MichelleY's Weekend in San Francisco
 

February 22 - 24, 2013

DH and I had a wine tasting event to pour for on Friday, Feb. 22, in Alameda:

http://www.psiloveyou.org/

So, we decided to make a weekend of it, and stay in San Francisco. After the event, we headed to the city and stayed at the Worldmark at Bush and Stockton Streets. We had some points to burn and were able to get two nights at the last minute. This location is handy, about a block either way from Union Square or Chinatown.

On Saturday morning, we had a reservation for a City Guides tour of the Fairmont Hotel at 11. In order to save time, we headed to the Fairmont for breakfast. Pricey, as I didn't want $15 bacon and eggs, so got the muesli with yogurt. Yummy and more than enough! Our niece, who lives a few blocks away, joined us for the tour. The tour was excellent and very interesting and lasted about 2 hours. Afterwards, we took our niece to the Top of the Mark for a light lunch and wine. We then headed to her apartment to visit for a bit before going back to our hotel for a nap.

http://www.sfcityguides.org/

That evening was the Chinese New Year Parade and lucky us; it passed just a block down from our hotel! We crossed over to the Stockton Street garage and watched from there. We then headed for dinner at Gitane on Claude Lane. This is a Spanish influenced place with good reviews. We enjoyed it. The food was very creative and good as were the cocktails. We had a suckling pig appetizer. DH had the rabbit and I had the quail for the main course. We had the buñuelos for dessert. We really liked our meals but you definitely need the appetizer to feel full as the portions are on the small side. With dessert, we were definitely full!

http://www.gitanerestaurant.com/

Afterwards, we walked thru Chinatown and I bought some fireworks ;)

The next day, we had breakfast at a place at Powell & Bush called Roxanne's. The wait was only about 5 minutes and the food good. Yelp reviews are all over the place but we thought it was fine and would go back.
http://www.nobhilldining.com/RoxanneCafe/Home.htm

We decided before heading home, to drive out towards the beach and Cliff House area. We drove out on Broadway, wandered over to check out Union Street, then drove down Steiner to catch Geary. While on Geary, I saw a sign for the Columbarium. I remember seeing Huell Howser visiting this place,so we detoured to spend about an hour there. This place was fascinating, beautiful but also a bit creepy in that cemetery way. I have never seen anything like this. Interesting history. Some new buildings have been added in the last year or so.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/s...co-columbarium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune...ty_Columbarium

We finished up the weekend by driving down to Lake Merced. Then over the San Mateo bridge and back through the East Bay. Overall, a great time in one of our favorite places.

thanks for this report! we are plannng a trip soon.

It's not often I see Columbarium mentioned. Remember it as an interesting place to visit.

I went to a funeral there once.

Hi, Michelle,

Thanks for a brief but stimulating TR!

Curiosity question: were you the pourers or the owners during PS Iloveyou?

Ah, the Columbarium! I have a very close relative buried?/encased?/??? - probably best is "shelved" - there. Not her exactly, her ashes having been scattered all over (can't remember where her children said they were scattered). She was a bit eccentric, a bit of an Auntie Mame type. So, M, RIP wherever you're floating to at the moment.

We were pouring our label. We are growers and have some wine made from our grapes. DH is on the PS I Love You board, so likes to support the event by pouring.

Michelle: How great! :)

Do you grow only Syrah or do you have other varieties as well?

No wonder you know so much about the Lodi area! Are you grapes in the Lodi area? Hot sun, terrific for growing anything!

That Sunday morning, at Roxanne's, I was telling my husband about the Brown twins and how they hung out across the street at Uncle Vito's. Later we saw that the one sister's ashes are interred at the Columbarium's new buildings.

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/articl...es-4186519.php

Not Syrah, Petite Sirah. Not the same grape. We grow lots of grapes and many varieties. We are in the Clarksburg AVA. A little cooler than Lodi.

http://www.clarksburgwinecountry.com/

Sounds like so much fun!

Saw a photo of your DH (handsome as ever O:) ) - and I <i>think</i> one of the two of you from behind your table.

Yes, Kal has a bromance going with my DH.

Thanks for the report, MichelleY, and thanks for all the help on my California planning.

Your trip comprises enormous fun and adventures.
You described your trip in a decent way as well. Your photos were great.