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 | A Taste of Spain on Chestnut While the Marina neighborhood offers the usual suspects of dining establishments in terms of choices -- Italian, Classic American, and Mexican -- what’s been missing is something Spanish. While Spain has been the hotbed for gastro-science in the last few years with the fame of El Bulli Restaurant, it seems San Francisco lost interest in the cuisine after the Spanish tapas and paella trend hit over a decade ago. Laiola’s Spanish/Catalan-centric fare and wine remind us that there is still a lot happening in Spain.More |  | New Peruvian Adds a Little South American Flair to Hayes Valley When in the Hayes Valley neighborhood and craving something brasserie-ish, I always think of Absinthe. For something casual and perfect with a lager, my go-to is Suppenkuche. While these two mainstays and other delightful Euro-centric restaurants play nicely into the prime Hayes Street scene, newcomer Essencia is a welcome addition.More |  | SF Outpost Gets a B-Minus, Oakland Spot Scores Higher While YBCA, MOMA, and the Metreon offer much in terms of arts and entertainment, dining options in the area are limited to just-palatable mall food (e.g. Buckhorn Grill, Chevy's, Jillian's) and super high-end fine dining (Ame, XYZ). B Restaurant and Bar strives to provide an upscale middle ground. Located just outside of the main building and on the second level of San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens, B occupies an ideal spot overlooking much of the downtown skyline with extensive patio seating. It may be a little confusing to find, but the views, especially on an unusual warm day in the city, make the search worthwhile.More | | | To a background DJ sound of electronic beats in tune with the hip Hayes Valley locale, this cool Belgian house of small eats serves up big paper cones full of thick Belgian fries with a wide selection of flavored ketchup and mayonnaises such as Creamy Wasabi Mayo, Ginger Orange Mayo, Caper Onion Ketchup and Curry Ketchup. There are also savory sandwiches, salads, and crepes to fill bigger appetites. Wash it all down with a proper Hoegaarden on tap on the outdoor patio out back. The feel is more lounge than cafe, but who needs coffee when you’ve got Belgian ale and fries.More | | | The U-shaped bar and ballpark-chic location creates a see and be-seen vibe at this wine bar and lounge, but the concept certainly attracts curious wine appreciators as well. With its group-friendly lounge setting, District has also become a designated spot for many a girls' night. The enticing wine flights, of which there are several, are nicely accompanied by a plentiful variety of small plates, including cheeses, salumis, and pizzettas.More | | | In the now-fashionable-yet-still-sketchy Loin locale, Olive was one of the first swanky cocktail bars to brave the neighborhood. Though further gentrification has brought brighter, shinier bars to the area, Olive is still going strong with its short but solid drink list and choice small plates including calamari with chipotle aioli and pizzas to soak up that second or third martini with goat cheese-stuffed olives. Acquired in January 2007 by the fellows who own Rickshaw Stop, Olive maintains a comfortable vibe and a rotating art collection.More |  | Get into Gear for Beach Weather The temperature is rising. The sun is bursting. It's time to don flip-flops, shorts, and break out the SPF30. But first and foremost, the bathing suit. Only which to wear? Whether your style is sassy, sexy, or prim and proper, finding just the right suit is essential. With the innumerable options out there this season, you're bound to find the perfect one, or the select few that will fit like a glove and make you the sunbathing beauty at the beach.More |  | Stellar Mall Dining, Vegas Style No matter how much I claim to be a Northern California girl, you just can’t take the Southern Cal mall rat out of me. So when I first stepped into the new Westfield Centre at 5th and Market in downtown San Francisco, my heart skipped a beat at the excellent selection of boutiques. But this gargantuan, 1.5 million square-foot mall not only tempted the shopaholic in me but also called to my literal hunger with its plethora of dining possibilities.More | | | This sleek and intimate sushi and sashimi bar is not for amateurs seeking California rolls. Fresh raw fish takes center stage. There is also an optional omakase tasting menu. Michael Black and Danny Dunham, former chefs of now defunct Midori Mushi, bring back the brilliant yet minimalist combination of tuna and lemon in the maguro roll. Sake selections from Beau Timken of True Sake, a sake boutique down the street, are sure to be winners and perfect matches to the delicious sushi.More | | | If I’m going to a vegetarian restaurant, it better have flavor and make me forget there’s no meat on the menu. Cha Ya (a favorite of many vegans in SF and in the East Bay, home of its flagship location) doesn’t exactly meet this requirement. However, it does offer a variety of meatless eats that make me hesitate before I sink back into my state of carnivoric bliss. Among the offerings, vegetable tempura, soba and udon noodles sway you into focusing on textures and flavors, while the vegetable sushi only convinces one that it could only be done right with raw fish.More |
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