As you sit in the completely packed space, you are given a menu that consists of about eight choices that change depending on the night.  Mission Street Food hosts guest chefs each night, and so every visit is ensured to be a different experience.  They are almost like tapas, where everything is mini – this keeps it affordable, as well.  We had a vegan wonton miso dish, wonton shrimp in a crab bisque sauce, short ribs with mashed potatoes (the beef literally fell apart… delicious!), and salmon cakes with polenta, among other delights.  Each was delectable and different, leaving us wanting more (which we quickly satisfied by ordering a second and even third round).  We even brought two bottle of wine and paid a really minimal corkage.  Amazing.  You get the meal of a high-end restaurant  (chefs come from places such as Gary Danko’s) and the vibe of the Mission.  Can’t get better than that.

The pièce de résistance of this wonderful hot spot is the giving aspect to their little operation.  While they are raising money for newer kitchen equipment through private donation now, all of the proceeds of the restaurant, above and beyond the cost of the food, goes to a charity of the guest chef’s choice.  Servers only work for tips.  How amazing is that?!  It’s a full-time charitable restaurant.  Now that’s a true San Francisco innovation.  Enjoy!

Peace and love Xo

Once in, you order straight away (cash only, keep in mind) so your food can start to cook before you sit (how efficient!).  It’s the cutest place too – small and quaint, with hints of old world charm.  Then the food comes out and all other stimulus turns into white noise.  Gorgeous presentation combined with mouth-watering ingredients makes for a spectacular Sunday brunch experience.  A

favorite of my group, and a must try, was the Monte Cristo sandwich.  Ham and turkey on warm bread, toasted with cheese, then egg battered and fried – they pair this delight with a sweet jam for the perfect savory/sweet blend.   I mean, are you kidding me?  It’s perfect!

All this and the service is impeccable, too.  They are friendly, fast, and your glass is never empty, whether it be water, coffee, or something stronger.   I can’t recommend this place enough.  Go try Mama’s if you haven’t, and if it’s one of your favorites too, I’ll see you in line.

Peach and love Xo

I recently tried the vegetarian eatery Herbivore in this locale, and it was delicious and super fresh.  They have a massive menu, so you don’t feel limited, and there are options for people on more than just a veggie diet – gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.  Very awesome!  I had a delicious salad full of rice noodles, fruit, and nuts, paired with a fresh organic berry smoothie.  I felt healthier after eating, which if you are like me is usually not the case.  It’s affordable, too, at under $10 for most lunch options.   And remember that ambiance is key – outside patio seating is available in the back AND front at this trendy joint.  Eating in the back is slightly more subdued than the front, which in this neighborhood allows for some great people watching.  And trust me, in this region of the City, you will NOT be disappointed at the people to watch – and lucky for us, with a spot like Herbivore, you won’t be with the food either.

Peace and love Xo

A place I’ve recently discovered will definitely be added to this list, I’m sure.  I’ve gone on a gluten and dairy-free diet as of late, and this is one of the places that has options galore for a high-maintenance gal like me.  Thai Spice, located on Polk Street in between

Clay and Washington serves up some of, if not the, best Thai I’ve had in the City.  With rice noodles and coconut milk being their staple ingredients, Thai has fast become one of the food options that I can still go out and eat with naught a worry.  Not only is their establishment located in the fun and hip location of Nob Hill, but everything from the tables to the décor to the amazing dishes you are served are presented like, well, presents.  Wonderful ambiance and feel then leads you in to some downright amazing Thai food.  Not only do they have the best Pad Thai I have ever eaten, but their other dishes are equally as remarkable and leave you wanting to try everything on the menu.  Dishes to definitely check out – the Pumpkin Curry with tofu or chicken and the Spinach Rolls appetizer.  Both are simply incredible, and I have no doubt from the ooh’s and ah’s from friends that the other dishes leave nothing to be desired – except maybe a second helping (portions aren’t small though, so you really won’t even have to worry about that).  There are plenty of wines, beers, teas, and Thai teas to pair with these dishes, as well, which make for a fun outing anytime.

Service is easy and relaxed, where they know what is in their food and also can suggest favorites.  It’s not a pretentious, overly expensive place though looks swanky from all aspects.  I don’t know how they do it, but that God they do.  It’s rare to find an affordable, delicious, and all around relaxing spot in such a posh neighborhood, but Thai Spice is breaking the mold and doing it night after night.  Definitely check out this healthy and delicious spot that will keep you craving it long after you leave.

Keep in mind that this place in some aspects is more a place to be scene than a place to get the best sushi, and I don’t know if I would seek it out as a normal sushi place if they didn’t have such a great happy hour, but as it’s located cattycorner to the fantastic Chestnut Street shopping district and is in the middle of it all, it’s a place I’m sure I’ll be visiting time and time again – hopefully, though, each time it’s a weeknight… and before 7pm.

Peace and love Xo

Peace and love Xo

Taking a walk in Union Square is enough to bring out the holiday spirit, alone, but when you get to experience the sights and smells of the area, it’s even better.  Check out Macy’s of Union Square’s annual tree lighting ceremony (tonight!) and take a stroll through Tiffany’s and Saks for your visual delight.  With the weeks of decoration preparation that go into these classic places, simply being there is a way to feel more connected to your inner elf.  I wouldn’t recommend hitting the crazy after Thanksgiving weekend sales, as it’s simply too nuts, and no amount of “exclusive sales” is worth the 4am wake up call or herded masses, as far as I’m concerned.

For a non-traditional holiday feast while you are in the Downtown area, try The Oriental Pearl on Clay and Kearny.  While a wily little Chinatown hole-in-the-wall, their food is scrumptious and will leave you wanting more – must haves are the pork buns and the seriously perfect vegetable spring rolls.  It’s only minutes from the shopping madness of Union Square by foot, but will be so much more pleasant for your sanity than trying to wait in line at one of the Union Square hot spots.  Around Christmas, it feels reminiscent of  “A Christmas Story” where they go out for Chinese when the dogs eat their turkey, except with The Oriental Pearl, it’s much more deliberate I’m glad to say.

If you want to get out of the Square (and hey, I don’t blame you at times), try heading over to another tourist destination (they are so much fun at Christmas time!), Fisherman’s Wharf, where now through the 31^st of December you can view the especially set up “Holiday Festival of Lights”.  It’s a beautiful way to spend your shopping hours, albeit a little hectic as these destinations usually can be.

While I don’t hit up these spots often, as the masses of people generally deter me, it’s always fun during the holiday season to morph into a bona fide tourist and experience what our city is famous for.

Peace and love Xo

The atmosphere immediately draws you in and gives cause to pause.  Located on the water of the Embarcadero with the lights of the luminous Bay Bridge high overhead, it’s a view of the City that shouldn’t be missed.  With an earthy vibe, it’s a new age in trend, I think.  The rustic feel was accompanied by the soft glow of candles and modern touches.  Very cool scene.  We ordered salads to start and then main meals, and I must advise to split a small salad.  It was so big, that when dinner comes, you’re almost too full.  While I appreciate the size for the money, I hate to waste and want to enjoy the entrée, too.  The salads themselves though, were delicious and fresh.  They have about six options to choose from, which is nice if you don’t want the standard spinach, Cesar, or house.  For our entrée, my vegetarian counter-part ordered the tempeh with pumpkin puree and I ordered the shrimp green curry.  While I was amazed with the tempeh – and wish I’d ordered it myself – the curry was too busy and the shrimp seemed almost a little undercooked for my taste.  The tempeh, which if you haven’t heard of, it is a type of cake made out of soybeans, came with a pumpkin mash that was incredible.  Savory and full of flavor, I was definitely asking for tastes of that.  The green curry, which in itself had good flavor, came with about 7 different veggies, jasmine rice, and the undercooked shrimp, which just, in my opinion, gave it too many flavors that didn’t necessarily go together.  Other than this, everything was very good and tasted fresh.  It’s just a bummer my main entrée was the one I wasn’t thrilled with.

Good service and great ambiance, however, added to the experience of the Plant, so I would definitely go again to try some other dishes.  I’m feeling lighter just thinking about it.  Ah, healthy eating… so worth it.

Peace and love Xo

For coffee in a flash, and without the criminally long lines you’ll find at Starbucks and Peet’s, head to Café Venue.  While there are several locations in the Financial District, the one at Montgomery and Bush is especially great (wonderful people, plus you can get a frequent coffee drinker card and get your 10^th cup for free!).  Aside from the delicious custom coffee, you’ll be greeted by the fresh

aroma of a continental breakfast each morning, as they serve legendary breakfast burritos made to order.  And let me just say, they are mouth-watering.  With fresh tortilla, hot off the grill meats and melted cheeses, you can’t ask for a better way to start the day.  They also have bagels, yogurt, fruit, etc., for all of us who either can’t handle a large breakfast burrito first thing in the morning, or don’t have the time it takes to enjoy a leisurely morning meal.  You’ll be in and out within 10 minutes, less if you just get a coffee and bagel (takes me about 5 minutes on a Friday when I’m usually – ok always – running later than normal… not bad!)

Another great spot that is super tasty (and cheap!) is Pasilla Mexican Grill, located on Kearny and Pine.  While not a great place to sit and eat (you can, but there ais the constant hubbub of people coming in and out for take-out, and it makes for an annoying eating experience), it’s excellent for a grab-and-go lunch.  For about $7, you can get most major Mexican meals (think basics – burritos, tacos, salads, etc.) and it’s delicious!  The people there are super friendly, and it takes literally 5 minutes.  Amazing!

Lastly, check out Baladie gourmet Greek food at Kearny and Bush.  Not only is it cheap (the most expensive dish is $8.50!), but it’s speedy and delicious.  There is a vast clientele ranging from the FiDi elite to the hipsters, which gives this small enclave a great eclectic feel.  They even deliver for free on orders over $30, so get your coworkers to chow down with you some day for an easy, fast, and cheap group lunch.

At this speed, I need to remind myself to take a deep breath and enjoy this gorgeous city (and district!), but it is nice to know they have options for the crazy’s like me.

Peace and love Xo

Richmond, while not as trendy as the Marina or hipster as the Mission, boasts a laid back beachy vibe, regardless of the infinite fog.  While walking to my local coffee spot a while back, I noticed for the first time this delectable bakery window filled with scones of every kind and pastries stuffed with fruit and crème and deliciousness.  I had to go in!  John Campbell’s Irish Bakery turned out to be quite the find.  Everyone simply has to experience it.  Besides scones and sweet breakfast treats, they have these breakfast sandwiches that are old world Irish and insanely delicious.  Freshly grilled sausages, cheese, eggs, and bacon falling out of just from of the oven ‘bap’ – freshly baked Irish bread.  Heaven.  This place has a wonderful aura that invites you in on a lazy weekend day.   Because it’s not very big, it’s not ideal for sit down eating, but, if you are in the neighborhood on the way to the park or live in the area, it’s the spot to hit for fantastic to-go fare.  And, at under $10, you’ll also save some green… How very Irish.