an Epic celebration

 Dancing Jen's birthday lunch was down at the Embarcadero yesterday ~ a gorgeous day, as you can see. We had front row seats for the naked bicyclists on the patio of the Epic Steakhouse. I'm in no position to body shame anyone, but really, we wear clothes for a good reason. Lunch was delicious and we had such a lovely time catching up with our lives. Today is Bay to Breakers, a good reason to stay home, right?

happy Heist brunch

 What a cheery little restaurant on Post Street! But best of all was catching up with Dancing Jen over my delicious French toast and latte. The rains came down but I made it to Macy's for some smart shopping, a very good Wednesday indeed.

one glorious Saturday

 And all thanks to Dancing Jen. First, lunch at Chao Pescao right next to the Tenderloin Gardens where people were working and enjoying the sunshine. So lovely to catch up with my dear friend. Then we walked over to the Orpheum to see the outstanding production of Suffs. Oh, see this if you possibly can, it was a fabulous production and I was inspired by the music and the message. We owe so much to those brave women who fought for years so women now have the freedom to vote. And then the reminder that the 14th Amendment has never passed. So much work still to do. What a lovely day, I am so grateful.

an excellent Saturday

 I met Dancing Jen at the Wayfare Tavern downtown on Pine Street yesterday. I love this restaurant which was busy, warm and welcoming with great American food ~ I had never been there before and it was a FIND and I will return. The best part was catching up with Jen, of course. People are returning to SF, I'm happy to report ~ tourists and locals. Yay!

two favorites

 Dancing Jen and Le Central. What could be better for a Saturday lunch in SF? We celebrated Jen's belated birthday and had a delightful catch-up time and even did a bit of future tripping. Much of the country suffers bad weather but it is clear, sunny and beautiful here. So fortunate. Returned to my quiet, happy home to watch the Giants win and then to NY for SNL. 

a tea a day

 This is the BEST advent calendar ever from dear Dancing Jen. Every afternoon I take a little break with a different tea ~ packaged beautifully and totally unusual and delicious. Thank you!

Grant Avenue, San Francisco

 It was a beautiful day downtown yesterday at the Chinatown Gate where I met dear Dancing Jen for lunch at Cafe de la Presse. The city looked beautiful to me and it was wonderful being with my friend again. As you should all remember, we worked together at Borders back in the early 2000's. Jen is very special and I'm exceedingly grateful for our friendship.

that French feeling

 It's been years (decades!) since I've been to Le Central on Bush Street. Yesterday the most wonderful Dancing Jen treated me to a lavish lunch featuring escargot and one of the BEST burgers I have ever had. They actually honored the rare request, which is (ahem) rare these days. I loved the food and ambience, but of course our catch-up conversation was just what I needed. Merci, mon ami. (or like that)

OH, they are b-a-c-k

 Tourists galore in Chinatown yesterday ~ really, the sidewalks, stores and restaurants were all back in business. And I had a lovely catch-up time with Dancing Jen over lunch at our old favorite Golden Star. The chef dashed out for fresh mushrooms for my delicious chicken dish. Jen has been their superb and special customer for years and so I benefitted. A fine day indeed. Gratitude!

Dancing Jen's birthday lunch

 Il Casaro Pizzeria is in the top photo and Jen and her birthday pizza in the bottom. Then some photos that I took along the way practicing capture-the-sense-of-wonder theme from Karen S. This city (all cities?) is rich with creative and colorful details. The sunshine helped everything too. A delightful time.

the many parklets of Hayes Street

 Dancing Jen and I had an outdoor lunch at Absinthe yesterday and were able to catch up on each others' lives. (Hers more interesting than mine, needless to say.) Then we walked a bit to catch the flavor of that busy area which has grown and changed so much over the past decade. Many of the blocks were closed to car traffic which enabled music and restaurants to thrive. People are definitely not staying in during this latest phase of the pandemic. We overheard the waiter describe the absinthe drink as "mouthwash and licorice combination taste" ~ not tempted. 

Dancing Jen Saturday

 This semi sort of vegetarian enjoyed a delicious steak sandwich sitting outside at John's Grill yesterday. Dear Dancing Jen picked up the check and we had a lovely time and yes, I am grateful and fortunate.

Belden Place = delightful

 Dancing Jen and I had a garlic-filled, delicious lunch yesterday at B44 in Belden Place, a wonderful street (alley?) in the financial district with Russian, French, Spanish and American restaurants. All outdoors, some with roof top coverings, some not. Another "why I love SF" kind of day.

birthday and time travel

 Here is Dancing Jen in October, 2014, when we were in (duh) Paris. Today is her Happy Birthday and of course I wish her many, many more years of joy and travel and I send beaucoup love and gratitude. 

Dancing Jen and John's Grill

 We had a lovely pre-birthday lunch at John's Grill (outside) yesterday. Lots of catch-up and always so great to see Dancing Jen and to hear about her never dull life. And of course we all know how much I love to be downtown. Today is International Women's Day ~ we all celebrate!

let's walk, let's Zoom

gargoyles ~ Bernal style

oh, that's right, it's Spring

superb chicken dinner with friends 

I think I will take Husbando's walking sticks today as I explore the nearby
hills that have become steeper since last I did this kind of exploring. Some
of the old standby homes have gentrified, some not.

Zoom chicken dinner thanks to Doug and Barb. Delightful to catch up
with them and I was and am so gratified. We had a lot of catch-up to
cover including a little gossip. We are not alone.

Today. Happy Birthday to dear Dancing Jen who is working at St.
Anthony's boxing up food for the less fortunate. Hard work, good woman.

a warm time on a cold day

Dancing Jen treated me to a lovely birthday lunch at Amber in downtown
SF yesterday. The streets and the restaurant were packed with weary
shoppers and we had a quiet table to enjoy our leisurely lunch of lamb,
chicken, rice, naan, etc. Delicious food and a so much to talk about.
We were amazed to discover that we met almost 20 years ago at the
Big Box Borders. How could this be? Such a rewarding friendship.

back to Sunday

I met Dancing Jen and Jon at Star (where Jen is royalty) for lunch. First I
checked out Portsmouth Square ~ this amazing always-packed park is a haven
for the many Chinese residents who live (I understand) in tiny, crowded nearby
apartments. This was the first public park in SF.  Older men and women
gather in separate groups to play various games. Above the men are setting
up cardboard boxes which have been left all stacked and neatly folded (by
whom?) around the square. Resourceful residents without electronic devices.

happy year of the pig

They were busy decorating in Chinatown yesterday for their big New
Year Celebration next weekend. I had a delightful lunch with Dancing
Jen at our favorite Star Restaurant where we are treated like royalty.
We had much to discuss and then walked on to downtown, happy to
have the blue sky and sunshine after so much rain.

bueno Yerba Buena

Samovar Tea Lounge

Yesterday I met Dancing Jen and Jon Garber here at Samovar for a
delightful lunch. Avocado Eggs Benedict and tea, yes TEA. Jen had
a horrible green concoction with her sandwich, but the vibes were
lovely because Yerba Buena itself is just a special park oasis in the
heart of the city and Samovar sits on top of it with glorious skyline
views. Of course I stopped for a latte when I got back to my nabe
later in the afternoon. What's a woman to do?