a busy, rainy SF day

 Sis was such a good sport (even eager!) to get into the WAYMO driverless taxi which we used twice yesterday. We also got a good walk in from Union Square to Chinatown to North Beach. First we had a duck soup lunch at the Thai place near Jane's hotel and then we just walked in the gentle rain and talked about everything. We have much in common and she is SUCH a likable person and it is a treat being with her this week. So grateful! 

Karen and Mario

 The BEST grilled eggplant sandwich is at Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store in North Beach. I found easy (!) parking there yesterday and had a lovely lunch with Karen H. who returns to her home in NY on Sunday. We always have a lot to talk about every year ~ quite special.

Mario's and memories

 I had a long and wonderful morning in North Beach before I met Karen H. for lunch at Mario's. They have changed the bus routes and I need to learn a few new details, but I'm all for exploration and exercise so everything worked out, it just took a bit more time. Hermit Day today and much needed.

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.

always simply the best

 Here is the view from Victoria Pastry in North Beach where I enjoyed my latte yesterday morning. Then I walked with Luckey who knows everyone and then later I went to an art gallery reception for a friend of Neti's. If I were doing it all again I would start out in North Beach and probably stay forever. 

back to North Beach

 Carlo has a booth at the North Beach Farmers Market and I wanted to buy one of his succulent creations for a gift, plus walk around this neighborhood that I love so much. I stopped for a latte and bagel in the sun and soaked in the atmosphere of this still Italian area of SF.  Carlo's family in the top photo ~ we worked together at the museums, but of course you remembered that. As you should...

North Beach? Who knew?

 This hermit went out to dinner last night, meeting Marsha's friend Luckey at Portofino on Grant Avenue. The first time I have had crab in ages and I enjoyed every messy bite. I had NO idea that hordes of people were going out these nights and there were sparkly, inviting parklets all over the place, meaning terrible traffic problems, but so what? Lots of happy vaxxed (we hope) party people enjoying the warm night.

life is slowly returning

 Chinatown and North Beach without huge tourist buses. Yesterday I met Jen and Jon for a walk up Grant Avenue which is partially closed for street music and restaurant activity. Lovely. The BEST lasagna in the world is at Casaro's and we sat outside there and talked about the present, past and future. Delightful!

The Chubby Noodle

 I miss noodles and pasta so much. Chef Husbando was an expert with the al dente noodles and I am not. So yesterday I asked Dancing Jen for this treat and we met on Green Street down in North Beach to sit outside and catch-up. I forgot to take photos, too busy with my garlic noodles. So this is a stock photo, taken before the build out of parklet phase of this nasty pandemic. I hadn't seen Dancing Jen since March and we had a lot to cover over lunch. A very good day, thank you, Jen.

the best part of book club?

I was early to lunch yesterday and was able to bask in the sun with my
latte before we all met across the street at Fior d' Italia in North Beach
where they were having a loud memorial with too many drinks in the
bar and an office party in the restaurant. Waaaaay too loud. There is,
and always has been, something very special about this part of our city.
Big and happy news ~ rain expected next week!

two dog day

solo sun sitting before work ~ El Greco Cafe

Rosa on the left, ear of Duca on the right

I spent yesterday dog sitting with Rosa and Duca in Marsha's little art-filled
apartment in North Beach. It was so pleasant and I got a lot of reading done
and I also worked on my computer and iPhone. We three walked and of
course everyone knows these funny Manchester Terriers and then we
had a delicious quiche and another latte for a late lunch, sitting outside
in the heart of North Beach. A rough assignment for sure.

a night in North Beach

Beach Blanket Babylon

Saints Peter and Paul on Filbert Street

We both always adored North Beach and when love was new we would
come here several times a month to walk, drink and eat. Of course it
has changed, but it still feels unique and so alive. Last night I joined
Marsha and her friends for dinner and Beach Blanket Babylon. We
had dinner at Noren Izakaya (a new Japanese place) and then hit
BBB for the last time (for me) since it is closing forever in December.
I had a latte first to let my memories overwhelm me, in a good way.
Decades ago, before coffee was a BFD, we would drive here for
Graffeo coffee beans, dark and Italian roast, of course. Graffeo is
still here, but now even Costco has terrific bags of beans.