Recently in San Francisco Category

On Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, Slow Food Nation comes to San Francisco. Not familiar with Slow Food? It's a movement away from mass-produced foods and a return to regional, seasonal and artisanal meats, cheeses, wines and produce.

The festival is bringing together thousands of slow food devotees — as well as people who just like to eat — to two locations in SF, Fort Mason near the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf Hotel and the Civic Center area near the Westin St. Francis, where dozens of events will cover the breadth of the movement. Graze your way across the nation in the huge tasting pavilion, buy the makings of a great picnic at the farmers market and street food stalls, listen to talks by such luminaries as author Eric Schlosser and Chef Alice Waters, or take a workshop on how to set up your own home garden. In the evening, you can one of dozens of slow food dinners at area restaurants; check the website for details. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

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Something's Brewing in San Francisco

Thursday July 31, 2008

castrocheesery.jpgSeattle may have the reputation for fantastic and ubiquitous coffee, but San Francisco's no slouch — possibly because it's so hopped up on caffeine! National shops abound, especially in the area near W San Francisco, but the treasure is in finding the quirky independent spot that fits your particular style. Fortunately, SF's coffee culture is happy to oblige.

The SOMA outpost of Caffe Trieste, a small local chain started in the 1950s, is likely to be crowded with students from nearby City College and local office workers. It's a block away from the W.

The Castro Cheesery is a coffee snob's dream: dozens of coffee varieties available whole bean or pre-ground, as well as the local and imported cheeses for which the shop got its name.

Sugar Cafe, near Union Square, is sleek and modern, and transforms into a chic cocktail lounge at night. (Though watch out for the angry bartender!)

• In the Haight-Ashbury, Coffee to the People fits right in with fair trade and organic beans, activist bumper stickers on the wall and a place for locals to bring their used coffee grounds for composting.

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WNBA Inspiring Women 200.jpgHere'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.

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PalaceHotel_small.jpgCandice 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.

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xyz_restaurant.jpgCandice 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.

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pjsoysterbed.jpgIt's always nice to get a deal. Now through June 15, you can eat at some of San Francisco's top restaurants inexpensively thanks to Dine About Town San Francisco. Dozens of restaurants — including the W San Francisco's own XYZ — are serving up three-course prix fixe dinners for $31.95. Many are also offering lunch deals as well, for just $21.95.

So you could lunch on salad and croque monsieur at Absinthe, then head to PJ's Oyster Bed later for what looks to me to be one of the best deals — four courses of Cajun cuisine, not three, plus a "lagniappe" such as a crawfish boudin bite or a jello shot to whet your whistle.

Or have dinner at Circa, recent "Top Chef" contestant Erik Hopfinger's restaurant-lounge, and stick around for dancing afterwards; the discounted meal will help offset the expensive (for SF) drinks.

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There's nothing like the beauty of the San Francisco Bay area, with its hilly terrain and expansive water views that seem to go on forever. If it's been a while since you've paid a visit, the time might be right to get reacquainted. The Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. Located in Emeryville, just across the bay from San Francisco, the hotel is convenient to some of the area's greatest attractions. Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf are just ten miles away and well-served by public transportation, eliminating the need to find a parking spot. In nearby Oakland, meanwhile, literature fans can retrace the steps of Jack London by visiting his namesake square and some of his favorite haunts. And for those ready to hit the high seas on a fishing expedition, Emeryville Sportfishing is a short walk from the hotel, offering a variety of adventures on a fleet of modern boats. The Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge is only one of more than fifty participating Starpicks hotels and resorts this week, so check the list to find the destination that's calling your name.

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passport_cover.jpgAssuming a new identity is exciting, just ask Madonna. And the perfect time to try out something new is during a trip, when the only things that set us apart from the crowd are our image and our attitude. Some like to travel in business attire, while others won't board a plane without their Juicy Couture tracksuit. But the adventurous add an aura of mystery to their flying costume. A fabulous cravat. Some designer sunglasses. An incredible pair of pumps. Easy items we associate with glamour. But perhaps the best way for the modern traveler to distinguish him or herself from the luggage laden crowd, is with a passport cover. Not only does a sleek little wrapper elevate your passport to instant elite status, it keeps it safe, makes it easier to find in your bag, and provides a bit of anonymity in a seemingly endless line of US citizens creeping toward the next available immigration officer.

A good first stop on your search for the perfect cover is Flight 001, the reputable travel goods store with convenient locations near The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, and the W New York - Union Square. Simple designs of smooth Italian leather that come in a range of colors, from a classy grey, to a flamboyant fuschia, can be ordered from their website. if your passport insists on couture, Jack Spade makes a gorgeous plaid-lined cover of soft calfskin, in classic black. And if your idea of the perfect destination is the World Series or the Super Bowl, tout your team by toting your passport in a logo-emblazoned cover, available at the Sports Nut Shop.

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Starpick the W San Francisco

Wednesday April 9, 2008

There's simply no bad time for a trip to San Francisco. No matter what the weather decides to do, the city has a warmth and dynamism that makes every visit exciting and memorable. So if you feel like spending some quality time in San Francisco in the very near future, click on over to the Starpicks site. The W San Francisco is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take too much green to find yourself in the "City by the Bay." The W San Francisco is located in the trendy SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood, just steps from some of the city's greatest attractions. Start your day with a stroll through nearby Union Square, with its many shops and galleries, and then enjoy some Far East cuisine for lunch in Chinatown. A springtime afternoon is perfect for a visit to Fisherman's Wharf or Ghirardelli Square, but if you're looking for something a bit more offbeat, check out the Exploratorium. This quirky museum dedicated to "science, art, and human perception" is located in the Palace of Fine Arts, and features interactive exhibits ranging from the Tactile Dome and the Mind Collection to the off-site Wave Organ, a wave-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the bay. It's out of this world. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list often to find the destination that's right for you.

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AcuraNewsMed200x153.jpgJaime Gottlieb is the Manager of Online Communications for the Luxury Brands Group and thelobby.com's source on all happenings at W Hotels.

Introducing the latest in Whatever/Whenever® services, W Hotels and Acura have announced an exclusive partnership for W Hotels guests. The 300-horsepower Acura MDX, the preferred vehicle of W Hotels Worldwide, is ready to show you the town from a whole new perspective.

Starting in 2008, W guests can request their ride in select W Hotels. Whether it’s shopping on 5th Avenue, a ride down Rodeo Drive or a swift lift to Bourbon Street, bring your sensory experience along. Just dial the Acura Ambassador or Whatever/Whenever, reserve a complimentary ride and enjoy an SUV stocked with W essentials like Tidy Towels, Wish magazines and signature W music. To help guide you along your way, the MDX is filled with technologically advanced amenities like the Acura Navigation System with on-demand Zagat® reviews. Find where you’re going and the perfect entrée to order once you get there. The Acura Experience is ready to whisk you away at all W Hotels in the U.S., starting April 1, 2008.

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Starwood Preferred Guests can now stay updated on the latest travel trends. A core group of experts – including Starwood employees and SPG members – provide updates on unique and noteworthy travel experiences around the world. Get a behind-the-scenes look at exciting Starwood travel destinations and receive daily articles using TheLobby.com widget for your blog, desktop or web page.
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