Recently in San Francisco Category

Jaime Gottlieb is Manager of Online Communications for the Luxury Brands Group and the lobby.com's expert on all things W.

Where will you be on World AIDS Day? I don't know about you, but mix up exclusive music tracks, cocktail mingling and a meaningful cause, and I'm already in the waiting line. On December 1st in recognition of World AIDS Day, music-loving jetsetters and W loyalists will be mixing it up at W Hotels nationwide for the launch of (RED)s latest project called (RED)WIRE. This digital music magazine subscription service gives members VIP access to exclusive tracks by the hottest musicians and artists around including the likes of U2, John Legend and Sheryl Crow.

In support of the Global Fund, which provides medicine to people who need it in Africa, all are welcome to this one-time W Happening to sip the coolest cocktails and feast their eyes and ears at this online music viewing party in hotels across America. As just one of many ways W Hotels is getting involved with this global cause and exciting new music project, event-goers, including myself, are sure to end the year 2008 with a bang... and a few other beats.

Here's a great way to join in an exclusive celebration of some of the world's most accomplished women. Right now on moments.com - Starwood's auction site - SPG members can bid Starpoints for a pair of tickets to the 2008 WNBA Inspiring Women Luncheon, which will be held on July 30, 2008 at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. The luncheon will feature a host of inspiring speakers, including Robin Roberts, the dynamic third anchor of ABC's Good Morning America, who will be presented with the 2008 WNBA Inspiration Award. A selection of WNBA All-Star players will be on hand as well to talk about their inspiration both on and off the court. And if you need a place to stay while you're in San Francisco, you can either book a room in the Palace Hotel itself, or enjoy comfortable accommodations in the nearby Westin St. Francis and W San Francisco. Visit moments.com today for this and other great auctions.

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region. This past week, she has been reporting on dining in San Francisco.

I always bring an eager appetite to San Francisco - the city that my husband and I both adore. We were so sad to learn that Michael Mina's in the Westin St. Francis stopped serving afternoon tea, but dinner there is exquisite. The Palace Hotel on New Montgomery St. is our home away from home. Everytime we walk into the lobby, gaze up at the amazing atrium and feel so privileged to be at such a grand and glorious hotel where over a hundred years ago Hawaii's King David Kalakaua also stayed. One day I'll bring my parents here as well. My father, a Cal Berkeley grad, says he visited The Palace once during the prom (did colleges have proms back then?), but never stayed there.

Dim sum at Yank Sing, gingerbread cupcakes from Miette, fresh seafood from Swan Oyster Depot and little plates from Cortez are all on our regular Bay itinerary. We also never leave San Francisco without making our faithful pilgrimage (on BART no less) to Rockridge to hand-carry home 10 pounds of Italian almond cookies from Market Hall Bakery to share with friends and family.

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region. This week, she reports on dining in San Francisco.

The first time I tasted parsnips was at XYZ restaurant in the very chic, but cozy W San Francisco. I was having dinner with media and some colleagues from Hawaii including Sumithra and Chef Bart from The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Chef Bart had just completed a live on-air cooking segment earlier on ABC San Francisco KGO-TV's "View from the Bay." We sat around an elegant round table near the window looking out at 3rd Avenue. The parsnips were positively delicious - why had I never eaten parsnips before? I called my husband excitedly later that night, "It had a savory taste between a creamy potato and a carrot," I raved. I dreamed of eating those parsnips again.

Was it just me? Or do most of people who grow up in Hawaii seldom have an opportunity to experience parsnip perfection? Macaroni and cheese is another mystery.