Category: San Francisco

Posted in Events, Food, San Francisco, Travel

The best places for Easter Brunch that AREN’T in Walnut Creek!

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

My support of EasterBunnyDude’s mission to change Walnut Creek’s “Spring Bunny” and “Spring Egg Hunt” back to EASTER titled events, continues.  (www.defendtheeasterbunny.com)  Especially since the city has made a statement about the whole issue, and it isn’t pretty…  (www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/16875862.htm)

So, here’s a list of the best places to go for a great Bay Area EASTER Sunday Brunch that are NOT in Walnut Creek!  After all, why patronize a city that refuses to listen to not only it’s own voters, but the masses of people who agree with EBD all across the country?

THE DUCK CLUB (Lafayette) – It’s a little pricier, but it’s the perfect place to enjoy a special occassion like Easter, which comes around only once a year (after all, spring lasts for a whole three months and really isn’t worth having a special meal for).  They’re known for their Sunday brunch so your can’t go wrong.  The Easter Bunny himself has been known to pay a visit in previous years, so you can skip the Walnut Creek “Spring” celebrations altogether!  www.woodsidehotels.com

CAFE ESIN (San Ramon) – It’s located in the corner of a strip mall, but it’s certainly no fast food place.  The decor is simple yet elegant and the food is American with Mediterranean touches.  They’ll be serving a special menu of items for $33 per person on Easter Sunday (cheaper for kids).  www.cafeesin.com

LEFT BANK (various locations including Pleasant Hill, Larkspur, and others on the Peninsula and South Bay) – The food at this restaurant is rich but always satisfying.  It’s a classic bistro setting and the prices are reasonable if you compare it with other mid to high end places around the Bay Area.  The original location in Larkspur remains the best in food, service, and setting.  www.leftbank.com

FOREIGN CINEMA (San Francisco) – It’s the least traditional choice on this list, but it’s good if you’re looking for something different.  I’d recommend their version of “Pop Tarts” made with organic fruit and a lovely dough, and their Fried Egg dish with balsamic vinegar glaze and rose & roasted garlic hash.  Delish!  www.foreigncinema.com

STACKS (various locations including Burlingame, Redwood City, and Menlo Park) – This is hands down my favorite breakfast/brunch place to head to.  But the wait can make you completely crazy, so go either really early (anytime before 8:30) or much later (anytime between 1:30-2:30).  They close at 2:30 everyday, but if you get there at 2:25, they certainly won’t turn you away and they’ll still serve you with a smile without trying to hurry you up.

So enjoy your Easter Brunch with pride.  And if you happen to drive through Walnut Creek, stop only long enough to wish everyone a “Happy Easter!”  It’s the right thing to do.  🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5-v0Pv9RUw

Posted in San Francisco

The most fun you’ll have getting a mani/pedi.

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

Sometimes getting a manicure or a pedicure (or both) can be more of a chore than a relaxing experience.  I know, the massage chairs and foot massages are more often than not, a standard part of the experience.  But the salons are usually small, sterile, and impersonal, albiet clean (it better be!).

So if you want to get an affordable spa-like, girly-fun experience that you’ll truly enjoy the next time you get a mani/pedi, check this out.

Polished Lounge is a wonderful little place on Third St. in San Francisco’s SOMA area.  Part stylish boutique where you can find fabulous purses, spa items, accessories, and other knick-knacks; the other part a Shabby Chic decorated living room full of spa fizzies and other well-scented products for you to choose from for your mani/pedi services.  Fun already!

It’s their philosophy to offer a comfortable, fun, stylish environment where you can truly pamper yourself.  Their plush oversized chairs make that easy.  You don’t just sit in these chairs, you sink into them, which makes the relaxing part easier.  They bring the services to you with a tub of perfectly warm water scented with flower petals and scent them to your liking.  And they massage and scrub till your fingers and toes are sparkling and pretty.  They offer beverages of your choice and a full selection of great magazines (more than just your standard Marie Claire and Allure).  The service is great too.

DailyCandy.com, Citysearch.com, and Allure magazine have all recently given the place its due attention as one of the best places to get a manicure or pedicure, and I have to agree.  This is a truly relaxing and fun experience!  And the best part is that they are committed to staying affordable.  A full service manicure is just $15 and pedicure is $25.  That’s no more than your typical sterile mani/pedi salon with much more of the bells and whistles to keep you happy.  Who wouldn’t like that?

Trust me, if you don’t have the time or the budget for a full service spa appointment, this should do the trick.  It’s relaxing, it’s fun, and remember to bring a girlfriend or a good book.  Your soul will thank you :).

Posted in Food, San Francisco

Good atmosphere, mediocre food

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

I went to check out a restaurant that I’ve wanted to try for a very long time last week.  A16 is located in the Marina District of S.F.  I’ve heard wonderful things about their meat dishes, their thin pizzas, and that it was a real happening spot.First off, the service and locale are very nice.  The atmosphere is casual yet intimate.  I say that because I made a reservation ahead of time and got there at 6pm (before the usual dinner rush on a Friday) and they sat me in the very back of the restaurant.  It’s the only quiet spot and it was perfect for dinner conversation.  It is a real yuppie hangout for dinner and a drink at the bar.  Nice wine selection too.

I ordered the Proschutto tasting platter to share and a thin crusted Margherita pizza.  My companion had a pasta dish.  Although the proschutto was absolutely amazing and his pasta was fabulous, I was immensely disappointed in my pizza.  Although the sauce was very distinctive and the mozzerella mild, the pizza was completely soggy on the bottom because of the deluge of olive oil.  There was practically a puddle of liquid in the middle which left what should have been a perfect pizza, soggy and wet.  Terrible.  Service was attentive and the hostesses were actually very friendly, but the waitress seemed a bit absent and ditsy, though she was nice.

All in all, if I went back I’d do a meat entree (that was probably my mistake) but the pizza, never again.  Too bad because I’ve heard so many things about their authentic pizzas.  I’d certainly think twice before going back.  There are so many other better options.

Posted in Food, San Francisco

My NEW Favorite Restaurant!

Posted on by virgoinwonderland

So last night, J. and I went to Town Hall for dinner.  It’s a restaurant we’ve both wanted to try for a long time so we were looking forward to it…and it did NOT disappoint!

We decided to share the “Warm Smithfield Ham & Cheese Toast w/Poached Egg and Jalapeno Cream.”  Words can not even describe how good this dish was!!!  I told the waiter it must’ve had crack in it.  J. and I couldn’t even talk to each other this dish was so good!  It is a MUST TRY if you go.  It’s rich, cheesy, distinctive, and just heaven.  Who knew something so simple could be so good!

Then, I ordered the “Buttermilk Fried Chicken” and J. got the “Peanut Crusted Pork Chop.”  My chicken was so fabulous!  Hot and juicy with flavorful meat and a perfectly light and crisp crust.  I hate chicken that’s bland inside but fortunately that didn’t happen here.  And J.’s pork chop was very juicy and tender.  The mustardy peanut crust was fabulous, but the flavor didn’t excite like the fried chicken did.  And I could do without the brussel sprouts on my plate.  Bitter.

Then we shared the “Butterscotch & Chocolate Pot de Creme” dessert and there’s really no other dessert you should order on the menu.  (I’ve heard the chocolate cake is dry so don’t try that one.)  Our Pot de Creme was so creamy, decadent, and perfectly flavored.  And the toffee/chocolate chips on top are a perfect texture contrast to the creamy smoothness of the Pot de Creme.  Just perfect!

I have to say that the service was excellent too.  From the moment we walked in (5 minutes late), the hostess was friendly and so was our waiter without being obnoxious.  He let us linger over our dinner so we could have nice long conversations without being interrupted, but was perfectly attentive.  And the best thing about this restaurant was the lack of pretentiousness.  The service wasn’t at all snotty and the food was comforting yet gourmet.  And the setting was distinctive without being pretentious.  But this place is LOUD!  Not the best for a quiet romantic dinner.  But it is a good night out.

I have to say that J. and I ordered perfectly because of our extensive research of the restaurant (I like to know what’s on the menu before I go and see what people like and don’t like).  Next time I go I’d like to perhaps get two starters as my entree (the toast again for sure and perhaps the veal meatballs or the tuna tartare.  Heard good things about those two dishes) and the pot de creme again.

Overall, it was just fabulous.

Town Hall – 342 Howard St. – San Francisco – 415.908.3900