For decades, the century-old Magneta Grandfather Clock at The Westin St. Francis was a popular meeting spot in San Francisco, bringing to life the phrase "Meet me at the clock." This social tradition died long ago, but Michael Mina hopes for a revival with the opening of his first-ever cocktail lounge, located just off the hotel’s historical lobby.

The CLOCK BAR opens to the public today, but I got a sneak-peek of the posh new venue this past weekend. My takeaway: everything from the décor to the cocktails reeks of style.

Get there early to claim a desirable piece of bar real estate - for no other reason than to catch a glimpse of the eye candy serving up the drinks. Sip on a Chartreuse Swizzle - I tried several of the signature cocktails, but this was my favorite. And order the lobster chopped salad, the lamb tenderloin panini or a charcuterie plate - Daily Candy recommends stuffing your face only after you’ve determined that there are no potential Mack Daddies in the house.

So, what do you say, meet me at the clock?!

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Posted in Culinary Travel, San Francisco
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Last Wednesday, as California's inland temperatures crawled toward the 100-degree mark, I joined some colleagues on a jaunt to the Napa Valley. Despite dry, smoke-hazed air from all of the state's wildfires, and despite a sun so big and bright it’d scared away all the clouds, I was not going to let anything like a little heatstroke deter me from doing the number-one thing people come to the Napa Valley to do: savor that exalted wine.

The day turned out to be a total treat and the heat barely registered, thanks to the following tips:

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Sierra.

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Posted in California, Culinary Travel, San Francisco
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Well, I've yet to indulge in the New American cuisine, so I can’t speak for his food...but his dimples are absolutely to die for!

Ryan Scott (a.k.a. THE mega-hottie from Bravo’s Top Chef) is now steaming-up the kitchen at San Francisco’s Mission Beach Café. SF foodies can tell you: even pre-Ryan, this ultra-mod café was a neighborhood hotspot. And the proof is in the huevos.

Recently awarded 7x7 magazine’s pick for Best Brunch, this place is where you want to be on a Saturday morning. Heck, who wouldn’t want to start their day with Ryan Scott cookin’ them some eggs?

Besides, brunch is one of Ryan’s specialties. Just to give you a little taste of what to expect, the menu features Soufflé Pancakes with Blueberry Cream ($10); Mission Beach Egg Sandwich on a Housemade English Muffin with Roasted Tomato, Caramelized Onion, White Cheddar and Potatoes ($7.50); Citrus Cured Salmon, Potato Latkes, Poached Eggs, Hollandaise, Housemade Crème Fraîche ($13.50); and more.

Hey, Ryan, I can’t make up my mind! What does the executive chef recommend?

Photo by Chris Andre.

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Posted in Culinary Travel, San Francisco
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Last Thursday, May 15, a jolt of the non-earthquake variety struck California. In a four-to-three decision, the state Supreme Court struck down its ban on same-sex marriage, essentially upholding San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s controversial decision to allow gay marriages in February 2004.

A second jolt came this Tuesday, when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a longtime opponent of gay marriage, remarked, “I hope that California's economy is booming because everyone is going to come here and get married.” Arnold is completely behind the decision.

Schwarzenegger’s support, though unprecedented, is certainly not unfounded. Yesterday, the Bay Area Reporter, the region’s most prominent gay newspaper, cited a 2005 study that found that the legalization of gay marriage could cause a net tourism impact of up to $567.3 million in business revenue and $41.1 million in new sales tax revenues for the state. Calculations like this explain why a mere 11 minutes after the court’s website posted the decision, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau publicly hailed the justices’ ruling.

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Posted in California, Gay & Lesbian Travel, San Francisco
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Rick Steves shows us Europe off the beaten path. Jacques Cousteau plunged us into fascinating underwater habitats. And Anthony Bourdain brings culinary bravado from around the world right to your T.V. screen.

Now, video artists Lauren Tabak and Alexa Inkeles take us along on intimate city tours by those who know the inner workings of the urban world better than most: Rock stars.

Why rock stars? Being an aspiring one myself (albeit on a relatively small scale--insert self-deprecating laugh track here, please), I can personally attest to the vibrant social life of the musician trying to move on up in a fast-paced industry. What gives rock stars such a well-framed perspective on city hotspots is that they know where the good times are. After all, it is their job.

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Posted in Offbeat, San Francisco, South America
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If you're still looking for Mr. Right or Ms. Walks-on-Air this February 14th, you might wonder if your chances would be improved by a visit to Valentine, Texas or Valentine, Nebraska. Recently a single friend suggested I write a travel blog called: You Don't Have to Go to Alaska to Meet the Man of Your Dreams. She wanted me to figure out where the most single men live so that she could vacation accordingly.

The travel matchmaker is in. After quite a bit of research, I have some basic findings to report. If you're looking to meet a single guy, go west. If you're looking to meet a single girl, it's time to visit the East. As this helpful map from National Geographic shows, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans, and Miami are chockfull of single women.

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Posted in Austin, Bars & Nightlife, California, Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas, New York City, Offbeat, San Francisco, Texas
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I remember the first time I went to Guerneville. I was young, naive, and--perhaps most relevantly--freshly out of the closet. After a month-long road trip up to Washington and Canada, my then-girlfriend Amanda and I were hauling back down to our home turf in Los Angeles. We drove through thousands of miles of unknown, un-gay terrain. Amanda peeled the rainbow sticker off the bumper of her Saturn, and we both sunk low into our seats and tried to look less gay.

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Posted in Gay & Lesbian Travel, San Francisco
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As a seasoned San Franciscan, I can tell you a lot about the Golden Gate Bridge. I can also talk your ears off on the subjects of crooked Lombard Street, funky Haight-Ashbury, our fleet of highly polished retro-chic cable cars, or even eccentric local legends Emperor Norton and Frank Chu.

My grasp of San Francisco lore unravels, though, once the subject turns toward the city’s spookier aspects (excepting, of course, the infamous Zodiac Killer. He’s got his own blockbuster film, after all). Otherwise, I don’t know much about the haunted parts of the Bay Area. Ghosts, ghouls, and graveyards--this fascinating side of the city always seem to come alive as Halloween approaches at this dark time of year.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member kona.

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Posted in California, Educational & Historic, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Festivals & Events, Holiday & Seasonal, Louisiana, New Orleans, San Francisco
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What’s better than a relaxing day off work spent lounging in the countryside? Nothing, except that same day spent imbibing some of California’s finest wines, nibbling on exquisite appetizers, and chatting with friendly vintners in a quaint, bucolic atmosphere.

I just got back from a one-day wine tasting excursion to Napa Valley. Napa is a world-famous destination for wine lovers of all kinds, and is also known for its lush scenery. Framed by rolling hills shrouded in stout oak trees, and sprinkled liberally with brilliant California poppies, olive trees, and those famous vineyards, Napa is a true treat for the senses, even for those who are not particularly wine-inclined.

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Posted in Culinary Travel, Festivals & Events, Nature & Outdoors, San Francisco
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I’m torn. Austin or San Francisco?

Travel+Leisure magazine asks travelers to rank America’s favorite cities in a poll that features 25 of the countries best destinations. Some of my personal favorites made the ballot – Charleston, New Orleans, New York, Austin and San Francisco – but my vote for number one came down to two inspiring cities that are actually very similar to one another.

Both Austin and San Francisco have a hip and funky vibe, but the similarities that stand out to me are their live music hot spots, love of food and outdoor pursuits. Growing up in Texas, Austin has always been one of my favorite weekend getaways. It’s a haven for music junkies and bar flies with blocks and blocks of local pubs, Mexican food joints and live music dives. Similarly, SF (my new home) boasts a bar on every block, worldly cuisine and iconic music venues.

With these two cities on the list, I’m struggling to cast my vote (maybe I’ll just cheat and vote for both!). What’s your favorite American city?

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Posted in Austin, Polls & Studies, San Francisco
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As far as holidays are concerned, the Fourth of July ranks up there with Halloween and my birthday. (Basically, I like anything that involves parties or presents.) So today is a big day for me, especially since it’s my first year to spend the 4th in my new hometown of San Francisco. Heck, I even bought a new outfit!

For San Franciscans, the Fourth can be either the best celebration on earth or a complete and total flop, depending on whether or not the fog rolls in to block your view of the fireworks. I’ll be spending my night at a party in Fort Mason, watching a few bands and celebrating the 4th in style. (And by that, I mean that I got a really cute outfit!) With a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the East Bay, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a clear night and a good view.

When the rockets red glare this July 4, where will you be celebrating?

Photo Courtesy of IgoUgo member mtemail.

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Posted in Holiday & Seasonal, San Francisco
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I’ve often wondered why so many Americans are obese when places like Wal-Mart and Target are so enormous that surely just walking from Electrical to Greeting Cards must burn off a few hundred calories.

And so I wasn’t particularly surprised when I read that some Las Vegas tourists--exhausted, evidently, by strolling from casino to buffet and back to casino again--are hiring motorized bikes to navigate the Strip.

Called “mobility scooters,” these controversial forms of transportation were originally intended for the elderly, infirm, or disabled--all people who should, without question, be able to use them to make their vacation a little easier. But for $40 a pop, perfectly able-bodied patrons are hiring their own mobility scooters to make that afternoon walk from the Luxor to the Bellagio, well, a drive.

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Posted in Health & Wellness, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Travel News
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I'm not a big hiker. To be honest, I'm not really a big exerciser. Sure, I drag myself to the gym every few days and walk 50 minutes roundtrip to and from work, but I only manage to do the former because it's in the lobby of my office building, and I certainly make up for the latter with supplementary trips to the candy bowl. (Supplementary to the candy I'm already eating, you understand. Because I need my strength with all that walking!)

And so this weekend when the mercury hit the high 70s in San Francisco and my boyfriend dragged me out of the house for some fresh air--some fresh hillside air--I wasn't too into it. Because although my single greatest achievement in life is the completion of a four-hour hike over the Great Wall of China in 90 degree heat and badly-fitting shoes, I only really did that by accident. (I thought we were going to a nice busy spot, where I could take a few pictures, wander around a little, and buy some postcards. I didn't know we'd be trekking from one remote spot to the other, with only a few hastily-made peanut butter sandwiches and a can of overpriced Pringles for sustenance.) In the end, the hike was fun, of course, but it was fun in the way that eating ten Snickers bars in a row is fun. Which is to say, I probably wouldn't want to do it again.

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Posted in Health & Wellness, Nature & Outdoors, San Francisco, Ski & Sport
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Never mind being a bodyguard to Britney Spears or part of the burgeoning Jolie-Pitt clan, if you want a little attention when you’re out and about, try traveling with the Travelocity Roaming Gnome.

On my flight back to San Francisco yesterday, I had a very special companion in my hand luggage--an 18-inch garden gnome in a pointy red hat, who couldn’t have attracted more glances, stares, and chuckles if he’d tried. Normally, in the face of such blatant public scrutiny, I would have run straight to the restroom to check my teeth for spinach or my shoes for errant spools of toilet paper, wondering why everyone from kids in strollers to 89-year-old grandmothers had executed a double take as I passed. But with the Roaming Gnome tucked under my arm I quickly became accustomed to the attention. The little fellow’s a legend after all. He’s used to being recognized.

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Posted in Air Travel, Celebrities, Group & Companion, San Francisco, Security & Safety
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While I don’t discount the efficiency of the subway or the ease of hailing a cab, I’ve always thought the best way to discover a new city was by walking. I’ve hoofed it through Hanoi, sauntered around Shanghai, and pounded the pavement in Paris. And since I’m likely to be both on a budget and indulging in a host of new gastronomic delicacies when traveling, it certainly doesn’t hurt that walking is not only free but also excellent exercise.

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Posted in Health & Wellness, Polls & Studies, San Francisco
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I grew up in a place no one visits. To be fair to the people who never go there, there’s not a lot of draw in Fargo, North Dakota. While a growing number of quality of life studies underscore plenty of things about Fargo that lure folks to live there, there’s not much average tourists (excluding Roger Maris fans) would go out of their way to see, as they might for, say, the Great Wall of China, or Machu Picchu. (Although, have you seen the Hjemkomst Center? Okay, so maybe it’s technically in Minnesota – but you can see it from Fargo if you stand in the right spot…I know, I’m grasping.)

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Posted in San Francisco
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The Year of the Pig begins on Sunday, and condom sales are super sluggish in China and South Korea. You can read that line again, but it’s not a non-sequitur. This Chinese New Year, the presiding pig sign brings especially good fortune to anyone born during its reign. As a result, lots of people are getting busy trying to make babies. And I mean lots: Many Chinese maternity hospitals are booked up for the rest of the year, and a population surge is expected across the country, according to CNN.

If this sounds like a compelling reason to learn more about Chinese culture, you need not dig a hole to China. The good news for those of us on a limited budget is that there are Lunar New Year celebrations taking place much closer to home.

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Posted in Festivals & Events, Holiday & Seasonal, San Francisco
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If I had a nickel for every time a fellow transplanted Californian and I had this conversation...

What good is a Steve Hanson-ish up-market Mexican restaurant in Manhattan--with its artisanal tequila tastings-this and wood-fired mole-that--when all I want is a $3 burrito? Sure, I’ll order one of their burritos for lunch, just to sate the craving for something carby and rectangular that’s topped with guac and sour cream. But nothing satisfies like a burrito from La Taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission.

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