Old Ship Saloon

298 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 788-2222
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Quite possibly the oldest saloon established in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon is a Jackson Square landmark that’s been in business since the three-masted boat named the Arkansas was beached here back in 1851. At inception, a door was merely cut directly into the hull of the boat to convert the ship into an ale house. Over time the ship was replaced with a brick and mortar building that functioned as a hotel, which still operated the Old Ship Saloon in a barroom on the ground floor. Read more »

SF Street Food Festival

On Folsom Street, between
24th and 26th Streets
3rd Saturday of August, annually
11am – 7pm
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With the emergence of gourmet food carts reaching critical mass in the city, it’s no surprise there is now a festival dedicated to the phenomenon. Snaking around a handful of city blocks along Folsom Street, close to Garfield Square in the Mission District, the SF Street Food Festival this year was packed to the brim with hungry visitors, all there to experience something unexpectedly delicious that was prepared from a mobile kitchen. The wait times just to sample dishes from various vendors like |Roli Roti| and |Kung Fu Tacos| were overwhelming to say the least, which made coordinated efforts with friends to wait in multiple lines the right move. Read more »

Kasa Indian Eatery

3115 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 896-4008
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Prior to the arrival of Kasa Indian Eatery, options for healthy, freshly prepared Indian cuisine in the Marina were scant to say the least. Unlike other Indian restaurants in the city that exude a more ethnic ambiance, I was a bit surprised to see a modern interior space that feels like the Indian version of an upscale quick service restaurant. From the polished stainless-steel kitchen surfaces, industrial coated concrete floors, to the loft-like feeling of the space, the interior is miles from what one may have grown accustomed to when dining Indian. Read more »

Betelnut

2030 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 929-8855
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Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.

Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Read more »

Pride Festival

Civic Center Plaza
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Last weekend of June annually
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Celebrating 40 years in the city, this annual weekend long event draws an estimated crowd of over one million people, all there to show support for tolerance and pride. The festivities include a parade down Market Street, culminating with a massive festival in Civic Center Plaza. Read more »

Delarosa

2175 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 673-7100
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From the owners of Beretta comes Delarosa, a modern Italian restaurant that’s conveniently located on Chestnut Street in the Marina district. Though the signage looks more at home on a stainless steel Italian espresso machine, the interior is warm and inviting, with its share of high top communal tables encouraging conversation amongst diners.

Chef Ruggero Gadaldi’s menu features a mix of antipasti, salads, pastas, and Roman style pizzas, all complimented by a large selection of draft beers, wines and cocktails. Read more »

North Beach Festival

Washington Square
1635 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
3rd weekend of June annually
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Right in the heart of North Beach, participants at this Summertime festival in Washington Square will find live bands and vendors selling food and beverages, all in a nice park setting. Unlike the street fairs in other districts, it’s great to be able to sit down on the grass and bask in the sun while watching the performances. Read more »

Jardiniere

300 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-5555
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If a night at the theater is in your plans, then so should drinks and dinner at Jardinière. Conveniently located across the street from both the War Memorial Opera house and the Davies Symphony Hall, it is a perfect place to come for a cocktail and a bite to eat before a show. Read more »

21st Amendment

563 2nd St
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 369-0900
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There really is no better way to spend a sunny Spring Saturday than with good friends, good drinks and baseball. Just a few blocks away from AT&T Park, home of the SF Giants, you’ll find 21st Amendment, a local brewery and restaurant founded in 2000. A great setting for both pre and post-game gatherings, it’s the perfect place if you’re there to try some of their hand-crafted beers, or just hoping to grab a burger.

One of the best things about 21st Amendment is the beer garden they open up on game days. Read more »

Cherry Blossom Festival

1706 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Mid April, Annually
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For over forty years, San Francisco has celebrated the arrival of flowering cherry blossoms with a two weekend long celebration in the middle of |Japantown|. Originally a tradition in Japan called |Hanami| (flower viewing), celebrations there consist of outdoor parties and feasts amongst the blooming trees that can go on until the wee hours. Since the flowers typically only last a week or two on the tree, the cherry blossom is said to symbolize the fleeting beauty of life. Read more »