San FranCelia

What a week!  I was recently admitted into UCSF Medical Center for low blood platelets, and while scary and random (in medical speak, that’s “idiopathic” to you), I feel like I’m finally on the mend and ready to enjoy the holidays in full swing!  Christmas in San Francisco is great, and if I had to miss anything, I’d have been a very unhappy lady.  With Thanksgiving just past, and Christmas around the corner, I feel like I need to give some great ideas on how to spend this lovely time of year in the City by the Bay.   Union Square is a must visit during the holidays, even in the madness that is “Union Square”, and once I go, I feel that the season has finally begun!

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

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Health and wellness are two words that we seem to hear a lot of around the Bay Area.  The amazing weather and landscape allow people to be outdoors all the time to experience exercise away from the confines of a gym (although those have their benefits – sauna anyone!).  I think in moments of Zen high atop the rolling hills after a Saturday hike, people come to the conclusion that if they feel this good exercising, it probably holds true that nourishing your body with healthy food will only enhance your live.  At least I’ve thought that before, and of course what I think, everyone else thinks (ha!).  Keeping this healthy theme going, and in an attempt to not just eat healthy but still eat-out every once in awhile, we decided to try Plant Organic, a trendy dinner café on the Embarcadero.

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

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If you are slammed for time, as we all are (I’m moving in a week and they are still making me come into work… I think there ought to be some sort of paid time off for moving, don’t ya think?  Yes, yes, I’m sure you do, too…), then you’ll love these ‘quick eats’ spots in the Financial District that will rev you up and keep you going, without going the fast food (gasp!) route.

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

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