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Become an Instant SF Local Part 1

It is a no-brainer that San Francisco is a fantastic place to live… yes it is expensive and yes we have earthquakes, but both are small prices to pay to be in one of the most amazing cities in the country.  It is a hard fact that we have some of the best restaurants, quality of life, scenery, and of course, weather, in the country.  It’s no wonder that everyday, people from around the world are moving here to SF.  So to help newcomers adapt to life in SF we have put together the Weotta Instant San Francisco Local List. It is a list of how to blend into SF and some local hangouts/restaurants, with a few links to some other helpful blogs…. Locals, you can probably benefit from it too :

Enjoy…

The Weotta Instant SF Local List Part 1
Do the following and you too will be a local

First of all, San Francisco is…
SF or San Francisco… never San Fran or Frisco… out-of-towners call it that so if you want to be a local, never say it.

Attitude
SF isn’t nearly as urban and fast-paced as New York or Chicago. This may be because of the geography and layout of the city, or the fact that marijuana is basically legal here, but I like to think it is because of the people. In general San Franciscans are some of the most easy-going city-dwelling people in the country…. they are smiley, friendly, in shape, smart, out of the box thinkers… they care about their quality of life and giving back to the community around them… I mean come on, where else in the country do you have a group like A Good Idea whose main focus is random acts of kindness? So, in SF you should…

1. Put a smile on your face and say hi to passerby’s
2. Be creative and enjoy what you do for a living
3. Play just as hard as you work
4. Always take time to smell the roses
5. Give back to your community

Dress
Few guys in SF wear a suit and tie on a daily basis and few ladies dress in formal business attire unless they are in finance… that is a different story.  In fact, many people at the younger tech companies get away with a tee-shirt and jeans. In the evening jeans are usually fine at most venues even for ladies, although there are those restaurants like Gary Danko and Spruce where you may want to turn it up a notch.  No matter what you wear in SF it is important to be original and have your own style… check out thesfstyle.com for lots of helpful tips on how you can get creative.

We have a Neighborhood for everyone…

• Kids and babies, you got Noe Valley and Cole Valley
• Young and hip, you got the inner mission
• Young and preppy, you got the marina
• A little older but still living the single life, you got Polk street and the Russian hill area.
• Ritzy and settled, you have Pacific heights
• A little down to earth with a touch of green, you got the Pan Handle and Upper Haight
• A little cheaper and isolated, you have the Richmond/Sunset
• Young professional, you have Soma/hayes valley
• And the list goes on, but you get the idea…

Ok, there is part 1… stay tuned for part2: lifestyle, food and coffee. And if you want some reading in the meantime check out Underthesheets-shhh’s list of top ten reasons you’ve been in SF too long, which is probably a good problem to have : )

UPDATE: Part 2 is up

Just in time for the weekend: Brunch, Beach and Brews

Click me for map

As the real summer in the city continues it is time we spend at least one of our weekend days doing something like this…

1. Sleep-in until at least 10am
2. Grab a towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, water, and a good book
3. Bike, bus it or drive to Q Restaurant in the Inner Richmond (Clement at 3rd Ave)
4. Have a Lazy brunch at Q. Make sure to order at least one of their brunch specials, perhaps a Benedict, and if you are in the mood their mac&cheese. If with others… share it all! Yes get coffee too… they have great coffee.



5. Continue to Ocean Beach. If by bus, take the 5 Fulton. If by bike, go through Golden Gate Park. If by car, take Fulton straight on down to the Great highway.
6. Spend a few hours soaking up the sun, people watching, and reading your book at Ocean Beach
7. End your day with a few early evening brews at Beach Chalet across the great Highway from Ocean Beach. Their Wheat beer, the West End Wheat, is quite refreshing after lazing in the sun.
8. Head home, clean up, have another drink, and if it is Sunday just mellow out & relax, but if it is Saturday Weotta rally and get out on the town!

Dog Walking, People Watching, and Picking Up

It is true what they say, dogs are the ultimate pickup… better than any slick line or move you could muster. With a lovely furry creature at your side you are basically guaranteed, if you want it, to start a conversation with that boy or girl who catches your eye on your next leisurely weekend dog walk. And for those of you not looking to meet someone new, having a doggie is a front row seat to some of the best people watching in any city.

So for The Real Summer in the City Experience Two it is time to schedule a long dog walk around San Francisco.

For those of you with a dog or two, check your schedule, grab a few treats, poop bags, and plan a to spend one of these upcoming weekend days giving your dog lots of exercise.  For those of you without a dog, find a friend with one and borrow the lovely creature for a day. You can trust your friend will be thrilled; in fact, they will probably consider it a favor.

Here is your plan…

Click me for plan map

It can be done starting at Dolores Park or Crissy Field. For picking up you may want to end up at Crissy Field last… there is just something so romantic about late afternoon lighting, the  beach, and the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. If you are more into people watching then ending up at Dolores Park later in the day to observe the hipsters as they emerge from hibernation.

Dolores Park

lazing in the sun

AKA hipster central, the pride park, or just the place to be if you want to laze in the sun. On any given sunny weekend it is packed with people doing everything from sunning themselves to hula hooping. This park is San Francisco people watching at its prime! Now, if this is the start of your day, head over to Tartine for a coffee and pastry and if later in the day, stop by Bi Rite Market and pick up a drink to take with you while you walk around the park.

People watching central

The crowd at Dolores Park is perfect for the human-loving, well-behaved, social dog… the type that can be let off the leash and will go up to all sorts of folks looking for attention, but when called are right back by your side. This dog is basically the best dog for picking up. Add handsome or pretty to the list of doggie attributes and you will have everyone in the park wanting to pet your lovely mutt.  If done strategically, meaning letting your dog off the leash at just the right time and place, your dog will open conversations with everyone you want to meet.

It is easy…

1. Remove the leash
2. Point in the general direction of your target
3. Take a seat on the grass and watch your dog mingle
4. When your dog gets the attention of  your target or any friend of that person make your way over to them
5. Now, when you get within a few feet of your dog say the dog’s name.  With any luck at all the person petting  the dog will say, “Is this your dog?”  This is when you smile and get right on into the conversation.  Start off by talking about the dog for a few minutes and move into asking questions about them… you got it from here

Duboce Park
This is basically a doggie park all the time and a great place to meet other fellow dog owners/lovers. You are likely to have the typical dog 411 conversation… the one where the dogs’ names will be exchanged, their age, what kind they are, and comments about each dog’s looks. This is unless you make a small effort to get past the doggie talk and move the conversation into human terms, which I suggest you only do if the person is a potential dating prospect. If you want a quick snack go to Duboce’s Park Café across the street. They have tasty bites, sidewalk seating, and a water bowl for dogs.  Afterwards head out the back of the park up Fillmore to Alamo Square.

The painted ladies

Alamo Square : This is another great dog park. It has a fantastic view of the city, and usually a few tourists taking photos of the Painted Ladies for your people watching pleasure.  This isn’t as social of a place as Duboce, but there is always some good people watching as you continue your walk up Fillmore, through the Lower Haight, to Pacific Heights.  If you need a bite or want a little energy to keep you going, stop into The Grove on Fillmore. This is another great coffee shop and people watching place. It is always busy and there is lots of street traffic outside, so grab a table on the sidewalk and sip your drink for a few.

Alta Plaza: This is a few blocks from the Grove and your shortest stop. It is basically a place for your dog to stretch and play for a few while you take in the first ocean view of your dog day adventure.  From there continue down Fillmore St and take a left at Chestnut St, where you will get a lot more people watching as you walk towards Crissy Fields for your final stop of the day.

Crissy Fields: It is always a great place with dogs… the perfect place for them to run and play in the break. It is also a fun place to spend some time relaxing on the beach pondering your day, getting away from the city for a few brief moments, and watching the folks around you do the same. Hang here for a little while and you are likely to either get lost in the grandeur of the Golden Gate and/or spot a person you want your dog to help you meet. When you are done walk it all back, perhaps with the person you just met, or call a friend to give you and your dog a ride home.

Strutting on the beach!

As you return home think about the day you just had. Did you meet any cool new people… perhaps your next date? Have some quality time with your dog? See a whole lot of people sporting too many styles to count? Get a new prospective on San Francisco or discover something new about your city? If you answer yes to any of these questions the day was worth every second. Weotta walk around SF with our dogs more often, right?

Dim Sum, Picnic, Museums and Buffalo?

The Real Summer in the City Experience One…

First stop, Good Luck Dim Sum on Clement Street. Not only is it fast and delicious it is

Shrimp dumpling time

easy on your wallet and the ultimate hangover cure. So what to do? (1) Wait in the line that always looks long, but moves fast. (2) Fill out your ordering sheet while you are waiting… make sure to get the shrimp dumpling, pork bun and green onion pan fried dumpling… you probably want to order about 10 dumplings per person in your party.  (3) See what dumplings they are making fresh and order at least one of each.  Don’t worry, they’re cheap… try something new! (4) People move quickly here, so make sure you are ready to go when you get to the counter and if there are a few things you don’t recognize, just point and ask.  Who knows, it may be your new favorite thing!

The ideal picnic spot

Next, drive to the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate park for your dim sum picnic. Find a nicely shaded spot in one of the many lovely groves, sit, and relax.  Another great spot is the Roosevelt Pond where you can sit on the water and people-watch.  When you are done eating take a brisk walk around the grounds of the gardens or the pond and enjoy your slice of nature in the city.

Climb the tower

Either way, complete your stroll at the deYoung museum. Purchase a ticket and hold on to it (The ticket will get you into the Legion of Honor as well, which is your next stop). Now remember, this isn’t a museum day. The weather is beautiful outside so make this a brisk visit and experience the Deyoung’s backyard sculptures, the rarely clear view from the top of the tower, and of course walk through their featured exhibit(s).

Feed me!

When you are done, head to the Legion of Honor. On your way drive through Golden Gate Park and pass the field of buffalo.  Yes, we have buffalo in Golden Gate Park… the zoo ran out of room.

A Palace in SF?

Once at the Legion show your de Young ticket and proceed to their featured exhibit(s) with a quick walk through the lovely halls, making sure to get a glimpse of the abstract gallery where you will see a few original Picasso and Dali paintings.

Sunset at Lands End

Finish your day with a short coastal walk in the late afternoon light. Just walk straight down the hill, towards the coast, from the Legion of Honor and head to Lands End for one of the most memorable San Francisco sunsets you can ask for and can rarely get any other time of the year.

The Real Summer in the City

Yes, summer is almost over, vacations are pretty much a distant memory, work is in high gear and the holidays feel like they are right around the corner. Wake up! It is September in San Francisco and as all of us locals know, September in our city really is one of the best times of the year to be right here at home. It’s the real summer in the city, as many people call it… the time we finally take our summer wardrobes and get outside. So in honor of a few weeks, hopefully months, of sunshine, we are going to share some of our favorite experiences to do this time of year.

A Day in Wine Country for Two

Here in San Francisco we love our local wines and in late summer there is nothing we enjoy more than leisurely day trips to our wine country – home to some of the best wine producers in the world all eager to share their latest creations with us. There is just one small problem with our wine country… where to start? There are so many different areas: the Russian River, Napa, Sonoma, Oakville, Yountville… with so many amazing wineries: Caymus, Arrowood, Duck Horn.

Then there is making a dining selection when you have some of the finest chefs in the country/world at your finger tips… everything sounds amazing… Thomas Keller alone has three fantastic restaurants.

Yes it seems overwhelming, but if you focus on one area at a time it makes it pretty easy. Here is one of our favorites to get you started…

Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville day for two

10:00am, Start your day off at Caymus with a few of their nationally acclaimed wines in their classy tasting room. It isn’t every day you get to start your day with big bold 90+ point Cabernet Sauvignon, right?  If you like any of their special reserve stuff get it there; otherwise, you can usually find their standard wines at SF wine stores like K&L cheaper.

11:30am, Have an early picnic lunch to counteract the high alcohol wines you just tried and get yourself on track for an early dinner. From Caymus the closest place to grab a 4-star picnic is Dean & Deluca… they have a fantastic selection of meats, cheeses, bread, olives, and fruit to make the perfect picnic for two… don’t forget to have them slice your bread.
Your next stop is Chappellet so get in your car and start heading that way. On your way there find a place along the shore of Lake Hennessy for a leisurely water-front picnic.

2:00pm, Time for the tour and tasting at Chappellet… they have an integrated tour and tasting, offering a great balance of sipping and strolling… during your tasting you can expect to sample a wide variety of top-tier wines while taking in a uniquely architectured winery with amazing secluded grounds.

4:00pm, Make your way to Yountville for a 6:00pm dinner. If you can get there before they close stop in at Honig for a quick tasting.  If not just continue to Yountville and stroll around the cute town for an hour or so as you build up your appetite for dinner at one of their fantastic world-class eateries.

6:00pm, Time for an early dinner. Of course, you really can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants in Yountville, but after the unique day you just had you will find the delicate California fusion/New American dining at Redd to be quite the complementary choice. Their combination of flavors are quite subtle and balanced, yet fun… share a few dishes so you can take in their entire gamut of flavors, and be sure to try their glazed pork belly, lobster risotto and of course anything they are doing with duck.

So, this summer weotta take the time to indulge, relax, and get up to our wine country.

Food Glorious Food

You know that feeling when you have the taste for tons of different flavors, scenes, and neighborhoods?  You just want it all and you want it now? So what do you do? You have a food tour. What is a food tour you ask? It is an evening where you hop from restaurant-to-restaurant having a bite at each. It is the foodies ultimate evening, a super creative date, the perfect way to tour out-of-towners, and just a fun way to experience a city. Now, there are different levels of food tours, from a basic 3 course jaunt between neighboring places to a 5 course hop all over town.  So, Weotta have a food tour…

A few weeks back my mom came to town on a Tuesday evening… now she really is quite the foodie and loves variety so what better way to spend then evening than a food tour. We started early. This also gave us the added benefit of happy hour, which, by the way, rarely saves much because the dishes you will want are seldom on the happy hour menu.

Here is what we did…

$1 Oyster Tuesdays are the best!!!

5:00pm: A few dozen oysters, some calamari and a little coleslaw at Woodhouse Fish Company (1914 FIllmore St) in Pacific Heights. The great thing about Tuesdays at Woodhouse is their $1 Oysters from 4-10pm… get there early it gets crowded fast.
6:30pm: Next up, cocktails, fragrant truffled popcorn at Tuna tartare at the stylish Taverna Aventine (582 Washington St) in the financial district. They mix some tasty drinks as well as have some good happy hour specials.
8:30pm: We finished off with some high-end bar food at Kezar (900 Cole St) in Cole

Creamy Goodness

Valley. I am talking fantastic creamy mac & cheese, a few mussels, some fresh beet salad, and spicy chicken wings.

So, three neighborhoods, three restaurants and lots of tasty food… ready for your food tour?

Party Going 101

After our three part series on how to throw a great party we have been getting a lot of requests for advice on how to be a great party guest.  So here you go…

SELECTING YOUR AFFAIR
Let’s just say you are invited to 5 parties this weekend.  Which should you attend?
-Which sounds the most fun?  Life is short, weotta enjoy every minute.
-Are you special?  Three ways to see if this is true…

1. Did the host invite all their facebook friends?
2. Did the host send you a personal invite?
3. Is the total guest list is under 30 people?

-How much do you like the host(s) and have you enjoyed their parties in the past?

WHAT TO BRING
If a person says, “really, no need to bring anything” you can translate it as, “I really like you and if you bring something I am not going to turn you down, but I will not be upset if you don’t.” In other words, always bring something, whether it is a bottle of wine, flowers, chocolates or a small house gift… it is just the right thing to do.

When figuring out what to bring keep these three things in mind…

1. The kind of affair it is (classy, casual, funky, themed…)
2. The host’s taste–if you know the host loves good champagne then pick up a bottle or two.
3. If you bring alcohol make sure it is something you would enjoy.  This is a good way to make sure there will be something at the party you will for sure drink.

Note: If you are bringing other people always ask the host first and make sure to contribute accordingly and/or make sure the friends you invite know they should bring something as well.

ATTENDING
Always greet your host with a hug even if your host is a man. Guys, if you don’t know how to give a good man hug here is a nice instructional video from video jug. MAN HUG

Make conversation. You know, small talk… fun talk… the kind of talk that builds a new friendship, creates a new connection, and makes meeting new people interesting. Very important… never, never, never start a conversation by asking what a person does, even if you are at a work-related party… it just really gets things going in the wrong direction. Think about it… it basically is the shallowest of shallow things to do.  There is so much more to a person than what they do for a living, and if you connect with a person it will just come up naturally.

Talk to everyone. Parties are about mingling and meeting new people so don’t just stick to the crew you came with or corner that one cutie that strikes your fancy. If there is someone there you are into, make eye contact, approach, exchange a few laughs, and keep mingling.  In other words, make him or her want YOU… you can bet if there is interest there will be a second rendezvous later in the evening. I know this sounds hard, but it works… trust me.

So there are the basics… Weotta have a classy affair

Welcome to the Weotta Blog Redux!

We are back, with a fresh new look and lots of posts coming your way. So, get excited for more of the adventure you crave, style you need, and advice you can’t live without from your favorite crew of urban explorers.

Enjoy,

The Weotta team

Weotta Have A Cocktail

Long week? You deserve a night of swanky drinking…

Here is your plan…

Start at Elite Cafe @ 2049 Fillmore St
Get the sweet peach tea: Hangar Lemon, Peach Puree, Bols Peach Schnapps,
Finished with Organic Tea. Come on, it has sweet, sour and Hanger One vodka in it… need we say more?

Continue with cocktails at The Alembic @ 1725 Haight Street
Get a Bee’s Knees: Plymouth Gin, lavender honey and lemon… it is tasty and o so smooth.

More drinks at Absinthe Restaurant @ 398 Hayes Street
Get the Galapagos: Pisco, Kaffir lime leaf muddled in pepper syrup, lemon-lime juice, grapefruit juice. This drinks is named after Kurt Vonnegut’s book and rightfully so… it is fun, funky, and quite original.

Finish up your night at Lion Pub @ 2062 Divisadero St
Get one of their always refreshing mojitos or greyhounds: freshly pressed fruit juice mixed with a selection of fine spirits. It is the perfect way to end your evening.

So get out and get swanky this weekend… oh ya, and please take cabs… you will be in no shape to drive