On the 6th, we were with our closest friends (the ones who have the house in Tuscany) celebrating her 60th birthday dining at Aziza on Geary. The next night, her husband paid for rooms at the Queene Anne Hotel for us & 6 other couples for a "gala" & a catered dinner by "Straits Cafe" in the Queen Anne's dining room. Saturday afternoon, I led a "Stairway Walk" through Russian Hill for all 16 of us. On Sunday, my wife led the "Victorian San Francisco" City Guides walk for the group of 16. The friends stayed with us for a week (they now live in Maine), and my wife & her hit my wife's favorite knitting stores (best was the one Imaginit on 18th & Sanchez). One night for dinner, we indulged on Dungeness Crab we bought at Half Moon Bay. On a prior day, the "girls" had a lunchen for our friend's former work associates at the R&G Lounge in the City, while the "guys" had lunch at the counter at Tadich and visited some old "haunts" in the Financial District on foot.

Life in the Bay Area is a struggle!

Otherwise, I would have joined you. Perhaps next time.

Stu Dudley

Oh Stu, do you ever have the Petrale Sole at Tadich? I love it. Grumpy employees and all!!

Bonsoir Stu,
" Life in the Bay Area is a struggle" LOL

I would like to bring the Yankee to visit and offer him the choice of that sort of suffering :)

"That area was entirely wiped out by the '06 earthquake & fire The Victorian building period ended prior to 1900. May have been Edwardian style."


yea, see what you mean Chrissem, that's about as rude as a post can be.

shame on you stu.

say what?

sorry, i meant marymg, not chrissem.

>>Oh Stu, do you ever have the Petrale Sole at Tadich? I love it. Grumpy employees and all!!<<

I cook Pertale at home all the time - had some last night. I usually order Rex Sole or Sand Dabs at Tadish, along with clam chowder and creamed spinach. Had Rex Sole on this last visit.

We were at Sams a couple of days after Christmas. Had the Rex Sole there. I'm sure the raw fish was the same quality/freshness at both restaurants, but Tadish was definatly better. Most people cook sole too long - which I think Sams did, or left it under the warming heat-lamp too long. I also thought the clam chowder was better at Tadich, but the spinach was better at Sams. Sams also has the best tarter sauce.

Up intil January, there was a moratorium on Petrale in the area - so no fresh stuff was available - only frozen. Same with Sand Dabs. This was the first moratorium on Petrale that I can remember. We get it year-round here.

I usually sit at the very first counter seat past the "cocktail" seats. I always get the same waiter - I think he's German or perhaps eastern European. This is probably over 10 years that I've always been served by him. He is very efficient & always keeps my tarter sauce dish full and also my wine glass.

It's a great place to people watch. You can go there and just get a bowl of clam chowder.

Stu Dudley

OK,
Everyone, I get the hint. I just felt kind of put down. Maybe I was overly sensitive. See, I'm big enough to admit that I'm wrong. I'm sorry, also. Next time I won't take it so personal. I also thought that there were still victorian houses and hotels built after that fire. I knew about the fire but didn't know that that was the case. Anyway, if anyone will listen to me now, the Golden Gate Hotel is a really cute hotel and I don't know what period it is, but they have a website. Now, can I still post on this website?

MaryMG, I think every poster had some kind of mis-haps here on Fodor's. Welcome to our crazy cyber-community :-o

The next step for you is to learn to use the smileys \:D/

Yes, how do you use the smileys?

Stu, I did not know there was a moratorium on Petrale, know I know why I was not able to buy it!! I cook it at home also. Just bought some Petrale the other day, a beautiful piece and enjoyed it so much. And I agree, it is important not to overcook it. It is so easy to cook however I don't know why more people don't prepare it.

BTW, regarding Sam's. Do they have new owners now (last couple of years)? A friend said they did..I was curious. Thanks.

>>Do they have new owners now (last couple of years)? A friend said they did..I was curious. Thanks.<<

Yes they do - they took over in December or November, I believe.

Stu Dudley

Marymg, when did you stay at the Golden Gate Hotel? It's one of the places I'm considering for our 2007 trip.

Lee Ann

EleniiDillPickle,
We stayed at the Golden Gate Hotel 4 years ago. It was run by a really nice retired couple. Hope it works out for you.

it was very big of you to admit you were wrong, marymg. now it's time for me to admit maybe i'm being overly sensitive about people being too quick to leap. ever since this place turned into a "let's see who we can ban today because he's crossed us (the editor)" i spend less and less time here. everyone seems to be on the edge these day.

I will agree with you that everyone does seem to be on edge. I always do admit when I'm wrong. I only wish more people I come in contact with would also. Anyway, enough of that, this should still be a San Francisco Hotel thread.

Hola Stu,
If you have nothing on your calendar for Tuesday 4 April, send me an e-mail and we'll buy dinner.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
[email protected]

I used Priceline last summer (my first time) and got a rock-bottom rate at the Hotel Palomar in Union Square.

A first-rate throughly modern hotel was had for $85 a nite!

Of course, having a car in SF can be more of a liability than an asset!

Thanks for answering, marymg - it looks like a lovely, friendly place. I suspect, though, that we will probably end up staying in the Marina/Cow Hollow area since we will have our car, and many places there have free parking.

Lee Ann

marymg-"Over sensitive" on the Fodor's board????
I've never seen it. :^o:^o:^o

M'mo-You in SF that week?!?!?!
"Gentlemen-Start your livers"!((B))

Kal,
I admitted a long time ago that I was wrong. Am I going to have repent for my sin for the rest of my life? I promise I will behave from now on.