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

As you walk into the center, a sense of calm washes over you.  The people attending are friendly and ready to relax their minds. Good vibes abound.  Once the instructor comes in (we had Gene, who was AMAZING.  What a comforting presence, and a cute smile, to boot…), you set straight to meditating.  It’s guided, so initially, Gene led our breathing.  Then you meditate on your own – take whatever thought comes in and reflect, observe.  An almost trans-like state comes over you as this occurs, and it’s truly empowering.  Taking 30 minutes to feel your body and feel your mind is incredible.  Why we never do this is now beyond me.

After the meditation ended, Gene led a discussion on participant questions, observations, etc.  Being a gifted orator, in my opinion, he brought humor, emotion, and comfort to all aspects of what he taught.  It was truly amazing to hear him clarify questions we all had on how and why to meditate.

This is one of those experiences that I feel blessed to have had.  Best part is, it’s every Friday at 7:30pm, and so I’m able to go back time and time again.  Definitely check it out if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or if you need to find some clarity.  The calm that meditation brings to the mind is a true gift, and thankfully for me, I’ve now opened the box.

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

To be outdoors but also keep you from freezing, take a trek and go boutiquing in Pacific Heights.  The hills are intensely steep, making the cold bearable.  It’s the only time of year that these hills don’t make you sweat uncontrollably when hiked.  This is such a fun activity this time of year as all of the holiday essentials are out and affordable in small doses.  Visit ‘Heidi Says’ or ‘Nest’ on Fillmore for some great holiday ideas – expensive, of course (being in Pacific Heights and all), but cute.

For a cozy meal in an eclectic atmosphere, check out The Café at Café du Nord.  Next door to the affiliate music venue on Market, they have great sandwiches and gigantic cups of coffee.  Delish!  The best part is if you are catching a show next door, you can finally grab a bite to eat for a reasonable price.  If you aren’t catching a show, it’s a great location for a Mission/Castro shopping break, as well as the obligatory people watching – my favorite.

Since being indoors is something to cherish during these months, I like to hold off during the summer and visit museums and art exhibitions now.  Next weekend, the Second Annual Erotic Art Exhibition comes to the California Modern Art Gallery, and is only $15.  What a fun way to spend a fall day!  I went to the Sex Museum in Paris once, and it was incredible.  The show will definitely keep the blood pumping, to say the least.

I can’t wait to experience more of the City as we delve into winter.   It’s the perfect time to explore and see what hidden treasures are at our fingertips.  While I love summer in San Francisco, the cold is starting to warm on me.

Peace and love Xo

For a unique café experience, try Enchanté on 26^th and Geary.  While humble in its initial appearance, when you enter you feel instantly comforted by the couches and calm ambiance, but also are, well, enchanted by the floor to ceiling murals of a French façade.  Very cool.  With delicious coffee, smoothies (these are amazing), and café fare, it’s the perfect place to sit and read, grab a coffee with friends, or study.  I love, love this place.  I was out for a walk in Lincoln Park one night and on my way back home stumbled upon this place.  Who would have thought?

And, if you want a unique view of the City while being enveloped in an amazing landscape, try visiting Outer Richmond’s own Sutro Park.  While across from the tourist heavy Sutro Bath ruins and The Cliffhouse, it rarely gets any attention from visitors, which is strange, since, in my opinion, it’s the best park in the City.   With it’s perfectly manicured and plush lawns and gorgeous flowers, it almost feels like you’re swept into a meditative, peaceful state upon entering.  Its sweeping views of the Pacific with lush and green surroundings cannot be beat.

And for a decadent night out without all the hoopla of more fancy restaurants, try Pacific Café, who’s beachy and relaxed, but also refined atmosphere serves up mouthwatering seafood and free white wine while you wait (which undoubtedly you will have to, I’ll admit).  If the wait’s 30 minutes, you drink for 30 minutes – how can that be bad, I ask.  This place is small, but totally worth it – a true Outer Richmond treasure.

I feel so lucky to live in a district with so many fantastic spots and such little pretense.  It’s a great blend that’s completely livable.   So here’s to my new solo digs in a truly unique San Francisco district – it’s about time.

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

Peace and love Xo

Love Parade, for those of you who aren’t familiar, originated in Europe as a way to bring people together through song and dance and celebrate the simple (yet never simple) emotion of love.  In San Francisco, this is no different.  This isn’t really an event for the conservative crowd (as many San Francisco activities aren’t), but if you have an open mind and are ready for a peaceful day of dance outside, you will love it – no pun intended.  The parade starts on Market Street, and like the Pride Parade, lends itself to hosting a plethora of nude, interesting, and colorful people.  If you ever wanted to buy a brownie from a hippie on the corner, this would be the time.  The parade, which is made up of various floats that are all playing different types of house and trans music, ends at San Francisco’s Civic Center, where every person that is along the route and following the parade (there are no barriers people – the more the merrier) ends up.  The floats encircle the city hall and proceed to host hours of dancing delight, where everyone spends their time showing others kindness while dancing in the streets.  A payment of about $10 is needed to pay city fees, but other than that…free.  You will see every type of person at this event, from the bridge and tunnel crowd who come to the City to view something so wildly different than the suburb can offer, to the people who want to shock and awe peaceably.  While some things will make you double take, it’s such a wild and fun time, it only adds to the charm.  If you really want to get into it, dress up.  You will just end up blending in, to be honest.

These types of events bring the spirit to the City to the people as far as I’m concerned.  Everyone being able to get together and celebrate love is something that San Franciscans have been striving to continue since the 1960s, and while we may not always get there (hello Muni fight!), these types of happenings remind and inspire us to live, laugh, and most importantly, love.

Peace and love Xo

day and there are tons to choose from at any given time; two floors of space, in fact.  The gym has so much equipment that you will never have to wait for a treadmill again.  With floor to ceiling window views of Market Street, it makes for a magnificent sight.  It’s clean, has a nice and helpful staff, and is a gorgeous facility to boot.  And to top it off, as posh as it is, it’s still not as intimidating or sterile as you would think, as many high end places can tend to feel, which I loved.  I didn’t feel like all the women were perfectly in shape and wearing make-up and the men could compete in Mr. Olympia with a good chance of making top 5 (some were, of course, but I suppose that’s to be expected at any Downtown gym).  Can’t stand when you feel too chubby to join a gym…  what’s the point after all?

While there are many options when selecting a gym membership, this fitness mega-plex is definitely one to be considered.  While pricey, the benefits definitely outweigh the cost if you frequent enough.  If you want to have a taste of the luxe facility, ask them about a free week pass.  You may even find you can’t live without it.  If not, hey… free week!  That’s what I call a healthy lifestyle.

Peace and love Xo