York City or Chicago but weather that doesn’t require massive layers; and the fall foliage that New Englanders raked up weeks ago are still decorating tree tops and sidewalks. I was amazed at the vibrant color still stubbornly clinging to the trees. The mild weather will promise travelers in the next few weeks similar foliage.
There is no better way to enjoy some mother-daughter bonding than with facials and massages, followed by Christmas shopping. Mom and I started out at , located in Union Square. We were both in need of some pampering and relaxation and that is exactly what we got. Shrouded in comfy over-sized robes we lounged in a luxurious Asian-inspired waiting room while nibbling on nuts and dried cranberries and sipping tea or spa water.
I got the , hoping that the “cocktail of oxygen and vitamins” would bring new life to my skin that had taken a beating from the travel. I noticed a huge difference immediately–my skin emerged softer, brighter, and cleaner. A week later, and my skin still feels supple and emollient, allowing me to skip the makeup this morning…no wonder stars such as Cameron Diaz and Kate Hudson are fans of this treatment. My mother got a which she said was exactly what she needed. (more…)
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November 29th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, November 29- December 23
at the Curan Theater: Don’t miss this Broadway hit that chronicles the story of how blue-collar boys became one of the biggest pop music sensations. Playing at the Curan for a special holiday encore engagement, get your tickets
Friday, November 30-Sunday, December 2
: Take a look at more than 800 vehicles in the bay area’s number one international auto show.
Friday, November 30
: Rock out to Soul, Funk, Electro this Friday at 80’s night.
Weekends through December 23
: The Cow Palace is transformed into 90,000 square feet of the Charles Dickens’ London town complete with pubs, winding lanes of entertainment, dance parties, artisans, and familiar Dickens characters. Theatrical lighting, decorations, food, and actors representing characters from literature and history will have you stepping into a Victorian Christmas in this elaborate fair.
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November 28th, 2007 by amy c
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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:
: 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 , 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.
: 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.
: 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
: 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
: Get some exercise before indulging in a feast at the Ocean Beach Turkey Trot underneath the famous Cliff House.
Friday, November 23
: 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 19th, 2007 by susan j
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If you’re among the who plan to fly this Thanksgiving, then you’ll want to read Peter Greenberg’s . Greenberg is a Today Show contributor who reminds travelers to check in online the night before and try to fly out of a smaller airport to avoid travel congestion (good tips for other times of the year, too). To relieve airplane gridlock, President Bush recently approved a and added additional measures to avoid delays. Happy travels!
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November 15th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, November 16
: The Embarcadero, shopping central and Winter Wonderland, begins its famous celebration of the holiday season this Friday. Complimentary appetizers and holiday cheer abounds in this famous celebration.
Saturday, November 17
: Real live reindeer return to the San Francisco Zoo to celebrate the holiday season.
Sunday, November 18
Free day at the museum: is offering a free day from 10- 5!
Sunday, November 18
: Enjoy Bay Area performances at Fisherman’s Wharf’s Pier 39 of traditions from Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. The majestic Christmas tree will also be lit and adorned with hundreds of multi-cultural bows.
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November 12th, 2007 by susan j
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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. .
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October 29th, 2007 by susan j
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Recently we shared with you 5 ways to explore San Francisco’s Asian-American heritage. Now we’re uncovering another side of San Fran: , 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!
Planning a trip to
San Francisco?
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