As a native, there are only a handful of SF hotels I’ve actually stayed in. The Westin St. Francis at Union Square is one of them. Maybe it’s because it was built in 1904 and served those left homeless after the 1906 quake. Or because it’s renowned for its food and service as the site…
Looking for the the world’s best coffee shop cum sushi or tapas bar? You think you might find it in New York, LA or SF. But you’d be way wrong. It’s actually on the tres fashionable Left Bank in Paris. At L’Atelier de Joel Robunchon, last year’s best Parisienne chef and winner of three consecutive…
Their Visit Monaco Web site says it all: “The energy of New York. The elegance of Monaco. Two cultural capitals come together.” This Spring and Summer, Monaco and New York will exchange cultural treasures. If you’re in NYC, you can experience the glamour of Monaco to taste Monegasque cuisine, feast your eyes on their unique…
A new site called SoBritish.com offers “you insider tips on the best places to dine around the country and information no the most luxurious places to stay.” Celebrity chefs abound. Whether you want to drop a bundle at Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant of Food TV fame, would to sample Jamie Oliver’s Tasting Menu, want fresh…
The first time I ventured to the Caribbean, it was on a 200-foot tall ship, AKA a “barefoot boat.” The crew did all the sailing but I got to hoist sails or steer the ship whenever I wasn’t laying on the deck with a umbrella in my drink. It was a wonderful way to enjoy…
My home town is known for its eclectic restaurants. Seafood. Chinese. Cal Asian. Mexican. American. Mediterranean. Pizza. Barbecue. You name it, we got it. SF Chronicle critic Michael Bauer just published his annual list of the Top 100 across the North Bay, the Peninsula and South Bay, Berkeley and Oakland, and the city itself. It…
About 40 km from Puerto Vallarta is a true tropical paradise. The Four Seasons Punta Mita offers miles of white sand beaches and turquoise ocean waters, a luxe spa and a Jack Nicklaus golf course. Sound enticing? Then check out its new, $2.8 million 5-BR, 13,000 square foot beachfront Arena Suite that includes: • Privacy…
When you travel or vacation, you want, expect and need WiFi that’s as reliable as your home or office. Some hotels offer it free. Some charge $10 US for a 24-hour day. Some have it free in the lobby but charge in your room. But virtually all are jumping on the WiFi bandwagon because it’s…
Charles Hodgkins is loco for burritos. So loco, in fact, that he has a Website called BurritoEater.com. He has reviewed 325 burritos (not tacos or enchiladas) at 170 San Francisco restaurants. The best get nine mustaches out of a possible 10 and only seven have received that lofty honor. His favorites? Taqueria San Francisco at…
Sushi in Tokyo. Snake in Hanoi. Chinese food in SF and Vancouver. Gnocchi in Roma. For the best of the best eats in the world, read this article from ShermansTravel.com titled “Top 10 Cities for Foodies” –– and I’m happy to say I’ve stuffed my face in six of them. The cities are: • Barcelona…
Wow! Private jets just attained a higher level of style with some attitude for their altitude. Check out this sample personal jet cabin called Project U from fashionista design house Design Q and engineers from Lufthansa-Technik. This interior looks more like an upper East Side New York City living room to reflect the tastes of…
I first heard of The Slanted Door when it opened 11 years ago. The waiting list was always one to two months’ long so I never tried to eat there. Today, after a res made two weeks ago, I finally dined there with my colleague Lorie and it was well worth the wait. With seating…