PLACES TO EXPLORE OVER THE WEEKEND

Nightlife Spotlight:

Pisco Latin Lounge
1817 Market St. ( Gough St .) San Francisco , CA 94103
Phone: 415-874-9951
Website: http://www.piscosf.com/

Instantly popular, this newcomer in the Hayes Valley – ornamented with a pressed-tin ceiling and a bordello-red wall – liquors up a lively crowd with Argentinean, Chilean and Spanish wines and several varieties of its namesake spirit, which are mixed into many of the moderately priced classic and Latin-inspired cocktails; since the signature Pisco Punch packs one indeed, revelers are grateful for the menu of piqueos (small plates) from next-door neighbor Destino, the Peruvian restaurant under the same ownership.


New Restaurant:

Phat Philly
3388 24th St. (bet. Mission & Valencia Sts.) San Francisco , CA 94110
Phone: 415-550-7428
Website: n/a

Cheese steaks, regular-sized and 'phat', are the siren’s call at Phat Philly, a squeaky-clean, white-and-chrome Mission storefront that also serves beef sandwiches, chicken wings and veggie hoagies; purists will appreciate the Cheez Whiz topping and complimentary pepper bar, as well as the Tastykakes and fresh Amoroso's rolls shipped in from the City of Brotherly Love.


Local Fave:

Le Charm French Bistro
315 Fifth St. (bet. Folsom & Shipley Sts.) San Francisco , CA 94107
Phone: 415-546-6128
Website: http://www.lecharm.com/

Although this “aptly named” “romantic” little French joint “seems out of place in the SoMa loft zone”, it “delivers” the “well-prepared” “somewhat old-fashioned bistro food” it “promises” at “fire-sale prices”, including a “wonderful” $30 prix fixe that’s a “steal”; the “charming” “low-key” digs boast “lots of atmosphere” and a “quaint outdoor garden”, making it a “favorite lunch spot” on a “sunny day”, while service couldn’t be “sweeter.”

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & http://www.conciergesolutions-sf.com/

BEACH PARTY

"Beach Blanket Babylon"

San Francisco's cabaret show with an ever changing cast of pop culture characters, celebrates its 35Th anniversary this year, making it the nation's longest running musical revue.

Tickets. $ 25 - $ 78

415. 421. 4222

beachblanketbabylon.com

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & www.ConciergeSolutions-sf.com

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY! ...YEAR OF THE OX!

Chinese New Year 2009

Chinese New Year 2009 falls on 26th of January and will mark the 15 day long festivities going on till the 9th of February. The Chinese New Year is celebrated as the symbol of spring's celebration. In fact in China the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season. The date of the Chinese New Year is always changing and is dependant on the Chinese calendar.

The Chinese New Year is all about symbols of prosperity, good fortune, and good health. Hence the scramble for lucky charms, golden Buddhas, and tiny golden bells to ring are used to bring in the good luck of the new year. Also in the year of the Ox, anything jade is certain to attract the good fortunes in the coming year, while keeping water flowing is said to bring in great wealth.

Prior to the first day of the New Year it is customary for families to thoroughly clean their homes from top to bottom. Doing this is said to clear out any back luck from the previous year and to ready the house to accept good luck for the coming year. All cleaning must be finished before New Years Day so there is no chance of accidentally throwing out the good fortune of the new year. "Before New Years Day you want to buy new clothes or cut your hair" in order to have a fresh start. Wearing black is not allowed due to its association with death, however, wearing red is encouraged as the color is associated with warding off bad spirits.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year it is customary to visit with relatives and partake in a large dinner where a number of specific foods are served.

Typically families do eight or nine dishes because they are lucky numbers,"A lot of the foods are very symbolic," Some popular foods include: dumplings ("because they look like golden nuggets"), oranges ("because they are perfectly round, symbolizing completeness and wholeness"), and long noodles ("served to symbolize long life").
Sticky rice cakes and sweets are also served and are tied to a story about the Kitchen God-- a Santa Claus-like figure who reports to the Jade Emperor in heaven on whether families have been good or bad through the course of the year. According to legend, when families serve the Kitchen God sticky, delicious foods, his mouth gets stuck together and therefore he cannot report any bad things about the family to the Jade Emperor.

Researching for this article, I've learned so much more about the Chinese culture, I feel very lucky to live in a city with such cultural diversity.

THINGS TO TRY OVER THE WEEKEND

State Park Highlight:
Angel Island State Park
Angel Island , San Francisco Bay
Phone: 415-435-1915
Website: http://www.angelisland.org/

“Hop a ferry” for a “one-day getaway from civilization” at this “treasure in the middle of the Bay”; military mavens make for the “tram tours that visit army sites from the Civil War to the Cold War”, while weekend warriors reserve a campsite to enjoy “easy mountain biking”, “kayak tours around the island” (departing from Sausalito) or a “hike to the top” of Mount Livermore; P.S. “bring your own provisions”, as the island’s Cove Café operates seasonally.


Nightlife in the Mission :
Velvet Cantina
3349 23rd St. ( Bartlett St .) San Francisco , CA 94110
Phone: 415-648-4142
Website: http://www.velvetcantina.com/

Though most brave the long wait for a table, the better to enjoy huge helpings of nachos, tacos and chile con queso, night owls pack into the small bar area, content to quaff killer cocktails like pineapple margaritas and cilantro gimlets until 2 AM; the two low-ceilinged dining rooms, each lit with a dim amber glow, recall a Mexican saloon transplanted to the Mission, but instead of Guadalajarans you’ll probably see gringos and gringas swilling pitchers of sangria during raucous birthday celebrations.

Favourite Irish Pub:
Johnny Foley's
243 O'Farrell St. (bet. Mason & Powell Sts.) San Francisco , CA 94102
Phone: 415-954-0777
Website: http://www.johnnyfoleys.com/

This “loud”, “cavernous” public house just off Union Square “has all the Irish pub qualities in spades”: the “welcoming” ’tenders serve “cold drafts and stiff drinks” (try the “killer Bloody Marys”), and “there’s great pub grub” too; join the “convivial” crowd downstairs and “enjoy the music and a draft” – “trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & http://www.conciergesolutions-sf.com/

Ballet's 76th Season Opening-Night Gala

San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director, Helgi Tomasson hosts Russian Treasures, the Ballet's 76th season opening-night gala. The evening includes dinner starting at 5 pm, a Gala performance, and a post-performance party.

This gala evening features the musical and choreographic artistry of Russian icons past and present – masters Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninov, and George Balanchine, as well as contemporary virtuosos Leonid Desyatnikov, Yuri Possokhov, and Alexei Ratmansky. The gala performance will take place in the War Memorial Opera House, and will feature the Company in a variety of works selected by Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson expressly for the evening. Following the performance, the post-party at City Hall is open to all, and features dancing to music by Pride & Joy, Discotheque with Pure Energy and Luna Nova Quartet. It also includes Refreshments and Desserts, Wine, Vodka Martinis, White and Black Russians, Heavy Hors d'Oeuvres, including Beef Stroganoff, Potato Pancakes, Prawns, Smoked Salmon, Sushi, and more!

Dont miss it!

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & http://www.conciergesolutions-sf.com/

HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY!

Welcome to the White House and History President-Elect Obama.

Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States.

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & www.ConciergeSolutions-SF.com

8TH ANNUAL SAN FRANCISCO DINE ABOUT TOWN IS HERE!

Want to feast on a spectacular meal in San Francisco - one of the world's premier culinary destinations - at a truly appetizing price? Of course you do! January's Dine About Town event gives you the perfect opportunity. For two delicious weeks, you can try more than 100 Bay Area restaurants.

Presented by The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau Jan 15-31, 2009 Lunch $21.95 Dinner $34.95 Enjoy special three-course, prix-fixe menus at participating restaurants. See list below for restaurants and their meal offerings. Prices are per person and do not include beverage, tax or gratuity. Please ask for the official Dine About Town menu when you are seated.

List of restaurants have been removed 1/30/09

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & http://www.conciergesolutions-sf.com/

EMPTY WALLET? YOU CAN STILL HAVE A FULL CALENDAR!

Now that the holiday’s are over you may be experiencing a cash crunch. Not to worry, there are many cultural events you can enjoy without spending money.
This are helpful suggestions that will keep you entertained while allowing you to pay off your credit card.

Enjoy the Museums that offer free or discount entrance.

• Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St. between Fulton and McAllister
First Tuesday of Every month free.

• California Academy of Sciences
55 Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park
3rd Wednesday of every month free.

• Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission St.
The first Tuesday of every calendar month is "Pay What You Wish Day."

• The Chinese Historical Society of America
965 Clay Street
First Thursday of the month is free.

• Museo ItaloAmericano
Fort Mason Center Building C
Free the first Wednesday of every month.

• Museum of Craft and Folk Art
51 Yerba Buena Lane
First Tuesday of every month free.

• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission St. at 3rd
Galleries are free the first Tuesday of every month.

• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third St. between Mission and Howard
First Tuesday of each month free.

• The de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
First Tuesday of each month free.

• Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park in the Presidio
First Tuesday of each month free.

• Conservatory of Flowers
John F. Kennedy Dr. in Golden Gate Park
First Tuesday of each month free.

• The Contemporary Jewish Museum
121 Steuart Street between Mission and Howard
Third Monday of each month free.

• Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
First Wednesday of each month free. Groups of 10 or more require reservations.

• San Francisco Zoo
Sloat Blvd. at 47th Ave.
irst Wednesday of each month free to San Francisco residents


• The Randall Museum
199 Museum Way
Always Free!

By Maria Barrios Ehmer & www.ConciergeSolutions-SF.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I offer all my best wishes and hopes for yet another year full of surprises. Have a Happy, Wonderful and Remarkable 2009!

Peace

Joy

Happiness

Change

Love

Abundance

Luck