LA VIE EN ROSE !

THE PINK ROSES CANDLE FROM DIPTYQUE

Limited Edition

The luxury perfumed candles are a sophisticated reinvention of nature. Each fragrance expresses a moment, evokes a special place and has its own composition to ensure a fragrance that remains true to itself. This amazing candles will burn for more than 60 hours.

Pink Roses is the most romantic of all the Diptyque candles. This floral and feminine fragrance comes from the blending of several varieties of roses.

Think Mothers Day, hostess gift or just to pamper yourself.

$68.00 Totally worth it!

Diptyque San Francisco, 171 Maiden Lane, 415.402.0600

FRENCH COCKTAILS IN THE HEART OF RUSSIAN HILL

La Folie Lounge
2316 Polk St (at Green)
Russian Hill

What is new? La Folie, the four-star restaurant, is having a great adition, a lounge wich promisses to be versatile enough to act as both your special-occasion spot and also your neighborhood haunt—filling in the void of mellow lounges in Russian Hill.
Think of the lounge as a good mix of San Francisco minimalism and Moulin Rouge opulence: when you walk in, the Napoleon blue walls, pressed tin ceiling, metallic chandelier, plush ivory sofas and French trompe l'oeil panels make it easy to forget that this was the old La Boulange space.

Walk up to the leathery-tiled, resin-topped bar helmed by Casper Rice (Michael Mina, Rubicon), and you'll be downing classics with a French-inspired twist in no time (go for the elderflower liqueur-soaked Elder-Village Margarita or the Hangar One Buddha's Hand-spiked Andalusian Aperitif). Of course, you've learned not to drink on an empty stomach, so you won't want to miss Chef Passot's Lobster Croque Monsieur.

An stop is a must!

NEW FAVORITE VINO SPOT @ MILLENNIUM TOWER

RN74
Millennium Tower
301 Mission St at First -San Francisco 415-543-7474

It's the beginning of an, er, fruitful partnership. Not just the one between Raj Parr and Jason Berthold—the former a Mina Group wine director, the latter a French Laundry alum. No, we mean the one between you and your new favorite vino spot.

Raise a glass to RN74, a Burgundy-inspired wine bar and restaurant nestled into the base of the new Millennium Tower .

Think of the place (named after Route National 74, which passes through Burgundy ) as the casually chic, wine-obsessed little sister of restaurant Michael Mina—and a mainstay-in-waiting for business lunches or post-work martinis and pinots.Prefer pleasure to business?

Request table 49. It's a (what else?) burgundy-colored leather nook, where you'll have a prime view of the last-bottle board—an electronic train board from Italy that ticks out rare deals like something from a high-stakes auction.

Of course, you can also sift through the 3,000-bottle and 50-glass selection from the 80-odd page wine list. Or just consult the market board overhead, which lists 100 bottles under $100.

As Berthold had a hand in making some of the wines, you can rest assured that your Japanese Big Fin Squid or Sautéed Pork Belly will pair seamlessly.

But you should judge for yourself.

Cheers!

ECO-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS & EARTH DAY

Eating Green

In recent months, world attention has been focused on the shaky economic situation rather than the myriad troubles facing our planet… which is exactly why we celebrate Earth Day each year on April 22, to remind us to take care of our ultimate natural resource. But where to eat after attending one of the special events planned for the day? I've rounded up a few eco-friendly restaurants around the bay where you can enjoy locally sourced fare that won't make you feel guilty about your carbon footprint.

Alembic, Bardessono, Calafia, Chez Panisse, Fish & Farm, Flea St. Café, Greens, Jardiniere, nopa, Pizzaiolo, Serpentine and Spruce.

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

THE HOT LIST ! TAX TIPS!

Tax Tips
Chances are you've paid the piper- or will come Wednesday- and, in the spirit of putting 2008 to bed (financially) here are some recomendations to help you move on and celebrate. Let the fun begin ....


IN THE RED
Spring Wine Special at Terzo

Head to Terzo, and they'll give you half off a bottle—or, more optimistically put: two bottles for one—from the 20-deep list of wines under $40. Order the Grilled Niman Ranch Steak and call it a day.

Sun-Thur, now through May 31, 3011 Steiner St. (at Union ), 415-441-3200


A WINDFALL
Lounge Menu at Michael Mina

MM's new lounge menu means that you can feel like a million bucks without spending it. Settle into a high-backed stool at the marble bar and load up on luxe comforts like Lobster Corn Dogs and Lobster Pot Pie from the new lounge menu as Borys whips you up a dirty martini, or five.

Now at Michael Mina, Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St (at Post), 415-397-9222


HALFWAY HOUSE
Halfsy Hour at Zinnia

Thanks to Zinnia's new Halfsy Hour, classic libations like a Dark and Stormy, Chimay Red Label and glass of syrah are half-off starting Wednesday. Perfect timing…

5-7pm, starting Apr 15, Zinnia, 500 Jackson St (at Montgomery ), 415-956-7300


STOCK TIP
15% Off Wines at Biondivino

Some people invest in pork bellies; for you wine is more of a sure thing. Drop by this wall-to-wall Italian wine boutique, mention UrbanDaddy and you'll get 15 percent off any bottle—or rather, every bottle—in the shop.

Apr 15, Biondivino, 1415 Green St (at Polk), 415-673-2320


FILE AN EXTENSION
ACME Chophouse's Happy Hour

Head to AT&T Park, and for $5, you'll get your choice of Iron Chef/James Beard-winning chef Traci Des Jardin's Dungeness fritters, baby-back ribs or chicken wings—add $3 draft beers, $4 wines by the glass and $10 by the half-bottle, and call it your season pass.

Starts Apr 16, Tues-Fri on non-home-game days, 4:30-6:30pm, ACME, 415-644-0240


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

CHEZ PANISSE - INFLUENCED TAPAS ON NOE VALLEY

Contigo Kitchen + Cava

1320 Castro St (at 24th)

San Francisco

415.285.0250

Usually a little getaway is what it takes to recharge the batteries.

But sometimes, something as simple as dinner is all you need.

That's when you'll want to try Contigo, a tapas bar straight from deep in the heart of Barcelona , in Noe Valley .

This little eatery, complete with its garden patio out back, is one part Cali , one part classic tapas bar. Stepping inside, you'll be whisked into a bright, bustling spot that was formerly a computer shop (now, thankfully USB-free).

Linger with your date over the wooden bar rail across from the kitchen and start with some cava. The kitchen is lorded over by a Chez Panisse vet, so you'll do good to start with classics like a Spanish omelet and fried potatoes before splurging on a few slices of acorn-fed, free-range Jamon Iberico de Bellota. Or, opt for the Txistorra Burger topped with fried onions and manchego.

The best seats are the plush, high-backed stools at the kitchen or bar counter, unless you want to nestle up at a table made of wood salvaged from the old Levi Strauss factory (denim not required).

Add a 40-deep Iberian wine list, local ales and even an Estrella Damm lager imported from Barcelona , and consider yourself transported.

And maybe even recharged.

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

CHERRY BLOSOOM FESTIVAL, APRIL 18 & 19

Every April San Francisco’s Japantown comes alive for the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival started as a display of Japanese cultural heritage and pride. Community groups came together as a spirit of unity, some taking form for the first time in order to participate in the Festival. Throughout the 40 years, it has grown to encompass the many facets of the Japanese community.

Throughout the two weekends, the streets of Japantown becomes a live stage where you will have the opportunity to see Japanese dancing, singing, martial arts demonstrations, as well as taste traditional and nontraditional Japanese delicacies.

The Festival is always a sold-out venue. On Sunday, April 19, the Grand Parade begins at the Civic Center at 1:00p.m., proceeding up Polk to Post Street , and ends in Japantown. At the finale of the parade is the Taru Mikoshi, that will be hoisted by over one hundred individuals.

See the Calendar of events for further information

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

HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!

HAVE A HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND !

THE ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW AT MACYS

THE FABULOUS ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW AT MACYS
April 3 - 18, 2009

There is one San Francisco retail event I never miss. The annual Flower show at Macys. For a week or two Macys is transformed into a most amazing garden. This year’s theme is “ A Bohemian Garden” a magical fantasyland of enchanted forests and storybook castles inspired by the historic countryside of Prague -the true Bohemian city.

Each floor is decorated in distinctive garden displays. Browse the selection of specialty foods, candies and décor for sale, or enjoy one of the many Bohemian-inspired events, including performances, flower arranging and cooking demonstrations. The main floor off Stockton Street will include a stream running through the main hall. Don’t miss the 6th floor’s famous and fabulous place settings.

When Macy's Flower Show ends, customers can take home a little green and give their gardens an exotic spring makeover-at a great price. On Sunday, April 19 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., customers can purchase the slightly used flowers and plants that beautified the store at Macy's Flower Show Plant Sale in Union Square Park . All proceeds benefit the Helen Hilton Raiser Floral Fund, which helps enhance the plants in Union Square Park . Any remaining plants will also be donated to the organization.

The show runs through April 18.

18TH ANNUAL UNION STREET PARADE

San Francisco's 18th AnnualSpring Celebration & Easter Parade
Sunday, April 12, 200910:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Union Street ~ Gough to Fillmore

The 18th annual event celebrates and showcases the diverse community of San Francisco and features some of Union Street's best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting.

A variety of children's and family activities are the focus of the event and include; large inflatable bounces, kids' rides and games, a climbing wall, a hands-on children's activities area, costumed characters, a petting zoo, a pony ride and entertainment from some of the Bay Area's best musicians.

For the past 17 years the event has been known as the Biggest Little Parade in San Francisco. Over the years the parade has grown and in 2008 there were 45 units entered, all of which reflected the unique community of the Bay Area.

The event is not your average Street Fair or formal Parade. It can best be described as wonderful, wacky, elegant and fabulous, with everything from roller-blading cows and creative self-propelled mini-floats to garden areas, sophisticated fashions and beautiful classic and art cars. It's a special event for the entire family.

Dont miss it!