My City By The Bay

Living in San Francisco all of my life, I spent many weekends and more recently days at Ghirardelli Square .  Being a chocoholic myself, I grew up savoring those bit size chocolate morsels knows as Flicks which were packaged in a cylinder type cardboard box.  I absolutely loved those.  Now they are packaged in a 16 oz. plastic round gift box full of those chocolate tidbits that I loved.  Much more for me to savor.

They have a vast assortment of chocolate treats packaged and available at Ghirardelli Square to include holiday specials, chocolate bars as seen below, chocolate squares and their ever popular hot chocolate which is something I cannot miss whenever I am there.  It could be 80 degrees outside and if I’m at the square, I have to have my hot chocolate.  It is truly decadent.

Although Ghirardelli has seen major changes within the past few years the one thing that remains untouched or unspoiled is their chocolate.  It is rich, dark, creamy, sometimes decadent and sometimes pure and soft.  Whatever your taste, they have it.  The raspberry chocolate bar which is blatantly displayed, in your face as shown below is one of my favorites.  It is an elegant explosion of flavor with real raspberry sweetness and rich dark chocolate.  Plus, it’s good for you.  While I don’t know the calorie count which I honestly don’t want to know with all I eat, it has both fruit and dark chocolate which are both healthy.  How can you go wrong?

Below this scrumptious raspberry chocolate fantasy we also have the Ghirardelli cookbook which displays some mouthwatering recipes including my hot chocolate dream that are just to die for.  Although I do not bake myself, I have tasted a couple of recipes from this book and well,  let’s just say those recipes are clinging to my hips.

Finally, we have the unsweetened bars which you can use for baking.  And another point I’d like to make is that if you go to Ghirardelli you will be paying a little bit more in price for all of these chocolate delights than if you order here.  How do I know?  I basically have a tab running at the square.  Seriously though as they eloquently advertise “give the gift of timeless pleasure” or something like that.

The midweek dinner cruise on San Francisco bay provided by Hornblower Yachts is a definite must do if you are ever in San Francisco.  You sail from Pier 3 which is not far from the San Francisco Oakland Bay bridge and the Ferry Building along the bay to and under the Golden Bate Bridge.

This cruise offers sensational views of The Embarcadero high rises, Coit Tower, the San Francisco skyline, Bank of America and Transamerica pyramid buildings along with the Wharf area, Alcatraz, the Marina Green and distant Sausalito.  The night lights provide an exceptional panoramic view of the city.  Even shrouded in fog, this cruise is not to be missed.

You will dine on gourmet food prepared and served fresh to your table which includes seafood specials, steaks, pastas, organic salads and much more.  Soak your palate with some champagne while listening to jazz standards right out of the Great American songbook.  This is truly a five star dining and cruise experience you will never forget.

For more information please click the widget below.

Yoshi’s Jazz Club & Restaurant

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 1, 2 and 3
RAHSAAN PATTERSON

Monday, May 4
MICHAEL ZILBER’S BILLY COLLINS PROJECT
Wednesday, May 6
GENERATIONS BAND
featuring
JIMMY COBB, RAY DRUMMOND, DAVID HAZELTINE, TERRELL STAFFORD,
ERIC ALEXANDER, and ANDREW SPEIGHT

Thursday, May 7
GENERATIONS JAZZ “BATTLE OF THE COMBOS”
with special performance by the GENERATIONS BAND
Finals of the Generations International Jazz Competition

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 8, 9 and 10
KEIKO MATSUI

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16
YOSHIDA BROTHERS

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 14, 15 and 16
CHARLIE HUNTER
featuring TERRENCE HIGGINS

Sunday, May 17
DAVE SAMUELS’ CARIBBEAN JAZZ PROJECT

Wednesday and Thursday, May 20-21
SEX MOB & HAPPY APPLE
co-headlining

Friday, May 22
KENNY RANKIN

Saturday and Sunday, May 23 - 24
ROY ROGERS & THE DELTA RHYTHM KINGS

Saturday, May 23
HANDFUL PLAYERS & THE VILLAGE PROJECT

Monday, May 25
Jazz Mafia Presents
“BIRTH OF THE COOL - MILES DAVIS BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE”
featuring:
MARCUS SHELBY, MIKE OLMOS, ERIK JEKABSON,
JOE COHEN, ADAM THEIS, ADAM SHULMAN,
JEFF MARS, SHELDON BROWN and MIKE RINTA
‘Bay Area All Star nonet plays tribute to Mile Davis’ monumental, Birth of The Cool’

Coming Soon to Yoshi’s San Francisco:
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall: June 2, 3, 4

San Francisco is world renowned for it’s culinary delights.   Family owned restaurants such as Alioto’s and Tarantino’s are a part of San Francisco culture.  The Fisherman’s wharf area is home to many of these restaurants.

The Local Taste Package tour will take you on an epicurean journey throughout the streets of the wharf.  You will experience a host of specialty cafes, bakeries and restaurants to include Boudin’s Sourdoough bakery and for you chocoholics out there Ghirardelli Square .  The artisans at Boudin’s strut their stuff behind a panoramic window scene for tourists and locals alike.  Not only can you watch them prepare and bake their goods but the scent emanating from the bakery will have your mouth watering in seconds.  I always walk by Boudin’s when I am in that area just for that reason.

You will tour the local fisheries and get up close and personal with the sea lions and seals in their natural habitat.  You will be educated by local fisherman on the history of marine life along the bay.  You will experience first hand the life of a fisherman.  After having dinner in a local premier restaurant you will have the option of taking a bay cruise or jumping on a local fishing boat and cruising the bay.  Musee’ Mechanique is another stop on your walking tour which is a fun for all vintage arcade located in Pier 45 in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf.

The best thing about this tour is that it is the local tour.  It takes you through Fisherman’s Wharf through the eyes of a native San Franciscan.  You see the “real” wharf and not just your everyday souvenirs and cable car magnets.  You get the local, inside scoop.

For more information on this tour including ticket prices, click the widget below.

AT&T Park has become a landmark site in San Francisco.  Though I am not a baseball fan, I love this park.  I actually go when my friend Sony Holland is performing  the National Anthem, which she was there last year on her Birthday.  It was an exciting and fun day.  I also enjoyed the baseball game even though I really didn’t know what was going on.  We did win the game.  I have also been known to go for no other reason than just to experience the park.

The park itself has awesome views of the bay and boaters are out in force at McCovey cove in the bay during every game. It was literally a parking lot in the bay when Barry Bonds was out there hitting those home runs.  I was lucky enough the last time I went to be seated in the Field Club Level of the stadium.  I had no idea what that meant until I arrived.  You are basically seated right in front and you are served food.  I was in shock.  They have menus, you order your food and they bring it out to you.  My kinda place.  They also have a field club location inside the stadium where there is a high end cafeteria style area where you can choose whatever food you enjoy.  There was sushi to Mexican fare and your all American burgers and steaks.  I loved it.

There are dozens and dozens of eateries and bars at the ballpark to suit everyone’s taste.  When I’m there, I go for the food, the view, the camaraderie and of course I’m always happy when the Giants win.

The AT&T park tour is a daily event and is geared toward the baseball lover.  It is a one and a half hour tour of the entire park, inside and out.  For more detailed information, click below.

The Lush Lounge has been voted the best “pick up” spot in San Francisco.  It also has some of the hottest martinis and drinks in town.

Their chocolate martinis and mojitos are the best in San Francisco.  Their bartender knows the business and loves what he does.  This place is a little dive on Polk Street but is always packed and lively.  Whether you are 21 or 50, there is an eclectic mix of people enjoying libations every night.

I first came upon the spot years ago when a friend was performing there.  There is a little alcove above the bar where the performers used to play however they no longer offer live entertainment.

The bar is located on the corner or Post and Polk streets in San Francisco.  To learn more visit the Lush Lounge website.

McCormick & Kuleto’s is my favorite eatery in San Francisco.  In fact it’s my favorite in the Bay Area.  I’ve been frequenting this haunt for several years and it was a daily event in gourmet dining while I worked in Ghirardelli Square.

I found out recently that they offer a weekday happy hour menu on a continuous basis with delights that range in price from $1.95 to $4.95.  Yes, that is not a typo.  The items start at $1.95.

I met a friend there around 5:00 pm for an early dinner.  We began with the cheeseburger which is charbroiled and served with all the fixings including a healthy portion of fries.  These were not slider minis.  It was a regular sized delicious cheeseburger.

For $1.95 each plate, we also ordered the beer battered mushrooms which were heavenly,  tandoori chicken that was grilled to perfection, teriyaki spiced chicken, and some type of sushi plate.  All these dishes were $1.95 and full plates.  These were not appetizer plates.

We could not believe all this food was less than two bucks per plate.  I’m seriously thinking about not buying groceries anymore and having dinner there every night.

The happy hour is from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  If you are a tourist and visiting with children, this is THE PLACE to go.  Just look at all the money you would save.  It’s actually cheaper than your fast food joints and you are getting gourmet food.  Of course McCormick’s also offers gourmet fine dining in their dining room with exceptional views and prices that much.  I will be reviewing the restaurant itself at a later date.

Of course you have to buy your drinks which are regular price though they did not charge me for a diet coke.  I don’t know if they simply forgot or just don’t charge for sodas.  Also the menus do slightly change week to week but the staple, such as the cheeseburger remain on every menu.  One other thing, you are not able to order food to go.  You have to experience your happy hour in the restaurant which is no problem since it’s located at Ghirardelli Square.

The menu below is the one which appears on their website.

$1.95

Classic Cheeseburger
with Fries

Hummus
Cucumbers and Grilled Pita

Shrimp Ceviche
In Citrus Marinade

Blackened Chicken Sandwich
Cheddar Cheese and French Fries

Tomato Bruschetta
Balsamic Glaze and Basil

$3.95

Fried Cod Sandwich
Cheddar, Cole Slaw and Fries

Ahi Tuna Roll
Shoyu Dipping Sauce

Salmon Cakes
Lemon Butter, Apples and Leeks

Calamari
Trio of Dipping Sauces

Potato Skins
Cheddar, Sour Cream and Crispy Bacon

$4.95

Jambalaya
Cajun Red Hot Sausage and Rice

Fish Tacos
Salsa Fresca and Sour Cream

Kobe Beef Sliders
Cheddar and Caramelized Onions

Fried Shrimp
Cocktail Sauce and French Fries

Chicken & Sausage Etouffe
Simmered in Nut Brown Sauce with Rice

Peel ‘n Eat Shrimp
Butter & Old Bay

AUTHENTICALLY LOCAL:
Upcoming events in San Francisco

Wicked
“Broadway’s biggest blockbuster (The New York Times) has returned to San Francisco! See the show that gives you the untold stories of the witches of Oz. Whether you’re a long time fan or a first-timer you will be spellbound by the magic of this incredible production!
For more information click here

March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
One of the longest-running parades in the U.S. features Irish dancers, floats and marching bands and attracts more than 100,000 viewers. The route goes from Second and Market streets to the Civic Center.
For information, call
415-675-9885.
sfstpatricksdayparade.com

March 16 - 21
Bouquets to Art
Lunch and tea are served during the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s annual fund-raiser. Lectures by horticulturists and displays by 100 of California’s top floral designers. M.H. de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
For information and tickets,
call 415-750-3504.
www.bouquetstoart.org

March18 - 22
San Francisco Garden Show North America’s fourth-largest garden show covers 6 acres/2.5 hectares with hundreds of exhibits, gardens and free educational seminars. Cow Palace, Geneva Avenue and Santos. For information, call 415-771-6909.
www.gardenshow.com

AN EVENING OF FINE WINE
McCormick and Kuleto’s is proud to present “Bounties of the Bay,” a special evening with Steven Honig of Honig Wines. On Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 6:30pm McCormick and Kuleto’s will be hosting a very special five course dinner perfectly matched with the finest wine Honig has to offer. It’s a rare opportunity to experience this amazing food and wine pairing with one of the most respected wine makers in Napa Valley. The cost is only $85.00 per person all inclusive.

Please call 415-929-8374 for more information and to reserve your space, seating is limited!  

Champagne Brunch Cruise of San Francisco Bay
Hornblower Cruises and Events (San Francisco, CA)
Sunday, Mar. 1 @ 11:30am
Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 11:30am
and 3 more dates.
Full Price: $75.15    Our Price: $37.87

There’s no better way to spend a beautiful Sunday morning/afternoon than cruising the picturesque SF Bay! Hornblower Cruises presents a wonderful 2-hour cruise, featuring a delicious brunch and champagne. Learn More

Photo courtesy of www.allrecipes.com

(415) 479-9188

I am the type of person when going out to eat I want the food to speak for itself.  I enjoy down home cooking in a casual setting.  When I look at my plate I don’t want to see art.  I like seeing food on the plate.

This past Saturday evening some friends and I went out for a bite to eat before a jazz concert to see Sony Holland at the Osher Marin JCC  in San Rafael.  I had already eaten a couple of hours before arriving but thought I’d grab a small bite  to keep me satisfied until the champagne and truffle after party.

We drove to the Northgate mall and decided to check out Roast Haus Hof Brau.  As I walked in I could smell that familiar home cooked scent that just made my mouth water.  The hof brau is a cafeteria style eatery which hosts tables and booths for large parties.  It was clean, well maintained and well lit.

I was surprised at the extensive menu.  There were various varieties of sandwiches which looked scrumptious, a host of side dishes, salads and beverages.  I was in hof brau heaven.  Since I had already eaten I just wanted something small to fill in the void until later on in the evening.

I ordered a three bean salad in a bowl and a diet coke.  Now I know that doesn’t sound like much but what was wonderful about this dish is that it was prepared the same way I prepare it at home - garbanzo’s, kidneys, greens, onion, oil and just the perfect amount of vinegar and spice.  It was ample for a quick bite and I loved it.  My friends had sandwiches which looked and smelled delectable.  All in all great food, filling, accommodating and very comfy.  Good prices for being located in Marin County.  I’d love to check it out again when I’m completely hungry and desiring a nice big meaty sandwich.  If you are ever in the area, try it.

Thanks Gary & Trish.