From March 16th to 20th, DH & I spent 5 glorious days in San Francisco to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary! By the end of our stay, we were left wondering why we hadn't been back to the city in which we honeymooned until now? We had such a great time!

We booked a BCAA vacation package that included air & hotel. We made reservations for 4 nights at the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square >.

Because the flight from Vancouver to San Francisco is just over two hours, I had the bright idea to take an early morning flight on Monday to SF and an evening flight home on Friday. That way we would have 5 full days & 4 nights. In my excitement, I booked our tickets and then started to calculate what time we would have to be at the airport, what time we would have to leave the house to get to the airport, and what time we would have to wake up!!! Our flight was scheduled to depart at 6:00 am. Oh, dear!

In preparation for our trip, I began to look into restaurants. San Francisco being a city that is so ethnically diverse, I knew there would be all sorts of possibilities for dining! So, after doing some reading in guidebooks and online sources, I posed a question here and true to form, Fodorites came through with wonderful suggestions. I began to make reservations via email directly with the restaurants up to four weeks prior to our trip.

Also, instead of taking a cab to & from the airport, we decided to leave our car at the Park N Fly at YVR. A complimentary shuttle bus provided transporation between the lot and the terminal. The entire process from drop off to pick up was very simple & efficient and for us, cheaper than the cab fare! We would do that again for a short trip!

The Chancellor Hotel provided a perfect stay for us! It has the charm & features of an older hotel - established in 1914. Our standard room (#601) was comfortable with its fresh, updated & contemporary decor. The room faced Powell Street. The sound-proofing is very good & we enjoyed peaceful sleeps. The service was outstanding. The location near Union Square and on the Powell-Hyde Street cable car line is convenient to shops, restaurants & other transportation links.

There were a few other things we noted. The hotel was able to honour our request for an early check-in! We were invited to sit in the bar area & have a cup of coffee while we waited a short time for our room to be ready. A bottle of sparkling white wine, two champagne glasses & a card with anniversary wishes were waiting for us in our room when we arrived! An umbrella is available in each room for guests' use. These small gestures made a big impact!

We were told many times that San Francisco was experiencing unseasonably warm weather! So, with our 3-day Muni passes and good walking shoes, DH & I explored and rediscovered the city in the sunshine. We went to many of the recommended tourist spots including Sausalito, all discussed here brilliantly by others. Needless to say, I took hundreds of photos and captured many wonderful memories!

The main event each evening for us was dinner! Here's a list of restaurants where we went:

Cafe de la Presse
352 Grant Avenue
www.cafedelapresse.com

Boulevard
One Mission Street
www.boulevardrestaurant.com

The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building #3
www.slanteddoor.com

Perbacco
230 California Street
www.perbaccosf.com

For lunch:

Poggio
777 Bridgeway, Sausalito
www.poggiotrattoria

Colibri Mexican Bistro
438 Geary Street
www.colibrimexicanbistro.com

Each restaurant provided a unique & wonderful dining experience! They were all superb!

We had our anniversary dinner at Boulevard. It was very special!

By the way, the night before we left for San Francisco, DH & I were both so excited that we got very little sleep! So it didn't really matter that our alarm clock was set for 2:55am! Fortunately, we were able to nap on the airplane. By the time we had settled in our hotel room, we were energized & ready to hit the streets and we never stopped for those 5 days & 4 nights!

2010

2010, that sounds like a great trip, and congrats on your 25th anniversary.

How was The Red Door? That's one place I wanted to try in SF, but did not get the chance.

Glad to hear you had a great time. SF is an amazing city!

Haapy 25th Anniversary!

I also made the mistake in the past of choosing an early flight (around 7ish, not 6am!) before I realized how early I had to get up!

San Francisco is such a great city that you should go back more often, esp given it's such a short flight.

Glad you had such a nice visit - happy anniversary!

Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary to you two 2010! San Francisco is a wonderful place to celebrate a special occassion.

Were you surprised at all the changes in SF? I haven't been to your beautiful city that I love so much for quite awhile and imagine it has a lot of changes too.

I smiled at your not being able to sleep the night before your trip as I usually am the same way. Plus I am always worried I will not hear the alarm clock as I am a very heavy sleeper.

Glad that you had a great time. Come back next year!

I also had a really good experience at the Chancellor. I think it is an excellent value.

How was Perbacco? Do you remember what you ordered? Pasta? Cheese course? Details!!

Thanks for all your replies!

smetz: The Slanted Door was an amazing experience! It's busy, high energy, crowded, noisy - definitely make a reservation!!!

The food is served family-style. Our server recommended that we select two appetizers, one main dish, a vegetable & rice to share.

We ordered:
>crispy imperial rolls
>barbecued pork spareribs with honey-hoisin sauce
>stir-fried chicken with gingko nuts, Chinese dates, raisins, walnuts & cashews
>baby spinach with garlic and carmelized shallots
>jasmine rice

Beautiful flavours! And plentiful food for two! They also serve some interesting green and herbal teas. I had the Jade Spring green tea. You will love it!

Also, the website for Poggio is www.poggiotrattoria.com. Sorry for the error!



2010

Excellent report and a belated congrats!

We stayed away from SF for a few years awhile back. When we "returned", we forgot how great of a city it is, warts and all.

Perbacco....hmmmm....that names rings a bell.

Hi! LoveItaly:

Yes, there were a number of changes that we noticed after 25 years!

In 1984, the city of SF was in its second year of rebuilding the cable car system. To our disappointment, the cable cars were not running! So, we were thrilled to ride the cable cars up and down the hills on this trip! We certainly got our money's worth from the Muni Passes we purchased!

Of course, there has been development in the downtown core - the Westfield SF Center - & on the waterfront - the Ferry Building Marketplace. SOMA is a neighbourhood we felt safe to explore a bit! We noticed the Pacific Telephone Building looked vacant and we were wondering what plans are in the works for it.

The variety & quality of restaurant choices are incredible - at all price points! In 1984, we had a very special dinner in restaurant at Grand Hyatt Hotel. I think in those days most fine dining establishments were in hotels!!!

Sadly, like in Vancouver, homelessness & panhandlers were more apparent this trip.

Fisherman's Wharf & Sausalito were touristy when we were there last but at least they were fun places to poke around for a few hours. I am not sure what is happening at Ghirardelli Square. These well-known SF sights are not what they used to be!

BUT we do love the neighbourhoods, the vibrant atmosphere of the city and the friendliness of folks in SF!!! There's still great shopping, too!

2010

Hi! iamq:

The front door at Perbacco opens in to a lively bar area and a gorgeous restaurant! We were seated upstairs where it was quieter. I think I would have preferred a table on the main floor, nearer the action! You may, too!

We had an excellent meal with service to match. Yes, we were well cared for!

DH had:
>radicchio salad/fennel/red onion/ricotta salata
>beef short rib stracotto/root vegetable puree/turnip/roasted cipolline
>rhubarb crostata/ice cream

I had:
>salad of roasted red & golden beets/arugula/castelmagno cheese/white balsamic vinaigrette
>pappardelle/short rib ragu/horseradish
>pistachio panne cotta

Perbacco has a good wine list. We chose a red wine from Umbria.

We had a fabulous evening!

2010

Last I heard was they were thinking time shares/condos at Ghirardelli Square.

Compared to 30 years ago, both the Cannery & Ghirardelli have become mostly infested with the T-Shirt shops & other tacky stuff that is prevelent on the main strip of Fisherman's Wharf. Back in the 70s, my wife & I loved going to Ghiradelli & the Cannery to wander around - but not now. Other locals stopped going also, and Ghiradelli became mostly offices for some dot-coms and I think some local chain like Smith & Hawkins. There were actually very few retail shops there about 3 years ago when we happened to wander through - and about half of the retail spaces were vacant. About two years ago, the owners decided to close much of Ghirardelli down and convert the upper floors into luxury timeshare condos. I havn't been back recently, so I don't know what's happening with the former retail spaces.

Stu Dudley

2010,
The parpadelle is good isn't it? I actually like sitting upstairs, of course we were with some very soft spoken folks so it was easier to hear them.

WHAT? WHO YOU TALKIN' 'BOUT?

That beet salad is to die for.

I've had the Tajarin with the 5 hr pork sugo a couple of times. Tutto bene!

Salumi misti platter is never a bad choice.

Some time has passed, I know but I thought I would add some more details about how we spent our days in San Francisco. Much of what we planned focussed on revisiting places we saw 25 years ago and of course, eating!!! Here goes ...

Day 1: After settling in our room at the Chancellor Hotel, we headed next door to Sears for breakfast. DH had Joannie's omelet & I had crispy pecan waffles with sausage. We were seated, served & out the door in a leisurely 25 minutes! Yes, it was just as we remembered - plentiful food & efficient service!

We began our day with a quest for a restaurant for this evening's dinner. We decided to make reservations at Cafe de la Presse on Grant Street @ Bush not far from our hotel.

Then armed with a map & Access San Francisco, we walked through Chinatown & up Nob Hill past the Fairmont & Mark Hopkins Hotel. Reached the top & wandered around the Pacific Union Club, an exclusive private men's club in a beautiful Edwardian brownstone. Very posh!

Across a small park stood Grace Cathedral, an Episcopalian church. It was modelled after Notre Dame in Paris. The beautiful rose window was created in Chartes & the entry was amazing with its Doors of Paradise which were made from the same mold used for Ghiberti's Bapistry in Florence. Its interior was lovely!

Made our way down some very steep streets to Powell Street and noted that cars park at 90 degrees to the curb! Back at our hotel room for a cold drink & a short nap.

Dinner at Cafe de la Presse. It is a casual French bistro serving authentic bistro food. Attractive room. Good service. Good food.

DH had:
roasted beet salad with fennel, water cress, greens, pecans & roquefort cheese
margret de canard
sarladaise potatoes

I had:
confit de canard
sarladaise potatoes
spinach side

We had a carafe of the house red wine & ended with espresso.

Took a longer route around Union Square as we strolled back to the hotel.

Day 2: Happy St. Patrick's Day! Happy Anniversary!

Breakfast at Sears - so convenient to have it just next door! DH had Joannie's omelet again while I had the signature 18 small pancakes. Hardy way to begin the day!

We purchased our 3 day Muni Passes ($18 X 2) and a transit map ($3)at the kiosk at the foot of Powell Street. On Market Street, we hopped on the F-line street car to the Ferry Building. We wandered through the market place which was lined with interesting merchant stalls & specialty shops. Sunlight from a dramatic skylight floods the interior corridor.

What began as a foggy morning transformed into a sunny afternoon. We decided to walk from the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero to Pier 39. Along the way we walked to the end of Pier 7 where public fishing is allowed and enjoyed the views of the bay and back to the city - the Transamerican Pyramid & Coit Tower.

Fisherman's Wharf is abound with tourists & trinket shops but it was here that we stopped for lunch! At Pier Market Restaurant, we sat outside & enjoyed the cool breezes. Lunch of fish & chips & a crab meat sandwich was just enough to sustain us. We were dazzled by the flower boxes with colourful Spring flowers all in bloom! (Remember we had left dreary, gray Vancouver behind!) From the boardwalk, we looked across to Alcatraz & the Golden Gate Bridge.

From Fisherman's Wharf, we walked over to the Cannery to catch the Hyde/Powell Street Cable Car. What a ride! What amazing views! What fun!

Our anniversary dinner was at Boulevard - stunning interiors with beautiful mosaic tile floors, interesting coloured glass pendant lampshades, views of the Bay Bridge & the harbour and AMAZING food! What a special evening it was!

DH & I had roasted golden beet salad with roquefort cheese, rhubarb, honey walnuts & greens.

DH had pork prime rib chop, wood oven roasted.
I had Atlantic sea bass sauteed & roasted with porcini butter.

We both ended with warm rhubarb turnover, with rhubarb sorbet & pistachio ice cream and a thin slice of chocolate with Happy Anniversary written on it! Lovely!

We had a bottle of Villa Mas Maha, California Red Villa Creek Cellars. Superb!

More to follow ...

2010

Oh goody!

Day 3: To Luques, the hotel restaurant for a quick breakfast: DH had an omelette & I had the Protester's Breakfast of juice, toast, yoghurt & coffee. Nice change for me!

Caught the F-line tram to the Ferry Building. We bought return tickets to Sausalito ($29.80). When we boarded the 10:15 ferry, we left in the fog. We arrived in Sausalito 30 minutes later with blue skies overhead. Our first order of business: locate Poggio & make lunch reservations!

Next, we wandered along Bridgeway Boulevard enjoying the views, window shopping & explored back streets up the hill. We wandered through some art galleries and saw some beautiful glass work! We did buy a slightly-tacky Christmas tree ornament - a glass cable car! It will hang on our tree next to the wooden cable car we bought in 1984!

We were seated at a window table at Poggio. DH had veal ravioli (agnolini) with lima beans & mushrooms and I had melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi with ragu! Lunch was definitely the highlight of our day trip!

We caught the 1:55 ferry back to the city. The sun was shining & the temperature was 67 degrees F. It was lovely!

Tonight's dinner was at the Slanted Door in the Ferry Building. Another wonderful meal as described before.

We tried to walk off a few calories by walking up California Street to find tomorrow night's restaurant - Perbacco. Hopped on the cable car back to the hotel.

Still more to come ...

2010

Day 4: A light breakfast at the hotel this morning. We grabbed our Muni passes and headed out! Caught the cable car on Powell Street.

First stop, the Cable Car Museum & Barn (free). Very cool to see the mechanics of the cable car, the artifacts & stories about its history. Neat stuff!

Next stop, Lombard Street for a photo op then onto Ghirardelli Square. Another cable car ride along California Street to the end of the line. A short walk along Van Ness brought us to San Francisco's Civic Centre: city hall, the opera house, the main library & other handsome buildings.

Tram ride along Market Street to just short of Powell where we disembarked. There was a protest ahead & transit was not able to get through! Back to the hotel after lunch of Rueben sandwiches at Sears. DH relaxed in the room while I spent a few hours window shopping!

Dinner tonight was at Perbacco. It was excellent!

Back at the hotel, we changed into our jeans & comfortable shoes. We needed to walk off some of the calories we've consumed! Ended up in the bookstore down the street. A lovely way to end the evening!

Day 5: A leisurely day planned - our last one! Breakfast in the hotel. We checked out but left our luggage there for the day.

I had done some shopping during the week - Sephora's, Brooks Brothers, Macy's - but I saved the best for last ... Nordstrom for a total shoe experience! Even DH was impressed by the service & selection! Note to self: spend more time in Westfield San Francisco Centre the next time we are here!

With shopping bag in hand, we walked to Yerba Buena Gardens in SOMA where we saw cascading fountains, butterfly gardens, benches for sitting, restaurants with views - an oasis in the middle of the city, especially on such a gorgeous day! There is a very moving peace memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. Galleries, a theatre & the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art are nearby. In 25 years, SOMA has become a more vibrant area!

Lunch at Colibri Mexican Bistro. Charming interior with an enormous wooden bar & an interesting wrought iron chandelier. Lively traditional music filled the room! Colibri serves Mexican cuisine from central Mexico - Mexican food unlike anything we've had before!

We had a complimentary appetizer of 3 salsas (spicy tomato, green tomato & sweet yellow melon) with handmade torillas.

DH had pork carnitas served with guajillo and chile de arbol salsa. I had chile rellenos (fire roasted poblano chile stuffed with vegetables and cheese) over a black bean sauce.

For dessert, we shared a mango creme brule.

I tried to get an early dinner reservation for Monday night but unfortunately we could not get seating at the time we wanted. We were glad to be able to have lunch at Colibri.

We went to see the SF Artist Guild show on Union Square. Wonderful to see & chat with local artists & artisans. We sat on the steps, soaked up the sun & people watched! We were told that the weather was unseasonably warm this week - lucky us!

Back at the hotel, we picked up our prearranged shuttle, Lorrie's Airport Service ($14.00 X 2). We arrived at the airport to catch our flight home.

Ironically, we found ourselves going through McDonald's drive-through at midnight! Definitely not up to this week's standard but it did hit the spot!

As I said at the beginning ... upon our return, we were left wondering why we hadn't returned to San Francisco in 25 years? We will not let so many years pass again before we return!

2010