The restaurant is beautifully designed and decorated by co-owner Pat Kuleto, the master of classy San Francisco eateries. The two-story brick edifice is a landmark. The energy in the air and around the bar is infectious. But sadly, the French-California cuisine and the service didn’t quite live up to our expectations at Jardiniere last night….
If you love Vagablond as much as we love writing about upscale travel, you can do us a favor. Just go to the Upgrade: Travel Better Website to cast your vote in the “2007 Travvies Nominations: Best Travel Blogâ€? and type us in as Best Group-Written Travel Blog. As this site says, “You may nominate…
You don’t want to miss this… I get dizzy just trying to keep up with what my talented friend Linda Carucci is doing next. She was the Julia Child Director of Culinary Programs at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, California. She is also the author of Cooking School…
The W from Starwood is a way upscale, lux chain of boutique hotels across the globe. The biggest, newest, blingiest jewel is the just opened W Retreat & Spa in Fesdu Island, Maldives. Critics say, “It’s as close to paradise as you’ll find on Earth; a luxury playground whose physical beauty is almost overwhelming, where…
You might not want to rent Charlotte’s Web the night before! No one… absolutely, NO ONE know’s more about piggies than Bruce Aidells, a.k.a.”The Sausage King.” I can’t believe its been over 20 years since he introduced Aidells’s Gourmet Sausage line, and the flavors just keep getting better and better. He’s rough, and gruff, but…
Have a loved one you’d like to bestow treasure upon? No need to charter a vessel, strap on your scuba gear and plunge out into the center of the ocean. Simply visit the Mel Fisher online store where you can search through items such as Spanish coins, emeralds, gold bars, rings and chains. Operated out…
You might say that my friend Pat Miller is the florist to the stars. After all, she’s created gorgeous floral arrangements for Danielle Steel, Cary Grant, Kathryn Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor of the San Francisco Symphony), and many more through her San Francisco institution, A Bed of Roses. So for Valentine’s Day,…
Last week, Nissan announced a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $24,400 for the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid, the company’s first entry in the hybrid electric/gas vehicle market. It’s now on sale at Nissan retailers in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations and has been certified by the IRS as meeting…
According to Josh Spear’s Blog, “Il Mulino is the Cartier of pasta.” By this, he means that the new retail line up of pastas from New York City’s most popular Italian restaurant is worthy of its namesake, with such succulent offeriings as Marinara Sauce, Pomodoro Sauce, Benedetto Cavalieri Pasta, Sicilian Sea Salt, Aged Balsamic Vinegar,…
The perfect itinerary for a cold, grey Sunday in San Francisco. I had the BEST day yesterday, (inspite of the nasty cold grey weather) and for the next few weeks, you can duplicate it-if so inclined. Here’s the game plan: 11:30 a.m. –– Fueled-up at my nabe brunch spot Home Plate in San Francisco’s Marina-hood….
Are you feeling a little programmed? The Fashionistas dictate our hemlines, Hollywood spoon-feeds us our movie mantras ( I think we’ve reached about the end of the line with rooting for the underdog in whatever sport with the latest … what number is it… Rocky 12?). And if the TV powers-that-be, shove one more Reality…
The New York City Hotel Down Low [This is the first entry of a series by Kate, who gives her rundown of luxury New York City hotels.] I have sampled most of New York’s best hotels. The luxury chains are as expected: the Four Seasons is generic; the Mandarin is quite nice (they usually are);…