Posted: July 21st, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Local Attractions, Plazas, Shops, Views | Tags: Admiral George Dewey, BART, Bulgari, Cable cars, Chanel, Dior, Geary Street, Gucci, Levi's, Louis Vuitton, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nike Town, Post Street, Powell Street, Prada, Sak's Fifth Avenue, Salvatore Ferragamo, San Francisco, Stockton Street, Tiffany & Co., Union Square, Westin St. Francis, Williams Sonoma |
Bordered by Geary, Powell, Stockton and Post Streets
San Francisco, CA 94108
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Originally named for the rallies once held in this location to show support for the Union Army during the Civil War, Union Square continues to play a central role in the city as a backdrop for various ceremonies, art shows, cultural activities, the occasional protest, and its annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting during the Winter holidays. In terms of historical significance, the 97 foot tall Corinthian column and winged Victory statue were erected in 1903 to commemorate Admiral George Dewey’s victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. In 1941, the world’s first underground parking garage built beneath the plaza was opened. Read more »
Posted: May 20th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Local Attractions, Personal & Home Fragrances | Tags: bath products, candles, cologne, Diptyque, fragrances, lotion, Maiden Lane, perfume, Union Square |
171 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 402-0600
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Founded in Paris in 1961, Diptyque started out as an avant-garde fabrics and decorative art shop that also sold perfumed-scented candles. Their product line has since expanded over the years into personal fragrances of their signature scents and fragrance sprays for the home. The company also started selling body care products like lotions and bath products.
No one wants their own personal fragrance to be commonplace wherever they go, so it helps that the Maiden Lane shop is the only Diptyque store on the West Coast, and one of only three in the U.S. Read more »
Posted: March 15th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Comfort Food, Daytime Eats, Evening, Late night Eats, Pub, Union Square | Tags: Beers, Burgers, Cocktails, Comfort Food, Dinner, drinks, Guinness, Lunch, Open late, piano bar, Pub, San Francisco, Scotch, St. Patricks Day, Union Square, Wine |
243 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 954-0777
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Being St. Patrick’s Day and all, it seemed appropriate to spend my Saturday celebrating over pints of Guinness and some pub fare. My friends decided upon Johnny Foley’s Irish House, a traditional Irish pub located near Union Square, for the festivities. Foley’s was surprisingly larger than expected with multiple dining areas and a separate bar in the rear dining room. There’s even a dueling piano bar located in the basement worth checking out. Read more »
Posted: February 19th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Afternoon Tea, Daytime Eats, Dessert & Coffee, New American, Union Square | Tags: Afternoon Tea, bread pudding, Burgers, Cuisine, desserts, drinks, lobster, lobster club, Lunch, New American, Pasta, popovers, San Francisco, Union Square, Wine |
150 Stockton Street, Level 4
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 249-2720
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Being my birthday and all, lunch somewhere a little more fancy than the typical Thursday norm seemed in order. Some white wine at noon on a Thursday? Hmm, why not. The Rotunda is located at the top of Neiman Marcus and is one of the more notable spots in Union Square for that special brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Nearly every table gets a great view of the Beaux Arts stained-glass skylight, but seats facing the unobstructed views of Union Square are highly sought after and are usually reserved well in advance. Read more »
Posted: February 10th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Daytime Eats, Evening, Late night Eats, Thai, Union Square | Tags: Asian, authentic, California, cash only, Cheap eats, Cuisine, Dinner, Lunch, Open late, San Francisco, Thai, Union Square |
110 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
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When wandering around the streets near Union Square, it’s easy to get distracted by the sea of retail and restaurants dotted along Powell Street. It’s best to push past the aggressive restaurant greeters indicative of tourist traps and instead, opt for a crowded seat or table at Bangkok Noodles. Judging by the hungry diners that often congregate outside during meal times, it’s no secret that this place is a local favorite for some of the best affordable and delicious Thai cuisine in the city. Read more »
Posted: November 30th, 2009 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Daytime Eats, Dessert & Coffee, Italian, Union Square | Tags: Beers, Breakfast, Cafe, California, cash only, coffee, dessert, Italian, Lunch, Maiden Lane, Patio, San Francisco, Union Square |
175 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 956-1188
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For those crisp and sunny autumn days spent shopping in Union Square, an outdoor lunch on Maiden Lane is the prefect break from the frenzy of holiday shopping. Dining here amongst the boutiques and art galleries feels like areas of SoHo, while the live jazz helps to muffle the harsh noises of the city. Read more »
Posted: May 21st, 2009 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Men's Apparel | Tags: boxers, men's clothes, shirts, ties, Union Square |
210 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 837-0937
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There are dress shirts and there are dress shirts, Cafe Coton makes the latter. Down the street from high profile retail shops by the likes of |Hermes| and |Prada|, this quaint little shop near Union Square is one of only a handful of US locations and is definitely worth a visit. The superior quality over other brands is noticeable in the way these fabrics look and feel; the fine Egyptian cotton comes in a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, and are styled with a European tapered fit with either French or button cuffs. There is even a choice of thread count, the highest of which features mother of pearl buttons, which are an unexpected luxury. Read more »
