San FranCelia

Thursday evenings are always a really good time in San Francisco.  The people who live here, and occasionally those who don’t, can always find a way to wile away the sunset hours in a good bar for happy hour.  Last night, or as my girlfriends and I have officially declared as “Thirsty Thursdays’” re-commencement ceremony, was no exception.  We started out at the posh Press Club.  It’s a bit pretentious, but still wonderfully fantastic, so definitely worth the 45 minute Muni bus ride (Yes, I took Muni.  Happy hour is worth it, I say!).  I didn’t realize the Press Club was more upscale (it could be considered the wine bar to the Four Season…  Why oh why didn’t I Yelp it!), so I showed up in jeans and a white tee shirt.   I was wearing cute boots and a nice scarf if that helps, but I still felt a bit underdressed.  When you get in, you are supposed to give them your credit card so you can obtain a Press Club Card – on it they track your tab (good idea!).  You enter this wooden underground open space where each bar counter is representing one or several wineries.  One of the bar tenders told me that there were 8 represented there.  Interesting.  There were a couple bar tenders who were actually rude though, which was kind of surreal, seeing as you would think they’d kiss the ass of the clientele that frequent there – maybe it was my tee shirt… haha!  I moved on without handing over the Press Card though, so it worked out ok.  I moved to another counter where the bartender was much nicer and more helpful (so they

 are there, which is a plus), and who served us “tastes”.  You don’t get a glass of wine you get a “taste”, which is a small amount of wine ranging anywhere from $3.00 to $12.00.  Kind of pricey for happy hour if you do it often or if you want to get a good buzz on, but it’s a nice treat if it’s a special day or something.  I love people watching at places like this, too.  It’s so fun to kind of stand back every once in a while at a bar or club and just check out the scene.  Last night was another great chance to do this.  Some women looked and behaved like they were on the hunt for a man of a certain means, others were there with co-workers they weren’t quite so thrilled to be with, and one was even there to apparently cry to her friend in the front lounge area (really?!  Come on now) – the guys carried on similarly to this actually (no crying-in–a-corner guy, however, unfortunately.  Now THAT would have been something to see), which was fascinating to watch.  It’s definitely the young, up-and-coming crowd with some salt and pepper mixed in here and there for distinction.  We drank a few “tastes” and hung out for an hour or so talking about work (what else), then the place started to clear out around 8:00pm or 8:30pm – you’ll definitely need to get there early enough to enjoy the full effect and aura.   Wasn’t too bad for the slight buzz and good time I had by the time I paid my tab.  I really had fun at this spot and the ambiance was a blast, plus you get to say you vino’ed it up at the Four Seasons. 

 It was then onward to the Chieftain, an Irish pub almost the opposite of the Press Club.  What can I say, I like to dichotomize my life a bit.  It was much more low key – we grabbed a few beers (they have yummy imports on tap with all the Irish favorites) and ordered some delicious Irish pub food.  I had this Buffalo Chicken wrap without the sauce, and it was delicious.  I wonder if part of the amazing flavor was due to my slightly light head.  Chill crowd and nice wait staff; really close to downtown, too, which is convenient.  Affordable, as well – awesome. 

 I always have so much fun going out for drinks with my girlfriends, so happy hour and dinner was even better.  Definitely check out the Press Room, you will have a good time, and if you’re feeling like you may need a dose of reality afterwards, hit up the Chieftain and eat some tasty pub food… mmm…    

Peace and love XO

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While I love to go out to restaurants and everything, sometimes it’s nice to go to dinner parties at a friend’s house and enjoy a glass of wine on the porch. And that’s exactly what I did tonight. Had a really fun night at my friend Liz’s new place. She just (finally – yay!) moved into the City into this huge, sprawling flat on the cusp of Pacific Heights and Western Addition; quite the dichotomy. It’s such a cool spot. I love the old homes of San Francisco that have been converted into the flats. You can tell that this home was some sort of huge mansion in its hay day with winding stair cases, one set for the maids and others for owners and guests. She’s on the third floor, so when you get to the door on the bottom level and she buzzes you in, it looks as if you are walking the stairway to heaven it’s so damn high – definitely the maid stairs… haha! Like seriously, so many stairs, oh my God! But the hike was well worth it. The ceilings were so high and there seemed to be so much space. There were these gorgeous bay windows and wood floors that added to the ambiance. I wish houses everywhere could be half as cool and intricate as the ones in San Francisco. It gives not only the city, but also its inhabitants, a sense of charm and character. Her porch overlooks her backyard (yes, she has one… lucky!) which looks like it came straight out of “The Secret Garden”; so amazing. We sat on the porch eating her delicious Thai Chicken with a wonderful glass of pinot noir. Anyone who was out in the City tonight knows just how gorgeous the weather was – we chatted for ages about everything from high school to American Idol (I think I may be the only person in America who doesn’t watch that show) and then we went inside for Angel Food Cake dessert. That is my favorite cake… mmmm. Don’t you just love it? It’s like the cotton candy of cake.

After dinner, we decided it was time I check out the ever popular American Idol. I watched my first full episode, and let me tell you, it’s interesting. Not good, not bad… interesting. There is this one guy on there who looks like he is a creepy serial killer looking for his missing van, one girl with a weave that looks like a wig about to fall off her head backwards, and another girl who thinks she’s Amy Winehouse, except she’s blonde. Paula is on her perpetual cocktail of Valium and Xanex (I do read the blogs, she’s like that even off the show, poor thing) and Simon is being “real” while flirting with pill-poppin’ Paula during each song. What is their deal? Even a newbie like me can tell they’re getting it on and if that’s not it, I don’t wanna know. I felt like no one could really sing – they were all good in a way, but it’s not like you’re seeing anything magical. It seemed like an overblown local talent show. Oh well, I guess I am just missing the awesomeness that everyone else sees. People will hate me for saying it, I know! Haha! We had so much fun commentating on the show – everyone can attest, I like to comment thoroughly about each show I watch. Liz lucked out and got really cool roommates who are chill and nice, plus she is also a roommate now with this cool dog Molly. Molly is the chillest dog ever and she literally sits on her butt like a person. Molly = awesome. She was so sweet and can contort her body in any position to get a good angle for the ‘head on lap’ pose… haha! Who knew, I mean really.

Very fun night with the girls – I hope everyone gets a chance to go inside an old San Francisco mansion, as they are so intricate and well thought out. We should be so remarkable as to build like that today. Maybe I should join the Historical Society… haha!

Peace and love

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Le Garage… hmmm…  what could that be?  A dank and dirty place for old cars with no real value, or a chic little restaurant in Southern Marin that boasts some great French fare?  Haha!  Of course (knowing my love of food) it’s the latter, and let me tell you, it’s a great time! 

 Let me preface by letting you know how I wound up at said chic eatery.  I had this work party that started off with a booze cruise around the Bay (it’s seriously like being in an episode of “The Office” where I work, except it’s real life, so therefore, not quite so hilarious or charming, but at least we have a real life Michael Scott) and ended at this cute little eatery (thank God!).

 Let me back up again though, and tell you about the booze cruise.  We were celebrating a process that they (you know, the head honchos) estimated to take 5 months and proved to take 2 ½ years (which tells you something… “The Office” strikes again!).  I work with some real characters, one being a lovable engineer who,

 evidently, gets REALLY excited when he gets on any kind of boat.  The cruise started with the song “I’m on a Motherfuckin’ Boat” blasting on the mp3 player and continued to get better.  Almost my entire office proceeded to get drunk to the max.  It’s so interesting watching people you do business with on a daily basis get a little crazy.  I heard one guy form an entire sentence (maybe even two!) and that’s the most I think I’ve ever heard from him!  As we circled the Bay, we had a pseudo dance party (with my boss? weird) and took actual video footage of my co-workers “gangsta dancing” as I like to call it.  Nice. 

 Once thoroughly liquored up, we got off the boat and walked straight to Le Garage which is located right on one of the Sausalito harbors.  This long table is set up right by the water and we have a gorgeous view of twilight on the Bay.  More wine flows as the bread is brought out.  The butter is completely organic and is like no other butter I have seen.  Makes you wonder about what they put in our normal butter to make it the way it is.  I started off with this endives and Roquefort salad that had walnuts, butter pears and a vinaigrette.  It was ok, and actually, I’ve had a lot better, but the wine was good, so I wasn’t deterred.  It was great that I wasn’t, because my next course was so much better.  I ordered the Mussels Provençale and they were some of the best Mussels I have ever had.  They practically melted in your mouth with just the right touch of garlic and white wine with a creamy sauce.  Mmm, delish!  For dessert I was tempted to get the crème brulée, but decided to go for the Fondant au Chocolate which was this incredible mixture of molten chocolate cake stuffed with raspberries, whipped cream and covered with raspberry coulis.  The staff was so much fun and showed us a great time.  They made sure we never had an empty glass and that all of the extra stuff that can clog a table so large were out of the way without being in the way– I think they cleared out my shell bowl 4 times… haha!  All and all I would recommend this spot.  It was so cute and charming, right on the harbor with boats and water surrounding you, and, as the lights outside dim, the candles show a picturesque glow.  This spot, consequently, has the best croissants I’ve had since being in France, so check them out in the morning too if you can.  They are right near my work, so I fear it may become a lovely fattening habit.  Oh well… anything for bread, I say. 

 The night was really fun, especially considering the fact that it stemmed from a work function, and you know how that goes.  Here’s to booze cruising with the office, both on TV and in real life.  Have fun with this truly French restaurant where you will leave having had a long dinner with fun conversation and even more fun wine.

Peace and love XO

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