Advice you can taste. Adventure you can feel.

Your Mission: Eat Cheap

San Francisco is a melting pot of diversity.  From Chinatown to North Beach to the Sunset, every ethnic group is well represented.  But one neighborhood, nestled north of the 101 freeway, bordering Caesar Chavez Boulevard to the left, San Jose Ave to the north, and the Duboce triangle to the east, is perfectly situated for an inexpensive evening out on any budget. If you haven’t guessed it, I am talking about the one and only Mission District.

Yes that’s right, for cheap eats, I’m impartial to the Mission’s numerous taquerias dotting Valencia, 16^th, and Mission Street.   With this being the Mission you’re likely to find a taqueria within a stone’s throw from wherever you may be standing.

For an inexpensive dining experience, start at one of my personal favorites, El Toro Tacqueria, located at the corner of 17^th and Valencia.  After recently undergoing remodeling this tacqueria serves up IMHO, one of the best bangs for the buck. First off, don’t be overwhelmed by the many selections on the board.  Yes, there is a lot to look at and decisions can be difficult, but be smart and if you don’t know what you want, step to the side… after all, the line moves fairly quickly. I love the smiling and courteous women behind the counter; they are a model of efficiency.  Henry Ford would be proud.   The women standing alongside the men manning the grill weave in and out of the food preparation stations with ease, like a synchronized swim team.   If you’re not careful you’ll miss the women lavish each order with copious amounts of beans, cheese, and salsa.  This assembly line approach to preparing food churns out plate after plate within minutes for an ever-growing line that often snakes out the door.

Horchata

For about $10 you’re rewarded with a flavorful and filling meal of freshly cooked and prepared ingredients.  My personal favorite, their steak and prawn super burrito.  Its gigantic nature may intimidate some but do what I do, starve yourself for about 5-6 hours and you’ll have no problem finishing off what I call a Godzilla-sized burrito.   Add a Horchata (creamy rice/milk drink) for a couple of more dollars and you’re looking at a steal of a meal for under $15.  And before I forget, they give you free chips that you can adorn with an impressive selection of salsas and hot sauces.

If you’re in the mood for some music head over to the Elbo Room, within view of El Toro.  The Elbo Room, a two level venue, boasts a downstairs bar that serves beer and mixed drinks with seating available in small wooden booths.  Upstairs, you have space to dance.  Watch out when you come here on a weeknight- you may catch yourself in the middle of a full-blown salsa invasion or a reggae influenced jam band.  Other nights you can catch a local band for free.  On certain nights you’ll be asked to pay a cover to go upstairs so be careful because that “inexpensive night” may turn costly with a $5-$15 cover charge and copious amounts of their strong, cheap drinks.

If you’re in the mood for a few cocktails, head over to one of the Mission’s many watering holes on Valencia Street like Blondie’s, where the crowds are often overflowing, or cross the street to Casanova’s, with seating in the far back.

Want a quiet location, off the beaten path, with strong mixed drinks and “eclectic artwork” hanging on the walls? Then head over to the Latin American Club on 22^nd, between Mission and Valencia streets.   Saddle up to the bar, admire the “artwork”, and be prepared to fork over about $6-$8 for a mixed drink using fairly top shelf alcohol like Ketel One.

If you want to see the city from a rooftop deck, head back over to Mission Street between 21^st and 22^nd to Medjool.  It’s a great place to start your night but not end one, so be careful when you decide to visit.  This restaurant transforms itself on the weekend to a sweaty, packed night club with young twenty-somethings gyrating their hips and grinding their bootys against a willing participant’s body.  Don’t come after 10 PM or you will be stuck with a $10-$15 cover. If you must come here on the weekend, come early around 6-7 PM, walk up to the 2^nd floor and head to the elevator.  Jump inside and take it straight to the roof deck.  Here you can admire the San Francisco skyline, order a drink from the bar (cash only), and get cozy on one of the lounge chairs while admiring the view of the Bay Bridge, Twin Peaks, and downtown.

Banana Split

If your night doesn’t involve cocktails and you want to indulge your sweet tooth, visit Mitchell’s, the Bay Area’s oldest family-owned and operated ice cream store. This ice cream parlor on the outer Mission is located at San Jose Avenue and 29^th Street.  WARNING:  The lines are ridiculous.  Once you’ve grabbed your ticket, and your number has been called, order one of the tropical flavors such as avocado, mango, papaya, or guava.  You’ll thank me as you inhale the creamy goodness off of a cone (waffle available) or from a cup.

So, Weotta head out to The Mission and dig through its treasure chest of jewels.  Look carefully and you’re sure to find something that you’ll like on any night of the week.

Spring Style for the Weotta Man

There is no place like home…well, that is if San Francisco is where you hang your hat. Sure, our beloved city by the bay is sometimes prone to bitter cold fog, temperamental weather and windy days but when the sun breaks through and San Francisco is awash in golden rays, we’re reminded of the majesty of where we live – even all you East Coast transplants and ex-pats from Europe can’t argue with that!

Remember the glorious weekend we just had? The one where you probably never saw the inside of your apartment? With hopefully more of those sublime warm temperatures ahead, this is the perfect time to talk about an important task we guys often overlook…spring shopping. That’s right, it’s time to shed the wool jackets and pants and invest in a lighter, more casual wardrobe suitable for the Bay’s mild spring. And Weotta do it soon, so that we’re ready to spend the next beautiful weekend in style.

The question now becomes, what do I buy? The answer is simple if you follow these three “Cs”: Comfortable, Casual, and Colorful. Here are 5 must-have pieces for men this spring.

Khakis- timeless and oh so classic

Chinos/Khakis: Great for work or play; these versatile pants never go out of style and come in a plethora of fabrics. Play it safe and go with cotton ones that you can pair with everything from a sweater to a t-shirt for a clean and simple look. Keep a light-colored pair for lazy afternoons, and the darker, pressed ones for work. Make sure to look for a flat front style, and visit a tailor to get the length hemmed just right. Or, roll up the cuffs, throw on a pair of sandals and you’re BBQ ready!

Wear it over almost anything

V-neck sweater: Yes, the incomparable and always stylish v-neck is back this spring – with a twist. Instead of the traditional colors of years past, pick a cheerful hue, like baby blue, yellow, green or tan. Choose an easy to care for fabric like cotton, and you’re set for San Francisco’s temperate weather. The key to dressing in SF during the spring and summer is “layers.” Remember that boys and girls, layers.

Not just for the beach

Shorts: What spring day is complete without a pair of shorts? You’ll want a variety of styles, like cargo shorts, board shorts, and even some Bermudas in different colors to show off those tanned legs. Choose khaki, white, blue, or even black – just don’t be caught dead wearing cycling shorts unless you’re on a bike… lycra doesn’t look cool on you when you’re hanging out in Union Square… as for the running shorts, save those for the treadmill or your treks through Golden Gate Park.

A big no no

Sandals: Choose from a cornucopia of styles, including casual flip flops or “leather mandals.” Pick a safe color like brown or black, and make sure you’ve got those toenails clipped. There’s no bigger turn-off than callused, dry feet with nails the length of a Leavenworth Street tranny’s. For help in this area check out Jen’s post, “You’re So Polished!” And please don’t wear white socks and sandals… a big no-no and fashion faux paux!

A must have

The white shirt: Every man should have one in his wardrobe – great for everything from church to brunch. Tuck it into your khakis, let it hang out over a pair of blue jeans, or pull a v-neck sweater on top and you’re ready for a brisk day in the city. For a more casual look, wear the sleeves rolled up to just below your elbows, leave it un-tucked, and throw on a pair of board shorts with your flip flops. Voila! You’re ready to lounge poolside.

But before you hit the stores, a couple of helpful hints for the shopping impaired.

Note: If you have your own stylist, please ignore this step and proceed to the nearest mall or boutique.

1. Create a budget: Figure out how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.
2. Bring a friend: No, don’t bring your drinking buddy Steve who can pound a 12 pack of Milwaukee’s Best in 5 minutes and is still rockin’ that regrettable 90’s grunge look. Bring a female friend, someone who can help you pick out the right colors and styles that fit you and your personality.
3. Shop around: Try not to buy everything in the first store you visit. Take the time to venture into at least 3-5 different stores to see what they have to offer.
4. Find brands/labels that fit: As you become familiar with designers, you’ll notice that some labels fit you better than others; take note and remember them for future shopping trips.

Good luck and in case you’re feeling extra generous, I have a 32 inch waist, 34 inseam, wear a 42 long for jackets, and a size 11½ shoe! And if you have trouble finding something for me, see my 2 stylists, Roger or Julie at Nordstrom’s, they know what I like.

Wine, Women and Food SOMA Style

10 years ago SoMA, which includes the South Beach and Mission Bay neighborhoods south of market, hence its name, was still figuring out its identity. It was quite the neglected section of SF, full of abandoned warehouses, rundown buildings, and decaying plant life. In the early 90’s,  the best clubs in the city were found just south of Market, clubs like 177 Townsend and King Street Garage.  Those clubs are long gone. Today SoMA is full of refurbished buildings that house trendy restaurants, hip lofts, and Web 2.0 companies. In recent years architectural masterpieces like Watermark, One Rincon Hill, and 200 Brannan have popped up, making SoMA home to some of San Francisco’s coolest venues and most sophisticated clientele.

On any given night you can grab dinner at Tres Agaves, Bacar, Jack Falstaff, or Momo’s.  Venture to any of the local watering holes and you’ll swear you’ve been transported to the Marina, but with an older, more distinct crowd.  There’s no beer pong in the corner, no frat boys high-fiving each other, or Bon Jovi blasting on the sound system.

One of my favorite swanky places is District. They have reinvented the wine bar as a lounge… the local watering hole, albeit with a more upscale look and feel with high ceilings, exposed beam,  and brick walls. The venue is an appealing destination for the after work crowd, the “anti-pickup crowd” and the “insert your own clique here crowd” if you’re looking to get away from the same routine. Consider District as an extension of your living room where everyone sits around, grabs a drink, and spends the next couple of hours talking about whom you’re dating, the cutie in marketing, or their last phone call with mom.

If you visit frequently enough you’ll catch a rotating show of local artists’ work hanging throughout the venue.  It seems odd that they have a flat screen TV hanging on a wall but the other night they had Steve McQueen’s movie “Bullitt” playing.  No complaints here.

The horseshoe bar and extensive wines by the glass are served by knowledgeable staff.  They have quite the variety: tempranillos, sparkling whites, spicy reds, bold cabernets, blends from South America, or Bordeauxs from France.  Confused? Ask one of the bartenders for a recommendation or a taste; or, better yet, ask a fellow patron…   this has to be my favorite way to learn about wines at any wine bar and it can be quite the natural conversation starter between you and that cute girl or handsome guy you care to meet.

***Warning:  The author doesn’t guarantee the success of these opening lines… use at your own risk***

Now that we’ve got that out of the way.  Some opening lines are:

• “You just smiled after having a sip of that wine, what are you drinking?”
• “Do you mind if I steal your menu?  Don’t worry, I’m not reaching for your glass.”
• “That looks good, mind if I have sip?  No seriously, I don’t have cooties…”

What about those nights you just don’t want to dress up?  Perhaps you’re feeling more of a “Cheers” bar than a posh “see and be seen” spot like District.  In that case head over to 21st Amendment on 2nd street, across from SoMa’s “South Park.”  This no-frills, establishment serves up some of the most innovative beers in SF with some scrumptious munchies like sliders, calamari and pork chops…

Their beer list succeeds in satisfying beer connoisseurs and novice brew makers with their South Park Blonde, Bitter American, Watermelon Wheat, and Potrero E.S.B. Confused about what you should drink?  Ask the friendly bartender for a sample of several of the concoctions or use one of the lines from above to meet a new friend

Craving a run to the south of the border but don’t feel like catching the next flight to Mexico?  Head over to Tres Agaves for simple Mexican dishes like tacos, carnitas and enchiladas.  Oh yes; make sure to order a margarita or two from their extensive list of tequilas.

Another local spot for food or drinks is Momo’s.  It is a great place to satisfy both your stomach and your sports fix… think ESPN’s Stuart Scott on flat screens all around you while chomping down on  their juicy classic burgers, meatloaf or herb roasted chicken. Surprisingly Momo’s carries some of California’s finest wines from Joseph Phelps, Chateau Montelena, Rodney Strong, and even Mondavi’s Opus One.  Warning, during baseball season Momo’s is more popular than P. Diddy’s White Party and just as hard to get into.

So there is a taste of some of the treasures SoMA has to offer. There is so much more to share with you… from brunch spots, to shopping, to eclectic furniture stores, but I will have to save those for future posts.

Weotta get out in SoMA!

A Night in the Marina

Last Saturday night I decided to hang out with several friends in one of San Francisco’s most picturesque neighborhoods, the Marina.   Nestled between Russian Hill and Pacific Heights,  with beautiful bay views and the Golden Gate Bridge within walking distance, this small neighborhood transcends trendy. It is one of my favorite neighborhoods in all of SF and for good reason: it is full of attractive men and women, stylishly dressed patrons,  lots of fun intimate bars, exclusive boutiques,  and one-of-a-kind restaurants close enough to each other that a girl in the highest of heels has no prob hopping around. It truly is an experience for the uninitiated.

A proper night out in the Marina can take many turns, from trendy and hip, to downright divey.  Let’s take a look at one of the bars that dots Fillmore Street, a staple in the Marina pub crawl, the Matrix at Fillmore.

For those of you who don’t know, the Matrix has been a part of the Marina district since the mid-60’s. It was opened by Marty Balin, the lead singer of Jefferson Airplane, and has hosted music legends such as the Doors and the Grateful Dead.

Today, the Matrix is a cluster of lounge seats, dark lighting, inconspicuous “S-E-X” letter tables and sexy patrons. In the middle is a chic fireplace with comfortable lounge seating. On any weeknight the Matrix would be a perfect date venue, but on Friday or Saturday nights it’s a cluster of single men and women conversing, mingling, and of course checking out the procession of candidates who glide in through the doors.

Once you have your drinks, find a seat on the wall and watch the scene unfold before your eyes.  Better yet, for a little more privacy head through the short, dark hallway to the back room where a venerable playground of cushions, ottomans, and comfortable plush seating awaits.

After a warm-up drink at the Matrix, make a beeline for the Balboa Café across the street. This corner bar, with its brightly lit interior, is a stark contrast to the lounge feel of the Matrix.  Saddle up to the bar and order any one of the traditional cocktails that the attentive bartenders can muster up… a Manhattan, a gin and tonic, bourbon on the rocks. The venue oozes old school, where drinks are stiff, and the furniture and interior harkens back to a time and place when a bar was for drinking with your friends, not a game of beer pong.

If the night calls for another venue change, walk down Fillmore towards the bay, and at the corner of Chestnut and Fillmore sits one of the trendiest and coolest hot spots in the area, Circa.  Once you get past the bouncer and the tall, thin, impeccably dressed female patrons, you’re immersed in an expansive room with a large, almost circular bar. Here the libations have a tendency to run towards beer, mixed drinks and shots.  Don’t let the Banana Republic shirts and jackets donned by the young men scare you away, or the short Bebe skirts and dresses intimidate you.  Yes, the post-college crowd can dominate the scene; but if that doesn’t deter you, then by all means, come in and mingle with the stylish and hip 20 and 30-somethings.

For a late night bite, you can’t go wrong with Pizza Orgasmica right next to the Balboa Café.  Wait, you’re a little short on cash?  You’ve only got $6 in your wallet because you’ve been buying rounds of Patron instead of Jose Cuervo?   If your expensive tequila habit drains your wallet have no fear.  At Pizza Orgasmica you can get 2 slices for the lonely Lincoln and Washington inhabiting your wallet… make one a pepperoni, and the other a sausage with cheese.

If your palate requires a more “sophisticated fare”, i.e. a 24-hour joint, you have 2 options right around the corner on Lombard Street.  The International House of Pancakes, affectionately known as IHOP, serves up a cornucopia of delightful pancake pairings to curb your late-night hunger.  Feel free to top off the pancakes or Belgian waffles with strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream and/or 4 different types of syrup.  If you’re craving more of the mom & pop feel of a good old-fashioned 50’s establishment, head a couple of blocks down Lombard to Mel’s Diner. This long-standing San Francisco institution has burgers, fries, shakes, and an extensive menu of late night grub to help you forget how inebriated you are.

Enjoy your night out in the Marina, and stay tuned for more about one of my favorite neighbourhoods in SF…