For over 80 years, the Huntington Hotel & Nob Hill Spa has been consistently ranked as one of the most distinguished luxury hotels in my home town. It’s also one of the world’s most luxurious places to stay. Situated atop Nob Hill (called “Snob Hill” a century ago because it was the wealthiest San Francisco…
“Making chocolate is a wonderful alchemy of temperature, ingredients, patience and sometimes Luck, says Michael Recchiuti, founder of Recchiuti Confections. “It’s about inspiration and practice, practice, practice. “I love chocolate,” he continues. “I delight in the perfect snap of a fine chocolate bar, in the tobacco notes of a rate varietal and the sheen of…
It’s not every day that a company celebrates its 125th anniversary, as well as its first. But that’s exactly what just happened at Oakville Grocery, Napa Valley’s best-known culinary emporium for the finest gourmet products, regional winemakers, unique gifts, fantastic catering, and more. The Oakville Grocery opened its flagship store in 1881 in the quaint…
As Baby Boomers become empty nesters and/or retire, more of them want to return to the big city. So more of them in my area of the world are opting for high-rise luxury condos. In fact, according to Forsight Analytics, up to 30,000 condos are being built or planned in downtown San Francisco, with about…
What do Katharine Hepburn, Yehudi Menuhin, Georgia O’Keefe, Danielle Steele, Sharon Stone, Michael Tilson Thomas, Client Eastwood, Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg’s staff and me have in common? Besides rare talent and dashing good looks, we all rely on Patricia Miller at A Bed of Roses Florist in San Francisco when we want to reward a…
I was fortunate to meet The Barefoot Contessa Friday night in Corte Madera, about 15 minutes north of San Francisco, with three generations of her fans: my wife, daughter, mother and brother. (But I’m such a literal person, I looked under the table and saw she was wearing shoes.) The occasion was a meet-and-greet signing…
If you really want to see San Francisco in a unique and way upscale way, the only choice is The Urban Safari’s new Total Tour. It is available starting Friday, November 24 and is normally a 9 am – 4pm tour, but it can be customized to your group’s schedule. It includes pick-up and drop-off…
The majority of upscale restaurants in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, are banding together for the greater good. On Thursday, November 16, when you dine at any of the participants below, 20% of the food sales will be donated to Homeward Bound of Marin — to help end homelessness. “Dine Out to End…
At first I wasn’t sure if I was interviewing the director of the Michelin Guide or the next potential James Bond. Jean-Luc Naret is movie star handsome, suave, sophisticated and as beautifully appointed as many of the restaurants the guides cover. When I told him that he could answer “No Comment,” when asked a question…
We had the most perfect weather imaginable last weekend in the Bay Area, and I’m not embarrassed to say that I spent the whole glorious weekend inside — and I wasn’t even sick! I happily gave up the sunshine to attend two fantastic food and wine “inside the kitchen” events. The first took place Friday…
This Friday, November 3rd, from 7-11pm at Neiman Marcus Union Square, you can kick up your heels and dance the night away at the Red Tie Gala. Co-hosted by Little Sisters of the Poor for the St. Anne’s Home on Lake Street and Neiman Marcus, this cocktail party features shopping, dining, shopping, cocktails, and more…
Yesterday, I went shopping at the Westfield San Francisco Centre with my wife and daughter. The highlight of the day was a 54-year-old cream puff at Beard Papa, infused with chocolate cream. And it was delicious!! We got to this popular new center that opened three weeks ago about 1pm. It was absolutely packed with…