San FranCelia

There is a great little hidden away spot that is wonderful for a crazy night out at the bars, a chill happy hour, or even a quick bite to eat.  Cigar Bar, located on the North Beach/Financial District cusp, is one of my favorite spots in the City, and tonight for happy hour, I was reminded why I love it so much.  While there is a small cover on the weekends (you’ll be hard pressed not to find one in that section of the City), it holds so much that’s it’s worth it.  You walk into the Spanish style hideaway, and are greeted by a below-ground bar area constructed of ceramic tile that is reminiscent of a rustic villa, and are immediately given options.  If you continue straight, you’ll hit live music and a small dance floor that burns up when the crowd is poppin’.  If you want to have a Spanish man sweep you into a real salsa dance or impress your lady with your salsa skills, this is a great venue.  If you take a left, you are outside on the massive smoking patio – it is called Cigar Bar after all – where there are large groupings of tables and a central fountain that is beautifully decorated (they even turn on heaters in the winter, thank God).  The bar is the central focal point when you walk in, so it’s best to start there, no matter what your party style is.  Their drinks are fresh, and they make all of their tequila drinks in the old fashioned way – think margaritas made with tequila and fresh lime juice with triple sec, no sweet and sour – and they are affordable (around $6!)… Yum!  There is even a small grouping of rooms past the smoking patio that allows for some indoor comfort should the smoking and dancing prove to be too extreme.

The best thing about this hip and tucked away loungy hotspot is its vibe.  It’s not too trendy but not too hipster.  The crowd is a mixture of musicians, retro cigar smokers, and the young and relaxed North Beach crowd – one of the best, in my opinion.  Hip, accepting, and always ready for a good time, you’ll be sure to meet people and enjoy the night. Even if you’re not a smoker (hey, I’m not), it’s a fantastic San Francisco original that everyone will fall in love with.

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Happy hour is a tradition that’s as celebrated as, well, baseball – as it should be, I say.  There is nothing better than heading to a local hot spot after a long day at the office where the order of the day is dealing with bosses and people you’d rather forget – preferably over a vodka tonic.  Recently, I headed over to B Bar downtown, and while Financial District bars can sometimes be a bit staunch in décor as well as clientele, B Bar was airy and fresh, with a great mix of people and good service.  In these long summer days, it’s an especially great spot as the entire place is comprised of floor to ceiling windows, and there’s even an outdoor terrace. 

This light infused spot has a friendly staff that greets you at the door and again at the bar.  They did lose track of the reserved area we had claimed for our party, but once I talked to the host, they made it right within minutes.  They had our section cleared and our

appetizers rolling out so fast, you almost didn’t even realize there was an issue at all.  While a bit slow sometimes due to the busyness of this spot (busy, not crowded, to clarify), they are super nice and with the easy crowd, it’s not a problem – why rush at happy hour, right?  The outdoor terrace is also completely charming.  It looks over Yerba Buena Gardens and the buildings of Downtown, bringing a taste of nature into the heart of the City.  Very cool.  Everything is in shades of white with elements of silver and wood, and it’s modern but not so modern as to be uncomfortable.  Sometimes I think trendy places take the modern kick to a level that not even Picasso would support. 

The crowd there is definitely of the Downtown variety – some people were in suits while others were in tee shirts and tennis shoes.  The nice thing about this spot is that it gives off an air of quality, but you still feel that you can be a pretty casual without causing any heads to turn.  I think it’s nicer when people dress a little better than they would, say, for a hike, but that’s just me.  It’s downtown San Francisco people, not some poe-dunk little town, so it’s great, I think, when your style is reflective of that.  Makes you feel better, too.

Definitely check out B Bar for a great happy hour or even a small meal.  We grabbed a bunch of the appetizers, and the seasoned French fries and cheese spread were especially tasty.  Prices are normal – not too expensive, but not especially cheap.  It’s a great central location that’s easy to get to from most anywhere in the City or even outside of the City, as BART is nearby.  It’ll definitely melt away those office blues in more ways than one. 

Peace and love Xo

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It’s been longer that usual for a new post, but for very good reason – I was in sunny, Fabulous Las Vegas (yes, I like to use their famous sign’s catchphrase, it makes me happy inside)!  What an experience; I almost don’t even know where to start…  It seems like as soon as you enter the City, the crazy escapades starts!

My lovely friend Brandi, who lives out in L.A, hosted our little vacation.  She does some acting and modeling out there, and through several different charity events and hosting gigs, she has become good friends with Gavin Maloof, one of the owners of the Palms Casino and Resort.  Because of his graciousness – and because he’s a really nice guy – we were able to enjoy a weekend of pure luxury.  What a needed vacation! 

I flew in Friday of Memorial weekend, and though my flight was late (which made me miss the car sent for me… boo!), when I arrived, all stress melted away.  I checked my bags at the desk, Brandi met me at the pool entrance, and I proceeded to enjoy a good few hours of sun straight away.  What a change from the City, huh?!  Warm sun, as opposed to the sun that’s out, but looks you in the face and says, “No, I’m going to keep it at 57 degrees again today.  It’s June?  Oh well, it sucks to be you then doesn’t it.”  Gotta love San Francisco.  Soon after that, it was time to check in.  We got rooms in the Palms Fantasy Tower, which is their newest wing.  So gorgeous!  The Palms, as far as I’m concerned, is the place to stay if you want to enjoy a young 20something time in

Vegas.  Everyone is young and full of energy.  It’s almost like being in another world.  As we opened our door to our rooms, we were immediately struck by the tasteful and modern décor.  Set up, unpacked, and of course showered (whirlpool tub!), it was time for dinner.  Before we could make it to the restaurant, we detoured to take a private tour of the traveling Basketball Hall of Fame – the Maloof’s own the Sacramento Kings, so it was especially fun.  We were treated to Kings hats, jerseys, and even a mini basketball signed by Gavin for my little nephew.  Fun!  Gavin had booked us a reservation at Koi at Planet Hollywood, his treat, and what an amazing dining experience!  Litchi martini’s, five different appetizers including Dragon Rolls and Crunchy Rock Shrimp, all finished with Brandi and myself sharing the lobster tail and me eating the filet mignon (perfectly cooked).  Delicious!  The food was perfect, and we had a wonderful view of the Bellagio Fountains throughout the meal.  Everyone knew our host, so service was impeccable, of course.  After that, we headed over to Peep Show, Vegas’s newest burlesque review starring Mel B. of Spice Girl fame and Kelly Monaco from General Hospital.  Our tables were front row, and you would actually be brushed with parts of the costumes, we were that close.  What a fun show!  They spun a fun tale of nursery rhymes and sex, and the beautiful bodies and costumes kept everyone looking.  Very fun!  It was playful and sexy, and will definitely tease the senses.  Playboy Club was our next stop, and what another cool space!  Every detail is Playboy, from the bunny carpets to the actual Bunnies, and it’s Playboy done right.  Cute details and classy accents.  We had our own table with full service, and even a bodyguard to ensure none of the guys got too rowdy – love that Fletch!  We danced the night away and took pictures with the Bunnies, who are all super nice – one girl even brought us a round of shots on the house! 

 Playboy Club, plus Moon – another of the Palms’ nightclubs – were our club stops this weekend.   We checked out both clubs the second night of our trip, and though fun, Moon is definitely busy, almost to capacity it seems, which makes it a little less awesome than it could be.  I like to not be touched by default when I walk through a club – I don’t like to be touched period for that matter.  Both times, Playboy Club was great -fantastic service and the perfect amount of people. 

 During the day of the second day was another festive occasion at the pool, of course, cabana ready and waiting, and the pool getting so busy you can barely see blue.  Deciding to get Simon Restaurant at Palms Place’s famous cotton candy (freshly spun and still warm) we headed out early from the crowded pool.  While the waitress at the bar was pretty rude (surprisingly), the space was amazing.  Gorgeous floor to ceiling windows, lots of light, and just a few celebrities – Kendra and Holly from The Girls Next Door, and Nicole Ritchie with her daughter Harlow and her boyfriend Joel Madden, were all in tow lounging at the pool.  Good dessert and fun sightings… nice!  For dinner, we were invited to Nove, The Palms’ incredible Italian Restaurant.  I started with a passion

fruit Mojito, which was divine.  It was light and refreshing, leaving me plenty of room for the multitude of appetizers we ordered, including flatbread pizzas, salads, and an anti-pasta plate.  I ordered a glass of house pinot noir and the ravioli, and both were perfect. Novè is rated the top Italian restaurant in Vegas, so it’s not surprising that everything was flawless.  We finished the meal off with a dessert of paper-thin sliced strawberries with frozen crème freshe, all decorated with just the perfect amount of aged balsamic vinegar and crunchy wafer sprinkles.  What an amazing combination!  I would definitely recommend this place for a fancy night out.  It’s gorgeous and though a bit pricey, is doable if you budget around $100 – $150 per person for a really great meal with equally great service – part of the Vegas experience, for sure.  After this, we gambled until our show at 11pm started.  We were lucky enough to get a Sky Box at the Dane Cook comedy set during a sold out show.  It was a great time – I recommend watching his special on Comedy Central or renting his stand up – he’s much better as himself than that guy dating Jessica Simpson’s character in that movie, Employee of the Week.  Such a cool night! 

With two more pool days and utter relaxation from that point on, I felt rejuvenated and tan, two things that mark a good vacation in my book.  I left on Monday night, though should have left Sunday.  Vegas is best done in about 48 hours or less (anyone who’s been there knows what I mean). 

 Had one of the best times ever with great friends, but glad to be back in the Bay!

Peace and love Xo

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